Chapter 42 - Cuddle

'Nope, not happening. Rather starve to death.' Kui quickly sank into the water and swam over to the little mer. 'This bastard, let's see how long he can make us starve...'

He knew that they were very valuable commodities, or else they wouldn't have been in such a huge heated bath. The man outside would definitely reluctantly give them their food for sure.

He pulled the young mer close into his embrace. Little pair of blue eyes peered up at him.

"Let's wait a bit. That guy will not starve us," he whispered gently, patting the top of his head.

The young mer pulled away ever so slightly.

"You don't like me touching you?"

The young mer shook his head.

"Okay, I won't touch then." He smiled and paced the child beside him. He moved a little bit in front of him in a protective stance.

Han Guilin watched the two blobs in the bottom of the water sit close together with a pout. "Bring the fish."

His manservant quickly gestured for his servant to bring fish.

The servant brought in a huge wicker basket full of huge trouts.

"They were freshly caught in Old Man Wang's trout. They will like it very much." The manservant placed it close to the water.

"Wait a bit." Han Guilin picked up a huge arm-sized fish out of it and slowly lowered it into the water and waved it around. "Little hybrid, come get your fish~"

He noticed the hybrid looking his way with a glare.

"Come on, you need to eat, don't you?" He shook the fish temptingly.

The hybrid swam up swiftly.

He quickly pulled the fish up high out of the water.

The hybrid froze.

"You know what you must do," Han Guilin gently held his wrist. "You just have to kiss me right here," he pointed to his cheeks. "And this fish is all yours."

Kui pulled his hand out of his hold. "Never!"

"Then I won't give it to you," Guilin tossed the fish back into the wicker basket. "You can starve, but what about that little mer? He would feel very, very tired and hungry."

Kui gritted his teeth. "If we starve and die, it will be your loss."

"As I said, I can still use your corpse. I heard eating mer flesh makes you immortal."

"Fuck off!" Kui swam to the depths. "Ugh, that ass... he is really annoying." He plopped down beside the mer. "At least he is not doing anything bad to us."

When he was in that small dark carriage, he had already imagined all kinds of dark futures that he would face. But this is not that bad. The water was clean, he had a companion. The only issue was the psycho who wanted to mess with him.

His eyes narrowed. 'His grip was strong, and his palm was calloused. If we got down, I would not be able to overpower him.' He clicked his tongue and sighed.

Bubbles fluttered up to the surface like little crystals. Entertained by it, he once again let out a small amount of air. Small bubbles swirled around them beautifully. Kui quickly held down and blew out a huge bubble ring.

"Little mer, look! I made a bubble ring."

The little mer looked at him like he was a fool.

"Don't give me that look, ah," he reached out and gently tousled his long hair. "Blowing a bubble ring is hard, okay. You give it a try."

The young mer simply let out an air bubble, and it turned into a bubble ring.

"Whoa, you've got a natural talent," he gently patted the top of his head. "Sigh, I'm not as good as you."

"You're half," the young mer whispered disdainfully.

Kui gaped at him. "I feel like I'm being hated by you."

The young mer faced away from him.

"Look, you're looking away. Little mer, you're being so mean, ah. First, you call me half, and now you're refusing to look at me. I'm so hurt..." Kui dramatically slid down to the floor.

The young mer just cast a look his way.

"Young mer~" he tugged at his long black hair.

"Aoki," the child whispered.

"Huh? I didn't get it," he sat up straight.

"Aoki," the child glanced back. "My name."

"Oh my, you have such a cute name, Aoki~" he leaned close and hugged the little child into his embrace.

The young mer struggled a bit. "It's Aok!"

"Okay, Aoki."

"What, Aoki! Say my name properly or don't ever talk to me!" The young mer glared up at him.

"Whoa, I'm so scared." Giggling, Kui hugged him tight.

He had always been fond of little kids and wanted to have one of his own with his lover. But that bastard turned out to be a betrayer, and his desire for children stopped at that. But now he had a small-sized little mermaid in his arms.

The child was soft, smooth, and adorably squeezable.

He let out a soft giggle and nuzzled against his neck. "Ah, hugging you feels so good."

Aoki pushed his face away. "Don't go overboard! I... I will kill you."

"I'm already dead and in heaven." Kui mumbled, breathing in his soft herbal scent. "So let me hug you for a bit..." The young mer stopped his struggle and stayed limp in his arms.