Chà Chà Novel

In a sense, Yun Yin’s nature could have served him well if he had never encountered Wen Sheng.

He was selfish, ruthless, and knew when to yield and when to push forward.

He always chose whatever benefited him. He had seized on Lan Zhai and fought his way upward. Even after winning Lan Zhai over, he had not grown careless in his triumph. He stayed alert for the original Wen Sheng’s arrival and made thorough preparations, which was why Wen Sheng had once been unable to defend himself with even a single word.

Now Yun Yin knew that Lan Zhai could never return to the palace while they remained together. So he had made the choice that served him best: abandon Lan Zhai in favor of money and a better life.

If Yun Yin had truly been the one who saved Lan Zhai, Wen Sheng would have had no objection to him leaving Lan Zhai because of their present circumstances. Looking after oneself was not a flaw.

But Yun Yin was cruel. Everything he possessed, every opportunity he had been given, came from taking credit for what the original Wen Sheng had done.

Not only did he feel no guilt, he had tried to bring about Wen Sheng’s death.

No, it went beyond trying. In the end, the original Wen Sheng had died because Yun Yin had taken the love that should have been his.

“Yun Yin, I don’t want Lan Zhai anymore.”

Wen Sheng looked at Yun Yin, his expression indifferent. Every trace of his earlier anger was gone. He spoke as though it were a matter of no importance, yet his words sent a shock through Yun Yin.

Yun Yin’s frantic expression froze. He stared at Wen Sheng’s face, searching for a crack in his composure, some proof that he was lying.

There was none…

Wen Sheng looked so cool and detached that Yun Yin felt like a heap of rubbish on the ground, a fool putting on a show!!!

“You’re lying!!! You’re a merperson!!! If Lan Zhai doesn’t love you, you’ll turn into sea foam! You’ll die!!!”

“You don’t want him? Hahaha! What a ridiculous joke! You’re lying, you’re lying!!! Aren’t you afraid of dying?!”

Death held little fear for Wen Sheng. His true self was immortal. Death in a small world would hurt for a moment, nothing more, and was hardly worth fearing.

He might die for a mission, but he would never die because of someone as worthless as Yun Yin.

Wen Sheng would not die. As for Yun Yin, that was another matter.

A life for a life: a murderer had no right to go on living freely and comfortably.

Wen Sheng moved toward him. The wind made the branches creak. He took two steps closer and regarded Yun Yin with an unreadable expression, perhaps pity, perhaps something else. His voice was quiet.

“You know I’m a merperson. Merfolk love and hate with their whole hearts. I loved Lan Zhai, so I endured agony to come ashore for him. But the person I loved failed to recognize me. Worse, he was so foolish that he lost all reason for someone as cruel and selfish as you. He disregarded the royal family’s safety and reputation, demeaned himself, and willingly sank this low.”

“Someone like that is no longer worth loving. And don’t misunderstand the things I brought here. They were for the kind, gentle Lan Zhai I knew on this island.”

“Yun Yin, I have never been afraid of turning into sea foam. Coming ashore is a gamble a merperson enters with their life at stake. I simply lost. I can bear whatever comes of it.”

“You took my place, but you can never become me, because you’re rotten at heart. Whatever I want, I’ll claim openly. I would never use methods as despicable as yours.”

“Besides, even when you were handed what belonged to me, you couldn’t hold on to it, could you?”

Wen Sheng’s voice remained even from beginning to end, yet every word cut like a blade, stripping away Yun Yin’s pride layer by layer until nothing was left.

Wind whipped across the sea, blowing the small boat Wen Sheng had arrived in farther away. A pair of arms wrapped around him from behind, bringing a searing warmth. Lan Tang’s low voice sounded by his ear.

“It’s windy out here. I came to take you home.”

Wen Sheng went still. For an instant, the composure he had shown Yun Yin faltered, but he quickly recovered. He turned his gaze away from Yun Yin, took Lan Tang’s hand, and left the island.

Yun Yin stared blankly after the two of them, unable to collect himself for a long time. His legs felt weak. He did not know how long it was before he turned around, pale and dazed, and found Lan Zhai standing there. Never before had he seen such coldness and disgust on Lan Zhai’s face.

Yun Yin’s eyes widened. His heart seemed to freeze, and his body began trembling beyond his control.

When had Lan Zhai returned? What had he heard? How much had he heard…?

Panic seized Yun Yin. Clinging to one last hope, he reached for Lan Zhai, but Lan Zhai pulled away sharply. With no hand to catch him, Yun Yin lost his balance and fell to the ground.

Lan Zhai looked down at him, making no attempt to hide the malice in his eyes. His voice was chilling as he said, word by word, “You’ve been lying to me all along!!!”

It had all been false!!!

No wonder the things Wen Sheng brought carried that familiar fragrance. No wonder Yun Yin had failed to make him feel safe during their two months on the island.

Everything had been a lie. Every last thing!!!

How ridiculous. For an impostor, Lan Zhai had left the royal family and surrendered all his power and wealth, only for that same impostor to offer him up in exchange for money!!!

Every foolish thing he had done for Yun Yin flashed through his mind. Humiliation spread from his heart through his entire body. The sight of Yun Yin’s face now made him feel sick. It was revolting, utterly revolting!!!

He had mistaken the person beside him all along. Wen Sheng was the one who had stayed with him day and night on the island, gentle and kind despite being unable to speak.

No wonder Wen Sheng had never entered the hut while Lan Zhai was injured. He had stayed with him by tying a string to his finger because his tail prevented him from coming onto the island.

Lan Zhai had been blind then and could not tell where the island ended and the sea began. He had assumed Wen Sheng was a nearby fisher who stayed with him by day and used the string at night out of concern for his reputation.

But Wen Sheng had never set foot on the island. When he rested against Lan Zhai’s legs in the sunlight, the rest of his fish tail remained in the sea…

Lan Zhai closed his eyes, his fingertips trembling violently. Wen Sheng had been so close to turning into sea foam. Fortunately, it was not too late now that he knew. He would not let that happen. He had mistaken the person he loved before, but from now on, he would make it up to Wen Sheng.

As for Yun Yin, the man who had made a fool of him, Lan Zhai would make him wish for death!!!

Seeing the murderous look on Lan Zhai’s face, Yun Yin cried in terror, “Lan Zhai, let me explain. I only did it because I didn’t want you to suffer with me—”

“Shh…”

Lan Zhai raised a finger for silence. A cold, cruel smile curved his lips. “Don’t say anything. Since you like pretending to be mute so much, you can stay mute forever.”

After the gale, a torrential rain finally fell on the island. It seemed fierce enough to wash away every stain on the kingdom. Huge waves surged across the sea. A warship moved slowly over the water, so slowly it seemed to be driven by the waves alone.

The warship rocked in the swell. Wen Sheng fell onto a bed, his long, pale legs exposed. Rain poured outside, but none could penetrate the sturdy vessel.

“He came, and you didn’t tell me? Do you think you’re doing your job as a system?”

Wen Sheng felt his scalp prickle at Lan Tang’s dark expression. He always made a point of going out when Lan Tang was away and timed his return carefully. Every time, he reached his chambers before Lan Tang came looking for him.

He had known Lan Tang would be furious if he found out. Now the very thing he feared had happened. That useless Balala! Once they got back, he would send it off to be rebuilt!!!

Balala trembled. It had not wanted this either! But the Lord God had ordered it not to interfere with anything that happened in this world. What was it supposed to do?!

It was sick of being caught between the two of them, unable to please either side. Sob…

“I… I lost connection…”

“You lose connection every damn day! If you’re this useless, I might as well reformat you!!!”

Balala was so frightened that its interface flickered as it began to cry. Wen Sheng had enough to worry about himself, so he made Balala go offline for the rest of the day and blocked it outright.

Wen Sheng’s legs were long, straight, and beautiful enough to entrance anyone. But looking at them now, Lan Tang wanted to break them.

For all his calculations, Lan Tang had never imagined that Wen Sheng had come ashore for a useless fool like Lan Zhai. Then who was A-Yan? Who was he…?

“Wen Sheng, how many people are there in your heart?”

Lan Tang did not look at Wen Sheng as he spoke. His fingertips traveled down Wen Sheng’s calf and stopped at his ankle. It was so slender that Lan Tang could circle it with one hand.

The grip on his ankle was neither tight nor painful, yet it made Wen Sheng’s heart tremble. Still, no one was easier for him to coax than the man in front of him. He knew how to make Lan Tang listen.

Wen Sheng’s expression changed. His lovely eyes held Lan Tang’s without blinking as he moved closer and hooked a leg around his waist. Lan Tang released his ankle, sliding his fingers along Wen Sheng’s leg to his waist. Wen Sheng looped both arms around Lan Tang’s neck and said with gentle, bashful affection, “You’re the only one in my heart. I love you most.”

He looked like a shy young man confessing his feelings to the person he loved, full of tenderness and trust. The faint scent of begonia blossoms around him was alluring. He seemed innocent, entirely willing to let Lan Tang draw closer.

Lan Tang was almost taken in. The affection in Wen Sheng’s eyes was so intense that he could see nothing false in it. His usual cool distance had fallen away, leaving a captivating side that seemed reserved for Lan Tang alone.

But Lan Tang’s eyes only grew colder. Jealousy burned through him, consuming what little reason he had left.

“How many people have you said that to?”

“Not Lan Zhai, I suppose. He was too stupid to recognize you. What about A-Yan? Have you said it to him? You didn’t answer me the last time I asked, either. Wen Sheng, who taught you everything you’ve taught me?”

Who did Wen Sheng truly love? He had endured the agony of his tail being eaten away to come ashore for Lan Zhai, yet when he was drunk, he had called another man’s name.

Lan Tang had thought Wen Sheng had come ashore for A-Yan. But if it had been for Lan Zhai, was A-Yan someone in the palace? Or someone from the deep sea?

The potion that gave a merperson legs could only be made with the blood of one who was deeply in love. If Wen Sheng had come ashore for Lan Zhai, then his love for Lan Zhai was beyond doubt. But who was A-Yan?

Lan Tang had thought Wen Sheng was merely a charming little liar. He had not imagined Wen Sheng could have feelings for so many people.

If he had not heard it for himself, he would never have believed it: Wen Sheng called another man’s name, entered a relationship with Lan Tang, yet had come ashore for Lan Zhai.

Wen Sheng felt a faint pain at his waist. He could hardly believe even this approach had failed. How could that be?

And what did Lan Tang mean? Did he suspect Wen Sheng of being unfaithful?

Lan Tang watched the bashful look fade from Wen Sheng’s face, a smile touching his own lips. His grip did not loosen. He waited for an answer.

Wen Sheng met Lan Tang’s eyes. The hostility in them startled him, though he hid his unease. After choosing his words, he replied gently, yielding a little.

“Being with you was the first time I’d ever been so intimate with anyone.”

It was half true and half false. It really was this body’s first time, so he was not exactly lying.

Lan Tang suddenly laughed, though his eyes grew colder still. He eased his grip on Wen Sheng’s waist and stroked his side gently with his thumb.

“Shengsheng, you know that isn’t what I want to hear.”

He did not care what had happened before Wen Sheng met him. He only cared who occupied Wen Sheng’s heart now.

Perhaps Wen Sheng was too good an actor. During their time together, Lan Tang had almost been fooled into believing Wen Sheng truly loved him.

How could a merperson who had come ashore for someone else fall in love with him so easily? Lan Tang had harbored doubts for some time. But being with Wen Sheng felt so wonderful that he had avoided examining them.

Wen Sheng knew what Lan Tang wanted to hear, but how could he say it? That the A-Yan he spoke of was Lan Tang himself? That Wen Sheng was a person sent from another world on a mission, while the original owner of this body had loved Lan Zhai?

Whether Lan Tang would believe him was beside the point. He was forbidden from revealing his identity as someone carrying out a mission.

But the man before him was clearly consumed by jealousy. If Wen Sheng did nothing, both of them would suffer.

What the hell had things come to?

There was no impatience in Lan Tang’s narrow eyes. He waited quietly for the little liar’s answer. In truth, the answer hardly mattered to him anymore, because he no longer trusted Wen Sheng.

Once the hundred days were over, he would take Wen Sheng back to the deep sea and confine him in his palace. From then on, Wen Sheng would have eyes and a heart for no one else. Lan Tang had even begun planning a beautiful chain for him. Then Wen Sheng’s soft voice reached him.

“I swear on my life: you are the one in my heart now. Only you.”