Finding that they couldn’t get any information out of Yu Qing, everyone stopped wasting their breath and fell silent.

For a time, no one spoke.

On the way from the canteen to the hotel, unsurprisingly, they encountered many Split-Tail Mermaids.

The players still couldn’t get used to these mermaids. Although they were all beautiful in appearance, with high aesthetic value, just seeing the two halves of fishtails under their skirts when they walked would trigger unpleasant memories for everyone.

It was now a little after seven o’clock, not yet eight. The sun had risen high, and the originally cool light had become somewhat scorching.

The town had also become lively. Shops were opening, and the two sides of the streets were lined with stalls selling various goods, adding a touch of ordinary, everyday life.

The Split-Tail Mermaids were perfectly integrated into this, a bizarre harmony, giving the illusion that they were meant to coexist with humans.

But the players still felt uneasy.

It was as if countless gazes were secretly, subtly being cast at them, but when they turned to look, those scorching, prying gazes would disappear.

It made everyone’s hair stand on end, very uncomfortable.

And they discovered something very strange. Along the way, there were only adults, not a single child.

Not just on the streets, but there were no children in the canteen earlier either.

Since entering the game, the players hadn’t seen any children in the town, only adults.

Even the Split-Tail Mermaids were all adult mermaids, no small mermaids.

This was clearly abnormal.

And earlier, the mermaid town mayor had also said that there were no little mermaids in Mermaid Town yet.

Lin Xingchi held Gu Lin tighter. The other players might not feel it strongly, but he could sense that those prying gazes were even more intense when they landed on the little dumpling in his arms.

Those people, when they saw Gu Lin, their eyes would light up a few degrees, gleaming with an abnormal light.

The way these people looked at Gu Lin was very similar to a certain group in the real world: human traffickers.

Lin Xingchi tensed up completely. The dumpling was cute, and he might even be the only child in this strange town.

He had to be extremely vigilant to prevent anyone here from snatching the child.

They walked two streets, but still hadn’t reached the hotel.

Scarface, extremely impatient, couldn’t help but speak up gruffly: “Fuck, how much longer? How long until we get there?”

Scarface habitually swore. Yu Qing’s smile faded, and his tone was no longer as friendly as before, but he still answered him: “We’ll be there after we cross this street.”

Even Yu Rong, who had been silent the whole time, couldn’t help but turn his head and look at Scarface, his gaze cold and without warmth.

Scarface didn’t dare to offend the NPCs. He involuntarily swallowed, and obediently shut his mouth.

As they were about to reach the corner, a young merman came around the corner from in front of them.

Everyone was immediately drawn to this mermaid.

This mermaid looked very young, at most seventeen or eighteen years old in human terms, with a youthful air.

His skin was pale, his features exquisite, and his eyes were a deep, captivating blue.

This mermaid was more beautiful than any of the mermaids they had seen before, dazzlingly beautiful.

Everyone was momentarily stunned, unable to look away.

And what was even more eye-catching was that he was riding an electric scooter. The fishtail hidden under his skirt, unlike the split tails of the Split-Tail Mermaids they had seen before, was not only beautiful, shimmering with a pale golden light in the sun, but it was also a whole, flawless fishtail.

“…” Everyone exchanged glances, their thoughts varied, with subtle and complex emotions fluctuating in their eyes.

Yu Qing, seeing the other party, also stopped, a smile reappearing on his face. His tone also became gentle again, and he proactively greeted the mermaid: “Zhuang Mu, are you going to the hospital?”

Even the taciturn Yu Rong actively greeted him.

This mermaid, named Zhuang Mu, also stopped. He only glanced indifferently at the eight players, not showing much reaction, but when his gaze swept over Gu Lin, it paused for a second, then moved away nonchalantly.

He looked at Yu Qing, a smile appearing on his extremely beautiful face, his voice clear and pleasant: “Yes, the Mermaid Festival is coming soon, and the hospital is quite busy these days.”

Yu Qing nodded: “That’s true. The Mermaid Festival is the day after tomorrow. Doctor Yu should be busy as hell, right?”

Zhuang Mu’s smile was even more beautiful. He said, “Yes, no one is busier than Doctor Yu. He’s been working overtime these past few days.”

This young merman was wearing a white shirt, his sleeves slightly rolled up, revealing a string of numbers tattooed on his slender, snow-white forearm. Only two numbers were visible: 34.

There were more numbers after that, but before everyone could get a clear look, Zhuang Mu, seeming to sense their gazes, subtly lowered his sleeves, covering his entire arm.

After chatting briefly, Zhuang Mu had to hurry to the hospital, so he didn’t say much more. After saying goodbye to Yu Qing and Yu Rong, he rode away on his scooter.

The players had been silent and excessively quiet since Zhuang Mu appeared.

Everyone was wondering, why was this young merman different from the other mermaids?

His tail was actually complete!

The reason he was riding a scooter instead of walking was probably because of his fishtail.

The other Split-Tail Mermaids, because their tails were split, could imitate the two legs of humans to walk, although the movements were awkward, they could still walk.

But this mermaid with a complete tail clearly couldn’t do that kind of movement, so it was difficult.

Also, what did the numbers on his arm mean?

It felt like some kind of code. As soon as they went to look, he was alert and covered it up, so clearly, it was no small matter.

And they noticed that other Split Tail mermaids are wearing long sleeves, so they wondered if they had this same code.

This young merman said he was going to the hospital. Was he working at the hospital?

The mermaids here could all serve as part of the workforce. Obviously, this mermaid was too.

Everyone was watching Zhuang Mu ride away on his scooter.

Only Gu Lin, from the moment Zhuang Mu appeared, had bright eyes, not looking at the young merman, but staring intently at his scooter.

Seeing that young merman ride his scooter and disappear around the corner, out of sight, he lowered his little head, a look of disappointment on his face.

9527: [Does little streamer want to ride a scooter too?]

Gu Lin nodded vigorously: [Mm-hmm, cub wants to ride cheche!]

He had never ridden this kind of scooter before. It looked like so much fun!

After finishing speaking, and without waiting for 9527 to say anything, Gu Lin added: [But I’m still too small. That cheche is too tall. If I stand on it, I won’t even be able to reach. How am I supposed to ride it?]

9527: …

You can’t even get on it, little streamer, you should probably stop thinking about how to ride it for now.

The rest of the journey was filled with a strangely silent atmosphere.

Finally, someone couldn’t hold back and asked: “That young merman just now…”

Everyone quietly shifted their attention, listening carefully to this player’s question.

Because they were also very interested in the young merman from earlier, and really wanted to know what was going on with his fishtail.

But then, the childish voice suddenly interjected again: “Where do you buy scooters?”

Player: “…”

Yu Qing and Yu Rong: “…”

Everyone saw that when Gu Lin spoke, Yu Qing stumbled, almost performing a flat-ground fall.

Yu Rong was more stable, but his back clearly stiffened.

The players all felt a sense of dread, almost needing to pinch their renzhong (a pressure point above the upper lip) and take in some oxygen.

You little doll, at a critical moment, don’t interrupt!

Normal people couldn’t resist such a small child, even the mermaid town mayor, when facing this little baby, could soften his bark-like old face a few degrees. Yu Qing, with such a good temper, was even less resistant.

Yu Qing’s smile became a bit more sincere, no longer just superficial. He turned around and looked at him: “Gege will help you ask him later, okay?”

The players, looking at his dark face, which didn’t look young: …

Gege?

How could he bring himself to say that?

Gu Lin politely thanked him, looked at Yu Qing, tilted his head, thought about an appropriate form of address, and said in a childish voice: “Thank you, Black-Faced Shushu.”

Players: “…”

Livestream Aunties: “…”

Hahahahahahahahaha, holy crap!!

Black-Faced Shushu, that’s just too outrageous!

Sincerity is truly the ultimate weapon!

Yu Qing, taking 10,000 points of damage: “…”

Even Yu Rong, who had been silent the whole way, couldn’t help but let out a chuckle, but he quickly stopped himself, though everyone had clearly heard it.

Hearing this laugh, everyone almost lost it. They quickly tried to think of the saddest things in their lives, even deliberately focusing on the ugly fishtails of the Split-Tail Mermaids by the roadside, trying to use fear to suppress their laughter.

Look at those ugly mermaids that suck human brains! Can you still laugh?

Lin Xingchi, holding Gu Lin, was shaking with laughter.

The others were holding back their laughter. Gu Lin couldn’t feel it, but he was being held in Lin Xingchi’s arms, and Lin Xingchi was shaking with laughter, so he could feel it.

Gu Lin patted him with his little hand. The cub sighed: “Dagege, don’t laugh. Or the cub will fall!”

Lin Xingchi: “…”

Others: “Hahahahaha…look at that mermaid’s tail, it looks like scissors.”

“Yeah, it does, hahaha!”

Yu Qing: “……..”

Damn it!

Livestream:

[Hahahaha, I’m dying of laughter too]

[This batch of players has been made a bit mischievous by the cub. Yu Qing’s face is even darker]

[No, that’s definitely your imagination. He has no room for his face to get any darker]

[Hahahaha, what’s wrong with players laughing? Would you not laugh in their place?]

[I’d definitely laugh even louder hahaha]

Everyone was hahaha-ing, and only Yu Qing was hurt.

–

The rest of the way was silent. Everyone was afraid to speak, afraid that once they spoke, they wouldn’t be able to control their laughter.

Yu Qing was only twenty-five this year. Although this age was appropriate for Gu Lin to call him shushu, but shushu is much better than Black-Faced Shushu!

But you had to say, it was quite fitting. Sure enough, children are the best at grasping the key points.

Perhaps to divert his attention, Yu Qing looked at the player who had asked the question earlier, awkwardly shifting back to the previous topic: “What did you want to say earlier?”

Although awkward, it was effective. Everyone’s attention was indeed drawn back.

Everyone was very interested in the young merman from earlier, especially his complete fishtail.

The player who had spoken earlier swallowed and finished his sentence: “…how can he be so beautiful?”

Everyone: “…”

Damn, you really know how to pick your focus. You’re even worse than a two-year-old cub!

However, everyone was also very interested in this point.

That mermaid was indeed unbelievably beautiful.

Not only was his fishtail a pale golden color, but his waist-length hair was also pale gold, with two thin braids on either side of his temples, tucked behind his ears.

This was a mermaid who was not only exquisitely beautiful but also cared about his appearance.

And he could ride a scooter, and he was polite and confident. He spoke to Yu Qing without being subservient or arrogant, completely without the inferiority of a different species.

It was as if, in his mind, he wasn’t inferior to humans, but an equal species with no hierarchy.

Yu Qing’s attitude towards him was also one of equality, without the slightest hint of discrimination, even more enthusiastic and respectful than he was towards these players.

Humans are visual creatures. They didn’t know if it was because this mermaid was particularly beautiful that he received preferential treatment.

Yu Qing was silent for a while, then smiled and said: “Of course, Zhuang Mu is the second most beautiful mermaid in our Mermaid Town. He was the champion of last year’s Mermaid Festival.”

Yu Qing’s words shocked everyone again.

He was so beautiful, and he was only the second most beautiful?

Then how beautiful could the most beautiful one be?

Song Ran didn’t miss this opportunity to ask: “Then who is the most beautiful mermaid?”

Yu Qing didn’t answer this question. Instead, he stopped walking, turned around, and smiled at everyone: “We’ve arrived at the hotel.”

“…” Everyone looked up and saw a plain, ordinary hotel in front of them.

It was written above—Mermaid Hotel.