Chapter Sixty-Nine: Arrival at the Aquarium

There are sixteen administrative districts in the Far North City, and Jinchuan District, with the highest average housing prices, has its reasons.

Hot Lake, the largest geothermal lake on the entire Takamagahara planet, is also the city’s most convenient and affordable source of heat, situated right at the heart of Jinchuan District.

In fact, the closer one gets to Hot Lake within the Far North City, the more comfortable and pleasant the climate becomes.

For example, in Shinjuku, Akita, and Mikawa Districts, the temperature remains around twenty degrees all year, so stepping outside in a short-sleeved shirt is enough.

Farther out in Gunma, Beihai, and Chiba, the area lies in a tug-of-war between warm air and cold currents from outside the city. Residents must check the weather forecast daily to choose their attire, lest they unexpectedly freeze outdoors.

Beyond the reach of Hot Lake, outside the city, the land is ruled by the Lord of Winter—a world of snow and ice where only wild wolves (wild dogs), snow hares, and moss barely survive. The so-called “thermophilic fungi,” special mosses, grow thickly around geothermal fissures, and snow hares, with their keen sense of smell, dig tunnels to find them; wild wolves follow these tunnels to hunt.

On the frigid, harsh planet of Takamagahara, all life greedily craves the warmth seeping from the earth’s surface—losing geothermal heat means certain death.

For this very reason, when Chen Zi’ang helped his sister out of the car, he was instantly stunned by the exquisite scenery near Hot Lake.

It resembled the West Lake under a gentle drizzle, or Lake Geneva beneath the snow-capped Alps. Rarely does a lake so artfully blend the starkly contrasting landscapes of cold and warmth in one place.

To the northeast of Hot Lake lay Furong Mountain with its snow-capped summit, and the majestic Gaoling Glacier.

The glacier melts halfway down the mountain, forming the Benxi River, which follows the contours of the land to flow into Hot Lake. The river is icy and piercing, yet its sediment content is remarkably low, endowing Hot Lake with the clarity and blue typical of highland glacial lakes.

Geothermal fissures spread across the lakebed, acting as enormous underfloor heating, making the surrounding climate remarkably comfortable. Willows grow thickly along the shores. If one ignored the distant rugged snow mountains, the scenery could easily be mistaken for the charm of the southern rivers.

Chen Zi’ang retrieved the wheelchair from the trunk and let Chen Xiaozhu sit down.

“I’ll do it,” Goro Emon offered, reaching for the wheelchair handles.

“No need, I’ll manage,” Chen Zi’ang politely declined.

“Let Uncle Emon take over,” said Suzuna Tsukimi, persuading, “He’s trained in pushing wheelchairs, just as steady as his driving.”

Why on earth would someone specifically practice how to push a wheelchair…? Chen Zi’ang grumbled inwardly, though he had to admit Goro Emon’s driving skills were impressive—whether overtaking or entering an on-ramp, there was never a hint of sudden acceleration or braking, even steadier than the subway.

Watching Goro Emon take the wheelchair and push Chen Xiaozhu around the lakeside several times, with his sister showing no signs of discomfort, Chen Zi’ang breathed a secret sigh of relief.

Seeing his tacit acceptance, Suzuna Tsukimi grew ever more pleased. Step one of her plan, accomplished!

Though she needed to bring Chen Zi’ang out to play through his sister, if Xiaozhu was always by his side, it would be difficult to get closer to him—after all, he’d surely be mindful of maintaining his big brother image.

Thus, by entrusting the care of Xiaozhu to Goro Emon, she gained a chance to be alone with her senior!

It was somewhat contradictory: on one hand, Suzuna was acutely aware of the vast difference between her and her senior’s family backgrounds.

If their genders were swapped, it would be a straightforward story of a rich heir trying to court a policewoman—the rich heir claims it’s true love, but who would believe that?

Moreover, because of his sister, Chen Zi’ang lived a near-celibate life. Although he seemed unaffected most of the time, whenever a woman made advances, he instinctively put up his guard.

The only solution was to start as friends and slowly dismantle his defenses—a method proven effective in her previous life.

Yet, on the other hand, Suzuna often knew she should restrain herself, but whenever their eyes met, she couldn’t help wanting to draw closer.

It was like a polar animal enduring the bitter cold, suddenly discovering a geothermal fissure in the earth. Even knowing that getting too close might burn, she couldn’t resist pressing her face to the heat.

“See over there, senior?” She took Chen Zi’ang’s arm, urging him to look, “That’s the Kuril Aquarium!”

Chen Zi’ang looked over; the exterior of the Kuril Aquarium was quite unremarkable, almost resembling a rural guesthouse. Yet, juxtaposed with the ink-wash scenery of Hot Lake, it gave off a harmonious, understated charm.

Moreover, as Suzuna mentioned, perhaps due to the ticket price, there wasn’t even a queue at the entrance. It contrasted sharply with his memories from a previous life, where tourist attractions were always thronged with people.

Indeed, the wealthy never have to stand in line, even at popular spots like aquariums.

At the aquarium entrance, Suzuna took out her small purse and handed Chen Zi’ang two paper tickets.

“What about Uncle Emon?” Chen Zi’ang asked, “Isn’t he coming in with us?”

“No,” Goro Emon replied respectfully. “I am Miss’s steward and can use the annual membership’s complimentary admission, which the aquarium staff are aware of.”

At the nearby ticket checkpoint, the attendant flashed an ingratiating smile as if to say, “Yes, we know.” The morning shift supervisor had instructed them about a distinguished guest purchasing the “annual membership” special service, warning them not to let anything slip—though the aquarium had never offered such a membership, the payment was generous.

Not only could the steward enter, but maids, gardeners, tutors—anyone could come, and it would be fine.

Chen Zi’ang, not fully understanding, simply marveled and handed the tickets to the attendant, then followed Suzuna into the aquarium.

Upon entering, their eyes were greeted by a deep blue shimmer.

To create a tranquil atmosphere of the deep sea, most tanks used blue lighting as a backdrop. All sorts of bizarre, brilliantly colored alien fish glided slowly within, making it feel as if one truly was submerged in the ocean’s depths.

Thinking of the deep sea evoked thoughts of the Lord of the Abyss… Chen Zi’ang quickly suppressed such reckless notions and turned his gaze to Chen Xiaozhu.

His sister stared fixedly at the tanks, seemingly appreciating the elegant movement of the fish, yet her eyes were empty, filled with nothingness.

“Uncle Emon,” Suzuna snapped her fingers.

Goro Emon promptly approached the tank and pressed the play button on the commentary device. The voice of the science guide filled the quiet room:

“White-bellied finfish, from the Deep Jupiter District, is a rare species that can only live in volcanic lakes…”

Chen Xiaozhu listened quietly, her expression showing a hint of interest, which allowed Chen Zi’ang to feel comforted for once.

“Senior, there are fish models over there you can touch,” Suzuna suggested. “Let’s bring some for Xiaozhu to play with.”