Chapter 11

Cheng Qingyuan.

He was the boss of Lianzhu, a middle-aged man with a gentle and refined appearance. Every year, he would even organize charity events for the company’s employees.

Unexpectedly, behind the scenes, he was a beast in human form.

Zhang Jingzhu felt disgusted that she had once affectionately called him “Uncle Cheng.” For a long time, she thought Cheng Qingyuan was a good person, because he ran the company smoothly, the employee benefits were better than other companies, and he would even personally inquire about the welfare of the company’s cleaning staff, completely lacking the condescending air of a successful businessman.

But it turned out that everything was just an act.

Zhang Jingzhu’s anger, upon encountering Cheng Shuinan’s calm and indifferent expression, dissipated. He didn’t show any hatred or anger, just mentioning a stranger who left a deep impression.

Yes, what good would those feelings of hatred do?

He had already left that dark and cramped warehouse and come to her home. His new life was about to begin. The past dark and difficult years should be left behind… She shouldn’t inquire too much about his past. Such actions would be like reopening his healed wounds.

His genuine trust in her moved Zhang Jingzhu deeply.

“I have nothing to do with him. I rescued you because I happened to see you and couldn’t bear to see you being abused…”

Zhang Jingzhu carefully explained to Cheng Shuinan how humans live and work, that just because she called someone “boss” or “uncle” or “aunt” didn’t mean they were on the same side.

She carefully avoided mentioning Cheng Qingyuan and Lianzhu Company. Sure enough, Cheng Shuinan’s indifferent expression turned curious. He resumed his previous carefree and cheerful demeanor, his hands clasped together on the edge of the bathtub, occasionally asking questions.

He was truly a simple fish.

Zhang Jingzhu’s emotions were now complex. Since she learned that the boss of Lianzhu Company was actually the mastermind behind Cheng Shuinan’s abuse, and that the high-selling pearl necklaces were made from merman tears, she felt like she was complicit, like she was in cahoots with them.

She wanted to quit.

But if she left Lianzhu Company, she wouldn’t be able to get any information about Lianzhu and Mr. Cheng’s whereabouts.

Cheng Shuinan was his son. His son had escaped. Mr. Cheng would definitely try to catch him.

Staying at Lianzhu Company would allow her to gather information about Mr. Cheng and thus prepare for any eventuality.

Thinking this way, Zhang Jingzhu couldn’t quit.

The enemy was in the open, while she was in the shadows.

After explaining everything to Cheng Shuinan, Zhang Jingzhu saw that he no longer had that pitiful expression. Perhaps seeing her squatting beside him, lost in thought and ignoring him, he began playing with the water with his fishtail.

Zhang Jingzhu glanced at him, then turned to leave.

Zhang Jingzhu couldn’t leave. The merman, who usually liked to stay submerged, had only dared to secretly touch her with his fin

Yes, she knew about his sometimes-hidden actions. She just hadn’t exposed him.

He suddenly leaped out of the water, urgently grabbing her arm. His cold, sticky palm clasped her arm. Water droplets slid down her drooping palm. She felt a slight tingling sensation where he was holding her.

Cheng Shuinan didn’t let go. His expression was anxious. His fishtail, submerged beneath the surface, straightened, as if he was half-kneeling in the water. His voice was tentative, “Zhang Jingzhu, are you angry?”

“I shouldn’t have thought of you that way. What can I do to make you forgive me?”

His eyes were so sincere.

Zhang Jingzhu smiled, “I’m not angry. I bought a cake. I’ll bring it to you…”

She glanced at the hand clutching her arm, then raised an eyebrow at him, “Can you let go?”

Cheng Shuinan quickly released her, lowering his eyes, “Ah, okay.”

When Zhang Jingzhu brought the merman home, she only thought about healing his wounds. She felt sorry for him, being homeless. Since she lived alone, she could perfectly take care of him.

But feelings are uncontrollable. After spending a few days together, Cheng Shuinan’s significance in her heart had clearly increased.

Like today, when she passed by a dessert shop, she saw those beautiful, sweet-looking little cakes and unconsciously thought of Cheng Shuinan.

Had he ever tasted cake?

Would he like it?

So, Zhang Jingzhu bought an eight-inch mousse cake. It had ten flavors, a new product launched by the shop. She lived alone and had never been “luxurious” enough to buy a cake this big.

She moved the folding table to the bathroom. Since the merman arrived, she had moved many of her activities from the living room.

The mousse cake was neatly divided into ten flavors. The bright red velvet, like soft cotton granules, the rich chocolate with a hint of bitterness, topped with Oreo cookies, matcha, mango, strawberry, tiramisu… Each piece of cake was sweet and tempting, whispering, “Come and eat me!”

Cheng Shuinan had indeed never eaten cake.

He was born with a fishtail, just like his mother. The two of them were locked in a room, seeing only what Cheng Qingyuan wanted them to see. That small room, filled with memories of his mother, when you think about it, was no different from a prison…

The first time he touched the air of freedom, the bright moonlight, the azure sky, and the warm, clear water, it was all thanks to Zhang Jingzhu.

Zhang Jingzhu wanted to try each flavor. After getting Cheng Shuinan’s consent actually, he would just nod to whatever she said, she used a small spoon to scoop a small piece of each cake onto a small plate, pushing the rest towards Cheng Shuinan.

Zhang Jingzhu took a bite of the chocolate mousse first.

“Why aren’t you eating? Don’t you like it?”

Cheng Shuinan shook his head, then imitated her and took a bite of the chocolate.

His teeth were like a shark’s, sharp triangular points, looking menacing and bloody. But his eyes were so clear that even his terrifying teeth seemed like something meant to scare people.

Zhang Jingzhu noticed his sudden look of satisfaction. He had cream on his lips, and he gently licked it off with his tongue. His pink tongue brushed against his sharp, blade-like teeth, and her heart skipped a beat –

Wouldn’t it cut his tongue?

Her worry was unnecessary. Even though Cheng Shuinan’s movements were fast, she still noticed that his seemingly soft tongue had a sandpaper-like texture, something you wouldn’t notice unless you looked closely.

They were more like flesh spines.

Zhang Jingzhu stared curiously at his mouth. Cheng Shuinan straightened his back, his fingers tightly gripping the spoon, not daring to move. He hung his head obediently, blushing as her gaze fell unabashedly on his lips.

Cheng Shuinan pushed the cake towards her.

Zhang Jingzhu snapped out of her thoughts, looking puzzled, “You’re not eating?”

Cheng Shuinan swallowed, “I’m not eating. You eat it.”

Zhang Jingzhu laughed, “You think I was staring at you because I wanted to eat the cake?”

Cheng Shuinan nodded.

“I was just curious if you would bite your tongue… Your tongue looks very sharp, maybe you can describe it as sharp? Human tongues, like mine, don’t have those protruding little flesh bumps. Do you know what they’re for?”

Cheng Shuinan shook his head, his gaze quickly sliding from her tongue, which was sticking out of her mouth.

Zhang Jingzhu didn’t pay much attention. She pushed the cake back towards him, gesturing for him to continue eating. She propped her chin in her hand, quietly observing Cheng Shuinan, thinking, maybe she could buy him a little toy sometime?

He looked so cute eating.

It made Zhang Jingzhu want to be even nicer to him. Seeing his happy face, she couldn’t help but feel happy herself.Share