Chapter 87: Internship

Chapter 87: Internship

Jian Yu and Liu Hai couldn't agree on whether Jiang Xun was "cute."

However, at Jiang Xun's insistence, they dropped the topic.

"Hehe." Xiao Jin giggled, holding her cup. "Boss, why didn't you let Liu Hai say more? We really want to know what exactly he finds cute about you!"

"Don't egg them on." Jiang Xun shot her a cold glance. "Eat your food."

He hesitated, then confirmed with Jian Yu again, "...Is he really suggesting Liu Hai become my... agent?"

"Mm-hmm." Jian Yu smiled. "More precisely, a liaison between the company and Dr. Jiang Xun."

"If you're wondering why, I think Dr. Jiang Xun should be able to figure it out with a little thought, right?"

"Hmph, what a sly one." Jiang Xun muttered. "I knew it..."

He turned to Liu Hai. "Don't let him rope you in. He probably wants to use you to make me do troublesome things more easily."

"Now—" Jian Yu said with a grin, "That's not entirely fair. The boss also considered Liu Hai's needs."

"And, if we're being honest, so far, only Liu Hai has been able to successfully get Dr. Jiang Xun to go to bed early, right?"

She winked at Liu Hai. "That's your special talent."

"Oh—" Liu Hai had an "aha" moment. "So that's part of it too!"

With a serious expression, he declared, "But even so, I won't force Jiang Xun to do things he doesn't like!"

He paused before adding, "Except for things like going to bed early and relaxing."

Jiang Xun laughed helplessly. "Seems like I've really given you a lot to worry about."

"Hehe." Liu Hai bobbed his head. "The rest goes over my head, but it sounds like Jiang Xun really needs me, and that makes me happy!"

Jian Yu teased, raising an eyebrow. "Shouldn't you say something now, Dr. Jiang Xun?"

Jiang Xun: "..."

"Ah, this is so frustrating." Jian Yu sighed, propping her cheek on her hand.

"Patience, patience." Xiao Jin said sagely, patting her shoulder. "Compared to before, he's already made a lot of progress."

"Well, he is the Boss, after all."

"Hey—" A Yu deliberately egged him on, "Boss, they seem to be underestimating you."

"Why not surprise them by suddenly saying something shocking?"

Jiang Xun: "..."

Under everyone's expectant gazes, Jiang Xun slowly turned to Liu Hai and said, "Want to go for a walk after eating?"

"Ack!" Xiao Jin nearly toppled under the table, slapping her thigh in frustration. "Boss! Way to wimp out!"

Ignoring their teasing, Jiang Xun said seriously, "After observing muscle coordination this afternoon, you've already improved a lot compared to before. With a bit more practice, you might even get walking down pat in one go."

"Want to go for another walk after eating?"

"Okay!" Liu Hai nodded obediently. "Since we'll be exercising tonight, I'll eat a bit more."

"Is this fishball ready yet?"

...

After the hotpot, everyone helped clean up, and Jiang Xun took Liu Hai out for a walk.

—Since the announcement had already been made, Liu Hai no longer had any restrictions on going outside, so they took a walk around the park near the company building.

"Mmm." Liu Hai wobbled unsteadily, but he could finally walk on his own.

Jiang Xun watched him from behind, ready to catch him if he fell.

"Jiang Xun." Liu Hai said seriously, "Am I too tall?"

Jiang Xun glanced down at Liu Hai, who was a good head shorter than him, and asked in confusion, "Why?"

"Because standing makes me feel really unstable." Liu Hai poked at himself uncertainly. "Don't you think I feel less steady now compared to before?"

Jiang Xun couldn't help but recall Liu Hai's usual habit of lying on the ground and his "chunky" tail.

Jiang Xun: "...Yeah."

Even compared to his seal-half form, he had indeed become much slimmer.

Though it looks good to humans, for a wild animal accustomed to a heftier build, it must feel quite uncomfortable.

"Ha." Liu Hai took two steps before steadying himself against a streetlamp. "Ugh, standing all the time is so uncomfortable!"

Remembering his previous habit of plopping down wherever, Jiang Xun chuckled and held out his hand. "Want to hold onto me?"

"Walking while holding my hand might be easier than standing alone, right?"

"Oh, okay." Liu Hai obediently took his hand, secretly stealing wide-eyed glances.

The two walked side by side for a while. Liu Hai still swayed unsteadily, unable to walk in a straight line, but with Jiang Xun holding one hand, he never strayed too far.

Spotting a bench not far away, Jiang Xun asked, "Want to take a break?"

"We can sit here for a bit."

"Okay." Liu Hai followed him and sat down, absentmindedly tapping his own thigh with one hand.

Only after sitting did Jiang Xun realize something—they had been holding hands the entire time.

He had suggested it so naturally, just to help Liu Hai walk without getting too tired, but now that they were seated, the sensation of their joined hands became suddenly obvious.

Jiang Xun: "..."

He stiffly turned to look at Liu Hai, meeting his gaze directly.

Liu Hai blinked at him. "Jiang Xun."

"Y-Yeah?" Jiang Xun snapped his head up, trying to play it cool. "What is it?"

"Ah, are you thirsty? There's a drink machine over there. Want me to get you some water?"

"Oh." Liu Hai responded softly, watching as Jiang Xun let go of his hand and quickly walked toward the drink machine. He sat alone on the bench, kicking his legs lightly.

He was growing accustomed to having legs, slowly recognizing them as part of himself.

Jiang Xun returned with a few bottles of drinks in his arms: "I grabbed some sweet ones. You'll probably enjoy these."

"Give them a try."

"Okay!" Liu Hai eyed curiously the dark can in Jiang Xun's hand. "What are you drinking?"

"Coffee. It's bitter." Jiang Xun opened the can. "I doubt you'll like it, but you can take a sip if you want."

"You got a whiff before, didn't you?"

Jiang Xun chuckled. "At the time, you already said you didn't want to drink it."

"Hmm..." Liu Hai peered into the dark opening of the can like staring into the void, but ultimately made up his mind. "Even though it smells okay, I'll pass!"

"Alright." Jiang Xun didn't press.

He watched as Liu Hai picked out a drink to try, his eyes brightening. "Ah, this one's grape-flavored! This is great!"

"Yeah." Jiang Xun smiled, watching Liu Hai hold the drink with one hand. Now, both his right hand and Liu Hai's left were free.

Jiang Xun: "..."

He hesitated for a moment before asking softly, "Wanna keep holding hands?"

Liu Hai's eyes went wide, and he quickly turned to look at him. "...Yes."

"Mm." Jiang Xun reached out and took Liu Hai's left hand again.

Liu Hai thought for a moment and asked, "Jiang Xun brought this up before, didn't you?"

"Hm?" Jiang Xun glanced at him.

Liu Hai met his gaze. "This... is how dating works, isn't it?"

He asked uncertainly, "I... got it right, didn't I?"

Jiang Xun: "...Mm."

"Hehe." Liu Hai let out a slightly triumphant chuckle.

"Why that reaction?" Jiang Xun couldn't help but laugh too. "You... pfft, what are you laughing at!"

"Heh heh." Liu Hai grinned foolishly. "Actually, I still don't fully understand. People's feelings are complicated, and they love defining all kinds of relationships."

"But I know I really like Jiang Xun. I can stay with you for-ev-er."

A smile played in Jiang Xun's eyes as he rested his chin in his hand. "Oh? Honestly, I can't really tell the difference either."

"Then let's just say we're in a together-for-ev-er kind of relationship."

He lowered his gaze. "About the job Jian Yu and the boss recommended to you... are you interested?"

He had also considered having Liu Hai stay as his assistant. After all, when it came to ancient marine matters or relics from past civilizations, Liu Hai could still be of some help.

But it ultimately depended on Liu Hai's preference. And though it bugged him to admit, the boss and Jian Yu were right—Liu Hai could help him improve his interpersonal shortcomings. It was spot on.

"I am interested!" Liu Hai said honestly. "But... can I really be useful?"

He hesitated. "Even though this job suits me perfectly—I get to stay with everyone and be helpful... Kong Tela once said the Siren Company isn't just for anyone. I... I don't even read as well as most people. Can I really work here?"

Jiang Xun: "...That Kong Tela really keeps telling you things you don't need to know."

Liu Hai: "Huh?"

"No, never mind." Jiang Xun backtracked. "What I mean is, you don't have to stress too much about the title 'agent.' Even though it sounds like a serious job, in reality, it's just about helping me and others connect better—just like you do now."

"The Siren Company does have high standards, but some specialized positions don't necessarily require typical qualifications. They're tailored to each lab's unique needs."

"Take Feng Yan, for example. His Seagull Lab hires not just researchers, but also strategy game experts, costume makers, and lifeguards."

"Just think of yourself as our lab's... social specialist."

Liu Hai listened, not quite getting it but nodding along, and nodded vaguely. "Oh, oh..."

"That said, I'm not entirely sure if this job suits you either." Jiang Xun smiled. "So, wanna try interning first?"

"Internship?" Liu Hai repeated the word.

"In two weeks, there'll be a graduate recruitment fair." Jiang Xun said, putting on a serious face. "How about we treat this period as your internship?"

Author's Note:

Liu Hai: Guys! I got a job! [tosses confetti]