Chapter 197: Chapter 197 - 191: Just the Two of Us, Air Doesn’t Count

Shen Tang thought, "This is the first time I’m meeting your mother, should I prepare a gift? It’s not good to go empty-handed."

It’s strange to say, but the original owner has never met the Empress of the Sea Country either. During the diplomatic marriage between the two countries, the Empress only sent the Prince; she didn’t show up herself.

Shen Tang could guess that internally, the Sea Country probably didn’t favor this marriage.

Jia Lan casually said, "No need to bring anything. Our Sea Country is rich and vast, we have everything. My mother won’t appreciate what you bring, she just wants to meet you."

"Even so, it’s not good to go empty-handed; it’s always important to prepare some gifts. A small token can express deep feelings." Hearing Jia Lan say this, Shen Tang had an idea in mind.

Ordinary tacky gifts available in the market would definitely not catch the eye of the Mermaid Empress.

Shen Tang thought for a moment and asked Xiao Jin to bring a few large bags of premium rice. Beastmen in the Sea Country probably haven’t seen this before; after all, the picky Prince Jia Lan quite likes it, so the Mermaid Empress should like it too, right?

She also brought a box of inhibitors.

This time, they’re going to discuss trade terms with the Empress, so it’s important to clarify her intentions.

She could use the inhibitors as leverage.

The Sea Country also has many beastmen experiencing mental upheavals.

In this way, both sides can win, and this trade negotiation should go much smoother.

Xiao Jin and Shen Li are also going with her.

Jia Lan refused on the spot, speaking harshly, "You two land beasts cannot enter the Sea Country. I can only bring one person, and I can’t take you both."

It wasn’t easy to secure some sweet time for just the two of them; how could Jia Lan let others disrupt it?

"The factory and market still need you two to manage; you two stay in the city and take care of the home front for me." Shen Li and Xiao Jin wouldn’t be much use going with them anyway. Moreover, these two are the most troublesome in the household, one causing trouble openly, the other secretly. Bringing them all on the spaceship would make the journey chaotic.

Shen Tang then looked at Xue Yinzhou, "The city also needs you to watch over it. In case any spies sneak in, I’ll leave it to you, I feel assured."

Xue Yinzhou’s eyes flickered slightly, and he nodded solemnly, "Sure, leave the city to me, go without worries."

Shen Tang turned to Lu Xiao, this perfect Beast Husband who can drive the ship, cook, take care of people, and is strong enough to protect others; a must-have for home and traveling.

"Lu Xiao, you come with us too."

Lu Xiao looked surprised, seemingly not expecting her to think of him, then nodded and whispered, "Alright, Female Master."

Jia Lan felt a bit annoyed; an extra third wheel in their world of two, who wouldn’t be upset?

However, thinking of how this Eagle Beast is usually silent and stays in the cockpit, barely visible, it doesn’t really matter if he’s there or not.

Moreover, Jia Lan also worried that in case of emergencies, Lu Xiao is stronger and, being a Flying Beastman, can better protect Shen Tang, so he didn’t say anything.

Their world for two, "air" doesn’t count.

Xiao Jin was about to turn into a jealous jar, but he also knew Shen Tang’s decision was right; taking Lu Xiao was indeed more suitable.

The city needed him and Shen Li to stay and watch over, so he nodded and agreed.

Shen Li patted Shen Tang’s hair and leaned in softly, saying, "Xiao Tang, be careful on the road, contact us anytime if anything happens, remember your safety."

After all, this was her first time going abroad, and without them by her side, they were naturally a bit worried.

Shen Tang looked up at Shen Li, noticing a hint of genuine worry in his charming fox-like eyes.

Shen Tang asked the system, "What are the affinity levels of the Beast Husbands?"

[Beep, updating affinity levels for target individuals for the host—]

[Xiao Jin: Like 99

Shen Li: Like 50

Jia Lan: Like 95

Lu Xiao: Affinity 99

Xue Yinzhou: Deeply in love 20]

With Shen Tang’s efforts these days, Jia Lan’s affinity level has increased quite a bit, from like 80 to like 95, almost catching up with Xiao Jin.

Lu Xiao’s affinity level also increased but is stuck at a critical point, needing a breakthrough.

Shen Tang hasn’t figured out where the breakthrough point is yet.

Xiao Jin and Xue Yinzhou’s affinity levels haven’t changed.

Xiao Jin is still stuck between like and deeply in love, needing to deepen the relationship, but unfortunately, Shen Tang still has no clues.

This leopard just looks at her like a hungry tiger, always thinking of that, leaving her no chance to talk about feelings.

This dog-man prefers to talk about different kinds of... fun activities with her.

The system also said, the higher the affinity, the harder it is to break through.

[Deeply in love] requires more heartfelt interactions.

Shen Tang has been busy with city affairs recently, so there hasn’t been much progress with Xue Yinzhou, but she’s not in a hurry; emotions need time to build slowly, rushing things might backfire.

Shen Li is the trickiest one.

Despite their intimate interactions, his affinity only increased by 5 points.

Clearly, sometimes she can feel Shen Li’s affection, yet the affinity level refuses to rise!

The night before departure, Xiao Jin, reluctant to part, insisted on asking Shen Tang for a brief yet passionate moment. After she fell asleep, he helped her pack her luggage.

The next morning, Shen Tang followed Jia Lan and Lu Xiao onto the spaceship, leaving the Empire.

...

The clouds seemed to gather and swirl, and from above, the mountains and rivers of the Empire passed beneath her.

Mountains and hills, ravines and plains, the varied vegetation changing with latitude, presenting a beautiful and majestic diversity.

New Atlantis is situated in the Northern Territory of the Night Glow Empire, where the temperature tends toward coolness; according to Jia Lan, you can even see snow-capped mountains at the edge of the sea area.

Further north lies the Eternal Winter Empire, positioned in the polar regions of the Arctic.

The national power of the Night Glow Empire isn’t particularly strong, but its geographical position is excellent.

The Northern Territory has New Atlantis, defending against the powerful Eternal Winter Empire.

The southern border has the Forgotten Sea and the Acid Fog Swamp, isolating it from the dominant Yiyuan Empire.

The expansion of the polluted areas at the borders is also slow, making it a truly blessed land.

Shen Tang slowly yawned, feeling drowsy, and tilted her head to rest on Jia Lan’s shoulder.

Jia Lan’s body stiffened but didn’t move, letting her lean gently against him.

After an unknown amount of time, Jia Lan heard her gentle breathing and looked down to find her asleep with her eyes closed.

Jia Lan’s Adam’s apple rolled slightly; he gently cradled her in his arms to carry her to the room to rest.

Jia Lan helped tuck her in and stood by the bed, gazing at her pretty and delicate sleeping face with her healthy white skin, butterfly-like curled lashes, and alluring rosy lips, which made his face flush and heart race.

Jia Lan couldn’t help feeling stirred, and he gently kissed her on the lips.

Then, he quickly returned to his room, grabbed a stack of blankets, and came back to sleep in her room.

Jia Lan slept soundly that night.

From childhood to adulthood, he seldom sleeps well, but every time he’s with her, he sleeps particularly deeply...

[Beep! Congratulations to the host, Jia Lan’s affinity +4, current affinity [like 99]! Please keep up the good work!]

Shen Tang was woken up by the system prompt.

As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw the young man’s mesmerizing and handsome face up close, holding her breath.

Looking down, her face flushed and her heart raced.

This dog-man had taken off his clothes, only wearing a silk robe, not properly dressed... barely different from not wearing anything.

Jia Lan’s arm was loosely wrapped around her waist, his head nestled near her shoulder, with his brown hair lightly brushing her neck, tickling her.

Shen Tang felt both amused and annoyed; she suddenly felt like this noble Mermaid Prince, after falling for her, had become a different person.

Cold and sarcastic before, dismissive of everyone.

Now, he’s like a clingy little puppy, snuggling up to her whenever there’s a chance.

But his affinity is also stuck at 99, and she doesn’t know how to upgrade it to deeply in love.

Shen Tang, as a working person, found it quite troubling.

Time flew by.

Five days later, the spaceship crossed the national border and officially landed in the territory of Atlantis.