After speaking, Jia Lan took Shen Tang and gracefully leaped into the river.
The rushing, icy river water surged over them instantly. Shen Tang was so nervous, she instinctively wrapped her arms tightly around Jia Lan’s waist, pressing her head against his chest, fearful of inadvertently slipping off.
Jia Lan’s body stiffened momentarily, then he wrapped his arm around her waist and swam downstream along the rapid currents.
Even in human form, the Mermaid was incredibly fast in the water, far beyond what an ordinary Beastman could achieve.
In just half an hour, they had covered nearly a hundred kilometers.
Shen Tang, being terrified of water, couldn’t muster the courage to open her eyes, clinging desperately to Jia Lan instead.
Who knew how much time had passed.
Shen Tang began to hear the sound of waves, the cries of seabirds, and caught the scent of the sea breeze.
The young man’s voice, mellifluous and pleasing, seemed even clearer through the ocean’s embrace,
"We’ve arrived."
Shen Tang opened her eyes and realized they had reached the beach.
The sky was clear and cloudless, the azure sky and the sea almost merging as one. The platinum-colored beach was scattered with shells and stones, and the air was fresh and pleasant, making one feel delighted.
It was rare to encounter such pristine sea areas in modern times.
This vast and open seashore had only the two of them, making it a perfect vacation spot.
Jia Lan released Shen Tang.
Both of their clothes were drenched.
His white shirt clung tightly to his body, outlining his broad shoulders and the smooth lines of his back. The muscle definition was clear—not overly muscular, but all the necessary elements were there.
Shen Tang was completely entranced watching him.
The young man suddenly raised his hand, unbuttoning and removing his shirt.
Shen Tang’s eyes widened, her face flushed, and her heart raced.
No way, is it starting already?
This direct?
She hadn’t even finished her flirtatious teasing yet.
Noticing Shen Tang’s intense gaze, Jia Lan’s lips curled slightly, and he said disdainfully, "Turn around."
"I’m just taking a look; it’s not like you’ll lose a chunk of flesh," Shen Tang muttered, then mumbled, "Compared to Xiao Jin and the others, your body..."
Jia Lan’s forehead veins twitched slightly, fearing she would say something infuriating again. He covered her mouth with his hand, his voice carrying a hint of gritting teeth, "Dare to praise other males in front of me? If you say one more word, I’ll..."
Shen Tang blinked, looking at him curiously, "You’ll what?"
Jia Lan’s gaze settled heavily on her face, lowering his eyes as his gaze drifted downwards, his breath suddenly unsteady.
Shen Tang’s clothes were soaked through, revealing her alluring curves. Today she wore light-colored clothing, her skin faintly visible beneath.
This visually intense impact almost sent Jia Lan’s blood boiling.
And yet, she feigned innocence as she looked at him, a blend of purity and allure that made him nearly lose control.
Jia Lan’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he said fiercely,
"Anger me again... and you’ll be crying!"
Shen Tang raised an eyebrow, what, does this rogue man want to fight her?
Jia Lan let go of Shen Tang, unwilling to bicker further, and walked to the water’s edge, taking off his shirt.
Jia Lan’s physique was excellent, the kind that young women would adore—slenderly muscled and far more captivating than any suggestive male influencer in short videos.
Especially his tight, lean waist and hips, hiding a hint of explosive power!
He was undoubtedly tireless, with great endurance.
Jia Lan raised an eyebrow at her, "Want to play in the water, why didn’t you call me? I thought you, being a landlubber, wouldn’t dare venture into the ocean."
Shen Tang, "I just wanted to give it a try!"
"Want to try? Haha, what’s there to try in shallow waters, let me take you to the deep sea to play." Saying this, Jia Lan began swimming towards the deeper waters, taking her with him.
Shen Tang immediately clung nervously to his waist, wishing to shrink into his embrace.
Feeling her movements, Jia Lan’s lips curbed into a slight smile.
Shen Tang noticed Jia Lan was swimming even faster this time, something soft and silky repeatedly brushing against her calves, tickling her.
At first, Shen Tang thought it was seaweed, but when she opened her eyes to look down, she realized Jia Lan had already transformed into his Mermaid form. Blue-tinted scales shimmered down his waist, transitioning into a long, strong deep blue tail.
The tail fins, like layers of fluttering gauze, floated in the water, occasionally brushing against her legs.
Shen Tang had seen Jia Lan’s Mermaid form before, but it never failed to leave her speechless with its beauty.
She had flipped through books about the Mermaid species, filled with many illustrated photos, but ordinary Mermaids’ tails were nowhere near as beautiful or fantastical. They were just ordinary fish tails, dull gray in color, some even dotted or lined with marks, quite unsightly.
Jia Lan’s beauty was undoubtedly one of a kind.
No wonder the original owner had named him specifically.
When they arrived that afternoon, dusk was already approaching, and by the time they reached the deep-sea area, night had fallen.
The deep blue sky gleamed with a sprinkle of starlight, a bright crescent moon peeking through the clouds, casting shimmering light over the water.
The two of them moved through the moonlight to the surface of the deep sea, the scene from above was as beautiful as a painting.
Shen Tang, rising and falling with the rolling waves, shivered, exhaling a chill, "So cold!"
The sea was chilly enough during the day, but once night fell, dropping temperatures turned the sea freezing cold.
Jia Lan looked down at her, his voice tinged with huskiness, "...It won’t be cold soon."
Saying this, he held her closer, his usually cool Mermaid body now blazing like a furnace, warming her gradually.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Help The Villainess Trapped in the Beast World's Drama (by Lotus Seeds)