Chapter 455 - 454: "Are you disappointed? He’s marrying someone else.

"Yes." Buli nodded gently. "In three days, we will arrive in Silan City for the wedding. Rest assured, Ms. Zhi Zhi, we won’t stay in Silan City for long."

「Valoran Empire, Silan City.」

It was an unremarkable seaside town.

But now, it had suddenly become famous.

Because the Valoran Empire’s First Duke would be holding his wedding there.

Yu Zhizhi seemed a bit lost. "Why Silan City?"

’The Duke never leaves the Varolan Imperial City.’

’Besides, his mansion is in the Imperial City. Is the wedding really not going to be held there?’

Buli explained, "Silan City is Miss Jin She’s hometown. I’ve heard that when the Snake Clan take wives, they always travel to the bride’s hometown to hold a grand wedding. Although someone of Duke Bolan’s status doesn’t need to follow that tradition, it seems he truly dotes on this Miss Jin She."

Yu Zhizhi more or less understood.

She lowered her gaze slightly, feeling conflicted.

She hadn’t seen him since their falling out.

Because of the system’s task, she was a little afraid of seeing the Duke—

’What if his favorability rating drops?’

’Or what if it resets completely?’

Buli’s tone was gentle, but when he mentioned the First Duke of Valoran, his expression grew slightly solemn.

In the past, Duke Bolan would never have left the Varolan Imperial City.

No one had expected the wedding to be held in Silan City.

It seemed his sphere of influence was expanding.

This was not good news for the Deep Sea Empire.

With the armistice in effect, Lord Shen He was representing the Empire at the Duke’s wedding, which also served as an opportunity to investigate.

The sounds from the conference room were completely inaudible through the door.

But those inside were perfectly aware of the situation outside.

Around the long table, the figures on the large screen all watched Lord Shen He, who sat at the head, with a hint of apprehension. His expression was languid, and his eyes, like they were dusted with ash, were a light, faint gray.

During an important meeting for the Deep Sea Empire, someone couldn’t help but grumble inwardly—

’Why has Buli suddenly gotten so chatty?’

’It’s as if he’s afraid she’ll get the wrong idea.’

’—Could Lord Shen He actually be serious?’

’Just like the rumors say, does he also want to be Miss Rabbit’s Beast Husband?’

Everyone knew that Prince Yusen had received an invitation from the Sky Star Territory. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be her First Beast Husband.

Prince Yusen’s feelings for the Miss Healer were never a secret.

What was surprising was Lord Shen He’s inscrutable attitude.

Outside the door, Buli said softly, "Ms. Zhi Zhi, your meal is ready."

Shen He heard the little rabbit let out a soft "mhm."

Then came the sound of their footsteps receding into the distance.

Although he had briefly "spared" the little rabbit last night, the image of her soaking in the water, softly murmuring that snake’s name, was still vivid in his mind.

Their relationship, it seemed, wasn’t so "shallow" after all.

When the meeting ended, Buli had already returned.

He reported, "Ms. Zhi Zhi doesn’t have much of an appetite. She only ate a little. After her meal, she went back to her room."

After a moment’s hesitation, Buli decided to report the full truth.

"Ms. Zhi Zhi seems to be in low spirits."

Shen He leaned back in his chair, flipping open the newspaper in front of him with one hand. "Is that so?"

Buli saw the man before him suddenly smile.

Shen He lifted his gray eyes. "She cares a great deal about this wedding."

Buli was silent.

Initially, he had only explained things on Lord Shen He’s behalf because he was afraid Miss Rabbit would get the wrong idea.

But ever since then, Miss Rabbit had been utterly preoccupied.

She had shut herself in her room after the meal and hadn’t come out since.

She didn’t even go to look after the Little Octopus, which she cared for so much.

’Could it be that Miss Rabbit’s relationship with Duke Bolan is actually very strong?’

’If that’s the case...’

Buli couldn’t help but ask, "Should we still take Miss Rabbit to Silan City? If she truly still has feelings for Duke Bolan—"

"Of course." Shen He cut the young man off, his tone nonchalant. "If they are truly in love with each other, it would be a good thing for the Deep Sea Empire."

If the First Duke of the Valoran Empire had a weakness, many people would likely laugh in their sleep.

’And as for that little rabbit... if he could abduct her once, he could abduct her a second time.’

’What kind of expression would that snake make?’

’He was quite looking forward to it.’

Er...

Hearing Lord Shen He’s words, Buli immediately understood his intent.

But he just rubbed his nose, unsure how to respond.

’Somehow, I don’t think that’s what Lord Shen He is really thinking...’

「Nightfall.」

Yu Zhizhi hugged a pillow, her thoughts in a tangled mess.

She heard the sound of the lock turning and her heart leaped. She immediately knew the Big Shark was back. Before she could even look up, she was enveloped by his cool, damp scent—moist, like a wave from the ocean washing over her.

Shen He had finished his duties on the ship. He was carrying half a bottle of wine, and his eyes immediately fell upon the small figure curled up on the white bed.

Yu Zhizhi waited for a moment, but heard no sound from the Big Shark.

She slowly raised her head to look at the man standing in the darkness, her rabbit ears twitching twice. "Lord Shen He?"

He seemed unusually silent tonight.

But his sharp eyes were locked firmly onto her.

Being stared at by a shark like this, Yu Zhizhi felt a little intimidated.

"Wh-what’s wrong?" she couldn’t help but ask.

After a long pause, Shen He finally spoke:

"No appetite?"

The little rabbit had barely eaten a thing since hearing the news of the wedding in Varolan.

Yu Zhizhi froze for a second, then slowly nodded.

She noticed the Big Shark’s eyes growing darker.

But then, he suddenly smiled. "Disappointed? He’s going to marry someone else."

For a moment, Yu Zhizhi didn’t know how to react.

A flicker of irritation rose in Shen He’s heart, but his tone was laced with a teasing mockery. "If the wedding goes ahead, he can’t be your Beast Husband. Do you want my help getting rid of that unsightly Jinshe?"

’Snake?’

’Jinshe...’

Yu Zhizhi suddenly understood what the Big Shark was talking about. She quickly sat up. "N-no, that’s not necessary..."

She was indeed very distressed, but it was because of the favorability rating.

’The Duke must really like that Miss Jin She, right?’

Yu Zhizhi didn’t dare ask the system about the Duke’s now-cold favorability rating. She didn’t know how she would face it.

The thought that she might never complete her mission and would have to stay in this world forever made her heart ache with a sour bitterness.

Everything she had now felt like the moon’s reflection in the water—it would shatter with the slightest breeze.

Sometimes, she couldn’t even tell dreams from reality.

Shen He’s thumb pushed off the wooden cork. "Are you sure you don’t need my help?"

In the darkness, the Big Shark’s gray eyes looked dim and heavy, holding a hint of something Yu Zhizhi couldn’t decipher.

She nodded gently. "I... I’m just a little confused. I haven’t thought things through yet, about the future... the future..."

Yu Zhizhi trailed off. Her future felt as if it were hidden in a thick white fog, and she couldn’t see a thing.

She lowered her head slightly as tears suddenly began to fall.