After Giving Birth, All My Beast Ex-Husbands Suddenly Want Me Back-Chapter 165: I admire her

"What kind of help?" Lani asked.

Dian lowered his voice slightly. "Those males pursuing Sister Nina—I want you to investigate them."

He paused, eyes sharpening. "Focus on whether they’ve done anything... questionable. And if possible, gather some information on her current mates as well."

Know your opponent—and you’ll never lose. That strategy never failed them.

Lani raised a brow. "And what do you need that for?"

Dian hesitated only briefly. "...I fell for Sister Nina at first sight. I want to pursue her."

Lani studied him carefully. "Are you serious? This isn’t something to take lightly."

"I am," Dian said firmly. "I’ve only just met her, but I truly like her."

"Because she’s beautiful?" Lani asked, unsurprised.

For the merfolk, beauty was irresistible by nature. Dian’s feelings were understandable.

"I won’t deny that’s part of it," Dian admitted. "But after spending time with her today... I think she’s someone worth entrusting my life to."

His eyes softened.

"She’s kind to her children, gentle with her mates. She’s warm, thoughtful... and incredibly capable. She knows so much. And her abilities are strong. I admire her."

Though their time together had been short, he was already completely captivated.

"But she’s your brother’s female," Lani pointed out. "They even have children. That makes her your sister-in-law."

"So what?" Dian shrugged. "Brothers sharing one female isn’t uncommon. And besides, my brother hasn’t even secured a place as her guardian yet. Whether he becomes her mate is still uncertain."

If he can’t do it, then I will.

Lani couldn’t help but chuckle. "Fine. I’ll help you. As it happens, I recognized a few of those males earlier. I already know a bit about their backgrounds."

He had a feeling that Dian was truly serious this time. Otherwise, he wouldn’t even set aside his own brother.

And truthfully, Lani himself found Nina quite impressive. A female like her... was worth supporting.

"That fox-like one and the silver wolf likely belong to those old factions," he mused. "That one—Kith—should be from White Tiger City. And Aviel... he’s the lord of Flying Dragon City."

Her suitors were all formidable. But then again, so was she.

"Still, don’t rush," Lani advised. "Observe a little longer. Don’t let this be a passing impulse."

He was wary.

Dian was young. What if this was only a momentary infatuation?

In this world, a male could only bond once in his life. A wrong choice could mean a lifetime of regret.

Dian, however, barely listened.

Does Father think I’m that kind of male?

From the side, Jiro—who had been eavesdropping—hurried over.

"Don’t leave me out, Lani. Don’t play favorites."

Dian frowned. "What are you getting involved for?"

"Why shouldn’t I?" Jiro shot back. "You’re not the only one who can like Sister Nina. Don’t be so domineering."

Lani looked between them. "The question I asked him earlier—have you thought it through as well?"

Jiro nodded. "I’m serious too."

Lani exhaled softly. "I see."

His gaze drifted toward the kitchen, where Kith and the others were busy.

"Your rivals are strong. If you want any chance, don’t turn on each other. Work together first."

"Understood." Both of them nodded.

First—win Nina’s favor.

Everything else could come later.

"I’ll tell you what I already know," Lani continued. "We’ll gather more information as we go."

"Father," Dian added with a grin, "while you’re at it, tell us about my brother’s... embarrassing history too."

Lani shot him a look. "You won’t even spare your own brother?"

Dian rubbed his nose.

He’s a rival too.

If it meant winning Nina—then so be it.

Lani shook his head helplessly, but still shared what he knew—including a few details about Lex.

If Lex failed, he still had Dian and Jiro. Out of his three sons, surely one could win Nina’s favor.

After all, he quite liked the idea of her as family.

***

That evening, everyone gathered around the table.

Rosen looked over the spread of dishes, breathing in the rich aroma.

"Nina... how is it that food cooked with fire smells this good?"

"You can try it," Nina said with a smile. "I’m not sure if it suits seafolk tastes."

"If you prefer raw food, there’s marinated fish on the table. And if that still doesn’t suit you, there’s fresh raw fish in the kitchen."

She knew sea races had different eating habits.

So she had asked Mino and the others to prepare a variety of seafood dishes—both cooked and raw.

Rosen shook her head, amused. "With a smell like this, it has to be delicious." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Following Nina’s earlier instructions, she carefully picked up her chopsticks, awkward but determined.

She lifted a piece of fish and took a bite. The moment the tender, flavorful flesh melted on her tongue, her eyes widened.

This...

She quickly grabbed another piece—and then another—eating with surprising enthusiasm.

She had eaten cooked fish before. But never anything like this.

So this is what true flavor is.

Compared to this, everything she had eaten before felt dull. Even the best raw seafood couldn’t compare.

Dian and Jiro stared in astonishment. They had never seen her eat like this.

Curious, they picked up their chopsticks and tried for themselves.

The moment the food touched their tongues, their eyes lit up in unison.

This is incredible.

Shrimp—so sweet and tender—far better than raw.

Then they tried the marinated dishes.

Another wave of surprise.

The raw texture remained silky and fresh, but the flavor was deeper, richer. Better than anything they had ever eaten.

"Nina, your mates are truly skilled," Rosen praised.

"That’s because Sister Nina taught them," Jiro said immediately. "It’s she who’s amazing."

"Yes, Mother should be praising Sister Nina," Dian said promptly.

After all, this was entirely Nina’s doing. Not those males.

"Were all these dishes really taught by you?" Rosen asked, visibly surprised.

A female who could cook?

She herself had never even filleted a fish—her meals were always prepared and fed to her by her mates.

And among land dwellers, females usually didn’t cook either.

"I know a little," Nina said modestly. "But they learned well too."

Cooking wasn’t something just anyone could do well.

"Nina, you’re truly impressive." Rosen was convinced—this must be her own talent.

But Odian and the others felt something else entirely—a quiet ache of concern.

They remembered... how Nina used to cook for herself.

"Nina, have some more meat." Odian placed a portion onto her plate.

She smiled and ate.

"Nina, the shrimp is ready." Sal handed her peeled shrimp, already prepared.

"Nina, try the fish." Kith passed over a dish with all the bones carefully removed.

Rosen watched, lips curving faintly.

At least these males are attentive.

As for any lingering interest in them—it vanished completely.

Males like this belonged with Nina.

"Sister Nina, are these the vegetables you mentioned earlier?" Dian asked, seizing another chance to draw her attention.

"Yes," Nina said. "This one is spinach, and that’s cabbage."

"Eating vegetables is good for your health—especially for females. It helps improve your skin."

"Really?" Rosen immediately picked up some vegetables and began eating. "Then I should have more."

"Then Sister Nina should eat more too." Dian quickly added some to Nina’s plate before serving himself.

He needed to eat more as well, so he could become even more beautiful.

Then, she would like him more.

Odian and the others narrowed their eyes slightly.

This fish really never misses a chance to flatter.

Nearby, Lex bit his lip.

That little brat... trying to steal his own sister-in-law.

Rosen stopped him with a hand.

"Don’t steal my vegetables."

"Mother, you’ve already had plenty," Dian said, taking advantage of the moment to grab more.

"No. I’m finishing this entire plate."

Soon, the two of them were competing over food, and the meal ended in laughter and lively chatter.

After dinner, Lex grabbed Dian by the collar and dragged him to the back of the courtyard.

"Dian," he said through clenched teeth, "How can you covet your own sister-in-law?"