The fact that elder brother is recuperating at his place means he hasn't returned home yet?
"Do my family members know that my elder brother is pregnant?"
Wanwan asked nervously.
The man shook his head. "Isn't it a rule that the elders of your mermaid clan can't be pregnant? He still dare not go back and has been staying at my place all this time, fearing that others might notice something amiss."
After saying that, he sighed and mused to himself, "I've long told your elder brother not to be that elder anymore. It's not only a thankless task but also... his body is too weak now, and he can't go back."
Wanwan was a bit dazed. "Wasn't elder brother in good health before? Did his health deteriorate after he got pregnant?"
The man nodded. "My younger sister is taking care of him at home now. I have to find a way to take you back quickly. After I take you back, he can focus on prenatal care in peace."
After saying that, he sighed and absent - mindedly reached out to touch the red curtain.
Seeing how much the man cared about his elder brother, Wanwan suddenly felt envious. It was really lucky for his elder brother to meet someone who put him in his heart.
On the contrary, he himself hadn't met a worthy partner for such a long time.
The man sized up his expression and casually said, "I think although this tyrant has a bad temper, he really cares about you. It's just that sometimes he uses the wrong methods... If you're really not interested in him, just forget what I've said."
Judging from the current situation, there must have been many things happening between them. The man didn't even know what methods Sheng Jiu had used when they had sex.
The man sighed and then stood up. "Alright, just forget what I've said. Anyway, there's no fate between you two. I won't tell your elder brother what happened to you in the palace after I go back. You can start a new life after you go back. Don't think about the past anymore."
Wanwan nodded. His voice was as light as a cloud floating in the winter sky, dispersing with the wind.
The man nimbly climbed out of the window and whispered outside, "I'll leave first. I'll come back when there's progress."
Wanwan took two steps forward, watching him close the window and then leave. The blue sky outside only lingered in his sight for a moment.
The surroundings fell back into silence. After the man's visit, Wanwan's state of mind was very different from before. There was a glimmer of hope in his heart... He would definitely get out, go see his family, and his elder brother's upcoming baby.
When Sheng Jiu came back, there was a faint smell of alcohol on him. Maybe because he had learned the news that he could get out, Wanwan was in a much better mood. Even when talking to Sheng Jiu, his voice carried a bit of gentleness.
"Did you go drinking just now?"
Sheng Jiu lowered his head and nodded without saying a word. After coming back, he sat on the couch and stared silently at Wanwan.
Seeing his cold reaction, Wanwan didn't say anything else. He just glanced at him with his light - colored eyes, and the two of them fell into silence.
It wasn't until night fell that Sheng Jiu got up and came to his side. He squatted beside the water and stared at Wanwan's legs in the water for a long time. Then he came back to his senses, stood up, and said, "Let's go."
Wanwan stared blankly at the outstretched hand and asked, "Where are we going?"
Sheng Jiu lifted his eyelids and looked out of the window. "It's already dark. I'll take you out for a walk."
Only then did Wanwan remember what he had said during the day.
Wanwan silently put on his clothes. Sheng Jiu thoughtfully wrapped a white cloak around him outside and said softly, "It's windy outside."
Wanwan's chin was hidden in the fluffy collar. He felt warm all over. Sheng Jiu held his hand and walked out of the door. It seemed that he had arranged everything. There was not a single person on the way.
It was just the two of them and the moonlight.
They walked in silence all the way. When they reached the palace path, Sheng Jiu suddenly stopped, turned to look at him, and said, "The lake is almost ready. Do you want to go and take a look? I've had a small boat parked on the shore."
Wanwan softly replied, "Okay."
On the way to the lake, Sheng Jiu had built a small path with some bamboo planted on both sides. There were stone lamps at equal distances along the path. In the daytime, it would be a beautiful view of a secluded path.
It was obvious that a lot of thought had been put into it.
Wanwan unconsciously tightened his clothes. He was faintly looking forward to the lake he had built.
At this moment, Sheng Jiu suddenly squeezed his palm. Wanwan came back to his senses from his thoughts and turned to look at him. Sheng Jiu pursed his lips and asked, "Are you tired? Do you want me to carry you?"
Wanwan was a bit stunned for a moment and then shook his head. "No, I'm not tired."
Sheng Jiu nodded and didn't do anything else...
Wanwan felt that he seemed a bit strange. In the past, if such a situation occurred, he would have picked him up without hesitation. But this time... he rarely respected his opinion.
Wanwan lowered his head and stared at the cobblestones under his feet. Suddenly, he was a bit distracted.
"Look."
Hearing the voice, he looked up. The sparkling water surface suddenly came into his sight. For a moment, he felt as if he had returned to the sea. He knew that Sheng Jiu had built a lake, but he didn't expect it to be so big.
The moonlight was extremely bright tonight. The dazzling light fell into the lake, as if illuminating the tip of Wanwan's heart.
Sheng Jiu held his hand and slowly walked towards the lake. He said in a very soft voice, "Look, I had them prepare a small boat here early on, thinking that maybe one day you would come out to relax..."
"Come on, I'll take you on board."
After saying that, he carefully helped him onto the boat and gently said, "Be careful. Watch out for slipping."
Wanwan pursed his lips, suppressing his excited mood, and carefully stepped onto the boat. He asked, "Can I come out during the day?"
Sheng Jiu guessed his thoughts at once. "Do you want to swim in the water?"
Wanwan nodded. "I haven't swum in such a vast body of water for a long time."
But it was obvious that there was still a certain distance from the palace to here. Wanwan sighed softly. After a moment of silence, Sheng Jiu slowly said, "I'll figure it out."
Sheng Jiu helped him sit down. "Sit tight. I'll row the boat and take you to the middle of the lake."
Wanwan looked at his back in the moonlight. Suddenly, a flurry of tenderness welled up in his heart, but he quickly stifled it.