A Little Mermaid Keeps Clinging to Me on My Adventures

"Beyond the mountains, beyond the sea, there lives a group of little mermaids..."

A beautiful white-tailed mermaid swam ahead, followed by a line of colorful little mermaids. The white mermaid in front sang cheerfully.

"But... we're already in the sea..." One little mermaid listened for a while, then asked in confusion.

So the lyrics changed: "Beyond the mountains, beneath the sea, there lives a group of little mermaids. They're lively and clever, mischievous and bright, living freely in the great blue sea..."

The little mermaids began swishing their tails happily, their childish voices joining in.

"Oh, adorable little mermaids, oh, adorable little mermaids..."

At the very back swam a black-tailed mermaid, blending into the colors of the deep sea. His gaze was fixed squarely on the beautiful white-tailed mermaid ahead.

Wu Tan had wanted to die for a long time. So the moment he saw a child about to be hit by a car, he rushed forward without a second thought...

And then he became a fish on the ocean floor: a mermaid.

At long last, he turned eighteen. Wu Tan packed his things with eager anticipation and set off on an adventure.

On the first day, he found a little red-tailed mermaid who was as small as a kettle.

He, Wu Tan, had a little fish of his own now!

On the second day, he took in a black-tailed mermaid who looked frail but was rather handsome, and, most importantly, could make all sorts of pretty little things. Well, an adult fish.

All right, now he had two fish.

Then he set out on his adventure again. A thrilling adventure! Here I come!

Then one, two, three, four...

Before he knew it, a line of little fish had followed along behind him.

Wu Tan smiled: (￣︶￣)

PS: I made up all the different creatures in this story. I haven't decided yet how many little fish babies there'll be, but there'll definitely be a long line of them.

PPS: The love interest is not a good fish. At the beginning, he and the little fish babies can't stand each other.

Bonus Scene

One day after they got together, Wu Tan was too lazy to look after the kids again. His eyes darted around, and he sidled up to Mu Xi.

Mu Xi paused in his work and gave him a questioning look: ?

Wu Tan said, "We're partners, so you have to help raise the kids I take in. How about this: you take five days, I'll take two, and you get weekends off. Sound good?"

Mu Xi wondered when he hadn't been taking care of the kids.

Seeing this, Wu Tan kept talking nonsense. "We're partners. You should fulfill your duties. I'm the kids' dad, so you're their mom. You're responsible for..."

"All right," Mu Xi said.

The next day, Wu Tan did nothing but lounge around. It didn't occur to him that this was no different from any other day. He happily enjoyed the "results."

That night.

Mu Xi pulled Wu Tan into a giant clamshell. The luminous pearl gave off a faint glow, dimly illuminating Wu Tan's moist eyes and flushed face. A large hand, its knuckles sharply defined, reached up to grip his neck, its fingertips pressing from his jaw to his lips.

His plump, rosy lips could only manage a few broken words: "You... promised... today... was my day off... Mmm... liar..."

A moist, cool sensation brushed his burning cheek, followed by a low, restrained voice. "I'm fulfilling my duties as your partner."

"I did a lot today, too. Want me to tell you about it? I know you want to hear. You should reward me and treat me better. You like me best, right?"

It was another busy night.

[Coming Soon 1: Saving the Villain's Little Ones]

Do you still have to find a job after you die?

Liu Wang could answer that: yes.

"Conquest Team, Conquest Team! Want to experience a once-in-a-lifetime romance? Or a heart-wrenching love story? Pick your route!"

"Anyone here like feel-good stories?! The Comeback Team welcomes you! Get a golden finger as soon as you enter a mini-world! First come, first served! The first five recruits get special perks!"

A job that talks up its benefits but never discusses pay is probably a scam.

"The Rescue Team offers excellent benefits and clear terms, plus adorable little ones to warm your heart~"

"Handpicked by Liu Wang! Come join us and help give a life gone wrong a second chance!"

Liu Wang: ... (raises hand) Can I change my mind?

World One: The Beta Villain Son of a Scummy Omega and a Pathetic Alpha

An omega dad who never comes home, an alpha dad who grovels for love, and him, a ratlike boy who spies on other people's happiness from the shadows.

Liu Ayun, a little villain, eventually died by suicide on the day of his college entrance exams.

The sensitive child had yet to learn how to grow up alone. He was the only one who knew what he regretted before he died.

Liu Wang looked at his mission target, who was currently nothing but a little ball...

This was the villain from the original story.

The tiny child blinked and looked up. "Daddy..." From that day on, his father was different.

Liu Ayun had a happy home. He knew he would grow up to be an adult just like his dad.

World Two: A Child Star's Timid Parent, Who Also Works as His Agent

The child star grew up a lot, but never learned to speak. Everyone spoke for him and made decisions for him, too.

Then, the day before the car accident, he did something brave for the first and only time: he exposed the wrongdoing he'd witnessed during a livestream.

As he lay dying, still conscious, was he glad he'd done it the day before?

Did he regret not saying more?

It was the first time Liu Wang had met a child so clingy. He looked down. "Get down."

The child met his eyes for a moment, then ducked his head in a flash, pressing his face and body even closer. His actions made his answer clear: No!

The fans who watched Liu Xu grow up were certain his future would be bright and warm.

World Three: A Delinquent Adopted by a Teacher at an Elite School

Being abandoned in a trash can and secretly raised didn't make it shameful for him to become a delinquent. Becoming the boss made it a story he loved to brag about.

Until blood flowed all around him and the figures who'd quietly disappeared... It was the boss's failure.

Turns out that no matter how much of a boss you are, you're still just a delinquent. One death or a whole bunch, it makes no difference.

He only regretted that in the end, he never got his revenge.

Liu Wang used to think that kids just needed a little more guidance.

"Turns out some kids really do need discipline. Otherwise, their ears might as well be decorations."

The child yelped as Liu Wang tugged his ear. As soon as Liu Wang let go, it wasn't even red. His acting was excellent.

When Liu Wang ignored him, the child came back like a little puppy, swinging his hand and whining, "Daddy..."

Liu Yanjiang loved telling people around him how great his dad was. He was especially generous, sweeping his hand grandly and declaring, "My dad is your dad, too!"

World Four: A Family Variety Show

World Five: Beastfolk

World Six: Xianxia...]

Theme: Stay strong and steady wherever you are, and keep hope in your heart.