Otherworldly Companions: Every Handsome Man is Extraordinary

Jiang Yu sat on the balcony of her room, looking at a book. The book contained many folk remedies and prescriptions. The author was very interesting; each prescription was accompanied by a short story or legend, making it not only not boring but also very captivating.

Jiang Yu had been reading this book for a while. She turned the pages, with sweet juice and soft pastries beside her.

Fan Qingyin had work in the afternoon, so Jiang Yu wanted to wait for her to return so they could have dinner together. She had no other plans for the afternoon and was thoroughly enjoying this leisurely afternoon tea time.

She no longer sent anyone to the Bopodo Sea, but simply listened to the news brought back by her servants as usual: they hadn't found it, they still hadn't found it.

Many people said that after so many days, the person might already be dead. Even Lady Vanessa sent someone to say that the family search and rescue team would be withdrawn soon, and that the people sent out by the county and the manor should also return, and that there was no need to bother anymore.

But these were all tests. Jiang Yu knew that many things would eventually surface from the cold waters, and the people behind them would need to be confronted face-to-face to clarify things. Although she didn't want to ask, she had been waiting silently these past few days.

So it was somewhat expected. She had wondered countless times when and under what circumstances this matter would truly come to an end, and now, the person who was supposed to appear had finally appeared before her.

The salty smell of the sea wafted towards her, perhaps along with something else. Jiang Yu closed the book and looked up at the battered and exhausted boy in front of her.

It seemed like he had fought desperately; Lanny's body was covered in wounds of varying sizes, some of which had turned white from being soaked in seawater, while others looked like newly inflicted wounds that were still oozing blood.

Each wound seemed to tell a story of the suffering and pain the owner had endured, pain that was never necessary.

Lanny's dark hair clung wetly to his cheeks, revealing sharp and deep contours to his otherwise calm and handsome features. He pursed his lips, his eyes gleaming with undisguised light—a desperate plea and unwavering determination born of survival.

Jiang Yu sighed. How could she have ever thought that Lani and her boyfriend looked alike? They were completely dissimilar.

“Sit down, Lanny.” Jiang Yu put the book on the table, pointed to the chair opposite him, then touched the temperature of the teapot, poured a cup and pushed it onto the opposite table: “You look cold, have some hot water to warm yourself up.”

Lanny's heart sank the moment Jiang Yu opened his mouth. Before coming here, he had already calculated hundreds of scenarios and greetings for their meeting. Now, he was facing the worst one he could imagine.

He desperately hoped it was just his imagination, that all his reckless actions had resulted in this outcome.

His lips trembled as he forced a smile, trying to make himself appear less bitter: "I brought you a gift, so I came to see you as soon as I got back." After saying that, he seemed afraid of what the other person might say in response, and quickly searched his pockets.

“I had wrapped it up very well, but I encountered a bit of an accident on the way back, so I had to hide it. I hope you don’t mind.”

Jiang Yu watched quietly as the battered boy stood not far away, his body soaked with seawater and blood. Despite the immense pain he was enduring, he still smiled shyly and offered her an extremely beautiful colorful coral.

"Just as I predicted, although the waves are bigger and the underwater light is dark, there are indeed these colorful corals in the Bopodo Sea. Look at this one. Although it's not as big as my mother's, it's extremely rare to find corals with more than three colors on the same coral. Even the transparent corals in our county can't compare to it."

Lanny, like an innocent child, showed off the treasure he had found. He held up the colorful coral to the sunlight. Under the light, the coral's warm colors of red, orange, and yellow alternated and sparkled, making it look like flowing liquid crystal.

If all of this isn't a lie.

If all of this wasn't part of a purposeful plan.

Jiang Yu closed her eyes slightly. All this ill-fated relationship was because of her, and it was up to her to end it.

"Lanni, please sit down," Jiang Yu insisted. "You've come back from the forbidden sea with great difficulty, barely escaping with your life. Now, sit down and rest."

"Please accept this gift," Lanny insisted. He tried to ignore the words "sea ban" that Jiang Yu had mentioned earlier, and dared not take too much forward. He only moved two steps and stretched out his hand.

“I won’t accept it.” Jiang Yu looked directly into Lanny’s eyes. “This is an honor belonging to your family; you shouldn’t be giving it to me.” Seeing the extinguished light in his eyes, as if a flame had been extinguished, she continued.

“Although we all know you will appear before me, I wish you were home right now, instead of here. That would prove that all our suspicions are false accusations against you.”

Lanny felt a chill run down his spine, yet a strange sense of pride rose within him. The woman he loved was smarter than he had imagined, but this intelligence seemed to be taken for granted.

His body, which had been tense at the beginning, relaxed at this moment. He felt exhausted in an instant, and the sharp pain felt like sharp blades piercing his brain, making his ears ring and his vision blur.

But he smiled indifferently, knowing that things had come to this point and he had nothing to fear. Whether he moved forward or backward, a single step would lead to an abyss.

He might as well speak his mind freely and maintain his dignity, at least not act like a pitiful wretch who has gained nothing and evokes pity.

Lanny walked to the chair and sat down. The blood on his body quickly stained the chair cushion red, and the undried seawater made the area damp, just like the endless tears in his heart, yet he still had to maintain a smile on his face.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you. I never expected you to come back... When I heard the news of your accident, my heart was broken, but I was also happy because I knew you cared about me.”

"So it was my fault from the beginning." Jiang Yu lowered her eyes, inwardly condemning herself, but determined to make things clear.

“You should know that my marriage was not entirely up to me. My family and status determined my choice of husband based on his background and origin.”

Saying this might directly hurt Lanny's pride, but it will serve as a wake-up call and is the quickest and most effective way to do so.

“But you don’t care about family background, you’re not that kind of person…” Lanny felt his face burning, and he stiffly tried to explain, but Jiang Yu interrupted him.

“This has nothing to do with what kind of person I am. You were never in my consideration in the first place, so I didn’t expect you to have such thoughts, and I was unable to explain it to you clearly from the beginning.”

“You look a lot like an old friend of mine. He passed away very early, and my memory of him is somewhat hazy. Over the years, I have only been able to recall him through portraits, which is why I mistook you for him when I first saw you. That was my mistake. Later, I realized that you and he do not resemble each other at all, but I did not explain that to you, which was also my fault.”

Jiang Yu leaned forward slightly. "Later, I regarded you as a partner and friend, and my biggest mistake was not realizing your feelings for me."

"What does it matter?" Lanny chuckled self-deprecatingly. "You've done nothing wrong. I knew you'd reject me. I couldn't find any reason why you felt even a sliver of affection or interest in me, so it became my last resort in my daydreams. I was willing to give my life for that one in ten thousand chance, enduring everyone's ridicule and abuse. So why do you feel guilty? In the end, I still let you know my hidden, humble feelings. Don't you find me disgusting?"

Jiang Yu looked at Lanny sitting opposite her. He seemed about to faint at any moment, but he still pretended to be nonchalant and said such a long sentence. She felt a pang of pity for him because she knew that this young man had risked his life to come back, endured the excruciating pain of bleeding from his body, and now had to face the despair of his broken love. The only thing that could keep him from collapsing was his pride and self-respect.

So she said earnestly, “Everyone’s feelings are precious and without guilt, and you are no exception. It is my honor to be liked by someone as outstanding as you. If you liked anyone else, they would be honored. I’m not disgusted, but I feel sorry for you.”

"If you could tell me your feelings directly, perhaps I could offer you some advice as a friend, saying that things shouldn't have come to this."

Lanny tried hard to see the expression on Qingjiang Yu's face, "Saying it like that would be tantamount to having no hope. You are not someone of my status who can love you."

“Then you shouldn’t have made this worst move.” Jiang Yu couldn’t bear it any longer and picked up the shawl next to her and handed it to Lanny, but Lanny didn’t reach out to take it. “You shouldn’t have taken your own life so lightly and schemed against everyone else.”

“At least I know you went, and that’s enough.” A slight smile appeared on Lanny’s face. “When did you find out about all this?”

It couldn't have been Fan Qingyin who told her. The divine messenger regarded him as a maggot and completely disdained him. As for Lin Yi, that martial artist was not even as good as Fan Qingyin, except for sending people to hunt him down and try to kill him.

“After I woke up, Qingyin didn’t tell me anything, but he forbade the Wilman family from entering the manor. Instead, he met with the Jeff family several times. He knew how worried I was about your whereabouts, yet he still took such measures…” Jiang Yu paused, “Then I met with Lady Vanessa.”

"You're so smart, your mother must have said something wrong."

"No, she was very careful with her words, but she used to be so proud of you. I thought her eagerness was for you, but she came for the family. It was as if... as if she was prepared to sacrifice you, but there was no sorrow in her tone."

“So you were certain I would come back, and Mother knew my plans.” Lanny’s eyes brightened again.

“We’ve sent so many people, and they should have searched the entire Popodo Sea by now. Why haven’t we been able to find you? Besides the forbidden sea in Morinbia that you mentioned to me, you happened to be in the Popodo Sea right next to the forbidden sea. There are so many skilled pearl divers in the county. If all of this was really your scheme, how can you be so sure you won’t be found? I can’t imagine where else you could hide besides the forbidden sea.”

“Yes, that’s right. This coral, this coral is from the Forbidden Sea… I’ve been to the Popodo Sea before. How could such beautiful coral grow in such a dark seabed? Only the Forbidden Sea, with its clear skies and gentle breezes, could produce such a quality…” Lanny murmured, “Even if I had the courage to go to the Forbidden Sea, could I still not achieve what I desire?”

“If only everything in this world could be exchanged fairly, but unfortunately, feelings are the least likely to be,” Jiang Yu sighed. “I will send someone to take you home. You must rest well. Please rest assured, I will handle the aftermath. No one will bother you or your family again.”

Qingyin promised not to interfere, but Lin Yi will definitely send someone to handle this matter once he learns of it. Presumably, his methods will not be gentle, and Lanni's hideous wounds cannot all be attributed to Dahai.

"Will I ever have the chance to see you again?" Lanny had given up hope. He was alive, but he felt as if he had already been buried at the bottom of the forbidden sea. All his dreams and hopes had been shattered. He had lost miserably.

“I will meet with Lady Vanessa. You are strong and capable enough, and you have withstood the storms of the most dangerous seas. It is time for you to take over the Wilman family completely. As the head of the family, you must have very heavy affairs to handle. It is not suitable for you to go out to sea to dive for pearls alone anymore, nor is it suitable for you to come here frequently. Of course, we will meet when necessary as the head of the family, but I think you understand what I mean. Under normal circumstances, you can send other people to the manor to handle matters.”

This provided a reason and excuse for his disappearance. What appeared to be a reckless adventure turned into a test before he could take over as head of the family. This arrangement also severed all possibilities between them.

"You're practically trying to break my heart." Lanny felt his vision blurring, unsure whether it was dizziness from exhaustion or the involuntary flow of tears.

He suddenly remembered the last time he met Fan Qingyin, when the other party, having seen through his intentions, revealed a faint disdain. How could he have thought at the time that the other party was being soft-hearted because she couldn't let go of her status and was too lazy to take action? She clearly wanted to arrogantly watch him step by step walk towards failure, until he was battered and bruised.

"You've always been steady and resilient. I hope we can still be friends when we meet again." Jiang Yu felt she had said enough. Lanny was a smart man; besides emotions, he also possessed reason and the responsibility of being the heir to the Wilman family.

“Please let me go out on my own.” Lanny stood up with difficulty, insisting, “I have gone through so much to get here and stand before you. Even if I fail, I will go back on my own.”

Jiang Yu remained silent. She wanted to respect Lanny's request because it was the dignity he had tried to maintain until the very end. Unfortunately, Lanny only managed to take a few steps before he collapsed, feeling dizzy and unsteady.

Jiang Yu quickly stepped forward to help the man up. Soon, servants came forward to arrange a carriage as instructed by Jiang Yu and carried away the unconscious Lanni. Jiang Yu sat down again, looking at the bloodstains on his hands and sleeves from helping Lanni.

Their conversation lasted quite a while, as Fan Qingyin emerged from behind the curtains and overheard much of it. He walked over to Jiang Yu, knelt down in front of her, and looked somewhat worried.

Jiang Yu gently clasped her blood-stained hands together, her voice tinged with sadness: "Even with my best efforts to make amends, the mistakes I made have caused this much harm. I've only lost one friend, but for everyone else..."

Fan Qingyin carefully and gently wiped Jiang Yu's hands with a clean handkerchief. When she saw the bloodstains belonging to Lanny that she had wiped off the handkerchief, her eyes flashed with contempt and disdain. The thought of such disgusting things staining Jiang Yu's hands made her feel extremely disgusted.

However, Jiang Yu was completely unaware of any of this. She only heard the person who was half-squatting in front of her gently comfort her, "Lanni will be a good head of the family."