The Merman Doesn't Speak

Scheming heroine and naturally clueless hero

Blurb:

The first time Qiao Wan met Shi Yu, it was in the bathroom of her house. More precisely, in the brick-built pool inside it.

The light of dawn slanted in through the window, illuminating the half of a fish tail in the pool that shimmered with a pearly sheen. Qiao Wan couldn't help widening her eyes.

"Are you a mermaid?"

She crouched down and tried to approach him.

Water droplets still clung to the boy's lashes. His amber pupils narrowed to slits in the beam of light. Suddenly, he bared his sharp teeth and let out a hoarse, threatening hiss.

Qiao Wan jumped in fright. The boy glared at her with menacing, watery eyes.

"What's your name?"

"Hiss..."

He couldn't talk?

Qiao Wan raised an eyebrow. Looking at the scales that glimmered a deep blue in the shadows, an idea flashed through her mind.

"You make money for me, and I'll find you the sea."

"How does that sound, little mute?"

Shi Yu stopped hissing at once.

-

At five in the morning, Shi Yu was still livestreaming while Qiao Wan dozed beside him.

Then a comment suddenly floated across the screen: "Streamer, do you have a girlfriend?"

Shi Yu nodded enthusiastically, showing off his little pointed canines with a happy smile.

The number of viewers plummeted in an instant. Comments streamed by: "Scumbag! You have a girlfriend and you're still livestreaming to play with my feelings!"

Shi Yu froze, at a loss. He blinked his amber eyes, looking from the screen to Qiao Wan, who was slumped beside him, fast asleep.

Comments: "Scumbag, get lost!"

Shi Yu furrowed his delicate brows. A dim glow appeared in his eyes, and his fish tail flickered into view beneath him. With a loud yowl, all the livestreaming equipment went dark.

He threw himself into Qiao Wan's arms, rubbing against her neck. Silver scales gradually appeared on his handsome cheeks.

Qiao Wan opened her eyes. "What the hell!"

"You dumb fish, are you trying to rebel?"

Shi Yu pouted, looking utterly pitiful, and shamelessly clung to her without letting go.

Qiao Wan: "..."

I must have owed him in a past life.

Note:

1. Both are each other's one and only.

2. Some original worldbuilding.

3. The male lead can't speak at first, but learns to later.

Theme: Only those who understand each other's feelings can stay together for the long haul.