Since this little octopus could communicate with Lansi, it had to be a sea monster.
With that realization, Lansi relaxed a bit.
He looked up at the surface and saw that Wen Yu seemed to have left. Turning back, he asked the little octopus seriously:
"Do you know what nesting is?"
"I do," the little octopus replied with a nod.
According to the little octopus, mermaids build nests twice in their lifetimes.
The first nest signifies rebirth. The second marks maturity.
"Maturity" referred to another kind of evolution. Through this second nest, the mermaid could achieve what others would call a new form of life. Teeth and claws would grow sharper, lost parts would regenerate, and the body would reconstruct itself to adapt fully to its environment until it reached perfection.
After hearing this, Lansi looked down at his webbed claws. Then, after a moment, he raised his head, his gaze steady.
"I want to build a nest."
If nest-building could bring back his fangs, claws, and his voice, then no matter the cost, he would do it.
The little octopus blinked, surprised. It had thought it would take much more persuasion.
It gave a satisfied nod and said in a soft, milky voice, "That's good."
Lansi had actually been preparing for nesting all along, even if he hadn't realized it.
Ever since waking up in the ocean, no matter what happened or how bad the food tasted, he never starved himself. Something deep inside told him he had to eat. That was a sign of physical preparation.
And ever since being captured and brought to land, he'd maintained a positive mindset and a drive to evolve, to break through the spiritual limitations. That was his mental preparation.
In short, everything was ready. He only needed the right moment.
Lansi had been sleeping in one particular corner of the pool for some time now. It turned out he had subconsciously chosen that spot because he liked it. It felt right for nesting.
That corner—southeast—felt perfect. If he was going to build a nest, it would be there.
With that decision made, the last hesitation melted away. Lansi swam to the southeast corner of the pool, spat out the sticky nesting fluid from his mouth, and began to work.
The little octopus floated nearby, watching with approval.
But this was Lansi's first time building a nest consciously, and he had no experience. After a long time, he managed to form just a small base.
Completely drained, he flopped to the bottom of the pool like a dead fish.
The little octopus inspected the white base and thought it looked quite nice.
"Good job," it said gently. "Take your time."
"I'm so tired," Lansi muttered, lying limply. "I barely built anything and I already feel like a dried-up fish."
He couldn't imagine how exhausting it would be to finish the whole nest.
"Well, this is a rebirth process, after all," said the little octopus. "It'll all be worth it in the end, right?"
Even so, Lansi's stomach grumbled miserably.
He suddenly lifted his head and stared at the little octopus, his eyes sparkling.
"Can I eat you?"
First rule of mermaid breeding: when a young fish is building a nest, always make sure he's fed. If not, he'll eat any living creature in sight.
The little octopus froze. Then, in a flash, it bolted upstream with all its might.
Lansi blinked, confused. But then he saw the octopus trying to flee, and that kicked his hunting instincts into overdrive. Nothing excites a predator more than fleeing prey.
With a splash, Lansi launched himself out of the water in pursuit.
A small red blur shot out of the water, smacked into the floor with a "slap," and bounced like jelly before slipping into the bushes and turning green to blend in.
Lansi burst from the water just a second too late. Seeing nothing, he plopped back into the pool with a splash.
He floated aimlessly, scanning the area.
Just then, the glass door of the villa opened. Wen Yu stepped out.
Seeing Lansi's dazed expression, Wen Yu sighed and said calmly, "Lansi?"
Lansi swam to the edge of the pool and propped himself up. He looked at Wen Yu and wanted to say he was hungry.
But something stopped him. His mouth closed. He just stared at Wen Yu with wide, mesmerized eyes.
To him, Wen Yu seemed to glow with a soft light. He looked beautiful, almost divine.
Wen Yu paused, sensing something off. He looked closely at Lansi and said, "Hang in there. I'll get you something to eat."
But Lansi didn't respond. He reached toward Wen Yu and let out a soft, pleading sound, urging him to come closer.
Wen Yu hesitated, then turned to go back inside.
As soon as Lansi saw Wen Yu turning away, tears began to stream down his face. Tiny white pearls plinked onto the ground beside the pool.
Wen Yu stopped again and tried to explain, "I'm just going to get food for you."
Lansi didn't seem to care. He cried harder, still reaching toward Wen Yu, clearly wanting him to stay.
To make sure Wen Yu noticed, he even picked up one of the pearls and tossed it at him.
Wen Yu caught it mid-air and couldn't help smiling at Lansi's strange way of expressing himself.
Still, he turned and walked into the villa.
As soon as Wen Yu disappeared, the strange glow around him vanished from Lansi's eyes. He blinked, and the trance faded.
Looking at the scattered pearls on the floor, Lansi's face filled with confusion.
What had he just been trying to do? Why was he crying?
Ah, well. Pearls were useful anyway.
In an instant, his mood changed. Gone was the teary expression from before. He scooped up the pearls with his webbed claws and started stashing them away.
Just then, Wen Yu walked out again.
Lansi's ear fins twitched. His hands automatically opened, dropping all the pearls to the ground with a clatter.
But he didn't even notice.
His eyes were locked on Wen Yu.
There was that soft glow again, covering Wen Yu like a dream.
Wen Yu approached slowly, holding a bowl.
Lansi grew more and more excited. His tail flicked rapidly beneath the water, showing his delight.
Come here. Closer.
When Wen Yu was just a step away, he bent down and asked, "Do you want to eat me?"
Lansi couldn't process the question. His mind was filled with only one thing: Wen Yu.
To Lansi, Wen Yu was everything—almost like a deity.
He wanted to hold him, drag him into the water.
Even though he didn't understand what Wen Yu had just said, he could feel him getting closer. But not close enough.
So Lansi smiled sweetly, stretched out his hand again.
If this were the usual Lansi, Wen Yu would probably scoop him up and tease him.
But not now.
At this moment, Wen Yu looked at Lansi more cautiously.
In nature, many creatures reproduce and then eat their partners—not out of dominance, but because the energy required for reproduction is so great that they must consume the other to survive.
Now, the situation with Lansi was much the same.
Wen Yu held the bowl carefully and slowly knelt on one knee before Lansi.
Inside the bowl was the blue flame he had retrieved from the deep sea. It was the most nutritious, and Lansi's favorite food.
As expected, the moment Wen Yu approached, Lansi's expression softened into something more innocent and harmless. Yet the primal fire in his eyes, the desire unique to beasts, flared hotter and more intense.
A second later, Lansi's eyes sharpened. He swiftly grabbed Wen Yu's hand with his webbed claws, opened his mouth, and prepared to let out a fierce screech to intimidate him before dragging Wen Yu into the water.
"Ai—wu—"
But the next note was cut short by a sudden choke.
Before Lansi could yank him under, Wen Yu had seized the opportunity and shoved a spoonful of fish soup into his open mouth.
Lansi blinked in confusion, stunned by the taste in his mouth. The act of pulling Wen Yu into the water was completely forgotten.
He chewed a few times, then swallowed. The soup slid down his throat and into his stomach.
This fish soup was different from anything he'd eaten before. It wasn't just filling. A comforting warmth surged from his stomach to his head, gently soothing the mind that had been overwhelmed by instinct.
Lansi blinked again. As the taste settled in, his thoughts cleared. The dreamy haze faded from his vision, and the world snapped back into focus.
"Awake now?" Wen Yu raised an eyebrow. "Still planning to eat me?"
Hearing that, Lansi's face flushed with embarrassment. He mumbled softly, unable to come up with an excuse. Then, as memories of his earlier behavior drifted back to him, he suddenly tensed up.
[Have you seen a cute little red octopus?]
In his panic, Lansi forgot humans couldn't hear infrasound. He had instinctively spoken in the low-frequency tones only sea monsters could understand.
Wen Yu lowered his gaze. He calmly scooped up another spoonful of soup and brought it to Lansi's lips, replying without hesitation:
"No."
Silence fell between them.
Lansi didn't flinch at the spoon touching his lips. He only stared at Wen Yu, eyes wide and unblinking.
It was only after answering that Wen Yu realized his mistake. A human shouldn't be able to understand Lansi's words.
He wasn't a sea monster.
Trying to recover, Wen Yu quickly attempted an explanation.
"I have sea monster genes integrated into my body…"
[But when we first met, you couldn't understand me.]
Lansi perked up, sensing something suspicious. His tail flicked excitedly in the water.
[You look like Winsor. Are you his relative?]
Wen Yu fell silent.
He should be thankful Lansi thought of Winsor, and even more thankful that he'd assumed "relative" rather than "the same person."
"Fine."
With the lie partly exposed, Wen Yu decided there was no use struggling further. He might as well let the rest of the disguise fall apart on its own.
[Then by seniority, you should call me uncle.]
Lansi's tone was serious, but his eyes gleamed with playful mischief.
At the word "uncle," Wen Yu's mouth twitched involuntarily. With a sigh, he shoved the bowl and spoon into Lansi's hands.
"Feed yourself."
[Oh.]
Lansi let out a small sigh at the failed teasing, then obediently took the bowl. He ate spoonful by spoonful, looking slightly disappointed.
[I think I was hallucinating earlier. I'm not sure if I ate that little red octopus.]
"No."
Wen Yu's voice was dry as he repeated his denial.
"The octopus and I… are symbiotic."
He stared straight ahead, lying with a straight face.
Lansi had almost figured it out, so there was no need to come up with a third disguise.
[You? Symbiotic with that little octopus?]
Lansi looked Wen Yu up and down, astonished.
The person before him was a sharp, disciplined soldier. How could such a serious man have a cute little octopus as his symbiotic partner?
Could the octopus actually be his real body?
Lansi pictured the small red octopus paddling around in a pool, the edges of its little skirt fluttering with each swim. He couldn't help but laugh, swaying side to side in the water.
The image of Wen Yu, in full uniform and deadly serious, hiding such a ridiculous secret—it was too funny. Now, every time he looked at Wen Yu, he saw that silly image.
"Alright."
Seeing that Lansi was about to spill the soup into the water from laughing too much, Wen Yu stepped forward and steadied the bowl.
"Just eat."
[Okay.]
Lansi wiped away the grin and resumed eating obediently.
[What's in this? It tastes different from the usual. And what was wrong with me just now?]
"Just deep-sea fish."
Wen Yu answered without changing his expression, continuing to mislead him. But then he added seriously,
"When you're building a nest, don't let yourself go hungry. Otherwise, you'll attack anything you see. Understood?"
Lansi swallowed his soup, suddenly struck by a realization. Maybe that explained why mermaids were so rare.
[How do you know that?]
He looked at Wen Yu curiously.
"I've met three mermaids before you."
Wen Yu's eyes dropped, avoiding Lansi's gaze.
"All three of them are dead."