“Everyone quiet.” Shen Mo’s voice was calm. “I brought you here to visit Teacher Cheng. If you want to argue and fight, take it outside.”

Yu Chaohui lowered his head and was quick to apologize: “…Sorry.”

Tan Xiao shot him a disgruntled glare and let out a heavy snort.

The sound of high heels in the corridor passed outside — some staff member walking by, Shen Mo assumed, and paid it no mind.

He said, “Although he appears healthy for now, things are still different from before. Once all of Teacher Cheng’s test results come in, we’ll figure out what steps to take.”

He then turned to Cheng Weicai: “How are you feeling yourself? Has anything seemed different from before?”

“Well…” Teacher Cheng rubbed the scales on his arm with some difficulty. “If the air gets too dry, some areas feel a little rough and itchy — not very comfortable…”

Tan Xiao looked at Cheng Weicai with the utmost seriousness: “Old Cheng, sounds like you’ve turned into a fish! Any particular cravings? Earthworms, maybe?”

“Tan Xiao, stop fooling around.” Shen Mo frowned.

“I’m not!” Tan Xiao said earnestly. “If Old Cheng ends up needing different food from the rest of us, we’ll need to prepare in advance — he can’t very well just go to the cafeteria anymore!”

“Food… I don’t really feel anything different yet.” Teacher Cheng gave a wry smile. “The change is probably still too recent. I’ll pay attention going forward.”

Shen Mo asked, “The two people who came out of the maze with Weiwei — do they know about the changes to your body?”

“Probably not…” Teacher Cheng hesitated. “Everyone was so happy just to have made it out of the maze, they probably wouldn’t have noticed me — and with long sleeves and long pants on, most of it was covered anyway.”

“But that thing on your neck…” Tan Xiao reached out two fingers, pinched at a thin membrane on Cheng Weicai’s neck, and made a pained expression. “This one seems like it can’t be covered…”

Teacher Cheng was deeply embarrassed. He pulled the membrane back and tucked it all away at his collar like someone stuffing in a shirt, “…this, this can be covered with a scarf…”

Everyone looked at him, and for a moment, no one spoke.

The scales and fins on his body could be disregarded as long as they were hidden by clothing — but the thing on his neck made Cheng Weicai’s inhuman characteristics immediately apparent. If he had to face the human world with an appearance like this…

It was difficult to imagine what Cheng Weicai would encounter.

Shen Mo was silent for a moment, then spoke again: “For the next few days, Teacher Cheng, please stay in your room for the time being. Until the test results come back, try not to go outside.”

“Understood.” Teacher Cheng nodded. The smile on his face was helpless but gentle. “Looking the way I do now, it really isn’t suitable for me to go out. Sorry for all the trouble.”

Tan Xiao very much wanted to say that sitting cooped up in here would be too dull, and suggest moving to the dollhouse instead — but seeing that there were “outsiders” still in the room, he closed his mouth and simply shot Cheng Weicai a meaningful look.

Cheng Weicai couldn’t make heads or tails of Tan Xiao’s hinting.

“Please rest up for now. We’ll come again if anything comes up.” With that, Shen Mo led everyone out.

Once outside the room, Shen Mo sent Tan Xiao and Yu Chaohui on their way, then spoke privately with Chu Huaijin: “Teacher Cheng’s blood sample — if possible, have them test for toxicity.”

Chu Huaijin was mildly startled: “You mean…”

“Just to be safe.” Shen Mo’s tone was even. “Based on the descriptions from those involved, the mucus secreted by mermaids is contagious. However, Teacher Cheng has already been through the maze’s upgrade process, so perhaps it won’t be an issue.”

Chu Huaijin listened, then nodded with a serious expression. “That’s a necessary precaution. I’ll push for a more thorough examination on their end. With power restored, most equipment can be put back into use — results will come quickly.”

He paused here for two seconds, then said gravely: “But… to ensure everyone’s safety, I may need to station guards near Teacher Cheng’s room. I hope you’ll understand.”

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