Chapter 20

The man froze, his lips quivering: "You liar, what nonsense are you spouting?!"

Translation: "The man stared, his lips trembling: 'You liar, what nonsense are you spouting?!'"

We need to keep punctuation? We'll translate naturally.

"What do you mean 'overfed to death'? This fish is obviously sick; I know it, you're in league with them, aren't you? You just want to dodge responsibility and not pay!"

Translation: "'What do you mean, overfed to death? This fish is clearly sick—I get it, you're in cahoots with them, right? You just want to shirk responsibility and not pay!'"

Before Ling Yue could say a word, the neighbors erupted in anger—they could insult them, but absolutely not insult Miss Ling.

Translation: "Before Ling Yue could speak, the neighbors were all furious—cursing them was fine, but cursing Miss Ling was absolutely out of the question!"

They rolled up their sleeves, glaring: "Still a liar—I spit! You couldn't fool anyone—take a look at yourself!"

Translation: "They rolled up their sleeves, glaring: 'Still a liar? I spit! You wouldn't even bother to wash your face and look in the mirror—what's there to scam about?'"

"Do you know who Miss Ling is? Do you know what she does? You just shoot off your mouth!"

Translation: "'Do you know who Miss Ling is? Do you know what she does? You just spout off!'"

Boss Wu felt even more insulted: "You bought fish from me for 1,200 yuan; I'm telling you now, I won't take a penny—it all goes to Miss Ling."

Translation: "Boss Wu felt even more insulted: 'You bought fish from me for twelve hundred dollars, and I'm telling you now—I won't take a cent of your money; it's all going to Miss Ling!'"

"Old Wu, be generous!"

Translation: "'Old Wu, impressive!'"

"Do you know how many people outside line up every day and still can't get a consultation with Miss Ling? You claim we're in cahoots, just based on your empty talk?"

Translation: "'Do you know how many people outside line up every day and still can't get a consultation from Miss Ling? You claim we're in cahoots, just based on your empty talk?'"

The man never expected a single sentence to provoke such a fierce reaction; even though he's tall and strong, they outnumber him, and if it came to blows, he'd stand no chance.

Translation: "The man himself hadn't expected that one sentence would provoke such a fierce reaction; even though he was tall and big, the other side outnumbered him, and if they really came to blows, he stood no chance against them!"

At that moment, Ling Yue spoke up: "Everyone, please stay calm."

Translation: "Just then, Ling Yue spoke up: 'Everyone, please settle down.'"

She glanced at the man: "Since you won't speak, I will; you've already had a chance, and you chose not to be honest."

Translation: "She glanced at the man: 'Since you won't speak, I will. I already gave you a chance once—it's you who aren't being honest.'"

She said firmly: "Little Overlord told me it's like this because it ate itself until it burst; it's not sick at all."

Translation: "She said firmly: 'Little Tyrant told me it's like this because it ate itself to death—it's not sick at all.'"

The man's heart lurched with a pang of panic; he stared at Ling Yue in disbelief—impossible, how could she know?

Translation: "The man's heart jumped, a palpitation-like panic rising; he stared at Ling Yue in disbelief—impossible, how could she know!"

Ling Yue had already shifted her gaze to the little boy beside the man, smiling meaningfully: "It's you, right?"

Translation: "Ling Yue had already shifted her gaze to the child beside him, smiling meaningfully: 'It's you, right?'"

The rest of the people froze, their eyes all fixed on the child, various thoughts racing through their minds.

Translation: "The rest froze, their eyes all snapping to the child as various thoughts raced through their minds."

Ling Yue explained the whole story: "This gentleman carelessly left the fish food on the table; the little boy who came home from school saw it and dumped the whole packet into the fish tank. Little Overlord, being greedy, ate until it was about to burst. You feared your ornamental fish would die, so after discovering it you rushed to the shop demanding compensation, which led to today's scene."

Translation: "Ling Yue laid out the whole story: 'This gentleman carelessly left the fish food on the table; a child coming home from school saw it and dumped the whole packet into the tank. Little Tyrant, being greedy, ate until it was about to burst. You feared your ornamental fish would die, so after discovering it you rushed to the shop demanding compensation—hence today's scene.'"

Her sharp words left everyone stunned.

Translation: "Her sharp words left everyone stunned."

Looking again at the little boy just now, he kept his head down, too afraid to speak.

Translation: "Looking again at the little child just now, he kept his head down, too afraid to speak."

Ling Yue: "I can confirm and affirm that Little Overlord was absolutely healthy before; it's your own responsibility that you fed the little fish into this state."

Translation: "Ling Yue: 'I can confirm and affirm that Little Tyrant was absolutely healthy before; this is your own fault—you fed the little fish into this state.'"

Boss Wu didn't look at the child; he glared at the customer: "How can you be so conscienceless? The fish were fine when I sold them to you; it's your fault for not taking care of them—I told you over and over, feed little, not much!"

Translation: "Boss Wu didn't even look at the child, fixing the customer with a stare: 'How can you be so heartless? The fish were fine when I sold them to you—you just don't know how to care for them. I told you over and over: feed this fish little, not much!'"

The man, putting on a tough front, said: "What evidence do you have? Just based on her words—who's heard a fish tell it? A half-dead fish wouldn't say a thing!"

Translation: "The man snapped harshly: 'What evidence do you have? Just going on her word—who's heard a fish tell it anything? A half-dead fish wouldn't say squat!'"

"You just open your mouth and declare it certain? I don't believe it!"

Translation: "'You just open your mouth and decide? I don't believe it!'"

At that moment, many customers had been drawn by the commotion in the fish shop; hearing the man's words, they exclaimed in surprise. Perhaps this whole thing is just a misunderstanding?

Translation: "By then, quite a few customers had been drawn by the commotion in the aquarium shop; hearing the man's words, they exclaimed in surprise. Maybe this whole thing is just a misunderstanding?"

The man felt energized, fully confident he wouldn't be discovered.

Translation: "The man was full of energy, completely confident he wouldn't be found out."

Seeing that he refused to give up even after hitting the Yellow River (i. e., he's stubborn), Ling Yue let out a cold laugh and suddenly said: "Who said Little Overlord is half-dead?"

Translation: "Seeing he wouldn't give up until he hit the Yellow River, Ling Yue let out a cold chuckle and suddenly said: 'Who said Little Tyrant is half-dead?'"

"It's just overfed; it'll be fine afterwards." Amid the astonished gazes of the crowd, Ling Yue said to the little Overlord in the tank: "If what I just said is true, swim clockwise around the tank once, then counterclockwise once."

Translation: "'It's just overfed; it'll be fine afterward.' Amid the astonished gazes of the crowd, Ling Yue said to Little Tyrant in the tank: 'If what I just said is true, swim clockwise around the tank once, then counterclockwise once.'"

Little Overlord: "……"

Translation: "Little Tyrant: '……'"

"Are you sure you're not trying to kill the fish?"

Translation: "You sure you're not trying to kill the fish?"

In Ling Yue's gaze, it suddenly realized it wasn't feeling so bloated anymore; it gave a gentle tail flick, and the formerly half-dead little fish leapt far away.

Translation: "In Ling Yue's gaze, it suddenly realized it wasn't feeling so stuffed anymore; it gave a light flick of its tail, and the formerly half-dead little fish darted far away."

Little Overlord let out a startled cry; even though its belly was still distended, it was no longer a bother—it actually swam clockwise once, then counterclockwise once, and finally stayed steady in its original spot.

Translation: "Little Tyrant let out a startled cry—even though its belly was still bloated, it was no longer bothered; it actually swam clockwise once, then counterclockwise once, and finally stayed steady in its original spot."

The onlookers who were just watching the spectacle were completely dumbfounded.

Translation: "The onlookers who saw this were utterly dumbfounded."

"This, this fish has become a spirit?!"

Translation: "'This, this fish has become a spirit?!'"

"Good heavens, this is under Master Ling's tutelage—if it didn't become a spirit, that would be strange!"

Translation: "'Good heavens, this is under Master Ling's hand—if it weren't a spirit, that would be strange.'"

"Ah!" someone slapped their forehead: "I've got it—you're the recently viral streamer, the one who unintentionally livestreamed the Chen Yu murder case!"

I've figured it out—you're the recently viral streamer who unintentionally livestreamed the Chen Yu murder case!

Translation: "'Ah!' someone slapped their forehead: 'I've got it—you're that recently viral streamer, the one who unintentionally livestreamed the Chen Yu murder case!'"

In an instant, countless fiery gazes fell on Ling Yue; obviously, they were all viewers who had watched or heard about the livestream.

Translation: "In an instant, countless fiery gazes fell on Ling Yue; obviously, they were viewers who had watched or heard that livestream."

The man who had just spoken turned ashen-faced, opened his mouth, and his son beside him suddenly burst into loud sobs, saying he's just a kid who can't handle this; he's already scared to tears, wailing: "I was wrong, I didn't mean to, I really didn't mean to kill it..."

Translation: "The man who had just spoken turned ashen-faced, opened his mouth, and his son beside him suddenly burst into loud sobs—after all, he's just a kid who can't take stress; now he's so scared tears are dripping, wailing: 'I was wrong, I didn't mean to, sniff sniff sniff I really didn't mean to feed it to death…'"

The man slumped his shoulders, as if his spirit had been drained: "You're right; my son accidentally overfed the fish, nearly killing it by overfeeding."

Translation: "The man slumped his shoulders, as if his vitality had been sucked out in an instant: 'You're right—it was my son who carelessly overfed the fish, nearly stuffing it to death.'"

As soon as his words fell, Boss Wu's eyes flared with uncontrollable anger: "I knew it! Get out now—I won't give you either the fish or the money!"

Translation: "No sooner had those words left his mouth than Boss Wu shot him a furious glare: 'I knew it! Get lost now—I won't give you either the fish or the money!'"

"How dare you do such a shameless thing? You're a real bastard!"

Translation: "'How dare you pull such a shameless stunt? You're a real bastard!'"

"Everyone, remember his face—with such character, who would dare sell anything to him?"

Translation: "'Everyone, remember his face—with his character, who'd dare sell him anything anymore!'"

The man was being pushed around so much he almost dragged his son away in disgrace.

Translation: "The man was hounded until he could barely stand, practically dragging his son away with his tail between his legs."

Hearing the loud applause behind him, his face turned pale and green, and he regretted it bitterly.

Translation: "Hearing the loud applause behind him, his face turned ashen, then pale—he regretted it to death!"

Afterwards, the video was posted online.

Translation: "Afterward, the video was uploaded online."

Now everything about Ling Yue is trending; this video is no exception—it was accidentally seen by a relative, spread throughout the circle, and the man became a well-known joke in the family circle.

Translation: "Now everything about Ling Yue is trending; this video is no exception—unintentionally seen by a relative, it spread through the whole circle, and the man became a well-known joke in the family circle."

Even his wife thought it was utterly absurd; adding to previous issues, it became the final straw that broke their marriage, and they ended up divorcing.

Translation: "Even his wife thought it utterly absurd; adding to all the prior troubles, it became the final straw that broke their marriage, and they ended up divorcing."

All this because he was momentarily muddle-headed; he regrets it so much his intestines feel green.

Translation: "It's all because he was momentarily muddle‑headed; he regrets it so much his intestines feel green."

Back to the present, Boss Wu on the spot took out twelve red bills: "Ling Yue, this is what we agreed on earlier—I, Old Wu, spit and nail a promise—consider it today's consultation fee."

Translation: "Back to the present, Boss Wu on the spot pulled out twelve red bills: 'Miss Ling, this is what we agreed on earlier—I, Old Wu, swear on my spit that a single nail is my bond; consider it today's consultation fee.'"

Ling Yue blinked, then laughed: "What are you saying? It's just a small matter; to me, it's just neighbors helping each other, and besides, do you see me as someone short on money?"

Translation: "Ling Yue blinked, then laughed: 'What are you saying? It's just a small matter—to me, it's just neighbors helping each other; besides, do you see me as someone short on cash?'"

What a joke—she's just helping the neighbors; why would she want money, or even want to stick around here? Ling Yue is fully aware of these personal favors.

Translation: "What a joke—she was just helping the neighbors, wanting no money, still hoping to get by around here? Ling Yue knows full well how these favors work."

Hearing that, the boss gave an embarrassed smile—how could he feel comfortable?

Translation: "Hearing that, the boss gave an embarrassed smile—how could he feel good about it?"

Someone offered an idea: "Old Wu, you run a fish shop, right? Pick a few nice fish to give the little girl—it'll look good and be respectable."

Translation: "Someone offered a suggestion: 'Boss Wu, you run an aquarium shop, don't you? Pick a few nice fish to give the little lady—it'll look good and be respectable.'"

Ling Yue took her first look around the shop; the fish store was more than half again the size of her own shop, everywhere were colorful pretty fish swaying in the water, like beautiful flowers that could swim.

Translation: "Ling Yue took her first look around the shop; the aquarium store was more than half again the size of her own, everywhere beautiful colorful fish swaying in the water like lovely floating flowers."

Seeing her look, the fish shot surprised glances, peeking through the glass, and various murmurs reached her ears.

Translation: "Having seen her look, the fish shot surprised glances, peeking through the glass, all sorts of murmurs drifting into her ears."

Only one spot was especially quiet.

Translation: "Only one spot was especially tranquil."

Ling Yue couldn't help but look that way, and she saw a beautiful rectangular large fish tank filled with vibrant-colored fry; in the lower right corner lay a lone little red fish, its body covered in scars, with a clear empty zone all around it.

Translation: "Ling Yue found herself drawn to it—a handsome rectangular big tank full of vividly colored fry; in the lower‑right corner lay a lone little red fish, its body covered in scars, with a clear empty zone all around it."

"Oh dear, that human seems to have seen it—goodness, they won't take a liking to it, will they? It's so ugly! What kind of taste do humans have?" The other pretty fish in the tank swam about, chatting.

Translation: "'Oh dear, that human seems to have seen it—goodness, could they actually be looking at it? It's so ugly! What kind of taste do humans have?' The other pretty fish in the tank swam about, chatting."

The little red fish dominating the corner flicked its tail: "What are you looking at? No looking!"

Translation: "The lone little red fish in the corner flicked its tail: 'What are you looking at? No looking!'"

Ling Yue raised her eyebrows: "What a fierce fish! It's nothing like the dainty ornamental fish beside it; its voice is gruff and loud, full of confidence."

Translation: "Ling Yue raised her eyebrows—what a fierce fish! It seemed nothing like the dainty ornamental fish beside it; its voice was gruff and loud, full of confidence."

If one only judges by appearance, perhaps one would still think this fish is on its last breath, its life nearly over; but listening to its sound, this fish is obviously healthy to the point of being unable to be healthier.

Boss Wu was so sharp, he immediately noticed Ling Yue's gaze, followed the line of sight, and his sparse eyebrows furrowed together: "This fish——"

"Miss Ling, do you like this fish?"

Ling Yue: "Huh, what's up?"

Boss Wu gave a wry smile: "All the fish here are the same ornamental variety, except this one—I didn't notice when I bought it, and the more I raised it, the more I realized this guy isn't of this variety at all; I have no idea where this mixed fish fry came from."

"You'd better change it." Boss Wu said very seriously: "To be frank, I've been planning to scoop it out to feed the cat—it's clearly a mixed fish but incredibly fierce, even more aggressive than the previous little tyrant! It looks ugly as hell, really not worth anything!"

Ling Yue, looking through the fish tank at the little guy suddenly swimming about, said: "Really?"

"Of course it's fake!" the little mixed fish exclaimed, darting straight into the school of fish, scaring a bunch of ornamental fish, then leisurely swam back.

Ling Yue's ears suddenly exploded with cries for help!

The little mixed fish fiercely said: "I'm not just some mixed fish—I'm a dragon fish! A specially precious feng shui fish! You humans are all blind, actually putting me among this bunch of idiots; I'm the future dragon fish king!"

Ling Yue couldn't help but laugh: "That's for later—if I don't save you, you'll end up as dried fish in the cat's mouth by the end of today."

The hot-tempered little red fish was momentarily speechless.

"Yeah, I just thought I'd become the greatest dragon fish king, but that's for the future—what should I do now?"

Ling Yue looked at the little red fish suddenly becoming sullen, curled her lips: "Why not follow me? I understand your words, and I'll raise you into the fiercest dragon fish king."

As for Boss Wu's kindness, Ling Yue shook her head: "No thanks, I've decided—this one will do; it looks pretty healthy."

"You know I keep cats—if it's too delicate, the cat might scare it to death; this fish looks tough."

Boss Wu: "Ah, okay."

Although he didn't know what keeping cats had to do with being tough, he still couldn't resist scooping another: "I really can't give away this mixed fish fry, so let me give you another fish."

Ling Yue shook her head, hadn't said anything yet, when suddenly something happened.

The formerly lazy little red fish suddenly darted toward the pretty ornamental fish like a small cannonball, startling Boss Wu; the ornamental fish even flipped belly-up: "Ahhh, save me! Boss, you're going to kill me! How dare you put me with it—this will kill the fish!"

The little red fish arrogantly wagged its tail, indicating: "I didn't mean to, I just couldn't help it."

Ling Yue: "……"

Trust you, you ghost!

The boss hurriedly scooped out the startled fish, sweating profusely from embarrassment; he never expected such an incident to happen.

Ling Yue, on the other hand, looked at the little red fish and said with a smile: "I really like it; it's full of energy."

In the tank, the little red fish happily swam round and round, smugly saying: "Hmph, you've got good taste—I'm the future greatest dragon fish king!"

Just then, the system, long silent, suddenly spoke.

Ling Yue held the small fish tank with both hands, calling up the little red fish's exclusive panel.

【Name: Mutant Red Dragon Fish】

【Gender: Male】

【Age: Three months】

【Personality: Tsundere】

【Skill: Attract Wealth and Ward Off Evil】

【Wish: Become the Greatest Dragon Fish King】

Great, the little red fish really wasn't lying; Ling Yue looked at the task panel above, clicked accept directly—she now has plenty of tasks and isn't bothered, so, let's do it!

As for the reward, she clicked too fast and only then noticed; after seeing it clearly, she felt terrible.

【Mission Reward: Guard the Home, Ward Off Evil.】

How come I feel like I've suddenly become a mascot? Ling Yue silently facepalmed.

Returning to the pet consultation shop, the Mysterious Cat Queen showed unusual interest in the little red fish—no, should be the dragon fish Jinjin—suddenly seeing such a huge creature, moreover a natural enemy, the dragon fish Jinjin wasn't scared at all; instead, it leapt out of the water, flicked its tail, and slapped her nose.

Of course, the strike missed.

But just that, it wasn't disappointed: "Hmph, I'm a dragon fish—what's a mere cat?"

The Mysterious Cat Queen narrowed her eyes, licked her paws, hadn't spoken yet, when the Treasure‑seeking Mouse on the side sprang into action: "You little mixed fish dare bully my wife—I'll eat you!"

Dragon Fish Jinjin: "Wife? A mouse actually likes a cat? You"

Pervert!

Dragon Fish Jinjin took on two opponents without fear! Ling Yue, watching the battle, had her eyes opened wide—indeed, it's the kind of creature that can fulfill the system's wish, its quality unlike any other fish.

But if this continues, she also worries about the conflict escalating; she tapped the fish tank: "Jinjin, behave yourself—do you still want to be the dragon fish king?"

Of course I do!

Ling Yue: "Let me tell you a line from our human world's ancient poem: 'Setting out but not victorious, dying first—forever causing heroes' tears to fill their chests.' You're still small; everyone here is your senior; as a junior, you should be humble."

She glanced around—except for Dahei being absent, everyone was present.

Ling Yue continued: "Otherwise, if one day I come home and find you gone, even if I were more capable, I couldn't bring you back to life, let alone make you the dragon fish king."

Jinjin thought of that consequence and was startled—it still had grand ambitions unfulfilled!

"I get it—I'll develop in a low‑key way, sneakily rank up, and astonish everyone!" Dragon Fish Jinjin said with a serious face.

Ling Yue twitched the corner of her mouth: "Where did you hear these words?"

Jinjin: "Boss often plays games and says that—am I learning it right?"

Ling Yue: "……Maybe, possibly, right?"

After this was settled, waiting for Ling Yue to return home, it was already afternoon; she carried the fish tank leisurely, unaware that someone had been tossing and turning, unable to sleep, because of her staying up several days and nights.

Granny Wang had been squatting at the neighborhood's essential passage these past days, almost eaten alive by mosquitoes, and didn't dare move an inch.

A "pa" sound.

She smacked another big mosquito dead; seeing the blood made her ache, her heart anxious like ants on a hot pan—where did that Ling Yue girl go?!

According to past experience, by now people would have already gone home instead of letting her wait idly until now, with mosquitoes nearly eating her alive!

"Ling Yue, are you back?"

At the end of the alley, Ling Yue greeted Liu Dama familiarly, when suddenly she heard an extremely enthusiastic shout; the bag she was carrying swayed, and she looked up——

Wang Dama's face wrinkles were about to squeeze into a chrysanthemum as she came running over, so enthusiastic it left one at a loss: "Ling Yue, you've finally come back, truly the busiest person in our neighborhood."

She greeted enthusiastically, almost to the point of thrusting out her face: "Would you like me to help you carry things? This bag looks really heavy; be careful not to strain your hands."