Chapter 19: Hai Linlin's Troubles and a Test
"You… gave it to me?"
Hai Linlin asked, her eyes filled with disbelief.
Chen Sui shot back:
"Who else would I give it to? Didn't we come out tonight to find you a sea beast?"
"No, I mean — this is an Outstanding Quality sea beast. You're just giving it to me like that?"
Hai Linlin stressed the word "Outstanding," adding, "Two Outstanding Quality sea beasts would be enough to make you a truly remarkable Ranch Master."
Hearing that, Chen Sui froze, as if her words had reminded him of something he hadn't fully considered.
He furrowed his brow and stared at Hai Linlin.
He stepped forward, placed the two Celestial Rainbow Conches on the ground, and stretched both hands out toward her.
Hai Linlin met his gaze with a calm expression — neither happy nor sad — just watching Chen Sui without any reaction.
The next second, Chen Sui's hands shot onto Hai Linlin and started tickling her furiously.
Kids have such soft, tender skin — no child can endure being tickled.
"Hahahahaha…!"
Hai Linlin was no exception. She immediately squirmed like a little monkey. "Hahaha… why, why?!"
She struggled with all her might, but how could she overpower a grown adult like Chen Sui? She was tickled until tears streamed down her face.
After a good while, Chen Sui finally stopped. Hai Linlin collapsed limply against him, completely exhausted.
She tilted her head back, her body slack and powerless, looking up at Chen Sui:
"Why though… shouldn't you have just killed me so no one would find out?"
"You're quite the little schemer, aren't you? Testing me right here, huh? I don't steal things from kids."
Chen Sui steadied Hai Linlin, being careful to hold only her arms or shoulders — after all, she was old enough that propriety mattered. He smiled and said:
"I'm actually glad you have that kind of wariness. But if you pull something like that again, I really will give you a smack."
Hai Linlin looked at Chen Sui's smile and her expression softened slightly, because she realized he didn't seem to be joking — push it any further and she'd genuinely get a scolding.
"Apologize to me."
Chen Sui helped her to her feet and said.
"I'm sorry."
Hai Linlin lowered her head.
"Now go try bonding with these two Celestial Rainbow Conches."
Hai Linlin didn't move.
Chen Sui rolled up his sleeve.
Hai Linlin hurriedly said, "No, no, it's not that, big brother."
"What do you mean, 'not that'?"
"You should keep those two Celestial Rainbow Conches. The sea beast I… actually need to find is a different one…"
Hai Linlin was still a little shaken, and she stepped back a couple of paces. The look on her face made it clear she absolutely did not want a repeat of what just happened.
Chen Sui understood immediately. "Ha, you're quite the little deceiver, aren't you?"
"I… I had my reasons."
Hai Linlin stepped back a few more paces.
"Alright, whatever your reasons are, it doesn't matter. This is the one and only time. If you trick me again, you're taking a swim in the ocean."
Chen Sui said, clearly displeased.
"I'm sorry."
"Stop apologizing. I said I'm not holding it against you. Take the Celestial Rainbow Conches too — they won't get in the way of catching your other sea beast."
Chen Sui said.
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"Unlike you Chosen Ones, the rest of us can only keep one sea beast per level."
Chen Sui studied Hai Linlin's eyes for a moment to make sure she wasn't lying, then said:
"That works out perfectly then — I actually like these two Celestial Rainbow Conches myself. I'll take them home and keep them in the fish tank. So I'll wait for you to catch the sea beast you actually want first, then I'll put these two away."
"Okay."
Hai Linlin nodded, her whole body relaxing. She murmured quietly, "Ah… it'd be nice if you were really my big brother."
The feeling Chen Sui gave her was very genuine — none of the hollow pleasantries, none of the scheming hidden behind a smile. He was simply comfortable to be around.
"What was that?"
Chen Sui hadn't caught it and asked.
"Nothing!"
Hai Linlin's face flushed red, and her voice rose a little in her flustered state. "Big brother, remember — it's best not to let the Celestial Rainbow Conch take part in any fighting. It would diminish its blessing, and besides, this kind of sea beast has no active attack ability."
"Uh…" Chen Sui's original plan instantly fell apart. He had been thinking that once this thing grew up, he'd be unstoppable.
Apparently, this creature was mainly meant to serve as a good-luck charm.
"Got it. Then let's go find your sea beast."
Chen Sui chose not to waste any more time. "Where is it?"
"It's… right here."
Hai Linlin turned her head and looked out at the sea surface reflecting a sky full of stars.
The next second, a tiny Sea Angel flew up from the surface of the water. The Sea Angel was completely transparent, yet it seemed to carry a fragment of the ocean within its body — a few simple strokes of color sketching out the countless faces of the sea.
A Sea Angel is a transparent marine creature that resembles a tiny person; the way it swims, waving its arms, is how it earned its name.
[Radiant Angel]
Quality: Rare (Blue)
Talent: ?
Level: None
A rare sea beast that radiates a white glow. Legend has it that the light emanating from within its body can heal certain incurable ailments and injuries.
Chen Sui glanced over at Hai Linlin. She was gazing at the Radiant Angel with an expression that spoke of a long, long wait.
The little Radiant Angel drifted obediently over and settled into Hai Linlin's hands. She finally let out a long breath, as if a weight she had been carrying for ages had at last been lifted, and her whole body relaxed.
Chen Sui could see a faint luminous bond forming between the two of them.
And then… that was that.
It was as if the Radiant Angel and Hai Linlin were old acquaintances, and it had come over for no other reason than to become her sea beast. Chen Sui didn't think too much of it — Hai Linlin clearly had her secrets, and he had no need to dig to the bottom of them.
He looked at Hai Linlin. "So that's it? All done?"
"Mm."
Hai Linlin nodded. "Let's head back."
"Sure."
Chen Sui casually stored the two Celestial Rainbow Conches into his fish tank. Since they had no ability to resist, they were registered as his sea beasts without any fuss.
Chen Sui also recalled Wavecrest, who wasn't far off, and asked offhandedly, "Is there someone important in your life who's sick and needs healing?"
"Hm?"
Hai Linlin's body stiffened. Then she turned to Chen Sui with wide, astonished eyes. After a moment's hesitation, she asked, "Big brother, how did you know?"
"A healing-type sea beast… and that reaction of yours just now. Anyone with half a brain could figure it out."
Chen Sui smiled and ruffled her hair. "And I also know that whoever it is, you've got them settled somewhere near the plaza in the fishing village?"
Hai Linlin's mouth dropped open even wider. Her expression was one of pure, unguarded surprise. She instinctively wanted to deny it, but she didn't:
"How… how did you know that?"
"Last time I offered to take you somewhere else, you refused. But when I suggested finding you a place to stay near there, you agreed. That means you have a reason you can't leave that area. Add that to the sea beast you just caught, and the pieces fit together."
Chen Sui said matter-of-factly.
At the time, he had deliberately emphasized "nearby" — he'd already had his suspicions.
Hai Linlin stared at him, mouth agape. "Big brother… you're amazing."
"You're just easy to read."
Chen Sui tousled her hair, then asked, "So who's the injured person? Can you tell me? If you need help, I can help arrange a place for both of you to stay."
"Mm… let me go back and ask my sister. She's a bit wary of people."
Hai Linlin looked away, as if there were things she found difficult to put into words.
So it was her sister…
Her sister must be in very poor health — otherwise, why would she need a little girl out on the streets begging?
Chen Sui felt a pang of sympathy.
He didn't say much more. He walked Hai Linlin back to the fishing village, and when the rising tide came, Chen Sui didn't take part. He saw Hai Linlin back to the area near the plaza, then logged off to sleep.