When the Wish God Became Too Effective

The old Marshal woke up the next morning feeling refreshed and clear-headed.

He hadn’t felt this way in a long time.

He was among the fortunate—his mental energy wasn’t low, and he had always had a
mermaid to soothe him, so he had never suffered from any rage disorder.

But as he aged, the mermaid’s soothing had gradually become less effective.
After all, he was old now. He didn’t mind, except that he often had trouble
sleeping at night. When he woke up, his whole body ached, and his consciousness
sea throbbed with pain.

This was the first time he had woken up feeling this comfortable.

Was it related to the dream he had last night?

Come to think of it, it was strange. He rarely dreamed, yet last night he had
had such a strange dream.

He had forgotten the specifics, but he vaguely remembered a young man saying
many things to him, including that his wish would definitely come true.

The old Marshal sighed helplessly, thinking he must have been dwelling on it too
much. Worried about his grandson’s love life, he had dreamed of such things.

He even called Wen Zhaoyan specifically because of it.

The old Marshal said, “I really am getting old. I’m dreaming of hoping you’ll
settle down.”

Wen Zhaoyan said, “Take care of yourself.”

The old Marshal said, “Do you think I’ll live to see that day?”

Wen Zhaoyan: “…”

The old Marshal said, “Have you made up with Mo Li yet?”

Wen Zhaoyan: “…”

The old Marshal said, “It seems unlikely in my lifetime.”

Wen Zhaoyan was helpless. “Don’t worry about it.”

The old Marshal thought to himself, ‘You’re my only grandson. If the Empire’s
Emperor treated you well, I wouldn’t worry. But he doesn’t want to see you
succeed. If I don’t worry, who will?’

But he also knew when to stop. He went along with Wen Zhaoyan’s words. “I know
you have a plan. When are you thinking of returning to the Capital Star?”

Wen Zhaoyan was silent for a moment. “Now’s not the time.”

“Alright.” The old Marshal didn’t ask further.

Just before ending the call, the old Marshal added wistfully, “I should be able
to see you and Mo Li get married before I die, right?”

Wen Zhaoyan: “…”

After ending the call, Wen Zhaoyan notified all his guards, the butler, Kai, and
everyone else. Absolutely no information about what happened at the estate was
to be shared with the old Marshal. If they wanted to say anything, they had to
get his permission first. Not everything was to be spread outside!

Having received the order, the butler and the soldiers secretly lamented to
themselves. When the old Marshal interrogated them, it was very hard not to tell
him!

The old butler could only continue burning incense, hoping the Crown Prince
would make up with Mo Li soon.

As for Mo Bai… he still didn’t dare appear.

For two days in a row, Mo Bai stayed at the Mo family villa, not leaving the
house.

He was afraid that some unseen force would push him toward Wen Zhaoyan. Having
decided to let things fade, he couldn’t appear now.

But he had also agreed to the old Marshal’s wish, eaten his incense, and sent
him good luck.

That meant he was blessing the old Marshal’s wish to come true!

After waiting two days without noticing any ‘invisible force’ pushing him to
meet Wen Zhaoyan, Mo Bai felt both relieved and conflicted.

Relieved because he didn’t have to face Wen Zhaoyan.

Conflicted because—

He… was he… maybe… not that effective?

For gods like him who lived on faith, the worst thing was being called
ineffective, leading to no one believing in them.

But now, even Mo Bai himself was questioning whether he was effective.

Otherwise, why hadn’t the good luck he sent to the old Marshal worked yet?

Staying at the Mo family villa was actually quite boring.

So these days, Mo Bai resisted the urge to go to the wishing well and instead
taught Little Blue and Little Green to cultivate.

Although the two little mermaids had defects, perhaps because of soaking in the
divine power, they were very clever. They could now speak some simple common
language. The slightly bigger one, Little Blue, still underage, could already
differentiate legs, becoming a child only slightly taller than Mo Bai, around
eleven or twelve years old, with a slightly cool little expression.

Mr. and Mrs. Mo were shocked that Little Blue could differentiate legs at such a
young age. They knew that mermaids could only differentiate legs upon reaching
adulthood. Little Blue clearly still looked like a juvenile mermaid. How was he
already differentiated?

In the past, they would have consulted the Mermaid Association directly. But now
that they had fallen out with the Association, they couldn’t. Mo Xiangtian had
to ask Xixi instead.

Xixi ran to the Mo family villa the next day, examined Little Blue after his
differentiation, and nodded. “Little Blue is very healthy!”

Hearing this, Little Blue raised his chin proudly. “I am strong. I cultivate
fast.”

Little Blue was Mo Bai’s own mermaid. Seeing him progress so quickly, Mo Bai
wanted to pat his head to encourage him. But Little Blue was taller than him.

Mo Bai didn’t give up. He stood on tiptoe and finally managed to pat Little
Blue’s head, then said with satisfaction, “Then keep up the good work.”

Little Blue, a mermaid who usually didn’t like humans, looked at the little baby
who couldn’t even reach his head and even told him to keep up the good work,
feeling a bit speechless.

But the little baby’s hand was very soft, and when it touched his head, it was
very comfortable, quite likable.

So Little Blue reluctantly agreed. “I will work hard. You, you also work hard to
grow taller.”

Although Little Blue still didn’t like humans. Most mermaids didn’t like humans
much. But if it was little Mo Bai, well… he would reluctantly accept it. From
now on, little Mo Bai would be his little brother, and he would protect him too.

Mo Bai: “…”

He was a bit short now. Little Blue didn’t need to tell him—he also wanted to
grow taller!

“So Little Blue is fine, right?” Mo Xiangtian was still a bit worried.

Xixi shook his head. “Mm, healthy.”

He squinted his eyes happily. “I can tell the president this good news!”

No sooner had he spoken than Mo Xiangtian and Mo Bai said in unison, “Don’t
tell!”

Xixi didn’t understand. “Why?”

Mo Xiangtian lowered his voice. “The baby is still young. He’s not old enough to
keep a mermaid. If they were defective little mermaids, the Third Prince handled
the adoption paperwork, so the Mermaid Association would turn a blind eye. But
if they find out Little Blue is healthy and his defects are healed, they won’t
allow the baby to keep him.”

Mo Xiangtian didn’t want to give back the mermaid.

Although Mo Bai was still young and didn’t need a mermaid’s soothing yet, he
would grow up eventually. If he had consciousness sea problems in the future and
had to get adoption paperwork from the Mermaid Association, they might refuse.

Now he had healthy little mermaids growing up with his baby. Their bond would be
stronger, and he wouldn’t have to worry about soothing at all. He certainly
couldn’t let the mermaids’ situation slip out.

Xixi didn’t fully understand, but he noted Mo Xiangtian’s words. Still, he said
somewhat wistfully, “Mermaids outside… are very dangerous. Many people want to
catch them. The energy radiation… mm, is also very strong. They can’t have
babies, and they become defective. But, but Little Blue is better…”

Xixi spoke somewhat incoherently, his common language not very fluent yet.

Mo Bai understood. “You want to tell the Mermaid Association that little
mermaids can live well outside, and defects can be healed, right?”

Xixi nodded vigorously. “Mm!”

Mo Bai was speechless. “Is that what they tell you every day?”

Wasn’t that brainwashing? Brainwashing the mermaids so that after succeeding,
the mermaids themselves wouldn’t want to live outside anymore.

Xixi nodded again.

Mo Bai asked, “What about the adopted mermaids, like you?”

Xixi said, “Every, every month, go for a checkup, get a shot, and they’re fine.
Very healthy.”

Mo Bai said, “So you’re saying that if you go every month for a checkup and a
shot, you’re not afraid of energy radiation outside, and your bodies won’t have
problems. Is that right?”

“Mm, if not, not, they get weak.” Xixi said fearfully, “The energy radiation is
too strong…”

Worried Mo Bai wouldn’t understand, Mo Xiangtian explained, “Our planet, from
the large energy system to small household appliances and other resources, all
get their energy from energy stones. Energy stones always leaves behind some
radiation energy. That’s why most people in the interstellar suffer from mental
energy rage disorder. The mermaid race is different from us humans. Their mental
energy isn’t polluted by energy radiation, but they become weak. They can take
medicine or get a shot prescribed by the Mermaid Association to remove the
radiation pollution from their bodies.”

He sighed. “That’s why many people envy mermaids.”

Mo Bai was puzzled. “Then why didn’t the Mermaid Association notify Little Blue
and Little Green to get their shots?”

Mo Xiangtian smiled bitterly. “Probably because of the falling out between me
and them.”

Mo Bai said, “But Little Blue and Little Green have never had shots to remove
radiation from their bodies. And they haven’t been weak.”

Hearing this, Xixi and Mo Xiangtian both paused.

That was true. Little Blue and Little Green had been sent to the Mo family over
two months ago. They’d never had a single shot, and they hadn’t been weak.

“No,” Mo Bai suddenly remembered something. Little Blue and Little Green had
been weak once. Exactly a month ago, the two little mermaids had suddenly become
listless, seeming about to die.

Worried they might really die, Mo Bai had infused some divine power into their
bodies, and they had regained their vitality.

He had wanted to ask Wen Zhaoyan about it, but when he woke up the next day, the
mermaids were completely recovered, and nothing had happened, so he forgot.

Could it have been because of his divine power?

Not sure of the cause and effect, and not sure if it was really due to his
divine power, Mo Bai said to Xixi, “Next time you’re about to get a shot, don’t
go. Come here to see me first.”

Xixi nodded. “Okay.”

He didn’t ask what the little brat wanted to do. He just obeyed obediently. Mr.
Mo Li had said he could ask the little baby anything, and the baby would pass
the message to Mr. Mo Li.

Not only that, but Xixi also decided to stay at the Mo family villa.

Mo Bai widened his eyes. “You’re not going home? Isn’t Kai coming to pick you
up?”

Xixi shook his head. “Master is very busy… He’s getting married. After, after
Master gets married, I’ll, I’ll go back to the Association to stay.”

Mo Bai had heard the little mermaid mention Kai was busy with his life events.
That was understandable.

But…

“Why do you have to go back to the Association after he gets married?”

Xixi said matter-of-factly, “Many do that.”

He clearly didn’t understand either.

Fortunately, Mo Xiangtian knew. He explained to his son, “Baby, mermaids are
very fierce. Among our Empire’s mermaids, only Xixi is close to humans. Most
mermaids aren’t. So when many humans get married, especially when they want to
have children, they send their mermaids back to the Association for a while.
They’re afraid the mermaids might hurt the baby when they’re fierce. When the
baby is a bit older, some bring the mermaids back, or they go directly to the
Association for soothing when needed.”

Mo Bai remembered. The mermaid Mo Xiangtian had adopted before had been sent
back to the Association because they were worried he might be hurt by it.

Xixi said with a pout, “I wouldn’t hurt the baby.”

Mo Bai also staunchly defended his own. “Exactly. Xixi is so good!”

That night, Xixi stayed at the Mo family villa. Kai was a bit speechless, but it
was Xixi’s own decision, so he could only agree.

With Xixi’s company, Mo Bai put the old Marshal’s wish aside.

That evening, Li Chaoci called, saying he wanted to take Mo Bai out to play. Now
that Li Chaoci had shown his face at the Mo family, although they hadn’t
formally reconciled, Mr. and Mrs. Mo didn’t refuse when he said he wanted to
take Mo Bai out.

They actually hoped that adorable little Mo Bai would warm Li Chaoci’s heart and
make him willing to return to the Li family.

Since his parents agreed, Mo Bai naturally wouldn’t refuse. He said to Li
Chaoci, “Can I bring Xixi?”

Li Chaoci said softly, “Of course. It’s just one more mermaid. Your uncle can
handle it.”

Unfortunately, Li Chaoci had thought it too simple.

As soon as the little mermaid saw him, he turned pale with fear, clung to the
door, and refused to go.

Li Chaoci had wanted to show off in front of his little nephew, to prove what a
capable and reliable uncle he was.

But then this little mermaid acted like he was a great demon, ruining his image.

Li Chaoci was very unhappy. “Am I that scary?”

The little mermaid stammered, “N-n-no.”

Li Chaoci narrowed his fox-like eyes. “Speak properly.”

The little mermaid started crying, pearls streaming down like a waterfall.

Li Chaoci: “…”

Mo Bai was at a loss for words. “Uncle, you…”

Li Chaoci immediately said, “Don’t misunderstand, baby. I didn’t bully him.”

Damn little mermaid. Was he sent by Wen Zhaoyan to ruin his image in front of
the baby?

Talking, Li Chaoci told Mo Bai to get in the car first while he explained things
to the little mermaid.

Mo Bai was worried. “Better yet, let Xixi stay.”

Li Chaoci refused. He put Mo Bai in the car and closed the door. Then he reached
out and picked up the little mermaid.

Xixi was so scared he nearly fainted.

Li Chaoci snorted, staring into the little mermaid’s eyes. “You can sense my
physical changes, can’t you?”

As Xixi cried pearls and begged for mercy, “I-I-I…”

Before he could finish, he felt a tentacle appear behind him, slowly stroking
his hair. He looked at Li Chaoci, who still had both hands visible.

A chill spread from his feet. Xixi’s legs turned back into a tail from fright.

Li Chaoci threatened, “Don’t cry in front of the baby again, understand?”

Xixi stammered, completely terrified, forgetting to cry. “I-I understand…'”

Li Chaoci put the little mermaid in the hover vehicle. “Good.”

Once free, Xixi immediately ran into the car to find Mo Bai, who was his only
source of sense of security now.

Satisfied with the little mermaid’s cooperation, Li Chaoci withdrew his hand and
prepared to get in the car.

He stepped on round bumps, one by one. Looking down, he saw the pearls the
little mermaid had cried. He picked them up to give to his little nephew as
toys.

The two entered the car one after the other. Mo Bai looked at the little
mermaid, who had stopped crying, then at his tall little uncle, and asked the
little mermaid quietly, “Uncle didn’t bully you, did he?”

Xixi glanced at Li Chaoci. Li Chaoci smiled at him, his fox-like eyes full of
menace.

Xixi shrank his neck, sniffled, and said miserably, “N-no.”

He! Didn’t like the baby’s uncle! Not at all!

Li Chaoci started the hover vehicle, intending to take the two little ones to
another district.

The sanatorium planet was divided into four districts. The Mo family lived in
the East District.

But the moment Li Chaoci started the vehicle, it didn’t move.

Mo Bai said, “Is it broken?”

Li Chaoci checked. The energy was full, and there were no system faults.

“It’s not broken. No faults. Strange.”

He checked again. Still no problem. He sighed. “Let’s switch vehicles. I’ll have
a new one brought. Wait outside.”

Mo Bai had no objection. “Okay.”

The moment they got out, the vehicle that hadn’t moved suddenly started working!

Li Chaoci said, “Maybe it’s slow to respond. In the future, buy Mo family hover
vehicles, not other brands. The quality is too poor.”

It wasn’t actually his purchase, but he couldn’t resist complaining.

Mo Bai was very happy to hear that.

The three got back in.

But as soon as they did, the vehicle stopped again.

Li Chaoci: “…”

How strange.

They got out again.

Of course, once out, it worked.

Mo Bai had a bad feeling.

Before he could say anything, the world went dark again. The brightly lit
sanatorium area went dark.

The night, already dark, now had no light at all.

Li Chaoci was speechless. “The sanatorium planet’s energy system seems to be
failing again.”

He turned on the terminal light, facing Mo Bai and Xixi. “Don’t be scared. It
should be fixed soon.”

He was very annoyed.

Was the sanatorium planet doing this on purpose?

Every time he came to take his precious nephew out, the energy system failed!

What was wrong with it?

Mo Bai wasn’t scared, but his sense of foreboding grew stronger.

Why did this feel so familiar?

Mo Bai immediately said, “Little uncle, maybe we shouldn’t go. I’m feeling
sleepy. I’ll just go back to sleep. Good night!”

He turned and ran toward the house.

Li Chaoci watched the little guy run fast, disappointment in his eyes.

Seeing little Mo Bai run, Xixi ran after him like a frightened rabbit.

Li Chaoci: “…”

Mo Bai went to bed as soon as he got home. He and Xixi slept together.

In the dark, Xixi fell asleep quickly, but Mo Bai tossed and turned.

He listened carefully for outside sounds, then opened his spiritual sense to
check.

The energy system was restored.

Nothing seemed to have happened outside. The neighboring estate was quiet.

But when his father had made a wish for his mother to see his little uncle,
similar coincidences had happened, and she did.

With the good luck sent to the old Marshal, and today’s coincidences, Mo Bai
felt that maybe it was starting to work.

But he waited. Xixi slept soundly beside him. Nothing happened.

Was he overthinking?

Maybe he wasn’t that effective?

Mo Bai frowned, slightly relieved but also a bit perplexed.

Why hadn’t there been any reaction to the energy system failure just now?

He sat up to look outside.

As he moved, Xixi sensed something and murmured.

Afraid of waking Xixi, Mo Bai lay back down and let his spirit leave his body.

He floated out of the Mo family villa. The energy system was indeed restored.
Street lamps lit up the darkness.

He had been worried about nothing.

Mo Bai dusted off his sleeves, ready to go back to sleep.

He turned—and suddenly met a pair of dark, pitch-black eyes.

The man’s gaze was as deep and fathomless as the night. His tall figure cast a
long shadow under the street lamps.

Wen Zhaoyan stood not far away, quietly watching him.

Mo Bai: “…”

Mo Bai was stunned. “You… why are you here?”

Wen Zhaoyan’s voice was calm. “The energy system failed. I was worried about the
pool’s circulation system, so I came to check.”

Mo Bai: “…”

The pool’s circulation system had been added by Wen Zhaoyan.

Because Mo Bai kept fish there, Wen Zhaoyan thought they would die without a
circulation system. Mo Bai couldn’t explain that with his divine power, the fish
wouldn’t die.

So the system was added.

That meant if he had just gone to sleep, he wouldn’t have run into Wen Zhaoyan.

But he had somehow gotten the urge to check outside and had run straight into
him.

Everything was coincidental.

And all these coincidences combined could only mean one thing—

The old Marshal had made a wish!

And he had agreed!

But he had thought it was just a couple arguing, with no forced matchmaking, so
he had agreed.

Who knew he would be one of the parties involved?

Mo Bai gritted his teeth.

If anyone ever said the Wish-Granting God wasn’t effective, he would curse them
out!

Damn it. When I work, I even scare myself!

Wen Zhaoyan asked, ‘What about you?’

Mo Bai’s gaze shifted. ‘Just out for a walk.’

Wen Zhaoyan nodded. Then he didn’t speak again. He just looked at Mo Bai.

Feeling uncomfortable under his gaze, Mo Bai was about to make an excuse to
leave when Wen Zhaoyan suddenly said, ‘Did I upset you?’

Mo Bai was startled. He shook his head guiltily. ‘No.’

Wen Zhaoyan said, ‘That’s good. I thought you were mad and not replying, not
coming anymore.’

Mo Bai felt guiltier. ‘No, I’m… busy.’

Wen Zhaoyan said, ‘Okay. So you didn’t know I mistook you for Li Chaoci
earlier.’

Mo Bai said, ‘…I know now.’

He feigned magnanimity. ‘That’s nothing! We’re not that close anyway. Mistaking
someone is normal, right?’

He emphasized ‘not that close.’

Wen Zhaoyan either didn’t notice or deliberately ignored it. He changed the
subject. ‘Would you like to check the fish in the pool?’

Mo Bai said, ‘What about them?’

Wen Zhaoyan’s voice still lacked much emotion, simply stating a fact. ‘Maybe
because you and the little brat haven’t visited in a while, they look listless.’

Hearing this, Mo Bai immediately grew worried.

The crucian carp he kept in the wishing well had gained intelligence. They
weren’t ordinary fish, so they had feelings.

Were they sad because he hadn’t visited, thinking he had abandoned them?

Mo Bai immediately said, ‘I’ll go check!’

The youth floated to the edge of the pool in the blink of an eye.

Wen Zhaoyan watched the youth’s hair flowing behind him, his gaze deep.

If before, his fondness for Mo Li had been based on misunderstanding, then
through Mo Li’s recent distance and his inability to find any trace of him, Wen
Zhaoyan’s regard for Mo Li had only grown stronger.

He realized his feelings for Mo Li weren’t just fondness.

He desperately wanted to understand this person, everything about him, and to
have him.

Without Mo Li’s recent distance, he might not have realized his own feelings so
quickly.

But he could tell that Mo Bai seemed to be deliberately avoiding him.

Perhaps he knew he had feelings for him?

Unaware of Wen Zhaoyan’s thoughts, Mo Bai reached the pool. The two crucian carp
immediately sensed his presence and swam quickly toward him, no longer listless.

Both their tails had entirely turned red, more and more like koi fish.

Mo Bai checked each one, finding them fine. He poked their heads. ‘You all look
pretty lively.’

Wen Zhaoyan agreed. ‘Maybe because you’re here.’

Mo Bai poked their heads again. ‘Spoiled, all of you.’

Satisfied his fish were fine, Mo Bai relaxed.

He turned to Wen Zhaoyan and sighed and said, ‘Well, you should get some rest
too.’

Wen Zhaoyan said, ‘Okay.’

Mo Bai was a bit suspicious. That easily?

But Wen Zhaoyan didn’t say anything else. He simply said, ‘You too,’ and went
back to the estate.

Mo Bai couldn’t figure Wen Zhaoyan out.

He wasn’t asking anything?

Like who he really was? What his real name was?

But he couldn’t deny that he was relieved Wen Zhaoyan didn’t ask.

Then he wondered if he had misunderstood.

Wen Zhaoyan had never actually said he liked Mo Li.

When Mo Bai, as little Mo Bai, called him uncle-in-law, he just looked helpless.

When he encouraged him to pursue his uncle, he just said, ‘Children shouldn’t
meddle in adult affairs.’

Thinking about it, the more Mo Li thought about it, the more he realized he
might have misunderstood.

He hesitated, returned to his room and his body, and then sent a message to Wen
Zhaoyan on StarBlog.

At the estate, Wen Zhaoyan hadn’t gone to his room. He sat in the living room,
watching the pool.

When the message alert sounded, he wasn’t expecting anything. He didn’t think Mo
Li would message him.

But when he opened his terminal, he saw a message from Mo Li.

Wen Zhaoyan felt an indescribable joy. He quickly opened Mo Li’s avatar.

And paused.

[Mo: Article 7, 11, and 23 of the ‘Empire Minor Protection Law’. Adults are
prohibited from instigating, enticing, or leading minors…]

[Mo: Sharing song ‘Children Are the Treasure in the Hand’, ‘Protecting Children
is Everyone’s Responsibility’, ‘Nurturing Minors Together’]

[Mo: Sharing video ‘When you’re restless, listen to The Great Compassion
Mantra’]

[Mo: Sharing video ‘When you’re restless and can’t control yourself, listen to
The Great Compassion Mantra and the Mind Purification Mantra’]

Wen Zhaoyan expressionlessly typed a question mark.

[Wen Zhaoyan: ?]