Chapter 34
“The masked streamer seems off today…”
Assistant Xu watched the livestream from his corner, shaking his head.
A streamer’s primary task was to control the narrative of their livestream.
But Qi Xuan, with just a few words, had swayed most of the viewers, turning the tide in his favor.
“It seems the masked streamer is still young, easily flustered.”
Assistant Xu sighed, unable to bear watching any longer, and was about to turn off his optical brain.
“Wait.”
A voice suddenly came from behind him: “Turn up the volume.”
“Gasp!” Assistant Xu jumped, his back hitting the wall: “A, Admiral, I’ll get back to work…”
“Shh.”
Wen Ming held a finger to his lips, his eyes sharp: “Increase the livestream’s volume.”
Assistant Xu didn’t know why, and didn’t dare ask, obediently doing as instructed.
With the increased volume, Qi Xuan’s side was even more chaotic, the mermaids fighting over food, the red mermaid wailing, and Qi Xuan’s incessant prodding.
In contrast, the masked streamer was unusually quiet.
‘Why aren’t you saying anything? Feeling guilty after hearing the mermaid expert’s name?’ Qi Xuan gloated.
Wen Ming frowned: “Mute the other connection.”
“Okay.” Assistant Xu muted Qi Xuan’s microphone, and the world instantly became peaceful.
Only the masked streamer’s breathing could be heard in the livestream, and even fainter than that, a rhythmic “scratch, scratch” sound, like something scraping.
What was that sound?
As Assistant Xu wondered, Wen Ming confirmed his guess—
The masked streamer was picking at its nails.
He had faintly heard the sound as he passed by Assistant Xu earlier and hadn’t been mistaken.
His little mermaid also did that sometimes.
Whenever MuMu felt anxious or flustered, it would fidget with whatever was nearby, or pick at its claws.
The masked streamer on the screen was a young man with the same little habit as MuMu.
“Send a comment for me.”
“Okay.” Assistant Xu opened the input box. “What should I say?”
Wen Ming’s gaze shifted from the twin blue moons mask:
[Don’t worry.]
The optical brain displayed “Sent,” and Assistant Xu gasped, quickly covering the comment’s ID.
Wen Ming’s footsteps had already faded away.
“Thank goodness…” Assistant Xu patted his chest. “Almost let the Admiral see my embarrassing online alias.”
…
“A comment from ‘Miserable Assistant Xu, Mermaid Nanny’: [Don’t worry.]”
Don’t worry.
MuMu calmed down, repeating the words to itself.
“Okay, bring on your ‘mermaid expert.'”
“You said it, don’t back out!”
Qi Xuan excitedly pulled a user ID named “Mermaid Expert” into the connection:
“Hello, Expert, thank you for accepting my connection request!”
The Mermaid Expert had a filter on, giving the video feed a cool tone, making him look otherworldly:
“It’s nothing, my greatest pleasure in life is discussing mermaids with fellow scholars. It’s an honor to speak with the mermaid language streamer.”
The expert unfolded his fan with a snap.
[It’s him! He has quite a following on short video platforms.]
[Can the old gentleman understand mermaid language too?]
[No, he studies mermaid psychology, deducing their personalities and emotions from their actions. His analyses are always spot on.]
[Whoa, he seems even more credible than the masked streamer. /Fidgeting/]
[I always thought the “mermaid language” thing was nonsense, waiting for the masked streamer to be exposed.]
[The expert is so respectful, and the masked streamer isn’t even saying anything, how rude…]
MuMu was slightly distracted, greeting belatedly: “Hello!”
Qi Xuan scoffed: “I suggest you show some respect. This expert is highly renowned, much more established than a suddenly popular streamer like you.”
“Don’t be like that, young man.” The expert’s face was full of tolerance. “There’s no need for formalities between scholars exchanging knowledge. Let me see your mermaid.”
“Okay, please look, this is…”
The two of them played off each other, controlling the narrative of the livestream.
The masked streamer watched quietly, seemingly unresponsive.
“This red mermaid is naturally kind and docile. It’s not eating immediately because it wants to interact with you.”
The Mermaid Expert quickly answered the question.
“I see, I’ll try!”
Qi Xuan made a hand gesture, and the red mermaid obediently spun around in the water, then swam to the fish food bowl.
[Wow, it’s true!]
[Amazing, Master, are you considering livestreaming? What are your connection requirements?]
[I see the masked streamer frowning.]
[If you disagree, you can voice your opinion. The expert figured it out in minutes, and the masked streamer hasn’t said a word this whole time, sigh…]
MuMu calmly observed Qi Xuan’s actions.
After seeing him discreetly add more food to the bowl after giving the mermaid the command, it was certain:
The red mermaid was spinning to “trick” him into giving it more food, not because it was “naturally kind and docile.”
Qi Xuan and the Mermaid Expert were colluding!
“Expert, you truly are a master of mermaid studies! That streamer who uses mermaid language as a gimmick should reflect on himself!”
Qi Xuan subtly labeled the masked streamer as a “scammer.”
The viewers, initially neutral, were swayed by his words and posted harsh comments.
The Mermaid Expert slowly fanned himself, looking smug:
“Young man, I suggest you interact with this mermaid using toys. It’s very obedient and responds well to toy training.”
“You’re omniscient, it loves toys!”
Qi Xuan threw a water ball into the mermaid pool, and the red mermaid started circling it.
[The Mermaid Expert was right about the toy too! /Amazed/]
[The masked streamer is losing badly. /Can’t bear to look/… The veteran expert is much more reliable, his explanations are professional and easy to understand.]
[Is there a link for the water ball? My mermaid isn’t very interested in toys, I’ll try the water ball.]
[Highly recommended, mine didn’t play with toys either, but now it rushes towards the water ball every time.]
Qi Xuan’s external optical brain flashed brightly, indicating his excellent mood.
Showing off his mermaid in a popular livestream + subtly advertising the water ball + ruining the masked streamer and getting the most beautiful new mermaid
Three birds with one stone!
Qi Xuan’s chin practically touched the ceiling: “Expert, we won’t take up any more of your time.”
The Mermaid Expert closed his fan: “Then I’ll take my le…”
“Wait a moment.”
The masked streamer, silent for so long, suddenly spoke.
Qi Xuan raised an eyebrow: “What, lost to the expert, and now you want to make excuses?”
The masked streamer addressed the Mermaid Expert: “Can I see the words on your fan again?”
The Mermaid Expert, confused, snapped his fan open: “The four characters ‘Mermaid Expert,’ see them clearly now?”
At the sound of the snapping fan, the red mermaid in Qi Xuan’s video feed turned its head alertly.
The masked streamer clapped his hands hard:
“As I suspected!”
[???]
[Speaking in riddles? Is there something wrong with the fan? /Confused/]
“If you’ve studied mermaids, you should know they’re sensitive to sudden, sharp sounds, right?”
The masked streamer clapped again: “Like that.”
Qi Xuan scoffed: “What tricks are you playing?”
The Mermaid Expert’s expression darkened as he stared at his fan:
Could it be that the fan…
“That’s right, the mermaid heard the sound of your fan, every time you opened or closed it, it looked in your direction.”
The masked streamer smiled faintly: “Mr. Qi Xuan, would you mind opening the door to the room behind you on the right and inviting the Mermaid Expert out?”
“Don’t try to fool the viewers!” Qi Xuan’s face paled. “What fan sound, I didn’t hear anything.”
“That means the soundproofing is good, but faint sounds inaudible to humans can’t escape a mermaid’s ears.”
[Checked the replay, the red mermaid definitely reacted every time the Mermaid Expert moved his fan. /Jaw dropped/]
[Holy crap, that’s terrifying.]
[Who’s acting in this livestream? Who’s the scammer?]
[What a twist, I’ve brought my popcorn, waiting for someone’s downfall! /Eating melon/]
[Just a side note, this livestream is now trending number one on the entire platform!]
A sense of suspense filled the livestream, and the comments surged, urging Qi Xuan to open the door.
Qi Xuan gritted his teeth, exchanging glances with the expert through the screen—
Time for Plan B.
“That’s right, we planned this in advance.”
Qi Xuan said calmly, ignoring the uproar in the comments, and went to open the door.
The Mermaid Expert walked out, smiling naturally:
“Actually, this young man and I know each other. We connected to expose the masked streamer’s mermaid language scam.”
“That’s right, everyone saw it, the masked streamer couldn’t translate a single word when he heard my mermaid’s cries.”
Qi Xuan said firmly: “He doesn’t understand mermaid language at all!”
In the three video feeds, Qi Xuan and the Mermaid Expert had the same background, both in the mermaid room, looking down at the streamer in the third feed.
[I’m so angry, the expert was in on it, Qi Xuan’s character never disappoints! /Sarcasm/]
[But Qi Xuan is right, the little streamer couldn’t translate anything this time…]
“Phew—now that’s more like it!”
The masked streamer sighed in relief: “The sound from the Mermaid Expert’s side is normal.”
Qi Xuan and the expert’s expressions instantly changed.
“Mr. Qi Xuan, please adjust your equipment, the frequency of the mermaid’s cries coming from your side is different from reality.”
[Isn’t this blatant sabotage!? /Eyes on fire/]
[The masked streamer is even kindly reminding Qi Xuan to adjust his equipment, Qi Xuan, where’s your conscience?]
[I’ve verified with professional equipment, compared to the Mermaid Expert’s microphone, Qi Xuan’s has a frequency shift.]
[I’m sorry, masked streamer! I shouldn’t have doubted you. /Kneeling/]
[Just say the word, Little Streamer, and we’ll crown you our “one true god”! /Clasping hands/]
The red mermaid at Qi Xuan’s house let out a few lazy cries.
Masked streamer: “The mermaid says usually after it circles the water ball, you give it two snacks, why didn’t you give it any today?”
Now it was Qi Xuan and the expert who were speechless.
The Mermaid Expert, seeing the two snack sticks in Qi Xuan’s hand, immediately disconnected and ran.
Qi Xuan grabbed him: “Expert, where are you going, the PK isn’t over yet!”
“Don’t you get it? We’ve met our match!”
The expert glanced at the livestream in terror and wrenched himself free from Qi Xuan: “How can we possibly compete!?”
He fled without looking back.
Leaving Qi Xuan to face the onslaught of comments.
It’s over… I shouldn’t have agreed to Professor Yin’s request!
Qi Xuan consoled himself: Just consider it advertising for the water ball, nothing else matters.
The demonic voice from the other end continued:
“By the way, about that water ball—”
‘The mermaid says although it’s drawn to the water ball, after playing with it for a while, it becomes drowsy, and its breathing becomes difficult.’
In Wen Ming’s office, the masked streamer’s livestream was playing on his optical brain.
Wen Ming leaned back in his chair, deep in thought as he watched Qi Xuan’s frozen expression.
“Knock, knock.”
Assistant Xu entered: “Admiral, you called for me?… Uh, are you watching the livestream too?”
The livestream chat was filled with question marks, no one understanding the masked streamer’s translation.
Wen Ming tapped his fingers on the armrest of his chair:
“Immediately conduct a quality inspection of the Qi Corporation’s water ball.”
“Understood…!?”
Assistant Xu’s glasses almost slid off his nose: “You mean, there might be a problem with the water ball?”
His hand trembled as he adjusted his glasses: “I’ll notify the testing department immediately, we’ll have the results tonight!”
“If there’s a problem, don’t release the results immediately.” Wen Ming’s tone was calm but ruthless. “Release them during Wen Corporation’s new toy launch.”
“Understood!” Assistant Xu was ecstatic.
If there really was a problem, it would be equivalent to Wen Corporation’s main competitor self-destructing.
Qi Xuan had only wanted to challenge the masked streamer, but his own product ended up being his downfall.
A regular attack triggered a critical hit!
Assistant Xu chuckled to himself, then looked up, realizing he was the only one amused.
Wen Ming casually sent a few large gifts to the masked streamer, closed the livestream, and returned to work with a cold expression.
Assistant Xu asked tentatively: “Admiral, you’ll have to work overtime today, your mermaid must be waiting for you, right?”
Wen Ming’s frown deepened.
He guessed right! The Admiral was indeed worried about not being able to go home on time to take care of his mermaid.
Before, Assistant Xu would have been worried about Wen Ming’s obsession with the mermaid affecting the company, but now, such worries were unnecessary.
Good things kept happening to the company, Wen Ming’s mermaid was a money magnet!
Wen Corporation’s “lucky charm,” living up to its name!
“Admiral, clingy mermaids are the easiest to appease.”
Assistant Xu offered advice: “If it’s throwing a tantrum because you’re working late, try physical contact.”
Wen Ming: “We have physical contact regularly.”
“Really?” Assistant Xu didn’t quite believe it.
The contact Wen Ming was referring to was probably accidentally brushing against the mermaid’s skin while combing its hair.
With his personality, how could he initiate physical contact?
“That kind of contact isn’t enough,” Assistant Xu emphasized.
“You need closer contact!”
Like patting its head or stroking its hair.
Wen Ming’s fingers rubbed together, taking it to heart: “Closer…”
Physical contact closer than petting its head, stroking its ear, hugging…
