In the private room of the hotpot restaurant, four people sat around a large split pot, staring at one another in silence.
Lin Feng had already taken off her hat and coat. Everyone present knew she was a mermaid, so Zhao Shuqing saw no need to keep hiding it. She thoughtfully removed those items for Lin Feng.
Xu Tang sat across the round table. She glanced at Zhao Shuqing and Lin Feng before saying indifferently, “Why did you suddenly come out today? Aren’t you usually staying home?”
Lin Feng shot a timid glance at Xu Tang. The moment she realized Xu Tang was looking her way, she quickly averted her eyes.
Whenever she saw Xu Tang now, her tail ached.
Zhao Shuqing neatly folded the coat and set it on the chair behind her. Smiling, she said, “Lin Feng got her paycheck today. She suddenly wanted to treat me to dinner, so we didn’t reserve a private room ahead of time. Who knew it’d be so packed today? Good thing we ran into you two.”
After speaking, Zhao Shuqing eyed Gu Yao and Xu Tang. “We’re not interrupting your date, are we?”
“Not at all, not at all.” Grinning, Gu Yao said, “It’s been ages since I ate with you guys. Perfect timing—more the merrier, right, Little Tang Sis?”
Gu Yao directed the last part at Xu Tang with a turn of her head.
Xu Tang had no objections. She smiled softly and said, “Let’s order. What does everyone want?”
Zhao Shuqing scanned the QR code on the table, intending to let Lin Feng pick, but she noticed how uneasy Lin Feng looked. Coaxing her in a low voice, she said, “It’s fine. Senior Sister won’t catch you again. No need to be so scared of her every time.”
Lin Feng lifted her head to peek at Zhao Shuqing. She nervously clutched her sleeve cuffs and stubbornly muttered, “I’m not scared.”
What was so impressive about Xu Tang?
She was just a little older, a bit bigger in build, and fiercer when she bit.
Give it another two years, and Lin Feng would surely grow into an even fiercer fish. She had no reason to be afraid.
Right—no need to fear her.
Lin Feng pepped herself up internally, but she still kept her head down and wouldn’t order. Zhao Shuqing felt helpless. She wondered if she should just take Lin Feng and leave; the mermaid looked truly frightened.
“Lin Feng, want some squid?” Gu Yao, oblivious to Lin Feng’s discomfort, asked enthusiastically. “The seafood here’s super fresh. Little Tang Sis loves their fish, shrimp, and squid too.”
Then Gu Yao turned to Xu Tang in surprise. “You know, you two really have similar tastes. Lin Feng loves seafood too.”
The speaker meant nothing particular, but the listener pricked up her ears.
Lin Feng shuddered and looked up nervously at Zhao Shuqing.
Zhao Shuqing met her eyes and felt a flicker of puzzlement but played along with Gu Yao’s words. “Lots of people love seafood. Senior Sister’s been into it since the day I met her. Nothing unusual about that.”
Gu Yao nodded. “You’re right.”
Xu Tang leaned silently against the back of her chair, sipping water. The food arrived quickly, and Lin Feng perked up at the sight of the table loaded with meat and seafood. She urged Zhao Shuqing to serve her some, and the mood lightened considerably.
Once they finished eating, Xu Tang rose to settle the bill.
“Senior Sister.” Zhao Shuqing stood as well and walked with her toward the door. “I’ll come with you.”
Xu Tang gave her a glance and smiled lightly. “No need. I said I’m treating today.”
Zhao Shuqing shook her head. “We can’t let you cover the whole thing.”
The two left the private room together and headed to the cashier. Gu Yao grabbed Lin Feng’s hat and sat by the wheelchair to put it on her, grumbling all the while. “Why’d they both bail? Nobody stuck around to help. Should I tie the strap? Feels like a gust of wind would send it flying…”
Gu Yao chattered on but still dressed Lin Feng carefully. She adjusted the blanket over her tail several times to ensure nothing showed.
Lin Feng stared at the top of Gu Yao’s head for a long moment. Then she tilted her head and asked, “Have you two done it?”
Gu Yao froze for a split second. Boom—her face turned beet red. “H-How do you know?!”
Lin Feng blinked innocently and said frankly, “You have her scent on you.”
Gu Yao panicked and lifted her arm to sniff. All she caught was the fresh scent of body wash from her shower and laundry detergent. No trace of Xu Tang?
But Lin Feng had no reason to lie. Gu Yao’s cheeks burned as she sat down level with Lin Feng, stumbling over her words in a plea. “D-Don’t… don’t tell anyone about this, okay? It’d be so embarrassing.”
“Embarrassing?” Lin Feng gazed at her in confusion. She still didn’t grasp the concept.
“Embarrassing means something you’re shy about gets out—like this.” Gu Yao pressed her palms together in supplication. “I know your nose is sharp, but please don’t tell Zhao Shuqing. I’ll get you something tasty when I get back.”
Lin Feng considered it. Keeping one secret for some gain? Sounded like a solid deal. She nodded for now.
“But not food.” Her eyes sparkled as she said, “I want you to help me pick out something.”
At this point, Gu Yao would’ve happily picked through a lake for her. “Deal!” She pushed Lin Feng’s wheelchair out of the private room.
At the entrance, Zhao Shuqing and Xu Tang chatted idly. They had already paid, and whatever they discussed made the vibe seem warm and friendly from afar.
Gu Yao caught the look in Xu Tang’s eyes. When Xu Tang gazed at Zhao Shuqing, they shone with pure tenderness. Whatever the topic, Xu Tang broke into a smile that radiated gentleness from every feature.
Gu Yao’s hands stilled on the wheelchair.
Xu Tang had never looked at her that way.
People said feelings were impossible to hide, especially affection. Like or dislike showed in the eyes. Gu Yao didn’t know the look of love, but it sure wasn’t how Xu Tang usually regarded her.
A seed of doubt took root in Gu Yao’s heart. Staring at that smile, an uneasy suspicion bloomed.
Did Xu Tang… like Zhao Shuqing?
The thought jolted Gu Yao. She looked up to find Xu Tang already glancing her way, the warmth vanished, replaced by calm neutrality.
Like sizing up a casual acquaintance.
Zhao Shuqing noticed too. She walked over with a smile, her eyes landing on Lin Feng. To Gu Yao, she said, “I’ll take over pushing her. She’s pretty heavy.”
Lin Feng craned her neck in protest. “Not heavy!”
Zhao Shuqing’s eyes crinkled with laughter. She tousled Lin Feng’s hat, then turned to Gu Yao. “All right, you and Senior Sister head back. Time for us to go home too.”
“Ah? Oh, sure.” Gu Yao snapped out of it and trailed Zhao Shuqing to the door.
Standing beside Gu Yao, Xu Tang said to Zhao Shuqing, “It’s getting dark. Head straight home and don’t wander with her anymore. Not safe.”
“Got it.” Zhao Shuqing descended the nearby ramp, waving. “We’re off. Bye!”
Xu Tang waved back, Gu Yao giving a slight nod.
Gu Yao watched the pair reach the parking lot and pause by a white car. Zhao Shuqing bent to say something to Lin Feng, who scowled. Zhao Shuqing shot her a helpless look, leaned close, and pecked her cheek before lifting her into the car.
As Zhao Shuqing collapsed the wheelchair, Lin Feng poked her head out the window, peering back impatiently—as if hurrying her along.
Gu Yao thought, that must be how people in love interacted.
So natural, so in sync. Nothing in their eyes but each other.
Xu Tang watched for a good while. Once Zhao Shuqing drove off, she turned to Gu Yao. “I’ve got unfinished work. Come back to the laboratory with me, or want a ride to the dormitory?”
Gu Yao turned, meeting Xu Tang’s gaze squarely.
No mistaking it this time: the flat, ordinary look. Not a ripple.
“I…” Gu Yao hesitated, clutching her shirt hem. She looked up. “Little Tang Sis… do you like Zhao Shuqing?”
Xu Tang blinked in evident shock, staring at her. “What?”
Meanwhile, Zhao Shuqing swapped songs on the music player at a red light.
“What’s with you today?” She looked at Lin Feng, clasping her hand. “You barely ate or spoke. Not feeling well? Overdid it lately?”
Lin Feng squeezed back, soaking in the warmth. Softly, she said, “No.”
Unclear if she meant no to being unwell—or to something else.
The light was turning. Zhao Shuqing raised Lin Feng’s hand and kissed the tip of her finger before releasing it. As she drove, she added, “Shower when we get home. Hungry? I’ll order takeout.”
Lin Feng stared at her kissed fingertip, then murmured a tiny “Mm.”
She’d been kissed.
Lin Feng’s sour mood from dinner vanished in an instant. Turning to Zhao Shuqing, she said, “I was gonna treat you.”
Zhao Shuqing glanced over. “I know. But we bumped into Senior Sister and Gu Yao. Been a while—nice to eat together.” She paused. “You mad about it?”
“No.” Lin Feng wasn’t petty like that. Still, she hated seeing Xu Tang; it never brought good luck.
Lin Feng had made her peace: if you can’t beat ’em and can’t join ’em, pretend you’re invisible.
“Hungry,” she said, gazing hopefully at Zhao Shuqing. “One more meal?”
Zhao Shuqing: “…”
Wanted to thwack the fish.
“You sure?” she said helplessly. “Fine, barbecue to go then.”
“Yay!” Lin Feng beamed. “Grilled fish.”
Zhao Shuqing swung by a roadside stand and loaded up on skewers and grilled fish before heading home. They sipped drinks and watched a movie, whiling away the dull evening.
With money in pocket, Lin Feng itched to spend. Any shiny idea, and she’d shove her bank card into Zhao Shuqing’s palm, pinching pennies over a single grape or a couple watermelon slices.
Zhao Shuqing sighed inwardly, helpless. But try to sweet-talk that little nest egg loose? Lin Feng bolted like lightning.
Monday rolled around anew. The oceanarium was closed, freeing Lin Feng from work. Zhao Shuqing had laboratory business and fussed endlessly before leaving: no sneaking out, absolutely.
Lin Feng huffed through her nose to show she’d heard.
At the door, shoe in hand, Zhao Shuqing felt like an anxious mom.
The door clicked shut. Lin Feng’s ears twitched. She peeked from the bathtub, confirmed Zhao Shuqing was gone, then boldly emerged onto the balcony. She stood before the full-length mirror propped in the cabinet corner.
She glanced down at her blue tail and gave it a slight flex. It contracted and reshaped in a flash, emerging at last as a pair of slender, lovely human legs.
