Gabor's words made Chris fall into deep thought. Gabor looked around but didn't pay attention to Chris' silence.

After a while, Chris suddenly called out, "Gabor."

Gabor turned around and looked at him, not knowing why. "What?"

"Even if the mermaid dies, I want to keep him by my side."

Gabor was stunned by the unusually serious tone. He didn't understand why Chris suddenly said such a thing.

"Brother Chris, you... are so weird." Gabor came over and picked up the book that recorded the biography of the mermaid: "Is it because you are too interested in mermaids? It doesn't matter, I can take you to see real mermaids."

So there is no need for such a strong possessiveness. Gabor thinks that Chris is possessive because he likes mermaids too much but can't see them.

Clay suddenly chuckled and shook his head, saying, "It's okay."

Yes, how could this child Gabor know what he was thinking.

The countdown to the New Year, in two hours, Clay will be eighteen years old.

Eighteen years old, a turning point in life, the coming-of-age ceremony for all teenagers on the continent.

But Clay was destined not to have such a coming-of-age ceremony. Even if Master Guaguis was his good friend, it could not change his fate of being bullied.

At the age of eighteen, Clay fell asleep early, holding the wood carving left by his mother.

The cooperation with Count Guaguis was earlier than Clay had imagined. The speeches and pleas he had prepared were not used at all, and Count Guaguis was willing to cooperate with him.

"Although this is very presumptuous, I still want to ask." Chris said sincerely: "You should be very clear about my identity. I have nothing to promise you. In this case, why are you willing to cooperate with me?"

Count Guaguis looked at him indifferently and snorted: "I need to bring down your father, and helping you to take the position is just a by-product of my bringing down your father."

Chris smiled and agreed, but a trace of haze flashed across his eyes.

If it were really that simple, it would be great.

Chris told Count Guaguis everything he knew, including some merchants who came and went in the mansion and Count Hillar's contacts.

Don't blame him for being ruthless. Even if he didn't get what he wanted in the end, it would be better than his current life. In other words, success or failure, his life can only get better, not worse.

The year after is early spring, the ice and snow will gradually melt, everything will revive, and his mermaid will also come back.

[Clarence's favorability towards Qi Yan +10, current favorability: 60]

He returned to the Hillal Mansion and continued to be his own parasite, enduring the ridicule and insults of his brothers every day. However, since Gabor came, no one beat him. It should be that the Earl gave him some additional instructions.

Time passed by like this, and no one noticed Clarence's secret actions, because he played the role of a weak man too well. Those who were good only remembered the way he was beaten and scolded, and ignored the hatred that was gradually deepening in his eyes.

Hatred is definitely not born in one day, and who would have thought about how the mood would change with each passing day.

Spring is here, and the ice on the sea has completely melted. Chris has been very happy these days, standing on the reef every night, looking at the distant sea.

He has grown taller and stronger as he grows another year older. Even though he eats food without nutrition and occasionally skips a meal, he is still growing.

On the first day, Chris returned home disappointed because he didn't see the light blue he liked, and comforted himself in his heart that it's okay, he will be back tomorrow.

On the second day, there was still no figure that made him worried.

The third day, the fourth day, the fifth day...

Kerry went from comforting him at the beginning, to a little bit of excuses, and finally to the current rainy weather. These were just changes within seven days.

He was afraid, afraid that the mermaid would deceive him like the others, and then leave him forever.

——Sure enough, he shouldn't have let him go.

[Kerry's degree of blackening towards Qi Yan +10, current degree of blackening: 10]

Qi Yan, who was swimming freely in the deep sea, was stunned, and then he was helpless.

Believe it or not, he got lost...

Although this is funny, it's true. Qi Yan got lost, and he didn't know which sea area he ran to. He had obviously rushed back from the volcanic sea several days in advance, but he still delayed his business.

The degree of blackening is no joke. Qi Yan thought about it and decided to exchange the points for the route map from the system.

Seven days passed and Kerry didn't see Qi Yan. He was extremely disappointed. At the same time, a haze came over his mind like a ghost.

——How could he not come back? He promised me! He will definitely come back!

He was in a depressed mood, even a little crazy. Kerry returned to the mansion unhappy and was stopped by a familiar yet unfamiliar voice.

"Hello." The woman's gentle voice revealed a hint of familiarity: "Do you remember me? Kerry Hillary."

Kerry was stunned and looked over in the direction of the voice. A girl in an expensive gold-rimmed dress was standing there. Her beautiful face was less immature and more mature.

——It's Nasha.

Chris nodded and replied in a neither familiar nor unfamiliar way: "Hello, Nasha."

"I knew you should still remember me." Nasha walked over in two or three steps, and came to Chris's side in a familiar manner. She wanted to hold his arm, but Chris quickly dodged.

Nasha's hand froze in mid-air, and the atmosphere was very awkward for a while.

Chris looked at her, moved his Adam's apple, and his completely changed voice carried a little hoarse magnetism of a young man: "Excuse me, what can I do for you?"

Nasha smiled dignifiedly: "I am very happy to come to the mansion of Earl Hillar again."

"Then please ask the saint to go to the front hall. The tower at the side door is not a place for guests."

Nasha's words made Chris's already depressed mood even more unhappy. She said this, obviously to laugh at him.

"Maybe I said something that made you unhappy, but I am also happy to see you." Nasha remained calm and did not feel shy or embarrassed because of Kerry's "eviction order".

Kerry did not say anything, but looked at Nasha with his dark eyes, as if waiting for her next words.

But Nasha just smiled and looked at him, and did not say anything else.

Chris was a little impatient, and turned around and said, "Saint, please do as you please. I'm going back now."

"Chris!" Nasha finally called out, "Don't you want to become stronger? Are you willing to be a parasite for the rest of your life?"

Chris paused, turned his head sharply, and stared at Nasha.

Nasha knew that she had made the right bet. She stroked the hair hanging from her temples, and a trace of determination appeared between her eyebrows. The voice was soft, but it was impossible to ignore.

"Are you willing to cooperate with me? Chris."