My Marriage Partner is a Crazy Mermaid - Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Returning Home

Tan City, Airport.

The luggage carousel turned slowly. Meng Ke glanced down at her wristwatch: 10:00 AM.

The plane had landed early, well ahead of her scheduled meeting with Luo Miao. When her familiar black suitcase slid into view, Meng Ke leaned over slightly to grab it, extended the handle, and headed toward the exit.

The crowd was bustling—people of all descriptions coming and going, enacting daily scenes of parting and reunion. Stepping out of the terminal, a gust of wind greeted her, carrying a faint floral scent. Meng Ke steadied herself. So, this was Tan City.

Having fully processed the “plot” of this world, Meng Ke didn’t have a particularly good impression of this place.

Three days ago, Meng Ke had met with an accident on a business trip. When she woke up, she found herself in a completely foreign environment. With a flood of memory fragments rushing into her mind, she realized she had transmigrated into a book—a melodramatic “Rich Family” novel about real and fake heiresses. She was the “cannon fodder” fake daughter.

Life as an unwanted dependent was grim. The fake daughter was bullied by everyone and eventually forced into an arranged marriage as a substitute. Her groom was to be a gloomy, ruthless disabled man—the story’s primary antagonist. In the original plot, she vanished mysteriously shortly after the wedding, and no one ever bothered to ask why.

During the several-hour flight, Meng Ke had organized the plot and figured out the sequence of events. The story had currently progressed to the moment of her return to the country, just before the marriage was set to begin.

Pushing her luggage, Meng Ke was almost at the exit when she spotted two people dressed so flamboyantly they were impossible to ignore.

One wore a light blue, ankle-length dress that slit high to reveal a fair, long leg. A black LV leather bag hung across her shoulder, and a diamond-encrusted Van Cleef & Arpels piece flashed conspicuously on her hand. The other woman wore a deep crimson qipao, her elegance tinged with a streak of disdain.

According to the book’s description, this was the arrogant Eldest Miss and her mother.

Meng Ke frowned. She spared them a faint, glancing look and paused her hand on the suitcase handle, considering turning back to find another exit. However, the two women didn’t notice her look of disgust and walked straight toward her.

“Sister, you’re back! Why didn’t you tell us in advance? We almost missed the chance to pick you up.”

“I’m sorry, my memory isn’t great. Since when did I have a sister?”

“Ke, what are you saying?” Ruan Yalan chimed in, “Xiaoxue has been talking about you every day, finally looking forward to your return.”

“Looking forward to my return, or looking forward to my death?”

The faces of the two women turned pale at those words. Meng Yingxue opened her mouth and closed it again; she couldn’t refute it because she truly had entertained that thought. Compared to Meng Yingxue, Ruan Yalan was more composed.

“Ke, I know you resent us for sending you abroad, but the environment overseas is indeed quite good. Look at you now.” Before Meng Ke could speak, Ruan Yalan continued, “If it weren’t for us back then, how would you even be alive today?”

Meng Ke snorted coldly. They were still at the airport, and they were already starting with the moral kidnapping?

“Just say what you want from me.”

Meng Ke suffered from severe neurasthenia. The constant roar of the plane meant she hadn’t slept at all, and her temper was currently at its shortest.

“What a thing to say! It’s been years. We just want you to come home and have a reunion dinner.”

Meng Ke’s eyes fell on Ruan Yalan, slowly scanning her up and down. Ruan Yalan was Meng Chengliang’s second wife. She had held the position of Mrs. Meng for many years through none-too-clean methods. Meng Ke being sent abroad was mostly her handiwork.

A person who never acted without profit wouldn’t come to the airport out of the goodness of her heart. It was clearly because news of the Xie-Meng marriage alliance had been leaked. Meng Yingxue didn’t want to marry the man, and now that they couldn’t settle the matter, they finally thought of her.

“I’ll go back the day after tomorrow.”

Severing ties with the Meng family was one of the things she intended to resolve upon her return. Even if they hadn’t come to invite her, she would have gone back.

“Are you really coming back?” Meng Yingxue asked suspiciously.

“It’s good that you’ve thought it through. Why don’t we exchange contact info? Call us before you want to come over, and I’ll have the maid cook something you like.”

“Do you even know what I like?” Meng Ke countered. “Is it leftover rice from the night before, or plain cabbage boiled in water?”

“The maid was careless…” Ruan Yalan looked ready to apologize.

They were blocking the exit, drawing a few dissatisfied glances from passersby.

Meng Ke looked over. Behind those people, a woman sat in a wheelchair. The wheelchair looked incredibly high-tech and intelligent—entirely silver-white. The armrests were smooth, with a row of switches lined up. A mesh bag hung from the back of the wheelchair, containing a silver-white laptop.

The person in the wheelchair was leaning her head slightly against the backrest, napping. A mass of light blue curly hair obscured most of her face. She seemed to be sleeping well; her profile looked very peaceful.

Meng Ke dragged her suitcase to the side to give way. Someone pushed the wheelchair out, followed closely by three or four well-trained men in black.

Who is that? Such a grand style, traveling with bodyguards. As the group passed, a distinct scent lingered in the air—fresh, sea salt—like stepping onto a beach with a sea breeze blowing in your face. It was very similar to a perfume Meng Ke liked: “Siren’s Temptation.”

Before Meng Ke could look closer, a familiar voice rang out.

“Keke!” Luo Miao waved from not far away.

Meng Ke pulled her luggage and bypassed the two women. Luo Miao rushed over and gave her a massive bear hug. “How is it? Are you tired? Hungry?”

Meng Ke shook her head.

“Why the long face?”

“The first person I saw upon returning wasn’t you. Of course I’m in a bad mood.”

“Ooh, that’s sweet. Doesn’t sound like you.”

“Stop being poor.”

Luo Miao reached out to take her suitcase, and the two headed toward the parking lot. Ruan Yalan shouted from behind, “Remember to call!”

Only then did Luo Miao notice the two women. “Eh, they look a bit familiar.” Luo Miao wanted to stop and see who they were, but Meng Ke dragged her away.

“Hurry up, I’m starving to death.”

Watching their bickering retreating backs, Meng Yingxue bit her lip fiercely. “Mom, what do we do? Will she really come back?”

“She will.” Ruan Yalan was a good judge of character. Meng Ke acted tough on the surface, but she still had many concerns; otherwise, she would have shredded their faces right then and there. “There’s still some time before the wedding date. No rush.”

“Mom, you have to help me. I don’t want to marry a cripple.”

“Don’t worry. Mommy will never let you marry her.”

Once they were in the car, Luo Miao asked curiously, “Who were those two? They looked familiar.”

“From the Meng family.”

“Your stepmother and sister?”

“Yeah.”

“Coming here to suck up to me for no reason.”

Hearing this, Luo Miao understood. “I know why. Because the Xie family wants a marriage alliance with the Meng family. Given Meng Yingxue’s temper, she probably doesn’t want to go.”

“The Xie family of Tan City?” Meng Ke fell into thought. “In Tan City, given the Xie family’s status, the Meng family is basically climbing up, right? Why wouldn’t she want to?”

She knew the plot and knew that Xie Yuhan was the book’s biggest villain, but Meng Yingxue and her mother didn’t know that. They were profit-driven; if the Xie family wanted a marriage, wouldn’t they move in the very next day? Why come looking for her?

“You wouldn’t know this.” Three years ago, shortly after Meng Ke went abroad, a major event happened. The Xie family’s daughter, Xie Yuhan, attempted suicide by jumping into the sea. Fortunately, her life was saved, but unfortunately, she was left with a permanent disability in her legs. It hadn’t healed in all these years.

The Xie family was originally run by Xie Jiaming, but since that incident, Xie Yuhan had taken control. No one objected. Under her leadership, the Xie family leaped to become the number one family in just one year. Two years later, she directly annexed the Lu family, which was at its peak at the time. Her methods of climbing the ladder were swift and ruthless; when no one was around, people called her “Xie the Lunatic.”

Besides expanding the business empire, there were rumors that her private life was chaotic. She had sought out beautiful women and handsome men—but those people all disappeared from Tan City later. Therefore, no one dared to provoke the Xie family in business, and even fewer dared to cross them in private.

“So that’s how it is,” Meng Ke said.

“You should be careful. Watch out that the Meng family doesn’t sell you off.”

“Marriage requires my consent, right? Or can they just tie me up and send me there?”

“With that stepmother of yours, it’s hard to say.”

At those words, Meng Ke’s head began to throb. She rested her hand on her forehead and pursed her lips. “Thanks, let’s stop talking.”

“Have you ever thought about finding your biological parents?” Luo Miao was curious. They had known about her true identity for six or seven years. If she found them, her situation might not be so difficult.

There was a moment of silence.

Meng Ke propped herself up in the seat, her tone calm but laced with helplessness. “What would happen if I found them? I have no power right now. If they don’t have any either, wouldn’t we just be at the mercy of others?”

Luo Miao sighed softly. She had mentioned it casually, but thinking about it, Meng Ke wasn’t wrong. “It’s okay. At worst, I’ll support you.”

“Who wants you to support them? Has anything you’ve raised ever stayed alive?”

“…”

Luo Miao was the type with a three-minute interest span. Today she wanted to raise fish, tomorrow flowers. Things that flew in the sky, swam in the water, or crawled on the ground—they all died the moment they came to her.

Luo Miao protested, “That pot of succulents is still alive.”

“Because Siyi was kind enough to water it before she left.”

“I’m going to throw you out on the road right now and make you walk back yourself,” Luo Miao huffed.

“Go ahead. Wave your hand and see if someone else takes me back.”

“…” Luo Miao wanted to argue, but glancing at that face, she swallowed her words.

Is being beautiful that great?

Meng Ke had a bright, stunning face. Back in high school, it was already evident; her drawer was stuffed with love letters from both boys and girls. But because of her family situation, she hadn’t had a single stray thought about romance. If her face were more average, Meng Yingxue wouldn’t hate her quite so much.

Luo Miao took her to her family’s restaurant for a meal and then opened a room for her at the hotel next door. Meng Ke was exhausted and didn’t keep Luo Miao long. They exchanged a few words, and she went straight to sleep to deal with the jet lag. Luo Miao was a night owl and went out to party, leaving the two of them undisturbed.

At 3:00 AM, Meng Ke was awakened by a knock at the door. She slowly opened her eyes and sat up. It was probably Luo Miao, drunk and confused. Faintly on the verge of an outburst, Meng Ke threw off the covers, slipped on her slippers, and walked to the door.

The knocking didn’t repeat. Meng Ke looked through the peephole but saw no one. Suspicious, she pulled the door open and looked left and right. There was no one in the hallway. Just as she was about to close the door, she looked down. Someone was lying there.

She jumped in fright. The person was curled up face-down, with slightly curly hair spread across the floor, seemingly unconscious. Meng Ke steadied herself and stared at the person at her feet. The more she looked, the more familiar they seemed.

“Hey, what’s wrong with you?”

“Wake up!”

Seeing no obvious injuries, Meng Ke gently pushed her shoulder.

“So cold!”

Meng Ke was startled by the temperature. Feeling that this person wasn’t normal, she turned back to get her phone, intending to call the police and an ambulance. Suddenly, her ankle was grabbed—it felt like a piece of ice. The cold sensation spread from her skin, a ghostly chill piercing to the bone.

At 3:00 AM in a silent hotel, it was quite terrifying.

“Water…” the person’s voice was intermittent. “Cold water.”

“Are you okay?”

“Water…”

The person repeated only that one phrase, her hand firmly restraining her. Meng Ke had no choice but to bend down and pick her up.

Light as a feather.

Once in her arms, the person became much quieter and stopped struggling. This hotel had a bathtub. She placed her down beside it. “Do you want to soak? A cold bath?” Surely she didn’t come here in the middle of the night just for a sip of cold water?

The person nodded.

Meng Ke adjusted the tap to the cold side and began filling the tub. She left the bathroom, went back to the bedroom, and called the front desk. She had chosen this hotel specifically for its top-tier security system. How could a stranger appear?!

The receptionist who took the call apologized repeatedly and said they would investigate immediately. Meng Ke returned to the bathroom to find the door already closed. The person was barely conscious and taking a cold bath; she was worried something would go wrong. Meng Ke tentatively knocked on the door.

“Don’t come in!”

The voice was cold and sharp, tinged with wariness and a tone that allowed no refusal. It was full of energy, completely devoid of the weakness from moments ago. Meng Ke’s raised hand hung in the air.

It seemed she had worried for nothing.