Gu Zeyu had no real experience to impart to Hai Yu. His relationship with Lu Yunian had progressed inexplicably from marriage to having a child, and now they were somehow in a passionate romance.

But Gu Zeyu truly loved this version of Lu Yunian. The Alpha maintained a cold facade towards the sea clan, but in their room, he’d hold their son with one arm and Gu Zeyu with the other, his eyes filled with warmth like sunshine melting an iceberg.

Gu Zeyu knew Lu Yunian wouldn’t stay here long. The Ghost Legion had assembled on the western coast. Though Hai Mu’er disliked Lu Yunian, they could communicate effectively with Pei Xiuran present.

“The Ghost Legion’s combat Alphas are mixed, including humans, sea folk, winged folk, and many mutants. Their leader has never appeared, reportedly an eccentric Enigma,” Hai Mu’er explained at the sand table, which divided the sea into four parts, with the dark red area showing the western coast recently occupied by the Ghost Legion.

“Enigma? What’s that?” Hai Yu, dragged to this military meeting, asked. The military ability Gu Zeyu had given him wasn’t fully settled, so it wasn’t urgent to return it yet.

“The fourth gender, the strongest species transcending the ABO world, with absolute control over all pheromones,” Dr. Pei answered gently, earning a contemptuous glare from Hai Mu’er.

Hai Yu instinctively hid behind Gu Zeyu, who in turn clung to Lu Yunian’s arm. Hai Mu’er, seeing the three huddled together, sneered, “Playing Eagle & Chicken¹老鹰抓小鸡 lit. Eagle Catches Chicken. Acc. to Baidu, the game requires at least three people, one person is the hen, one person is the eagle, and the rest are the chicks . The chicks line up behind the hen, holding her skirt . The eagle stands opposite the hen, pretending to catch the chicks. When the game starts, the eagle calls and chases the chicks. The chicks behind the hen act terrified, and the hen tries her best to protect the chicks behind her. The eagle calls again and circles to catch the chicks, and the chicks dodge left and right behind the hen.?”

His respect was reserved only for the awakened Kun consciousness, especially after seeing Gu Zeyu and Hai Yu’s friendship, he could no longer use respectful titles.

“Legend has it that Alphas marked by an Enigma become their exclusive Omegas,” Lu Yunian frowned, suddenly grabbing Gu Zeyu and brushing aside his thick hair to examine his gland. Confirming no bite marks, he said jealously, “That guy chasing after Xiao Yu, he wasn’t planning this, was he?”

Gu Zeyu giggled at Lu Yunian’s touch, entrusting his vulnerable gland to the Omega without hesitation. He laughed happily while cuddling up to Lu Yunian, shaking his head, “No way, no way. No one but you has ever liked me.”

Lu Yunian, recalling Gu Zeyu’s generally annoying demeanor, found this quite believable. Satisfied, he pulled Gu Zeyu into his arms, resting his chin on the Alpha’s bony shoulder.

The others stared at them speechlessly. Gu Zeyu found a comfortable position in Lu Yunian’s embrace and waved nonchalantly, “Carry on.”

“So the Ghost Legion has an Enigma squad, their elite force. Small in number but terrifyingly powerful,” Hai Mu’er continued gravely, glancing at the disappointing Gu Zeyu. “Without the ancient god’s power, we stand no chance against such an opponent.”

“What about the sea shark squad the sea clan used when attacking Lockheed Island?” Lu Yunian asked.

Hai Mu’er’s cold eyes flickered as he covered the sand table, guardedly replying, “You decimated them in the beach assault. They’re regrouping now, not ready for deployment.”

Seeing the two engage in verbal sparring, Pei Xiuran snorted and stepped between them, blocking their sharp gazes. Hai Mu’er instinctively moved closer to Pei Xiuran, their shoulders almost touching, making Hai Yu seem like the odd one out.

“Xiao Yu’s divine consciousness isn’t fully awakened. We can’t stake our warriors’ lives on an uncertainty. Besides, if the Ghost Legion truly had no weaknesses, they wouldn’t have remained dormant until now,” Lu Yunian observed, noticing Hai Mu’er’s longing gaze at his ex-lover. He deliberately kissed Gu Zeyu’s temple lightly.

While Hai Mu’er remained expressionless, Hai Yu grew anxious. He squeezed between Dr. Pei and Hai Mu’er, separating them, and said, “If the sea clan and Interstellar Alliance cooperate, we could try contacting the winged clan. The Kun isn’t just a sea god; in Peng form, it’s also a sky god. I don’t believe the Ghost Legion could withstand a three-pronged attack by sea, land, and air.”

Dr. Pei turned to Lu Yunian, “Your military talent was indeed useful. Are you sure you’re fine without it?”

Lu Yunian scoffed, “This kind of analysis needs talent? Anyone could figure it out. Ask your ex-lover if you don’t believe me.”

Hai Mu’er’s dark expression softened slightly at the words “ex-lover.” Seeing Pei Xiuran didn’t deny it, he even smiled faintly. “I’ve already contacted the winged clan’s leader. General Lu should return to the Interstellar Alliance quickly. I’ll inform Xiuran of any developments.”

Lu Yunian looked down at Gu Zeyu, pinching his earlobe. “Shall we go home?”

The Alpha blushed at his teasing, nodding obediently, “Yes, yes, let’s go.”

Lu Yunian had been taken without any luggage but returned to the Interstellar Alliance with numerous packages plus two tag-alongs, big and small. His deputy came out to greet them, mouth agape in shock, holding a fishy-smelling package. “What… what’s this?”

Gu Zeyu excitedly grabbed the deputy’s arm, opened the package, and stuffed some dried squid into his arms, muttering, “Take more, take more. There are more packages coming.”

Pei Xiuran stood by, smiling, watching Gu Zeyu bustling about distributing seafood. He said to Lu Yunian, “There are rumors that you were captured and tortured by the sea clan’s general, but it turns out Hai Mu’er is the real victim. You’ve quite shamelessly taken advantage.”

Lu Yunian, warmed by Gu Zeyu’s cheerful demeanor, ignored his friend’s teasing. Instead, he joked, “Didn’t I learn how to bully Hai Mu’er from you? He’s not really wronged. This gives him a good excuse to contact you daily. He seems quite willing.”

Pei Xiuran’s smile faded at this, turning bitter. “His personality would never allow him to mix personal matters with business. He only discusses war, nothing else. Sometimes I wonder if he’s really an Omega. Why doesn’t he show any dependence on Alphas?”

“Pei Xiuran, you’re always greedy, wanting to have your cake and eat it too. You want a strong Omega partner yet expect him to show weakness to you. In your relationship’s current state, is he really the only one at fault?”

Pei Xiuran’s face frosted over. He was about to retort when Gu Zeyu suddenly handed him a small box. Opening it, he found a pearl brooch shaped like a shark. “What’s this?” he asked softly.

Unaware of their previous conversation, Gu Zeyu grinned, pinning the brooch to Pei Xiuran’s shirt. After careful examination, he said, “It looks great. Gifts chosen with help from someone familiar really are the most fitting.”

The identity of this “someone familiar” was obvious.

Author’s Note: Since this story already has a weak gong/strong shou pair, the side couple will be strong/strong. The little mermaid is still young; perhaps he’ll meet a caring older uncle later? (Just kidding)

TL Notes

• 1
  老鹰抓小鸡 lit. Eagle Catches Chicken. Acc. to Baidu, the game requires at least three people, one person is the hen, one person is the eagle, and the rest are the chicks . The chicks line up behind the hen, holding her skirt . The eagle stands opposite the hen, pretending to catch the chicks. When the game starts, the eagle calls and chases the chicks. The chicks behind the hen act terrified, and the hen tries her best to protect the chicks behind her. The eagle calls again and circles to catch the chicks, and the chicks dodge left and right behind the hen.