My Merman Husband Won't Admit He Loves Me - Chapter 4

Shen Qingyan kept me occupied for three days, from the bedroom to the bathroom and back again.

A merman in heat was desperately insecure. Over and over, he locked me in his arms and whispered in my ear, demanding that I promise I liked only him.

If I didn’t say it, he cried. His tears became pearls that fell onto my chest and all around me, threatening to bury me alive.

Whimpering, he clung even tighter to me below.

At this rate, I suspected he’d eventually lose so much water that he’d turn into a dried, salted fish.

Three days later, his heat finally ended.

When I got up to dress, Shen Qingyan sat wrapped in the quilt, contemplating his entire existence as a fish.

Now that reason had returned, he remembered everything he’d said and done over those three days, including his pitiful pleading that night. His world had collapsed.

Supporting my aching back, I turned to look at the enormous quilt-wrapped bundle on the bed. After a long silence, I finally spoke.

“Um…”

“Get out.”

His voice was muffled. If I lifted the quilt, I’d probably find his ears bright red.

“All right.”

I nodded, picked up my jacket, and walked out.

Apparently, he hadn’t expected me to leave quite so readily. The moment the bedroom door closed, I heard sniffles from inside.

The comments appeared.

[Girl, don’t you get it yet? With his contrary personality, “no” means “yes,” and “get out” means “stay”!]

[Mermen are actually very sensitive just after their heat. They need someone to stay and comfort them. Like aftercare.]

[Right now he’s sitting there thinking about the last three days, then how decisively she just left, silently shedding a whole row of pearls.]

So that was it. I narrowed my eyes at the comments, then went downstairs anyway.

I’d just sat on the living-room sofa when my phone chimed.

[Miss Jiang, have you spoken to Mr. Shen Qingyan about the compatibility issue?]

[If you’re unsure how to bring it up, we can notify him directly.]

After staring at my phone for some time, I finally typed my reply: All right.

I didn’t think we’d divorce. Nor did I particularly care about that five-percentage-point difference. But Shen Qingyan was one of the people involved, and he had a right to know.

I’d barely sent it when footsteps sounded on the stairs.

Now dressed, Shen Qingyan came down. His gaze still darted away when he saw me. He’d only just worked up the courage to speak when his phone rang.

The longer he listened, the paler he became. He looked at me with panic and disbelief in his eyes.

While the person on the other end kept talking, I looked down at my phone.

The bureau said the lion wanted to meet me. Was I willing?

I raised an eyebrow at the ashen-faced man opposite me. A wicked impulse struck.

Sure. Why not?

I got up to go.

After two steps, his voice stopped me.

“Where are you going?”

Shen Qingyan lowered his phone, looking alarmed.

“The Animal Affairs Bureau wants to see me.”

“You’re not going! Jiang He, you’re not going! If you go, I’ll kill myself!”

Panic filled his voice. He came forward and caught my wrist, his eyes pleading.

“Jiang He, please don’t go. I need to tell you something. Just now…”

“I already know.”

“What?”

He looked incredulous. His grip tightened.

“The bureau contacted me three days ago.”

I checked the time, growing a little impatient.

“I know you’ve wanted a divorce all along. I’m willing to grant your wish. But before that, surely you’ll allow me to line up my next match.”

I waved my phone in front of him. The screen still showed my conversation with the bureau.

His face darkened the moment he read it. His grip loosened a little, and I pulled my wrist free and left.

Behind me, he stood like a wooden post in the living room, radiating gloom.

Overhead, the comments clamored, delighted by the spectacle.

[There you go, male lead. The divorce you wanted.]

[He’s panicking so hard. Your wife agreed to divorce you! Why aren’t you smiling? Is smiling just not your thing?]

[Current status: crying in panic.]