The mermaid boarded the boat nonchalantly, slicing up a fresh tuna for her to eat as if they had not just had an argument.
Shu Tang refused to eat.
The mermaid placed the plate beside her and went into the cabin.
After secretly observing for a while and making sure the mermaid would not come out, a hungry Shu Tang, with her stomach growling, brought the fish over.
From inside the cabin, the mermaid watched her from a distance.
His expressionless face softened gradually as his dark eyes turned tender.
They did not return from the sea to the Bastille until dawn, and Shu Tang dozed off leaning against the ship’s railing, only to wake up back in her own bed.
Sitting up, Shu Tang realized where she was and checked her communicator, relieved to see the signal had been restored.
She immediately messaged Chen Sheng to inquire about the new treatment.
Chen Sheng sent over the information, and the more Shu Tang read, the more feasible she found the method. Unfortunately, due to technical and equipment limitations, they would need to travel to Yan City for treatment.
However, Shu Tang was very clear: although they had both returned home and regained signal, the mermaid’s attitude had not softened. He had simply given up on the idea of living on the island.
In fact, Shu Tang was not entirely without options. If she bought a ticket to Yan City overnight and called the mermaid, making a move before discussing it could have a high success rate. After all, if he discovered her disappearance, he would surely come to Yan City to find her.
But Shu Tang hesitated for a long time on the ticket purchase page in bed and finally turned it off.
What if her disappearance provoked the mermaid into a premature psychic outburst? It was a real possibility, and she sighed internally at the memory of the mermaid drenched in the rain, umbrella in hand.
It might work, but Shu Tang didn’t want to hurt him.
With that hesitation, dawn broke.
When Shu Tang went downstairs at five in the morning, after washing up and slipping on her shoes, she saw the mermaid cooking porridge by the fire. His profile under the sunlight possessed a divine beauty. Lazily squinting at the sun, he caught sight of her and pulled her over, and together they watched the sunrise.
Shu Tang noticed a book by the mermaid’s hand. Opening it, she found it was her casually placed “The Thirty-Six Stratagems.”
Turning her head, she thought: No wonder he has become so cunning.
Shu Tang pulled out her communicator and started reading news to the mermaid:
“Due to a severe psychic outburst, one individual passed away, and their partner fled with the funds.”
The mermaid, leisurely basking in the sun, listened to Shu Tang’s morning news, treating it completely as background music.
Shu Tang got angry.
Throwing water at the mermaid.
The mermaid glanced at her and pinned her down with his tail.
Thus, Shu Tang was like a turtle flipped on its back, unable to turn over.
She struggled, and the mermaid lazily watched her with half-closed eyes.
Shu Tang: I can’t live like this anymore!
*
However, soon there was a turnaround.
That afternoon, Shu Tang received a phone call from her mother.
The sound of playing mahjong came from her mother’s side:
“Tang Tang, are you free this weekend? Your dad and I have submitted an application. If you’re available, you can go to the registry with Xiao Zhu to cancel that genetic match.”
After talking to her mother last time, Shu Tang had completely forgotten about it. The cancellation of a genetic match required submitting materials for approval, and the final step of the process needed both parties present, so Shu Tang had to go in person.
Fortunately, Shu Tang couldn’t think of a way to persuade the mermaid and couldn’t go to Yan City for the time being, so she decided to wrap up this matter first.
So she made an appointment with her mother for Saturday.
The mermaid heard Shu Tang’s mother’s voice and heard her mention going out on Saturday, and his steps faltered.
Shu Tang turned to the mermaid and said, “I’m going with my mom for an afternoon.”
Shu Tang had not yet told her parents about their situation, mainly because her mother would definitely want Shu Tang to bring him home for a visit, and Zhu Yan’s identity was quite special. Shu Tang wanted to wait until things were certain before discussing it.
However, Shu Tang had a sudden inspiration and started using reverse psychology.
She sighed, “Look, you’re not going to see a doctor, and I don’t even dare to leave you for an afternoon.”
Imitating her grandmother’s tone, she said, “Ah, I really am born to worry.”
Mermaid: “…”
Shu Tang thought that the mermaid would be provoked because she was going out, but his will was as strong as steel. If he said he wouldn’t see a doctor, he wouldn’t, and Shu Tang’s little tricks couldn’t deceive him.
On Saturday at noon, Shu Tang tried several times, but the mermaid was immovable, even saying: she could rest assured and go about her business without worrying about him suddenly dying in an afternoon.
He was in very good shape.
Strong body, stable mind.
He could snatch her out of any corner of the city’s skies.
Shu Tang: “…”
Shu Tang could only leave dejectedly, hands in pockets.
**
The heavy rains in July came just in time, sweeping away the sweltering air.
The mermaid did not wait for Shu Tang in the forbidden area.
The supermarket was located on the essential path in Zone 01, so as long as he was by the window, the mermaid could clearly see Shu Tang passing by.
The corner where the mermaid was located was blocked by a vending machine, so passersby could only see a tall silhouette. Because it appeared large and somewhat fierce, no one dared to approach that corner.
Only Chen Sheng, who hurried over, hesitated for a moment before sitting opposite the Founder.
The mermaid just looked at him and did not refuse Chen Sheng’s approach.
Chen Sheng tried several times to talk about going to Yan City, but the mermaid obviously showed little interest and even cast a warning glance because he was too noisy.
So, Chen Sheng sighed and sat opposite the Founder to wait together.
…
When Shu Tang appeared, the mermaid’s ear fins twitched, and he opened his eyes.
However, this time, Shu Tang was not alone.
There was another man beside her.
Shu Tang had also chatted with classmates and colleagues before, and the monster did not like anyone getting close to her, but after realizing that this behavior was just normal socializing and her attitude towards others was far less than his, the monster gradually restrained its sharp jealousy.
However, at this moment, the monster in the corner sensed something unusual.
Through the window, the mermaid clearly saw the man’s appearance.
Omegas generally care about their appearance, and the man had a very refined demeanor, wearing plain glasses, and was slightly taller than 1.7 meters. His face was very gentle and handsome, with peach blossom eyes, a popular look for omegas.
The monster keenly realized: This man was different from those in the past.
This was the first Omega to appear beside Shu Tang, and although the mermaid still did not fully understand the differences between AOs, at this moment, he felt a very sharp, instinctual hostility.
The two of them stood at the entrance of Zone 01 and talked for a while.
The mermaid’s gaze was firmly fixed on that man.
The man had no sharp fins or pitch-black eyes. His demeanor was not as fierce as that of a wild beast, but instead, very gentle, and he looked very compatible with Shu Tang.
When Shu Tang walked with the mermaid, people would cast frightened glances, and the places they went to were often left in a vacuum. But when Shu Tang walked with this man, nobody thought it was strange, and they even smiled at them.
As they passed the fruit stand, the supermarket aunt even asked Shu Tang, “Hey, is he your boyfriend?”
This is a perfectly normal occurrence, for when a pair walks together, someone will always ask that question.
The dark monster paused for a moment, its gaze subtly changing.
The mermaid had already understood what ‘boyfriend’ meant.
—”He” appeared calm, if not for the supermarket light bulbs flickering due to the unstable psychic magnetic field.
A feeling named jealousy burned fiercely like fire.
The dark raindrops in the sky seemed to shout: Kill him, kill him!
As if sensing this intense desire, the heavy rain outside grew even stronger, with malice like that of a malevolent god in the gloomy sky.
Fortunately, Shu Tang turned to the aunt and said, “No, he’s just a friend I’ve just met.”
Chen Sheng felt a change in the air and was startled, immediately turning his head to follow the mermaid’s gaze.
The mermaid slowly turned her head and looked at Chen Sheng with an inquiring gaze.
In her pitch-black eyes, the dark rain outside the window was reflected.
Chen Sheng had looked up Shu Tang’s information and knew who that person was. But after all, the person was Shu Tang’s former genetic match, and even though the match had been dissolved, it still felt a bit sensitive.
Chen Sheng was worried that speaking out might provoke the current big boss.
So, he wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, “This, you…”
Due to Chen Sheng’s evasive attitude, the monster realized the unusualness of that person.
The monster slowly fixed its gaze on the man, its eyes filled with sharp scrutiny.
Only when a powerful psychic magnetic field suppressed the opponent into sweating did the monster let out a cold snicker.
“He” then turned back to look at Chen Sheng.
“He” knew Chen Sheng was reluctant to speak.
Thus, “his” aura changed. Even though the mermaid did not like Zhu Yan, Zhu Yan was still part of the mermaid’s past. Mimicking Zhu Yan from the past was as easy as flipping a hand.
The strange monster, in an instant, reverted to the big boss from ten years ago. Its demeanor became restrained and indifferent.
“He” somewhat coldly lifted his eyelids, looked at Chen Sheng, and wrote one word on the table:
Answer.
Chen Sheng was stunned. Facing the big boss, he subconsciously chose to obey.
Long ago, upon learning about the existence of the Zhu family, Chen Sheng had decided to deal with it, but due to too many things, he had momentarily forgotten, and now he regretted it, having no choice but to speak up.
Actually, having the surname “Zhu” was not a problem at all, but exploiting the connection with the big boss for profit was another matter entirely; moreover, it was even more coincidentally wrong that the person had become Shu Tang’s former genetic match.
Chen Sheng recounted everything methodically, his spirit highly tense, his fingers pressed firmly on the intercom.
Unexpectedly, the mermaid appeared very calm.
He merely glanced at Chen Sheng and then stood up to leave.
The mermaid left the area before Shu Tang and others exited the supermarket, heading towards the forbidden zone.
As it passed the ruins, a monster raised its head, its dark pupils catching the reflection in a shattered mirror.
“It” gazed at its own reflection in the mirror.
The mermaid, whose appearance was starkly different from humans, was often praised by Shu Tang for his fish tail and features, yet he was acutely aware that few besides her found him “beautiful.”
More fitting descriptors for this creature would be: eerie and fierce.
To a deep-sea predator, these were not derogatory terms, for fear brought submission, and being feared saved a lot of trouble.
—However, this became a fatal flaw when it came to mating.
The mermaid looked too ferocious and was far from gentle.
This creature was bizarre and terrifying, with no redeeming qualities, utterly lacking any charm that would make someone want to stay.
Even when there were competitors, the monster would instinctively want to kill them and drag them into the boundless deep sea to drown.
This thought was sharp and dangerous; the monster needed immense restraint to control this desire, to not turn around and drown the competitor.
—Yet, the mermaid knew all too well that if he actually did that, he would forever lose her pity.
However, being unable to act left the creature feeling a powerless rage and frustration.
But aside from the kitten’s affection, this bizarre creature had no bargaining chips against competitors. Tortured by this thought, the fierce beast let out a sharp, angry hiss.
The monster in the mirror looked even more ferocious.
Such an extreme pitiful creature.
Its pale fingers and face in the mirror were blurred by the rain.
Like a pale blue rose drenched in rain.
At this moment, this stubborn, sharp conservative finally had a wavering thought.
*
Today, Shu Tang had an unexpectedly smooth day. The other party already had a new partner, and both sides wished to end their relationship quickly, so they cooperated well.
Shu Tang held no affection for the Zhu family. Partly because of her mother’s complaints and partly because the Zhu family had risen to a high position at the South Island base by changing their surname. Zhu Yan had been imprisoned in the forbidden area for ten years, yet outside, a bunch of people pretending to be related to him were flourishing because of his surname.
It was hard for Shu Tang to feel any fondness; she didn’t even ask for the other person’s name, just wanting to end their meeting quickly. However, for some reason, upon hearing that Shu Tang was now working in Zone 01, the other person suddenly changed their cold demeanor.
Shu Tang found it bizarre.
He suggested having dinner together, so Shu Tang took him to the supermarket to queue for steamed buns.
He asked for her contact information, and Shu Tang gave him the registration number of the sanatorium.
Finally, when he asked if Shu Tang could help him leave the sanatorium, she found him a shared bicycle.
At that moment, he looked at Shu Tang with a scrutinizing gaze that bordered on bizarre, then rode off on the bicycle with a pale face.
On her way home, Shu Tang thought to herself that she might end up in a collection of stories about stingy alphas.
Shu Tang returned to the fortress as usual and naturally saw the mermaid in the kitchen. She ran over and hugged his waist from behind as she used to.
But the mermaid bowed his head and suddenly became quiet.
He lowered his eyes, moved affectionately to her neck, and his cold fingers lifted a strand of her hair.
It was because the beast smelled an unfamiliar scent on her hair.
—It was a scent completely different from that of an alpha.
Entwined and lingering, like the bothersome rain outside.
The mermaid slowly moved his fingers, and thus the veins slowly hid behind his back.
Shu Tang asked, “Little Rose, what’s wrong?”