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Lahat ng Kabanata ng Merman Mating Show: Live!: Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 9

9 Kabanata

Chapter 1

I rested my arm on the edge of the tank. On the plate in my hand lay the finest cuts of the freshest fish.But as time passed, my arm started to go numb and sore, while the figure in the tank remained motionless.Just when I thought he was going to ignore me again, Lance suddenly moved.He swam down beneath my arm. I calmly watched as he flicked his tail, aiming a sharp swipe at my hand.But I let go just before the strike. The carefully prepared fish slipped into the water.Surprised, Lance glanced at me, then caught the fish and backed away, as if his earlier malice had never existed.Moonlight poured through the viewing window, casting a glow on his blue shimmering scales.As I watched him swim away, I shakily pulled out my phone."How do you handle the returned merfolk?" I typed."Ma'am, merfolk that are sold don't get resold. They're usually broken down into ocean fertilizer."I looked at the monitor where Lance was elegantly playing with a smart water polo ball.My fin

Chapter 2

The customer service reply came faster than I expected."Ms. Ross, Lance is one of only 100 limited-edition merfolk worldwide. Returning him for gene recycling would be a huge loss."Reading that message, I paused and suddenly had a new idea. I made my request.After a moment of silence, the agent replied, "Request approved. A new merman will be delivered within three hours."I ended the chat and walked over to the eco-tank.Lance was resting in the shallow end, his scales glowing with a cold light. He looked so beautiful, like a dream I could never reach.Actually, over these three months, I hadn't been blind to what was going on.Vivian's visits to my place had increased from twice a month to four times a week, sometimes even more. She always claimed she was just passing by or "wanted to see my new friend".At first, I thought she was just curious.Until one day, I came home early from a business trip and saw Vivian standing by the tank. Her palm was pressed against the glas

Chapter 3

On the first day of observation, the war broke out at breakfast.I didn't prepare any premium fresh fish. Just a standard merfolk meal.Unlike the first time, there was no tension or anticipation. My movements were calm, almost casual.The moment I stepped up to the glass, Lance swam over. He hovered at just the right distance from my arm, his eyes locked onto me and the plate in my hand.He probably thought this was another moment to perform. Maybe he was even expecting that long-lost special treatment, meant only for him.However, I didn't look at him. I simply extended my hand.A silver-white figure adjusted his position without hesitation, settling at exactly the right height.I picked up a piece of fish and offered it to Sylas.He didn't reach for it with his hands. Instead, he took the food directly from my fingertips with his mouth. His posture was relaxed and seemingly full of trust.Then, he flashed me a warm and sincere smile. "Thank you, master."The chat exploded.

Chapter 4

I drove home, speeding the whole way.When I arrived, Vivian was still there. Sitting in front of the viewing window, she leisurely watched the tank.Lance swam back and forth in front of her, showing off his graceful movements like a peacock in mating season.When Vivian heard the door open, she turned and smiled. "Isabel, you're back? I was just passing by and stopped in to see Lance. He looks thinner—""I'm revoking your access. From now on, you're not allowed to enter my home without permission," I cut her off and walked straight to the control panel.Vivian's expression darkened instantly. "Isabel, are you really this petty? I'm just making friends with Lance. Do you just hate seeing me have anything nice? I honestly think you're way too harsh on Lance. He's a merman, not your slave."I turned to look at her and let out a sneer. "Right. Says the person who's spent her whole life stealing anything I ever owned. How could I not stay on guard?"I paid three million dollars for

Chapter 5

Vivian's fingers clenched tightly around her limited-edition handbag. That was the one I'd brought back from overseas last month. She'd said she wanted to borrow it for a day and never returned it."Isabel." Her voice suddenly trembled, on the verge of tears. "How could you think so badly of me? Lance willingly gave those things to me. He said I was the one who truly cared about him…"She looked at the tank, tears pooling in her eyes. "Lance, say something. Didn't you say I understood you better than Isabel?"I knew that expression far too well. It was the same one she used when she broke my music box as a child and when she stole my guaranteed college admission.The livestream chat started buzzing."Isabel's way too cold. She's making her own sister cry. Can someone like this really take care of merfolk?""They're sisters, and she thinks of her own sister this badly? That's heartless."Lance trembled slightly in the water. He looked at me, then at Vivian. "Vivian—""I don't ca

Chapter 6

It was the second week of the observation period, and the score gap was huge.Sylas had 87 points, while Lance's score was negative five.Lance finally realized how serious this was. He began to change. Gone was his arrogance and coldness.Whenever I appeared, he would swim toward me and cooperate with every check. He even started trying to mimic Sylas' behaviors.When I fed them, he awkwardly swam near, his gaze filled with cautious hope.But I ignored him. Like before, my gaze and food were reserved only for Sylas, who took the food willingly.Watching this, Lance finally broke. He opened his mouth, assuming a posture that was nothing short of a desperate plea.My hand, holding the plate, paused for a fleeting second. Then, I tilted the empty plate toward him before leaving.Lance froze there for a moment before slipping back into the shadows of the reef, not coming out for a long time.He even started to sing.Lance's voice was completely different from Sylas'. The latter'

Chapter 7

The third week of the observation period had arrived.AquaGene Corp scheduled a merfolk comprehensive ability evaluation.The final test was a crisis simulation to assess the merfolk's emergency response and their protective instincts toward their master.As the simulation began, the lights went out and the water currents grew chaotic.According to the plan, the merfolk were supposed to immediately seek a safe zone and alert the master.Sylas did exactly that. He quickly swam to the safe zone and triggered the emergency communication.But Lance hesitated for a second, then suddenly changed direction and charged toward the safe zone where Sylas was.Not to join him but to collide.With all his might, Lance slammed sideways into Sylas. The unexpected impact threw Sylas off balance and into the more turbulent water.Meanwhile, Lance slid into the safe spot that was supposed to be Sylas'.The whole scene played out in less than three seconds, but the livestream camera caught ever

Chapter 8

The room erupted in shock. In an instant, every camera lens pivoted, locking onto me and Vivian.The chat blew up, messages flying by faster and faster."Can't believe Vivian actually has the money! She really wants to take Lance away!""What a surprise! I thought she wouldn't come, but she actually showed up to buy Lance!""Lance should be happy. He doesn't need to get returned now."Countless gazes fixed on me—some shocked, some curious, others eager for the drama to unfold.Lance froze in the water. His eyes were full of complicated emotions.Suddenly, he swam to the very edge of the tank. His voice, amplified by the communication system, echoed through the entire hall. "Please be quiet."Those three words dripped with the deathly chill of the deep sea.Vivian froze, her face going pale."I want to talk to my master," Lance said without even glancing at her. "Please do not disturb."His voice was rough as he called me. ""Master… I haven't forgotten how you came every day

Chapter 9

"No… That's not true. This money is mine," Vivian stammered.But the evidence on the screen was solid.The chat exploded."No way! I almost got fooled by this fake bitch! She actually had the audacity to lure a merman just to ride the wave of hype and exchange him for money?""I knew she was up to no good. Now that she's exposed, she still won't admit it!""How shameless! This move is next-level shady!"Vivian screamed and struggled as security dragged her off the stage.Unable to secure a merfolk and trapped in a predatory contract with mountains of debt, her future was bleak.I rose from my seat and stepped into the focus of the holographic cameras."Based on 30 days of observation data and my personal decision," I said clearly, "the merman I choose to keep is…"I paused for a moment.Lance closed his eyes."Sylas."Applause broke out. Sylas' viewing tank lit up brightly, and a warm smile spread across his face.Lance's tank darkened. He slowly sank, curling up in the c

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