Chapter Summaries

The Wayne family realized they had wrongly assumed Miaomiao was a laboratory test subject after learning she spoke Chinese and had grown up in the ocean. After they explained mermaids and other legendary sea creatures to her, Miaomiao said she was not a little mermaid.

• Miaomiao's tears turned into pearls as she cried over Alfred's cookies, and Alfred gently comforted her.
• Dick called Miaomiao a little mermaid, prompting her to ask what a mermaid was and why everyone spoke Chinese.
• Bruce questioned Miaomiao about her past and learned she had been born and raised in the ocean.
• The Wayne family recognized that Bruce's assumption about Miaomiao being a laboratory test subject had been wrong.
• Tim showed Miaomiao images and explained mermaids, sea sirens, and Greek sirens, and Miaomiao said she was not a little mermaid.

Miaomiao explained that she was an Eastern Merfolk whose water-woven silk and tear-born pearls matched human legends. She revealed that her uncontrolled Illusion Song had subtly affected Bruce’s judgment, leaving the family to correct Miaomiao’s file.

• Tim searched Hua Country’s ancient records and identified legends describing Merfolk traits that matched Miaomiao.
• Miaomiao explained that Merfolk wove water into silk and Bruce asked whether her abilities had caused his unusual behavior.
• Bruce admitted he had trusted Miaomiao too easily and mistaken her for a child escaping an illegal laboratory.
• Miaomiao said Bruce was her anchor and that her accidental Illusion Song might have reinforced his mistaken assumptions.
• Miaomiao apologized for her poor control, while the younger family members secretly decided to record Bruce’s mistake and redo her file.

Alfred hired a Gotham construction crew to build a vast aquatic playground through Wayne Manor for Miaomiao, prioritizing the merfolk’s comfort and freedom. After the project was completed, Bruce secretly connected it to the underground river so Miaomiao could travel to Gotham Bay and the sea, while she waited out construction with Damian in the Batcave.

• Alfred told the construction crew that Damian wanted a marine-life attraction and instructed them to prioritize the comfort of its residents over viewing angles.
• The crew leader accepted Alfred’s unusually large deposit and ordered his workers to devote themselves to completing the Wayne Manor contract.
• The crew finished a sprawling semi-open aquatic playground connecting rooms throughout Wayne Manor to its outdoor pool.
• Bruce secretly connected one of the aquatic passages to the underground river, giving Miaomiao a route to Gotham Bay and the sea.
• Miaomiao ate popcorn in the Batcave with Damian while they joked about a mermaid movie.

After Bruce returned from being stranded, the Wayne family caught up on work while Damian helped Miaomiao learn English through movies. Miaomiao moved into the new water passages at Wayne Manor, where Bruce’s warning about trusting people spoiled the celebration.

• Dick returned to Blüdhaven after impersonating Batman, while Bruce and Tim resumed their overloaded work schedules and Damian was assigned to keep Miaomiao company.
• Damian and Miaomiao watched films and cartoons together, helping her learn conversational English as they shared snacks and mocked the stories.
• The Wayne family completed Miaomiao’s water passages at Wayne Manor, and she happily explored the maze of tunnels and toys.
• Bruce warned Miaomiao that trusting the family so easily could put her in danger, prompting Alfred and the others to criticize his timing.

Bruce and the Bat Family learned that Miaomiao came from another world and had crossed over because she formed a destined connection with Bruce. The chapter left them realizing that beneath Miaomiao’s sweet demeanor was a bold, darkly mischievous streak.

• Bruce’s suspicion dampened Miaomiao’s excitement, but she reassured him that she trusted him as her anchor in this world.
• Bruce asked what Miaomiao meant when she said her siblings were no longer in this world, and she explained that she had left her own world.
• Miaomiao confirmed that she came from another world and explained that merfolk could form connections destined to become deep bonds.
• Miaomiao said her connection with Bruce was unprecedented because he was in another world, and she had followed fate across the divide.
• Damian challenged Miaomiao’s belief in fate, and she joked that she would send anyone who threatened her to ask heaven if it had made a mistake.
• Damian laughed and high-fived Miaomiao while Bruce, Tim, and Alfred realized her sweet appearance hid a darker side.

Bruce warned Miaomiao never to kill anyone, and she readily agreed before undergoing tests that revealed her extraordinary strength and mental influence. As the Bat Family learned she was the only Merfolk in their world, Alfred welcomed her with food and affection, quickly becoming her favorite.

• Bruce told Miaomiao that she must never kill anyone, and she obediently agreed.
• Bruce asked Miaomiao to have her abilities tested, and the Bat Family saw that her strength and voice made her exceptionally powerful, even though she lacked combat training.
• Tim confirmed that no other Merfolk lived in their world, and the family felt more sympathy for Miaomiao, who had left her people behind.
• Alfred offered to prepare dinner for Miaomiao, and she kissed his cheek and declared that she loved him most.

Miaomiao discovered that the Wayne family vanished from the manor every night, then realized Bruce Wayne and Batman seemed to be connected. The Joker took over Gotham’s television station and demanded that Batman come to save a hostage, leaving Miaomiao watching in alarm.

• Miaomiao moved into the Water Park at Wayne Manor and grew reluctant to leave her comfortable Water Room.
• Miaomiao noticed that everyone in the Wayne family disappeared from the manor at night, but Damian, Bruce, and Alfred avoided explaining why.
• Miaomiao watched Gotham news reports that described Bruce Wayne and Batman as separate people, despite their identical clothes and the Batcave costumes she had seen.
• The Joker escaped from Arkham Asylum and seized control of Gotham’s television station, threatening to kill a hostage for every minute Batman was late.
• The Joker appeared on television and taunted Batman, while Miaomiao recoiled from his frightening appearance.

Miaomiao felt hurt when Tim and the others excluded her from their mission to stop Joker’s gang, so she swam into Gotham’s waterways. After realizing the city needed more help, she sent a sound wave through the water to find assistance.

• Tim learned that Joker’s gang had seized the Gotham Television Station and planted explosives while several escaped criminals caused trouble elsewhere.
• Miaomiao discovered that Tim, Bruce, and the others were preparing to respond, but Tim said she could not join because her distinctive tail would reveal her identity.
• Miaomiao rejected Alfred’s attempt to comfort her and swam out of the Batcave into Gotham Bay.
• Bruce went to confront Joker while Alfred tracked Miaomiao’s movement and teased Bruce about his children following his path.
• Miaomiao decided not to seek out Bruce and instead sent a powerful sound wave through the water.

Miaomiao sent fish to search Gotham City for suspicious items, then changed her tail into legs and came ashore to help Bruce and the others. After stumbling on the beach, she met Poison Ivy, who had escaped Arkham with the Joker and other villains.

• Miaomiao summoned small fish and ordered them to search Gotham City for anything unusual, especially gunpowder.
• Miaomiao transformed her tail into human legs, covered her face with mermaid silk, and walked toward the city.
• Miaomiao tripped on the beach and fell face-first into the sand.
• Poison Ivy used a vine to help Miaomiao up, and Miaomiao thanked her and complimented her beauty.
• Poison Ivy recalled that she had joined the Joker and other villains in escaping Arkham, intending to return to Gotham's Botanical Garden.

Miaomiao met Poison Ivy, gave her the alias Quan Ke, and asked for directions to the Gotham television station so she could help Batman. Poison Ivy arranged a ride for her, leaving Miaomiao near the station, which police had sealed off because of Joker’s threat.

• Poison Ivy steadied Miaomiao with a vine and learned that the girl was heading to the Gotham television station to help amid the chaos.
• Miaomiao introduced herself as Quan Ke, and Poison Ivy decided to guide her to the station herself.
• Poison Ivy captured a passing man, controlled him with a kiss, and ordered him to drive Miaomiao.
• Miaomiao thanked Poison Ivy and rode with the controlled man toward the television station, thinking about a gift for her.
• The man dropped Miaomiao near the station, where Gotham police had blocked unauthorized entry and exit after Joker’s televised announcement.

Miaomiao left the car that had brought her to Gotham and struggled to walk on her new legs as she headed to the scene of Joker’s attack, hoping to help Batman. Commissioner Gordon tried to send her home, but she vanished before he could say more.

• Miaomiao frightened the driver by asking to be let out of his car, then walked away into the night.
• Miaomiao practiced walking and reached the police cordon around Gotham Television Station, where officers warned her to leave.
• Miaomiao said she was looking for Batman and had come to help, prompting the officers to call Commissioner Gordon.
• Gordon told Miaomiao to go home and assured her Batman would handle the situation.
• Miaomiao tilted her head as if hearing something, then vanished, leaving Gordon to wonder if she belonged with the Bat family.

Miaomiao rushed into the Television Station Building to find Bruce and discovered hostages trapped in a ventilation duct with bomb collars. She shielded them with bubbles, removed the collars, and threw the bombs outside, leaving the women safe.

• Miaomiao heard Joker and Bruce fighting above her and climbed the outside of the Television Station Building.
• Miaomiao found several bound women hiding in an air vent and cut their ropes.
• A woman warned Miaomiao that the bomb collars would detonate if the hostages moved more than a meter apart or if a collar was disabled.
• Miaomiao encased the women in protective bubbles, tore open the ceiling, and lowered them safely to the floor.
• Miaomiao removed all the bomb collars at once and flung them out the window, where they exploded harmlessly away from the hostages.

Batman fought Joker while trying to learn where the hostages were, but Joker used the threat to Robin and the hostages to force Batman into a choice. The chapter ended with Joker asking whether Batman would save Gotham Television Station’s wealthy owners or its employees.

• An explosion distracted Batman during his fight with Joker, who taunted him about the sound.
• Batman stunned and beat Joker, demanding to know where the hostages were.
• Joker provoked Batman by claiming Robin had died, but Batman stopped himself from killing him.
• Joker revealed that two hostage groups remained and offered to disclose a location each time Batman beat him.
• Joker forced Batman to choose between the wealthy people behind Gotham Television Station and its employees.

Joker forced Batman to choose who to save as bombs threatened hostages across Gotham, while Batman’s allies struggled to contain the Joker Gang and locate the victims. Miaomiao arrived and interrupted Joker’s confrontation with Batman just as he renewed his demand for a decision.

• Joker taunted Batman and pressed him to choose between lives threatened by his bombs.
• Batman received reports that Robin, Red Robin, and Red Hood were pinned down, while Oracle and Penny One searched for bombs and hostages.
• Miaomiao arrived and asked why Batman and Joker were silent.
• Batman recognized Miaomiao and worried Joker might manipulate her.
• Joker mocked Miaomiao, and Batman warned him not to hurt anyone close to him.
• Joker asked Batman again who he would save and who he would let die.

Miaomiao revealed that she had rescued all the hostages and disabled the bombs, allowing Batman and the other heroes to capture or drive off Joker’s accomplices. In the Batcave, Bruce and Damian questioned how Miaomiao had gained legs, and she explained that all Merfolk could transform their tails.

• Miaomiao told Batman and Joker that she had found and rescued every hostage, including those hidden underwater in tanks.
• Miaomiao explained that she had used her control over water to find the hostages and render the bombs harmless, and Batman knocked Joker unconscious.
• Gotham police took the hostages to safety while Robin captured Harley Quinn, Scarecrow escaped, Red Robin captured Mad Hatter, and Red Hood defeated Clayface as Killer Croc fled.
• Batman delivered Joker to Arkham, then brought Miaomiao to the Batcave for a family meeting and covered her with his cape.
• Damian asked whether Miaomiao had traded her voice for legs, and Miaomiao said she could transform on her own because all Merfolk could.

After Miaomiao revealed that she could turn her tail into legs, Alfred ended the family meeting and began teaching her how to behave as a human. The next morning, Miaomiao struggled to eat properly while Damian remained the shortest member of the family.

• Miaomiao explained that she disliked her human legs, then tried to lift her skirt to show them before Alfred stopped her and ended the family meeting.
• Alfred prepared a tailored plan to teach Miaomiao human manners and basic skills.
• The next morning, Miaomiao asked Damian for help with her steak, but he changed course when Alfred approached.
• Alfred encouraged Miaomiao to eat pasta with a fork by promising her blueberry cookies if she finished the serving.
• Damian drank his daily milk despite hating it, still the shortest in the family even after Miaomiao gained human legs.

Bruce asked Miaomiao about changing between her fish tail and legs after learning how she had climbed the Gotham Television Station building. Miaomiao explained that young merfolk could unexpectedly transform back into tails, leaving Bruce aware that her human form might not last.

• Miaomiao ate until she was stuffed, and Alfred gave her tea and reminded her not to overeat.
• Bruce reviewed evidence that Miaomiao had climbed the television station by driving her fingertips into its walls.
• Bruce asked whether changing between a fish tail and legs harmed Miaomiao, and she said it did not.
• Miaomiao explained that young merfolk had trouble controlling their spiritual power and could suddenly return to their fish-tailed forms.
• Miaomiao told Bruce about a young merfolk who transformed back into a tail in a village and frightened its residents.

Miaomiao told Bruce the grim version of the merfolk story and assured him she understood both human kindness and cruelty, insisting that strength was the best protection. Damian returned to Wayne Manor after exercising with Titus, and Miaomiao happily cuddled the dog.

• Miaomiao recounted how villagers had rescued a merfolk child, while Bruce worried that she was too trusting of humans.
• Miaomiao told Bruce the Elders' version of the tale, in which humans tortured and exploited merfolk and lured rescuers into traps.
• Miaomiao said she understood human nature and declared that merfolk needed strength to fight anyone who threatened them.
• Damian returned after feeding the animals and exercising with Titus, and Miaomiao made room for Titus on the sofa before cuddling him.

Miaomiao grew attached to Titus after he comforted her, while Bruce arranged for Damian to take her downtown since both had free time. The chapter ended with Damian surprised by Bruce’s suggestion to go shopping with Miaomiao.

• Miaomiao remembered how dolphins, orcas, and beluga whales had teased young merfolk before she met Titus at Wayne Manor.
• Titus comforted Miaomiao when Alfred took her away for lessons on human society, and she declared him the best dog in the world.
• Alfred made Bruce take on Tim’s work while Tim rested from an injury, leaving Damian with free time.
• Bruce refused Damian’s request to quit school because he wanted Damian to experience a normal childhood.
• Bruce asked Damian to take Miaomiao downtown for a look around and some shopping.

Bruce arranged for Damian to take Miaomiao shopping so she could experience human society firsthand, and gave her an unrestricted spending card with transaction alerts. As Miaomiao struggled to choose clothes in her new room, Bruce hoped the Wayne family could become her family in this world.

• Damian objected to taking Miaomiao shopping, but Bruce persuaded him by stressing that she needed to experience the human world in person.
• Miaomiao followed Titus upstairs to see her new room, nearly tripped on the stairs, and hurried along once Bruce and the others could no longer see her.
• Alfred reminded Bruce to drink his milk, and Bruce drained the glass before Alfred offered him water.
• Bruce gave Miaomiao a supplementary card with no spending limit and real-time alerts, then considered whether she should attend school.
• Bruce reflected on Miaomiao's loneliness and hoped the Wayne family could become her family in this world.
• Miaomiao stood before her wardrobe, unsure which outfit to choose or how to put the clothes on.