Ruan Shiqing hadn’t planned on taking in another “cub,” but now that he’d seen this one, he couldn’t just leave him be.
The little merfolk appeared to be no older than five or six. His features were delicate yet handsome, but a jagged scar running from his left temple to his right jawline marred that beauty. Worse still, a deep gash across his throat suggested his windpipe might have been injured—he hadn’t made a sound since they found him. His large blue eyes were filled with tears, welling but not spilling over, radiating helpless terror.
“So badly injured… what on earth happened to him?” Ruan Shiqing sighed, crouching down. Facing the little merfolk’s frightened gaze, he repeated in Interstellar Common tongue: “Don’t be afraid. I mean no harm. I just want to help.”
His tone was gentle, his expression soft.
The terror in the merfolk’s eyes gradually lessened. He opened his mouth, seemingly trying to speak, but all that came out were hoarse, broken cries.
“Your throat is injured—don’t try to talk for now,” Ruan Shiqing reassured him, leaning in closer to examine his wounds. The gash on his throat was deep, evidence of a murderous intent. Yet, against all odds, the little merfolk had clung to life.
“You need medical attention,” Ruan Shiqing explained softly. “I’m going to pick you up now. It might hurt a bit because of your injuries.”
The little merfolk looked at him, and tears finally spilled over, sliding down his cheeks.
Ruan Shiqing gently wiped them away with his fingers. “Don’t be afraid. You’re not going to die.”
Removing his coat, he handed the puppy to Xiong Yuanyuan. Then, carefully wrapping the little merfolk in the coat, he prepared to lift him.
When Ruan Shiqing’s hands brushed against the merfolk’s raw, mutilated tail, the child instinctively flinched, his body trembling either from pain or fear. But he forced himself to stay still.
Ruan Shiqing softened his movements as much as possible while picking him up. The child felt so light, like holding a bundle of cotton.
Once the merfolk was securely in his arms, Ruan Shiqing turned to the Xiong brothers. “We’re going to have to make another trip to the Inner City hospital.”
“That might not be a good idea,” Xiong Fangfang said cautiously. “The hospital would definitely report something like this, and we’d be in serious trouble.”
A merfolk cub was no less valuable than a nine-tailed fox cub. These ancient races reproduced with difficulty, and their young were typically closely guarded and never allowed to roam freely before adulthood. For one to appear here on the remote garbage planet B3024, gravely injured and abused, was highly suspicious.
Either the child had been stolen, or—like the nine-tailed fox cub—he’d been abandoned by his own people for some reason.
Xiong Fangfang suspected the latter was more likely.
Who would risk incurring the wrath of the entire merfolk race just to steal and abuse a precious cub?
“Then we won’t go to the hospital. We’ll figure out a way to bring a doctor to the house,” Ruan Shiqing decided firmly, turning toward the north to head back home.
Xiong Yuanyuan followed nervously, clutching the puppy. Eventually, he mumbled, “Did I mess up?”
“Stop picking up random things,” Xiong Fangfang snapped, glaring at him. “At least tell me first next time.”
“Okay…” Xiong Yuanyuan drooped his ears in dejection.
Rong Heng glanced at him disdainfully.
Hmph. Silly dog1Yes, the one who looks like a puppy is calling a grown ass bear man a silly ‘dog’ lol.
*
Ruan Shiqing brought the little merfolk home.
The house still had disinfectant and topical medicine prepared for the puppy, but the merfolk’s injuries were far too severe for him to risk treating them himself. After laying the child on a makeshift bed, Ruan Shiqing hurried to the Inner City to fetch a doctor.
It was then he felt the inconvenience of not having a vehicle.
After rushing back and forth twice, he was utterly exhausted, gasping for breath as he stepped outside again.
“I’ll carry you!” Xiong Yuanyuan volunteered enthusiastically, eager to redeem himself.
Ruan Shiqing hesitated. “That’s not necessary.” He imagined the scene and found it a bit… undignified.
“I’m stable and fast!” Xiong Yuanyuan insisted, shifting into his beast form. Standing on his hind legs, he thumped his chest. “I’m more comfortable than a flying car!”
So he’s turning into a bear to carry me?
Ruan Shiqing suppressed the ridiculous image in his mind and didn’t refuse again.
Xiong Yuanyuan crouched down, letting Ruan Shiqing climb onto his back. Once secure, the bear bolted like the wind.
Meanwhile, Xiong Fangfang stayed behind to guard the house, along with Rong Heng.
From his spot at the door, Xiong Fangfang sat with his back to the room. Taking advantage of his inattentiveness, Rong Heng wandered over to the little merfolk.
The merfolk, unable to escape or cry for help, could only widen his blue eyes and stare back, his fins flaring open in a desperate display of alarm and fear.
Rong Heng unceremoniously peeled away the coat wrapped around him and scrutinized him, sniffing faintly to discern his scent.
How could there be none…?
His expression shifted to confusion as he carefully examined the child, eventually noticing the “047” etched behind the merfolk’s ear. His gaze darkened.
The merfolk tried futilely to hide the identifier by folding his fins against his head.
Rong Heng watched as the child desperately attempted to inch away, using his bloody tail as leverage despite the pain. The effort was futile; the tail gave out, and he collapsed, utterly defenseless.
He looked like a fish on a chopping board.
Rong Heng’s gaze turned pitying.
So, that’s it. A synthetic merfolk.
Years ago, Rong Heng had heard rumors that the merfolk race was secretly experimenting with artificial merfolk. There had been no evidence at the time, so the matter had quietly dissipated.
In the advanced interstellar age, cloning and genetic modification were taboo, strictly prohibited by imperial law. Yet with the ancient races facing dwindling numbers, it wasn’t inconceivable that some would resort to desperate measures.
This numbered merfolk was living proof.
A failed experiment—or one of many.
Rong Heng’s expression turned grim as he pondered the implications.
When Ruan Shiqing returned with the elderly doctor, he saw the puppy sprawled over most of the bed while the merfolk, eyes brimming with tears, was pitifully curled on the edge, one tiny shift away from falling off.
“…” Ruan Shiqing picked up the puppy with a sigh, gently tugging at his ears. “Have you learned to bully others now?”
Rong Heng: ???
He frowned in irritation.
Who did I bully?
Seeing the synthetic merfolk had stirred an uneasy frustration in him. With matters in Sikkim unresolved, now the merfolk tribe’s unlawful experiments posed another concern. He needed to reconnect with his loyalists sooner rather than later.
Jumping from Ruan Shiqing’s arms, Rong Heng retreated to a quiet corner, lost in thought.
The doctor had set up his equipment, and Ruan Shiqing stepped in to assist, setting aside the sulking puppy.
The sight of the white coat made the little merfolk panic. His tail thrashed a few times before he instinctively turned to Ruan Shiqing for help.
“It’s just a checkup,” Ruan Shiqing said soothingly, holding his hand. “Don’t be afraid.”
Reassured, the merfolk calmed, though his fingers clung tightly to Ruan Shiqing’s hand, his gaze glued to him.
The doctor began his examination.
“No internal injuries, but the external wounds are severe. The tail is the least concerning; once the wounds heal, the scales will grow back. But the injuries on the face and neck are deeper, and it seems some kind of chemical was used…” The doctor paused regretfully. “Even after healing, there will likely be scars.”
Ruan Shiqing felt the merfolk’s grip tighten and saw his lips pressed firmly together. Clearly, he understood what was being said.
An appearance-conscious little merfolk, huh?
“Surviving this is already a blessing,” Ruan Shiqing said gently, brushing the child’s blue hair aside. “Not all scars are ugly. They’re marks of your bravery and luck.”
The merfolk blinked, gazing at him unblinkingly.
His sapphire eyes shimmered like jewels.
Ruan Shiqing reached out and lightly tapped his nose. “You’re still very beautiful.”
The merfolk’s eyes brightened further, his spirits visibly lifted.
After the doctor treated the wounds and prescribed medicine, Ruan Shiqing tucked the child back in and saw the doctor out.
Once they were out of earshot, he asked for confirmation: “Will the scars on his face really remain?”
“Most likely. The medical facilities here on B3024 can’t fully heal such injuries. Only Sikkim could manage it, with its far superior technology. But given his situation… he shouldn’t be taken to Sikkim.” The doctor lowered his voice meaningfully. “Better to have scars than lose his life.”
Ruan Shiqing nodded, understanding the implication. Paying the fee and an additional 1,000 star coins as a thank-you, he said, “Thank you for your help.”
“Contact me via your smart device if anything else comes up,” the doctor replied with a warm smile.
With Xiong Yuanyuan escorting the doctor back, Ruan Shiqing returned to administer oral medication to the merfolk.
Despite the bitter taste and the pain it caused his throat, the merfolk obediently drank it all, his resolve to survive unwavering.
Satisfied, Ruan Shiqing turned his attention to the puppy sulking in the corner. Picking him up, he uncapped another vial of medicine and said, “Your turn.”
Caught off guard, Rong Heng reflexively spat out the first sip.
??!
He glared at Ruan Shiqing, indignant. What are you feeding me?!
Second release to celebrate the new year 🙂
Aww, poor little baby :’( hopefully Rong Heng will be able to sort out the mess with that clan in the future!
Thanks for reading!
Thank you for the chapter~~
lol baby being blamed for bullying merbb