Chapter 7: Don’t Touch Randomly

The jellyfish lay on the siren’s chest, a soft lump, and fell into a deep sleep.

Perhaps it was because of the narwhal’s words, but for the first time, Wen Chu had a dream.

He dreamed of a translucent, azure sea. Beneath the surface were vast, deep blue glaciers, and countless transparent krill floated in the water.

Xiu sat on an ice floe, wearing a crown and holding a sharp sword. He flicked his tail, which was bluer than the ocean, splashing water everywhere.

Wen Chu looked down at himself.

He saw countless thick, transparent tentacles, each as thick as an arm. The tentacles were a bit too long, extending far from his body. From Wen Chu’s perspective, they looked like hundreds of transparent, tangled vines floating in the sea.

He had become a big jellyfish.

Wen Chu swam around curiously. First, he tried to bat at Xiu, but was slapped away by his tail with a warning to “be good.” Then, he dove under the water to look at the krill.

Not only were there krill underwater, but there were also Arctic cod, Greenland halibut, and schools of herring.

They looked… especially delicious.

Wen Chu quietly approached, his transparent tentacles silently coiling around a cod. With his toxin magnified countless times, the cod didn’t even have a chance to struggle before it was delivered into the giant jellyfish’s mouth by the tentacles.

Om nom—

It was soft, but hard to chew. He bit for a long time but couldn’t get it into his stomach sac.

This wouldn’t do. He wanted to taste the cod.

So Wen Chu ate more forcefully, tightly coiling his tentacles around the cod and continuing to release his nematocysts.

Since they were magnified countless times, he could even clearly see the coiled stinging threads within the nematocysts. The threads pierced the prey’s body, like sharp fangs injecting venom, causing the already-trapped prey to struggle violently.

Wen Chu continued to gnaw on the cod.

He refused to believe that, even as a giant jellyfish, he couldn’t eat a mere fish.

Just then, the long cries of a whale pod seemed to come from the distance.

And then came Xiu’s voice, suppressing his anger, as if whispering in his ear, “Are you done chewing yet?”

Huh? Wasn’t Xiu on the ice floe? When did he get next to him?

Wen Chu was first stunned, and then he felt a tightening on his scalp.

The cod that was already in his mouth disappeared. He was lifted up, once again meeting a pair of transparent blue eyes.

Like the Arctic seawater he had just seen, it was a blue so clear it was almost ethereal.

“The Arctic…” he looked at Xiu’s eyes and said in a daze.

“I think you want to be buried in the Arctic,” Xiu gritted his teeth and held him further away. “Why are you suddenly going crazy?”

Wen Chu finally saw the situation clearly.

There was no frigid Arctic seawater. He was still on the white coral in the shallows. Now that it was daylight, the murkiness of the shallow water was even more obvious. Wen Chu could even see many plastic bags and cans hanging on the coral.

And the golden-haired siren was looking at him coldly, his chest covered in red marks.

To say they were red marks was an understatement. Xiu’s chest was covered with red, whip-like sting marks. The two very tips were a vivid red, surrounded by circular suction marks that were remarkably similar to the outline of the jellyfish’s mouth.

Waking up from being harassed in his sleep, Xiu uncomfortably curled his fish tail, his gaze towards Wen Chu even colder.

He had finally figured it out. Every time he showed any sort of concession like “pity” towards this jellyfish, he would absolutely be offended by the jellyfish in the next moment.

He must be sick to be pitying this brainless jellyfish.

Wen Chu looked at Xiu’s chest and guiltily retracted his tentacles.

“I-I thought I was eating a fish… I dreamed I was eating a fish in the Arctic. I’m sorry.”

Upon hearing the word “dream,” Xiu pursed his lips. A barely perceptible blush appeared behind his ears, hidden by his golden hair.

Now that Wen Chu mentioned it, he also remembered the absurd dream that had startled him awake.

Being entangled by a giant jellyfish, his neck and waist held tightly, even having the scales below his lower abdomen pried open…

“Shut up,” Xiu interrupted Wen Chu expressionlessly. “Say one more word and I’ll chop you up.”

Wen Chu stopped talking.

He looked at the life countdown next to him.

After sleeping for a whole night, not only had the countdown not decreased, but it had increased to 11 days, 8 hours, and 57 minutes.

It seemed he had really “eaten” Xiu many times.

He had clearly said he could only kiss if he was obedient. He was the one who broke the promise.

No wonder Xiu was so angry.

Xiu held him, looking at his tentacles without speaking, seemingly lost in thought.

Wen Chu thought Xiu might be thinking about which of his tentacles would be best for a cold-dressed jellyfish salad.

But he hoped Xiu would cut his bell. His tentacles were too thin and small right now, not enough for Xiu to eat.

Wen Chu waited for Xiu to chop him up, but after a long time, nothing happened. Instead, Xiu just looked at him, his brow furrowing deeper and deeper.

Waiting like this wasn’t a solution. Wen Chu decided to heal Xiu first.

Xiu was only holding his bell, so his tentacles could still move. Wen Chu stretched out his tentacles.

The tip of a tentacle happened to be able to reach the highest peak.

The jellyfish’s tentacle touched the peak.

The temperature was so high.

That was Wen Chu’s first sensation.

Xiu’s body was very hot, possibly due to the injected toxins. In any case, it was an unnatural red and so hot it almost burned his tentacles.

Wen Chu didn’t hesitate any longer and quickly said, [System, help me heal him.]

[Lifespan -10h]
[Remaining Lifespan: 10 days, 22 hours, 57 minutes]

Xiu was pondering why he would have such a dream of being entangled with a jellyfish. Looking at Wen Chu’s tentacles, he even couldn’t help but suspect he had some special fetish, which made his ears start to burn.

How absurd…

Just then, he suddenly felt a coolness on his nipple.

Looking down, he saw the jellyfish’s wet tentacles.

He had endured it again and again, and the last time was his limit. This time, he certainly wouldn’t let the jellyfish do as it pleased.

“Wen. Chu—”

Before Xiu could finish his next sentence, he heard Wen Chu’s cheerful voice, “I’ve healed you.”

Xiu’s gaze moved from the jellyfish’s tentacle to his own chest, which was once again restored to its original state.

Xiu’s anger had just risen to his throat, and for a moment, he didn’t even know if he should continue to be angry.

He looked coldly at the jellyfish, which was happily looking up at him.

Wen Chu looked at him, then at his chest. “Does it still hurt? I’m sorry, I broke my promise first. I’ll continue to be obedient. Does our previous deal still count? Please?”

“The one where if I’m good for two days, you’ll kiss me.”

Xiu: …

Forget it. Why bother getting serious with a jellyfish?

He casually tossed Wen Chu a short distance away. By this time, the unnaturalness of the scales below his lower abdomen had also subsided.

Xiu flicked his tail, swam up from the bleached coral reef, and moved back a few meters, away from Wen Chu.

“It can still count, but with an added condition. For these two days, you must maintain a distance of at least two meters from me.”

Xiu looked down, scanning his own fish tail below his lower abdomen, which now showed no abnormality.

It was one thing for Wen Chu to be clueless. But for him to have other reactions because of it, and even to develop extra fantasies, was too absurd.

How could a siren mate with a jellyfish?

He needed to keep his distance from Wen Chu and clear his head.

Thinking this, Xiu ignored Wen Chu behind him and turned around. “Alright, the sun is out. Let’s go find the narwhal, and then look for the fishing boat.”

Wen Chu was stunned for a moment. Looking at Xiu, who was suddenly treating him like a formidable enemy, he belatedly pushed himself forward with his tentacles to chase after him.

“Wait for me, Xiu. What is two meters?”
…

The narwhal looked at the siren and the jellyfish, who were separated by nearly ten meters. They were so far apart that she even had to turn her head to see the other one.

“…So, did you two have a fight?” the narwhal asked uncertainly.

She didn’t sense any tension of a fight between Xiu and Wen Chu.

“No, it’s because I have to be Xiu’s very obedient and good little puppy,” Wen Chu said seriously. “Xiu told me to keep my distance from him. I don’t know how much two meters is, so he said the farther the better.”

This was the farthest distance he could manage. Any farther, and he was afraid Xiu wouldn’t be able to see him.

“Wait, you’re going to be his what?” The narwhal suspected her hearing.

Wen Chu said matter-of-factly, “A little puppy. Xiu said I am a little puppy. I can’t be Xiu’s lover, so I have to start by being an obedient little puppy jellyfish.”

Meeting the narwhal’s shocked and gossipy gaze, Xiu felt his headache worsen. “…You misunderstood. That’s not what I meant.”

“I understand,” the narwhal nodded repeatedly. “I understand everything. You two carry on.”

Xiu: “…”

No, you don’t understand anything.

To prevent Wen Chu from saying anything more startling, Xiu quickly changed the subject. “Let’s split up and search this area today. If we find any operating fishing boats, we’ll notify each other. Be careful of the invisible fishing nets. If you encounter danger, call for help immediately.”

The narwhal agreed.

“What’s an invisible fishing net?” Wen Chu asked, puzzled.

The narwhal explained, “It’s a net made of optically invisible materials. This kind of net has a very low reflectivity to visible light, making it almost invisible in the sea. You need to carefully observe the surrounding water currents. If you see an abnormal vortex, there’s usually a fishing net nearby. But it’s much easier to spot now. If you see a large group of dead fish packed together and unable to struggle, that’s where the fishing net is.”

She looked at Wen Chu’s transparent, soft body with some concern. “The material of those nets is very special. Even if you see them, you have to be careful. They might cut you.”

“Okay, I’ll remember that,” Wen Chu agreed, then looked at Xiu, waiting for his command to set off.

Xiu glanced at him, then looked away and continued, “Let’s split up. Wen Chu will follow me. He doesn’t know the way, so he might get lost.”

Wen Chu spoke up for himself. “I can remember the way. I’m very smart.”

Xiu paused. “But you can’t sing out like a narwhal. Even if you find a fishing boat, you can’t notify us.”

With the system, it was impossible not to find Xiu. Wen Chu felt he couldn’t always be seen as a burden by Xiu and tried to show his value. “I can. I can find you.”

“And I already agreed with you to keep my dist—”

Before Wen Chu could finish, he was gently flicked into the air by the narwhal’s horn.

Huh?

Why did Grandma Narwhal suddenly toss him?

The jellyfish tumbled blankly in the ocean, and then, with a splat, landed precisely in Xiu’s arms.

Xiu looked down at him but didn’t speak immediately.

Wen Chu shivered and quickly used his tentacles to crawl out. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to. I’ll leave now. Don’t be angry.”

Wen Chu crawled for a long time but couldn’t get out of Xiu’s embrace. Instead, he felt his tentacles become empty.

He was picked up by Xiu again.

“Just follow me when I tell you to. Less nonsense,” Xiu said faintly.

Wen Chu: QAQ?

Didn’t Xiu himself say to keep a distance? Why doesn’t he want to keep it now?

A siren’s heart is as deep as the ocean.

Xiu placed the soft jellyfish on his shoulder, nodded to the narwhal, and then turned and left with Wen Chu.

The narwhal watched the departing Siren.

Mermen were born of the ocean. Under the Siren’s long golden hair were his strong and smooth waist and abdomen. The light blue scales gradually transitioned to his tail fin, and his massive tail swayed, almost merging with the seawater.

It should have been a dreamlike, almost divine scene—if not for the small, transparent jellyfish perched on the Siren’s shoulder.

The narwhal couldn’t help but smile and shake her head. She also headed in the opposite direction from Xiu.

In this apocalypse, in these oceanic ruins where they might die tomorrow, they should bicker less.

The Earth was about to be destroyed. What was so surprising about a siren and a jellyfish falling in love?
.
On the other side, Wen Chu was lying on Xiu’s shoulder, still not quite sure what was going on.

He asked in a small voice, “Do I still have to keep my distance from you?”

Xiu’s swimming speed was very fast. Wen Chu had to cling tightly to him to ensure he wasn’t swept away by the current. But he had just stung Xiu with his tentacles in his dream this morning and didn’t dare to use force now, so he could only hold onto Xiu’s long golden hair.

Xiu felt the pulling sensation on his hair, and when he turned to see the jellyfish hanging onto his hair, he couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.

The morning’s worth of anger dissipated with that laugh.

Xiu said concisely, “Not for now. Just keep an eye out for any fishing boats.”

There was no need to be difficult with Wen Chu at this time. The shallows weren’t completely safe either. If Wen Chu got hurt, he would be the one in trouble.

It wouldn’t be a problem to keep a distance after finding the parrotfish.

Thinking this, Xiu added, “You’re sleeping by yourself tonight.”

“Oh… okay.” Wen Chu, knowing he was in the wrong, weakly agreed.

He looked up and carefully observed all the movements around them.

The Siren’s long golden hair flowed with the current, occasionally brushing against him. Wen Chu skillfully gathered a small section of the long hair with his tentacles and, very proficiently and gently, braided a small pigtail for Xiu.

His human form also had long hair. He used to play with his own hair when he was bored, so braiding was second nature to him. He could even do it without looking.

Wen Chu looked with satisfaction at the small, thumb-thick pigtail he had tucked behind Xiu’s ear, then asked the completely unaware Xiu, “Can I sleep with you tomorrow night?”

Xiu coldly refused, “No. You can never sleep with me again.”

Since he had realized the twisted nature of his relationship with Wen Chu, he certainly wouldn’t allow it to develop any further.

Wen Chu wilted on Xiu’s shoulder.

He didn’t like sleeping on coral. It was hard. Xiu’s chest was soft and warm, perfect for a jellyfish to sleep on.

If he tied his tentacles in a knot, would Xiu allow him to sleep on him?

While Wen Chu was lost in thought, his peripheral vision suddenly caught a glimpse of a huge, dark silver object.

Wen Chu focused his gaze, and was startled when he saw what it was. He then couldn’t help but pull on Xiu’s hair.

“Look over there.”

Xiu turned his head in confusion, then stopped swimming.

Not far from the shallow beach, a bloated, edematous sunfish was floating upside down on the water’s surface. Its skin was rough, its eyes were wide open, already cloudy and sunken, and its abdomen still bore the marks from being struck by the narwhal’s horn.

It was dead.

Although he didn’t know if the sunfish appearing here was the system’s arrangement or a coincidence, and the sunfish was indeed a bit scary, Wen Chu still felt an inexplicable gloom.

“This is the fish that was chasing and trying to eat me when I first came here. Then the narwhal appeared and saved me.”

If he had known the sunfish would die, he would have brought it to find Xiu together.

“The wound on its abdomen is not fatal,” Xiu judged calmly. “I’ve encountered it before. Its wish was to spend the rest of its life in the ocean. From the looks of it, it probably died from a parasitic infection. You don’t have to feel guilty about it. It’s not your fault.”

As Xiu’s words fell, Wen Chu saw a long white worm wiggle out from the sunfish’s already sunken eyeball.

And then, more and more long worms emerged, either from under its scales or from its gills, twisting in the deep sea like wide noodles.

Speaking of which, it’s been a long time since I’ve had noodles. The nurses would always let me have a bite of noodles on my birthday.

Wen Chu’s mind wandered inappropriately.

Xiu, however, sharply sensed that something was wrong. “Why are there so many parasites here?”

According to Wen Chu’s account, this sunfish had been dead for at most one night. No matter how harsh the environment in the shallows was, it shouldn’t have bred so many parasites in just a few hours.

Wen Chu looked up and pulled Xiu’s hair again. “Xiu, look quick.”

Xiu tore his gaze away from the sunfish.

And then he saw it.

Behind the sunfish, a huge, entirely black fishing boat was slowly approaching. Its hull was streamlined, and its top was covered with solar panels. Even though humans had left, it could still navigate its predetermined fishing route.

Accompanying the fishing boat was an almost nauseating smell of fish and rot.

It came from the dead fish that had piled up and overflowed in the boat’s warehouse, spreading onto the deck and drying into fish jerky, and from the invisible fishing net below, where countless fish of indistinguishable species were squeezed together like a compressed package.

“Sardine No. 3,” Wen Chu read out the words painted on the side of the fishing boat, one character at a time.

He turned his head to ask Xiu what it meant, but stopped short when he met the look in Xiu’s eyes.

That pair of transparent blue eyes, as cold as Arctic glaciers, were surging with complex emotions that Wen Chu couldn’t identify.

…Was it sadness?

---

Author’s Note:

Do jellyfish also dream of Greenland?