Settling In

Han looked with thankful eyes at Mei Ling, who thought that this was only proper.

Since these five mers are now wedded to her, Mei Ling must make sure they are treated right in her house.

Mei Ling looked out of the window, the sun was brightly shining in mid-air, and the smell of smoked meat from the neighbor's house and the clamoring noise of butchering signals that lunch is being prepared.

It is now time to eat. Mei Ling looked at her 'husbands' and decided to cook for lunch. Since this is the first time they all meet, she needs to cook up a feast to feed them.

"It's now the afternoon, I'll cook our lunch for today." Mei Ling stood up but was immediately stopped.

"Wait, wife! We'll do the cooking! You can rest, after all, you already hunted down a deer." Han intercepted. How dare he let his new wife cook for them, mere mers? Although this wife of theirs is polite, that does not mean they should take it for granted.

Lin, similarly agreeing with Han's sentiment, also responded.

"W-wife, you can leave the cooking to us. We can do it, we're well taught in cooking!"

"Let her do it since she already said so." San got pinched in his waist on both sides, stopping the grumpy Mer from mumbling more of his complaints.

"Rin, what are you doing?" San can understand Han pinching him, after all, Han is such a stuck-up for etiquette, but Rin? What's this Mer's problem?

"San, I'm telling you, if we suddenly get thrown out because of your temper tantrums, I'm going to bury you myself," Rin warned. They got themselves a perfect wife, it'll be a pity to part with her so fast.

Mei Ling, who didn't pay attention to the little squabble, shook her head at the offers, she then firmly stood up and said:

"No, all of you have just arrived. I'm pretty sure that none of you dare wander around with my mother's threat and therefore have not settled your things yet. You can do that while I cook. There are two extra big rooms inside, and the five of you can divide in rooming there. The rooms are wide enough for all of you to fit in. Alright, I'll go to the kitchen then."

Mei Ling immediately turned to walk to the kitchen, making sure her spouses can't refute her.

Left alone by their wife, the five mers blinked their eyes.

"Does that mean we're successfully staying here for good?" Lin turned to Han.

"Yes." Han absentmindedly nodded and picked up two small boxes beside his red shoes and stood up. He walked in the direction their wife pointed before she left for the kitchen.

Following the eldest mer, the other four also picked up their small boxes and followed Han.

Mei Ling's house might look small outside but the interior was large and spacious, which Mei Ling modeled after modern houses in the Federation.

Jin curiously slides open their wife's room door when he passed by. (They saw her go here when she changed her clothes.)

"Jin! What are you doing?" Lin, just behind Jin, almost got a panic attack from the sudden movement.

"Shush, I'm just looking. Based on the books I've read before, a person's room can reflect their personality!" Jin surveyed the room with his glance.

Lin, who became curious, also did just that. San, the slowpoke who finally caught up with Jin and Lin, heard Jin's words and piercingly looked around.

'Let's see what kind of person you are!' San mumbled.

In the big room, a bed, a single closet, a study table, four book racks, and a few chairs can be seen. The furnishings are cleverly arranged. The room was clean and neat, and a subtle orange fragrance even lingered inside.

San turned to Jin, "Hey Jin, what does this mean?"

Lin also turned to Jin, who was quiet. Before Jin can open his mouth to answer, a fair hand reached out to Jin's left ear. Another hand also pinched San's ear.

"I knew it was too quiet! Close that door right now. Go settle your things in the left wing! Me and Rin already occupied the right wing." Han scolded, lowering his tone.

Lin, left untouched in his ears, immediately fled to the left wing, leaving the two troublemakers with their two superiors.

_____

"..." - Mei Ling who can hear all the commotion but stayed quiet.