Eldritch Horror Theatre

Ms. Jia's presence on the ship clearly wasn't targeted at him and Su Gao.

After Jia Keke left, Fu Qian put away his notebook, flagged down a waiter to wipe the spilled wine off the table, and set to work on a lamb chop with intense focus.

He could tell from their brief interaction that Jia Keke had mostly been testing the waters.

After observing them for a while and picking up on his and Su Gao's extraordinary auras, she likely hadn't been able to resist probing for their true strength.

Just as Su Gao had been prepared to do earlier.

But that didn't mean her behavior was normal.

In this exclusive restaurant for luxury-suite guests, sharply dressed people were certainly common, but a single glance showed they all carried an air of leisure. That was what normal tourists looked like.

For someone with exceptional strength to pay so much attention to others, acting as though she wanted to eliminate all unexpected variables—it would be stranger if she didn't have a specific objective.

However, he was just a tourist right now. Since this wasn't a targeted probe, quietly observing changes would be fine.

"Hello, Mister Fang."

Under Fu Qian's gaze, a figure stood up from the neighboring table and walked over with a beaming smile.

He looked to be in his early forties, with thinning hair and a greasy sheen to his face.

Gold-rimmed glasses sat on his flushed face, and the small eyes behind the lenses were slightly unfocused. He appeared to have already put away a fair amount of alcohol.

"Hello. How should I address you?"

Fu Qian sized up the unfamiliar face before him.

"My surname is Jia. Jia He."

Acting quite familiar, he sat down in the seat Jia Keke had just vacated, making no secret of his admiration for Fu Qian.

"I overheard your conversation with that beauty just now, brother. Brilliant tactics!"

"Oh? How so?"

To think the man had actually come over because of that. Looking at Brother Jia He's gleaming eyes, Fu Qian could almost smell the hormones boiling in the air.

"I've seen a lot of young men, but very few have your level of composure."

"Don't be fooled by her taking the initiative to say hello. That kind of woman is hard to handle. Once she piques your interest, she has plenty of ways to keep you strung along."

"I never expected you to do the exact opposite, brother. I bet you anything she'll definitely come looking for you again."

'She probably will, but definitely not for the reason you think.'

Fu Qian mused as he continued eating.

"You sound like you're very interested in her."

"Me? Of course I am."

Jia He paused for a moment, but he admitted it quite honestly.

"But it's too much trouble."

"I have plenty of self-knowledge. Even if I had your smooth moves, little brother, I don't have your advantages."

"At my age, I prefer simpler relationships."

He rubbed his fingers together, making the universal gesture for cash.

"Especially since an old ox chewing tender grass is just too exhausting."

"Don't give up so easily. Maybe she's the one who likes chewing tender grass."

Fu Qian said casually, recalling Jia Keke's appearance.

Although the lady's exterior was highly deceptive, Fu Qian had sensed immediately that it was merely an illusion. The person before him was absolutely not some sixteen-year-old girl.

That was also why he had been able to write down that passage in his notebook.

"...You think so?"

Jia He clearly looked a bit skeptical.

"She might. Everyone has different tastes."

Fu Qian waved his hand as he spoke.

On one side of the restaurant, Su Gao saw his gesture and walked over without hesitation.

She hadn't just arrived, but after noticing someone sitting with Fu Qian, she hadn't rushed over to join them.

"What do you want to eat?"

Fu Qian pushed a plate across the table.

"Thank you."

Demigod Su predictably chose a pudding and offered her thanks with a tranquil expression.

...

Jia He was staring dumbfoundedly.

People suffered by comparison.

Faced with Jia Keke, he could still make remarks and chat freely with Fu Qian about his strategies for handling women.

Now, with Su Gao standing right there, he was immediately on pins and needles, lacking even the courage to steal a glance at her.

Of course, having navigated the jianghu for years, he naturally wasn't foolish enough to believe Fu Qian had attracted this lady with a single dessert. The two of them clearly already knew each other.

Even so, their combined demeanor still made him rather restless.

Fu Qian, naturally, wasn't bored enough to introduce them, simply leaving the man to exercise his imagination.

In the end, judging by the Rings covering Fu Qian's hands and Su Gao's extraordinary appearance, it seemed they had been interpreted as a rich heir and his beautiful female bodyguard.

...

"He's an ordinary person. Do we need to keep an eye on him?"

With a lady present, Jia He hadn't continued his previous topic; after briefly bragging about his business, he had hurriedly taken his leave.

Su Gao looked at Fu Qian and spoke, watching the direction the man had left in.

"An ordinary person, but not necessarily an ordinary businessman."

Fu Qian shook his head, signaling for her to ignore him.

"He probably noticed something when that Mid Tier came over to say hello earlier, which is why he came up to chat. His eye for detail is quite sharp."

"Of course, him being a lecher is also true."

...

Su Gao offered no commentary on Fu Qian's assessment.

After confirming there was no need to pay attention to the man, she focused entirely on her own dinner.

As a conscientious employer, Fu Qian didn't require her to chat with him. The two possessed a tacit understanding, each eating their own food.

Time flew by in this leisurely atmosphere. Not long after, a cheer rang out from outside.

"Distinguished guests, a rare Fluorescent Sea has been discovered up ahead. Those interested may proceed to the deck shortly to enjoy the view."

A rich voice soon broadcasted the announcement over the speakers.

Fluorescent Sea?

"Want to go take a look?"

Watching the crowd rushing outside, Fu Qian asked Su Gao for her opinion.

"Let's go. The essence of a vacation is following the herd."

Seeing her slightly hesitant expression, Fu Qian stood up without room for argument and took the lead, walking out of the restaurant.

By now, quite a few people were already standing on the cruise ship's upper and lower decks.

On one side, a massive expanse of bright blue water flowed like a dream, mirroring the starry sky under the veil of night.

As the ship drew closer, the crowd let out wave after wave of cheers.

Amidst the spectating crowd, Fu Qian spotted Jia Keke, who had left earlier.

She had already changed her outfit. Currently clad in a black evening gown and standing by the railing, she stood out brilliantly from the crowd.

She clearly saw Fu Qian and Su Gao as well. Unsurprisingly, her gaze swept over Su Gao repeatedly, and her expression gradually grew serious.

However, per Fu Qian's prior instructions, the source of that pressure paid her absolutely no mind. Su Gao merely stared intently at the blue sea of stars, only speaking after a long while.

"I've only heard of it in stories before. This is my first time seeing a real Fluorescent Sea."

Stories...

"Fairy tales?"

Fu Qian naturally thought of a connection.

"Yes, legends about mermaids."

Su Gao nodded.

That wasn't surprising; mermaids were truly a classic motif in most cultures.

Of course, Fu Qian had also seen this world's real mermaids, and they had absolutely nothing to do with aesthetics. The protagonists of those fairy tales were surely not them.

"How does the legend go?"

Fu Qian asked casually.

"The story is very simple. Mermaids living in the water will swim into the Fluorescent Sea when it appears and sing. When a prince hears it, he will be lured over. After eating him, they can grow legs and move about on land..."

...

Looking at the nostalgic Su Gao, Fu Qian drew a breath, deeply impressed.

That auntie truly was... a fairy tale genius!

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