Chapter 2 Mermaid 2
Zhang Jingshu woke up from her dream and never fell asleep again.
The high-rise building overlooks the scenery of the entire city. A touch of orange paints half of the eastern sky, and the sky slowly brightens.
She stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window and recalled a report she had read a few years ago.
A strange creature appeared in the Qingcheng Zoo. It had a humanoid face and limbs, but its skin was a fleshy pink, somewhat like a hairless cat, with loose, flabby skin and a long, slender tail. Strangely, it showed no hostility toward humans, but rather an unusual warmth. The sighting of this creature sparked a nationwide frenzy of extraterrestrial research, and the Qingcheng Zoo quickly became an internet sensation.
It was quickly sent to the research institute, and just as everyone was eagerly awaiting news about it, a reporter sneaked into the institute and found it dead in the laboratory, with needle marks of various sizes all over its body.
It was studied to death.
If the mermaid incident were told to the relevant authorities, the result would probably be the same.
But should we not tell anyone and just stand by and do nothing while knowing that he is being cruelly abused?
Zhang Jingshu leaned weakly against the wall.
She could do nothing but offer that ridiculous bit of pity.
Zhang Jingshu arrived at the company on time. Lianzhu is a local company in Qingcheng, a coastal city with a vast ocean to the west. This beautiful ocean is named "Nightlight Sea".
The ownership of Yeguanghai belongs to Lianzhu Company.
The pearl necklaces from Lianzhu Company are priceless.
She pushed open the office door and found it empty. Apart from her, few people would come to the office on time. At this time, everyone was asleep in bed.
"Jingshu, can you do me a favor?" Zhang Ning was a veteran of Lianzhu Company, having joined the company on his own merit. Veteran employees like them always had a problem with those who got in through the backdoor and were lazy and had connections.
But Zhang Jingshu is an exception.
Zhang Ning really likes to interact with Zhang Jingshu, who has a pretty and easygoing personality, and his aversion to people with connections has also decreased.
"Sister Zhang, what's the matter?" Zhang Jingshu walked over.
Zhang Ning brought Zhang Jingshu to her desk and showed her the computer screen. "This is about our company's new products for the season. Here are a few sets of sample drawings and pictures of the actual products I designed."
Zhang Jingshu leaned over and said, "It looks very nice...ah."
Zhang Ning glanced at her meaningfully: "How is it?"
Zhang Jingshu scrolled to the sample image and said honestly, "The sample image is very nice. The small receptacle design perfectly highlights the luster of the inlaid pearls. But the problem is... the pearls in the actual image don't seem very eye-catching. Or is it just the photo?"
Zhang Ning shook his head. "Your opinion is exactly the same as mine. I've asked other people in the company, but they only flatter me. I can't really tell them what I really think, or they'll think I'm narcissistic. I spent a long time finalizing the sample drawings, but... have you noticed? The quality of our pearls has declined in recent years. It's completely incomparable to what it was a few years ago."
Zhang Ning pulled out some new seasonal products from previous years.
The pearls are lustrous and plump, with a faint pink luster.
Zhang Jingshu said thoughtfully, "Could it be because of environmental pollution? Not only are the pearls not as bright as they used to be, but the taste of seafood has changed. I haven't eaten seafood in a long time. It's said that several bodies have been found in the Nightlight Sea..."
Zhang Ning said with amusement, "What kind of mess are you watching again?"
Zhang Jingshu: "I couldn't sleep last night, so I read some local ghost stories."
Zhang Jingshu was wearing a cream-colored suit and black leather boots. Her curly black hair flowed softly down her back, making her look like a gentle, lovely girl next door. Her voice was soft and gentle. Zhang Ning noticed the dark circles under her eyes. This was a disadvantage of fair skin; skin problems were immediately noticeable.
"What happened recently? You look distracted."
Zhang Ning knew that Zhang Jingshu was in a pet rescue group. She was also in the group, but she did not participate in the rescue activities. She only participated in the monthly donations.
Zhang Jingshu: "Nothing."
"If you say that, there must be something wrong, and even I can't tell you? Is it related to the pet group?"
Zhang Jingshu nodded and shook her head: "...I guess so."
Zhang Ning rarely saw Zhang Jingshu so embarrassed, so he guessed, "...Is the animal sick and can't be treated? You look very sad."
Zhang Jingshu had already decided not to meddle in other people's affairs. She simply said vaguely, "It's not that the treatment wasn't successful. It's just that it was a seriously injured... um... animal. It's a bit tricky, and there's probably no way to help it."
Zhang Ning automatically understood her words as: Zhang Jingshu picked up a seriously injured animal and took it to the pet hospital but the animal was not treated well.
Zhang Ning comforted her: "At least you tried, didn't you? For those homeless stray animals, your existence is their only hope. No matter what the outcome is, you tried your best at that moment, and they will be grateful to you."
Zhang Jingshu opened her eyes wide in silence.
Zhang Ning smiled: "Relax, you are already great."
No, she's not great.
Zhang Jingshu retorted in her heart.
Zhang Jingshu spent the entire morning browsing the stray animal rescue group.
She couldn't quite articulate what was going on in her mind. On the one hand, she hoped someone in the group would find the abandoned warehouse and organize a rescue effort. On the other hand, she didn't want anyone to discover the mermaid, as a discovery would undoubtedly cause a sensation and potentially lead to her being sent to a research institute for study rather than released back into the sea.
Several more animals were discovered in the group, most of them abandoned due to illness. There was also a small dog with both legs broken. The group owner was soliciting donations. Zhang Jingshu checked the fundraising amount. Six thousand yuan was needed, and the group had already raised three thousand yuan. She clicked on the group owner's chat box to top up the remaining funds.
The group leader sent her an expression of gratitude.
Zhang Jingshu replied with a picture of a dancing bear.
Group Leader: Jingshu, I want to thank you on behalf of the animals in our orphanage. Saving stray animals is a difficult task. Many rescue groups I know have been forced to cease operations due to a lack of fundraising. Since I met you, you've truly helped me a lot. I won't say any more. Let's work together to rescue more animals and create happy, free homes for them.
It was almost time to get off work when the group leader sent a video of a small dog lying in the veterinary hospital. The dog's eyes were bright black, filled with gratitude and love that seemed to overflow. Zhang Jingshu couldn't help but smile.
Zhang Ning's words suddenly popped up in my mind: "For them, you are the only hope."
…
Zhang Jingshu didn't go home. She went to the supermarket and bought a lot of food. There was raw meat, cooked meat, vegetables, fruits, snacks, and a few cans of meat and nutritional paste.
After leaving the supermarket, she drove to her friend's house.
Gu Linyuan is keen on adventure travel and has a collection of many strange things at home. He also has a collection of items that are not available on the market, most of which were acquired during his adventures abroad.
"What do you want anesthesia for?"
"Well... I joined a rescue group. Some animals are very aggressive towards humans and require anesthetics. Otherwise, it's very difficult to catch them... Do you have any?"
"Yes. I'll give it to you. It's too dangerous for a girl like you to do these things."
"What you do isn't dangerous?"
Gu Linyuan glanced at her and said, "That's right."
Zhang Jingshu successfully obtained the anesthetic: "What else do you have?"
Gu Linyuan crossed his arms and asked, "What on earth do you want to do?"
Zhang Jingshu spread her hands, her eyes bright and smiling: "You know, I'm so beautiful, I always have to be on guard against people."
Gu Linyuan looked at her dotingly, stretched out his hand to rub her hair, and rubbed Zhang Jingshu's soft black hair into frizz. Zhang Jingshu slapped it away with her hand. He raised the back of his red hand and came close to her: "Jingshu, how could you have the heart to hit me!"
Zhang Jingshu chuckled.
They have known each other since elementary school and are used to playing around.
Gu Linyuan took Zhang Jingshu to his storage room. "Many of the things I have here are not allowed in China, but I recently acquired a new product from Zhihe Biological Company. They developed a smoke ball. It is said that the mist it releases can temporarily paralyze the nerves, similar to anesthetics."
The smoke balls are only the size of a thumb and come in a bottle of four.
Zhang Jingshu took the things and was about to leave. Gu Linyuan looked at her with a smile: "Throw them away after use?"
Zhang Jingshu waved at him: "Let's contact each other another day!"
Arriving in Suhan District again, Zhang Jingshu parked the car in a secluded place and put the food into her backpack.
People tend to seek benefits and avoid harm.
Zhang Jingshu worried that she would be captured by the men guarding the warehouse door before she could rescue the mermaid. This worry made her want to give up, but the mermaid's desperate eyes she saw that day kept her awake and unable to eat. She simply couldn't stand by and watch the mermaid suffer, knowing full well that she was suffering.
The smoke ball in her pocket soothed her pounding heart.
If things get out of control, at least she has the means to protect herself.
This made Zhang Jingshu feel a little relieved.
Zhang Jingshu had only been here yesterday. Fortunately, she was not bad at finding her way around, so she followed her memory and waited in the bushes where she had hidden the day before. As expected, the warehouse door was still open, with no cars parked outside, and not even a security camera.
Perhaps they did not want to expose the existence of mermaids, so they were cautious and did not even install cameras.
The mermaid's captors seemed to have not anticipated the laziness and greed of the men guarding the warehouse. Instead of diligently fulfilling their assigned duties of staying at the warehouse, they frequently visited nearby restaurants for food, drinks, and entertainment, often staying out all night.
This just gave Zhang Jingshu an opportunity.
Zhang Jingshu walked into the warehouse. This warehouse must have been used to store seafood. Boxes of stinking, rotting fish and shrimp were piled in the corner, and the smell was extremely unpleasant. There was a small window at the back, but it was too small to provide ventilation.
Zhang Jingshu walked to the innermost part and saw the mermaid curled up in the corner.
She stepped carefully onto the ground. The mermaid's tail was enormous, with broad ventral fins on either side that spread out on the ground like silk. His back was bent to the limit, his skin was an abnormally pale color, and his body was so frail that it seemed as if it had been put together hastily.
He heard Zhang Jingshu approaching, and subconsciously squirmed towards the corner. Only then did Zhang Jingshu notice that his wrists were pierced by chains, rattling as he moved. It was exactly the same scene as in her dream.
The warehouse was dimly lit. But that didn't prevent Zhang Jingshu from observing the mermaid's scars. Hideous, protruding flesh was visible everywhere. Even his beautiful tail was no exception, a deep, bloody whip mark piercing its length from belly to tail. It was hard to imagine the agony of the mermaid enduring the beating. Now, he lay like a pool of mud in a pool of blood.
The mermaid's long black hair, curly like seaweed, stuck together.
It looks dirty and smelly.
It was completely dark. The crescent moon hung high in the sky, its bright light blocked out from the warehouse.
Zhang Jingshu's eyes were moist. She put her backpack on the ground without any disgust. The black and red backpack was instantly stained with blood on the ground. She took out some easily digestible bread and canned meat and slowly squatted down.
"Hello, my name is Zhang Jingshu."
Zhang Jingshu did not ignore the mermaid's body that suddenly trembled when her voice sounded.
"...You look like you haven't eaten in a long time. I brought a lot of food. Do you want anything?"
Zhang Jingshu had prepared many excuses before entering, even trying to explain how she was different from those people, hoping to gain the mermaid's trust. However, when she saw the mermaid's frail body, all those words stuck in her throat. She wanted him to eat more than anything else.
He looked very weak. Like he would die at any moment.
Zhang Jingshu had experience rescuing stray animals. She poured the canned meat into a small dish and unwrapped the bread, placing it next to the canned meat. She gently pushed it in front of the mermaid, then slowly backed away, creating some distance.
"I won't touch you. I'll stay away from you."
Zhang Jingshu thought that mermaids were different from humans after all, so she took out a clean small plate, put a fresh saury and raw meat on it and pushed it in front of the mermaid.
After doing all this, she squatted quietly beside the fish tail, waiting expectantly for the mermaid's next move while vigilantly observing the warehouse door.
Cheng Shuinan hugged himself tightly, his face buried in the blood. The fishy, stench challenged his sense of smell every day. There were a few rotting fish and shrimp in the blood, his food. He had swallowed them when he was too hungry to bear it, but he would vomit them out immediately.
He could feel the protrusions of bone and the clung to his flesh, and he gradually became numb to the pain as new wounds arose before they could heal.
Why aren't you dead yet?
He hated his body's ability to heal itself.
The aroma of food wafted in.
It wasn't the fish or shrimp that disgusted him. He smelled the aroma of bread from his childhood, a scent that existed in his distant memory. But he also smelled the scent of humans, the scent of human women.
Cheng Shuinan struggled to stand up, using the support of the wall to support his back. His face was covered in blood, and his gaunt face made his eyes appear dark and glistening.
Zhang Jingshu squatted beside him, anxiously waiting. She was worried he'd tear his wounds, and also worried his slender arms wouldn't be strong enough to support his upper body. She instinctively reached out in front of him, hoping to lend him support.
This was a very wrong decision, even though it was Zhang Jingshu's subconscious action.
She hadn't noticed that the men guarding the warehouse would always be fully armored, wearing thick gloves and protective clothing, whenever they entered the warehouse, even when facing a weak merman. These equipment could protect them from being crushed by the merman's powerful tail or bitten by his sharp teeth when he attacked.
Her wrist was bitten by the mermaid.
The stinging pain came unexpectedly, and Zhang Jingshu's tears welled up in her eyes. She cried out in pain. Blood dripped down her wrist onto the ground, and she could smell the scent of blood coming from her body.
Rescuing stray animals often results in being bitten or scratched by them, but Zhang Jingshu is used to it.
But this time it hurt too much.
She seemed to feel the densely packed fangs of a shark, and she could imagine the feeling of having her wrist bitten.
Zhang Jingshu didn't dare to pull it out rashly.
Thankfully, the mermaid quickly let go.
Zhang Jingshu grabbed her bleeding wrist and looked helplessly at the mermaid who had shrunk into a corner.
It was clearly her who was injured, but the mermaid's expression was as if she had done something to him.
Fortunately, Zhang Jingshu had prepared bandages and disinfectant, which were meant for mermen. She simply tended to the wound and bandaged it. The merman remained huddled in the corner, his large tail coiled around his side, his thin arms tightly wrapped around his head. His eyes stole a glance at her, filled with fear and pleading.
It was like…she would hit him because she was hurt.
Zhang Jingshu's expression gradually grew serious as she thought of his subconscious defensive movements and the frightened look in his eyes. She had a vague idea of what the mermaid feared. Those people had abused him, and if he resisted, they would abuse him even more brutally.
What a bunch of perverts.
Zhang Jingshu tried to soften her expression. "I meant no harm. I know you don't want to hurt me. You just want to protect yourself, right? I'm fine."
Cheng Shuinan looked at her secretly.
Zhang Jingshu glanced at the overturned plate, pulled a bag of bread from her backpack, ripped open the package, broke it in half, and ate it as the mermaid stole a glance at her. She then handed the other half to him.
She closed her eyes. "You can get it yourself. I won't look at it or move it."
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