A Midnight Visit and Unspoken Fears

Su Xiaoxiao had discovered Xiyue’s presence among the Mermaid tribe.

She was now nine months pregnant. Perhaps due to the strain on her body during her initial nine months in the Demon Realm, Su Xiaoxiao felt exceptionally uncomfortable every day. A moment of carelessness would often lead to leg cramps.

Yunli examined her pulse daily, and Gu Yan was equally diligent. Nearly half of the Mermaid tribe were skilled in medicine and healing, and Yunli, too, would often visit. It was as if Su Xiaoxiao had become a central figure within the tribe, constantly surrounded by care and concern.

Consequently, Su Xiaoxiao found herself blushing and flustered by all the attention.

Defying all opposition, Gu Yan insisted on moving into Su Xiaoxiao’s small courtyard, settling into a side room a short distance away.

Yunli was the first to object. “Those not of our kind are bound to harbor ill intent!” she declared. “Who knows what schemes you’re plotting?”

Yunli possessed a volatile temper, yet she was fiercely protective. Though Su Xiaoxiao’s abduction by Xiyue to the Demon Realm was not Yunli’s fault, she had always blamed herself. Now that Su Xiaoxiao had finally returned safe and sound, Yunli’s favoritism was evident, guarding her with exceptional vigilance.

Gu Yan watched Yunli’s face flush with anger. “If I truly harbored ill intentions,” she retorted, “how could I have brought Xiaoxiao back?”

“Even so, it’s out of the question!” Yunli immediately countered.

“Xiaoxiao, you tell them yourself!” Gu Yan exclaimed, her own temper flaring. “Could it be that you don’t trust me either?” Her face was now red, her neck swollen with indignation.

She had also hoped to dedicate her time on the island to studying rare immortal herbs. However, Xiyue had issued a direct command for her to diligently look after Su Xiaoxiao.

“I… I naturally believe you…” Su Xiaoxiao stammered, seeing the two women glaring at each other, on the verge of a fight. Unwilling to offend either, she spoke hesitantly.

“Did you hear that? She trusts me! So I’m moving in,” Gu Yan declared, looking at Yunli with the air of a victor.

Yunli’s face darkened with fury on the spot, yet she found herself unable to vent her anger on Su Xiaoxiao.

Ultimately, Gu Yan moved into the side room of Su Xiaoxiao’s dwelling.

As she often experienced cramps or discomfort in the middle of the night, Su Xiaoxiao slept fitfully this particular evening, never truly falling into a deep slumber.

Thus, when the bedroom door creaked open, she heard a faint sound and stirred awake. However, she kept her eyes closed, assuming it was merely the wind.

Yet, she felt the bed dip, as if something was drawing near.

As Su Xiaoxiao opened her eyes, a pair of hands gently touched her cheek.

A lamp had been left lit in the room, for Su Xiaoxiao feared waking in complete darkness during the night.

Though the light was dim, Su Xiaoxiao clearly recognized Xiyue’s face. She didn’t even scream; instead, she simply trembled, a visible tremor that quickly escalated into uncontrollable tears and snot streaming down her face.

Her reaction was so extreme that Xiyue, fearing for her well-being, hastily retreated and tried to hide. Yet, aside from appearing comical, her actions were utterly useless.

“Don’t cry,” Xiyue finally managed to utter, the three words squeezed out with effort. Su Xiaoxiao’s reaction, however, only intensified.

She recoiled further, attempting to scramble up and flee, awkwardly clutching her swollen belly.

Fearing she would fall, Xiyue reached out to steady her. However, Su Xiaoxiao only trembled more violently, struggling to catch her breath.

With her spiritual energy depleted, she was no different from an ant before Xiyue. Xiyue effortlessly halted her movements.

“It hurts, it hurts,” Su Xiaoxiao gasped as her leg cramped again, the pain causing her vision to flicker between white and black.

Xiyue helped her lie back down. Disregarding Su Xiaoxiao’s fear and protests, she sat directly on the edge of the bed, took hold of her calf, and began gently massaging it.

This action was performed with such natural ease, it hardly seemed like something Xiyue would do.

Yet, in front of Su Xiaoxiao, she had no pretense to maintain.

Xiyue controlled her strength, but the cramp itself was intensely painful. Su Xiaoxiao even began to gasp for air, clutching her belly as if to shield it.

“Wuwu…” She wept uncontrollably, the pain so severe she couldn’t articulate a complete sentence.

Xiyue watched, growing anxious. Her hands didn’t stop, continuing to rub Su Xiaoxiao’s calves and thighs through her undergarments.

This ‘little fish’ had gained some weight since her time in the Demon Realm, no longer as frail as before, where a gust of wind might have toppled her. The flesh on her legs felt soft and supple, making Xiyue reluctant to let go.

As the wave of pain finally subsided, Su Xiaoxiao lifted her delicate foot and kicked at Xiyue.

Xiyue didn’t dodge. The few kicks from Su Xiaoxiao almost stirred a different kind of desire within her.

Suddenly, Su Xiaoxiao began to scream, “Help!!!”

“I haven’t hurt you,” Xiyue said. “I haven’t hurt you.”

Still tense, Su Xiaoxiao’s body rigid, she asked with a trembling voice, “Why are you here? What do you want to do?!”

She still remembered Xiyue’s words. More than once, Xiyue had warned her, “If you dare to run, I will surely bathe your South Sea Mermaid tribe in blood.”

“Save… save me—”

Su Xiaoxiao was like a fish on a chopping block. Her legs ached, her belly was immense, and she couldn’t get up. There was nothing she could do but cry out for help.

Yet, Su Xiaoxiao’s cries went unanswered for a long time. Seeing no one come and with Xiyue present in the room, her mind began to race with wild thoughts.

‘Why was there no response? Wasn’t Gu Yan staying in the side room?’

‘She shouldn’t have failed to hear my voice. Could it be Xiyue?’

The mere images her mind conjured sent a cold sweat prickling over Su Xiaoxiao’s skin. Choking back sobs, and unable to sit up, she questioned Xiyue, “What have you done? What have you done to my tribe members?! Are you, are you…?”

With Su Xiaoxiao so terrified, Xiyue easily discerned the ‘little fish’s’ chaotic thoughts. Unwilling to endure another round of Su Xiaoxiao crying and screaming at her, Xiyue quickly clarified, “I haven’t done anything!”

“Then what exactly do you want?” Su Xiaoxiao asked, on the verge of breaking down. “Can’t you just leave me alone? Do you… do you truly wish for my death?”

Her current state reminded Xiyue once more of the terrifying sight of Su Xiaoxiao leaping from the cliff and holding a shard to her throat, ready to take her own life.

Xiyue’s temple throbbed. The turmoil in her heart raged anew, but she desperately suppressed it, controlling her thoughts to prevent her inner demons from seizing the opportunity.

“I just came to see you,” Xiyue admitted, her voice deflated. “I merely… wanted to see if you were doing well…”

How could Su Xiaoxiao possibly believe her?

She wouldn’t trust a single word Xiyue spoke.

Still terrified, still on the verge of collapse, still weeping uncontrollably.

She struggled desperately to sit up from the bed, longing to rush outside and see what awaited her. She refused to believe Xiyue could be so benevolent; she must be deceiving her.

However, her large belly made movement incredibly awkward, and getting up was exceedingly difficult. With Su Xiaoxiao’s mind in such turmoil, the effort was even greater.

Seeing her struggle, Xiyue reached out to help her. “Didn’t you just have a cramp?” she began, “You should be lying down and resting properly.”

No sooner had the words left her lips than Su Xiaoxiao slapped her across the face.

The formidable Demon Monarch had been slapped multiple times by this ‘little fish.’

“Smack—”

The sharp crack echoed loudly in the silent room. Despite her surprise and displeasure, Xiyue harbored no thought of retaliating.

Hidden just outside the door, observing and listening to the commotion within, Gu Yan almost burst into laughter. She longed to push the door open and applaud Su Xiaoxiao’s actions.

“Go away! Don’t touch me!!!”

“Alright, I won’t touch you.” Xiyue still helped her to her feet before withdrawing her hands. Without even putting on her shoes, Su Xiaoxiao tried to bolt outside.

Her body was heavy now, and watching her sway so precariously made Xiyue’s heart tremble along with her.

“Be careful! Why are you running?!” Xiyue called out from behind her, but it was to no avail.

As Su Xiaoxiao flung open the door, she saw Gu Yan standing outside. Startled, she stumbled backward.

With lightning speed, Xiyue conjured a burst of black demonic energy, shielding Su Xiaoxiao’s lower back. This prevented Su Xiaoxiao from falling, allowing her to regain her footing.

“You…” Su Xiaoxiao had called out several times earlier with no sign of Gu Yan, leading her to believe Xiyue had silenced her.

She had likely been terrified by her own vivid imaginings, which left her disoriented upon seeing Gu Yan the moment the door opened.

“My apologies, Xiaoxiao,” Gu Yan said, her face betraying no hint of her lie. “I must have been sleeping too soundly tonight, only just hearing the commotion. What happened? A nightmare? Why are you crying so late at night?”

“Xiyue was here.” At the mention of the name, Su Xiaoxiao trembled even more violently.

“The Demon Monarch? That can’t be, where?” Gu Yan inquired, feigning ignorance.

Su Xiaoxiao timidly looked back, pointing to where Xiyue had just stood. The bedside was empty; there was no one there.

“She…” Su Xiaoxiao was utterly bewildered. She stared at the empty space behind her, utterly stunned, her tears still unwiped. “She was just here,” she murmured.