The Abyss World, the Kemono Girl Encyclopedia Project!

Rumors of impending war hadn't completely dissipated yet, and those attending the meeting were required to keep it a secret. However, after careful consideration, Angelina decided that Wang Yan also needed to know the news, so she simply told him.

Although it's unclear when it will be fully implemented, this matter has been decided. Since we don't know when it will happen, it's always good to be prepared in advance.

They discussed it briefly, without going into further details. It was almost evening, and Angelina glanced out the window before saying:

"It's getting late, Mr. Wang Yan. How about we go have lunch?"

Since there was nothing left to talk about, Wang Yan nodded and accepted Angelina's invitation.

"That's exactly what I was thinking. Let's go then."

Angelina smiled. Before that, she and Wang Yan first went to find the butler Sam and learned that Zizi was chatting with Nittia in the living room, so they went there first.

The spacious reception room featured four genuine leather sofas, an oak square table in the center, and unidentified landscape paintings on the walls. The room was decorated in a luxurious style and was reserved for entertaining the city lord's mansion, some distinguished guests, and delegations.

Upon seeing Wang Yan arrive, Zhizhi waved happily at him and rushed over to hug his waist.

"Wang Yan! Miss Nittia is so nice! She just gave me some sweet chocolate!"

Wang Yan smiled and patted her head, saying:

"Didn't you say thank you?"

Nitia slowly stood up, a smile on her face:

"Miss Zizi is so cute. It just so happens that a customer gave me some novel gadgets before, and I thought Miss Zizi would like them, so I took them out and shared them with her."

Angelina then spoke up:

"Sam just told me that the food is almost ready. Mr. Wang Yan, Ms. Zizi, why don't we go over there first and continue our conversation at the restaurant?"

Wang Yan nodded, and Zhizhi also let out a happy exclamation:

"Yay!"

The group exchanged smiles and then proceeded to the restaurant.

As the group sat down around the long table, Angelina took the main seat, with Wang Yan and Zizi on one side and Nytia opposite them. However, Finn was missing, which puzzled Wang Yan. He asked Angelina about Finn's schedule and learned that Finn had temporarily left Anju City and was expected to return at the end of the year.

"You were gone for so long? What were you doing?"

"The child said he wanted to help his family with some of the burdens. Because he was too playful in his younger years and his family didn't take care of him much, he hadn't really learned anything. This time, he volunteered to go to the Iron Mountain Kingdom alone, hoping to learn some systematic knowledge there."

Wang Yan nodded slightly. Finn had indeed become much more reliable; he had gone to tutor the mouse.

As they were talking, the maids lined up and brought out plate after plate of appetizers and aperitifs. Zizi had never seen anything like this before, and her eyes lit up as she stuffed the food into her mouth.

"So delicious!"

Wang Yan smiled awkwardly. Couldn't this girl eat in a more elegant way?

Seeing Zizi's satisfied expression, Angelina was also in a great mood. Who wouldn't like a cute little foodie?

"Eat slowly, child, there's still the main course to come."

Nittia chuckled and said:

"Springtime is the time when the gem shrimp are at their fattest and most tender. The City Lord's Mansion has also purchased a batch in the past few days. You two have come at the perfect time. Miss Zizi will definitely like it later."

Upon hearing Nittia's introduction, Zizi's eyes lit up. No sooner had she finished speaking than the main course was brought out by the maids. As the cover was slowly removed, a wisp of steam revealed a giant gem shrimp as thick as a forearm.

Even Wang Yan was taken aback when he saw this enormous creature. The jewel shrimp had its shell removed, revealing the shrimp meat drizzled with sauce. Indeed, as its name described, the meat had a ruby-like texture. It didn't look like shrimp meat; it looked more like a work of art.

Moreover, the size of the shrimp meat is quite noticeable. Small lobsters are fine, and you can often enjoy them in the summer, but the larger varieties are considered high-end ingredients that most people can't afford.

Wang Yan had never eaten it before, but that didn't affect his judgment, because even the biggest lobster probably wouldn't have meat as big as a pork knuckle.

It has to be said that this is another world, which truly broadened Wang Yan's horizons.

Zizi was completely engrossed in her meal. The little foodie didn't know anything about whether the food was good or bad; all she knew was that it tasted delicious, and that was enough for her.

Nittia smiled faintly:

"Anju City is a port city, and many fishing boats gather here. Even the city lord's mansion has its own fishing boats. When Mr. Wang Yan leaves later, shall I send Butler Sam to deliver some to the mansion?"

"No need for that, it's too much trouble. I appreciate Miss Nittia's kindness."

At that moment, Angelina suddenly said:

"Oh, Mr. Wang Yan, it's just a few boxes of food, it won't take up much space. Besides, my daughter told me about you before, how can we become family if we don't put in some effort?"

Nittia blushed when her mother pointed it out. She stomped her foot angrily.

"Mother!"

Wang Yan awkwardly tugged at the corner of her mouth. For some reason, she subconsciously glanced at the person next to her. However, Zhizhi's expression was normal, and there was nothing unusual about her. She was still showing off her food, as if nothing had anything to do with her.

"That matter..."

This refers to what Nittiya had mentioned to him last time—her desire to pursue Wang Yan. Wang Yan calmly pondered for a moment before replying:

"Well... actually, my suggestion is that Miss Nittia consider some other options, which is also the result of my careful consideration."

"After all, Miss Nittia, you know my background as someone from the lower class, and the specific circumstances of my family... so I really don't recommend that you focus too much attention on me..."

Upon hearing Wang Yan's words, Nittia's eyes dimmed slightly for a moment, which was essentially a veiled rejection.

"Yes, Mr. Wang Yan is right. Nittia will consider it carefully."

Now Angelina was speechless; it seemed her beloved daughter had suffered a setback in her love life...

She quickly smoothed things over, clapping her hands with a smile and saying:

"It's alright. Even if Mr. Wang Yan doesn't stay with my daughter, our relationship is still there, and we're no different from family."

"Sam, check if the soup is ready. If the kitchen is, tell them to bring it up."

"Understood, Madam."

Later, perhaps because Wang Yan was a little too blunt, the group spoke less, but the atmosphere didn't become awkward. After a simple dinner, Wang Yan, along with Zhizhi, said goodbye to Angelina and left.

The distance between the city lord's mansion and Wang Yan's residence was not far. Wang Yan did not ride in the carriage prepared by Butler Sam with Zhizhi. Instead, he thought he and Zhizhi would take a walk on the street to digest their food.

Wang Yan naturally took Zhizhi's hand. When Zhizhi came out of the city lord's mansion, she seemed a little depressed, with her head down, seemingly lost in thought.

"What's wrong? Aren't you full?"

Wang Yan teased Zhizhi, but Zhizhi ignored him and continued to keep his head down, which caught Wang Yan's attention.

It was rare to see Zizi so sullen; after a moment's thought, Wang Yan understood why she was so unhappy.

"Is something bothering you, Squeaky? Tell me about it?"

When Wang Yan asked this question, Zhizhi was initially reluctant to answer, but in the end she sighed and said softly:

"I feel so useless... Miss Nittia is so wonderful, beautiful and incredibly gentle. If she could become Wang Yan's woman, she could surely provide him with so much help, just like Sister Zhuohua, right?"

"Much better than me..."

The last sentence was meant for Zizi to hear. However, Zizi's words made Wang Yan very concerned.

He straightened up slightly and said to Zhizhi:

"You're not like her, Squeak. Listen carefully, even if there were a hundred or a thousand Nitias combined, they wouldn't be as important as you, Squeak."

"Didn't I say that Zhizhi is my most important family member? When I first came here, it was Zhizhi and you guys who were with me. Back then, our family slept in caves and ate wild vegetables together. During the hardest times, it was Zhizhi by my side, not Nitiya."

"But...but..."

Zhizhi felt like crying. She didn't have Sister Zhuohua to help Wang Yan with family matters, nor did she have Sister Youli's perfect figure. She couldn't compare to her sisters in any way. How could she tell Wang Yan what was on her mind?

"There's no 'but' about it. There's no need for you to feel inferior, Zizhi. You're actually much more outstanding than you think."

Zhizhi didn't say anything more, but she still felt a little down.

[Squeak, actually, the earlier simplified methods are all auxiliary techniques.]

[Yes, meow. The most important thing is to just say it directly if you really want to be with Wang Yan!]

Actually, you hold a significant place in Wang Yan's heart, but you haven't realized it yourself. If you truly like him, then just tell him directly.

The words her sisters had repeatedly told her before she left echoed in her mind. Zizi suddenly felt a little deflated, but also a sense of resignation.

She just wanted to be with Wang Yan openly and honestly, and like her sisters, to be Wang Yan's woman.

I just can't get over that hurdle in my heart.

She took a deep breath, and a different kind of light appeared in her chestnut-red eyes. After looking around, without saying a word, Zhizhi found a relatively secluded alley and pulled Wang Yan inside.

Wang Yan was still completely confused. She loosened her grip and stood in front of Wang Yan, constantly adjusting her breathing and mentally encouraging herself.

Squeak, keep it up, you're the best!

As long as you say it, regardless of whether Wang Yan agrees or not, at least you've tried.

The sisters taught me one last trick: confess directly and express your feelings!

"Wang Yan, I, I—"

Zhizhi clenched her little fists in front of her chest, her face as red as a ripe apple. Her face was flushed, her breathing was rapid, and the words were on the tip of her tongue, but she couldn't say them.

"I...I..."

Wang Yan's lips curled up slightly. He understood what this silly girl meant and what she wanted to do by bringing him here.

He didn't speak, but bent down slightly, raised his hand, put one arm around Zhizhi's slender waist, and gave her a gentle kiss on her moist lips.

The girl's chestnut-red eyes were filled with disbelief as she stared at the face so close to hers, her little head somewhat dazed.

Who am I? Where am I? Why... is Wang Yan kissing me?

"Ugh—"

The kiss lasted neither too long nor too short; that was Wang Yan's response.

"You...I..."

"What?"

Wang Yan smiled gently, looking at Zhizhi's flushed face, her heart softening.

"Is Zizi trying to say that she likes me and wants to confess her feelings?"

Squeak opened her mouth as if to say something, but no sound came out. In the end, she could only turn her head away, lower her head, and nod almost imperceptibly.

Wang Yan raised his hand and flicked Zhizhi's forehead hard, causing Zhizhi to cry out in pain and clutch her forehead.

"Ouch!"

"Squeaky's such a silly little thing, has she been thinking about this all day?"

"Um......"

"But we've been together for a long time. Zizi has such a bad memory, do you want me to help you remember?"

"ah???"

Zizi looked puzzled, with a hint of shock.

She's been with Wang Yan for a long time, how come I didn't know?

"Have you forgotten? A while ago, when you were diagnosed with bipolar disorder, you thought your life was about to end, and you suddenly said some cheesy things to me. Have you forgotten all that?"

Zizi tried hard to recall her memories, but she really couldn't remember such a thing happening.

"Hmm...did I really say something really cheesy?"

"I told you, I thought Zhizhi had already considered our relationship as lovers. Sigh, it seems I was overthinking it."

Wang Yan feigned a dejected expression, and Zhizhi, seeing this, became anxious and quickly stepped forward, waving her hands repeatedly in explanation:

"No, I didn't! I just don't remember what I said back then, but, but I really, really like you!"

Wang Yan grabbed Zhizhi's hand and hugged her.

I like you too.

Wang Yan smiled, but when Zhizhi finally realized what was happening, tears welled up uncontrollably.

"How could you be so mean... Waaah..."

"Okay, my little girlfriend, stop crying. Your eyes will get swollen if you cry too much."

"Waaaaah... You're so mean!"

"As compensation, how about I kiss you again?"

"Waaah....Okay....Okay..."

"mua~"