The Merman I Picked Up Is Too Delicious - Chapter 7

“Today I’m definitely going out, attending to a class reunion.” After breakfast, Luo Qingyan walked into the bathroom holding a tablet. “I’ll teach you how to use the iPad now. You can learn more about human knowledge that interests you through the internet, super fresh stuff!”

“Okay,” the little merman nodded obediently, his tail twitching slightly, clearly intrigued.

“It’s fully charged right now. Press this button to turn it on.” Luo Qingyan held the tablet with both hands, bending down to show the merman. Realizing that teaching him how to use it wouldn’t be a quick task, she simply sat on the floor, legs folded, and propped the tablet against the edge of the bathtub.

The little merman leaned against the bathtub with one hand, his head close to Luo Qingyan’s. He could clearly feel her calm, gentle breaths, warm and soothing, like swimming through coral reefs on a sunny day.

Due to time constraints, Luo Qingyan only briefly explained how to use the browser and watch videos with apps. The rest could wait for another time.

“The internet gathers all kinds of people, good and bad. Don’t believe everything you see, and don’t be swayed or incited. Have your own thoughts and calmly seek knowledge. Understand?” Luo Qingyan had considered enabling the teen mode for him but worried that if she returned late, his internet access might be restricted. So, she carefully emphasized caution.

“Understood. Humans aren’t very stable; their seven emotions and six desires are quite evident. The internet is like a disguise; even the smallest human can pretend to be powerful, making it easy for them to act recklessly.” The little merman spoke calmly. “Some humans think so too, like with the seven deadly sins.”

“My perspective was too narrow. Merfolk truly live up to being a species that can survive for millennia, my apologies.” Luo Qingyan handed the tablet to the little merman. “Then I won’t worry. Just remember, keep electronics away from water.”

“Okay,” the little merman replied, taking the tablet with both hands, his eyes sparkling with delight.

“I’ll get ready and head out now. You’ll have to make do with bread again today, but tomorrow I’ll definitely order some delicious food for you!” Luo Qingyan felt an urge to pat the merman’s head but restrained herself.

“Bread isn’t just ‘making do’, it’s really tasty.” The little merman gave a warm smile. “Don’t worry, go enjoy your class reunion!”

“Okay,” Luo Qingyan replied, her heart warmed by his smile.

…

Twenty minutes later, Liu Yimiao drove up to Luo Qingyan’s doorstep.

Luo Qingyan had originally planned to take a taxi to the gathering, but Liu Yimiao insisted on picking her up.

“Luo Qingyan, you’re so beautiful! The moment you stepped out, it was like a butterfly emerging from a field of flowers, your hair seemed to glow. My heart skipped a beat!” Before Luo Qingyan could even open the car door, Liu Yimiao couldn’t help but praise her through the open window.

“You’re such a flatterer! I’m so happy, I’ll take the compliment!” Luo Qingyan got into the car, first cupping her face with one hand to express her delight, then fastening her seatbelt.

“I’m just speaking from the heart. You’re even more beautiful than you were in high school.” Liu Yimiao stepped on the gas and started driving. “Many people have been roughed up by time, like me. My skin is so bad that nothing helps, and I’ve got loads of fat on my belly and thighs that just won’t go away.”

“As we get older, losing weight does become harder. There was a time when I was swamped with work, under a lot of stress, and ended up gaining weight from overwork, it was really tough to shed those pounds.”

“Exactly! We’re just beasts of burden trying to make a living, what can we do?”

“The only time we truly feel happy is when we reap the rewards. Your new car is really nice!”

“I’ve had my eye on this car for ages! Honestly, it was beyond my budget, but one of my colleagues said life is already hard enough, so if there’s something you love, you should go for it. So, I gritted my teeth and bought it! And I’ve been over the moon ever since! Totally worth it!”

“Yeah, in this life, being happy is what matters most.”

The two chatted about everyday life all the way until they arrived at the gathering spot.

Liu Yimiao had been cheerful and smiling the entire ride, but as soon as she parked the car in the lot, her expression turned serious.

“Luo Qingyan, there’s something I need to tell you first.” Liu Yimiao’s hands still gripped the steering wheel as she slowly turned her head to face her. “At today’s gathering… Fang Tang will be there too. She moved back to G City earlier this year. When she first returned, she was in a pretty bad place, apparently, she got played by some scumbag, a super-flirty rich, handsome guy. Later, we all spent time with her, comforting her, and she’s been doing a lot better.”

Hearing the name “Fang Tang,” Luo Qingyan felt a twinge of annoyance, they hadn’t gotten along well in high school. Still, she kept her composure on the surface. “Oh.”

“Fang Tang has changed a lot since then. Time has a way of maturing people, you know?” Liu Yimiao let go of the steering wheel and leaned back against her seat. “Actually, she specifically asked me to make sure you were invited. She said back in high school, she was young and didn’t know any better, there were misunderstandings and friction between you. Now that she’s grown up, she realizes how childish it all was and wants to clear the air.”

Luo Qingyan gave a faint smile. “I don’t really remember anything bad happening.”

“Ah, it really wasn’t anything serious! We were all so young in high school, so quick to get worked up over silly rivalries. Looking back now, it all seems so pointless. I know you’re the bigger person, she was worried you might still be upset, but she was overthinking it!”

“Let’s go! You said we’re the last to arrive, we shouldn’t keep everyone waiting.”

“Alright!”

Liu Yimiao had always been a bit naive and trusting, and she still was, she probably took everything Fang Tang said at face value. With her kind heart, she likely felt sorry for Fang Tang and wanted to do whatever she could to help.

Luo Qingyan genuinely didn’t think there was anything significant between her and Fang Tang. They just had clashing personalities, didn’t like each other, and kept their distance, there was no need for some forced, happy reunion. She didn’t want to speculate about the other’s motives, but she couldn’t shake a vague sense of unease, quietly putting her guard up.

…

“Yimiao, Qingyan, you’re here!” One of their female classmates was the first to notice Liu Yimiao and Luo Qingyan entering the private room.

“We’re here, we’re here! Sorry to keep you all waiting!” Liu Yimiao waved gracefully to everyone inside. “I know you all missed us, so I drove as fast as I could, but safety first, right?”

“Qingyan, long time no see!”

“Ah, I have to say, a true beauty is always a beauty. You’re just as stunning as ever!”

“I heard from our class secretary that you’ll be staying in G City for a while. How long are you planning to stay? We should hang out more often.”

“Qingyan, your lipstick is gorgeous, drop the link, please!”

Everyone greeted Luo Qingyan with warm, smiling faces.

“Don’t rush, don’t rush, everyone step back, one at a time!” Liu Yimiao stood in front of Luo Qingyan, his left hand extended forward with the palm facing the crowd, while his right hand waved up and down in a mock security guard gesture.

“Liu Yimiao, isn’t it time to stop acting during mealtime?” The female classmate who had greeted them earlier took hold of Liu Yimiao’s outstretched hand.

“Alright, alright, let’s eat then. “Liu Yimiao shook her hand in response.” “I’m hungry too. Let’s have the servers start bringing out the food!”

“Well… not everyone has arrived yet.” The female classmate paused before releasing his hand. “Fang Tang hasn’t arrived. She’s not feeling well.”

“Not feeling well? Is she sick? Does she need to go to the hospital?” Liu Yimiao’s face showed concern.

“She said it’s an old issue and she just needs to rest for a while. Huo Bowen went to stay with her. They’re probably on their way now.”

“Oh, as long as she’s okay. We can wait a bit longer then!”

Luo Qingyan didn’t want to concern himself with Fang Tang’s affairs, but after sitting down, he still ended up hearing about her situation from others.

According to Fang Tang, she had met her scumbag ex-boyfriend while working in luxury jewelry sales in City A.

The scumbag was originally a client of Fang Tang’s coworker. To pursue Fang Tang, he referred other clients to her coworker, then transferred his own business to Fang Tang’s portfolio. He spent extravagantly and pursued Fang Tang very publicly.

Actually, Fang Tang disliked the attention and found it too sudden, unwilling to accept the scumbag’s advances.

Unexpectedly, the scumbag said he could change, and indeed stopped the public displays, instead quietly caring for her, keeping her company, and secretly sending thoughtful gifts. After months of persistent effort, he finally won Fang Tang over.

Fang Tang could tell the scumbag genuinely liked her at the time and was determined to settle down with her seriously. So, she also gave her true heart, treating him exceptionally well with marriage in mind.

However, a leopard cannot change its spots – the scumbag gradually revealed his true nature.

His affection for Fang Tang didn’t disappear, but he couldn’t resist fooling around with others. When Fang Tang discovered this, the scumbag actually suggested marrying her, offering her a legitimate position and endless wealth, asking her to rest assured.

Fang Tang understood his meaning – it was indeed a huge temptation, with many people coveting that position, dreaming of attaining it. But she had emotional standards she couldn’t compromise, finding it unacceptable and even disgusting, as if money could trample genuine feelings.

Fang Tang proposed breaking up. The scumbag, feeling guilty, could only respect her decision though reluctantly. To make a clean break, Fang Tang left City A and returned to City G a thousand miles away.

Because Fang Tang had invested so seriously in this relationship, she was deeply hurt. Even after returning to City G, she remained despondent. When classmates found out, they all tried to comfort her. Though she claimed to be fine and asked everyone not to worry, they could sense her sorrow.

Later, everyone noticed Huo Bowen spending more and more time with Fang Tang, and her condition seemed to improve somewhat, gradually emerging from the shadows.

Everyone understood Huo Bowen liked Fang Tang. Though Fang Tang clearly rejected him because she couldn’t enter another relationship so soon after her heartbreak, Huo Bowen didn’t mind. He was willing, only hoping Fang Tang could quickly move past her previous sorrows.

Today when Huo Bowen went to pick up Fang Tang, he found her unwell and has been staying with her since.

“Actually, Fang Tang must have feelings for Huo Bowen. She’s just still trapped in the aftermath of that previous failed relationship and can’t open her heart yet. After all these years of twists and turns, it would be really nice if they could end up together.” The speaker was Fan Zhenzhen, who had coincidentally seen Luo Qingyan at the mall yesterday. She spoke these words with careful deliberation.

“Exactly! How wonderful it would be if our class could produce a couple!” Liu Yimiao chimed in cheerfully. “If those two really get together, we must invite our homeroom teacher to the wedding! Hahahaha!”

Amid Liu Yimiao’s laughter, the private room door opened and two people walked in.

Through the lively greetings, the gazes of both newcomers eventually settled on Luo Qingyan.