Chapter 164: Mermaid
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
After the mermaid was brought back to the starship, their presence immediately drew the attention of everyone on board. If not for the swift intervention of the military doctor, some curious individuals would have attempted to wet the mermaid’s feet to observe if they would revert to their fish-tailed form upon contact with water.
“Such troublemakers. How can they casually experiment while in their current condition?” The military doctor shut the door to the infirmary, dismissing the curious onlookers.
Zhou Ling’s brows furrowed with concern. “Is their condition critical?”
Given the absence of visible external injuries, it didn’t seem like the situation should be so dire.
“It’s not good. While their injuries aren’t severe, the mermaid had minimal exposure to seawater during their escape. They’re severely dehydrated as a result. Additionally, the trauma they experienced during the attack has taken a significant toll on their physical and mental well-being. If we want them to regain consciousness, we must arrange for immediate treatment on the capital planet,” the military doctor explained, closely monitoring the mermaid’s vital signs, hoping they would hold on.
Zhou Ling rose from his seat in a determined manner and exited the infirmary. His expression grew serious. “Issue the order. We’re returning to the capital planet immediately, everyone.”
He couldn’t allow the mermaid to perish. The mystery surrounding them still needed to be unraveled. The mere fact that they possessed knowledge of the Alliance’s special distress signal indicated a likely connection between the merfolk and the Alliance.
“What’s happening? Weren’t you dealing with the wormhole? How did you catch such a big fish?” Liao Ning approached the military hospital on the capital planet, carrying a thermos in her hands.
Lan Yin, standing beside Zhou Ling, promptly intercepted the thermos from Liao Ning and placed it on the bedside table.
“Ningning, let’s not joke around.” Zhou Ling chuckled at her comment. Following the doctor’s treatment, Zhou Ling was instructed to arrange some light, traditional dishes for the mermaid, which led him to contact Liao Ning.
“I’ve prepared seafood porridge specifically for them. I wonder if they’ll enjoy it,” Liao Ning glanced at the pale and delicate mermaid resting on the hospital bed, addressing Zhou Ling. “Considering they live in the sea, they must have a liking for seafood, right?”
Zhou Ling struggled to contain his laughter. “Ningning, is there a chance that mermaids are simply fish?”
Liao Ning choked. She had really neglected the fact that mermaids were also fish.
Liao Ning asked cautiously, “So, when he wakes up and sees seafood porridge.. will he faint in anger?”
Zhou Ling couldn’t help but laugh. He found Liao Ning incredibly endearing. “I’m just teasing you. Don’t worry, mermaids are the rulers of the sea. Seafood is their usual diet. They won’t faint from a bowl of seafood porridge.”
Observing Liao Ning’s playfulness, Lan Yin couldn’t help but smile. It was a rare sight to see her sister-in-law in such a lighthearted mood. However, he refrained from commenting on her cuteness in front of his boss and simply turned to gaze at the mermaid.
To his surprise, when Lan Yin looked back at the bed, he found himself meeting the eyes of the mermaid. Despite expecting the mermaid’s eyes to be shut, they were open and locked onto him with cold, vertical pupils.
Lan Yin possessed a gentle demeanor when not on a mission. Even when startled, she refrained from exclaiming like most people. After a moment, she spoke calmly, “…You’re awake. You startled me.”
Her voice remained steady and unaffected, not revealing any fear.
The mermaid continued to stare at Lan Yin, unblinking, causing a shiver to run down her spine.
“You’re not a mermaid,” the mermaid asserted with conviction. Her voice resonated like the legends described.
Liao Ning and Zhou Ling exchanged glances, silently agreeing not to interrupt the conversation between the mermaid and Lan Yin.
“You’re right, I’m not a mermaid,” Lan Yin nodded in acknowledgement, affirming the mermaid’s observation.
The mermaid still didn’t blink, her gaze fixed on Lan Yin as she inquired, “Then why do you smell like your own kind?”
Lan Yin glanced at Zhou Ling, unsure if he should respond to the mermaid’s question. After all, the mermaid was merely an imperial slave they had rescued.
Observing Lan Yin’s uncertainty, the mermaid shifted her gaze to Zhou Ling.
The mermaid stared at Zhou Ling intently before speaking, “I remember you. You saved me alongside him.”
Though the mermaid didn’t explicitly mention who “he” referred to, the three individuals present understood that the person in question was Lan Yin..