Chapter 252

As night falls, the setting sun sinks to the sea level, and the afterglow shines, scattering golden and red diamonds on the sea surface.

Tang Yu'an, sitting on the reef, stared blankly at Zhou Qi, who had turned into a mermaid in front of him.

He looked calm, his dark blue eyes revealed a hint of indifference and coldness, and his face, as handsome and enchanting as a siren, no longer had the same expression as usual.

"Brother Xiaoqi, do you still remember me?" Tang Yu'an stretched out his hand to touch him, but his hand was grabbed halfway.

There was a hint of curiosity in the young man's indifferent expression. He grabbed Tang Yu'an's hand, sniffed his breath with his nose, then put his cheek against Tang Yu'an's palm and rubbed it gently.

Tang Yu'an stared at him blankly, feeling his heart skip a beat.

The person in front of him was clearly Zhou Qi, but he gave him a feeling of familiarity yet unfamiliarity.

"Don't you remember me?"

Although Zhou Qi never said anything, Tang Yu'an had this feeling. He seemed to have really turned into a mermaid and lost all his memories of his human life.

Zhou Qi didn't answer, but tilted his head and put it in his palm. When he spoke, he raised his eyes slightly and glanced at him.

Tang Yu'an couldn't help swallowing.

This little brother...

It looks really good.

"I'll help you..."

The rest of the words disappeared in his throat, and Tang Yu'an was stunned, because...

Zhou Qi, who was originally rubbing his face against his palm, suddenly tilted his head slightly, his dark blue eyes still staring at him, but his lips... gently kissed his fingertips.

Tang Yu'an's face turned red.

He looked at Zhou Qi foolishly, watching him stretch out the tip of his rosy tongue and lick his fingertips gently and slowly.

(//o////o//)

What is Xiaoqi doing?

Tang Yu'an pulled his hand back with force, but his eyes blurred and with a splash, he saw the mermaid in the sea leap out of the water.

He supported his hands on Tang Yu'an's sides, and moved his upper body closer to him. Most of the fish tail was exposed above the water, shining blue in the afterglow of the setting sun, with a dreamy beauty.

Tang Yu'an had no time to appreciate it at the moment.

He stared at Zhou Qi who was approaching with wide eyes. They were so close that their noses were just about to touch.

Zhou Qi looked at him with a dangerous and aggressive gaze that made him blush and his heart beat faster, from his eyes, nose, to... lips.

Tang Yu'an's breathing became rapid.

Zhou Qi's gaze seemed to be real, touching his lips and bringing a tingling sensation.

The slightly salty smell of the sea breeze that blew on his face further deepened this experience.

"boom--"

At this moment, a loud noise sounded from the sea, and Tang Yu'an was freed from the strange atmosphere.

He subconsciously turned his head to look and saw a whale leaping out of the sea and then falling back into the sea, splashing huge water and making the tide surge even more violently.

After the whale fell into the sea, it sprayed out a huge column of water, forming a colorful rainbow in the sunset.

It was the first time that Tang Yu'an saw such a scene. He had only seen it on TV before, and he couldn't help but be attracted by it.

“So beautiful…”

Zhou Qi also turned his head to look at the giant whale, and upon hearing this, he turned his gaze back to look at the young man's bright eyes that were completely attracted by the scenery.

He pursed his lips slightly, his expression showing more displeasure.

Then he raised one hand and pinched the boy's face, forcing him to turn his head and focus his gaze back on him.

The boy's face was chubby, and two dimples were pinched into it by Zhou Qi's fingers, making him look particularly cute.

The mermaid, who originally had a sour face, curled up the corners of her mouth and revealed a smile.

Tang Yu'an was first stunned by his behavior, and then because of his smile, she couldn't help but be stunned.

So pretty...

Why didn’t he realize that Xiaoqi was so handsome before?

The young man stared at Zhou Qi, his figure reflected in his round eyes. Zhou Qi paused, then loosened his hand and leaned closer to him again.

His mind was foggy and chaotic.

He really didn't remember anything. After opening his eyes, he wandered aimlessly in the sea until... he smelled a faint, familiar scent.

So he swam here, looked at the hand reaching down from the sea, and couldn't help but reach out to grab it.

Then, he was pulled up by the young man.

So cute.

The first time he saw the boy, this thought flashed through his mind. Although he didn't know what "cute" meant, it didn't stop him from thinking...

This boy is just cute, and cute is him.

He wanted to be close to this boy, wanted to touch him, wanted his eyes to stay on him, wanted to... taste what his lips tasted like.

Zhou Qi was getting closer and closer to the young man, so close that he was about to get what he wanted, but at this moment -

"Sneezes!"

Tang Yu'an turned his head away and sneezed.

The voice startled Zhou Qi. He stared at Tang Yu'an with wide eyes. The dangerous look in his eyes disappeared, replaced by panic.

What’s wrong with you?

Tang Yu'an read this sentence from Zhou Qi's eyes. He didn't know why, but the nervousness and helplessness in his heart suddenly disappeared.

Although Xiaoqi's behavior became a little strange after he turned into a mermaid, her concern for him remained unchanged.

"It's a bit cold, I have to change my clothes quickly." Tang Yu'an explained.

After he woke up on the beach, he didn't even take care of himself. He was busy looking for Zhou Qi and giving tasks to Hai Jing. His clothes were still wet.

Now I shiver with cold when the evening breeze blows.

Tang Yu'an reached out and gently pushed Zhou Qi away, and he fell back into the sea, looking up at him with a pair of dark blue eyes.

The boy's hand, which was about to take off his clothes, stopped.

Tang Yu'an turned his back, but when he took off his coat and was about to take off his inner clothes, he stopped again.

He looked back and saw the mermaid youth with his upper body exposed above the sea, still staring at him with that straight gaze.

"What's so good about it..."

Tang Yu'an muttered something, turned his head, and lifted up his skirt, but just when he had revealed half of his fair and slender waist, he stopped again.

"Don't look at me anymore!"

He turned his head, his face flushed, and yelled at the mermaid Zhou Qi.

Zhou Qi tilted his head slightly, confusion written on his face, as if he didn't understand why the boy suddenly got angry.

Of course, because the boy's shy tone was soft and tender, only when facing someone close to him, it sounded like he was acting like a spoiled child, so...

So cute.

Zhou Qi thought so.

Tang Yu'an, standing on the reef, didn't know why he suddenly felt so shy.

He used to keep complaining that Xiaoqi would stop bathing with him when he grew up, and that there was a gap between them, but now... he is like that too.

They are both boys, why is he so shy?

but……

When Tang Yu'an thought of Zhou Qi looking at him with the same aggressive gaze as before, he felt his cheeks getting hot.

He pinched the hem of his clothes, hesitated for a moment, and then said to Zhou Qi: "Turn around."

Zhou Qi blinked and looked at him in confusion.

"You turned around!"

Tang Yu'an squatted down angrily, grabbed his shoulders and made him turn around to face the other side. When he turned his head to look at him, he held his head and turned him back.

"Be good and don't move!"

Tang Yu'an breathed a sigh of relief after confirming that Zhou Qi was really obedient and didn't move around anymore.

He turned sideways, quickly took off his clothes, changed into clean clothes, and took out a towel to wipe his wet hair.

While he was drying his hair, he looked at Zhou Qi and saw that he had also followed his example and taken off his shirt.

Tang Yuan opened his mouth slightly and saw the young man turned around.

He slowly leaned against the reef, supporting his chin with one hand, his eyes still staring at him without blinking, the beautiful blue fish tail swaying gently in the sea water.

Tang Yu'an felt his heart skip a beat.

He stared at Zhou Qi blankly, with water droplets falling from his dark blue hair and landing on his strong chest.

His gaze followed the water droplets all the way down until he reached the faintly visible mermaid line at the young man's waist, which was only blocked by the sea water...

While he was looking at Zhou Qi in a daze, Zhou Qi reached out his hand to him.

Tang Yu'an hesitated for a moment, then squatted over and placed his hand on his palm.

Zhou Qi's palms were very big, with long, slender fingers and distinct joints. When his hand was placed on them, it not only looked smaller, but also seemed a little round and blunt.

Tang Yu'an wanted to pull his hand back, but Zhou Qi grabbed it.

The young man smiled slightly, first sniffed his hand, then kissed his palm.

(//o////o//)

In fact, as the two grew up, Tang Yu'an could feel Zhou Qi's alienation towards him. This didn't mean that there was a rift in their relationship, but...

Zhou Qi was trying his best to avoid physical contact with him.

Now, Tang Yu'an somewhat understands his feelings. Is it because he becomes shy as he grows up?

He looked at Zhou Qi who was showing affection towards him again. For some reason, he felt very embarrassed.

This kind of closeness seems different from when we were kids?

When they were little... would Zhou Qi kiss his hand like this? Tang Yu'an had no recollection.

At this moment, he felt his face getting hotter and hotter, as if he had a fever. However, looking at the faint smile on Zhou Qi's lips, he couldn't help but be attracted...

At this time, Zhou Qi extended his other hand to him.

His palm fell on the boy's still wet hair, rubbed it gently, and then retracted his hand.

A crystal ball of water appeared in his palm, and Tang Yu'an's hair and the towel on his shoulders became dry.

Zhou Qi threw the water ball away casually, then looked at Tang Yu'an again, wanting to touch his face.

The boy's delicate and smooth face was red, making him want to take a bite.

Tang Yu'an dodged away.

He pulled his hand back, stood aside, and patted his cheeks facing the sea breeze.

Wake up!

He can’t let his brother Xiaoqi become confused just because he is confused!

After enjoying the sea breeze for a while, Tang Yu'an finally calmed down and began to look around.

He tried his best to avoid seeing Zhou Qi.

The current Xiaoqi brother is too confusing to him. He always stares at him in a daze. This is not okay!

It was getting late, so he had to find a suitable place to spend the night.

Since the magic tent has been sent home, it is definitely impossible to live in it as comfortably as before, but it would be nice to set up a tent to block the wind.

Just as Tang Yu'an was about to fly onto the reef, he felt his ankle being grabbed.

He lowered his head and saw Zhou Qi with an anxious look on his face. His eyes seemed to be saying: Where are you going?

Tang Yu'an stopped.

Yeah, Xiaoqi has turned into a mermaid now, so he probably can't leave the water...

He was feeling a bit embarrassed when he caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of his eye. He quickly looked over and discovered that there was a cave at the bottom of the cliff opposite.

Tang Yu'an couldn't help but feel happy, and quickly broke free from Zhou Qi's hand, saying, "Let's go over there."

Seeing the young man flying towards the cave, Zhou Qi immediately turned around and jumped into the water, swinging his fish tail to follow him.

Tang Yu'an landed in a cave. The cave was not big and housed a mutant spider.

As soon as he landed, the mutant spider pounced on him, but he quickly dealt with it using magic marbles and mousetraps.

Tang Yu'an took out an iron basin and threw two fire stones into it. Suddenly, the cave was filled with light and became warm.

The location of this cave is very low. Zhou Qi is still soaking in the water. He can reach the edge of the cave with just one hand.

He leaned forward, his dark blue eyes fixed on Tang Yu'an, quietly watching him busy in the cave.

"Brother Xiaoqi, are you hungry?"

Tang Yu'an spread a purple-red carpet on the ground, sat down, and took out the glutinous rice made by his father from his portable storage.

The glutinous rice made by his father was delicious. It was added with mushrooms, peanuts and sausages. As soon as it was taken out, the fragrance spread everywhere, making Tang Yu'an feel hungry.

He didn't rush to eat, but handed Zhou Qi's portion to him first.

Zhou Qi looked at the glutinous rice, then at the young man, and did not reach out to take it. Instead, he opened his mouth towards Tang Yu'an.

"You want me to feed you?"

Tang Yu'an blinked. In his memory, Brother Xiaoqi was always steady and restrained. It was a bit strange to see him so casual for the first time.

He took a spoon, scooped up a mouthful and put it to Zhou Qi's mouth.

Zhou Qi held the spoon in his mouth, but his eyes were still fixed on Tang Yu'an. After eating the glutinous rice, he snatched the spoon and scooped a spoonful to the boy's mouth.

Tang Yu'an: "..."

I always feel that this is a bit weird...

However, looking at Zhou Qi's charming blue eyes, he finally couldn't refuse and opened his mouth to eat it obediently.

The two of them ate up the glutinous rice, taking turns to eat.

After eating, Tang Yu'an felt sleepy. He looked at the map and found that other places around him were filled with dense red dots, except for their circle which was clean.

He glanced at Zhou Qi, not knowing when he would recover.

However, the last time I absorbed the wood spirit insects, I was healed the next day. It shouldn’t take that long this time, right?

Tang Yu'an rubbed his eyes, forced himself to be alert, and then performed a healing spell, pressing the ball of light on Zhou Qi's heart, wanting to protect his heart meridians as before.

To perform the healing spell, it only requires light contact, and there is no need for his hands to touch directly.

result……

Zhou Qi directly grabbed Tang Yu'an's wrist and pressed his palm on his smooth chest.

Tang Yu'an: "..."

He felt Zhou Qi's warm body temperature in his palm, and he could also feel his strong heartbeat, thump thump, beating faster and faster... just like his own heartbeat.

A blush crept up Tang Yu'an's cheeks.

He didn't know what was wrong with him. It was not like he had never touched it before. When Xiaoqi turned into stone, he touched it every day.

Yet he just knew that things were different.

Maybe it was the way Zhou Qi looked at him, maybe... he had grown up?

Tang Yu'an bit his lip and continued to perform the healing spell until all his supernatural powers were exhausted, then he quickly withdrew his hand.

"I'm going to go to bed!"

Instead of setting up a tent, he took out a sleeping bag and curled himself up in it like a caterpillar.

The boy buried his face in the sleeping bag, trying to hide and release his emotions that had nowhere to go.

But he suddenly thought of something, and quickly stuck his head out again, looking at Zhou Qi who was lying at the entrance of the cave staring at him, and warned him worriedly.

"I'm going to sleep for a while. You have to stay by my side and don't run around, okay?"

Zhou Qi looked at him quietly, not knowing whether he understood or not.

Tang Yu'an hesitated for a moment, then took out the dark green spider silk that he had not been able to sell from his portable warehouse and tied it around his wrist first.

Then he pulled Zhou Qi's hand and wrapped the other end around his hand.

"That way you can't get away."

Tang Yu'an looked up and smiled at Zhou Qi. Zhou Qi looked at him steadily, then suddenly stretched out his finger and poked his face.

Soft, plump and elastic.

He couldn't help but poke the other side of the boy's cheek.

Tang Yu'an looked at him helplessly. After he had enough fun, he said, "I'm going to sleep. Call me if you need anything."

Then he slid back into his sleeping bag again.

Tang Yu'an was really sleepy. He had been floating in the sea for hundreds of kilometers. Although he was unconscious, his body had indeed reached its limit.

I closed my eyes and fell asleep in a short while.

In the dream, Zhou Qi appeared again.

He had turned back into the original appearance that Tang Yu'an was familiar with. Before he could be happy, Zhou Qi held his face and then... kissed him.

Tang Yu'an suddenly opened his eyes.

Looking at the cave wall illuminated by sunlight, he finally came out of the dream.

Yes, it was a dream...

Tang Yu'an was stunned.

What was going on? Why did he have such a dream?

It must be that Xiaoqi's behavior after becoming a mermaid was too frivolous, which caused him to have such a nightmare! But...

Is it really a nightmare?

Tang Yu'an was about to raise his hand to touch his lips when he felt something and looked up.

His hand had stretched out of the sleeping bag at some point and was held by a warm big hand. The spider silk wrapped around their wrists piled up on the ground in circles.

His eyes followed the big hand, and then he held his breath.

The young man was sitting against the stone wall with his eyes slightly closed. He was shirtless, with a blue fish tail below his waist and a translucent tail fin stretching in the water.

The sunlight gently shone on him, making his scales shine brightly and dreamily.

So beautiful...

Tang Yu'an carefully sat up from the sleeping bag, looked at the beautiful fish tail, and couldn't help but stretch out his other hand and tentatively touch it.

The moment he was touched, Zhou Qi opened his eyes.

At this moment, his eyes were indifferent and cold, and with his pair of dark blue eyes, he looked like a marine creature without any emotions.

However, when these eyes saw Tang Yu'an, the glaciers in their eyes melted.

He smiled, reached out and hugged Tang Yu'an, rubbed his nose against the boy's neck gently, and sniffed his scent.

Tang Yu'an, who had been frozen because he was caught stealing, slowly relaxed.

"Good morning, Xiaoqi."

He pretended to be calm and said, "How are you today?"

Unfortunately, Zhou Qi did not regain consciousness and the situation seemed to have not changed at all.

Brother Xiaoqi won’t continue like this, right?

After a simple breakfast, Tang Yu'an made a video call to Teacher Gu, wanting to ask him if he had any solutions.

They had completed the transaction last time, and the new soul storage bag also set off to the mother's dreamland with the supplies via the drifting bottle.

They had also delivered all the wood crystal stones to Gu Qianli.

Gu Qianli listened carefully to Tang Yu'an's description, frowned slightly, and began to think seriously.

"After devouring the water spirit insect, he became half human, half fish. His mind may be in chaos, and now all his actions are based on instinct."

Instinct?

Tang Yu'an looked at the mermaid youth who was playing with his hands and did not show any restraint even when Teacher Gu appeared. Thinking back to what happened yesterday, he couldn't help but wonder.

Brother Xiaoqi’s instinct...isn’t it too weird?

"Is there any way to help him? Can we use the method of the five elements' mutual generation and mutual restraint like before?" Tang Yu'an asked.

"I guess the reason he can maintain this state is because of the earth element power in his body."

Earth controls water, and Zhou Qi already has the spiritual power to control water.

Tang Yu'an nodded.

Indeed, before, the earth and wood elements were directly petrified and turned into wood, but when it came to the fire element, the whole person was on fire.

Being as gentle as the water type and still being able to maintain half of its human form is already pretty good.

Gu Qianli continued, "The water system is the most difficult system. Now we can only leave it to time."

Because the human body is mostly water, it has a natural advantage for water spirit insects. Even if there is no water in the external environment, it will not have much suppressive effect.

"So there's no need to get him out of the water?" Tang Yu'an asked.

"Yeah." Gu Qianli nodded, "This chaotic state may also help him better understand the water system."

"He's succeeded many times before, so he doesn't have to worry too much this time."

With Gu Qianli's endorsement, Tang Yu'an finally breathed a sigh of relief.

After finishing the video, he looked at Zhou Qi and said, "Brother Xiaoqi, you have to get better soon."

Zhou Qi tilted his head and looked at him, then suddenly pointed his finger at the sea. Tang Yu'an subconsciously looked towards the sea.

Seabirds flew over the sea, and other than that, there were only surging waves.

Tang Yu'an was just wondering when he felt Zhou Qi approaching him. His warm lips pressed against his cheek, and then... he nibbled it lightly.

Zhou Qi gently bit Tang Yu'an's chubby cheek with his teeth, and it felt as soft and smooth as he had imagined.

When the boy covered his face and looked at him in disbelief, he had already slipped into the sea with a splash and got away.

"Why did you bite me?"

The young man's angry voice was heard in the cave.