---
Liu Xingyu felt incredibly thirsty, as if she were in a scorching desert, dried up by the heat that spread through her entire body.
She shifted slightly, and opened her eyes, even that simple act took a lot of effort. The first thing she saw was the flashy ceiling of the room.
She stared at the ceiling for a moment before remembering what had happened to her, and how she had transformed into a mermaid in front of Shen Yuan.
After taking a deep breath and having a civilized conversation with her system…
Well, not exactly. If Xiao Jiu had a body, she would’ve strangled him. He hadn’t warned her about the sudden transformation, and she had exposed herself in front of Shen Yuan. Now, she didn’t even know if Shen Yuan would talk to her again.
The system told her it hadn’t noticed because the change was too fast, though she didn’t quite believe that. But there was nothing she could do about it.
As they say, "There’s no use crying over spilled milk."
Liu Xingyu asked the system and learned that she was now in Shen Yuan’s house and that only a few hours had passed since he brought her here.
Shen Yuan was currently asleep in his room, while she was in the guest room across from it.
Liu Xingyu got out of bed and found that her fish tail had disappeared, and her legs had returned. She was now wearing warm pajamas.
She was stunned for a moment, but relaxed when the system informed her that Shen Yuan had called a nurse after her legs returned to normal, and it was the nurse who had changed her clothes.
She took the water bottle beside the bed and drank it all, calming the heat inside her.
Without thinking, she then walked to Shen Yuan's room, opened the door quietly, and entered his bedroom.
It was already very late at night, and Shen Yuan, who usually had a regular schedule, was already asleep.
The room was completely dark. Liu Xingyu approached the bed slowly, wanting to take a look at Shen Yuan's sleeping face.
Unexpectedly, as she got closer to the bed, she heard a painful moan coming from it.
Liu Xingyu was startled, thinking Shen Yuan had woken up, and froze in place.
After waiting for a while, she realized that Shen Yuan seemed to be having a nightmare. His voice was filled with pain, and his breathing was strained, as if he was holding himself back.
Liu Xingyu’s heart tightened for a moment, and she suddenly recalled the little boy from the storyline who was abused daily by his mother.
She gently turned on the bedside lamp and saw Shen Yuan lying there, looking pained. His brows were furrowed tightly, and cold sweat was dripping down his forehead.
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His lips were pressed together, as if he was trying not to make any noise, but his groans kept escaping due to the intensity of his pain.
Looking at Shen Yuan like this, Liu Xingyu felt her heart tense. This vulnerable side of Shen Yuan made people want to hold him and comfort him.
As the major antagonist of the story, Shen Yuan was always portrayed as strong and resilient. Even if he was hurt, he would hide his pain, because his life would be at risk if he showed even a small sign of weakness.
But did Shen Yuan really deserve to go through all this? Since he was a child, he hadn’t done anything wrong, yet he continued to suffer immensely.
When he grew up, he was deceived,and betrayed,and in the end he chose to walk the path of no return. If someone had extended a hand to him, offered him love and care, he might not have destroyed himself—and the whole world—with him.
If his family and the girl he loved hadn’t tried to kill him, he wouldn’t have lost faith in this world…
Liu Xingyu didn’t know the answer, but just seeing Shen Yuan like this, she couldn’t bear it anymore.
Biting her lips in sorrow, she sat on the edge of the bed, helping Shen Yuan wipe the cold sweat from his forehead. She then gently patted his chest to soothe him.
Shen Yuan’s face gradually relaxed, and at that moment, he suddenly opened his eyes, which were bloodshot and vacant. For a moment, Liu Xingyu thought he might kill her.
Shen Yuan grabbed her wrist tightly, causing her to wince in pain, though she stifled her voice and didn’t cry out.
Shen Yuan stared at her coldly for a long time with his dark eyes, and the frightening expression on his face slowly faded.
Shen Yuan’s voice was a little hoarse as he asked, "What are you doing in my room in the middle of the night?"
Liu Xingyu shook her head, and Shen Yuan was still holding her wrist.
Shen Yuan’s gaze shifted downward, landing on Liu Xingyu's legs.
"Did the fish grow legs and want to use them badly?"
Suddenly, the dramatic atmosphere dissipated with Shen Yuan’s sarcasm, and Liu Xingyu’s face flushed with anger.
"I’m not a fish; I’m a human like you."
"Oh, I see."
Your look clearly says you don’t believe me, Liu Xingyu thought. She suppressed her anger, telling herself she shouldn’t argue with someone who’d just had a frightening nightmare.
Shen Yuan didn’t ask any more questions, nor did he explain his nightmare, and he didn’t question Liu Xingyu wandering around his home freely.
But then, he suddenly pulled Liu Xingyu close with his hands.
"Come on, let’s sleep. It’s the middle of the night."
Liu Xingyu’s eyelashes trembled, and she climbed into Shen Yuan’s bed. She wanted to refuse, but looking at Shen Yuan’s condition and considering he was her mission target—and that she might stay with him for several years—it was probably best to grow closer to him and get used to some physical contact.
She lay on her side carefully, keeping a small distance from Shen Yuan. Although she hypnotized herself into thinking it was no big deal to lie together in the same bed, her face, and even her ears, were completely red.
Suddenly, Shen Yuan extended his arms, wrapping them around Liu Xingyu and holding her tightly. His chin rested on her forehead, and he hugged her close to his chest. Liu Xingyu could feel Shen Yuan’s breath above her head and listen to his heartbeat.
Her body trembled; she felt like she was about to explode, both frightened and embarrassed, and didn’t know what to say or how to act. Then Shen Yuan spoke.
"Sleep. We need to get up early tomorrow; we have morning classes."
Liu Xingyu lay there between Shen Yuan’s arms. His arms were strong yet warm, and she felt safe and reassured, falling asleep quickly without realizing it.
In her sleep, she hugged Shen Yuan’s waist and clung to him unconsciously. Shen Yuan didn’t say anything and let Liu Xingyu cling to him.
Shen Yuan kept his eyes open, staring silently into the void in front of him. Even hours after he’d told Liu Xingyu to sleep.
His eyes were dark as the abyss, but for the first time, his hands were not empty, and he was not alone. He tightened his grip around Liu Xingyu, and slowly, he fell asleep.
---
“Wake up; it’s late.”
Half asleep, Liu Xingyu heard this sentence and responded sleepily,
"Just five more minutes; I want to sleep a little longer."
"You’ve been saying that for an hour now. Liu Xingyu, do you think I’m your butler? If you don’t get up right now, believe it or not, I’ll throw you out of the bed."
Startled by the slightly raised voice, Liu Xingyu jumped out of bed quickly, only to find Shen Yuan standing beside the bed in his school uniform, looking at her with irritation.
Oh no, I’m done for.
After seeing Liu Xingyu staring at his face without moving, Shen Yuan leaned in over her on the bed.
"I was nice enough to wake you up, but do you also want me to change your clothes? Why are you staring at my face without moving?"
Liu Xingyu snapped back to reality and blushed upon hearing Shen Yuan’s words. "No, no, I’m sorry. I’ll get up now."
Shen Yuan pointed to the neatly folded clothes beside the bed and told her to change quickly and come down.
Liu Xingyu put on the school uniform Shen Yuan had brought her and was downstairs in less than five minutes. She didn’t dare make this mafia heir wait any longer; what if he got mad and emptied a gun into her head?
She ate breakfast with Shen Yuan, which he seemed to have prepared himself, as the villa was empty with no one else around. Then they left for school in his car.
All of this happened, and Liu Xingyu was still puzzled.
Did I sleep with Shen Yuan last night in the same bed, eat his breakfast, and now I’m going to school with him?
She was so shocked she couldn’t adjust to the speed at which things were progressing.
Lost in her thoughts, Shen Yuan nudged her and said they’d arrived.
As soon as she stepped out of the car, Liu Xingyu regretted it.
Who is Shen Yuan? He’s the only “male god” of the school, and many people wait for him every morning to give him gifts and talk to him. Now, everyone saw her getting out of his car.
His fans will tear her to pieces.
...