FGCT CH16

The tuna Fugui caught yesterday was still within everyone’s acceptable range as it was harmless. However, the huge sword fish Xie Tianlang dragged back today really challenged the limits of a ordinary person.

When Xie Tianlang appeared with the three-meter swordfish, half of the people in the gynasium looked at him as if he were a hero returning victorious from a war, while the other half gazed at him as if an alien invasion had just occurred.

But regardless of how everyone showed their shock, Xie Tianlang, in his usual manner, still carried his massive catch into the gymnasium and headed straight for the cafeteria’s chef.

However, unlike yesterday, there were a crowd gathered around the beautiful, wealthy “beauty” Fugui and trying to buy the tuna. Even though today’s swordfish was two times larger than the tuna and appeared to have even more meat, not a single person dared to approach and ask the price.

This is probably the difference in aura.

Rubbing his hands which were filled with rings, Jin Mantang watched the huge fish with its tail dragging on the ground and couldn’t help but mutter softly.

” Impressive…”

He thought that the Fugui young man from yesterday was already a tough guy, but today, he realized there were always bigger fish in the pond.

While everyone else was in awe of Xie Tianlang and the giant fish, Gou Fugui quietly dragged his net bag, quickly swiped his ID, and made his way straight back to his tent in the second row.

Because he was fast and didn’t have his net bag wrapped around his back, only a few people between the first and second rows noticed that Gou Fugui also returned with a full load.

Of course, Jin Mantang saw it too.

Gou Fugui even passed right by his tent, and just from the sound, Jin Mantang could tell that the large bundle covered by two sun protection shirts surely contained some valuable items.

Jin Mantang rubbed his rings again, and the look on his honest face, with its thick eyebrows and big eyes, was one of restrained joy.

He was wrong!

Even though that handsome and cool guy was incredibly powerful, his brother, Fugui, was by no means weaker!

What’s more, his brother knew how to keep a low profile and quietly accumulate wealth—a fine quality that ensures one can survive for the long run.

So, when Jin Mantang tried to give Gou Fugui a bit of cover as he passed by, even if it didn’t help much, it still counted as a gesture of goodwill. Gou Fugui noticed this kindness and gave him a nod in acknowledgment.

After dragging his net full of food back to his tent, Fugui finally let out a sigh of relief.

It was only then that he felt the delayed fatigue and hunger from turning back into human form. Without bothering with anything else, he opened a can of meat, a well-sealed self-heating hotpot, a pack of vacuum-sealed chicken feet, and some dried vegetables, tossing them all into the self-heating pot.

Outside, the wind and rain might have been raging, but inside his little tent, it was dry and peaceful enough.

As he waited for the hotpot to start boiling, Gou Fugui took off his wet clothes, changed into dry ones, and wrapped his hair in a thick towel he had prepared beforehand, tying it into a bundle on his head that looked somewhat like a chef’s hat. Only then did he flop onto the sleeping bag to rest.

Truly, no golden palace or silver mansion can compare to one’s own humble den. And being able to live an ordinary and peaceful life… is just so wonderful.

Even though his original world was filled with schemes, danger, and enemies, at least that world was intact.

There was no need to worry about waking up to find the sky collapsing, the earth crumbling, or death shadowing every step. Simply staying alive didn’t require giving everything he had.

When the self-heating hotpot began bubbling with a fragrant aroma, Fugui Beauty, still wrapped in his makeshift towel turban, abruptly sat up from the mattress. Grabbing his chopsticks and bowl, he was ready to dig in.

But just as he was about to enjoy his meal, a tall shadow appeared outside his single-person tent. Then, he heard a deep, magnetic voice—one that unmistakably belonged to Xie Tianlang:

“Fugui-er^[1], you in there? It’s me, Xie Tianlang.”

Fugui Beauty lifted his head, his brow twitching slightly. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was oddly suggestive about the way the man addressed him.

“What do you want?” The tent wasn’t exactly the best for privacy—anything happening inside was clear as day from the shadows outside. He couldn’t pretend he wasn’t there, even if he wanted to.

Xie Tianlang’s voice rang out again, this time with a hint of amusement:

“I caught a big fish. A top predator of the sea—swordfish. It’s three meters long, weighs three hundred kilograms….. truly massive.”

“Truly—massive.”

Fugui: “…”

“Because the fish is too big, I can’t finish it on my own. I thought I’d bring some over for you.”

“After all, I admire you, Fugui, and I’d like to make friends with you.”

Gou Fugui: “…”

There were so many things wrong with those statements that he didn’t even know where to start.

Just as he was about to refuse, Xie Tianlang spoke again, cutting him off:

“Even though the fish I caught was bigger than the one you caught, but I dont think you are a petty person to mind about that. Right?”

Fugui Beauty: “Ha.”

Oh, so you want to play like that? Do you think I don’t know exactly how you managed to catch that fish?!

Fugui shot up to his feet, determination flaring. He bent down to unzip the entrance of his little tent.

Poking his head out, he looked up at Xie Tianlang, who stood there holding a massive platter of fish meat, his expression full of mockery—or was it smugness? Fugui squinted slightly, tilting his head for extra attitude.

“Come in.”

“I’m actually quite curious, Brother Lang, how exactly you caught that fish.”

“After all, that fish looks way fiercer than you do.”

Xie Tianlang took one glance at Gou Fugui, who was bundled up like some kind of Bollywood extra. His appearance should’ve been amusing, but maybe it was because this young man had such striking features—or perhaps because the way he tilted his head up and glared at him resembled a wild and confident otter—that Xie Tianlang, instead of feeling offended by the eye roll and sarcasm, actually laughed.

He carefully set the platter of swordfish slices next to the bubbling self-heating hotpot, positioning it perfectly for Gou Fugui to enjoy as a sashimi addition.

Then, with a sly smile, he said, “To be fair, I didn’t catch that fish all by myself.”

“I had help from my beloved Yuanyuan.”

“Yuanyuan is round, soft, adorable, and extremely clever. At the critical moment, it dealt a fatal blow to the fish. If it weren’t for Yuanyuan knocking that swordfish out with a frying pan, I probably would’ve ended up in a mutual defeat with it.”

As Xie Tianlang spoke, his sharp gaze swept through the small tent with practiced precision. His eyes lingered on the disorganized net bag that was half-covered but not entirely hidden.

Gou Fugui, who had been watching Xie Tianlang’s every move like a hawk, followed his line of sight—and immediately felt his scalp tingle. His heart skipped a beat.

Crap! He noticed!

“Longlong-brand spicy sticks… and Niuhuahua milk powder, huh…”

Gou Fugui choked for a moment before replying, “These are supplies I collected from a supermarket today. Wolf Bro, you’re not thinking about robbing me, are you?”

Xie Tianlang glanced at the young man, whose face was now slightly flushed from coughing, and smirked, shaking his head. “How could I? I just happen to think these brands are excellent. The clever little sea otter I’ve been raising is also quite fond of them.”

At that moment, Gou Fugui felt like his ability to “stay low and survive” was being pushed to its absolute limit.

He also came to a deeper realization about Xie Tianlang’s shameless cunning.

Who the hell is this sea otter you claim to be raising?!

As if suddenly remembering something, Xie Tianlang looked at Gou Fugui with an innocent expression. “Fugui, do you happen to know that little sea otter? You know, the one with the sleek, shiny coat that likes flipping the bird and saying ‘f***’?”

Fugui finally decided he’d had enough. This guy’s relentless probing and attempts to dig traps were wasting way too much of his time.

Setting down his chopsticks, Fugui raised his eyes—those phoenix-shaped eyes sharp and expressionless as he stared Xie Tianlang down. “I do know him. And I also know that besides flipping the bird and cursing, he knows how to ask after your ancestors’ health.”

Xie Tianlang froze for a moment.

But Fugui wasn’t done yet. With a scornful tilt of his head, he continued, “And seriously, have some self-respect and stop randomly claiming to have adopted a wild sea otter, okay? I’ve been raising that little guy on the coast for years—feeding him sea cucumbers, abalone, and giant clams, letting him drink soda, eat spicy sticks, telling him bedtime stories, and even teaching him how to talk. And I never once claimed he was my otter.”

“You’ve met him, what, twice? And you’ve got the nerve to call yourself his dad?!”

Leaning in slightly, Fugui delivered the finishing blow, “If that sea otter is going to recognize anyone as his owner, it’s me—not you. Got it?

“Also, he’s name is Little Fugui, not Yuanyuan.”

Xie Tianlang propped his chin on his hand, his sharp gaze unwavering. “So you’re saying it was you who brought me to the shore?”

“If the sea otter is yours, then why didn’t I see you during the shipwreck?”

Rolling his eyes, Fugui replied, “I wasn’t on the ship. I was at the coast, getting ready to feed the otter when I saw you guys. Can’t I save your life and not be on the scene beforehand?”

Xie Tianlang raised his eyebrows but didn’t push further.

Now that Fugui had laid it out, everything started clicking into place, aligning with his own suspicions. After all, no matter how smart a sea otter was, it couldn’t possibly speak fluent human language, recognize supermarkets, or have an obsession with snacks without someone teaching it.

And yet, despite having the truth presented to him, something still felt… off.

His instincts, honed over countless life-and-death encounters, were screaming at him that the beautiful young man in front of him wasn’t being entirely honest. Fugui was hiding something—a big secret, no less.

But Xie Tianlang didn’t pursue it further. He reined in the sharpness of his gaze and suppressed the curiosity clawing at him from within.

Know when to stop.

Everyone had their secrets, their boundaries.

Respecting those boundaries, even when burning with curiosity, was the bare minimum of decency.

So, much to Fugui’s surprise, the wolfish man in front of him suddenly softened. His intense demeanor mellowed into something unexpectedly warm and harmless.

“Then I really have to thank you for saving me,” Xie Tianlang said, his smile surprisingly gentle. “And for raising Yuanyuan to be so clever and adorable.”

His words, paired with that disarming sincerity in his expression, left Fugui slightly caught off guard. The sharp-tongued retort he had on the tip of his tongue felt… misplaced.

What’s more, in that moment, Gou Fugui saw it clearly in Xie Tianlang’s eyes—this strong, overly perceptive man had chosen to take a step back.

And that was…

Surprisingly considerate.

Fugui’s instinctual defenses wavered for just a moment.

“Uh, Little Fugui said you helped him out at sea too… You don’t need to be so polite. Also, I’ve told you, his name is Little Fugui, not Yuanyuan. Stop calling him that!”

Xie Tianlang stretched out his long legs and laughed, but this time, he firmly shook his head. “I still think Yuanyuan sounds better than Little Fugui. Besides, he’s a dashing wild otter. You call him what you want, and I’ll call him what I want. It doesn’t matter.”

The beautiful Fugui shot him a frosty glare. “Ha. Ha.”

Clearly, his earlier impression that this man was thoughtful and gentlemanly was entirely a mistake!

After delivering the fish, Xie Tianlang left, leaving Fugui with a pot of bubbling hotpot and a lot of complicated feelings.

After finishing the hotpot, feeling full and content, Fugui tidied up and got ready to sleep.

But in the middle of the night, he was jolted awake by the sound of someone speaking near his ear.

Fugui’s eyes snapped open, and his hand instinctively went under his pillow to grab the fruit knife he kept hidden there.

However, his grip relaxed as soon as he registered who the voice belonged to.

It was Jin Mantang.

Gou Fugui frowned slightly but still unlocked the tent door, allowing Jin Mantang to step inside.

The moment Jin Mantang entered, he got straight to the point:

“I came to see if my brother could spare a little more food.”

“And to warn you, Fugui—when you go out tomorrow, be extra cautious. Don’t let anyone tail you.”

Fugui’s eyes narrowed instantly, the glint in them as sharp as a blade.

Author’s Note:

Xie Tianlang: Although I’m fierce and ruthless, practically a wolf in human skin. I’m Also thoughtful, gentlemanly to my lovely future wifey! Oh, and… I’m big!!

Gou Fugui: ……