Chapter 84: I Love Slacking Off
Tao Ning spoke to her, but as expected, she received no response. The Mermaid stared at her unblinkingly, seemingly deaf to her words.
No one could remain unmoved under the focused gaze of such a beauty.
Earlier that afternoon, Tao Ning had heard the soldiers who captured the Mermaid say, “With just one glance from her, my face flushed red. I’m not kidding.”
As if realizing something, Tao Ning held up the mostly eaten apple, wiggled it back and forth, then put it down.
Sure enough, the Mermaid’s head turned left, then right, finally fixing her gaze on Tao Ning’s lowered hand.
Two big words were clearly written in her blue eyes: I want.
Tao Ning didn’t give it to her. Instead, she took the last bite, leaving only the core.
Mermaid: “…”
If this frail human’s voice wasn’t the most pleasant among this group, the Mermaid would never have shown herself.
In the Mermaid’s simple and crude classification, all upright, two-legged creatures were divided into two categories: noisy and ugly two-legged beasts, and humans.
The one before her was temporarily classified as human.
Feeling tricked, the Mermaid was about to sink back down when, as if performing a magic trick, Tao Ning pulled another whole apple from her other pocket.
The Mermaid’s swaying tail fin stilled. Pretending nothing had happened, she hung by the edge of the pool.
Tao Ning knelt down a short distance away, close enough to see the Mermaid clearly but far enough to avoid being pulled in if the Mermaid reached out.
Holding the apple, Tao Ning said, “Want to eat?”
The Mermaid tilted her head: “?” Her pointed ears twitched.
Tao Ning noticed the subtle movement hidden beneath her hair. She repeated herself, then brought the apple to her face, mimicking a bite.
The Mermaid became anxious, reaching out to grab it, her brows slightly furrowed, a picture of pitiful beauty.
Tao Ning pulled her hand back, a bright smile curving her pale lips: “If you want to eat, you have to trade me your name.”
The Mermaid, not understanding, continued to reach for the fruit. Realizing this person was truly unyielding, she looked at her with pleading eyes.
Tao Ning wouldn’t fall for it. This was an apex predator of the ocean, with a temper to match. Getting too close would result in being dragged into the water.
As a leader who dared to feign injury to come ashore, she couldn’t be truly foolish. She was probably suspecting that Tao Ning was testing her, playing along with the appearance humans wanted to see.
Indeed, Tao Ning had guessed the Mermaid’s thoughts. The Mermaid was constantly mindful of the persona she was portraying to deceive humans.
Pointing a finger at herself, Tao Ning said earnestly, her eyes focused: “Me, name, Tao Ning.”
The Mermaid opened her mouth, meeting Tao Ning’s gaze for a long moment before looking away, her eyes glancing at the object in Tao Ning’s hand.
520, observing the “fishing” from the sidelines, finally realized something was amiss. The original host’s name was Zang Yuzhu, why was she telling the Mermaid her real name?
Then it dawned on her, this widow was planning to remarry, finally free from her burdens.
Hesitating for a moment, 520 swallowed its words. It was her host, who else would it support?
Tao Ning broke the apple in half, releasing an even stronger fruity aroma. This was a subtle torture for the Mermaid, who had a keen sense of smell but couldn’t eat it. Her expression became agitated.
And the human kept speaking words she couldn’t understand.
The Mermaid could probably tell that the other party was introducing herself, but she didn’t care right now.
Humans actually had quite a bit of research data on Mermaids, it’s just that very little was publicly available. If they truly knew very little, or even nothing, how could the First Academy have a Mermaid language major?
There were even Mermaid language translator positions in research institutes. As for accuracy, being able to understand half of what was said was considered excellent.
Mermaid language was obscure and difficult to learn, and human vocal cords couldn’t accurately and fluently pronounce all Mermaid sounds.
Holding half an apple in each hand, Tao Ning moved a little closer: “You, what name?”
The Mermaid’s name recorded in the original world line was given by Gu Yuan: Xiao En (Little Grace).
No matter what others said, the Mermaid would only reply with “En” (a sound of agreement), so he suggested calling her Xiao En. The Mermaid, upon hearing this, simply replied with “En.”
But Tao Ning didn’t think that was the Mermaid’s real name. The reason she accepted that name was because she disdained revealing her true name.
Tao Ning wanted to know her real name. Exchanging names was the true beginning of a relationship.
After speaking, she quietly watched the Mermaid, observing her expression as she processed the words.
Recognizing someone wasn’t just about appearance, it was also about feeling.
Even with the changed appearance and personality, the moment Tao Ning saw her, she felt a voice deep inside confirming her thoughts.
Yes, it was her.
After a while, the Mermaid’s tail twitched, and she moved closer to the edge.
Her webbed claws rested on the glass, her hair spreading like seaweed. She parted her red lips, uttering a phrase with an ancient cadence.
“isu?”
Mermaid language.
The phrase flashed through Tao Ning’s mind.
As expected, she didn’t understand.
Tao Ning was prepared for the difficulty in communication. Regardless of what the other party said, she would offer the item in her hand.
After uttering the questioning sound, the Mermaid received what she desired, a flicker of surprise in her eyes.
She reached out and took half of the apple from Tao Ning, quickly finishing it.
The outwardly elegant Mermaid had a natural wildness when eating, perhaps a habit developed from quickly consuming food to prevent it from being snatched.
Tao Ning waited for her to finish, then offered the other half, which she had originally intended to eat herself.
Tao Ning said, “This is for you too.”
The Mermaid was stunned. She didn’t expect this human, who wasn’t her subject, to offer her food. She took the fruit and couldn’t help but speak again.
In Mermaid language, she said, “You’re giving this to me too? Aren’t you going to eat it?”
Naturally, Tao Ning still didn’t understand. She just smiled and continued speaking to herself, “I have more in my dormitory. I’ll bring you some tomorrow. If I had known you liked them, I would have brought more.”
The Mermaid, enjoying her apple, saw the person suddenly stand up, swaying slightly from the dizziness caused by the abrupt movement.
The Mermaid, surprised, moved back a little, in case the other person lost their balance and fell on her.
With a thud, Tao Ning reached out and grabbed the railing beside her, steadying herself, glancing at the surveillance camera facing the pool as she massaged her temples.
Someone was coming, and quite quickly.
The Mermaid could hear every movement on the entire ship. She was already immune to various subtle sounds, unlike Tao Ning’s sensitivity.
Tao Ning looked at the Mermaid. Before she could say anything, the Mermaid finished the other half of the apple, not even leaving the seeds, and quietly retreated underwater.
Tao Ning: “…” Very good, very quick escape.
Supporting herself on the stairs as she descended, she indeed encountered someone.
An He, who had been searching everywhere and finally found her on the lower decks, strode over: “Finally found you. What are you doing here?”
Tao Ning had just reached the ground, her coat draped over her. She used the lining to wipe the seawater from her hands.
Tao Ning said, “I heard the Mermaid’s singing in my dream, and then I came here.”
An He was not a liar. Tao Ning’s words were beyond her comprehension. She let out a puzzled monosyllable: “Ah?”
Tao Ning had to say, “I couldn’t sleep, so I got up for a walk and unknowingly ended up here.”
An He: “I see.”
Looking at the pale and frail face under the dim light, An He couldn’t help but recall her injuries, her sympathy growing.
Putting aside everything else, if she woke up one day and found herself crippled, it would be impossible not to go crazy.
Not many people possessed high psychic power, and even fewer lacked it. Having it and then losing it, that sense of loss was difficult to accept.
And so, the once arrogant young lady had become introverted.
Tao Ning interrupted An He’s thoughts, saying, “It’s so late, did you need something?”
An He finally remembered the real reason she came, tapping her head with a frustrated expression: “It wasn’t anything important, but after seeing Dr. Howard, I felt that the record of your attack that day wasn’t quite right.”
Tao Ning said, “Did you come to find me for a late-night snack? That’s fine, I’m also sick of the taste of nutrient solution.”
An He: “?” What does that have to do with what I just said?
A smiling voice came from nearby: “That might not be possible. The ship’s cafeteria has just closed after the late-night snack period, half an hour ago.”
An He looked up in surprise, towards the source of the voice.
The sound of hard-soled boots hitting the ground grew clearer. A figure approached from the opposite direction. Since they were standing with their backs to that direction, neither of them had noticed anyone approaching.
Recognizing the person, An He straightened up and saluted: “Major General Gu.”
Tao Ning didn’t even raise her hand, her face full of displeasure: “I rarely want to eat something, and it’s already closed. How disappointing.”
Gu Yuan was clearly accustomed to Zang Yuzhu’s temper and didn’t bother correcting her about addressing him by his title in public.
Stopping in front of them, Gu Yuan said, “There’s nothing I can do about the cafeteria. I can’t help you there.”
Tao Ning put on a disappointed expression.
But Gu Yuan changed his tune: “However, the cafeteria is only closed to the public. It’s not yet closed for the staff, and there are still plenty of ingredients. I can take you inside.”
Following behind him towards the cafeteria, An He felt a little lost.
Her original intention wasn’t to discuss the student exercise records with Zang Yuzhu, so how did it turn into a late-night snack run?
Gu Yuan walked in front, with Zang Yuzhu beside him.
This scene was actually quite common. Everyone had heard Zang Yuzhu’s “fiancée declaration” long ago and was used to it.
Judging by the Gu parents’ attitude, they seemed to approve. Otherwise, they wouldn’t let Zang Yuzhu say such things and sometimes even responded to the criticisms from the Starnet on her behalf.
As the Federation’s youngest Major General, Gu Yuan had many admirers. In an interview, he had expressed that he would protect his significant other, and fighting for his loved one was his honor.
This interview further boosted Gu Yuan’s already high popularity.
At the same time, it was revealed that Zang Yuzhu was only admitted to the First Academy due to her martyred parents’ connections, yet she didn’t study hard and had the worst grades. The public developed a dislike for the clingy cousin, Zang Yuzhu.
But in An He’s eyes, these weren’t principled issues. Although she came from an ordinary background, her parents were both alive, and she grew up in a healthy family environment.
Before the exercise began, she had video-called her parents, telling them about her teammates. When she mentioned Zang Yuzhu, her mother showed sympathy.
Her mother had said to An He, “I still don’t believe General Zang’s child would be like that.”
An He’s parents were both from the Ninth Star System. After getting married, they immigrated with her father and settled in the Fifth Star System. Both of them had experienced war.
If given a choice, she believed Zang Yuzhu wouldn’t want the opportunity to attend the First Academy at the cost of her parents’ lives.
And thinking deeper, if Zang Yuzhu’s parents were still alive, as the child of a General, Zang Yuzhu would have been guaranteed admission to the First Academy, regardless of her grades.
Looking at the two figures ahead, An He paused slightly.
Gu Yuan’s attitude seemed disapproving. He always referred to himself as Zang Yuzhu’s older brother, both publicly and privately, often mentioning his younger sister at home but rarely using her name.
They arrived at the cafeteria, which, as expected, wasn’t completely closed. After Gu Yuan explained the reason, they obtained permission from the staff.
“Major General Gu, please let us know when you’re finished. We have regulations…”
“I understand, we won’t cause you any trouble.” Gu Yuan readily agreed, even promising to clean up after themselves.
The staff member, having received the promise, left. Only the three of them remained in the cafeteria kitchen. Tao Ning skillfully sat down, supporting herself on the table.
One was a patient recovering from a serious illness, the other a Federal Major General. An He, standing between them: “…”
It’s always me.
She rolled up her sleeves, preparing to cook.
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