My Marriage Partner is a Crazy Mermaid - Chapter 6

Chapter 6: A Chance Encounter

After Meng Ke left, a strange silence fell over the living room. Meng Yingxue, who had been watching the drama from the sidelines, toyed with the hem of her skirt, her previous arrogance toward Meng Ke completely vanished.

“Mom, if she actually marries into that family, she won’t really end up lording it over us, will she?” The mere thought of such a scene made Meng Yingxue feel a bit nauseous.

The Xie family was, after all, the number one clan, currently holding nearly half of Tan City’s commercial resources. If it weren’t for the current head’s eccentric temper, her disability, and her rather eerie private life, this marriage alliance would never have fallen into their laps.

“We spent so much money to dig up that information; how could it be fake?”

Ruan Yalan crossed her arms, her eyes filled with shrewd calculation. “Starting two years ago, those who tried to curry favor with Xie Yuhan by sending women, those who approached her out of revenge for their bankrupt companies, even those she initiated talks with herself—they all disappeared mysteriously. Who knows if they’re even still alive.”

The two of them were power-hungry, but they weren’t fools.

Hearing Ruan Yalan’s words, Meng Yingxue felt a weight lift from her heart; her unease swept away instantly.

“So, what do we need to do next?” Meng Yingxue leaned against the back of the sofa, placing her hand on Ruan Yalan’s shoulder affectionately.

“We welcome your ‘sister’ back, of course,” Ruan Yalan arched an eyebrow. “Find your Uncle Sun and hold a banquet at his place.”

“At his place?” That was one of the top banquet halls in Tan City, nearly impossible for ordinary people to book. Even the Meng family only had one opportunity a year. Meng Yingxue bit her lip. “Too good for her.”

Exiting the Meng residence, Meng Ke looked at the items in her hand: a document and the hair samples from that family.

The wealthy elite were full of schemes, some presentable, some not. In this current situation, it wouldn’t be strange if Ruan Yalan was lying to her. Meng Ke didn’t fully trust the results.

“Do you know anyone at the hospital?”

“Huh? Did they hit you? Are you hurt?”

Luo Miao didn’t think twice, the moment the word “hospital” appeared, her mind filled with bloody images.

Meng Ke looked at the string of concerned messages, not even knowing where to begin critiquing them. Meng Yingxue and her mother wanted her to take the place in the marriage; how could they possibly hit her? They couldn’t wait to serve her hand and foot.

“…”

Seeing the string of ellipses from Meng Ke, Luo Miao finally realized.

“Try the Central General Hospital. My brother knows a director there. What do you need? I’ll have him ask for you.”

“Paternity test.”

Luo Miao stopped messaging. Given the reveal of Meng Ke’s status as a “fake heiress,” those two words felt sensitive no matter when they appeared. Luo Miao didn’t know what to do.

Luo Miao asked for her location and drove over to pick her up.

After getting into the car, Meng Ke remained quite calm. It was Luo Miao who kept glancing over—looking, then looking away, opening her mouth then closing it again. For someone with such a short fuse, this was clearly a struggle.

Meng Ke sighed helplessly: “Stop looking at me. If you have something to ask, ask it.”

“What did the Mengs say? Why the sudden paternity test?”

“They claim they found my biological parents and did a test. They’re threatening me, saying I have to go through with the alliance or they’ll make life miserable for them.”

“…” Luo Miao gritted her teeth. “They are so despicable. So what are you going to do? Are you going to agree?”

“In that situation, I could only agree for now to stabilize them. Besides, even if I agree, Xie Yuhan might not be willing to marry me,” Meng Ke said with an air of indifference. “Let’s see what other nonsense they can cook up.”

At the hospital, Meng Ke met Luo Miao’s brother, Luo Yan. The man had sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, a cold expression, and thin, pursed lips. At first glance, he didn’t seem easy to get along with.

In reality, he wasn’t.

“Miss Meng, I’ve already spoken to him. Just go straight to the third floor,” Luo Yan spoke, his words brief and to the point.

Luo Miao: “Brother, we’ll head up then.”

“Wait a moment.” Luo Yan grabbed Luo Miao’s arm and glanced at Meng Ke. “I haven’t seen Miao-miao in a while, I have something to discuss with her.”

Meng Ke understood, he wanted to draw her away. She looked at Luo Miao and bowed slightly. “It’s not a big deal, I can go by myself. Thank you for the trouble, President Luo.”

The three of them looked at each other across the elevator threshold. Luo Miao tried to break free from the grip on her arm, but Luo Yan used enough force that she couldn’t immediately escape. She watched as the silver elevator doors slowly slid shut.

Luo Miao shook her hand free, glaring at him with a frown. “Brother, whatever you want to say, can’t it wait? I wanted to accompany Keke for her check-up. Won’t it be fast?”

Luo Yan let go, his expression even colder than before. On the verge of an outburst, he looked at her and kept repeating to himself: Biological sister. Can’t hit her, can’t hit her.

“Do you have any idea what you’re doing? Does the Xie family matter involve you?” Luo Yan ground his molars. “Do you know what the Xie family signifies in Tan City? Did Father never tell you that you are not to participate in Xie family matters, for better or worse? Did you treat it as wind passing your ear?”

“I didn’t.” Luo Miao hadn’t expected her brother to find out so quickly.

“I’m warning you: keep your distance from her in the future to avoid bringing disaster upon yourself.”

“I got it,” Luo Miao said, then looked up, her eyes darting around. “Can I go upstairs to find her now?”

Looking utterly despondent, Luo Yan didn’t even want to speak. He waved his hand dismissively: “When trouble comes, don’t come back crying to me.”

Luo Miao pressed the elevator button. The numbers slowly descended. If her brother already knew this was connected to her, the Xie family—if they wanted to know, likely knew by now as well.

On the other side, since the appointment was made in advance, Meng Ke only needed to give the two samples to the doctor. It was very simple.

Luo Yan was dissatisfied with her; she had seen that just now. Yet, despite his dissatisfaction, he had still booked her an appointment with a director. This director didn’t see regular patients, so the doorway was quiet, but the office on the other side was much more interesting.

“Tell me, whose child is it?!” a man questioned his wife. “I’ve been away for six months, how can you be pregnant?”

“Actually, you have amnesia!”

Meng Ke: “…” She silently gave a thumbs-up.

“We only need to have one.”

“I actually want a daughter.”

“Ideally, one that looks like you.”

The aspirations of two nearby girls sounded much more heartwarming.

It became quite noisy afterward, and Meng Ke couldn’t hear clearly. Just as she was getting absorbed in the “gossip,” she was suddenly pulled up. “Excuse me, Miss, please help me watch someone, I’ll be right back.”

A wheelchair was shoved into her hands.

Meng Ke froze. Before she could refuse, the person had already run off. She retracted her gaze and looked down at the wheelchair and the person in it. This wheelchair was much more low-profile. The person in the chair wore a hat, sat very straight, and their legs hung naturally. At a glance, nothing seemed wrong, but most people in wheelchairs were seriously ill, right? How could that person just leave her in charge?! Meng Ke was afraid of getting into trouble.

“Are you… alright?”

“I’m fine.”

That voice was so distinct that after just two words, Meng Ke recognized her: Xie Yuhan. Her voice was magnetic—it wasn’t just the sound, but a feeling, a sensation that one could be bewitched if they weren’t careful. Like a female ghost from Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, or a Siren from the deep sea.

She hadn’t given an answer regarding the document, and then by a twist of fate, she had stirred up trouble. Meng Ke felt a little guilty. Hearing that she was fine, Meng Ke didn’t speak again.

After a moment of silence, Xie Yuhan raised her hand and gestured toward the back. “Come here.”

Meng Ke steadied the wheelchair; it didn’t wobble. She took two steps to the front so they were face-to-face. Xie Yuhan held the wheelchair, not sparing her a glance, staring blankly at a spot on the floor. “What, were the terms Cheng provided unsatisfactory?”

“No.”

“No? And yet you take these useless actions,” Xie Yuhan said casually, her fingers twining around a lock of curly hair falling across her chest. “Humans are always saying one thing while meaning another.”

“Why… do you want me to go abroad?” Meng Ke was curious.

The two were in a corner of the office where almost no one passed by. Most people nearby were arguing and paying them no attention. They didn’t avoid each other, saying whatever was on their minds.

“Just because I saw you in…” Meng Ke organized her words, swallowing the word ‘body’ back down, “…a rather pathetic state?”

Hearing this, Xie Yuhan finally deigned to move her gaze from the smooth floor to Meng Ke. She scrutinized her up and down without concealment, her gaze sharp, as if it could pierce the surface to reach the soul.

Meng Ke couldn’t help but shudder.

On the night of the high tide, the influence had been at its peak, and she hadn’t seen what this person looked like clearly. Seeing her now piqued Xie Yuhan’s interest. In the three years she had been here, she had seen countless people, but she had never seen such a beautiful human.

She had very beautiful eyes.

“Rather… pathetic?” Xie Yuhan repeated.

She was confirming how much of what Meng Ke said was true and how much was false. That night, she had lost consciousness, with only one thought left in her mind: Don’t be discovered, don’t be discovered. Instinctively she remembered to retract her scales, but she didn’t remember when they had vanished. She also didn’t remember what she had said to Meng Ke.

She only remembered the pleasant, oceanic scent on her.

“Come here, get closer to me.” Xie Yuhan ignored the previous question; she was now more curious about the person in front of her.

“Your… name is Meng Ke?”

Meng Ke thought this person was extremely strange. She hadn’t brought bodyguards today either. After staring at her until her skin crawled, she wanted her closer? Could she want to hit her, only to realize she couldn’t get out of the wheelchair?! Seeing as she looked quite frail, if she got hit, she got hit.

Meng Ke shifted two steps forward. Realizing standing was a bit awkward, she bent one leg and half-knelt before the chair. The two were very close; she brushed against her legs. Meng Ke felt a moment of panic and wanted to pull back slightly.

Xie Yuhan reached out and hooked her fingers under her jaw, her thumb pinching her chin as she pulled her forward. Looking down from above, this face was even clearer from this proximity. Fair, smooth skin, as tender as a freshly peeled egg. Dark red matte lipstick highlighted her complexion.

This scrutiny was very much like looking at an object; Meng Ke felt uncomfortable. Yet, not knowing what she intended to do, she didn’t move. Her hand was still that same temperature—ice cold, unnaturally low.

Just as Meng Ke was hesitating whether to rescue her own chin, Xie Yuhan finally let go.

Meng Ke had just breathed a sigh of relief when Xie Yuhan suddenly reached out, gripping the back of her neck and pulling her close. In an instant, Meng Ke’s breath hitched, her pupils dilated, and she even forgot how to react.

Xie Yuhan pressed against her face, her warm breath fanning across her ear. Meng Ke’s heart pounded uncontrollably, as if it were about to leap out. She pursed her lips and heard Xie Yuhan say: “Human, you smell very good.”