The Love-Hate and Grudges Between Me and the Mermaid - Chapter 9

Chapter 9

A City Imperial Regulatory Bureau, Back Gate.

A fully enclosed black armored vehicle slowly drove in.

Simultaneously, a gurney was carefully pushed out by a group of people wearing thick protective suits. Standing in the courtyard was a perimeter of personnel holding heavy floating-barrel rifles, their gazes resolute and fixed directly on the gurney.

Their mission this time was to escort a biological entity codenamed S001. It was said to be the first perfectly mutated “variant” discovered at this stage, possessing extraordinary abilities.

It had hidden itself too well, evading the first three rounds of variant captures. It was only discovered after a fire broke out in the home of an ordinary citizen.

Such a successful mutated organism would, naturally, be presented to Her Majesty the Empress for personal viewing, grading, and experimentation.

Slowly, gently, and earnestly, they moved the black box from the gurney into the vehicle. Beneath their airtight protective suits, several people simultaneously broke into smiles of excitement and relief.

A variant, especially one identified as an S-class with confirmed offensive capabilities—was something they were seeing and touching up close for the first time. Excitement was inevitable. As for the relief… perhaps it was because they had completed the mission alive?

But just as they were about to exit the vehicle, the heavy cargo doors were suddenly slammed shut.

Stupefaction and disbelief replaced their smiles. Following a crisp locking sound, someone finally reacted and began frantically pounding on the vehicle door: “What are you doing? We haven’t gotten out yet! Open up! Open the door now!”

No one responded.

Outside, where they couldn’t see, the others had already fled via helicopter, including the driver of the armored vehicle.

Inside the seamless black box, a wet, viscous sound emerged. A soft, sticky tentacle forcibly melted a crack through the container. After breaking its shackles, it crawled along the vehicle wall toward the door, coming into contact with flammable material.

“Ah—”

The scream beneath the protective suit lasted only 0.01 seconds before being swallowed by an invisible fire.

They were instantly reduced to ashes. The immense surge of heat caused the vehicle to shudder. Seconds later, a mixture of black smoke and white mist began to slowly spray out from within.

Inside the helicopter, a red-haired woman in the pilot’s seat watched everything below with cold eyes. When the vehicle shook, she couldn’t help but chuckle: “Oh? It’s evolved again?”

Sitting directly behind her was a blonde, blue-eyed woman who smirked upon hearing this, appearing to be in an excellent mood. “You flatter me. This time the funding was ample; it’s all made of new materials.”

“Their sacrifice has made a monumental contribution to the Empire’s great scientific research cause. The Empire will never forget them, and the Empress will treat their families well.” Sitting beside her was a short-haired woman wearing sunglasses. She looked down, a flash of pity crossing her eyes behind the lenses, her tone deep and powerful.

“Stop talking nonsense, Great Scientist,” the red-haired woman sneered. “What contribution? It’s their honor to participate in this high-temperature, fire-resistance experiment for the armored vehicle! Especially alongside the first Perfect Variant.”

“Their families should be kneeling in gratitude; they wouldn’t dare ask for compensation.”

“Even so,” the short-haired woman hesitated, “people are gone, after all…”

“Just weave some nice words and give them some money to send them off. Isn’t that how we always do it?” The blonde woman patted the short-haired woman’s arm, teasing her.

As she finished speaking, her expression suddenly changed as if she had discovered something. She hurriedly shouted for the red-haired woman to land the helicopter: “Quick! We have to go down. Something seems to have gone wrong with the experiment!”

…

At the same time: A-City Imperial First Hospital

Tang Xingran, holding a thick stack of medical records, knocked on the door of Room 3042 for the fourth time. “Is the family here?”

Ian had been eating a small cake with Bu Yan. Upon hearing this, she bolted upright. Without even having time to wipe the cream from the corner of her mouth, she called out “Dr. Tang” with utmost respect.

Seeing the newcomer, Bu Yan, lying on the bed, felt her vision go dark, nearly fainting again.

This Doctor Tang really couldn’t stand them as a couple! Day and night, she looked for trouble, scaring Ian into tears three times a day. And now, just after Bu Yan had managed to coax Ian into a good mood with a small cake, this person was here to scare her again!

Seeing Ian’s eyes gradually redden, Bu Yan’s heart broke. The resentment accumulated over several days exploded. She snapped at Tang Xingran:

“What is it now?! What is it?! Look, I have to say it: why are you constantly hovering over us?! This is a hospital. If someone’s sick, treat them; if not, prescribe yourself some sleeping pills and go wash up for bed!”

Tang Xingran didn’t speak, simply staring quietly at Bu Yan. She seemed to be waiting for her to continue.

But Yan lost her nerve in a single second. Seeing this, Ian hurriedly wiped her tears and stepped in front of Bu Yan, looking at Tang Xingran weakly. “Dr. Tang, you… why are you here again?”

Only then did Tang Xingran move. “I’ve received notice. You can be discharged.” She flipped to the last page of the medical record, signed it, and handed it to Ian.

“Ah, okay. Thank you, Dr. Tang.” Ian took it carefully.

Tang Xingran’s gaze bypassed Ian and landed on Bu Yan behind her. Her eyes flickered; she opened her mouth as if to say something, but ultimately said nothing.

Your wife has a problem.

Before leaving, she was still debating whether to mention it.

As she pulled the door shut and began walking toward her office, a string of laughter erupted from behind her. She glanced back to see the blue-haired girl wrapping her arms around the waist of the patient from 3042.

This couple has a very good relationship, she thought as she walked back. Better not say anything. What if I destroy their home?

After all, it wasn’t easy to have a partner who loved you wholeheartedly. Being healthy and living well was more important than anything else.