The Merman I Picked Up Is Too Delicious - Chapter 16

Luo Qingyan was a resilient person. She understood that tears could release emotions but couldn’t solve problems.

At this moment, standing in her familiar home, she felt the stark contrast between the unchanged surroundings and the profound changes in her life, the solitude, the relentless passage of time. She simply couldn’t hold back her emotions.

She had been strong for far too long. Working alone in a city thousands of miles away, she never complained no matter how tough or exhausting it got. Facing the loss of loved ones time and again, she swallowed her tears, letting them flow only in her heart. She had grown accustomed to going to the hospital alone, calmly accepting even a cancer diagnosis.

Yet, upon returning home, she still longed to be the cherished child her parents once doted on.

Once, in this home, she could freely do as she pleased, unburdened by the outside world, sheltered by her parents’ protective umbrella.

Who doesn’t love the feeling of being cherished?

Unfortunately, in life, one must ultimately face the world alone.

Death, terrifying, yet it need not be.

After her emotional release, Luo Qingyan wiped away her tears and immediately got down to business without any hesitation.

First, she checked all the functions of the bathtub, the faucet, water storage, drainage, everything was in working order.

Next, she identified potential hiding spots for the little merman. There were three options: the wardrobe in the guest room, the wardrobe in her own room, and the storage cabinet in the study.

She measured the length, width, and height of each spot with a tape measure. The storage cabinet in the study was too small; though it was possible to squeeze him in, it would be inconvenient, as even the slightest movement could push the cabinet door open. The wardrobes were more spacious. The guest room wardrobe had fewer clothes, but if someone were to stay in the guest room, it would be troublesome. Her own wardrobe had more clothes but offered greater privacy as the master bedroom.

There was no need to decide on the exact hiding spot right away. As long as she confirmed there were options, the rest could be figured out later.

Then, she inspected all the electrical appliances in the house. She planned to have the little merman stay here alone for a few days, and since she would only be able to stop by for an hour or two at most, safety was paramount.

Finally, she walked through the house, observing and thinking about daily routines, noting down anything that might be missing.

The tasks seemed simple and manageable when planned, but in practice, they revealed countless trivial details.

By the time she finished everything, it was almost 11 o’clock.

Though Luo Qingyan was eager to return to her grandmother’s house, she didn’t rush off immediately. Instead, she sat quietly on the sofa and ordered takeout, ensuring the food would arrive shortly after she got back.

After spending these past few days together, she had discovered that the little merman wasn’t picky, he was willing to try all kinds of food and hadn’t shown any dislikes so far. She wanted him to experience more, so she ordered a bit of everything: beef burgers, chicken burgers, chicken wraps, popcorn chicken, roasted wings, fries, egg tarts, and cola.

Looking at the long list of items she’d ordered, she felt thoroughly satisfied. Then, realizing it was already past 11, she hurried back to her grandmother’s house.

Her heart raced with anticipation.

The little merman waiting at home was sure to love today’s lunch!

“So delicious!” The little merman held half a beef burger in his hands, took a bite, and immediately his eyes lit up. He chewed faster and faster, savoring every mouthful.

To let the little merman taste everything, Luo Qingyan deliberately used a knife to cut the burger and chicken wrap in half, giving the larger portion to the little merman and keeping the smaller one for herself. Noticing the uneven split, the little merman questioned it, to which she replied that she couldn’t eat too much but wanted to share every dish with him.

“No detailed description of the taste this time?” Luo Qingyan held the other half of the beef burger and took a small bite.

“The bread is soft, the patty is crispy and savory, the vegetables are refreshing, and the sauce is just the right amount. When you take a bite, it all blends together and hits your taste buds like a drumbeat. The sauce is the finishing touch—it instantly fills your mouth, smooth and rich, incredibly satisfying!” After describing it, the little merman immediately took another bite of the burger.

Luo Qingyan listened and savored the flavors, nodding in agreement. “Mm, it really is! Take your time, no rush. There’s more to try.”

“Mm, everything smells so good.”

“Which one do you want to try next?”

“Hmm… the rolled-up one.”

“That’s a chicken wrap. The sauce inside is a bit different from the burger’s, it has a sweet flavor.”

“Salty and sweet? That must be really special!”

Usually, three meals a day felt utterly ordinary, but eating with the little merman always brought a different experience. His curiosity and delight made every meal far from boring, filling it with joy.

In fact, it wasn’t just about the meals.

After lunch came nap time, and once they had rested, Luo Qingyan brewed some floral tea and brought it to the bathroom, planning to enjoy the tea with the little merman while selecting clothes for him.

Ever since she mentioned buying clothes for the little merman, Luo Qingyan had gradually picked out many options. The more she chose, the more she felt he would look good in anything, unable to part with a single piece. So, she decided to let the little merman make the final selection himself.

“Do you have a favorite color?” To get a clearer view of the clothing styles, Luo Qingyan logged into her shopping platform account on a tablet, opened her favorites, and showed the little merman each item she had selected.

The little merman obediently watched her navigate. “No.”

“Alright… If I were to imagine, you’d look absolutely stunning in formal wear, especially a three-piece suit, elegant, vintage, and refined! But since you’re always at home, there’s no need for anything that complicated. Comfort is key. How about trying a shirt? What do you think of a white one?” Luo Qingyan clicked on the link for a white shirt as she spoke.

“Mm, that’s fine.” The little merman studied the image carefully.

“What about the style? Would you prefer something with more design, like European court-inspired styles? You’re over three hundred years old, you’ve lived through that ornate era, right?”

“They all look quite nice. Which one do you prefer?”

“I’m asking you because I can’t decide, but it seems I have an answer now. I’ve seen too many simple styles, so of course, we should try something different when we have the chance!” A smile spread across Luo Qingyan’s eyes and brows. She felt as though she were playing a real-life dress-up game, and with a mermaid, no less, it was so dreamy and utterly delightful!

“You seem very happy.” The little merman shifted his gaze from the screen to Luo Qingyan’s face.

“Of course, picking out nice clothes is fun, but picking out clothes for a beautiful merman is even more fun!” Luo Qingyan’s attention remained fixed on the screen as she spoke, clicking open a new page. “Actually, bright colors aren’t bad either. I think even some flashy colors would look good on you…”

The little merman had been listening obediently, but for some reason, he suddenly swayed, his gaze sharpening into a state of alertness.

Interrupted, Luo Qingyan was puzzled. She paused, blinked, and asked, “What’s wrong?”

The little merman furrowed his brow and said nothing, pricking up his ears as if listening intently.

Luo Qingyan quickly realized he must have heard something she hadn’t. “Did you hear something? A sign of danger?”

The little merman still didn’t respond, his expression growing increasingly tense.

“I’ll go check outside,” Luo Qingyan said, setting down her tablet and standing up to leave.

The little merman didn’t stop her or say a word.

Stepping out of the bathroom, she heard no strange sounds. Leaving the house, she still heard nothing unusual. Even as she walked out of the courtyard, there was no sign of anything out of the ordinary.

Luo Qingyan had witnessed the little merman’s acute hearing before. To ensure his safety, it was better to be overly cautious. She continued to survey the surroundings.

After rushing around, she finally got an answer from a neighbor.

“Oh, it’s just a house on Huayang Road nearby that caught fire! I heard the flames were huge, and smoke was billowing before the fire trucks even arrived. My friend is over there watching, they’re still putting it out. Do you want to go see?”

“Oh… no, thanks. I saw a few people hurrying over and was just curious. Thank you.” Luo Qingyan’s tense nerves gradually relaxed. At least it wasn’t a situation that threatened the little merman. She quickly headed back home.

…

After running for a while, fine beads of sweat dotted Luo Qingyan’s forehead, and her nose and throat felt uncomfortable. But she paid no mind, continuing to jog home because she didn’t want the little merman to worry.

Unexpectedly, the bathroom door was closed. Chestnut stood outside, occasionally scratching at the door with his front paws, but there was no response from the other side.

It seemed the commotion outside had truly frightened the little merman.

“It’s nothing threatening, just a house on the next street that caught fire,” Luo Qingyan said as she tried to open the bathroom door, only to find it locked. “I checked, everything’s fine.”

There was still no response from inside.

“Are you okay?” Luo Qingyan’s first thought was that something might have happened to the little merman. She knocked on the door while repeatedly twisting the handle, thinking about fetching the key but wanting to confirm his safety first.

Between the knocking and the handle twisting, the noise finally elicited a response from inside the bathroom: “I’m fine. You just let me be alone for a while.”

Hearing his voice, Luo Qingyan breathed a sigh of relief, but her worry quickly resurfaced, and her mind began to race. Could someone else be in there threatening him? With that thought, she hurried off to find the key.

She located the key as quickly as possible and returned to the bathroom door. Chestnut was now sitting quietly, no longer scratching.

“I’m really fine…”

The little merman’s voice came from inside the bathroom as Luo Qingyan unlocked the door. It sounded much calmer, but her concern didn’t lessen in the slightest.

The door opened, and inside the bathroom was only the little merman.

In an instant, Luo Qingyan realized something. She stood at the doorway without entering, the worry on her face replaced by disappointment. She let out an almost imperceptible sigh and said, “You don’t trust me, do you?”

The little merman’s expression darkened for a moment, but he gave no reply.

“The sound of fire truck sirens, the noise and smell of a burning, cracking house, and the clamor of the crowd. You thought it was something else, didn’t you?” Luo Qingyan’s eyes grew dim and lifeless. “Am I really not in any danger? What exactly are you hiding. Never mind, there’s no use asking you. After all, you have to protect yourself.”

With that, Luo Qingyan turned and left without the slightest hesitation.