It took Luther very little time to find the man’s detailed information.

He said slowly, "Geoffrey. He lives in the Divine City, is involved in the Treasure Bead trade, and is immensely wealthy."

"Before the Mermaid was even delivered last week, his eyes had already been bought by Geoffrey. This is the third pair of Mermaid’s eyes he has collected."

"It seems to be a peculiar hobby of his."

Luther made no comment on the matter.

Yu Zhizhi was confused. "Then why do you say he’s trouble?"

"Well, although he lives in the Divine City, he isn’t a Beastman of the Moon Rising Empire. Our Guard Team from Paradise can’t force him to make a trade."

Luther’s tone was full of apology. "It’s rare that you ask for our help, Ms. Zhi Zhi, yet we can’t offer much assistance."

"I’ve heard this nobleman has a morbid obsession with Mermaid’s eyes."

"I suspect that no matter what price you offer, Ms. Zhi Zhi..."

"He won’t agree to a trade."

She would most likely be met with a refusal.

And the Guard Team couldn’t use force to pressure him.

"It’s alright. I’ll go and try," Yu Zhizhi said with a faint smile.

Now that she knew the whereabouts of the Mermaid’s Eye, she had to go in person, no matter what.

She still had many valuable gems on her.

’Maybe that nobleman named Geoffrey will agree to trade with me?’

’If the trade is successful, the Mermaid can regain his sight!’

’He’ll be so happy, won’t he?’

"Alright," Luther agreed over the phone. "If I may ask, Ms. Zhi Zhi, when do you plan on going? I’ll accompany you."

He didn’t feel at ease with only Louis accompanying her.

Yu Zhizhi thought for a moment. "How about we set off tomorrow after breakfast?"

"Of course."

After her conversation with Luther, the sky had grown dark.

Louis had already cleaned the kitchen. He came into the living room and handed a glass of warm milk to the little female of the Rabbit Clan curled up on the sofa.

"Thank you~" Yu Zhizhi took it, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear before lowering her head to drink the milk.

"Are you going on a long trip tomorrow?" Louis asked softly.

Cradling the milk with both hands, Yu Zhizhi took a few sips, then licked the corner of her lips. "Yes, we’re going to the Divine City."

"Mm," Louis stood to one side, his gaze fixed on the little female rabbit’s lips, where a small white smudge still remained.

Noticing Louis staring at her, Yu Zhizhi couldn’t help but wipe the corner of her mouth with her hand.

But she wiped the wrong side.

Louis couldn’t help but chuckle. He slowly walked over and knelt on one knee before her. "Allow me, Miss."

He took out a clean white handkerchief and gently touched the young female’s delicate skin. Her innocent, lively eyes seemed to be filled with stars.

The handkerchief gently wiped away the milk stain. The little rabbit sat there obediently, making Louis’s heart tickle.

’She’s the most adorable little female I’ve ever met.’

’My mood always brightens whenever I’m with her.’

’It allows me to briefly forget my past.’

Louis’s movements were very gentle. Yu Zhizhi held the glass with both hands, the warm milk heating her palms through the glass.

"Thank you," she whispered.

The young man’s dark eyes held a smile. He placed a hand over his chest and bowed slightly. "It is my duty."

As her Housekeeper, his duty was to take care of this little female rabbit’s every need.

The cabin wasn’t large; there was only one room on the second floor.

On the first floor, there was a space used for storing old items. After cleaning it up, Louis had taken up temporary residence there.

After finishing her milk, Yu Zhizhi wanted to play in the yard for a while.

She put on a white coat, wrapped a scarf around her neck, and had just pushed open the door when a gust of cold wind swept in, feeling exceptionally crisp.

Louis followed behind her. It was still snowing lightly, so he opened an umbrella to shield the young female.

The yard was perfectly square. Thanks to Louis’s care, more than half of the weeds had been removed. He had also sown seeds of Winter Orchid, and before long, the garden would be full of life.

It was pitch black outside, with only a few small lights hanging by the door.

Next door was the residence of Luther from the Guard Team. It was dark and silent; he hadn’t returned yet.

Yu Zhizhi crouched down, cupped a handful of snow, and gently packed it into a small snowball.

A charming smile on her face, the young woman stood up, opened her palm, and showed Louis her creation.

Louis smiled. He accepted the "gift" from the young female. The cool snowball was just the right size in his hand, enough to suppress the boiling blood in his veins.

He was feeling a little mischievous.

He deliberately tilted the umbrella, letting snowflakes fall with a RUSTLE and trickle down Yu Zhizhi’s neck. She couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

In the bathroom.

The Mermaid heard the young female’s bell-like laughter from outside. She sounded very happy.

The scent of jasmine had faded until it was almost imperceptible.

But the scent of that male, which made him feel nauseous, was so clear.

The youth’s thin lips tightened. His light blue fishtail rose up, then slapped down heavily.

"SPLASH—"

The sound of splashing water from the bathroom was incessant.

Yu Zhizhi froze. She dropped the snowball and headed back inside without a second glance.

Louis calmly closed the umbrella.

As he stepped onto the porch, he shot a displeased look at the bathroom window—

’A dead fish was lying in there.’

’All it knows how to do is fight for attention all day long.’

Hearing the splashing, Yu Zhizhi rushed back to the bathroom at once. Seeing the water spilled all over the floor, she asked with concern, "What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?"

Yusen wasn’t unwell.

He just didn’t want to see the little female of the Rabbit Clan having fun with that other guy.

The Mermaid was silent for a moment. He turned his head slightly, his voice soft and weak. "...I’m sick."

"I need you to take care of me."

’So, stay here. Keep looking at me.’

’Only look at me.’

...

「Valoran Empire.」

The night was deep and quiet.

The Duke Mansion’s carriage stopped in front of the long corridor.

The night wind rustled the dark blue leaves, and a faint, fresh fragrance filled the air. Lanterns hung high, and apart from the rustling of leaves, the only sound was the occasional turning of a page coming from the carriage.

A personal attendant stood guard nearby.

From within the carriage, the sound of a scroll being unrolled could be heard; the Duke was still reviewing secret memorials. The attendant wrung his hands, unsure how to begin speaking.

"Lord Bo Lan," the personal attendant said softly after a long hesitation.

"The six Snake Pups’ hatching day is approaching. May I ask if Your Lordship will be attending?"

According to the customs of the Beast World, when a Beast cub hatches, their closest kin will pray for their blessing.

Ms. Zhi Zhi is not here, so it would be wonderful if the Duke, as their father, was willing to attend.

The six Snake Pups are the treasures of the entire Duke Mansion. They are meticulously cared for every day, and the clan elders also cherish them beyond measure.

They are all eagerly awaiting the test on their hatching day.

If the Snake Pups can perfectly inherit the Duke’s formidable abilities, it would be a powerful guarantee for the entire Snake Clan—

for at least a hundred years, they would not need to worry about the clan’s decline.

It’s just that...

The Duke was completely indifferent to the Snake Pups.

He hadn’t even gone to see them once these past few days.

"Let the clan elders go," a listless voice came from the carriage.

"Yes."

Just as the attendant was about to direct the carriage back to the courtyard where the Duke had been staying recently, the man inside suddenly spoke: "To the study."

The attendant was surprised.

Ever since Ms. Zhi Zhi left, Lord Bo Lan had never gone to the study again.

’Could it be... that there’s news of her?’