Chapter 30: Call for Help

Chapter 30: Call for Help

"According to Xiao Jin's trusted sources," Xiao Jin declared with a serious face, "A Yu has probably gone home for a blind date."

Liu Hai asked, puzzled, "A blind date?"

"Hmm—" Xiao Jin rubbed her chin. "Let me think about how to explain this concept to you."

Feng Yan interjected, "Before animals mate, there's a 'checking each other out' phase. Human blind dates are pretty much a human-engineered version of that—parents and elders pick someone they deem suitable, hoping the two of you will, well, 'mate'."

Xiao Jin: "...Uh, while that sounds a bit too primal, that’s essentially it."

"Hmm—" Liu Hai looked thoughtful.

Xiao Jin cupped her face and said, "Now, our clever little Liu Hai must be wondering: are blind dates good or bad?"

"Probably not entirely bad," Liu Hai answered simply. "But for A Yu, it must be bad."

Xiao Jin blinked in surprise. "Huh? How do you know?"

"Because A Yu said so before," Liu Hai lifted his eyes. "He yearns for freedom. To someone who pursues freedom, something arranged by others definitely isn’t a good thing, right?"

"That makes sense," Xiao Jin blinked. "But I deduced it from another angle—A Yu rarely opened up to me, but he once mentioned his family situation is complicated, and he doesn’t like going home."

"Even though he seems to come from a wealthy family, he never talks about it or flaunts it. I originally thought he was just a low-key, well-mannered rich kid, but after spending more time with him, I occasionally hear him share bits of his feelings."

Xiao Jin pressed her lips together. "He hasn’t shared the specifics, so I won’t speak for him—that’s part of his privacy."

"Anyway, his family has some very rigid, rich-family drama! A Yu’s position at home is awkward. He doesn’t go back during holidays, and his family doesn’t even contact him! I once brought him home with me for a holiday, and my mom got so excited she assumed we were dating..."

Jiang Xun smiled faintly. "Ahem."

"Oh!" Xiao Jin caught herself. "Heh, I got a bit carried away! The point is, I’m really worried about him. Going home... might not end well for him."

"Sounds like messy family business," Feng Yan shrugged. "But he’s an adult, right? He can handle it himself. Besides, he hasn’t asked for help."

"He’s too proud to ask!" Xiao Jin couldn’t help retorting. "And how do you know he hasn’t asked for help? Look, this is the SOS he sent me in the middle of the night!"

On the screen was a social media post—a rare sight of A Yu in a suit with hair gel, seemingly on a yacht, looking uncomfortable.

Liu Hai squinted and read the caption aloud: "Maybe it’s a knock..."

"Ugh! Way to kill the mood! Let me read it!" Xiao Jin cleared her throat and recited dramatically, "Maybe it’s the beginning, maybe it’s the end."

Liu Hai said honestly, "I don’t get it."

Feng Yan raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Is this really a call for help? Looks more like just a cool selfie to me!"

"Of course it is!" Xiao Jin insisted gravely. "He categorized it."

"Dr. Kong Tela didn’t see this post, so it’s clearly a distress signal meant just for us!"

"Hey!" Kong Tela couldn’t help but interject. "I didn’t see it because we barely know each other, okay?"

"Ah? You’re here too!" Liu Hai greeted him. "Hello, Kong Tela!"

"Hello, Liu Hai," Kong Tela replied before trying to argue that being left out might just be accidental.

Jiang Xun suddenly spoke up. "A Yu sent me some other messages when he asked for leave last night."

"Huh?" Xiao Jin looked up in shock. "Boss, why didn’t you tell us?!"

Jiang Xun answered truthfully, "Because he specifically asked me to pass them on later."

"What?! Then it’ll be too late!" Xiao Jin jumped up. "Boss, you can’t listen to him in situations like this!"

"I thought so too, which is why I’m telling you now," Jiang Xun forwarded the messages to Xiao Jin. "You read them."

"Dr. Jiang Xun..." Xiao Jin gasped after just the first line. "He didn’t even call you ‘Boss’—he used ‘Dr. Jiang Xun’! Isn’t that a red flag?!"

"Just keep reading," Kong Tela cut in impatiently. "If you overthink every word, we’ll never get through it."

Xiao Jin turned to him dazedly. "Ah, Dr. Kong Tela, why are you still here?"

Kong Tela: "..."

"Because he’s concerned too," Jiang Xun rested his chin on his hand, eyes amused. "Even though Dr. Kong Tela always acts all high and mighty, he actually cares deeply about his friends and can’t help but stick his nose in things."

"What?!" Kong Tela spluttered. "Y-you—That’s ridiculous! Am I a child needing friends?!"

Jiang Xun leaned closer to the screen. "I listened to Liu Hai and expressed myself honestly. Am I improving, Liu Hai?"

Liu Hai: "...That’s not exactly what I meant."

After a pause, he added, "Well, I guess it counts as progress."

Kong Tela’s face filled the screen. "Don’t encourage him at a time like this!"

Feng Yan couldn’t help but tug at his ear. "I always thought only our lab was this noisy, and Jiang Xun’s place must be some sterile, boring place. Didn’t expect yours to be just as lively."

"It wasn’t like this before," Kong Tela grumbled. "Things just... changed recently."

"Alright, can we set aside the irrelevant chatter and focus on A Yu?"

Xiao Jin blankly lowered her communicator. "I’ve finished reading."

Kong Tela raised an eyebrow. "Already?"

"Yeah," Xiao Jin sniffled. "He wrote so much... but this! At the end, he actually said meeting us made him really happy, and he’s grateful for our companionship! Doesn’t that sound like a goodbye message?!"

"We have to save him!"

"Calm down," Jiang Xun pushed her back down into her seat. "We’re already on our way back. Even if you’re in a hurry, the Siren can’t go any faster."

Liu Hai perked up. "You’re already on the way back? What about the mermaid situation?"

"Ha," Kong Tela couldn’t help rolling his eyes. "It was all fake! So-called mermaid bones? Just human and fish bones slapped together! Because human remains were involved, the police got called in. We’ve been stuck here these past few days assisting the investigation!"

"Total BS. If I ever find out who pulled this stunt, I’ll make them pay!"

Liu Hai asked again, "How many days until you’re back?"

Kong Tela answered, "About—"

Jiang Xun moved the screen to focus on himself, standing up and stepping slightly away. "Probably just one day. We’ll arrive tomorrow."

"Don’t worry, Liu Hai. It’s just one day. A Yu won’t get married that fast."

"Just wait till I’m back."

Liu Hai nodded cluelessly.

After the communication ended, he asked puzzled, "What does 'getting married' mean?"

"Ah." Feng Yan raised his eyebrows in surprise. "So you don’t even know this? Didn’t the news mention it?"

"Not yet," Liu Hai answered honestly. "Do you know?"

"Is marriage just for one day?"

"Well, hard to say." Feng Yan stroked his chin. "After all, if someone’s really determined to get married, they just need to get a certificate."

Liu Hai visibly stiffened. "Then... then A Yu..."

Feng Yan’s eyes sparkled with mischief as he provoked him. "Hey, should we go find him first?"

Liu Hai’s eyes lit up. "Can we?"

"Why not?" Feng Yan pulled over his computer, his fingers flying across the keyboard at an astonishing speed. "I just saw the name of the ship in that photo—'*Iris*.' It left port a day ago. According to the announcement, this ship should be cruising in a certain area now."

"If we go there, we can find him directly."

Liu Hai nodded along. "Can we board that ship?"

"Of course not." Feng Yan spread his hands. "It’s a private charter ship. They’re hosting some 'Young Elite Gala'—sounds fancy, but it’s essentially a big matchmaking event."

"If I’d asked to join before departure, I might’ve gotten an invitation. But they definitely won’t accept last-minute additions, especially when we clearly look like we’re here to crash the party."

Liu Hai frowned worriedly. "Then what do we do?"

"Have you forgotten our drills, Rescue Captain?" Feng Yan said with feigned seriousness. "A covert underwater approach!"

Liu Hai’s jaw dropped. "There’s such a method? Can you do it?"

"Of course I can’t. I’m just a human." Feng Yan smirked. "But aren’t you a mermaid?"

"You're practically the embodiment of pursuing love. Isn’t it fitting for you to defend your friend’s love?"

"Though..."

Feng Yan stretched with exaggerated nonchalance. "That Dr. Jiang Xun of yours would definitely call this reckless if he heard my plan."

"I’ve always loved nonsense, but I might get scolded for it."

He winked teasingly. "It’s up to you. So, what do you say? Wanna cause some chaos, Rescue Captain Liu Hai?"

Liu Hai furrowed his brows, clearly conflicted.

Feng Yan waited patiently until Liu Hai finally nodded solemnly. "Okay! Let’s go save him!"

"If it’s unnecessary, then it’s just me doing another silly thing. I already make a fool of myself often—one more won’t hurt!"

Liu Hai clenched his fists. "But if he really needs help..."

Feng Yan grinned. "Then what?"

Liu Hai squared his shoulders and declared heroically, "A good friend will ride the waves to help!"

"Let’s go, Commander Feng Yan!"

Feng Yan couldn't help laughing. "That’s the spirit! You’re just a creature of the sea—why live as boringly as humans? Come on, let’s do every silly thing we want! Woo-hoo! Full speed ahead!"

***

Meanwhile, aboard the *Siren*.

Jiang Xun confirmed with Xiao Jin, "Is the luggage packed?"

"All packed and ready." Xiao Jin nodded firmly. "Once the ship docks, I’ll make a break for it!"

A horn sounded from the side of the ship.

Jiang Xun picked up his luggage and stood. "Let’s go. Our ride's here."

Xiao Jin looked shocked. "Wait, boss, I thought you said..."

"The *Siren* can’t speed up." Jiang Xun pointed at the small boat. "So we're taking a tender instead."

He paused, then asked, "Dr. Kong Tela, are you coming with us?"

Kong Tela was momentarily flattered. "M-Me?"

Jiang Xun averted his gaze. "Don't get the wrong idea. It’s just that the boat fare is the same whether it’s two or three people."

"Hah?" A vein throbbed on Kong Tela’s forehead. "Do you think I’d skimp on my share? Don’t worry, this gentleman will foot the bill! Just wait—I’ll grab my luggage and be right back!"

Jiang Xun smiled as he watched him leave and said to Xiao Jin, "See? Now someone’s covering the boat fare."

Xiao Jin gave a thumbs-up. "Boss, you’re a genius."

Jiang Xun humbly nodded. "Just being practical."

***

Aboard the *Iris*.

The brightly lit floating palace drifted leisurely on the sea, its scattered lights reflecting on the moonlit waves like stars sinking into the depths.

An Feiyu leaned against the railing, his eyes distant as he stared toward the port, letting the sea breeze wash over him.

He heard footsteps behind him. A young woman in an evening gown stood there holding a champagne glass. "Oh, am I interrupting?"

An Feiyu put on his practiced, polite society smile—one he never used in the lab. "Miss Li, would you like me to give up this best vantage point for you?"

"Oh?" The girl giggled and moved beside him. "I don’t really like the wind. Please stay here and block the wind for me a little."

An Feiyu chuckled. "Need my jacket?"

"Thank you." Miss Li didn’t refuse, accepting the offered jacket before asking softly, "What has you so preoccupied?"

An Feiyu’s smile didn’t waver. "Hm?"

"I feel like you’re watching the sea, anticipating something." Miss Li’s gaze was searching. "Or am I mistaken?"

An Feiyu chuckled softly. "Maybe I’m waiting for a mermaid to rise from the depths..."

The sea erupted with a splash...

**Author’s Note:**

Feng Yan: Seagull squad, move out [sunglasses emoji]

Liu Hai: Rescue Captain, move out [sunglasses emoji]