Chapter 2 Agar Matcha Milk Jelly

Chapter 2: Iced Roasted Tea Panna Cotta

The baby seal waddled a mere two hundred meters before huffing and puffing to a halt. With exceptional strategic vision and political acumen, he formulated the following plan:

This won’t do.

Too much exercise, too much fat burned…

If he becomes all skin and bones, the Major General will surely see through him at a glance—that he’s no mermaid.

After careful consideration, the sesame rice ball became the first seal in his entire family to ride the subway.

“You can scan the code to pass directly, and then…!”

The staff member blushed, lowered his head, and nervously pointed at the subway map on Rui Rui’s phone. His voice was unusually gentle, but as he spoke, it grew softer and softer until he finally crouched down, hugging his head and curling into a ball.

“……!”

Rui Rui’s heart tightened.

Had he been discovered already?

Another ground staff member walked over and apologized, “I’m sorry, he’s a mimosa alpha. He’s never been in contact with such a charming high-level omega like you before, and he couldn’t control his emotions for a moment, triggering his defensive mechanism.”

It was Rui Rui’s first time seeing a land plant, and he was utterly fascinated.

“Are you okay? I won’t hurt you.”

The little beauty gently patted his shoulder, watching in astonishment as the other’s hair swiftly transformed from straight to curly.

He blinked sincerely and praised, “You’re very cute.”

“Ah…? Thank—” Before he could finish, the mimosa alpha slowly collapsed to the ground, faint wisps of smoke rising from his head.

Two colleagues hauled him away by his arms.

“Truly a rare beauty—a celebrity or royalty? Or perhaps both. Tsk tsk.”

This was no exaggeration. Even as the train approached the CBD of the business district, other passengers were still stealing glances at him, some openly, others subtly.

Is this human?

No, this omega exudes a strong non-human aura.

His golden hair, radiant like sunlight, cascaded casually over his shoulders. His blue eyes, slightly downcast, resembled the ebb and flow of ocean tides, making one forget to breathe and lose track of time.

His skin was so pale it seemed almost translucent, with blue veins clearly visible, as if it would flush and bruise at the slightest touch.

His demeanor was fragile and compassionate, like a nun praying before a statue of the Holy Father.

They couldn’t imagine any creature possessing such supreme perfection.

Rui Rui was completely unaware of the passersby’s thoughts.

Seal on subway, seal is nervous.

The passersby also had no idea that this little one’s true form could coo coquettishly and pat its belly.

The usually noisy subway today had a subtle sense of purification; even the air felt as refreshing as a sea breeze.

“Next stop, CBD of the business district, please…”

The little beauty, somewhat timid, blended into the crowd exiting the station. For a few seconds, he moved awkwardly, but thankfully no one noticed.

The Silver Sand Bay habitat belonging to the Mochi family had already vanished from sight, replaced by towering skyscrapers.

Lush greenery thrived, and the air was filled with the noise of bustling crowds.

“This place…”

His strikingly pale face was full of confusion and hope, his trembling eyes reflecting the unfamiliar, vibrant world around him.

“…is this the human world?”

A long queue stretched outside a coffee shop. The staff member wore a specially designed hat, with wooden-colored deer antlers protruding through holes, twitching their ears: “So busy, so busy, so busy!”

“Swimming and fitness, interested?” A muscular man in a tank top handed out flyers everywhere. When he turned to relax, he inadvertently revealed his round belly and let out a loud, “Ribbit.”

Huh!?

Is that a bullfrog?

An elegant and intellectual lady swayed in her tulip-shaped skirt: “Children, keep up.”

Over a dozen young ones with soft yellow hair tugged at each other’s clothes: “Mom, mom, mom, mom!” Fluffy and trailing behind, a few who couldn’t keep up directly revealed their webbed feet to speed up, pattering away into the distance.

Rui Rui was overjoyed and wanted to pat his belly—

This is amazing!

This is a world for all creatures.

“…Sir?”

A slightly astonished voice interrupted the little flowers floating in the air.

“You came by subway? It was my oversight. Please forgive me.”

The adjutant stepped forward and gave a slight bow.

“I am Qi Mu, Adjutant to Major General Li Hanchuan. You can call me Xiao Qi.”

The delicate and beautiful prospective spouse’s eyelashes fluttered slightly, but he didn’t respond. The alpha, adept at reading expressions, quickly added:

“The Major General is still in a meeting at the headquarters. He repeatedly instructed me that I must ensure you arrive safely at the accommodation to rest properly. He is extremely concerned for your well-being. Please, get in the car.”

The omega was still slowly processing what an “adjutant” was. He bent down and got into the car through the opened door.

Throughout, he remained elegant and composed, giving away no hints of his thoughts.

It was just as well that he didn’t have to face Li Hanchuan directly without any buffer.

Rumors said that when the Major General gets angry, he can devour ten little cuties in one bite. Although Rui Rui carried the fate of the entire ocean family, he was, after all, a soft and adorable baby seal—exactly the type to provoke that devil’s cruel desires!

He must be cautious with his words and actions.

However, the baby seal didn’t quite like riding in cars. Rui Rui had once seen poachers using specially made iron cages to capture and kill marine creatures.

This big metal box is very similar to a hunting cage.

A bit annoying.

"Adjutant Qi, are you human?" Rui Rui didn't see any animal features on the adjutant.

Qi Mu smiled honestly, a bit shyly: "I'm a beast-man."

Rui Rui didn't expect that a high-ranking human official like Li Hanchuan would appoint a beast-man as his close aide. Maybe he's not as bad as I imagined?

The fear of the moving vehicle gradually faded, and the omega asked hesitantly: "So you are—"

But what he was really thinking about was his yet-to-be-met husband.

Before he could finish his sentence, the whole world suddenly plunged into violent shaking. A piercing alarm and red light appeared simultaneously—the front wheel had been blown up, instantly clearing all the trust Rui Rui had in his heart.

"Wh-what happened!?" The omega was badly frightened.

For a moment, he couldn't hold back, and his short, fluffy seal tail that resembled a puppy's popped out behind him with a "poof."

The adjutant took out his radio and shouted angrily: "Protect the Mrs.—!"

The driver was a trusted subordinate under Li Hanchuan. He quickly stabilized the vehicle and cursed: "It's those hyena beast-men again!"

There had always been bounty hunter organizations within the federation.

Led by hyena beast-men, they often kidnapped rare species of beast-men for trade.

Half a year ago, when the Major General first took office, he conducted several large-scale crackdowns. But as long as greedy people exist, wanting to possess animal fur, teeth, and even internal organs, such black markets would never disappear, like weeds.

But no one expected them to be so bold this time, targeting Li Hanchuan.

Dense smoke billowed everywhere, gray clouds blotting out the sky.

The adjutant quickly got out of the car, bent down, and said to Rui Rui: "Mrs., please get out of the car first!"

The next second, he froze in place: "...Where is the Mrs.?"

The back seat was empty.

Several confidants immediately turned pale, cold sweat pouring down their backs. They knew they would be shot full of holes by the Major General upon return.

"Adjutant Qi Mu, wh-what should we do?!"

Qi Mu staggered backward, barely steadying himself: "Search, search carefully! The young mistress’s original form is a mermaid. Look for the most sacred, elegant, noble, and graceful one. Hurry!"

Amid the chaotic crowd, a chubby Little Dumpling, camouflaged by the smoke, lifted his face.

"Ying."

The baby seal was terrified, his tail too limp to run, and he didn’t know who could hold him.

"Wuwu..."

Beneath his moist dark eyes like grapes hung two tears the size of beans.

They trembled on the verge of falling, looking utterly pitiful.

The alpha, thinking about being turned into mincemeat by the Major General, shook like a leaf and shouted: "Young mistress, where are you?!"

While sobbing, the baby seal remembered his duty and decided to transform back into human form to find the adjutant.

These fools.

Can’t they see who the most sacred, elegant, noble, and graceful one here is?

"Moo—!!"

The young mistress!

Before he could get closer, an African forest elephant rose from the ground, blocking out the sky like a majestic mountain. The sound wave from its roar made Rui Rui’s whiskers stand on end. It ran with a thundering rumble.

The adjutant was actually an elephant.

The baby seal’s round, innocent face froze for several seconds.

He turned around abruptly and wriggled away at ten times the speed, making "boji boji" sounds.

"Mm!"

His tail didn’t seem so weak after all!

-

"...Lost?"

The man’s face was icy, his tone seemingly calm, but it made all the officers in the Major General’s office lower their heads, not daring to breathe loudly.

The pheromones of a high-ranking alpha filled the large room, carrying the cold scent of cedarwood with frost, sending chills down everyone’s spine.

A secret document:

The entire city is under martial law.

Search for the missing mermaid bride.

Li Hanchuan stood up, his black military boots encasing his long, sturdy calves, landing with heavy thuds as they hit the ground.

He actually had no work today.

He had been waiting all morning, but Qi Mu was too by-the-book—he didn’t even send a single photo.

Li Hanchuan could only keep imagining what the mermaid looked like. Would it be like in fairy tales—a fish tail, long hair, two shells on the chest, and singing after just a few words?

Little did he know that after all the waiting, the person was lost.

The grim-faced alpha put on his military cap and marched briskly toward the door.

"A bunch of useless fools."

-

Rui Rui wriggled his seal tail and escaped far away, only stopping when he saw a speed limit sign on the road, law-abidingly before transforming back into human form.

"I knew humans couldn’t be relied on..." he muttered under his breath.

After some thought, he decided to go find Li Hanchuan alone.

"Hello, are you alone?"

An unfamiliar alpha approached with a smile, waving his phone: "Can I have your number?"

Rui Rui looked at him, his eyes that shimmered like waves went wide.

He seemed puzzled by the person's question.

When an omega is exceptionally beautiful, those trying to hit on him don’t mind being rejected; even getting scolded by him feels satisfying.

The little male beauty thought for a moment, then carefully guarded his phone.

He shook his head firmly: "No, I can’t give this to you."

His refusal was gentle and sincere. The alpha nodded regretfully but left with a dreamy look.

Baby Seal kept his only means of communication and breathed a sigh of relief.

Humans really have no sense of boundary!

If I gave it to you, what would I use?

However, Baby Seal wasn’t very skilled with this device yet. For the past few days, he had kept it wrapped in a waterproof bag, using his phone late into the night. His clan noticed his dedication, feeling both proud and concerned.

"Meow."

Five little kittens had appeared on the tree trunk at some point, all clinging to the bark with their paws, steady as veteran monks, as if forming some kind of lineup.

Rui Rui had already gained some basic understanding of land creatures.

Rui Rui exclaimed excitedly: "Cicadas!"

"They’re cicadas! So many cicadas clinging to the tree!"

The one at the front seemed to be a kitten, with a sweet and delicious chocolate-caramel-colored fur.

Hearing this, the kitten opened and closed its mouth, actually speaking in human speech.

"You’re the cicada! I’m an all-powerful little kitten."

Rui Rui pondered: "All-powerful?"

The chocolate-ball-sized kitten jumped down, followed by several larger cats, who surveyed Rui Rui’s hair with a boss-like air.

It demanded in a childish voice: "Hey, how did you dye your hair yellow? I want that too, meow!"

Before it finished speaking, the kitten’s nose twitched wildly: "Hmm?"

The omega crouched on the ground, smiling as the fluffy kittens surrounded him, sniffing eagerly: "You’re so soft."

"You—you smell so good!" The kittens drooled heavily, their pink tongues flicking as they licked their lips. "Who are you, really?"

Even without any obvious features, he was recognized instantly.

Rui Rui opened his mouth, stumbling as he spoke his false identity for the first time: "...I’m a mermaid, can’t you tell?"

"I command all marine life and can provide endless fish, shrimp, crabs, and seaweed."

The fierce little bully kittens exchanged looks.

Their eyes quickly cleared, and they raised their paws in a gesture of worship—

"Mermaid Lord, please grant us fish, meow!"

The omega looked like a saint redeeming misguided souls, gazing down with pure, benevolent radiance.

Okay.

Half an hour later, the kittens were eating takeout salmon and murmuring: "He really is a mermaid. Everything he said was true, meow."

In return, the chocolate-colored kitten turned human and promised to help Rui Rui get closer to Major General Li.

"My name is Mi Su. I’m the most well-connected cat in the area."

The mermaid and the cat only chatted for a few minutes before a Border Collie with a worried expression and shiny fur appeared at the intersection: "Woof!"

"Oh, my husband is calling me home for dinner."

The boy transformed back into a kitten the size of a palm and led his followers in the opposite direction, their fluffy butts wiggling.

"I’ve already asked my friends to investigate your request. Expect good news!"

Rui Rui watched Mi Su leave with a sense of loss.

Little animals are so lovely.

I wish the Major General weren’t human.

Ten minutes later, Mi Su invited you to join the "Major General Li Exclusive Fan · Racing Group." Baby Seal was confused but hesitantly accepted the invitation.

Buzz.

Buzz.

Buzz.

Fan-created art and images spammed the screen, with the group's excitement almost palpable.

According to Baby Seal’s knowledge, humans typically wear clothes.

But in these pictures, the Major General wasn’t wearing any clothes.

Hmm, what are those pink and red parts?

Rui Rui was puzzled: "...?"

Rui Rui blushed: "!!!"

Rui Rui’s little tail emerged again: "!!!"

-

The hyena gang caused trouble at noon, and by a little past noon, they were all eliminated.

"Major General, we’ve located the young master’s position," the adjutant reported.

Li Hanchuan looked up, his light brown eyes under the military cap cold and aloof: "Hmm."

The usually crowded city center was now eerily quiet, with no private cars on the roads.

The traffic lights were green all the way.

Four escort vehicles cleared the path ahead, behind, and on both sides, while a pure black bulletproof car advanced relentlessly, its presence overwhelming as it moved with clear purpose.

Only when that slender, confused figure finally came into view did Li Hanchuan let out a cold laugh and step out of the car.

"Touted as unmatched, but merely average."

The adjutant scratched his head, puzzled.

"Why did the major general wear such a formal dress uniform today?"

Li Hanchuan hesitated briefly but kept walking.

The road was wide with no cars in sight. Even while crossing the street, Rui Rui was still scrolling through his phone's group messages, his fingertip pressed to his lips.

"What do 'navel orange' and 'thick milk' mean? Everyone is so knowledgeable."

Li Hanchuan hadn't expected this baby seal to be so addicted to the internet. He studied him with amused curiosity from afar for a while before deciding to call out to him.

A shadow suddenly darted.

Out of nowhere, a hyena hunter that had escaped cleanup appeared, charging straight toward Rui Rui.

"Look out!"

The omega's vision blurred as the world spun around him. He stumbled and fell into an embrace that carried a chill cedar fragrance.

The person held him tightly, his arms like iron vises, making it impossible for him to move. It was a defensive and protective posture, solid as a shield.

At the same time, several crisp sounds of bones breaking echoed, accompanied by the hyena beastman's agonized screams.

His ankles had been shattered under military boots!

Amid the fear, the physical sensations violently overwhelmed the baby seal, who had never been in love before: "Mmph!"

His own...

His own tail!

In an instant, the delicate, soft omega lost all strength. His face and head flushed with heat, and even the snow-white skin extending downward from his collar turned a soft pink.

Subordinates quickly restrained the escaped hunter.

With one arm around his shoulder, Li Hanchuan remained completely unaware that his other hand was unintentionally cupping the baby seal's tail, his grip firm and solid.

Every nerve ending in Rui Rui's body screamed to life!

He just wanted to bare his short claws and frantically pat his belly!

The alpha's posture was arrogant, as if he hadn't been captivated by the beauty. He placed the person on the ground and asked indifferently, "Are you okay?"

"Whack!"

This scene stunned everyone present.

In front of all his soldiers, subordinates, and confidantes, the new mermaid clan's young madam slapped the major general, her eyes red, and weakly cursed, "You stinking... stinking pervert!"