Chapter 146: You Don't Like It?
The four school buses slowly started moving, heading along the main road toward a seaside town in New Jersey.
Assistant Instructor Felicia was assigned to the fourth bus. As expected, wherever this beauty went, she attracted attention. Even though she wasn't particularly good at socializing, she easily livened up the bus atmosphere.
In the same bus, Xi Nian and Diana had boarded a little late, so they had to sit in the last row. Compared to the lively environment around them, the two sitting together felt calm and serene.
Diana gazed sideways at the scenery outside the bus window. Golden sunlight fell on her sunhat and white blouse, casting a shimmering halo around her.
The brim of the sunhat covered almost half of her flawless face, leaving only her chin and collarbones visible, sculpted as if by divine hands. Even her slightly loose clothing outlined her graceful curves.
Even Felicia, seeing this from the front of the bus, couldn't help but marvel silently at such a fashionable and elegant beauty.
Diana's expression remained calm, as if nothing really mattered, creating a subtle distance between mortal and deity.
But when she finally shifted her gaze from the window to the boy sitting beside her, she whispered softly, "I think you should let go. So many people are watching…"
Xi Nian was still holding her left hand tightly, like a locked chain.
Hearing her words, he gripped her hand even harder, finally showing some stubborn resolve. "No."
Diana frowned slightly.
Xi Nian whispered, "I like it, but if you don't, I'll let go."
Diana hesitated, unable to respond immediately.
Since they discovered each other's identities and abilities, and after the events of returning to Paradise Island, nighttime training, and the Wasteland Wolf battle, Xi Nian and Diana's relationship had become extremely delicate.
Training—was it really just training? Both deceived themselves, avoiding the inevitable questions in their subconscious… whether human or divine.
Until now.
With self-control not being his strong suit, Xi Nian had willingly surrendered to indulgence.
Indulge in a woman? He was more than willing. Especially for someone like his aunt.
But as a demigod, Diana's self-control should surpass his. Then, if he kissed her ten times, a hundred times, a thousand times, could a god succumb to desire?
Xi Nian didn't know, but he wanted to find out.
Kiss again, keep kissing. Kiss like your future depended on it.
Only when Diana could no longer resist, when she truly gave in, would Xi Nian speak the words he had been holding back.
Until then.
This was enough. Just having her by his side was enough.
The black-haired boy looked at the mature woman beside him, thinking this in his heart.
...
In response to Xi Nian's words, Diana remained silent, turning her gaze back to the bright scenery outside the window.
It was hard to say she liked him.
But saying she didn't like him? Impossible.
...
About two hours later.
The bus approached a vast view of the ocean. Nearby, a small town basked peacefully in the sunlight.
The school clearly considered several factors when choosing this location. The town in New Jersey was close to Washington, and it had seen almost no criminal incidents in recent years—perfect for students affected by supernatural events to relax.
The town remained untouched by commercial tourism, serene and simple. The four buses passed the coastal main road, attracting curious glances from local residents, and arrived at a large blue-and-white domed building almost built over the water.
This was their destination: the Ocean Research Museum.
As they left the coastal road, a worn pickup truck crossed paths with the buses. Diana, watching from the window, raised her brow.
"What is it?" Xi Nian asked.
"I just saw someone I know," Diana replied softly.
"Someone you know…? Do I know him?"
"Sort of."
"Who?" Xi Nian leaned slightly out the window, only to see the pickup fading in the distance.
"Put your head back," Diana said, lightly tapping Xi Nian's head. "That was Aquaman, Arthur Curry."
"What's he doing here?"
Xi Nian knew him as one of the current Justice League heroes. They had met once at Superman Square. He was a large, burly man, rivaling Instructor Rott in build.
"I remember he said his home was in a seaside town. What a coincidence," Diana whispered. "Being so close to the sea, it's not surprising to see him here."
"True," Xi Nian nodded, suppressing a faint unease. No way every trip would involve a supernatural incident, right?
...
The bus arrived at the Ocean Research Museum.
Staff warmly welcomed the instructors, parents, and students. While explaining ocean knowledge, they guided everyone in batches through the museum's underwater tunnel.
The tunnel was dimly lit. Sunlight filtered through layers of water, creating dazzling light patterns. Fish of all shapes and colors swam past the glass on both sides.
Not just the students, even instructors and parents were captivated by the vastness of the ocean.
"That's a flounder, special species abound, some can even live in freshwater rivers…" the museum staff pointed and explained continuously.
Xi Nian held Diana's hand, walking slowly at the back of the crowd.
Felicia, observing them from afar, frowned slightly. Somehow, this warm scene gave her a strange impression.
It felt as though they were more like a couple.
Impossible!
Felicia was startled, quickly dismissing the thought.
Xi Nian didn't get close to the museum staff. Diana's knowledge of marine life was deeper than theirs. If you studied diligently for fifty years, you could achieve the same.
Halfway through the underwater tunnel tour, a student suddenly plopped down, pointing and screaming, "A shark!"
"Wow, a shark?"
"Where? I don't see it!"
Many looked toward where he pointed, only seeing dark underwater scenery.
"Children, this is the ocean. Sharks are normal," the staff laughed to reassure them.
The student stammered in fear, "But the shark I saw… it had hands and feet!"
"Impossible!"
The students burst into laughter, and many parents chuckled too.
Only Xi Nian froze, a strange figure flashing through his mind.
A shark with hands and feet? No way!
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