"I'm leaving Sea God Island," Su Bai said to Zi Zhenzhu after their time together.
Zi Zhenzhu, though expecting it, still felt a pang of sadness at his blunt words.
"When will you come back?" Zi Zhenzhu asked, hugging Su Bai from behind.
Feeling Su Bai's warmth, she felt even more reluctant to let him go.
Su Bai sighed, "It might be a long time before I return."
He had to handle the matters of the eighth test involving the empire once he got back, leaving him little time to revisit Sea God Island.
"Oh…" Zi Zhenzhu's disappointment was visible.
Her grip tightened, "Su Bai, can you take me with you?"
Su Bai fell silent.
As the ruler of Pearl Island, Zi Zhenzhu leaving would mean abandoning her people. Su Bai couldn't be that selfish.
Seeing Su Bai's silence, Zi Zhenzhu felt even more despondent.
"Su Bai…" she whispered.
"Look," Su Bai said, taking out a protective charm, "if you miss me a lot, you can activate this charm. I'll sense it and come see you."
Zi Zhenzhu took the charm from Su Bai and held it tightly.
"Alright…"
She knew she couldn't be so selfish. This was the most reasonable solution.
"Okay, it's getting late. Let's go out," Su Bai said, picking up his clothes.
Zi Zhenzhu quickly stood up and took Su Bai's clothes from him, "Let me help you dress today, Su Bai."
Su Bai nodded and opened his arms, allowing her to dress him.
After they were dressed, Su Bai and Zi Zhenzhu left the room together.
"Prepare a grand feast," Zi Zhenzhu instructed a servant who passed by.
The servant nodded and hurried off to execute the order.
Su Bai was taken aback, "There's no need for all that. We can just eat something simple."
Zi Zhenzhu shook her head, "We can't let you and your sisters leave after just a simple meal. You won't have this kind of seafood for a long time."
Su Bai saw her point. It was still early, so he didn't worry about the time.
When they reached the banquet hall, the other girls were already gathered.
"Mm, what a nice smell," Ning Rongrong said, sniffing around Su Bai. "Smells like the ocean."
"Get lost, you little bloodhound," Su Bai playfully pinched her nose.
Ning Rongrong folded her arms, "You didn't come to find me last night. I had to see what you were up to."
Then she turned to Zi Zhenzhu and linked arms with her, "Thank you for taking care of Su Bai, Zi Zhenzhu."
Zi Zhenzhu blushed, looking at Ning Rongrong, Bai Chenxiang, Zhu Zhuqing, and even Su Renxue.
She didn't expect Su Bai's women to be so united and friendly, which touched her deeply.
She let go of Su Bai's hand and allowed Ning Rongrong to pull her into the group of girls.
The women started chatting and laughing together.
Su Bai watched them fondly from a distance.
"Su Bai, how long do you plan to be gone this time?" Xiao Bai, now in human form, sat down beside him.
Su Bai took a sip of tea and let his eyes wander over Xiao Bai's beautiful form.
Xiao Bai was stunning.
If he weren't in a hurry to leave, Su Bai might have tried to win her over.
Xiao Bai, feeling Su Bai's gaze, blushed and tried to cover herself.
"I don't know, it might be a long time," Su Bai replied, tearing his gaze away.
"A long time?" Xiao Bai said, "Not coming back and can't come back are two different things."
"Do you want me to come back or not come back?" Su Bai asked with a smile.
Xiao Bai got up and walked away, "You're teasing me again."
Su Bai chuckled without saying anything more.
Soon, the food was brought out.
Su Bai's eyes widened. The food was even more exquisite than the welcome feast the previous night.
"Wow! So much delicious food!" Su Renxue exclaimed.
Zi Zhenzhu had indeed lived up to her role as the island's ruler.
The luxurious meal surprised even Su Bai, who was used to high-quality food.
After the feast, everyone was stuffed.
"Hic… so full," Su Renxue said, hiccuping.
"Girls should have better manners," Su Bai said with a smile.
Su Renxue made a face at him, "I don't want to."
As Su Bai's daughter, she had the privilege to say that.
Still, Su Bai's ingrained beliefs from his previous life made him prefer better manners.
"Alright, it's getting late. Let's go," Su Bai said, looking at the time and addressing Xiao Bai.
Xiao Bai, feeling full, reluctantly nodded and headed to the shore.
The other girls stretched and prepared to leave as well.
Zi Zhenzhu accompanied them to the beach, "Be sure to come back and visit."
Xiao Wu waved enthusiastically, "We will!"
Su Renxue, still thinking about the food, added, "Me too!"
Su Bai glanced at them, knowing they were eager to return for the food, but he didn't say anything.
...
On the mainland, Su Bai and the girls had safely landed.
Xiao Bai waved from the shore, "Call me if you want to visit Sea God Island again."
The girls took turns hugging Xiao Bai.
"Be good. We'll come to see you if we miss you," Hu Liena said, pinching Xiao Bai's cheek.
"Yes, just call, and I'll be there!" Xiao Bai replied, also feeling reluctant.
Finally, it was Su Bai's turn.
He opened his arms, waiting.
Xiao Wu gave Xiao Bai a gentle push, and Xiao Bai, gathering her courage, jumped into Su Bai's arms.
Blushing, this was her first time in a man's embrace.
"Be good, I'll come see you. Don't worry."
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