Invincible Dad-Chapter 716 I am the Sea Turtle_1

While Xu Lai was on a killing spree in the Immortal Domain, back on Earth, things were quiet in Hua Country's East Sea City at Haitang Court.

Her melodramatic younger sister, Ruan Lan, sat on the floor hugging the Formation Chessboard. Her brows were furrowed as she pondered the complexities of formations, sometimes looking delighted, other times shaking her head.

Ruan Tang sat on the living room sofa, staring at the bright sunshine outside the huge floor-to-ceiling window in the backyard, her gaze distant.

"Uh, President Ruan." The secretary watched the two sisters, who were so lost in their own worlds they had completely forgotten she was there. She carefully spoke up, "President Ruan, this contract needs your signature. It can't be delayed any longer."

The secretary had no idea what was going on. For the past few days, the usually efficient Ruan Tang had been inexplicably dazed and distracted. For example, the contract on the desk should have been signed three days ago, but she kept forgetting about it. The partner company had been hounding the secretary, forcing her to drive all the way to her boss's home on a weekend afternoon. And yet, President Ruan was still out of it!

"Ah?"

Ruan Tang snapped back to her senses. She offered an apologetic smile, then swiftly scribbled her name on the document.

The secretary glanced at the signature. The handwriting was still elegant, but it somehow lacked its usual spirited energy.

She murmured softly, "President Ruan, have you had a fight with your husband? You've seemed so distracted these past few days."

"I wish it were just a fight," Ruan Tang replied wistfully.

Three days ago, while she was out singing with her best friends Luo Chu and Xu Yaoyao, Xu Lai had said goodbye. He promised he'd be back soon.

And the result? It had been three days! What's more, Yiyi and Qian Xiao had disappeared along with him. Even though Ruan Tang knew they were safe with Xu Lai, she couldn't suppress the worry deep in her heart.

"Hiss." The secretary suddenly drew a sharp breath. "Could it be... your husband is having an affair?" she asked, suddenly indignant. "I knew your husband wasn't a good person!"

"...He's not having an affair."

"That's what I thought," the secretary said, patting her chest reassuringly. "Your husband is the most outstanding man in the world! How could he possibly do anything to betray you, President Ruan?"

"Heh." Ruan Tang gave a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "You're getting better and better at switching sides."

"Cough." The secretary coughed, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her reddening ear. "Well, President Ruan, if there's nothing else, I'll be going. I need to hurry and deliver this contract."

"Tell me..." Ruan Tang suddenly began.

The secretary paused at the door. "Yes, President Ruan?"

"Never mind, it's nothing," Ruan Tang said, waving her hand.

After the secretary left, Ruan Tang lay down on the sofa. The warm sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling window, so comfortable that she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Meanwhile, Ruan Lan looked up. She went upstairs to get a small blanket and gently covered her sister with it. Then, grabbing the Formation Chessboard, she left the house.

「In a dream.」

Ruan Tang dreamt of Xu Lai. She was lying in a world of absolute darkness. In the distance, Xu Lai was walking away from her toward a speck of light, with Yiyi sitting on his shoulders. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Ruan Tang reached out, trying to grab him, but she couldn't catch him. She couldn't even make a sound. She could only watch helplessly as he disappeared.

"Xu Lai."

"Xu Lai."

"Xu Lai!"

Ruan Tang woke with a start. She was on the sofa, a small blanket still covering her.

"Phew, it was just a dream," Ruan Tang breathed an unexpected sigh of relief.

She was a bit confused. She didn't remember having a blanket when she fell asleep. Could it be... Xu Lai was back?

She looked around. There were indeed sounds coming from the kitchen. Just as she was about to call out joyfully, the person inside walked out.

It was Luo Chu.

"You were asleep for half an hour and must have called Xu Lai's name a hundred times. What on earth were you dreaming about?" Luo Chu asked with a teasing smile. She took a large bite of a freshly washed cucumber. "So crunchy."

Seeing it wasn't Xu Lai, Ruan Tang felt a pang of disappointment. She pouted, "When did you get here? Why didn't you wake me?"

"Just got here," Luo Chu said. "Where's that little brat of mine? Did your husband take him somewhere fun?"

"I don't know."

"Hmm." Luo Chu didn't press further. With Xu Lai's power, her son was certainly in no danger, which was fine by her. It meant she and Qian Song could have a couple of peaceful days to themselves.

"Come on, I made plans with Yaoyao to go shopping this afternoon."

"I'm not feeling well. You guys go ahead."

"Oh, come on." Luo Chu rolled her eyes dramatically. "Do you really think I'd come all the way out here on a hot day if I could be lounging at home with a book? Your sister suspects you have prenatal depression, so she asked me to come keep you company."

"..."

Ruan Tang was taken aback. It was only then that she realized. No wonder Ruan Lan had been skipping class these past few days and even insisted on squeezing into the same bed with her at night.

You can't let the people who love you worry.

Ruan Tang broke into a radiant smile. "Alright, let's go shopping and max out our credit cards."

"That's the spirit! Let's go!"

「Leaving the house.」

Ruan Lan wandered aimlessly along the beach. As the tide ebbed and flowed, she clenched her teeth and muttered, "Damn you, brother-in-law! If I find out you've abandoned my sister again, I'll seal you away for ten thousand years! No, a hundred thousand years! A million years!"

Ruan Lan grew angrier as she spoke. Spotting a green soccer ball on the sand, she couldn't resist kicking it to vent her frustration.

BANG!

It sounded like she had kicked a steel plate. Her pretty face twisted in pain. "Owww!!!"

"Damn it!" the green soccer ball cursed.

It was a young man wearing a pure green swim cap, his body buried in the sand. He sat up, clutching his head and glaring at Ruan Lan. "Why did you kick me!"

"...I'm so, so sorry! I wasn't looking and didn't see you at all," Ruan Lan said, bowing repeatedly. She added meekly, "I can take you to the hospital. I'll pay for everything—medical bills, lost wages, nutritional supplements, all of it."

"Just get away from me," the young man snapped.

"O-okay, right away."

Knowing she was in the wrong, Ruan Lan quickly scurried away. After taking a few steps, she looked back cautiously. "Are... are you sure you're okay? If you get a concussion, hydrocephalus, or a cerebral hemorrhage, or something, remember to find me at Haitang Court! I, Ruan Lan, am not someone who shirks responsibility!"

"I don't want to see you again!" the young man yelled, waving his hand impatiently.

He lifted his green swim cap to feel the top of his head. When he looked at his fingers, they were bleeding!

Is that girl a professional soccer player or something? My head is spinning from that kick... the young man grumbled to himself. He put the swim cap back on, reburied his body in the sand, and stared blankly at the sky. Beibei, where are you? The Demon King said you were here, but I can't find you. I miss you so much. I miss your white coat, and the smell of your shell...

BANG!

Another passerby kicked him.

Seeing the burly man hopping around and howling in pain while holding his foot, the young man sat up with a deadpan expression. "Friend, do I really look that much like a ball? First a woman kicks me, now a man."

"Hiss! Ah, sorry, man, my bad, my bad! It's just... I was just cheated on by my partner, and now the color green really pisses me off." The burly man suddenly burst into tears. "Is that what happened to you? Is that why you're wearing a green swim cap?"

"I'm a sea turtle. My head is naturally green. This isn't a swim cap," the young man said, frowning.

"Damn... I just got back from being overseas and found out... *sob*... But you've got it way worse! You're so 'green' that even your hair and skin changed color!"

"?"

The young man got up and walked away. This human is crazy. He's spouting nonsense, and I can't understand a single word he's saying.

"Taotie, look, look! Someone's crying over there," a clear, bright voice called out.