The Love-Hate and Grudges Between Me and the Mermaid - Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Waking up after being mistaken for a corpse, Bu Yan learned one piece of good news and one piece of bad news.

The good news was that the house left by the original owner’s mother was insured. The payout was nine figures, and if nothing went wrong, the money would hit her account by the afternoon once the papers were signed.

The bad news was that she had almost actually become a corpse.

The real estate agent she met that night was actually a serial killer who had been hiding for years.

And that night marked her eighteenth attempt. (The “Unsuccessful Version.”)

Bu Yan: “…”

That was close. She almost became a “legendary figure” who died in a post-apocalyptic novel but not because of the apocalypse.

After hearing the full story, Bu Yan nodded with lingering fear and signed her name on the final page of the police statement.

The police auntie who had accompanied her through the statement-taking saw this and opened her mouth, finally unable to hold back a few extra words:

“Even though the Empire’s security system is very good and advanced now, you still have to stay vigilant. If anything happens, ask clearly and cross-check with others before you go. Don’t just rush off without thinking, especially in the middle of the night. Do you remember?”

Bu Yan nodded again. “I understand. Thank you.”

The police auntie took a small sip of tea and waved her hand to indicate Bu Yan could move on to the next matter, speaking with earnest gravity: “You must remember my words.”

As she spoke, she picked up a pen and casually swept the trash on the desk into the bin, clearing a clean space for herself.

Bu Yan lowered her gaze and said softly, “Okay.”

Then, right in front of the police auntie, she turned to sign the other contract—

The housing compensation.

So dirty.

That was the first thought that popped into Bu Yan’s head when she turned around and saw hundreds of layers of trash piled under the documents.

But what could she do? That was just the custom of this world.

Trash was left strewn about everywhere. They called it practicing “Huang-Lao” philosophy returning to a primitive state, practicing “non-action,” and letting the trash develop naturally.

Bu Yan: Nutcases.

Looking again at the woman in the exquisite black suit who had been wearing a sour face the whole time, Bu Yan felt even more disgruntled. She asked in a flat, slightly mocking tone: “Did you hear that? Is the compensation definitely that much? You’re not lying?”

Facing such questioning and provocation, Yao Shu remained neither humble nor pushy. She respectfully handed over a pen: “Rest assured, Miss Bu. It is indeed that much. We are a legitimate insurance company.”

Legitimate my… ass!

What kind of insurance pays out hundreds of millions at the drop of a hat?

Do they not want to work anymore, or are they going bankrupt? Or is the boss running some “yin-yang” double-contract scheme, and all this money has to be returned in a few days?

Damn it, just don’t come asking for it back after she’s finished spending it.

After being deceived by the real estate agent, Bu Yan’s vigilance had skyrocketed. She took the contract to the police auntie, smiling flatteringly: “Sister, can you see if there are any problems with this?”

Police Auntie: “Can’t understand it.”

The opportunity had come again!

Seeing this, Yi An immediately dived into Yao Shu’s memories. Searching back and forth, she found nothing unusual. She could have just said so directly.

But to win Bu Yan’s attention, she put on a performance. She read the contract word by word, acting shocked one moment and curious the next, asking Yao Shu questions.

Yao Shu responded politely to each one, answering them all.

“Sister, there shouldn’t be any problem.” After going through the contract, an hour had passed.

Bu Yan yawned and nodded. Since her wife said so, she picked up the pen and signed without a second thought.

The police auntie raised an eyebrow and glanced at Bu Yan but said nothing.

Yao Shu stood up and gave a polite bow: “Thank you for your trust in our company!”

At the same time, her phone beside her flashed. Yao Shu picked it up to look, and the smile on her face became even brighter.

“Miss Bu,” she pushed the phone toward Bu Yan, “I’ve just received notice. Learning that you made a huge contribution to our City A during this arrest, as a token of our gratitude, our company in conjunction with the City A government is giving you a house for free.”

Bu Yan: “…”

What kind of routine is this now?

“Yi An,” Bu Yan now only trusted the wife she had gone through life and death with, “In your opinion, can we believe this?”

Yi An wasn’t sure either. She could accept the compensation because Yao Shu had discussed it with her before, but as for giving away a house… She really couldn’t say. Searching the memories yielded no suspicious points.

Then it should be believable?

Seeing her wife’s sparkling eyes, Yi An made a bold guess and tentatively gave an affirmative answer: “It’s believable…”

Hearing this, Bu Yan immediately asked Yao Shu: “Which neighborhood? What’s the floor plan? When can I get the keys? Does it include renovations?”

Yao Shu was stunned for a moment before looking at her phone: “Sunshine Community, Area A Unit 103. A two-story small villa, similar to your previous one. It has a basement and an outdoor swimming pool. Renovations are not included; you’ll have to do that yourself, but if needed, I can try to negotiate something for you.”

“The keys… My colleague is bringing the contract over now. Once signed, I can give you the keys.”

Heck yeah, a free house!

As the saying goes, “Misfortune is what fortune leans upon; fortune is where misfortune hides.” Once the bad luck is over, the good luck arrives~

But Yan happily signed the contract with Yao Shu, and while she was at it, she wrote Yi An’s name on the property deed as well.

She and Yi An were a married couple; what was hers was hers.

Yi An had no one to rely on in this city; she had to give her a full sense of security. Even though this security would soon be as fragile as a bubble… it didn’t matter. Before anything arrived, they would just live as if it were an ordinary world.

Now that they had a house, it was time to renovate.

The property management refused to handle renovations no matter what, so they had to do it themselves.

After a field inspection, Bu Yan carefully calculated the time. They needed to prepare supplies and modify the basement within a month; it would be too tight with just the two of them.

So, she decisively hired a renovation company to do the work. She drew the design plans and prepared the materials; they just had to follow the instructions.

Not hard, right? It shouldn’t be hard, right?

Any normal person should be able to do it, right? Especially since they were “professionals.”

But why was it still a total mess!

After the Nth time the renovation workers tore down a wall they shouldn’t have, blocked an opening they shouldn’t have, or used the wrong materials, Bu Yan finally broke down.

But to keep things moving smoothly, she had to coax them, serving them high-quality milk tea and desserts: “Sisters, you really can’t make any more mistakes. I beg you, please be serious. Do you know how hard these materials were to buy?”

The lead worker leaned lazily against the corner, took a deep gulp of milk tea, and ignored Bu Yan. Only after she had eaten and drunk her fill did she close her eyes, feigning a profound air, and asked: “I heard… you are the most loyal believer of the Heterodox God?”

“Oh, I am…” Sensing something was wrong with the woman, Bu Yan immediately changed her tune, “I am not! No, I’m not! Who the hell would believe in the Heterodox God?”

In the other room, Yi An was slightly stunned. She looked at her own hand and then at the statue of the Heterodox God, wondering if her cognitive modification had worn off so quickly?

But she soon felt relieved.

It definitely hadn’t worn off. If it had, Bu Yan wouldn’t continue to offer sacrifices to the Heterodox God.

My sister hates Him.

The worker saw through Bu Yan’s guilt and snorted coldly: “We don’t believe. In our lives, we hate people who believe in the Heterodox God the most.”

“…” Bu Yan was speechless: “Then what does that have to do with your work?”

“The connection is we like to deliberately mess up everything belonging to those who believe in the Heterodox God.”

People like this should just get lost!!!

Bu Yan took out her phone and called the police directly.

“Thank you, Miss Bu, for helping us arrest the heretics.” The police response speed seemed even faster than before. This time, the one interfacing with her was still that police auntie.

Having not seen her for a week, she was like a different person. She was both cold and enthusiastic toward Bu Yan, like a fixed NPC if Bu Yan didn’t initiate conversation, she wouldn’t either.

Her tone and facial expression had changed; she smiled more, her voice was more cheerful, and her eyes were bright and full of hope for the future: “I believe that if the Empire has more responsible residents like you, it will definitely become better and better!”

Although her spirit seemed better than before, something felt strange. But Yan couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

“Where will the people who don’t believe in the Heterodox God be sent?” Bu Yan asked, her finger tapping rhythmically on the table.

The Heterodox God was the only god of this world, the foundation of the Empire’s faith. She didn’t understand why there were people who didn’t believe.

Even she, a transmigrator, had accepted the Heterodox God. Why hadn’t some of the original residents?

“We will send them to the Cathedral. There, they will receive baptism, have their souls purified, and come to believe in the Heterodox God.”

After saying this, the police auntie sighed, as if disappointed by the dozen or so heretics caught in one go, or perhaps saddened that the Empire’s faith wasn’t affirmed by everyone. She quietly shared her view:

“Actually, the Heterodox God isn’t as terrifying as they imagine. They’ve just been deceived by some people; they’ve taken in too many stray thoughts and developed hallucinations.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Have you ever looked closely at the statue of the Heterodox God?”

“I have, but I didn’t find anything.” But Yan was honest. She truly hadn’t found anything.

From her memories, as soon as she arrived, she accepted the world-building of this novel and all its various settings like why there was trash everywhere, and why they worshipped the Heterodox God.

Since she already “believed,” she hadn’t spent much time observing the Heterodox God. She felt there was no need.

“Then you must take a good look later.” A look of reverence appeared on the police auntie’s face. “He is so beautiful, powerful, and merciful… the greatest existence in this world…”

“He can grant us eternal life. Do you dare to say, through all the ages, which god could do that? Or rather, which god would dare to give you such a guarantee?”

Before Bu Yan could answer, the woman seemed to suddenly remember something. her expression changed, and she hurriedly turned and walked away quickly, squeezing onto a van filled with heretics.

But Yan knew the time had come; she had to escort them to the Cathedral.

This time…

But Yan only realized something was wrong in hindsight. She didn’t seem to hate the trash that much anymore. (?)

There was no Cathedral in City A. The Cathedral was in the Imperial Capital, the only one in the entire Empire.

But Yan checked online. It was 1,500 kilometers away, a 15-hour drive.

The appearance of the Heterodox God.

Remembering the woman’s words, Bu Yan went into the house and picked up the statue of the Heterodox God she worshiped, observing Him seriously and carefully.

He was like the statues of other gods in her memory, dressed in ancient ornaments and standing.

Standing straight and firm on the ground, His facial expression was the same as other gods: benevolent and compassionate, fingers slightly curved, eyelids lowered, delivering all living beings from suffering.

But behind Him was a mess of tangled things: tentacles, scales, fins, gills, claws… and many things she couldn’t name or recognize.

Shifting her gaze downward, Bu Yan couldn’t help but freeze.

A fish tail.

Behind the hem of the robes, there was actually a fish tail!