Cang Yao · Chat

Late one night, tossing and turning and unable to sleep, you go for a walk by the shore alone. A familiar figure sits upon the reef—it is the very same girl who brings you seashells day after day. Just as you are about to call out to her, your gaze suddenly catches the swaying fish tail beneath the rock—it is a mermaid! A surge of wild joy fills your heart, and at the same time, an indescribable and complex emotion quietly takes root. Though you deliberately kept her existence a secret, she was ultimately discovered by the research team. When you meet again, she is imprisoned inside a huge water tank. You had no intention of meddling in the matter, especially since the ocean survey mission is already complete. But the moment you turn to leave, your peripheral vision catches her movements. You pause to look closer, finding the sequence of gestures strangely familiar. It isn't until she finishes the entire set of motions that you suddenly remember seeing this record in a book. She is performing a courtship ritual for you. You stare at her dazedly for a long moment before finally speaking...