The Merman I Picked Up Is Too Delicious - Chapter 6

“Luo Qingyan, I heard you’re back in G City! Perfect timing, a few classmates are getting together tomorrow and we’d love for you to join! It’s been so long since we last saw you, everyone misses you!” The caller was Liu Yimiao, Luo Qingyan’s high school classmate. Back then, they sat close to each other, so they had a fairly good relationship.

“You changed your number? I almost didn’t pick up since it was an unfamiliar number!” After returning to G City, Luo Qingyan just wanted to live quietly and hadn’t planned on contacting old classmates. “How did you know I’m back?”

“I’m still using my old number, this is just a new one. Save it! We were chatting in the group earlier, and Fan Zhenzhen said she saw you while shopping this afternoon. Too bad you were on the first floor and she was on the second. I organized tomorrow’s gathering, and since you’re back, of course, I had to invite you!”

“I haven’t been feeling well lately and came back to recuperate. Today, my younger sister wanted to go out, so I went with her for a stroll this afternoon. I’m completely drained now and need to rest at home for a few days. You all go ahead and have fun!” Luo Qingyan suddenly thought that if she couldn’t win over the little merman, she might face death. So, it might be wise to hint a little about her poor health to her old classmates now.

“Not feeling well? Are you sick?”

“I have quite a few discomforts. I plan to get a full checkup when I have time.”

“Hey! Don’t worry too much, sometimes illnesses are just caused by anxiety. Look, you can still go out and have fun, which means you’re fine. Don’t stress, it’s probably just exhaustion from working in S City. The pace of life there is too fast. Don’t worry, I’m sure you’re healthy and will live a long life!”

“Yeah, that’s why I came back to rest and relax!”

“Then come hang out with everyone! Seeing old classmates will cheer you up! We’re all at that age now, no heavy arrangements, just some tea and casual chat.”

“I’m genuinely tired, and it’s too sudden. Meeting old classmates requires some preparation, doesn’t it? Tomorrow is too rushed. How about next time? I’ll be in G City for a while. Just let me know in advance next time, and I’ll definitely go.”

“It is quite last-minute, mainly because we just found out you’re back. Who knows how long it’ll be until the next chance? How about this: we’re meeting for lunch tomorrow. Rest up tonight, and see how you feel in the morning. If you’re up for it, come; if not, no worries.”

In high school, Liu Yimiao was the class’s cultural committee member, responsible for organizing various activities. Even after graduation, she still enjoyed gathering classmates together. At first, she organized class reunions with the class president, but as everyone went their separate ways and got busier with work and family, it gradually turned into smaller get-togethers with just a few classmates.

Last Spring Festival, Luo Qingyan attended one of these gatherings, and the atmosphere was great. But now that she was sick, she wasn’t in the mood for socializing. Still, she knew Liu Yimiao was the persistent type. It might be easier to agree now and come up with an excuse tomorrow if she really didn’t feel like going.

“Alright, let’s see how it goes tomorrow.”

“Great!” Liu Yimiao’s voice was full of joy.

…

Luo Qingyan returned to the bathroom, where the little merman was munching on a skewer of shiitake mushrooms. Surprisingly, Chestnut was sitting obediently beside him, wagging his little tail.

“So, how’s the barbecue? Tasty?” Luo Qingyan sat back in her chair, leaned over, and reached out to pat Chestnut’s head.

“Mmm, delicious. The meat is crispy on the outside and tender inside, and the vegetables are crunchy and flavorful.” The little merman raised the mushroom in his hand. “This one is especially tasty, crispy on the surface and juicy inside.”

“That’s a shiitake mushroom. I was worried you might not like its flavor! It seems you’re quite adaptable to human food.” Luo Qingyan felt relieved that the little merman wasn’t picky. She paused before adding, “I might have to go out tomorrow. Will you be okay staying home alone?”

“Yes, I’ll be fine. I’m recovering from my injuries, so staying quietly at home is good for me. Besides, Chestnut is here too!”

“Chestnut is thrilled. He loves having someone at home all the time.” As she spoke, Luo Qingyan stroked Chestnut’s soft fur, finding it oddly soothing. “Oh, right! I’ll give you the iPad tomorrow. Do you know what a tablet is? Or the internet? Do mermaids only use books and not electronic devices? Well, I suppose electronics don’t work underwater anyway.”

“I know about computers and the internet, but I’m not very familiar with them.”

“Knowing about them is enough. I’ll teach you how to use the iPad to go online. It’ll help pass the time, and you can also learn more about human knowledge, the latest updates. I’ll show you once the power comes back on.”

“Okay.” The little merman nodded and picked up a skewer of potato slices. “Humans really rely a lot on electricity.”

“Exactly. All kinds of appliances and electronics make life more convenient and enriching, there’s nothing wrong with that. There are many ways to generate electricity now, and it’s usually abundant. Power outages are just occasional.” Luo Qingyan stretched lazily. “But once you get used to it, a blackout becomes incredibly boring. Hey! Mermaids don’t use electricity and yet live such long lives. What do you usually do? You’re intelligent, so you probably don’t worry about food and shelter like wild animals. If you’re not hunting, how do you pass the time?”

The little merman swallowed the food in his mouth. “We… don’t ‘pass the time.’ Mermaids and humans perceive time and the world differently. It’s hard to explain, it’s more of a feeling. Besides, the ocean is incredibly fascinating. Did you know that over 70% of the Earth is covered by the ocean?”

“Yes, the ocean is vaster than the land. Could you tell me some stories about the sea? You don’t have to talk about mermaids, what about other fish?”

“Mmm… sure! Is there any fish you’d like to hear about?”

“Something I’d like to know? Do mermaids befriend other fish? Can you communicate with them?”

“We can communicate, in the way of fish, but it’s different from how you and I talk. And making friends is also different from how humans understand it.”

The soft glow in the enveloping darkness felt exceptionally warm.

Under that gentle light, the human and the mermaid chatted happily.

…

The next day, Luo Qingyan didn’t wake up until almost ten o’clock. She had stayed up late the previous night, engrossed in conversations with the little merman about the ocean.

Despite the late night, she felt refreshed upon waking and hurried to prepare breakfast. There were three mouths to feed at home.

Chestnut had his dog food, while the other two had noodles.

Sensing the little merman’s appreciation for good food, Luo Qingyan wanted to make something delicious for him. Though she wasn’t much of a cook, she could handle simple dishes. Her grandmother had once praised her natural talent for cooking. Her cousin and uncle had bought plenty of ingredients the day before, so this morning, she made tomato and egg noodles.

“Delicious! The eggs are smooth, the tomatoes are perfectly sweet and sour, and the noodles have just the right texture, soaking up the broth wonderfully. Every bite is incredibly satisfying and full of flavor.” Little Merman, the food critic, was in full swing, lavishing praise on Luo Qingyan’s tomato and egg noodles. “Humans are truly amazing at making food!”

“Heh! Of course. With five thousand years of Chinese civilization, everything is refined. Food is the essence of life, and after thousands of years of culinary exploration, it’s only natural that we have an abundance of delicious dishes.” Luo Qingyan was overjoyed by Little Merman’s compliments. “I don’t know many recipes, and this one is actually quite simple.”

“Simple? How is it made?”

“What, do you want to learn?”

“I want to understand how food can become so delicious.”

“You’re such a curious little merman.” Luo Qingyan gave a thumbs-up and patiently explained, “Tomato and egg noodles aren’t difficult. Crack a raw egg into a bowl and whisk it quickly, making sure the yolk and egg white are fully blended. Then, heat the pan with a little cold oil, pour in the egg mixture, and scramble it until golden before setting it aside. Next, add more oil to the pan, heat it up, and toss in chopped scallions and garlic. Once they’re fragrant, add the diced tomatoes and continue stir-frying until they release their juices. Then, add water, salt, oyster sauce, and light soy sauce. Oh, and don’t forget to add a pinch of salt while whisking the eggs to remove any fishy taste. When the noodles are almost cooked, add the scrambled eggs and some greens. Finish with a sprinkle of chopped scallions before serving. And there you have it, a bowl of tomato and egg noodles!”

Little Merman listened intently. “It doesn’t sound simple at all. There are so many steps, and you have to control the process carefully. Humans are truly adorable, they’re willing to go through all this trouble just to give food different flavors.”

“This is the first time I’ve heard someone describe cooking as ‘adorable.’ Oh, right, you’re a fish, a merman.” Luo Qingyan couldn’t help but chuckle. “Recipes have been around for a long time. I remember there was a ‘Classic of Food’ as early as the Sui Dynasty. Since you seem to enjoy eating, are mermen also interested in gourmet food? Don’t you study recipes?”

“I’ve heard that human food is delicious, but seeing, or rather, tasting, is believing.”

“Hey, I just thought of something.” Luo Qingyan’s gaze fell on Little Merman’s silver hair. “You mentioned that mermen are divided by sea regions. Are you from the nearby seas? Most people in this vast land have black hair and black eyes, but you have silver hair and blue-purple eyes. Do mermen also have different races? Like,  are there mermen with other hair colors, eye colors, or skin tones?”

“Mermen and humans share the same origins, but we separated a very, very long time ago. Mermen live in the ocean, while humans live on land. But both are influenced by their environments. My appearance is also related to the environment.”

“Again, telling only half the story and hiding the rest. Such a cautious little merman.” Luo Qingyan smiled slightly and stood up. “Alright, I won’t pry anymore. Take your time and enjoy your breakfast.”

“Are you going out?” Little Merman’s gaze followed Luo Qingyan as she rose.

“I might not go out today.” Luo Qingyan was about to turn away but paused, tilting her head. “Do you want me to go out?”

“If you’re going out to have fun, then I hope you do, because going out can lift your spirits. Right now, you need some happiness.” Little Merman’s tone was light, but his expression was serious.

Truthfully, Luo Qingyan hadn’t planned on going out today, but after hearing Little Merman’s words, she began to reconsider. Just then, her phone rang, and she left the bathroom to answer the call.

“Luo Qingyan, are you up yet? How are you feeling today? The weather is lovely, bright sunshine, crisp autumn air, perfect for an outing.” Even through the phone, Liu Yimiao’s voice radiated boundless energy.

“Not bad,” Luo Qingyan replied. She understood what the other person was hinting at. The timing of this call, just as she was wavering, made her hesitate even more.

Liu Yimiao: “You can make it to today’s gathering, right? Where are you staying now? I can pick you up later, I just bought a new car and I’ve been itching to take it for a spin!”

Luo Qingyan: “So thoughtful and considerate? I almost feel bad saying no.”

Liu Yimiao: “Then come! It’s settled! By the way, do you have a boyfriend? You’re welcome to bring a plus one.”

“Alright, I’ll go. As for a boyfriend, not at the moment.” As she said this, the corners of Luo Qingyan’s lips unconsciously lifted into a slight smile, though she didn’t notice it herself.