Ripley's attention had already been drawn to the uniquely shaped and exquisite snacks Old Ba was bringing to the table. She swallowed her saliva and waved her hand, saying:
"Alright, alright, you guys go and come back quickly!"
She thought to herself that since several of them (except for Kuri) were ability users, they couldn't follow them into the water anyway.
The four Mermaids nodded with smiles and quickly dived into the water, disappearing from sight.
Not long after they left, Old Ba cheerfully brought out more delicious-looking food and drinks, warmly inviting them:
"Please enjoy! These are all specialties of our Fish-Man Island, so don't be polite!"
Looking at the large amount of food served almost instantly—clearly prepared long ago—Charlotte Linlin's suspicions reached their peak.
The efficiency was too high, as if he were specifically waiting for them to take their seats. Moreover, there were no other guests here besides them!
Just as Ripley impatiently reached out to pick up a pink dessert decorated with pearl-like bubbles—
Smack!
Charlotte Linlin used her tachi to tap Ripley's wrist with moderate force.
"Ouch! Linlin, what are you doing?" Ripley pulled back her hand in pain and looked at the Captain in confusion.
Charlotte Linlin's expression remained unchanged. She used her eyes to signal towards the beaming Old Ba, who had just walked out of the kitchen with another plate of "Deep-Sea Fried Fish Balls," and lowered her voice to say:
"Don't touch them. This food and drink... something's wrong. It might be poisoned."
"What?! Poi... poisoned?!" Gölz and Ripley's eyes widened instantly, their faces filled with disbelief.
Although they had experienced the storms of the sea, deep down they still held a beautiful fantasy about the lovely and kind Mermaids from fairy tales; they completely didn't expect the other party to use such underhanded methods.
However, their unconditional trust in Captain Charlotte Linlin made them choose to believe her immediately.
The two quickly put the cups and food they had already taken back on the ground, their eyes wary as they watched the octopus Fishman owner—Old Ba—who was scurrying back and forth between the kitchen and their table with a persistent, simple-minded smile.
When Old Ba came out of the kitchen again carrying a steaming bowl of "Fresh Fish Soup," he found the array of food on the table untouched, and the trademark simple smile on his face stiffened for a moment.
He quietly set down the new dish, rubbed his hands, and said cheerfully, "Hehehe, the Fresh Fish Soup is here! Hahaha, this is our signature dish. Honored guests, please have a taste!"
"Eh?" Putting down the soup, he looked at Charlotte Linlin and the other two with feigned surprise and asked,
"Distinguished guests, why haven't you touched your chopsticks? There's still plenty of food. Eat up quickly so I can bring out the even better dishes I have prepared!"
The corner of Charlotte Linlin's mouth curled into a cold arc as she said faintly, "No rush. We want to wait for Seli and the others to return so we can enjoy it together."
Old Ba's heart tightened, but he put on an even more eager smile to persuade them:
"Oh my, there's really no need to wait for them! Going to find Granny Qi will take quite a bit of time. This soup and these dishes won't taste good once they get cold! Come, eat while it's hot!"
"No need," Charlotte Linlin's nine-meter-tall frame leaned forward slightly, the shadow she cast almost completely enveloping Old Ba. Her voice carried an unquestionable chill,
"We have plenty of time. We can wait... slowly!"
Beside her, Ripley and Gölz also lowered their heads cooperatively, their cold gazes falling on Old Ba like physical weight. The immense pressure brought by the giants' size made the surrounding air feel as if it had frozen.
Old Ba felt a chill down his back and forced a smile. "I... I reserved portions for them, you really don't need to worry..."
"No," Charlotte Linlin interrupted him, "I think it's better to wait for them to join us."
The smile on Old Ba's face finally couldn't be maintained. He raised his voice, trying to hide his guilt with anger, and said in a flustered and exasperated manner:
"What?! Do you think the food I, Old Ba, made isn't good, or do you suspect I've poisoned it?! Are you looking down on us Fishmen? You don't want to eat the food I made?!"
"I wouldn't say we look down on you," Charlotte Linlin's lips curled into an undisguised sneer, "but as for whether it's poisoned... that's not for certain."
Old Ba was stunned upon hearing this, and fine beads of cold sweat immediately broke out on his forehead. He gave a dry laugh: "Hehehe... what are you saying..."
He frantically turned his gaze toward Gölz and Ripley, who seemed easier to talk to.
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