At this moment, the interior of the mermaid tank lay shrouded in dim light. Several researchers crouched half-kneeling on the platform above the tank, methodically measuring and recording various data points.
"Water temperature — 26.5 degrees."
"Water quality — slightly acidic."
"Emotional state — currently stable."
"…"
A female researcher squatted on the platform, narrowing her eyes as she peered toward the deepest part of the tank. After a few seconds of hesitation, she finally wrote down, "Refuses to feed. Displays strong aversion to the proximity of most researchers."
The notes were brief. As the only mermaid ever captured in the world, the senior research team had decided to conduct short-term observation for the time being, postponing more invasive studies until the vessel returned to port.
With a sharp hiss, the laboratory door slid open. Leahy entered, having changed into a fresh set of clothes.
"How are things progressing?" she asked, lifting her gaze toward her colleagues.
The researchers immediately climbed down from the platform and gathered around her, reporting in turn.
"Six hours ago, after Dr. Zhao fed her two mackerel, the mermaid has not eaten again."
"She shows strong resistance to the new environment and has remained curled up at the bottom of the tank."
"Based on comparative data, her build is relatively slight. Estimated body weight is around fifty kilograms."
Leahy took the data sheet and glanced through it. Because the mermaid would not allow anyone close, all the information consisted of only the most basic tests conducted immediately after her capture.
Leahy frowned faintly as she reviewed the figures.
The mermaid measured two point three meters in length. Her enormous blue tail alone exceeded one and a half meters, yet her overall weight was remarkably low.
Unlike humans, in the natural world, frailty was never considered a virtue for females.
If a female were too weak, she would be unable to hunt, or even to fend off male aggression. Worse still, if she became pregnant and gave birth, starvation could easily claim both mother and offspring.
Leahy raised her head and looked at the mermaid curled tightly into the farthest corner of the glass tank. Closing the folder, she said, "Leave two people here to monitor the lab. The rest of you, take your materials and come to the conference room for a group meeting."
"Yes."
The researchers quickly gathered their notebooks and pens. Two stayed behind to watch over the mermaid, while the rest followed Leahy out of the laboratory.
Inside the glass tank, the shadowy figure heard Leahy's voice and slowly lifted her head. Her gaze followed the departing group, settling on Leahy's retreating back. Leahy noticed nothing; she passed through the automatic doors and left. The figure in the water hesitated for a moment, then gently flicked her long tail and curled back into the corner.
Torin's group meeting lasted more than three hours. It primarily covered the mermaid's current data, task assignments for each team member, post-landing research distribution, and most importantly—the selection of a dedicated caretaker-researcher.
"To minimize stress responses, we must assign a full-time caretaker researcher to her," Torin said, leaning back in her chair as she scanned the two rows of seated researchers. "This will be a demanding role. Before any tangible results are achieved, this person will not be allowed to engage in other projects. The term will likely range from two to five years—a long-term commitment."
After she spoke, most of the researchers showed little reaction. Spending three to five years on a single research subject was entirely normal; some devoted their entire lives to a single problem.
Time was rarely an obstacle for researchers.
And if one could thoroughly unravel the mysteries of a species like mermaids, the benefits would last a lifetime.
"If there are no objections," Torin continued, "I'll make the decision." Her gaze swept across the room and came to rest on Leahy. "Leahy will take on this role. Any objections?"
As soon as she said this, all eyes turned toward Leahy, who sat quietly to the side, recording notes.
"Wait."
A male researcher across from Leahy stood up abruptly. One of the few men on board, he slapped the table as he rose and addressed Torin. "Team Leader Xu, the mermaid is the culmination of all our efforts. I don't think you should appoint a caretaker unilaterally—especially when Leahy is your junior from the same academic lineage."
Torin calmly lifted her eyes to look at him. Leahy raised her head as well.
The man was named Alexius, one of only two male researchers on the ship.
Looking straight at Torin, Alexius said firmly, "Moreover, when Leahy went into the lab earlier, she was publicly slapped by the mermaid. Everyone on this ship knows about it."
Leahy's expression stiffened slightly. She lifted a hand to touch the spot where she had been struck.
It still ached faintly.
But being hit was one thing; the task assigned by her senior could not be taken lightly. She had to secure the position of caretaker.
"Dr. Sun is right," Leahy said calmly, twirling the pen between her fingers as she smiled faintly at him. "I admit I acted rashly at the time. But that incident also proves, from another angle, that I genuinely care about her. As a caretaker, one should first protect her, and only then study her."
She continued evenly, "Our purpose in studying mermaids is not merely to dissect a rare and spiritual species. She will very likely live alongside us in the future. Compared to rigid observation, I believe that only genuine affection can lead to better care—and better research."
Leahy lifted her thin eyelids and looked at Alexius, smiling. "Dr. Sun, what do you think?"
Alexius's face darkened. He slammed the table again. "Everyone on this ship cares deeply about the mermaid. Why should you be the caretaker?"
"I care about her as an individual—as a living being—not about the position itself," Leahy replied, her expression still composed. "Moreover, the mermaid is female, and her physical structure is extremely similar to that of a human woman. Having a male researcher act as her caretaker seems inappropriate, no matter how you look at it."
Alexius's face turned almost black. He stammered, "Mermaids don't even have genders."
Leahy cut him off. "How could mermaids lack gender? Without it, how would they reproduce? Mermaid reproduction will undoubtedly become a necessary field of study in the future. Dr. Sun, that statement seriously calls your professionalism into question."
The surrounding colleagues all turned their eyes toward Alexius.
Some gazes held mockery, others curiosity, and some were openly gleeful.
Those who enjoyed watching the drama unfold were not few. The female researcher seated beside Leahy chuckled softly and said in a half-joking tone, "I think Dr. Zhao is right. Apart from the tail, mermaids are almost indistinguishable from human women. A male caretaker really wouldn't be appropriate."
Alexius was unwilling to give up. Everyone knew that once one became the mermaid's caretaker, they would gain access to firsthand research data. Given that mermaids possessed intelligence comparable to humans, prolonged close contact might even foster emotional attachment.
Like a fledgling bird imprinting on its mother.
As long as the mermaid lived, the caretaker would enjoy a continuous flow of resources and research opportunities.
Seeing that Alexius was about to speak again, Torin calmly tapped the table. All eyes shifted to her.
"This is a group meeting, not a debate competition," Torin said evenly, casting a glance at Alexius. "The caretaker position is indeed important, but it's not worth fighting over."
Leahy glanced at Torin and met her gaze.
Alexius frowned but remained standing. "It seems Team Leader Xu is determined to give the role to Leahy."
Torin looked at him, lifting her chin slightly. "And what would you propose?"
"I don't propose anything extreme," Alexius said, crossing his arms. "But if we're choosing a caretaker, it shouldn't be arbitrary. Anyone can say pretty words. Whether they can live up to them is another matter entirely."
Leahy frowned, about to speak, but Torin stopped her with a gesture.
Torin nodded slightly. "Go on."
Seeing Torin relent, Alexius's eyes lit up. Straightening his back, he said, "In that case, why not let the mermaid choose the caretaker she prefers? That way, everyone has a chance. Isn't that fair?"
The room fell into murmurs.
Mermaid research was invaluable. Being selected for the expedition alone was the envy of many, and access to firsthand mermaid data would add a brilliant stroke to anyone's résumé.
A creature that had once existed only in legend.
Who wouldn't want to be the first to approach her?
"Very well."
Torin did not hesitate. She accepted Alexius's proposal calmly and said to the group, "Since everyone wants a chance, we'll let the mermaid decide."
Leahy turned her head in surprise. She could not discern Torin's intentions and could only remain silent and observe.
More than a dozen researchers headed to the laboratory together. The two who had stayed behind were puzzled to see everyone return, and Torin gestured for them to join.
"Some of you have objections to my arrangement, and I don't intend to argue," Torin said.
Standing on the platform above the tank, she glanced at the mermaid below. "This young lady has not eaten for quite some time. The kitchen has freshly prepared mackerel. Each of you will attempt to feed her and see whose offering she accepts."
The researchers exchanged glances, but excitement soon flickered across their faces. They all wanted to try feeding the beautiful mermaid.
The platform could only hold a few people at once, so Leahy volunteered to go first.
"Isn't the first person at a disadvantage?" someone whispered.
"Definitely. She's been motionless in that corner for hours—who knows if she's asleep?"
"What if she doesn't eat anyone's food?"
"Then who knows…"
Leahy heard it all. She calmly glanced at Torin and saw her looking back, offering a reassuring expression.
Leahy: ?
Does Senior Sister have something else in mind?
The memory of being slapped the day before was still vivid. Standing on the platform again, Leahy felt a lingering sense of apprehension.
What if the mermaid refused her offering?
What if she was slapped again?
Leahy was so nervous that she failed to catch the mackerel handed to her by a crew member. It flopped once and fell into the water.
Alexius, standing behind her, watched with schadenfreude. "Dr. Zhao, steady yourself."
Leahy didn't turn around. She took another mackerel from a staff member and crouched down.
Staring at the blurred shadow in the corner of the tank, she murmured softly, "Please be kind to me, my little mermaid."