Wait, I Got in the Wrong Car (GL) - Chapter 36

The Zhou Jewelry Auction concluded smoothly. As word spread early that Ye Moli would be attending, jewel connoisseurs, collectors, and representatives from major jewelry companies all arrived in waves, hoping for a chance to meet him.

Zhou’s legendary heirloom, the Mermaid’s Tear, was acquired by Ye Moli for a price ten times higher than its original estimate. He gave it to Mo Ying on the spot, stirring immense curiosity about the beautiful young woman beside him.

“Xiao Wu, Third Brother prepared a lot of stones for you. They’re all still overseas. I’ll have some shipped back soon. For now, you can wear this one and play with it for a few days.”

Wanqi Tianxin and her friends had arrived late. They only heard the last sentence and couldn’t hold back a gasp. A piece of jewelry worth billions, just to ‘play with’ for a few days?

Mo Ying turned the gem in her fingers, trying to angle it toward the light and inspect it for any clues. “Third Brother, is this really the Mermaid’s Tear? Why is it bl00d red?”

Ye Moli’s lips curved into a playful smile. “There’s a very old story that circulates around here. It is even older than that story you know, the one where the little mermaid turns into seafoam for a prince. Legend says there was a merman who accidentally came ashore from the depths of the ocean. He fell in love with a gentle and lovely human. They lived by fishing and spent the happiest days of their lives together. But mermen live much longer than humans. In the end, he lost his beloved. Unable to bear never seeing his beloved again in this lifetime, he dug out his own eyes and buried them beside his lover. Whenever he thought of his love, the empty sockets would shed tears. Bl00d-red tears.”

Mo Ying’s eyes widened in shock.

Ye Moli deliberately lowered his voice. “When a merman sheds tears, they become mermaid pearls. Bl00d red ones. And whenever a storm rages across the sea, the entire surface turns red. That’s when the ocean echoes with the sound of endless weeping. Like this—”

Ying ying ying…

Wanqi Tianxin and her two friends shivered and instinctively took several steps back. At first, they thought it was a tragic love story transcending species. But with each word from Mr. Ye’s mouth, the tale morphed into a chilling ghost story.

Mo Ying gasped and stared at Ye Moli with fish-like confusion. “Third Brother, you’re making things up again.”

Ye Moli immediately dropped the tragic expression on his face and smiled without much sincerity. “Ah, you caught me. Our clever and unmatched Xiao Wu cannot be fooled anymore, can she?”

Mo Ying puffed up her cheeks in protest. “Fourth Sister told me that story about the hospital where someone got cut into pieces was fake, too. You’re so mean.”

Ye Moli noticed Wanqi Tianxin and her friends looking over curiously. “Most horror stories happen in hospitals. I’ll tell you each one when we get home. But for now, why don’t you go say hello to your friends?”

Mo Ying nodded eagerly. “Yes, yes, yes.”

The four girls had planned to use the two-day break to get familiar with each other’s singing styles, rewrite lyrics, choreograph a routine, and form a group for the next round. But they hadn’t expected Wanqi Tianhan’s so-called ‘small favor’ to keep them at the auction site until sundown.

“Xiao Yu’er, are you thinking about signing that long-term jewelry endorsement Zhou Liuyu mentioned?”

“I only came to help.”

Zhou Liuyu’s obsequious gestures toward Mo Ying had gone so far as to include a drafted five-year contract, naming her the designated jewelry ambassador for the Zhou family. Everyone knew what he was trying to do.

Mo Ying, however, remained completely clueless. She was even resistant to the idea of a long-term contract. She felt like she needed to discuss it with Fourth Sister or her girlfriend. Just when she was fretting over it, her baby fish inside gave her a nudge. Mo Ying rubbed her belly and suddenly made a suggestion to her friends.

“How about I ask Third Brother to treat you all to dinner?”

Wanqi Tianxin and the others were caught off guard but delighted. The dinner turned out to be joyful and satisfying for everyone. Even Mo Ying, who rarely ate much, tried a few bites. She was especially drawn to the cumin-seasoned steak.

“Shall Third Brother pack a few more portions for you?”

“No need.”

Throughout the meal, Ye Moli took care of Mo Ying attentively. His gentlemanly charm was overwhelming. The girls, recognizing the atmosphere, finished up quickly and agreed to discuss choreography the next day before leaving.

Mo Ying tilted her head, looking at the familiar yet distant Ye Moli. “Third Brother, do you want to go see Fourth Sister and Second Brother?”

Ye Moli hesitated. “Tonight?”

Mo Ying was torn between going to see Lou Xiaohei and spending time with everyone else. In the end, she leaned toward Ye Moli. After all, during the competition, she would get to spend time with her little girlfriend every day.

“Tonight is the only time I have. Otherwise, it will have to wait until my next break.”

Not that she knew when that would be.

Ye Moli rubbed his forehead. “I don’t think Yu Xuan really wants to see me.”

Mo Ying blinked. “Why not? I’ll call her and ask.”

Ye Moli met her innocent gaze, then quickly pressed down the hand reaching for the phone. He grinned. “Let’s not call. Let’s give your Fourth Sister a surprise.”

When they arrived at the beach villa, Mo Ying went to knock on the door. Ye Moli hid in the blind spot, ready to jump out and startle Yu Xuan.

Yu Xuan opened the door with no suspicion. Seeing Mo Ying, she teased, “You’re not off with your little girlfriend?”

Mo Ying’s eyes darted left and right, trying to hint at something.

Yu Xuan stepped back and noticed Mo Ying still standing outside. Her glassy eyes swung from side to side like a broken clock. Yu Xuan leaned in, confused. “What’s wrong with your eyes?”

At that moment, Ye Moli leapt from the side.

Yu Xuan’s pupils contracted. She immediately yanked Mo Ying behind her and, with a swift kick, sent Ye Moli and his shoes flying down the steps.

Watching him tumble from what was supposed to be a surprise attack, Mo Ying’s eyes went crossed. “!!!”

Yu Xuan snapped, “Who was that?”

Mo Ying peeked out timidly. “Third Brother… are you okay?”

Ye Moli lay on the ground playing dead for a long moment before rolling over. “Yu Xuan, can you stop kicking me every time we meet? You’re totally lacking in feminine grace. No wonder you’re still single.”

A visible swirl of red mist burst from Yu Xuan’s body. She stomped down the steps and kicked him again. “You still remember what you said before you left?”

Ye Moli groaned. “Do you think this place is paradise? I came because of Xiao Wu.” He turned to Mo Ying and smiled. “Xiao Wu, go find Second Brother. I’ll join you after I talk to your Fourth Sister.”

Mo Ying sensed something odd and reminded them quietly. “Be careful of paparazzi. If you get photographed, you’ll end up trending online.”

Thanks to Wanqi Tianxin’s constant warnings, Mo Ying had become aware of the many complications that came with being a celebrity, including exposed secrets, scandals, and invasions of privacy.

Yu Xuan and Ye Moli both froze. “Xiao Wu, go on in. Second Brother is waiting for you by the pool.”

Mo Ying nodded and walked away. She could still hear Ye Moli grumbling about how unsafe the place was and worrying about hidden cameras.

Half an hour later, all four were finally gathered. Ye Moli and Yu Xuan came in drenched, trailing water as they walked.

“Oh, Third Brother and Fourth Sister went swimming without me and Second Brother.”

“Next time, Xiao Wu, I’ll take you,” Ye Moli said. Before she could respond, he jumped into the pool with a splash.

His voice emerged from between clenched teeth. “Be careful with the baby fish in your belly.”

“Okay.”

Everyone settled in different corners of the pool. The water shimmered with four differently colored tails. Mo Ying’s long, golden tail scooped up a handful of water and splashed it playfully at the others, triggering a full-on counterattack.

“No—”

Kong Rulan tried to intervene but got slapped in the face by an oblivious tail. Yu Xuan, who had always disliked Ye Moli, used the opportunity to join forces with Mo Ying.

Mo Ying was protected in a corner by her two guardians. She took advantage of the moment to splash them when they were distracted. After several rounds, Ye Moli was forced into retreat and scrambled ashore.

“Stop!”

Yu Xuan scoffed. “Coward.”

Ye Moli protested. “It’s called being a gentleman. It means knowing when to yield. Do you understand that?”

Mo Ying yawned at the edge of the pool. “Third Brother, you’re not yielding. You just can’t beat Fourth Sister. Not even once.”

Kong Rulan nodded firmly. “True.”

Ye Moli clutched his chest. “Xiao Wu, how could you take her side? She’s fierce, and I’m your Third Brother.”

Mo Ying gave him a sweet smile and flicked her tail. “But you really have never beaten her. Not even once.”

Yu Xuan grinned smugly.

Surrounded by the three older siblings, Mo Ying felt like she had gone back decades to a time when everyone was still around. The warmth made her feel safe and deeply content. She fell asleep by the pool, her dreams drifting to a moonlit night from long ago.

Ye Moli watched her peaceful expression and the smile vanished from his face. “Enough games. We need to talk about who is responsible for Xiao Wu’s condition. Who got her pregnant while we were away?”

Yu Xuan’s rage flared. She could not even lay a hand on the culprit. “Lou. An. Nie.”

Kong Rulan stammered, “I… I—”

Another Lou?

Ye Moli scoffed. “Aren’t you the one who claims to love Xiao Wu the most? You just let her get bullied? Is she dead yet? If not, I don’t mind sending her off myself.”

Kong Rulan panicked. “Wrong… I was wrong.”

Yu Xuan snapped. “You think this is your playground? Say it outright if you want me dead. Xiao Wu’s merbaby depends on her.”

Ye Moli shot her a cold glance. “Fine. I won’t kill her. But she needs to learn that some people are off-limits.”

Kong Rulan struggled to speak. “Lou… Lou…”

Yu Xuan thought for a moment. “We can’t. Not yet. We need to wait until Xiao Wu’s cravings ease up. Do you think I wouldn’t have killed her already if I could? But the merbaby comes first.”

Ye Moli asked, “When will the merbaby be born?”

Kong Rulan replied, “Three… three months.”

Yu Xuan shouted, “It’s been nearly three months, but there’s still no sign. Are you sure we got it right?”

Kong Rulan shook her head. None of them had experience with this.

Ye Moli scowled. “So we just have to watch her walk around in front of us like nothing happened until the baby’s born?”

Yu Xuan scratched her fingertip. She did not want to admit she had made it easier for Lou Annie to get close to Xiao Wu.

“Once the merbaby is born, then it will be time.”

Kong Rulan waved anxiously. “An… An—”

Ye Moli gently pushed his hand down. “Calm down, Second Brother. I won’t let someone like that stay near Xiao Wu. I’ll make sure she never forgets the lesson.”

Yu Xuan growled. “Fine. But if you ruin Xiao Wu’s appetite, I’ll be the first to deal with you. She’s asleep. You can leave. You’re not welcome here.”

With that, she climbed the stairs.

Ye Moli flicked his tail, nodded at Kong Rulan, and said, “Until the merbaby is born, I’m not leaving. If anything happens, tell Xiao Wu to call me. I’m going to pay Lou Annie a visit.”

Kong Rulan sighed softly. “…ran.”