My Marriage Partner is a Crazy Mermaid - Chapter 17

Chapter 17: Injury

When Meng Ke pulled open the car door, Liang Xiao was sleeping. Her long black hair fell straight down as she leaned obediently against the seat, looking like a carefully placed mannequin.

Those questions that had momentarily vanished resurfaced.

How did she know Xie Yuhan? And judging by Xie Yuhan’s tone, their relationship wasn’t shallow—in fact, Xie Yuhan seemed to somewhat dislike her. There were very few people whom Xie Yuhan disliked and allowed to remain “alive”, her identity must be very special.

Meng Ke tried to recall carefully, but the plot details she had received never mentioned her.

Since the job was something she had sought out herself and meeting Liang Xiao was an accident, logically it shouldn’t have a major impact on the main plot. Meng Ke decided to “save her progress” and set this matter aside for now.

Meng Ke started the car and drove toward the base.

Liang Xiao slowly opened her eyes. In the pitch-black, narrow interior of the car, a pair of golden slit pupils appeared for a second before vanishing.

“You’ve passed your trial period. Once the contract for Tan City is signed, you’ll be the person in charge over there.”

“Building the new branch depends on you.”

“…”

Based on their few hours together, Meng Ke had thought Liang Xiao was the quiet type who spoke little. Tonight, she discovered that wasn’t the case.

“This is probably inappropriate. I’m just a newcomer. I’m fine with doing the grunt work, but I’m not cut out for building a new branch.”

On one hand, Meng Ke truly wasn’t willing; she only wanted to do research and didn’t want to be the boss. Being the boss was too troublesome.

Liang Xiao closed her eyes and went back to sleep.

Meng Ke: “…”

Meng Ke’s messages had suddenly stopped in the group chat, leaving the two “gossip-mongers” starving for updates. It wasn’t until Meng Ke finished washing up and got into bed that she shared the results of the “melon” with them.

Fortune Comes: Actually, Cheng Muyuan got off easy. The Cheng family is massive; forty million is nothing. They could have produced four hundred million if they had to.

Oscar-Bound: Miss Xie is as ruthless as they say. That much alcohol sounds terrifying. Keke, how does she treat you? Is it like that too?

kk: Actually, it’s alright.

Recalling everything, the Great Villain really hadn’t done anything excessive to her.

Fortune Comes: Then when are you guys going public? Have you discussed this?!

Xie Yuhan had appeared at Meng Ke’s welcome banquet, and the three of them had fueled the marriage rumors. Between the Xie and Meng family’s childhood betrothal, the rumors in Tan City about the two of them were a chaotic mess. If Xie Yuhan had taken the initiative to bring up the alliance, why not announce it early to end the gossip?

kk: She hasn’t mentioned it.

Xie Yuhan acted strangely. Meng Ke couldn’t understand some of her actions—like going to her hotel in the middle of the night to take a cold shower, or asking for a marriage alliance, or the sudden request for a hug.

Fortune Comes: How was she today when you saw her? I’m honestly so curious about how you two interact.

kk: Stop being curious. Between me and the bodyguard brothers by her side, there’s not much difference.

Fortune Comes: After the official announcement, will you two get a marriage certificate? So… who’s the Top and who’s the Bottom? EatingMelon.jpg

kk: ???

Fortune Comes: Since she’s in a wheelchair, she probably can’t ‘perform,’ right?

Meng Ke really wanted to refute her. Whether she was the “Top” or not had absolutely nothing to do with whether Xie Yuhan was in a wheelchair or standing up.

She, topping Xie Yuhan?

Her image uncontrollably surfaced in Meng Ke’s mind: those straight legs, that thin frame, that fresh, comfortable scent. Higher up was that expressionless face—what would a person like her look like when pinned down? Would she also lose herself in passion?

kk: …

kk: What nonsense are you talking about? Gossiping about Xie Yuhan… Miao, your courage is really getting bigger.

Fortune Comes: CoveringMouthSmirking.jpg

kk: I passed my trial period. The job is based in Tan City.

Fortune Comes: I reasonably suspect you’re just trying to change the subject.

Oscar-Bound: For real? That’s so sudden. Keke, is it a legitimate job? Who’s the boss? Have you checked them out?

kk: No problem. I checked before I came. It’s government-approved, no issues. They want to expand to Tan City, and my identity happens to be sufficient.

Oscar-Bound: Then passing your trial was a bit too casual.

kk: True, but it doesn’t matter.

Fortune Comes: Typical you!

Oscar-Bound: Typical you!

The gossip was finished. As the messages in the group slowed down, everyone eventually went silent.

Meng Ke stared at the ceiling until 2:30 AM. There was nothing special about the day, but she simply had no desire to sleep. She blamed it on being in an unfamiliar bed. Various fragments kept popping into her head: Luo Miao, Meng Yingxue, Xie Yuhan.

Meng Ke didn’t remember when she finally drifted off; it was likely when the horizon was beginning to turn a faint white.

The next day, she was woken up by chirping and the occasional low growl of wild beasts. Meng Ke frowned and squeezed her eyes shut. The base was full of rescued wildlife—national protected species—so there were all kinds of noises. Even though the dorms had triple-layer soundproofing, she was still woken up.

With severely insufficient sleep, Meng Ke lingered in bed for five minutes before struggling to get up. Work had to be done.

The first task of the day: feeding the newcomer, the Collared Scops Owl. Since it was a carnivore, the kitchen had pre-cut meat. Meng Ke brought a small bowl, wore gloves, and used tweezers. The owl was wary of her, eating its breakfast with great trepidation, its round black eyes watching her alertly. It looked quite cute.

The second task was the morning meeting. The person in charge was the man who led her in yesterday, Li Weijing. He briefly mentioned a few precautions and then dismissed the meeting.

“Meng Ke, the boss wants you to go to her office after the meeting.”

“Understood.”

During the feeding process, she had chatted briefly with a girl nearby. Liang Xiao almost never did manual labor here; she only had two jobs. For some reason, Liang Xiao could pinpoint exactly where injured wildlife were located with pinpoint accuracy—she never missed. Her other job was diplomacy and negotiating partnerships, such as for the base’s construction and renovation. The expansion into the new area in Tan City had been ongoing for over six months and was completed last month, but because something happened to Xie Yuhan, Liang Xiao hadn’t been able to contact her. That’s why it was delayed until now.

“Boss, you called for me.” Meng Ke knocked at the door.

“Come, take a look.” Liang Xiao pointed toward the computer screen.

Meng Ke leaned in. It was a floor plan for a building—five floors in total, with detailed descriptions for each level and a smart 3D simulation of the actual scenes.

“Is this the one in Tan City?”

“Yes. Tonight, you’re going to negotiate the partnership with Xie Jiaming. Here is the contract.” Liang Xiao tossed two contracts over.

The location was near Yihai Villa, a twenty-minute drive away. It was practically a scenic area. A building of this caliber must have cost a fortune. Meng Ke didn’t know how Liang Xiao had convinced Xie Yuhan or what conditions were offered. To let her sign such a massive contract! It felt a bit too casual—was this the “relaxed state” of a big boss?

Meng Ke took the contract. Before she could organize her thoughts, Liang Xiao stared at her, scanning her up and down. It made Meng Ke feel uneasy, and she instinctively took a step back.

“Boss, what is it?”

“It’s only been one night. Why are your dark circles so heavy?”

Meng Ke: “…” Wait, is that the point right now?

Meng Ke said absentmindedly, “I have a bit of trouble sleeping in new beds.”

Liang Xiao seemed to sense she was lying but didn’t bother to expose her. “Go back to Tan City after you finish the negotiation. If anything comes up later, contact Li Weijing and the others.”

“Mm,” Meng Ke responded. She had questions, but she feared there would be no answers even if she asked.

Just as Meng Ke reached the door, Liang Xiao called out, “Wait.”

Meng Ke stopped to see if there were more instructions. Liang Xiao stood up and walked toward her step by step, a clear, mischievous smile appearing on her face. Meng Ke cautiously backed away.

“I forgot to tell you something.”

“If anything happens to Xie Yuhan, remember to kiss her. Then she’ll be fine.”

Meng Ke: “…”

Xie Yuhan was strange, but this Liang Xiao was even stranger. What kind of nonsense was she spouting?

Kiss Xie Yuhan? She either had lived long enough or simply didn’t want to live anymore.

Meng Ke had Xie Jiaming’s contact info, and with her surface-level connection to Xie Yuhan, she directly asked him for a time and place. She wanted to sign as soon as possible so she could return to Tan City.

At 3:00 PM, Meng Ke arrived at “Jiali” as scheduled. At the entrance, she saw bodyguards dressed in black. They locked eyes, and one bodyguard walked straight toward her. “Miss Meng, the Young Master sent me to pick you up.”

This atmosphere was so flashy and out of place with the surroundings. Once she got better acquainted with Xie Yuhan, she’d definitely tell them to wear plain clothes.

Meng Ke followed closely behind the bodyguard. “Jiali” was an open Western-style restaurant, and she saw quite a few customers along the way. They went to the top floor. Meng Ke scanned the table numbers by the window; Xie Jiaming saw her, waved, and pulled out the chair opposite him. Very gentlemanly.

After sitting down, Meng Ke briefly observed Xie Jiaming. His features were regular, he was as gentle as jade, and his peach-blossom eyes hinted at a passionate nature. He looked nothing like Xie Yuhan—one was the gentle “big brother” next door, the other a cold, powerful lady.

“Hello. Based on Xie Yuhan’s side, I should call you ‘Brother’.”

“Your alliance with Yuhan wasn’t your original intention. In this matter, our Xie family has wronged you.”

“You can call me whatever you like.”

His personality was also the complete opposite of Xie Yuhan’s. For the Xie family to be the richest in Tan City, it was rare for the young master to have such a temperament.

“Don’t say that. I wasn’t treated well at the Meng house either. It’s the same everywhere.”

At least for now, Xie Yuhan treated her okay. They minded their own business.

“Did you bring the contract?” Xie Jiaming asked.

“I brought it.” Meng Ke pulled it out and handed it over.

“I’ve already talked it over with Boss Liang. Let’s not waste time and just sign. The price is very favorable, and it’s absolutely honest and reliable,” Xie Jiaming said as he signed.

“If you don’t mind me asking, how do you know Liang Xiao?”

The Xie Group focused on electronics; it seemed miles apart from wildlife rescue.

“I’m not quite sure about that either.”

“When are you returning to Tan City?”

“Tomorrow, probably.”

The Cheng family problem was resolved. Cheng Muyuan was just a pawn—a pawn who knew nothing. It wasn’t clear who the mastermind was yet. Xie Jiaming couldn’t even deduce a suspect using the process of elimination; after all, the number of people Xie Yuhan had offended was countless.

After signing the contract, the two began their meal—technically afternoon tea. Having skipped lunch to send messages, Meng Ke was hungry. After the exhaustion of the past few days, she didn’t bother with small talk and started eating heartily.

Xie Jiaming’s manners were elegant, and he ate slowly. Occasionally, he was drawn by the sound of Meng Ke eating and looked up to see her enjoying her food. She tried her best to be elegant, but she couldn’t resist the temptation of the food. Though they had only met once, Xie Jiaming was quite satisfied with Meng Ke. If only Xie Yuhan could treat this seriously.

“Do you mind Yuhan’s legs?”

“I don’t mind, I don’t mind.”

Xie Jiaming nodded with satisfaction once again.

When the meal was nearly over, they looked at each other, and Xie Jiaming asked, “Miss Meng, are you full?”

“I’m full, thank you.”

Just as Xie Jiaming was about to stand up, his phone suddenly rang. He didn’t treat her as an outsider and answered in front of her.

“Young Master, the Young Lady is injured.”

“Injured? How was she injured? How is she now?”