Chapter 22: Feast

Chapter 22: The Grand Feast

"...What a show-off." Kontra’s cheek twitched slightly. "I hope you’re still this composed when the time truly comes."

"Oh, let’s not quarrel," Su Mei said with a smile. "Don’t you find it fascinating? We’ve always believed that human reason and emotion suppress instinct, enabling us to adapt to the rules of civilized society, choose beloved partners, and remain faithful in love."

"But it seems that’s not entirely the case. Beyond reproduction, they have their own pursuits."

Jiang Xun averted his gaze. "Perhaps we’ve always overestimated humans and underestimated animals."

Kontra paused, his expression complex, as he looked past the bustling penguin colony toward Aphrodite and Adonis. Finally, with a sigh of resignation, he murmured, "Never mind."

"As long as they’re happy."

He sighed. "I guess I overlooked their feelings."

"I just thought a pair of heterosexual animals would naturally follow their reproductive urges during mating season. I never imagined they’d have their own choices..."

Liu Hai tilted his head from his perch on the cart. "Is it really that strange? Didn’t humans evolve from wild apes too?"

"Perhaps you all went through this stage once."

Kontra looked at him in confusion. "What?"

Liu Hai said casually, "A long time ago, humans were just animals that mated purely by reproductive instinct. Perhaps it was the first ape to develop emotions and make choices that gradually led you to become what you are now."

Liu Hai looked at the penguins inside, his gaze utterly pure. "Just like how I came here and met so many people. Everyone has been very kind to me, and it’s not all purely instinctual. Some pursue ideals, some are driven by pure curiosity, and others just seek a livelihood... These myriad emotions that transcend instinct are not exclusive to humans."

"Animals also make their own choices, which is why there are behavioral differences, distinct personalities. Within a species, every individual is unique."

The three doctors watched him intently.

Liu Hai looked up, a little uncertain. "What’s wrong? Did I say something wrong?"

"No, it’s marvelous," Su Mei said with a smile. "Talking to you feels like conversing directly with the very concept of nature."

"Huh?" Liu Hai tilted his head, puzzled.

Su Mei chuckled and patted his head. "You’re far wiser than I imagined, little one."

"It’s a very unique perspective—one we rarely consider."

"Of course!" Liu Hai proudly lifted his head. "I know a lot."

After all, he was a young seal who had become sentient early—he certainly had extraordinary qualities! By human standards, he might be called "innately wise."

Jiang Xun chuckled softly. "Even though he barely knows any words."

"Hey!" Liu Hai turned and poked him. "Don’t expose my weaknesses at a time like this!"

He huffed, turning back to Kontra, who was crouched by the glass, biting his finger with a conflicted expression. "Are you feeling better now? At least they’re very happy."

"Alright, you have a point." Kontra raised his eyes, then suddenly his gaze sharpened, and he excitedly braced himself against the glass. "Wait! Adonis! What are you doing letting it climb on you?! At least you should be the top!"

Liu Hai averted his gaze. "...Never mind. He doesn’t seem to get it."

"I’m hungry. Let’s go eat, Jiang Xun."

"Hold on a second." Kontra gritted his teeth at the glass while speaking quickly. "I’ve prepared dinner for you. Since you’re here, how could I let you eat the lab’s simple meals?"

Liu Hai’s eyes widened in shock. "Simple?"

"Hmph." Kontra smirked proudly. "Jiang Xun said you adapt well to all food, including things clearly not in your diet. You even ate half a metal basin while half-asleep with no adverse reactions..."

"Ah!" Liu Hai cried out in embarrassment, tugging at Jiang Xun’s sleeve. "Why would you tell people that?!"

"It wasn’t intentional," Jiang Xun lowered his eyes. "Observation logs are openly accessible to relevant researchers within the company."

"I didn’t know this guy would actually read them every day, though."

Kontra guiltily averted his gaze. "S-so what?! I was just looking at company documents! I didn’t do anything wrong!"

"Besides, that’s not the point. The point is, since your stomach is very healthy and you also like human food, I can treat you to something good."

He smugly tossed his hair. "Just wait and see, you little bumpkin."

"Wow—!" Liu Hai’s eyes sparkled. "Thank you!"

Kontra: "..."

He couldn’t help but glance at Jiang Xun.

Jiang Xun looked back. "What?"

"It’s just a bit funny," Kontra said, pointing at Jiang Xun. "How did a quiet type like you manage to snag such a straightforward little creature? Tsk."

"Perhaps little animals just like me," Jiang Xun retorted with a half-smile. "If you’re unconvinced, the *Siren* has returned. You could apply for another voyage and try your luck in the ancient seas again."

"Huh?" Kontra rolled up his sleeves. "You—"

Liu Hai tugged his sleeve. "Kontra, if there’s any food with bones, you need to tell me beforehand, okay?"

"Of course," Kontra said haughtily. "I’m not like those who always leave things to their assistants. I certainly know that some hard bones can harm delicate internal organs, so I’ll have them deboned beforehand, or remind you..."

"No, no," Liu Hai corrected him. "I’m not worried about not being able to eat it myself. I’m worried about scaring others."

Jiang Xun reminded him, "Did you forget?"

"He gnawed on a metal basin."

Liu Hai scratched his head sheepishly and chuckled. "Hehe."

Kontra: "..."

Kontra, always generous, directly booked a highly-rated, expensive hotel, inviting all the researchers from the lab and those who had helped to a grand feast.

Jiang Xun looked back at the lively banquet hall, standing by the window to catch some air.

"Still as unsociable as ever." Kontra appeared behind him at some point, looking a bit awkward. "Still... thank you for this."

Jiang Xun didn’t turn around. "Liu Hai agreed to help."

"Jian Yu told me. You agreed before even asking Liu Hai," Kontra squinted at him. "You always care about his feelings, getting his approval before agreeing to anything. But this time, since you agreed first..."

Jiang Xun interrupted him. "I just thought he’d definitely want to join the fun."

He rubbed his arms. "You’re not planning to thank me separately, are you? I’m getting goosebumps."

"Psh, you’re not worthy of that," Kontra said, hands in his pockets. "I just wanted to apologize to you."

Jiang Xun turned back in surprise. "Huh?"

"I originally thought you and Jian Yu’s group had reached some agreement to use that little guy to put on a show for the media—a 'self-identity disorder, believing himself to be a mermaid' act," Kontra shrugged. "For profit, fame, and other such empty things."

"But after meeting him, I... I think I might have misunderstood."

He pointed at Liu Hai, who was pestering the head chef in the banquet hall. "He doesn’t have such deep intentions."

"If he ever lies, it’s definitely for more childlike reasons."

Jiang Xun chuckled, "Better not say that in front of him."

"Mm, besides that, there’s one more thing." Kontra stroked his chin. "Don’t you think he and I get along quite well?"

Jiang Xun: "...Delusion."

"No, I don’t think so," Kontra said confidently. "I think he really likes me. How about letting him stay in my lab..."

Jiang Xun didn’t even look up. "Don’t even think about it."

Kontra smiled. "This time, you’re not going to ask for his opinion?"

Jiang Xun turned around. "Even if I asked, he wouldn’t agree to yours."

Kontra asked with interest, "Why? Do you think he likes you guys that much?"

Jiang Xun: "...He won’t leave. We’ve made many plans for the future."

Xiao Jin rushed to the door, shouting in a panic, "Boss! Bad news! Liu Hai says he wants to go home with the head chef!"

Kontra slowly curled his lips. "Ha."

Jiang Xun smiled as he gently pulled Liu Hai’s hand away from the chef. "Let him go, Liu Hai. The chef can’t afford to feed you."

He reminded the chef, who still seemed somewhat tempted, "He can eat 15 to 20 kilograms a day."

Jiang Xun silently pushed the door open and walked in. Kontra followed behind him with a smile, preempting him: "Liu Hai—how about staying in my lab? There’s more than just this one great chef in the world. I can take you to try a different chef’s specialties every day."

Liu Hai’s eyes lit up with longing. "Every day..."

He patted Jiang Xun and looked at him expectantly. "He said every day. Your turn to make an offer."

Jiang Xun: "..."

After signing a series of special treatment clauses for Liu Hai, Liu Hai waved goodbye to Kontra without a hint of reluctance, deciding to continue staying at Jiang Xun’s lab.

"This guy," Kontra chuckled. He glanced at Jiang Xun and asked, "You still haven’t confirmed what species he actually is, have you?"

"We’ve collected his hair for testing. It’s a very unusual situation—it doesn’t belong to any known organism." Jiang Xun didn’t tell him that Liu Hai had once offhandedly mentioned "yokai" or similar legends when they first met.

Kontra raised an eyebrow. "A new species? You really have to have both top-tier luck and skill, don’t you?"

Jiang Xun looked hesitant, as if he wanted to speak but held back.

"What’s wrong?" Kontra asked with interest. "It’s rare to see you so conflicted."

Jiang Xun: "Although scientific methods can’t confirm his species, based on observing his habits, I do have some theories."

"About his 'original form.'"

Kontra’s expression was strange. "Original form?"

Jiang Xun looked at him, deliberating for a moment before speaking. "Have you ever heard of 'yokai'?"

Liu Hai had mentioned it once when they first met, but quickly glossed over it.

Now, Jiang Xun had to consider this possibility.

Kontra pulled a business card from his pocket and handed it to him. "I know a good mental health therapist."

Jiang Xun: "..."

Author’s Note:

Jiang Xun: I remember every word you say.

Liu Hai: ?

Kontra: No, this situation falls under "everything you say will be used as evidence in court."