After dinner, Lin Qinghe returned to his room early. Having washed up, he leaned against the headboard and opened the electronic script. It was a short story, a novel of only about one hundred and eight thousand words, spanning thirty-two chapters.
He thought he should be able to finish reading it before bedtime.
《Dream of the Blue Moon Night》
Written by Little Nine
Male Leads: Celine; Devin
Deity Beauty × Crazy Duke
【On that moonlit night caressed by sea breezes, await a fated encounter that has wandered through the mortal world.】
The Azure Waves Vessel glided slowly across the sea. The waves rippled like soft silk, and a brilliant, pure moon was reflected in the distance, its image gently stirred by a light sea breeze.
The voyage from Fortune Peace Port to Sindeli took half a month. The cruise ship was filled mostly with wealthy tycoons and nobles of esteemed status, along with a few military regiments. People indulged in glamorous, decadent banquets, raising glasses in song and dancing arm-in-arm.
In a corner of the deck, far from the noise, a childish voice hummed a moonlit night song.
“Far away at the edge of the sky, the moon bends like a sickle’s blade.”
“In the depths of the blue sea, there dwells a beautiful deity.”
“Celine, please grant us your blessing.”
“Sweet red wine we offer to you, delicious cheese we offer to you.”
“May the journey be safe, and families reunited.”
“May the journey be safe, and families reunited.”
…
“There are no deities in the sea.” A sudden voice interrupted the singing.
The little boy spun around and saw a tall figure. He immediately jumped down from his high perch and gave a bow in greeting. “Duke Devin, good evening.”
“Good evening.” Devin held a wine glass in his right hand. A ruby-studded thumb ring emphasized the long, powerful bones of his fingers. He showed not the slightest regret for his intrusion. His gaze settled on the calm sea as he took a sip of red wine and said, “And they won’t protect us either.”
The little boy’s eyes widened, an expression of pure clarity within them. He clearly could not believe what he was hearing. He argued earnestly, “But a pretty sister told me the deity appears when there is danger. She and her father were fishing when they encountered sea fog, and it was the deity who guided them back—”
Devin’s tone sounded rather nonchalant. “Who is this pretty sister?”
“The pretty sister is a pretty sister.”
Arguing with a child was not Devin’s style. He leaned against the railing and said no more. Under the shadows, his features were deep and three-dimensional, his slightly wavy hair tied back with a brown band. He was both handsome and feral.
A few seconds later, an apologetic voice spoke up. “Duke Devin, good evening. My youngest son loves bedtime stories. A maid in our household used to make a living by fishing, so she often recounts her experiences at sea. To coax my little boy to sleep, she inevitably adds a touch of mythological color.”
Robert had found his youngest son’s room empty and had searched everywhere. He never expected the boy to be on the deck, nor did he expect to run into Duke Devin.
He could only hope this young and powerful duke would not take offense at a child’s thoughtless words.
“It’s nothing.” Devin did not care much. “Perfectly understandable.”
The little boy did not understand adult social graces. He glanced once at his father, then once at the duke.
As his gaze shifted, his face was suddenly filled with obvious confusion and surprise. A vibrant yellow glow reflected in his pupils. “What is that? It looks like firelight.”
.
The blaze raged fiercely, thick smoke billowing upwards.
Amidst a sea of shouts, footsteps were thrown into chaos.
“Pirates! It’s pirates!”
“Their ship has encountered pirates!”
“Get Colonel Ian, quickly!”
“Prepare yourselves! Get all guests back to their rooms and keep them there!”
“Hurry, hurry! Protect the children and the ladies!”
Colonel Ian led his troops into the small boats, rifles slung over their shoulders, their expressions guarded.
The pirates were rampant, known for burning, killing, and looting. Every place they swept through was left in ruin and carnage. They had to stay sharp.
The small boats navigated around obstacles toward the source of the fire. The closer they got, the more palpable the sickening smell of blood became.
Colonel Ian frowned and whispered an order, “Be swift. Prepare to board.”
It was a cargo ship laden with supplies. The corpses of sailors littered the deck, jewels and gold coins were scattered across the floor. Some people had jumped straight into the sea to avoid being slaughtered. Screams and cries made one’s hair stand on end. The entire area was thick with the stench of gunpowder and death.
Ian signaled to the people behind him, then gave the command: “Search the vessel for survivors.”
“Oh, you scumbags, let’s party!”
“Hahahaha, tonight is a sleepless night!”
“Look where he’s running, the pathetic little—”
The pirates hooted and cursed with excitement, their greedy faces exposed beneath the firelight, utterly revolting.
“Bang.” Without warning, Ian fired a shot at the pirate standing most prominently. The man’s chest was instantly stained red, and he slowly collapsed to the ground.
With a swift motion, Ian vaulted over a railing. “Take them out, fast!”
“Take cover! We’ve been boarded!”
“My gold coins! Don’t step on my gold coins!”
The two sides fought fiercely, the sound of gunfire a chaotic mess.
In an unnoticed corner, Devin climbed onto the deck from a small boat. He appeared silently, and without anyone knowing, came up behind a figure. He reached out, gripped the neck, and twisted. A muffled thud sounded in the following second.
A man a meter away heard the noise, but before he could turn his head, a cold dagger was pressed against his skin, followed by a low, flippant voice: “Go pray before God.”
The blade sliced open the throat. Blood spilled.
He lifted his fingers, now slick and sticky with blood, to his face for a sniff before casually wiping them on a wooden rail. He intended to check the situation on the lower and middle decks.
The middle deck consisted mainly of guest cabins. Walking down the stairs, he saw the rigid corpse of a seven or eight-year-old child. The eyes, which had been filled with terror before death, were now lifeless. The pirates had struck with heavy force, leaving a horrific, undoubtedly fatal wound.
His palm passed over those amber eyes. If his guess was correct, he had arrived a step too late. This level had already been ransacked.
Devin did not see a single survivor. In truth, he held no hope of finding one.
The corridor bore traces of pursuit and slaughter. A trail of blood extended all the way to the door at the very end.
Every other door along the corridor was open. Only that one door was tightly shut, immaculate, showing no signs of destruction. It looked completely out of place.
“Me first. Let me have some fun first.”
“Go to hell, you penguin. It should be me first, anyway. Sss… too beautiful. Even more beautiful than anyone in the Scarlet Bay wine house.”
“I didn’t expect such a treasure on this boat. After drifting at sea for so long, we can finally have some real enjoyment.”
“Hahaha, don’t scare the little darling.”
Vulgar voices leaked through the crack of the door. Devin’s footsteps were very light, his pair of sharp eyes locked onto the end of the corridor.
“Need to find something to smash this thing.”
“Not a good idea, I think. What if he dies out of water? Then we can’t have any fun.”
“Oh, true that. Hehe, then we’ll just play in the water. Even more thrilling.”
In the next instant, the voices stopped. The corridor fell into silence.
The door handle was turned all the way.
Inside the room were two tall, vulgar pirates. One was in the process of undressing, the other was staring in a certain direction with a look of infatuation.
Devin followed their gaze.
A transparent, spacious glass tank, a full four or five meters long, was displayed on a square platform over three feet high.
In the center of the water was a stunning flash of blue, light as gossamer, gently swaying. Looking up, one could see fish scales shimmering with scattered light, like a delicate bone fan or exquisitely carved jade. It was exquisitely transparent, dreamily beautiful.
It was a fish tail.
While mulling this over, he raised his head and unexpectedly met a pair of glazed, crystalline eyes.
There was no fear in those beautiful eyes, no shame, not a single emotion. They were as pure as a snow lotus on a high mountain, as detached from the world as a transcendent deity untouched by the mire of earthly filth.
The creature lay prone against the glass surface, looking down from a higher position. Curling, long hair draped over its bare upper body. The skin of its arms was very pale, its wrist bones adorned with delicate silver bells. A light blue flower pattern was imprinted between its brow.
What was most striking, most unbearable to look directly at, was that face. Beautiful as a divinity.
The legends of the sea were many and varied, filled with gleefully recounted tales of sea monsters and merfolk…
These were mostly idle gossip and pastimes. No one really believed them. In the rumors, merfolk were savage creatures that bewitched people with their appearance. They were cold in nature, masters of disguise and deception.
When something that should not exist appeared before his eyes, Devin, uncharacteristically, voiced a query: “Oh? A merfolk?”
“Who!?”
“Who’s speaking?”
The two pirates were startled and looked around frantically. The next moment, the door was pushed open.
Dressed in noble attire, Devin walked in with the relaxed confidence of someone on his own territory.
He raised his gun and spoke unhurriedly, “Don’t be nervous. When I was passing through the corridor, I overheard some psychologically offensive remarks. So I wanted to come in and take a look.”
The pirates exchanged a look. The thinner one spoke in a tone meant for negotiation, “Don’t shoot! Don’t shoot! Look, sir, we could actually… together…” The words he left out invited boundless imagination. He chuckled a few times. “What do you think?”
The fat one hurriedly grabbed his clothes and echoed, “Yes, yes.”
Devin judged there was something hard in the clothes. Without hesitation, he fired a shot at the fat man’s hand. Looking down arrogantly, his finger traced the gun barrel. “I’m not in the habit of sharing.”
“Ah, damn you!” The fat man clutched his arm and shouted at the man beside him, “Hurry up and shoot him dead!”
“Bang!”
This time, the fat man could no longer speak. The bullet went straight through the center of his brow, unerringly.
“You… you…”
The remaining pirate stammered, panicking as he tried to reach for the gun in his own clothes. But his search was in vain. By the time his nerves registered the pain, it was too late.
He collapsed to the ground, clutching his reddening chest.
Having easily dispatched the two men, Devin walked toward the glass tank in a rather agreeable mood. “Two bullets.”
In less than a night, this entire ship would soon be reduced to ashes, including this room. And from the experience just moments ago, it was clear this merfolk had no ability to resist.
He commented, not particularly meaning it, “Truly perfect.”
Then he asked, “Do you want me to take you away?”
Celine did not answer. He only gently swayed his fish tail, his indifferent gaze falling upon Devin’s face.
From this human, he had caught a familiar scent.
…
Midway through reading, Lin Qinghe felt a little thirsty. The water carafe in his room was empty, so he took his cup and passed through the first-floor corridor to reach the main hall.
Warm water went down his throat, making him feel much more refreshed. Footsteps approached from not far away. He turned his head. It was Cen Han returning.
“Good evening.”
Cen Han’s parents had returned to the Western Capital for business matters. This evening’s dinner had been filled with elders and a harmonious atmosphere, so he had inevitably drunk a few more glasses. His steps towards the staircase suddenly paused, and instead, he walked over to the sofa.
“Would you mind pouring me a glass of water?”
Lin Qinghe tried his best to ensure a comfortable temperature. He bent down and handed the water glass to Cen Han. He could faintly smell the deep, lingering scent of alcohol on the other man’s collar.
The person before him wore snow-white pajamas, his collarbones exquisitely delicate. Perhaps due to having recently bathed, the tips of his fingers were tinged with a trace of pink. Cen Han nonchalantly averted his gaze. As he reached for the glass, he inadvertently touched a spot of warmth.
Lin Qinghe withdrew his hand with a natural expression. He heard Cen Han ask, “How do you feel about it, receiving Li Ran’s invitation?”
He realized that Cen Han had perhaps lingered in the hall for this purpose. Without any concealment, he expressed his true feelings. “A bit surprised, hard to believe, impossible to picture.”
Three four-word phrases, accurately conveying to Cen Han just how baffled he was by Li Ran’s decision and how little confidence he had in his own acting skills.
“But Sister Lin told me the pay is at least fifty million.” Lin Qinghe abruptly changed the topic. “I feel like it’s not such a big problem anymore.”
A low chuckle resonated. The glass’s walls sparkled with fine light under the lamp’s illumination. Cen Han loosened his tie with one hand and said casually, “It really isn’t much of a problem.”
After a moment’s thought, he added, “Li Ran is a strict person. He won’t allow the film to be ruined. So, aside from worrying that he’ll make you redo scenes countless times, you don’t need to fret over anything else.”
Countless retakes. Lin Qinghe was speechless. Cen Han’s comfort had not only failed to soothe him but made him even more unsure.
“Just a joke.” Cen Han set down the water glass. “There’s a reason Li Ran contacted you. Not everyone gets such an opportunity. Treasure the present moment, okay?”
Lin Qinghe looked into Cen Han’s deep and profound eyes. The last trace of his hesitation vanished. Without a doubt, Cen Han’s words carried great weight for those around him, attributable to the man’s status.
But he was willing to heed Cen Han’s advice because, since the time they had spent together, the other party had displayed demeanor, foresight, and fortitude.
He responded warmly, “Okay.”
