Looking at the young girl in front of him, Xu Ming felt that something was very wrong.
Although the Eastern Sea greatly cherished its one and only princess, no matter how much they doted on her, the level of protection still seemed excessive.
Ao Yiner wasn’t some frail girl who couldn’t withstand the wind—so why wouldn’t they even allow her to set foot on an island?
There had to be a reason behind this.
“Could it be that this girl holds some kind of special significance to the Eastern Sea? And yet, she herself is completely unaware of it?”
Xu Ming felt that this was the only possible explanation.
Otherwise, he simply couldn’t understand why this young girl wasn’t allowed to go to land, to the point where the Eastern Sea Dragon King had even lost his temper over it.
That shouldn’t be the case.
“Xu Ming, why don’t we elope together?”
Xu Ming had just taken a sip of tea, and the next moment, he choked on it.
He looked at the young girl in disbelief. “Miss Ao, what did you just say?”
“I said, let’s elope together,” Ao Yiner’s eyes curved into a smile, as if she were stating something completely natural.
Xu Ming rubbed his temples. “Miss Ao, may I ask… do you actually know what ‘elope’ means?”
How did this happen? We’ve barely exchanged a few words, and now you want to elope with me? It’s not even a matter of whether we’re close or not—this whole situation is just absurd!
Ao Yiner nodded. “Of course I know! I’m not an idiot. I read about it in books. Eloping is when two people who like each other run away together, far, far away, so that no one can catch them.”
Xu Ming looked at her speechlessly. So you do know…
“In that case, Miss Ao, why do you still want to elope with me?” he asked, genuinely curious.
“Why wouldn’t I?” Ao Yiner pouted and said matter-of-factly, “You like me. And while I don’t exactly like you that much, I do have a bit of a good impression of you. So why can’t we elope together? Don’t worry, I know eloping takes money—I have a lot of money. And even if we run out, it’s fine. We’re both strong, we can just rob people for more.”
Wait, hold on—when did I ever say I liked you?!
We’ve only met twice! And this second time, you were the one who came looking for me!
I’m pretty sure I didn’t do anything to make you misunderstand, right?
“Miss Ao… could there be some kind of misunderstanding?” Xu Ming rubbed his forehead and spoke as tactfully as possible.
“Misunderstanding? No,” Ao Yiner tilted her head. “Don’t you like me?”
“What made you think I liked you?” he asked.
At this point, he was genuinely curious.
What on earth did I do to give you that impression?
Ao Yiner spoke as if it was the most obvious thing in the world: “Back when you were fishing, there were so many places to sit, but you didn’t sit next to my cousin, and you didn’t sit next to that Zhu Cici either. If that’s not because you like me, then what is?”
…So that’s the reason?
Did you ever consider that maybe I sat next to you because your cousin, Ao Zizi, already had people on both sides, and I couldn’t squeeze in—so I had no choice but to sit next to you?!
Xu Ming let out a deep breath and patiently explained, “Miss Ao, I believe there may have been a misunderstanding. At the time, I sat next to you simply because it was a good spot for fishing—nothing more. I had no other intentions. If anything I did made you misunderstand, I sincerely ask for your forgiveness.”
“You…” Ao Yiner’s cheeks instantly turned red. “You really don’t like me?”
Xu Ming pondered how to phrase his response without hurting the girl’s innocent heart.
“Miss Ao, you are very beautiful. However, in my heart, I already have someone I like. That being said, my earlier actions were indeed somewhat inappropriate. Sitting next to you without your permission was impolite. I ask for your forgiveness.”
Ao Yiner was completely at a loss. Her head lowered tightly, the blush on her cheeks spreading all the way to the tips of her ears. Her small hands clenched the hem of her dress over her thighs.
This massive misunderstanding left Ao Yiner utterly unsure of what to do. She felt overwhelmingly embarrassed.
She had genuinely believed that Xu Ming liked her, but in the end, it was all just a misunderstanding.
So he sat beside her only because it was a better spot for fishing? Do you really love fishing that much? Is it really that interesting?
At this moment, Ao Yiner wished she could find a hole in the ground to crawl into. This was just too humiliating.
“But even if we’re not eloping, if Miss Ao wishes, I can still take you to the mainland,” Xu Ming said with a smile, watching the girl squirm in embarrassment.
“Really?” Ao Yiner’s head shot up instantly, her bright eyes blinking at Xu Ming.
There was a sparkle of excitement in her gaze.
“Of course, it’s true.” Xu Ming nodded. “However, now isn’t the right time. I have some things I need to take care of first, and I don’t have something important with me right now. But when I eventually visit the Eastern Sea, I’ll take Miss Ao to the mainland.”
Xu Ming was the master of the Baiwa Scroll, a true miniature world that wasn’t much different from the mainland. In a way, taking her there would be just like taking her to land.
“When will you come to the Eastern Sea?” Ao Yiner’s eyes were filled with anticipation.
“Emmm…” Xu Ming thought for a moment. “Within three years. I should be able to visit within three years.”
“You better not lie to me! Pinky promise!”
Ao Yiner stretched out her fair, slender little finger.
“If you lie to me, I’ll bite you!”