Possession and conquest are in a male’s nature.

Restraint?

What’s that?

Walking toward the entrance, Pei Shiyi’s lips curled into a mocking smile.

The next second, he did something that took every male present completely by surprise.

Pei Shiyi suddenly whipped out his phone and called Yu Lan right in front of them.

He shamelessly started tattling.

"Lanlan, this is so unfair!"

"Your other Beast Husbands are ganging up on me to ’lay down the rules.’ What do they think they’re doing?"

"Are they picking on me just because I’m a Merfolk who’s new here?"

"We’re all your husbands. What gives them the right to bully me?"

Yu Lan, who had just accidentally hit the speakerphone button in a clothing store: ???

The five men on the terrace who had been looking for trouble: ???

Everyone’s expression grew more bewildered by the second. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Seriously, is Pei Shiyi a grade-schooler? Running to tattle to the female when he can’t win?

The thing was, they hadn’t even really said anything yet.

Pei Shiyi quickly finished his complaint to Yu Lan, put his phone away, and turned back to the others. He gave them a slight nod, his demeanor once again cold and arrogant.

"Alright. If you have anything else to say, please continue."

The Merfolk’s instantaneous change in attitude made the other males’ expressions shift dramatically.

Even a man as worldly as Huo Zhanting, or one as resourceful as Jun Lin Yuan, felt a rare sense of powerlessness when faced with someone like this.

What was even more incredible was that the next second, Huo Zhanting’s phone started buzzing.

It was a custom ringtone for a priority contact.

After seeing the name ’Lanlan’ on his phone screen, Huo Zhanting took a deep breath.

’That damn tattletale, Pei Shiyi.’

’Now Lanlan is calling to stick up for him.’

Damn it.

’If they’d actually done something, fine. They could reluctantly accept the blame. But they hadn’t done a single thing!’

’Pei Shiyi, you really are the worst!’

Huo Zhanting shot Pei Shiyi a speechless look. In front of everyone, he didn’t dare delay for a second and quickly answered the call.

"Hello, Lanlan..."

Before Huo Zhanting could finish his concerned greeting, Yu Lan’s worried and anxious voice cut in.

"Where are you guys now? Send me the address."

"Pei Shiyi just got to Central Star, he doesn’t know his way around. He’s been a little clingy lately, so don’t you guys bully him."

"???"

’Bully him?’

’Who would dare bully him?’

’He tattles before we can even say anything.’

’Is he someone we *can* bully?’

He glanced at Pei Shiyi, who was leaning against the doorway with his chin slightly raised in smug arrogance.

Huo Zhanting took another deep breath. ’Can’t get angry, can’t get angry.’ He began his defense in a low voice.

"We didn’t bully him. Maybe our tone was just a little harsh."

"Lanlan, we’re on the third-floor terrace of the mall right now. Come see for yourself. I promise we didn’t lay a hand on him."

They absolutely wouldn’t make Jun Lin Yuan’s mistake a second time.

"Should I have Xingye come get you?"

Huo Zhanting suggested this, hoping Su Xingye could get to Yu Lan first and explain things, preferably making her see that Pei Shiyi was the one making a fuss over nothing.

He had just finished speaking, before Su Xingye even had a chance to move.

But Yu Lan’s voice came through the phone.

"The third floor?"

"I see you. I’m here."

The next second, a worried and anxious Yu Lan pushed open the door to the terrace.

Her beautiful, radiant face appeared before them.

Seeing the pretty little female, Pei Shiyi’s eyes lit up and he sprang into action.

Beating everyone to the punch, he buried his head in the crook of Yu Lan’s long, pale neck.

The arrogant Merfolk had once again transformed into a clingy, whining baby.

"Lanlan, they were all bullying me."

"I only know you on Central Star. You have to be nice to me."

Who could refuse a beautiful merman being so coquettish?

Especially when Pei Shiyi had just made that baffling phone call to tattle about being bullied.

Yu Lan subconsciously went along with him.

"Okay, okay, I’ll be good to you, I’ll be good to you."

"Don’t be sad or feel wronged."

"Then give me a kiss."

Pei Shiyi pushed his luck, turning his head to present his exquisite profile to Yu Lan.

Demanding a kiss just like that.

Right in front of Huo Zhanting and the others, no less.

Among them was Shen Zueran, who was supposed to be on a sweet date with Yu Lan today.

’This Little Six!!!’

Huo Zhanting and the others clenched their fists so tightly their knuckles cracked.

Yu Lan’s gaze swept over them and landed on Shen Zueran, who was standing at the very edge of the terrace. His face was slightly pale, and he offered her a bitter smile.

Her eyes instantly widened.

With a shove, she forcefully pushed Pei Shiyi aside.

She looked like someone caught red-handed, desperately trying to create distance and pretend nothing had happened.

"Shen... Shen Zueran, what are you doing here?"

Pei Shiyi knew how to act.

But did they think Shen Zueran didn’t?

The normally calm and composed Scientific Research Institute Director, Shen Zueran, lowered his eyes slightly, affecting a helpless and pale expression as he began to apologize.

"I’m sorry. I didn’t know."

"If you don’t want to see me..."

"...I’ll go back now."

With that, Shen Zueran turned and started walking toward the other exit of the terrace.

Huo Zhanting, Su Xingye, Li Yucheng, and Jun Lin Yuan exchanged a look.

Their gazes toward Shen Zueran were filled with admiration.

’A true role model for us all.’

Pei Shiyi clenched his jaw tightly.

Seeing Shen Zueran act like this, Yu Lan forgot all about her guilty conscience and scrambled after him.

She grabbed his large hand and started to explain.

"That’s not what I meant."

"I didn’t mean to cancel our date today."

"I..."

Yu Lan stammered, realizing that the more she tried to explain, the messier it got.

The fact was, she had indeed canceled her date with Shen Zueran because of Pei Shiyi’s whining.

Canceling the date was one thing, but now Shen Zueran had caught her out with Pei Shiyi.

How could Yu Lan not feel guilty?

The words of explanation wouldn’t come out.

In her desperation, she held onto Shen Zueran’s hand, stood on her tiptoes, and planted a smacking kiss on his jade-like cheek.

"Zhuoran, I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you double next time, okay?"

"Forgive me. Don’t be angry with me."

"Please?~"

The pretty little female stood before Shen Zueran, looking at him with an uneasy expression, holding her breath as she waited for his final verdict.

Her eyes, more brilliant and clear than the finest jewels, stared up at him beseechingly, reflecting only his image.

As if he were the only person in her world.

How could that not move someone’s heart?

Besides, Shen Zueran hadn’t been angry with Yu Lan in the first place.

Now, under everyone’s watchful eyes, the handsome man gave a slight nod. He raised a hand and quickly flicked his index finger over the tip of Yu Lan’s pert nose.

His magnetic, gentle voice sounded.

"Alright. You’re forgiven."

"Shen Zueran, you’re the best!"

The tension in Yu Lan’s little heart instantly melted away, and she beamed at Shen Zueran, her eyes curving into crescents.

What Pei Shiyi had failed to get by whining...

...Shen Zueran had obtained with just a little acting, and that wasn’t all.

The pretty little female was even looking at him with heartache and a face full of guilt.

And now, she was overjoyed simply because he had forgiven her.

Shen Zueran’s eyes lifted slightly. The tall, elegant man’s gaze met Pei Shiyi’s from across the terrace.

’Compete with me?’

’Little Six is still a bit too green.’