Smashed well

The palm-sized ice ball flew towards its target, pushed forward by an invisible force. But because the ability wielder did not yet have full control of his own strength, the ball lost its momentum and ultimately fell to the ground before reaching its destination.

Following the clicking sound of the ice ball hitting the floor, the ball split open and broke into two pieces.

The cub had thrown an ice ball at the adult merman. Although it had not hit him, Xie Tao was a bit shocked by his action and once he had processed what had happened, couldn’t help but laugh a little.

Even cubs had their own likes and dislikes. The cub usually expressed both his likes and dislikes very simple and direct. As a result, the mermaid cub in the pool had now very clearly shown his hostility towards the man in front of him.

But the cub was, after all, just a cub. Even if someone was shown great hostility by him, it was hard to produce any malice in response.

Since the cub did not really have any actual attack power right now, if the cub acted aggressively again there would be no danger. He only needed to report it to the old master.

He exposed his variant ability… Xie Tao did not know that the golden mark on the cub’s forehead had already exposed it, but he did not blame the cub for this.

Without changing his face, Xie Tao approached the pool and picked up the mermaid cub who still insisted on being hostile against the man behind him.

Not criticizing him for attacking the other with ice, Xie Tao first appeased the cub in his embrace by lightly patting him on his back. He then put on a normal expression as he said a standard line to the man who was passively standing on the side, showing a trace of awkwardness. “The cub is still young and ignorant.”

The mermaid cub had obediently been silent because of the youth’s gesture. Now that the cub was nestled in the safety of the youth’s arms, the cub was still very good and silent, only moving his tail fin as a response to his parent.

In an absolutely safe environment, the mermaid cub was of course more confident and glared directly at the adult merman who said that he would take him away.

Hurriedly settling his bearing, Curran also responded very quickly. He did not have any resentment over the cub throwing an ice ball at him. On the contrary, he was pleasantly surprised to find that the mermaid cub had a strong variant ice ability.

As for the fact that the youth had just now rejected his proposal, Curran was even less concerned about it.

Because to him, the other party’s refusal was taken as being for the sake of negotiating terms in order to gain more benefits.

He couldn’t tell how many times he had encountered a situation like this before. It had therefore naturally been taken into consideration before coming to Gaia and Curran was prepared for these circumstances.

“It would be good if both of us could come to an agreement as quickly as possible, so let’s cut to the chase.”

Having already confirmed the cub really possessed a variant ability, Curran did not have the patience to slowly negotiate. “The funding mentioned just now is hush money, it can also be considered as our gratitude to your club for taking care of the young master these past years. The specific amount can be determined by your distinguished self. What do you think?” Curran was not afraid to say this as he did not believe that this low-level cub raising club would dare to demand an all too high sum.

He also wanted to resolve this matter as fast as he could and bring the cub back to Haliumite as soon as possible.

Before Xie Tao could open his mouth to answer, he vaguely sensed a burst of cold air nearby. He looked down and saw the mermaid cub in his arms solidifying a small ice ball.

Xie Tao had no doubt that if he hadn’t prevented him, the mermaid cub would have thrown a second ice ball at the other.

Tossing the newly created ice crystal into the pool, Xie Tao coaxed the cub. “Be good, Gale does not need to do that.”

“Paa-” The cub knew that he shouldn’t speak, but he still wanted to express his feelings to his parents. So after pronouncing one syllable, he snuggled into the youth’s embrace.

Xie Tao was naturally aware that the little mermaid in his arms wanted to drive the adult mermaid out, but he couldn’t just throw ice at him. The cub did not understand this.

“Not so good.”

Soothingly stroking the soft blonde hair of cub in his embrace, Xie Tao raised his gaze and without any joke, formally responded to the other’s question in a serious tone. “Our club does not want your hush money. To clarify, I will not let you take this cub away.”

Hearing the youth declare this, the few people who were eavesdropping from afar felt that they no longer needed to hide and bluntly walked over to join the confrontation.

“If your distinguished self wants to get more money, your distinguished self really don’t have to use this method. I just made it clear that the amount is for you to decide.”[1]

He had already had to explain it twice and to add, they weren’t even making any sense. Curran was inevitably a little angry by now.

______________

Translator’s note:

Gale is so adorable, I can just picture him in Xie Tao’s arms with his small eyebrows scrunched up, ready to throw another ice ball at that insolent man… Too cute!! XD

I would so love to have a drawing of that…. (pictures it once more —> dies of cuteness)

Many thanks to Jessie and a mysterious spirit for the coffees~ 💕💕

By the way, Orphire, my editor, will be gone for a month as she needs to focus on her exams. Wishing her good luck! (^з^)-☆

[1] – Curran uses gé xià (阁下) when he addresses Xia Tao, it can mean “your distinguished self”, “sire”, “your excellency”, “your majesty”, “lordship”, ect. I presume it is a way to be respectful, but it feels a bit weird when translating it into English. (The last “you” is in plural and is referring to the whole club)