Chapter 56: Fall from Grace

Chapter 56: Out of Favor

Xiao Jin thoughtfully stroked her chin: "After all, these are the Siren Group's closely guarded secrets. If gossip columnists got wind of this, they'd probably be talking about it for ages."

"Even if the boss says he plans to deny it, it might still cause some trouble. He'd probably be willing to pay a hundred million as hush money, wouldn't he?"

"Though it does sound a bit like blackmail..."

"No," Jiang Xun stated with certainty, "He wouldn't give a single cent."

"Exactly." Ms. Jiang nodded in agreement. "If they truly didn't want anyone to know these 'truths,' this painting wouldn't have been circulated, nor would it have been kept in my basement."

"Both historically and currently, the Siren Group has been openly fabricating stories about the 'mermaid' matter," A Yu mused, analyzing. "In the past, people turned a blind eye and accepted the mermaid legend to help Ms. Bell escape her terrible marriage."

"In fact, due to widespread public dislike for the Third Prince, the Siren Group founder's act of fooling him with the mermaid legend might have even resonated with many people's rebellious streak."

"People knew it was a lie, but they wanted the mermaid legend to become real."

"And now, everyone knows the Siren Group's 'mermaid legend' is just part of the company culture. But if anyone were to truly investigate, they'd discover the past stories—that's actually where the Siren Company truly takes pride."

"Ah! I get it now!" Xiao Jin suddenly raised a finger. "It's like... when I was little, my grandma used to tell me that honey cakes were rewards from the Flower Fairy Queen for the smartest little girl. Even then, I vaguely knew it wasn't true, but hearing her say it made me so happy."

"When I grew up, I knew honey cakes were bought from the bakery. But sometimes when I buy them for my grandma, I still say, 'I went to see the Flower Fairy Queen.' Grandma always gets so happy because it's our little inside joke."

"So, actually... the 'mermaid legend' is the Siren Company's little inside joke with everyone."

"Even though Ms. Bell's story is no longer widely discussed, they still maintain this unspoken understanding. And when someone suddenly grasps its deeper meaning..."

Xiao Jin took a deep breath. "It feels incredibly romantic!"

A Yu couldn't help but chuckle.

"Ah, in that case..." Xiao Jin instinctively looked at Liu Hai. "Liu Hai is basically..."

A Yu quickly clapped a hand over Xiao Jin's mouth.

He knew what Xiao Jin was about to say.

—In that case, Liu Hai, who emerged from the ancient sea and claims to be a "mermaid," is practically an unexpected continuation of the mermaid legend.

Everyone knows he isn't a real mermaid, but they gently maintain this shared illusion.

Everything unexpectedly formed a closed loop with the Siren Company's original intent.

No wonder the boss was somewhat curious about Liu Hai and wanted to personally confirm what kind of person he was. After all, this role truly held extraordinary significance for the company.

A Yu stole a glance at Jiang Xun, confident that Jiang Xun had also realized this.

Indeed, Jiang Xun was also looking at Liu Hai with a complex expression.

The only question was whether Liu Hai himself was aware of it.

Liu Hai raised a finger and began: "So..."

The others perked up, ready to hear his insight.

Liu Hai asked in confusion: "What about the hundred million?"

A Yu nearly stumbled.

"Ahaha!" Ms. Jiang winked at him. "Well..."

"If you simply march into the Siren Company with this painting and demand a hundred million, you'll only be escorted to the police station."

"But if you come to me... I can conjure up a hundred million."

Jiang Xun knew her well: "You're planning to put up the hundred million yourself?"

Ms. Jiang smiled triumphantly, gently wagging a finger: "It's an advance of a hundred million."

"Eh?" Xiao Jin stammered for a moment. "R-really? No, wait, I still can't believe such a windfall! If you really gave it to me, I'd be too embarrassed to take it!"

A Yu remained calmer: "But... why?"

"Why indeed?" Ms. Jiang smiled slyly. "Perhaps because I have a bit more prestige, so if I make threats, I won't be hauled off to the police station?"

Liu Hai looked up at Jiang Xun: "What should we do? Should we beg her again?"

"It's no use. That expression means she's determined to keep us in suspense," Jiang Xun knew her perfectly. "At this point, even if you beg her, it won't help."

"Oh—" Liu Hai's eyebrows drooped. "Then what do we do?"

Jiang Xun looked at him with a faint smile: "Don't worry, I have a way."

He cleared his throat and called out, "Dad, lend a hand."

Ms. Jiang's expression changed: "Hey—don't just call 'Dad' when you need something!"

She tried to hold back the man behind her, but couldn't stop him.

He quickly leaned into the frame and whispered: "Because this whole riddle was originally a bet she made with the previous owner while exchanging parenting tips."

"That person said children have their own personalities and parents can't interfere, but your mom firmly insisted she could get you interested in these old rumors... Ouch, ouch, ouch."

"Honestly!" Ms. Jiang pinched his cheek. "Loose lips!"

Xiao Jin's mouth dropped open in shock: "So... you bet a hundred million?"

"Is this how the rich live?"

"What are you talking about?" Ms. Jiang pushed the man out of the frame. "That would just be gambling, how boring."

"We were discussing business."

She smiled sweetly. "He said if I could truly pull it off, it would prove I'm better at raising children than he is, and he'd let me in on the East Coast business."

"The business I'm eyeing is definitely worth more than a hundred million."

"So... you can split that hundred million among yourselves."

She waved airily. "That's it, bye!"

"Twenty-five million..." Xiao Jin gasped, feeling dizzy. "Liu Hai, pinch me, I need to make sure I'm not dreaming."

"Me?" Liu Hai seemed unsure. "I'm too strong, maybe A Yu should..."

A Yu was silent for a moment: "Now I think one thing the boss said was actually true."

Liu Hai asked in confusion: "What?"

A Yu's gaze drifted into the distance: "Mermaids bring good luck."

"Hmm—" Liu Hai scratched his head uncertainly, "Anyway, it's a good thing, right?"

He looked at Jiang Xun.

Jiang Xun was still looking at his communicator, which displayed a cryptic message: "Are you in a relationship?"

Clearly, it was his dad's style of inquiry.

Messages kept pouring in.

—"Even if you ask him, he won't answer."

—"True, but he probably is in a relationship."

Jiang Xun: "..."

He typed expressionlessly, "Don't chat in my message box."

They were right there together, why talk like this? It was just to show off their affection.

Jiang Xun realized that he used to be good at filtering out these messages, but now...

He seemed to be gradually becoming aware of them.

What a joke, in love? With whom? It couldn't possibly be...

His eyes met Liu Hai's concerned gaze.

Liu Hai looked up and called out, "What's wrong, Jiang Xun? You don't look too happy."

Jiang Xun: "..."

He suddenly stood up.

"Hmm?" Liu Hai looked at him in confusion.

"Eh?" Xiao Jin paused her celebration, looking at Jiang Xun in shock. "Boss, why is your face suddenly so red..."

"It's too stuffy." Jiang Xun silently touched his burning earlobes, awkwardly covering the back of his neck and averting his gaze. "I'm going out for some fresh air."

"Hmm?" Xiao Jin tilted her head suspiciously, then suddenly asked A Yu, "Is the boss acting a bit strange?"

A Yu's expression was complex: "I thought you'd be more perceptive than me."

Xiao Jin's eyes were blank: "Huh?"

A Yu sighed: "I overthought it."

He ruffled both her and Liu Hai's heads. "You two still have a long way to go. Keep up the good work, boss."

Liu Hai squinted as his head was ruffled, asking in confusion: "Why are you rubbing my head and cheering on Jiang Xun?"

Xiao Jin punched A Yu: "Tsk, take that!"

"Ow!" A Yu clutched his stomach. "Why did you suddenly hit me?!"

Xiao Jin snorted: "I hate riddlers the most!"

...

After completing his open-water freestyle swim from the northern base to headquarters and back, Liu Hai returned to his outdoor pool room.

"Wow—" Liu Hai flopped onto the soft mattress, his tail flicking idly. "I was only gone for a few days, and I already missed this place."

Jiang Xun smiled: "You swam a lot today. Get some rest early."

"Okay—" Hearing him about to close the door, Liu Hai quickly sprang up. "Wait, Jiang Xun!"

Jiang Xun stopped, looking at him gently: "What is it? Something else?"

Liu Hai enthusiastically patted his mattress: "Let's sleep together tonight!"

Jiang Xun: "..."

He almost failed to maintain his usual composure. After a moment, he stiffly turned his head, clearing his throat and saying, "Not tonight..."

Liu Hai tugged at his sleeve, looking up at him with pleading eyes: "No—"

"Really no? I'll be very well-behaved this time, I won't crush you with my tail again."

Jiang Xun lowered his gaze: "N-no, that's not the reason."

"Uh..."

In a rush, he found an excuse: "Kontra's recent voyage wasn't entirely fruitless; he found new gene fragments. We'll probably be welcoming a new species soon, so I'll be quite busy."

Liu Hai froze for a moment, then slowly released his grip on Jiang Xun's clothes. He hopped back onto his soft cushion, burying his head in it and muttering, "I see."

He turned, presenting Jiang Xun with his aggrieved back of the head and fluffy tail, and said melancholically, "The lab has a new species now, so Jiang Xun is going to spend time with it."

"So..."

He looked back pitifully, "Am I... falling out of favor?"

Jiang Xun: "...No."

Liu Hai wilted: "Do I have to give my room to it? Can I still eat grilled fish? Do I need to be more frugal with snacks...?"

Jiang Xun: "...Alright, I'll sleep with you."

"Yay!" Liu Hai rolled over and patted the spot beside him. "Here, here!"

Jiang Xun looked at him with a complex expression: "Are you changing your mood too quickly?"

"Not at all." Liu Hai quickly rubbed his face, pulling down the corners of his mouth. "I'm very sad..."

Jiang Xun looked down at him: "How sad?"

Liu Hai thought for a moment, then held up three fingers: "The kind of sad where I can only eat three bags of chips at a time."

"Normally I eat five."

Author's Note:

Jiang Xun: *You think just by giving me those teary-eyed looks, you can get whatever you want?*

Liu Hai: [Sparkling eyes]

Jiang Xun: *...Yes, you can.*