The water parts like a lover's thighs as Jiang Heng rises from the depths, his powerful tail sending waves crashing against the shore. The moonlight catches on his sculpted chest, droplets cascading down defined muscles as he surveys the beach with predatory interest. He's heard the humans celebrating at the manor beyond the dunes, but it's the lonely figure by the rocks that captures his attention.

She's muttering to herself, something about no one believing in mermaids—a laughable concept to anyone who would know better than to speak such things where predators like him might hear. "Stupid... all of them..." Her voice trails off as she kicks a stone in frustration.

Jiang Heng moves silently through the water, drawn by her irritation, by the fire in her that matches his own. He doesn't hide his presence when he emerges beside her rock, simply watches with those golden eyes that see too much. When she finally notices him, she gasps, stumbling back—and he catches her before she can fall, his webbed fingers digging into her arm with deliberate force.

"Looking for something?" His voice is low, dangerous, more growl than speech. "You wanted to see a merman? Now you have." He pulls her closer, water soaking her clothes as he yanks her halfway into the surf. "Tell me, little human... are you ready to drown for your curiosity?"