The water's surface was as placid as before, disturbed only by the steady bubbles rising from the aerator, sending faint ripples outward.
Alexius folded his arms and sneered. "Looks like even Dr. Zhao has her off days."
The group exchanged uneasy glances. They were all researchers—every one of them held at least a master's degree, all highly educated professionals. Making things too ugly served no one.
"That's enough," someone murmured, attempting to placate Alexius. "We're colleagues. Sun Bo, you don't have to be so cutting."
Alexius scoffed. "My words may be harsh, but some people's actions are far worse. We're all colleagues here—what I can't stand most is people sneaking around forming little cliques."
No one dared respond. Alexius had published extensively in his field, but his emotional intelligence was abysmal. He was aggressively chauvinistic, openly contemptuous of most female researchers, convinced that women ought to live as they had centuries ago—confined to domesticity.
Before he could continue, someone noticed the water stir. The shadow beneath the surface grew clearer, and the observer exclaimed excitedly, "The mermaid—the mermaid is coming up!"
Everyone turned at once. The once-still surface rippled, and with a splash, a beautiful face emerged, framed by long, wet hair. Her eyes were as luminous as the blue sea itself, calmly regarding the crowd on the platform.
The mermaid seemed puzzled by the sudden gathering, but her gaze quickly settled on Leahy—
—and on the small green fish clenched in Leahy's hand.
Seeing the mermaid's eyes fall upon it, Leahy lifted her hand slightly and called out, "Hi, Miss Mermaid. You haven't eaten in a while, have you? Are you hungry? Would you like some fish?"
The mermaid blinked slowly, her expression serene as she looked at Leahy.
A moment later, she dove beneath the surface, vanishing for a full minute without reappearing.
Alexius laughed derisively. "See? She doesn't want anything to do with you. Dr. Zhao, looks like you're just not good enough."
A woman could hardly tolerate being told she was "not good enough."
Leahy frowned and tried again, tapping the water lightly while waving the fish. Yet the blue silhouette beneath the surface refused to rise, leaving her perplexed.
Could it be that the mermaid was still holding a grudge over yesterday—resenting what she saw as an insult?
Come on. It wasn't intentional. She had merely been curious, had parted the water to take a quick look.
She hadn't even seen clearly before being slapped.
Leahy felt utterly wronged.
After several fruitless attempts, she finally let the small green fish swim away, disappointment settling in. She lifted her gaze to Torin and conveyed her apology with her eyes.
Torin knitted her brows faintly and sighed. "Let the next person try."
The words had barely left her mouth when the water suddenly churned. Seeing Leahy rise as if to leave, the mermaid panicked. She flicked her long tail and surged forward, bursting from the water with a splash. Her pale, icy hand seized the hem of Leahy's clothing, blue eyes lifted toward her in confusion and urgency.
"Qing…"
Her fingers were cold, webbed membranes stretched translucently between them, slick with water.
Those blue eyes gazed up at Leahy, as though afraid she might leave.
Leahy froze.
She had heard it again—the mermaid calling her name.
Though the pronunciation was still clumsy, unmistakably unclear, she understood it. The mermaid was calling her.
Why?
Had they known each other before?
Or was "qing" a similar-sounding word in the mermaid's own language?
"My God…" someone whispered, covering their mouth in astonishment. "The mermaid is holding onto Dr. Zhao's clothes."
The others murmured in disbelief, watching the scene unfold.
"She really seems to like Dr. Zhao."
"Yesterday too—she only ate the fish Shu Qing gave her. She wouldn't touch anyone else's."
"Maybe that's why Team Leader Xu chose Leahy as the mermaid's caretaker."
"Incredible… can mermaids actually develop feelings for humans?"
Leahy remained half-crouched, staring down at the mermaid gazing up at her. Almost unconsciously, she reached out and gently cupped the mermaid's cheek.
The mermaid startled, hesitating as if debating whether to swat her hand away. After a couple of seconds, her expression softened. She leaned in, rubbing her cheek against Leahy's palm with quiet dependence.
Leahy felt the damp skin beneath her fingers—cool, almost unnaturally so, like touching someone with a very low body temperature.
Half-floating at the surface, the mermaid gazed at her with those azure eyes. Her long, pale lashes, matching the hue of her hair, held Leahy utterly spellbound.
"Miss Mermaid," Leahy murmured, stroking her cheek. "Would you let me stay with you?"
The mermaid clearly did not understand the words, gazing at Leahy in confusion, yet she did not loosen her grip on the fabric.
Leahy's eyes darkened slightly. She withdrew her hand, picked up another small green fish from the bucket beside her, and gently brushed it against the mermaid's pink lips.
"If you want me to stay," she whispered, "you have to eat the fish I give you."
The mermaid blinked, glanced down at the fish, hesitated for two seconds, then opened her mouth, took it, and turned to swim back into the water.
"She ate it!" the nearest researchers exclaimed excitedly. "The mermaid ate Leahy's fish! Does that mean the caretaker position is settled?"
"Impossible," Alexius shot back at once. "Plenty of people haven't tried yet. Everyone has to get a chance."
Yet no matter how many took turns afterward, the result was always the same. The mermaid refused all offerings except Leahy's. Alexius's face darkened, convinced she was simply full.
To disprove that, Leahy fed her again—
—and the mermaid ate.
The truth was undeniable.
"That's enough," Torin said calmly, having observed the entire process. She signed the documents handed to her and closed the folder. "Everyone's had their fun. From now on, the mermaid's care will be entirely entrusted to Leahy."
She scanned the room. "Of course, Leahy can't manage alone. Once we're ashore, we'll assign three to five additional researchers to assist her, depending on circumstances."
"It's getting late. Everyone, get some rest." Torin turned to Leahy and smiled lightly. "Shu Qing, come to my cabin. There are a few things I need to go over with you."
Leahy's eyes lit up. She answered immediately.
The two left the lab, walking through the narrow corridor into the ship's cabin. Leahy followed Torin inside.
"Senior Sister," Leahy said excitedly, eyes shining. "That mermaid is really close to me. I never expected this. I feel like her intelligence is on par with ours—and she even seems to be helping me, deliberately or not."
Though true communication remained impossible for now, Leahy could sense it clearly: the mermaid was consciously protecting her.
Had she stepped in because she saw Leahy being bullied?
Whatever the reason, Leahy felt an undeniable bond. She was determined to stay with her and care for her properly.
Torin glanced back at her, smiling faintly. "I was surprised too. I honestly thought you wouldn't get another chance."
Leahy nodded. "When she turned away at first, I really thought she was done with me. But when she saw me leaving, she rushed back—like she was afraid I'd abandon her."
Torin's gaze dimmed for a brief instant, quickly concealed behind a smile. "We still have more than ten days before returning home. During this time, focus on building rapport with her. The escort fleet is waiting thirty nautical miles out. Many countries would kill to study a mermaid—we must be extremely cautious once we return."
Leahy understood perfectly.
They were in international waters; many domestic laws did not apply. Without an escort, their research vessel would never make it home safely.
They had prepared for this before boarding. Still, the exhilaration of capturing a mermaid had everyone practically vibrating with anticipation, eager to return immediately.
"I'll do my best to bond with her," Leahy said, then paused. "We can't keep calling her 'the mermaid,' can we? Shouldn't we give her a name?"
"Of course," Torin said with a smile. "You're her primary researcher. You choose."
Leahy nodded. "All right. I'll think carefully."
Torin added, "Today was only the beginning. Once we're ashore, many more people will set their sights on her."
Leahy frowned. "Senior Sister…"
"You must protect her," Torin said seriously. "She will be the sole focus of our research for decades to come."
Leahy lifted her gaze. "I understand. I'll take good care of her."
Before all the researchers, the mermaid had chosen Leahy—an undeniable affirmation.
Now Torin had entrusted her with naming her as well. The pressure weighed heavily.
Sitting on the platform beside the tank, Leahy watched the mermaid's head surface at a distance, peeking at her. Resting her chin in one hand, she stirred the water absently, watching the ripples spread.
The mermaid lowered her gaze to the ripples, flicked her tail, and sent back a modest splash.
Leahy laughed.
"Hey, Miss Mermaid," she said, tapping the water lightly. "What's your name?"
The mermaid looked at her blankly, then swam closer.
Reaching the platform, she rested her hands on the edge and lifted her beautiful blue eyes, studying Leahy intently, as if struggling to decipher her words.
"I can't call you 'mermaid' forever," Leahy mused. "You need a name. Alice? Or maybe a Greek sea goddess—Thetis?"
The mermaid watched her curiously, tail swaying slowly.
"No, those won't do." Leahy shook her head, gazing down at her. Those eyes were breathtaking, utterly arresting.
"You belong to Huaxia. I can't give you a foreign name."
She ran her fingers through the mermaid's soft hair, inspiration striking. Smiling brightly, she asked, "Caspe—do you like that name?"