The Love-Hate and Grudges Between Me and the Mermaid - Chapter 28

Chapter 28

“Hmm?”

The moment Ian turned around, she retracted her killing intent. A split second before Bu Yan’s hand could reach out to her, she sprinted to her side.

“Why are you up?” Ian murmured, nibbling on Bu Yan’s ear as she pressed her back into the chair. “Didn’t we agree? I asked you to wait for me for a bit.”

As she spoke, she waved her hand to disperse the salty, oceanic scent surrounding them. She canceled the control, allowing time to resume its flow except for the three people outside the door, who remained frozen.

Outside the window, a light breeze stirred the air, creating soft ripples as a withered leaf drifted down and landed on the kitchen counter.

“I…” Bu Yan’s beautiful eyebrows furrowed slightly. She looked at Ian with a complex expression. Even a simple monosyllabic word brewed in her mouth for a long time before she could force it out.

“What’s wrong?” Facing this version of Bu Yan, Ian was exceptionally patient. She guided her, letting her express herself slowly.

A human’s fragile spirit might break a little after having its cognition modified, but it would recover in time.

The last time was just like this.

“I… want…”

“Want to do what?” Ian rubbed against Bu Yan’s neck like a kitten, asking in a whisper.

Bu Yan’s expression was dazed, her gaze becoming misty. Yet, under Ian’s guidance, she spoke word for word with absolute clarity: “Kill… them.”

“Who are ‘them’?”

Hearing this, Ian felt an inexplicable surge of excitement. In her impression, Bu Yan was not the type to say such things.

But Yan was both timid and cautious; this was evident from the first time Ian had approached her to get married.

But she was also easily softened. If she weren’t, she wouldn’t have married Ian so quickly.

At that time, Ian thought she would have to wear her down for a long time.

Whoever could make Bu Yan say such a thing must certainly be a terrible person.

Ian wanted to know the grievance between them. she wanted to understand Bu Yan better and know her past.

So, she began to exert control again.

“So… who are they?” Ian looked into Bu Yan’s eyes, her voice becoming extremely light and soft. Like a kindergarten teacher facing a two or three-year-old toddler, she used innocent words to ask slowly: “In the past, did they hurt Bu Yan?”

Bu Yan opened her mouth as if to say something, finally spitting out a very aggrieved “Mm.”

“They bullied me.”

Tears of heartache welled up in Ian’s eyes. “How did they bully you?”

“They hit me, scolded me, and locked me in a place full of monsters…”

“And then, Sister?”

Ian forced her to maintain eye contact, making her continue her tale.

“Then… then, I met a very beautiful monster…”

A flash of excitement crossed Bu Yan’s eyes. “She had a fishtail!”

That dead mermaid again.

Ian’s eyes darkened. Before her dissatisfied words could leave her mouth, they were shattered by a piercing scream.

It was as if Bu Yan had seen something. She struggled violently under Ian’s hands, waving her arms in terror. Straining to break free from the control, she clutched her head and ran upstairs against the moist, salty sea breeze.

She must have seen something. After running upstairs, she began to claw at the railing, as if someone she dearly loved was trapped inside.

“Stop! Stop! STOP!”

She screamed almost maniacally. “Don’t kill her! Stop! Let her go! Don’t—”

“DON’T!”

Oh. As long as that ‘person’ is dead, it’s fine.

…

“I wonder if your wife is…”

Lin Ling was halfway through her sentence when she suddenly saw a fluffy head pop out from the corner of the second floor.

Seeing Lin Ling look over, the owner of the head immediately hid behind the wall, only to peek out again a few seconds later.

Round eyes looked down timidly. Her hands were constantly gesturing.

Lin Ling couldn’t see clearly; it was too dark up there, as if someone had intentionally made it so.

“My wife is timid. She hasn’t been feeling well lately and has been staying home, never going out,” Ian said, bringing several cups of tea to the table with an apologetic smile. “She already dislikes strangers, and since you came in that kind of vehicle, she got scared and…”

Kara didn’t like the sound of that. What was wrong with “that kind of vehicle”?

Driving a military vehicle was an honor for this family! It meant their household was recognized by the Legion. It was a glorious event that brought honor to their ancestors!

Ordinary people wouldn’t be able to thank them enough! Yet here, they were being mocked.

Kara couldn’t swallow her pride. Just as she was about to stand up and argue with Ian, her wrist was pulled back by Lin Ling.

“Kara,” Lin Ling signaled her to be quiet. “Sit down.”

Yoshitani Kaede had clearly seen the head upstairs as well. She picked up her teacup, took a sip, and asked casually: “Did you go to the hospital for a check-up?”

“We did. The doctor said it was a fright, and her mental state is a bit troubled. She just needs to rest for a while,” Ian still wore a gentle smile, though now it carried a hint of complaint.

“She was almost better. I was even thinking of taking her out to play today, but then you arrived…”

Ian trailed off meaningfully.

Fine, fine, fine mocking us again. Kara was fuming. Lin Ling held Kara tightly and apologized hurriedly.

“So sorry. In that case, let’s get straight to the point.”

She pushed a photograph toward Ian. “Do you remember when this was taken?”

Ian’s eyelids flickered. She didn’t answer; instead, she asked who took it.

“The Legion,” Kara said directly, unable to stand Ian and wanting to finish the questioning quickly.

“Oh…” Ian’s tone rose. After a moment of silence, she asked again: “Does the Legion study the law?”

“Hey, are you crazy? The Legion is the Empire’s strongest shield; how could they not know the law!”

This woman must have a mental problem.

“Then, can they just take photos of residents whenever they want?”

Kara’s brain was clouded by anger. Without thinking, she gave a negative answer: “Of course not!”

By the time she realized what she had said, it was too late.

“Wait, I didn’t mean”

“Then I’ll take the photo.” Ian was outwardly calm, but she let out a long sigh of relief in her heart.

Dealing with humans was such a chore; not only did she have to guard against petty people, but she also had to dig pits for them.

How did Bu Yan live her life before? No wonder she said these people bullied her.

Lin Ling shot Kara a look of disappointed frustration. Kara sat back on the sofa dejectedly, not daring to speak again.

Lin Ling first apologized to Ian, then followed protocol to ask other questions indirectly. For example, did she know about the massacre on the night of December 5th? Where were they that night? Had they appeared at the scene?

Ian answered each question based on the facts.

“So, you suddenly remembered the gas at home wasn’t turned off, and that’s why you left?”

“Mm.” Ian had a smile on her lips, her hands folded over her stomach in a picture of ladylike poise. “Why do you sound so disappointed? Did you want us to die?”

“I didn’t mean that, sorry.” Lin Ling snapped back to her senses. Her thoughts had nearly been led into a ditch by Ian.

Talking to a high-level anomaly was a very dangerous thing.

Lin Ling didn’t want to waste any more time. She gave a formal farewell and dragged Kara away.

Yoshitani Kaede rose slowly behind them. Meeting Ian’s smiling gaze as she saw them out, she suddenly asked: “Where are you planning to go play?”

Ian froze for a second. Realizing which matter she was referring to, she replied: “The aquarium, I think. I heard there are whale performances and mermaids. My wife quite likes mermaids.”

Ian emphasized the last three words heavily.

Yoshitani Kaede nodded. “That’s nice. Mermaids are played by people.”

Ian acted as if she only half-understood. “Mm, I know.”

As Yoshitani Kaede walked out the door, she turned back to give the house a deep, lingering look before finally departing.

It was as if she had discovered something.

But what had she discovered?

Ian closed the door. With a wave of her hand, she lowered all the windows, shutters, and curtains. Almost simultaneously, the inside of the house turned into a world of night.

But Yan was crying again.

The control seemed to go more smoothly this time. Ian dished out some food and carried it upstairs. Pushing open the master bedroom door, she found Bu Yan in the wardrobe, shivering and weeping.

“They’re all gone.” Ian took Bu Yan’s hand, feeling the pulse beneath the palm, the fragmented sobs bordering on collapse, and the emotions of despair and helplessness.

She liked this version of Bu Yan.

“Sister, you can come out now.”

The wardrobe door was fully opened. Ian had already adjusted to the darkness. In the pitch-black room, she saw Bu Yan clutching Ian’s clothes, curled up on a pile of garments something resembling a bird’s nest.

“Ian…” She reached out her arms, hugging her as she cautiously crawled out of the wardrobe. “They’re gone…”

Her eyes shimmered with tears; droplets hung precariously from her slightly curled lashes, held within her eyes.

Ian remembered that night in the bathroom; Bu Yan would look like this when Ian hurt her.

Looking at her with red-rimmed eyes, begging her to bite lighter.

“Mm, they’re all gone.”

But Yan’s hands climbed up Ian’s back. To make it easier for her, Ian knelt on the floor, letting her do as she pleased.

“Are you not hurt?”

But Yan seemed unable to believe it, asking over and over: “Are you really not hurt?”

“Does your body feel uncomfortable anywhere?”

“Did they drag you into an experiment?”

“How do you feel right now?”

“…”

“I’m fine, I’m not hurt.”

Ian responded to each one: “My body is fine too.”

“There was no experiment. We are safe. This is home, not a laboratory.”

“Why does Bu Yan ask such things?”

Seeing the other fall silent again, Ian waited a long time before replying to the last one:

“I don’t feel very good right now.”

She said this intentionally. She wickedly wanted to know how Bu Yan would react to those words.

Would she cry even harder?

Would she obediently confess other things and return to normal?

But Yan did not.

She froze for a moment, then stopped crying instantly. Calming down, she stumbled to her feet and ran toward the door.

“Sister?” Ian was slightly confused.

“I need to find medicine!” But Yan took large strides, swaying every two steps and nearly falling every three. She staggered through the corridor, her firm, non-negotiable voice echoing in every corner.

Because her spirit hadn’t recovered like before, her body uncontrollably bumped into walls and floors. Clatter, bang, thud it was a series of noises. Ian felt the pain just listening to it.

She shook her head and sighed helplessly. With a flick of her finger, she created a human-sized bubble to protect Bu Yan, cushioning her every time she was about to hit a wall. While it couldn’t entirely avoid harm, at least it silenced those jarring sounds.

Ian sat in front of the wardrobe, picking at the food in her bowl, finding it tasteless. She suddenly regretted promising Bu Yan she would cook fish.

She should have made vegetables, seaweed or something.

She also regretted performing this modification.

How come it was always fine before, but this time she turned her into a fool?

Fine, if she’s a fool, she’s a fool but she’s become even more stubborn.

Ian racked her brain, recalling her every move, wondering where exactly she had stepped wrong. But she reached no conclusion.

She wasn’t wrong.

The one at fault was Bu Yan.

Who told her to not trust the Alien God and like that mermaid instead?

Ian thought defensively, desperately trying to exonerate herself. But the guilt became irrepressible after Bu Yan let out a sharp “Wa!” like a scream. She quickly jumped down from the second floor and darted to Bu Yan’s side.

“What’s wrong, Sister?” Even her voice was tinged with panic.

“Is this the food you made?”

But Yan hugged Ian tightly. “You’re so amazing, baby!”

Ian’s head buzzed. Was this…

A return to normal?