Interstellar Beast World: All My Husbands Are Powerful and Rich!-Chapter 178: Can I have something to wear?

Late at night.

They lay sprawled across the balcony, gazing down at the still surface of the artificial lake.

Nix leaned against Jasper, whispering in boredom, "Do you think he’ll come out tonight?"

If Wen never showed himself, were they supposed to crouch on this balcony every night, fishing for him?

And more importantly—when would he finally get his turn to bond with the Female Master?

Yuel replied quietly, "He’s only eaten one leaf since yesterday. He should be hungry by now. He’ll likely come out tonight."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a pink streak shot out from the living room below and plunged into the lake.

"He’s here," Vincent said calmly.

All of them leaned forward.

Ripples shimmered across the surface, silvered by moonlight. Beneath the water, a shadow moved—sleek and deliberate.

Ten minutes later, a figure broke through the surface without a single splash.

The droplets that scattered seemed almost silenced, slipping back into the lake as if swallowed by the night.

Wen stood waist-deep in the water, bare-chested. His skin was pale as cold jade, glowing faintly under the moonlight. Long pink hair cascaded down his back like silk. His narrow eyes were lowered, lashes casting faint shadows, while a distant frost seemed to glimmer in the depths of his gaze.

"Finally full," he murmured to himself. "The little female is so kind. She must have noticed I was nearly done with the lake fish—she bought so many more today."

He looked at the lake—now missing more than half its fish again—and bit his lower lip thoughtfully.

He had eaten so many of her fish... how should he repay her?

When he fled injured, everything he carried—including his storage ring—had been stolen by that man, Aris. He was penniless now, surviving entirely on the little female’s generosity.

His pink tail swayed slowly beneath the water.

Even with his cold, aloof features, his expression was tinged with quiet melancholy.

Suddenly, Vincent descended from the third-floor balcony, carrying Rory in his arms. Fiery wings flared behind him, blazing like living flames and illuminating the entire lake in a wash of crimson light.

Yuel and the others followed.

Wen’s head snapped toward them.

The moment he saw Rory and the men behind her, he instinctively covered his chest with one hand.

He tried to retreat into the water, but the lake’s surface froze solid in an instant, thick ice locking him in place.

"You... you..."

With nowhere to escape, Wen had no choice but to look at Rory. His face flushed a deeper pink under her curious gaze.

"L-little female... Can I have something to wear?"

Speaking to her like this felt unbearably improper.

The Rank eleven ice power binding him was far too strong—he couldn’t move at all.

"Where are your own clothes?" Rory asked.

So this was the Merfolk King Wen? Weren’t the elders claiming he was cold and aloof?

His tone now was soft and humble—hardly cold at all.

Though admittedly, when he wasn’t speaking, his face did carry a distant chill.

"My clothes were ruined when I escaped. My storage ring was stolen," Wen replied shyly. "I have nothing left." 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Fortunately, his tail remained hidden beneath the ice. Otherwise, he would truly be standing before her entirely exposed.

And perhaps it was also fortunate the tail wasn’t visible—otherwise, Yuel and the others might have already kicked him away.

Rory glanced at the men beside her. "Does anyone have spare clothes to lend him?"

Vincent immediately retrieved a garment from his storage ring and tossed it to Wen.

"Rory, let’s go back to the living room first," Vincent said gently. "Let him dress."

There was no need to stand here watching.

She nodded and followed him inside.

Once Rory was gone, Yuel signaled Xarion to melt the ice. The new fish had already suffered enough; no need to freeze the rest.

Xarion raised a hand. A blue shimmer passed over the lake, and within seconds the ice dissolved. Under the moonlight, fish leapt happily across the surface once more.

Wen flexed his tail, quickly dressed, and climbed onto shore.

"Why is he taller than me?" Nix muttered, eyeing him with dissatisfaction.

This guy had been living in their home all this time—had he been eyeing Rory?

"Let’s go inside," Yuel said, giving Wen a measured glance.

"Yes, Rory’s waiting," Nix added quickly.

Jasper gave Wen a long look before turning away.

Xarion approached last, studying Wen from head to toe.

"When you cry," Xarion asked flatly, "are the pearls pink?"

Wen blinked, confused by the sudden question—but nodded honestly. "Yes."

"Good."

Xarion seemed satisfied and walked away.

Wen: "...?"

In the living room, Rory gestured for Wen to sit across from her.

Nix poured him a glass of warm water.

After all, they might need those pink pearls later—best to keep him hydrated.

Unaware of Nix’s intentions, Wen looked at him gratefully before turning to Rory.

"Thank you."

Nix had poured the water, yet he thanked Rory. Jasper’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Vincent, seated beside Rory, regarded Wen steadily.

"You’ve been hiding here all this time. You knew the Firebird Clan and the Merfolk have been searching for you."

Wen lifted his gaze.

"I’m truly sorry. I was severely injured and unconscious at first. I didn’t know anyone was looking for me."

He glanced shyly at Rory.

"It was this beautiful little female who fed me medicine. Only then did I gradually regain consciousness."

His humble tone, his soft voice, and the faintly sickly pallor of his handsome face made it difficult to respond harshly.

"Who injured you?" Rory asked, frowning.

Who could be cruel enough to hurt such a gentle little fish?

"It was..."

Wen nearly said Aris’s name.

But then he remembered—outside the succubus clans, very few people even knew that name.

Vincent, as the second prince of the Firebird Clan, would be familiar with the most notable figures. If he mentioned someone obscure and Vincent didn’t recognize it, suspicion would fall on him.

After a brief pause, Wen answered firmly:

"It was Aren."

Rory froze.

Just then, a figure rushing down the stairs halted abruptly at the sound of his own name.

Aren stood at the staircase, body stiff.

Why had the Female Master suddenly spoken his name?

Did she discover his identity?

What should he do now?

Deny it?

Or step forward and confess everything?