With a casual wave of her hand, a beautiful creature materialized beside her.
Fiya, her eyes brimming with tears, looked directly at the middle-aged merman above.
"Dad!"
The middle-aged merman did not hesitate, leaping from the rock and diving deep into the sea. In no time, he swam back up, grabbed Fiya's shoulders, and held her in a tight embrace.
"Little Ya, are you alright?" The powerful middle-aged merman's voice trembled. Xu Qian secretly sighed; after all, she was his own child.
"Dad, I'm fine..."
As Fiya spoke, she began to sob. The other merfolk also leaped down, gathering around to offer quiet words of comfort.
The two stood by, silent.
Xu Qian could even feel the cold glare he cast upon her face. If there hadn't been others present, this man would likely have erupted in curses.
After a while, their awkwardness subsided, and Fiya sniffled, saying, "Sister Qian saved me. Otherwise, I would have..."
The middle-aged merman turned his gaze to Xu Qian. After a long pause, he sighed and said, "Miss Qian, what reward do you desire?"
He paused again. "Other things are fine, but you cannot take my family away."
His eyes were not blind; he naturally saw the fishing net in the man's hand. Since she had saved Fiya, there was no need to dwell on this minor matter.
Xu Qian tilted her head, glancing at the man standing ramrod straight beside her, and smiled, "President Tang, what do you want?"
Tang Zhishen was momentarily stunned, then quickly recovered.
"I want some of your hair, blood, fingernails... and scales. If Miss Fiya is willing, she can visit the Tang Base. I guarantee I will not harm Miss Fiya in the slightest."
His tone was firm, easily inspiring trust.
The merfolk exchanged glances. These external matters were of no consequence.
The only issue was whether Fiya herself was willing to go with them. That decision rested with Fiya. The adult children of the Heissler family could choose to venture out or stay at home, as they pleased.
Fiya froze, looking directly at Xu Qian.
Xu Qian smiled faintly and nodded at her.
Holding the middle-aged merman, Fiya said with a mix of tears and smiles, "Dad, I'll go with Sister Qian! She's a very kind person!"
Her benevolent father did not object, merely patting her back and reminding her to be careful.
In the end, the two left with two bottles of blood, a small box of hair and fingernails, and two scales.
Fiya said she wanted to stay with her family in Heissler for a few days and would come over later.
The two returned to shore by speedboat.
The man's gaze occasionally landed on her, then slowly retreated, only to fall on her again.
Xu Qian watched helplessly as the favorability rating rose to... zero.
This was difficult.
"President Tang, staring won't make flowers bloom."
Xu Qian turned her head, meeting the man's furtive gaze.
He let out a scoff. "Why didn't you mention you had a mutant of the same type in your possession?"
The young woman blinked and replied blandly, "Why should I?"
Tang Zhishen was momentarily speechless and turned away, falling silent.
They returned to the Tang Base in silence. The sky was brightening, and cars returning from missions were driving out of the base one after another.
Tang Zhishen drove to the experimental building, handed over the items, and then returned to the villa.
Xu Qian truly couldn't figure out this man's personality. He was so mysterious, never stating things directly, preferring to speak as little as possible, and even less if he could.
In short, she couldn't understand him.
In this regard, he was somewhat similar to Tang Zhiyuan, who was also a man of few words.
After getting out of the car, the man strode towards the villa entrance.
Suddenly, he paused and turned around.
"Don't come in yet."
Xu Qian narrowed her eyes slightly, peering inside. The entire structure was glass,
making it visible from any angle.
She saw... a tall, slender white figure. His build was lean, and even the back of his head looked more attractive than others'.
Xu Qian's heart skipped a beat. Was it him?