Chapter 64: Translation

Chapter 64 Translation

Jiang Xun, seated in the front row, turned his head. "Are you saying the script was written by the boss?"

He wore a subtle expression. "Liu Hai, if you don't want to go, it's perfectly fine not to."

"Huh?" Liu Hai looked up. "It's not that I don't want to go."

"I'm actually quite interested."

A Yu's expression was complex. "This is also a mermaid... a mermaid's battleground..."

"Why does it feel like the nature of the Mermaid Star selection has completely changed?"

"Well..." Jian Yu closed her documents and leaned back in her seat. "Ah, that's because Mermaid Star has pretty much reached its bottleneck."

"This event is held every year. While beautiful new talents debut annually, the influence of Mermaid Star has actually been declining year after year."

"Angelina's season could really be considered its last hurrah."

"Ah, now that you mention it..." Xiao Jin stroked her chin thoughtfully. "That's true. A Yu and I barely watched the season after that, and none of the contestants left a deep impression."

"Actually, those kids worked hard too; they just haven't made a name for themselves yet." Jian Yu spread her hands helplessly. "But it's undeniable that perhaps the audience has grown tired of this show, so..."

"According to the boss, since we've fortunately encountered a lucky mermaid, we should seize the opportunity to make some special changes."

"Whether it's just a one-off special program or a lasting change, he hasn't decided yet. But for this year, this is the plan."

She showed a hint of admiration. "That person is surprisingly bold in this area; should I say he has great vision...? Anyway, registration opened half a month ago, but at the time, only the concept of 'the most special Mermaid Star competition' was revealed. So, as before, most applicants were good-looking individuals."

"After the rules were fully announced, our show really stirred up a buzz online."

She gave a bitter laugh. "Of course, there were many dissenting voices, saying we'd surely attract a bunch of attention-seeking freaks and monsters. But at least we've successfully captured public attention."

"So, now's the time to strike while the iron's hot!"

Jian Yu smiled at Liu Hai. "We'd like to invite Liu Hai, as the representative of unique mermaids, along with previous Mermaid Star winners and our judges for this competition, to film an entertaining promotional video together!"

"I don't mind," Liu Hai corrected earnestly. "But I'm just an ordinary mermaid, you know."

"Hehe." Jian Yu chuckled. "I, for one, think you're the most special one."

"Alright, we're home. Get some good rest these next two days, and remember to perform well during the shoot."

"Oh..." Liu Hai watched the seemingly busy Jian Yu leave, then turned back, puzzled. "How do I 'perform well' during the shoot? Are there any tricks?"

"Me?" Xiao Jin pointed at herself blankly. "I'm not very photogenic. Every candid shot of me turns out weird. That's the only experience I have, completely useless."

"But, if I had to say, Liu Hai, you've been on TV before, right? You should have more experience than me?"

Liu Hai furrowed his brow. "But last time, I think I just acted normal... Oh, I wanted to perform a dive for everyone."

He admitted sheepishly, "It ended up a disaster."

Jiang Xun, eyes twinkling, opened the car door for him. "Then learn from that lesson. Don't dive this time."

Liu Hai looked up at him as he hopped out of the car. "Jiang Xun, any other advice?"

"Hmm—" Jiang Xun pondered for a moment. "No, not really. Liu Hai, just be yourself."

"As for Xiao Jin..."

"The reason your photos turn out strange might not be that you're unphotogenic, but rather that your expressions are quite rich. Your movements don't look strange, but when they're frozen in a single frame, they can appear a bit odd."

"I see!" Xiao Jin stroked her chin. "So should I put on a poker face when taking photos?"

Liu Hai sighed, shaking his head regretfully. "Seems like none of us have much experience..."

A Yu looked at Liu Hai. "Then... should we ask someone experienced?"

Liu Hai looked up, puzzled. "Who?"

"Ah!"

He remembered. "Huan Hai!"

"Shall we call him?"

Jiang Xun tried to usher them into the lab first. "At least not in the parking lot—"

But Liu Hai had already dialed Huan Hai's number.

Huan Hai answered soon after. He seemed to be in the middle of filming; unlike his usual clean, handsome look, he was adorned with exquisite makeup and intricate headpieces, appearing exceptionally glamorous.

"Liu Hai!" Huan Hai sounded a bit surprised. "Why are you calling me?"

He glanced outside the door, as if with some expectation. "Don't tell me you specially came to visit the set?"

"Oh, no, not really." Liu Hai honestly dashed his hopes. "But I have something I'd like your help with."

"Oh..." Huan Hai withdrew his hopeful gaze, asking curiously, "What could you need my help with?"

Liu Hai said earnestly, "Do you have any tips for being camera-ready? I might have a shooting job coming up, and they told me to 'perform well,' but I don't know how to do that."

"Uh..." Huan Hai scratched his head awkwardly. "The trick is probably..."

His eyes darted around, and he said uncertainly, "To be good-looking?"

Xiao Jin: "...That's useless to tell me. Go tell my mom!"

"Huh?" Huan Hai asked, confused. "Is Xiao Jin filming too?"

"No." Xiao Jin quietly shrank back. "I just accidentally put myself in his shoes. Sorry."

A Yu patted her back reassuringly.

"Uh." Huan Hai rubbed his nose guiltily. "But why are you suddenly going to record a show? What show?"

Liu Hai showed a subtle smug expression. "Think about who I am."

"Hmm." Huan Hai nodded. "Thought about it. And then?"

Liu Hai patiently guided him. "Now think again, what show recently fits my name well?"

"Ah." Huan Hai immediately understood, saying with a wry smile, "It wouldn't be Mermaid Star, would it? I heard this year's competition is going to be quite interesting."

"You're going to film a promotional video?"

He sounded a bit regretful. "Too bad I didn't win. Usually, promotional videos only invite past winning mermaids, and some really popular contestants..."

Liu Hai quickly stopped him. "Isn't your popularity high enough? Don't start overthinking again!"

Xiao Jin chimed in, "Exactly! Huan Hai is already very popular!"

"Thanks," Huan Hai said with mixed amusement. "You don't have to be so sensitive. I'm much better now; I feel like I've come out of my slump and am working hard."

"Come to think of it, I've been in the film crew lately and can't spare time for filming."

He chuckled. "But if it's for the Mermaid Star promotional video, I do have some experience."

Liu Hai leaned in. "Such as?"

Huan Hai said seriously, "First, apply sunscreen thoroughly."

"Second, choose waterproof."

"Third, if you whiten your face, remember to whiten your body too."

"I once saw a contestant who only applied it to their face; the situation was truly tragic."

Liu Hai nodded vaguely, then heard someone calling Huan Hai to start work on his end, so he had to hang up.

Xiao Jin glanced at Liu Hai, whispering, "Do you think that was helpful?"

"I think it's quite practical for us."

"Hmm—" Liu Hai asked solemnly, "What's sunscreen?"

"I mean..." A person emerged from the elevator in the parking lot. Kontra, hands in his pockets, had a complex expression. "What exactly are you doing in the parking lot?"

"I heard Ms. Jian Yu went to pick you up, but she's already in the office writing reports. Why are you still here?"

"Ah!" Liu Hai's eyes lit up. "Kontra!"

Kontra showed a hint of a relieved smile. "Oh, so you missed me that much!"

Liu Hai exclaimed excitedly, "You're alive!"

Kontra nearly stumbled. "What are you saying?! I wasn't about to die!"

"Huh?" Liu Hai tilted his head in confusion. "But Xiao Jin said hospitals are places where they save people who are about to die."

Xiao Jin lowered her head guiltily. "Sorry, I simplified it to help him understand quickly at the time."

Kontra: "...So what exactly are you all doing here?"

Jiang Xun glanced at Liu Hai. "Catching up with friends and learning some tricks?"

Kontra closed his eyes. "I think I've already started not understanding what you're saying."

"Hehe." Liu Hai had already forgotten the question he was just pondering. "You came down so quickly—did you miss us?"

"Of course not," Kontra denied immediately. "It hasn't been that long. Didn't we meet when you were up north? There's no need to specially wait for you; that's exaggerated."

Jiang Xun smiled, deliberately saying to Liu Hai, "Looks like he doesn't miss us. Sigh."

"Sigh." Liu Hai played along, dramatically placing a hand over his chest. "Heartbroken."

Jiang Xun nodded along. "Heartbroken."

Xiao Jin and A Yu echoed, "Waaah, heartbroken."

Kontra: "...Don't give me that. When did you guys get so good at acting?"

He muttered, "Alright, I just missed your noise a little."

"But I do have serious business with you."

He shrugged. "A friend has been trying to contact you several times. I always put him off, saying you weren't available, but this time he came again and is waiting right outside your lab."

Jiang Xun asked concisely, "Who is he looking for?"

Kontra pointed at Liu Hai. "This one."

"He heard about how Liu Hai helped translate for my children before, so he wants his help too."

"Sounds simple enough," Jiang Xun mused. "Liu Hai is always very helpful."

"But since you helped put him off, then perhaps..."

Kontra sighed. "He's a mycologist."

"He wants Liu Hai to try... to talk to fungi."

It was as if a few mushrooms sprouted from Liu Hai's head. His mouth slightly agape, eyes wide. "Mushrooms?"

Author's Note:

Liu Hai: I'm just a seal spirit! Don't make things too difficult for me!