Chapter 74
MuMu had started with plenty of energy. As a Jiao Ren, even in human form, it had a certain resilience.
“Stop, I need a break! So this is what mating season is like…” MuMu’s eyes were narrowed like a sleepy cat. “Why didn’t you help sooner? I was rubbing my tail for ages, but as soon as you started, the itch went away!” Its delicate Adam’s apple bobbed as it spoke.
Wen Ming teased it with his tongue: “This is my exclusive method, so you can only come to me during mating season, understand?”
“What if I rub against someone else, or they rub against me?”
“No.” Wen Ming’s voice was husky. “Human, mermaid, Jiao Ren… only I can do this.”
MuMu shivered at his tone. Propping itself up on its elbows: “Stop kissing my neck, look up.”
Wen Ming continued, nibbling gently.
MuMu shifted, its body sated, but its heart ached: “Can’t I soothe you?” Its gaze fell on the firm lines of Wen Ming’s back muscles. Its throat tightened as it swallowed: “I can control myself, just kissing, no soothing, is that okay… mmm!”
Wen Ming’s kiss deepened, and MuMu could only hear its own racing heart, struggling to catch its breath.
“I can’t… breathe…”
Finally, a moment of respite. It wrapped its arms around Wen Ming, its hand tracing the lines of his back: “Only I’m gasping like this, so embarrassing, I’m a disgrace to gill-bearing creatures.”
“Rested?” Wen Ming didn’t wait for an answer. “Continue.”
The hand on his back tensed, then slid down powerlessly.
“Stop nibbling, I’m not a dried fish!” MuMu pushed him away.
Wen Ming admired the marks he had left on MuMu’s body and kissed its ear:
“How does it feel when I touch your ears as a mermaid?”
“Itchy, and numb, my tail goes limp, it’s strange.” MuMu’s voice was weak, and it twitched its ears. “Human ears are even stranger, don’t touch!”
Wen Ming nibbled on its earlobe, making MuMu squirm and plead.
“Okay… thank you… but that’s enough… really, the itching is gone!” MuMu scrambled away.
A strong hand grabbed its ankle, pulling it back.
“Am I in heat or are you? This never ends! Woo…” Tears escaped MuMu’s eyes as its body was ravaged again and again. Its sobs turned into broken gasps as it bit Wen Ming’s arm, another wave of pleasure washing over it.
MuMu lost track of time. It vaguely remembered the twin moons shining through the window, then the blue light turned into dawn.
MuMu: TAT I’m going to be mashed into fish paste.
“MuMu?”
Wen Ming pulled the blanket back slightly, looking at the curled-up little mermaid: “Why did you transform?”
MuMu clutched the blanket, hiding: “Awoo.” Stay away from me!
Wen Ming stroked its ear: “Transform back, one last time?”
“Growl!” How many “last times” have there been? I’m not falling for that again!
“No more, transform back.” Wen Ming’s warm breath brushed against its skin.
MuMu looked at him doubtfully, its eyes heavy with exhaustion.
“Really, your tail is too dry in the sleep pod.” Wen Ming kissed its forehead. “Sleep.”
…
MuMu woke up to bright sunlight. Its body was clean, but its stomach rumbled. It stretched and reached out:
“Master, I want snacks… Master!?”
He’s gone! MuMu jumped out of the sleep pod. Just as it reached the door, Wen Ming walked in and scooped it up:
“Been human for so long, forgot how to wear shoes?”
He put MuMu down, knelt, and put slippers on its feet. MuMu immediately kicked them off.
“Where were you? Come back to bed.” MuMu yawned, burrowing under the covers.
“Open.”
“Ah—” A toothbrush was shoved into its mouth.
“What are you doing!?” MuMu bit the toothbrush. “I thought you were giving me a snack!”
“Brush your teeth, then breakfast.”
“With this?” MuMu examined the toothbrush. “Mermaids just eat a cleaning treat!”
“Really?” Wen Ming brought one. “Try it.”
MuMu chewed on it, barely making a dent: “Are human teeth just for show? No fangs?” It grumbled, then grabbed the toothbrush. “Just bite it?”
“…I’ll teach you.”
MuMu enjoyed being pampered. Its recovery was quick, and aside from hunger, a sore throat, and bite marks, it felt fine. It devoured the three-person breakfast the home butler had prepared.
“Aren’t you eating?” MuMu burped. “Why drink that stuff when there’s real food?”
“I’m used to nutrient solution.”
MuMu frowned. Is he not eating because he’s used to it, or because we’re poor? Can’t ask, might hurt his pride… and I don’t want to be mashed into fish paste again!
“Not going to work today?” MuMu hinted. “Won’t you be docked pay?”
“Took the day off.” Wen Ming glanced at his optical brain. “My mother will be here soon, do you want to transform, or see her like this?”
Meeting Master’s mother! Melodrama scenes flooded its mind.
‘Not a noble? Here’s a million star coins, leave my daughter!’
Or, in Master’s mother’s case:
‘Not a human? Here’s a ton of dried fish, leave my son!’
A ton of dried fish…
MuMu fidgeted: “Do we have any large bags?”
“?”
“I mean…” MuMu clutched the blanket. “What should I wear?”
Wen Ming took it to the closet: “When did you prepare these!?” MuMu exclaimed, seeing clothes its size. It chose a fluffy onesie with a hood and long ears.
Wen Ming touched the ears: “Why this one?”
“What do you think?” MuMu pulled the collar down slightly, revealing a bite mark on its neck.
“Welcome!”
Dai Rong opened the door and saw Wen Ming and a large, fluffy “stuffed animal.”
“Mother.”
The stuffed animal bowed nervously: “Mother!”
Dai Rong, seeing the look in Wen Ming’s eyes, understood.
“Who’s this adorable creature?” She smiled, pulling MuMu’s arm. “Don’t be shy.”
Her smile froze as she saw a familiar face.
“…?” “MuMu?”
“Yes!”
She recognized the voice too: “The masked streamer?”
MuMu nodded: “Yes!”
Dai Rong’s eyes darted between them: “How? Is MuMu a mermaid or a human?”
Ten minutes later, after their explanations, she understood. She smacked Wen Ming: “This naive little Jiao Ren built a career in the human world, and you’re keeping it hidden at home!?”
MuMu quickly intervened: “No, Mother, I’ll keep livestreaming!”
“MuMu, Wen Ming just wants to keep you safe, but you want to experience the world, right? I’ll help you.”
MuMu was confused: “What do you mean?”
“First, humans have proper names, not nicknames like ‘MuMu,’ names with surnames.”
MuMu pointed at Wen Ming: “Like his? Or yours?”
“No, you have your own mother, your own clan, a surname represents your origins.”
MuMu’s eyelashes fluttered, deep in thought.
“Decided?” Dai Rong smiled. “Second, humans introduce themselves by name.” She touched where MuMu’s mask usually was. “Aren’t you tired of being called ‘masked streamer’?”
MuMu slumped: “But if I reveal my name, they’ll know I’m spokesmermaid MuMu, and I can’t expose the Jiao Ren.”
Wen Ming placed a hand on its back, offering support: “What if it makes the Jiao Ren safer?”
