The aquarium's lights shimmered, casting light on the glass and through the water onto the fish tail.
For a moment, the tail seemed to be bathed in a halo of rainbow hues.
After the synchronized performance ended, the girl swam towards the man, stopping by the glass and making a large heart shape with her hands.
Ji Zhaoyun stepped forward and placed his palm against the cool glass, as if trying to feel the girl's heart through the layers of water.
Shen Jianxi smiled at him, then flipped over and disappeared into the water, the mermaid gone.
Watching the scene before him, Luo Yuqi was both mesmerized and jealous.
When Shen Jianxi returned, having changed and dried her hair, Ji Zhaoyun was still gazing dreamily at the dolphin pool.
Without their leader, the dolphins had lost their earlier orderliness and had reverted to their lazy demeanor.
"Did you like it?" She wrapped her arms around his muscular waist from behind, resting her face on his back.
Ji Zhaoyun covered her small hands on his abdomen and remained silent for a long time.
After a while, he spoke softly, "Have you done this for other men?"
Shen Jianxi didn't answer immediately, instead, she gently traced circles on his abdomen with her right index finger.
"My past boyfriends were all people I dated to understand what dating was like. It's only with you that I want to be together because I like you."
"Don't you really feel it, gege?"
At the end, she withdrew her hand and lowered her gaze.
When Ji Zhaoyun turned around, he saw her looking dejected, a palpable aura of low spirits surrounding her.
His heart ached, and his brow furrowed involuntarily. "I shouldn't have asked..."
"No!" The young girl suddenly looked up, interrupting him with a hint of urgency. "I know you asked because you care about me, and that makes me happy."
Her eyes were clear and bright, with a hint of a smile, and only his reflection could be seen in her pupils. This pleased Ji Zhaoyun greatly.
"I..."
"Jiejie?!" The boy's pure and clear voice struck their ears, interrupting the man's next words.
Luo Yuqi had not intended to appear so soon, but the atmosphere between them was too intense, as if no one else could possibly intrude. This prompted him to call out.
Being interrupted before he could finish speaking made Ji Zhaoyun very displeased. His expression turned grim, and his brow furrowed.
"Something wrong?" he asked coldly, addressing the newcomer.
To his surprise, Luo Yuqi didn't even look at him. He walked directly to Shen Jianxi's side. "Jiejie, what a coincidence! Are you guys... on a date?"
"Are you blind?" Being interrupted and ignored repeatedly, and then having someone covet his girlfriend – this series of actions made Ji Zhaoyun drop all pretense of politeness and retort coldly.
"Jiejie's boyfriend is so fierce. Could it be he's entering menopause because he's too old?" The boy glanced at him with feigned grievance before turning to complain to the girl.
Shen Jianxi was already familiar with his act. She pushed him away with a neutral expression. "So, why are you here?"
"I was bored at home and decided to go for a walk," the boy replied quickly, then added with a hint of shyness, "I didn't expect to run into you here, jiejie."
Liar. Ji Zhaoyun watched him coldly. If looks could kill, Luo Yuqi would already be a mangled mess.
He pulled the young girl into his arms. "Then we won't disturb your fun. We'll be taking our leave." With that, he intended to put his arm around her and walk away.
Seeing this, Luo Yuqi dropped the pretense and quickly stated his purpose. "Jiejie, I'm so bored walking around alone. Why don't I join you guys? I can learn how to date in advance."
Shen Jianxi looked at him with amusement. She knew he wouldn't stay put. His promises about staying until night were all nonsense.
"Is that okay, jiejie?"
Seeing the brat shamelessly flirting with his girlfriend as if he were invisible, Ji Zhaoyun's face darkened, and he was about to refuse.
"Yes."
He looked at the girl beside him in disbelief. "Why should we bring him to our date?"
Not only was a third wheel crashing their date, but this third wheel also seemed to have ill intentions.
The more he thought about it, the less he understood, and the angrier he became. Ji Zhaoyun released his arm from around the girl's shoulder and prepared to storm off in a huff. However, with balloons tied to him, his retreating figure looked more comical than imposing.
"Jiejie, is your boyfriend angry already? It seems being old doesn't necessarily mean being affectionate!" His steps, which had already begun to move away, were abruptly halted.
With a dark expression, he walked back, took the girl's hand, and pulled her along at a brisk pace, trying to shake off the unwanted third wheel.
But wherever they went, Luo Yuqi followed. In the end, Ji Zhaoyun simply let him tag along.
The three of them sat side-by-side on the sofa in the aquarium's VR experience room, with Ji Zhaoyun in the middle, separating the other two.
With the help of the staff, they put on VR headsets. As the machines activated, they were instantly transported to the seabed.
Fish swam past them lightly, playfully brushing against their bodies, causing a tickling sensation.
Huh? Ticklish?
Sensing something was wrong, Shen Jianxi took off her headset. She saw that the boy, who had been beside Ji Zhaoyun, had somehow moved to her side.
He was the one causing the tickling sensation.
She grabbed his hand on her waist and glared at him. However, in the dim room, her glare held no authority.
The boy leaned closer, sniffed her lightly, and whispered, "The scent of a man."
Then, he lowered his head, and his kisses, soft and fragmented, traveled from her neck to her earlobe, his sharp canines gently gnawing.
Feeling her body go limp, he reached out with his free hand, touched her lips, traced their shape, and then, following her slightly parted lips, entered her mouth. His fingers skillfully teased her little tongue.
"Do you like it?" His lips pressed against her ear, and he let out a faint, teasing laugh. "Do you like this kind of excitement, jiejie?"
Knowing she wouldn't dare to struggle too much at this moment, Luo Yuqi's movements were restrained but continuous.
77: "Beep! Favorability +1. Luo Yuqi's current favorability is 79."
Shen Jianxi released the hand that was holding him and bit down hard on his finger. As Luo Yuqi winced and withdrew, she immediately tugged at his tie and pulled him closer.
"Mediocre. Do you really think you can take the lead like this? You need to act like a lover. You..." As she spoke, she suddenly froze. Catching sight of a large hand fumbling for her in the dark out of the corner of her eye, she quietly pushed him away and extended her free hand.
As soon as it was touched, it was tightly grasped.