The Undersea Adventures of the Little Jellyfish (JELLYFISH)
“Sit here, don’t move around, and don’t lie down.” Shen Jixiao patted the little jellyfish’s back while pressing lightly along his spine. “Straighten up.”
The little jellyfish was too soft, always yielding to gravity and ready to sprawl out comfortably.
Especially when placed on the tailor shop’s plush seat—his expression made it clear he was about to melt into a boneless puddle right there.
Only after being adjusted into position did he somewhat resemble a proper human.
Shen Jixiao went to pick out clothes.
This continent had been unified for centuries before fracturing into its current state, yet its currency remained unchanged—gold, silver, and copper coins dominated the mainstream, while certain materials could only be acquired with mithril or magic crystals.
As exceptional conduits of energy, magic crystals and mithril were also fashioned into cards to record personal assets. Typically, only the nobility and high-end establishments accepted payments via magic crystal cards—after all, most shops lacked the necessary equipment to verify such transactions.
Shen Jixiao possessed a magic crystal card. Even though he had never actively amassed wealth and most of his funds went into the public treasury, he was far from poor. Buying every garment in the store would be as effortless as blinking.
However…
He hadn’t brought the card with him this time.
Truly and utterly penniless.
The reason Shen Jixiao chose this particular tailor shop was simple…
It was part of his family’s assets.
His spendthrift father had gone off to travel the world, but before leaving, he had squandered money on opening a chain of tailor shops, claiming it was to ensure he’d always have clothes to wear.
Mock the spendthrift father, understand the spendthrift father.
Shen Jixiao now grasped just how crucial it was to have access to free clothing when one was broke.
Of course, his original landing point wasn’t this remote border city, and if he had openly revealed his identity, someone would have undoubtedly delivered supplies to him.
But for now, he had his own considerations.
He confirmed his identity with the shopkeeper—they had a unique magical verification system that could detect individuals through their faint mana fluctuations, making the process incredibly convenient.
The shopkeeper immediately became deferential.
This identity verification was reserved for the most esteemed clients. Though he didn’t know Shen Jixiao’s exact status, he was certain this was someone he couldn’t afford to offend. “What do you need?”
“Two sets of ready-made casual clothes that fit well—no custom orders.” He had initially intended to say any material would do, as he wasn’t one for luxury. But then he glanced back at the little jellyfish sitting properly on the sofa.
It sat there so primly, its posture unchanged since he had pressed it down, fingers resting on its knees, utterly well-behaved.
Shen Jixiao rarely paid attention to others’ appearances—firstly, because it was useless, and secondly, because judging someone solely by their looks felt disrespectful. The little jellyfish was an exception in this regard. Even without the filter of memories from over a decade ago, the youth it had transformed into was undeniably among the most strikingly beautiful of humans.
Beyond its exquisite features, there was an indescribable aura about it—so pure that it carried a faint, almost ethereal sense of otherworldliness.
After just that short walk outside, its cheeks had already flushed pink from the sun. Noticing Shen Jixiao looking back, it lifted its gaze and met his eyes without blinking. Tang You’s lips curled slightly and his eyes crinkled—it was trying hard to learn human expressions, like smiling.
Shen Jixiao was instantly struck by that smile, forcing him to avert his eyes in a rare moment of fluster.
“Get two sets for him as well—the finest you have here.”
The little jellyfish’s skin was delicate. He might as well buy it something good.
……
“Merman, you’re amazing.” Tang You rested its chin on Shen Jixiao’s shoulder. Now that they had clothes, he wasn't still used to the sensation of wearing them, so he occasionally tugged at the cuffs. “You really seem like a proper human.”
Shen Jixiao: “I’ve lived on land for many years.”
“I know.” Tang You’s eyes darted around, taking in every passing stall. “I just feel like this might be too much trouble for you.”
“It’s not. You’ve helped me a lot—this is nothing in comparison.”
Shen Jixiao patiently explained everything the little jellyfish was curious about: “Look, the city is mainly divided into four types of people—ordinary residents, traveling merchants, soldiers, and adventurers.”
Humans were a species that thrived on division of labor and cooperation.
The first three were easy for the little jellyfish to grasp, but the last one puzzled it. “Adventurers?”
“Yes, adventurers. They have their own guild, made up of people with some skill. Most operate alone, sometimes even ignoring the city lord’s orders.” Shen Jixiao glanced at the passing Adventurers’ Guild. “I don’t particularly like them—they disrupt governance.”
“Huh?”
“But there are always gray areas that need handling, and their identities grant them more freedom than soldiers. The people need them.” Shen Jixiao’s explanation was already veering into territory the little jellyfish couldn’t fully comprehend. “Most importantly, they pay extremely high taxes.”
“Sounds like something rulers need to worry about.”
Tang You leaned forward, watching his own legs dangle over Shen Jixiao’s arms, with his toes wiggling. He flexed his ankles, still adjusting to these strange new appendages. Shen Jixiao held it steadily with his hands secure beneath his knees and so firm that Tang You could squirm all he wanted without the slightest wobble.
They drew many curious glances, but Shen Jixiao paid no mind, and neither did Tang You.
The little jellyfish’s only concern was whether someone might realize he wasn’t human.
After all, even in the depths of the sea, he was a pretty little jellyfish that could attract countless admiring glances from fish.
"Are you hungry?"
It had been two hours since they came ashore. Shen Jixiao remembered the little jellyfish had been a bit hungry before buying clothes, so he made a point to ask when he saw the vendors by the roadside.
"Hungry," Tang You answered honestly.
"But I don’t know what to eat. Do you have money?" he asked as his gaze sweeping over the bustling street.
It was noon, and the roadside was lively with stalls catering to merchants and adventurers.
Plump, exotic fruits emitting strange fragrances were neatly arranged on wooden boards. Steam rose from hot wooden barrels where something bubbled enticingly. The little jellyfish spotted a strange box that made a whooshing sound and filled with glowing charcoal with a skewered meat sizzling above it and oil dripping with a tantalizing sizzle.
Tang You felt his stomach growling and his mouth watering uncontrollably.
Everyone was eating, so it probably wasn’t poisonous.
Human food was so abundant.
"Someone’s dining and dashing!" A furious shout came from afar as someone bolted out. The street briefly descended into chaos before soldiers rushed in to quell the disturbance. The faint sound of an indignant vendor could still be heard: "Pah! How dare you eat at a restaurant without money?"
"What’s dining and dashing?" the little jellyfish asked.
Shen Jixiao: "Eating without paying. Mostly poor and ill-natured adventurers or desperate vagrants. By law, they’d be jailed for at least three months."
Tang You shrank his neck. That sounded terrifying. Sighing, he clung to Shen Jixiao. "I won’t eat anymore."
"Hmm?"
"If we’re locked in a dungeon for three months, you’ll turn into dried mermaid jerky, and I’ll become a shriveled jellyfish." Tang You sighed. "How awful. Without money, you can’t go anywhere."
"..." Shen Jixiao sighed helplessly. "I have money."
This time, he really did.
When he picked up his clothes from the tailor’s shop, not only did he not spend a single coin, but he even received money from the owner—truly, the epitome of a villainous boss.
"I don’t believe you."
"Feel my pocket. There’s really money inside."
Tang You was skeptical but still reached into Shen Jixiao’s pocket. He wasn’t very familiar with human clothing, and Shen Jixiao was wearing a long coat that swayed as he walked, making it hard to grab.
"It’s in the pants pocket. There are a few gold coins."
Following Shen Jixiao’s words, he reached down, though his arms still weren’t very cooperative. Just as his fingers finally brushed the inside of the pocket, Shen Jixiao stiffened slightly.
The little jellyfish’s fingers pressed against his thigh, wriggling restlessly.
He knew it was unintentional—after all, he was the one who told him to reach in—so he could only endure it silently.
"Oh, there really are gold coins!" The little jellyfish pinched a cold, metallic piece and pulled it out. The golden coin shimmered brilliantly under the sunlight, exuding an air of luxury. "Mermaid! Did you steal this from the tailor’s shop?"
"Of course not." Shen Jixiao exhaled. "Humans have many ways to earn money. This is my legal asset. One gold coin is enough to buy anything you want to eat. What interests you?"
"Fruit!"
Tang You perked up excitedly. Ever since entering the city, he had been fascinated by the ripe fruits lining the streets. The rich, sweet aroma was almost intoxicating—he felt like he could faint from sheer delight.
Shen Jixiao placed the little jellyfish by a roadside stall before he ordered himself a steaming bowl of meat soup with some toasted bread, and then took the jellyfish to a fruit stand to pick out some treats.
Mildor City was coastal, close to the southern regions, with a humid and warm climate year-round—perfect for fruit trees to thrive. Most of the fruits sold in the city were tree-ripened and were grown by the locals themselves. Each piece was plump, enticing, and incredibly cheap, costing just a few copper coins.
Tang You didn’t know which fruits tasted good, but his keen nose led him to pick the most fragrant and brightly colored ones. Shen Jixiao checked them over and found that most of Tang You’s choices were at least decent, if not outright delicious.
They carried a bag of fruit back to the stall, where Shen Jixiao’s meat soup and bread were ready.
Shen Jixiao took out the fruits first, wiping off the dust on their surfaces before peeling away the inedible skin for Tang You, revealing the soft, juicy, reddish flesh inside.
Tang You took a bite. Unaccustomed to human eating habits, he chewed and swallowed slowly, letting the fruit roll over his tongue. His eyes practically sparkled. "It’s delicious!"
"Do you want to try mine?"
"Mhm, mhm, mhm!"
The meat soup was pushed toward him. The stall’s soup was cheap, so it didn’t have much meat, but the aroma was irresistible.
Tang You sniffed it and leaned down.
"Hot…"
Fire was an entirely foreign concept to a little jellyfish. No creature in the ocean ate heated food. Tang You thought he was being careful enough—waiting until the soup in the bowl had stopped steaming so much before taking a sip.
Who knew it would bring tears to his eyes instantly?
He had no idea that meat soup with a layer of oil on top retained the most heat. Tang You stuck out his tongue, panting and blowing air, his whole demeanor deflated.
Human food was terrifying.
Shen Jixiao quickly asked for a bowl of cold water and handed it over. After checking Tang You’s tongue and confirming it wasn’t burned—just a little red—he sighed in relief.
"Still want to eat?" He placed his hand on the edge of the soup bowl and stirred it with a spoon to cool it down.
"Yes!"
The little jellyfish "waved his arms" dramatically. "I’m gonna eat it all!"
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