Chapter 172: Side Story IF Route 16

Zhao Shuqing had escaped. Xu Tang had no idea how she had slipped out of the cabinet, but even after dismantling the entire thing, she found no entrance or exit. With Lin Feng repeatedly insisting that she had seen no strange people, Xu Tang narrowed her eyes slightly and turned to leave.

“From now on, to prevent any more mermaid attacks, everyone gathers together,” Xu Tang said to Lin Feng before heading out the door. “Set course back to port immediately.”

It wasn’t long before someone came to the medical bay and led Lin Feng away. The corridors were bustling with people, all thrilled at the news of heading back but baffled by the order to stick together.

“What happened?” someone asked quietly.

A person nearby explained, “I heard there’s a stranger on board. Group Leader Xu is gathering everyone for safety.”

“A stranger? Who?”

“No idea. They say it’s a mermaid.”

“Aren’t mermaids just fish?”

“Mermaids can turn into humans, and they use their songs to lure people in. Sounds like that’s what happened to those two missing team members.”

“Really? That’s terrifying.”

Lin Feng perked up her ears to listen as she was ushered into a room behind the captain’s quarters. Quite a few people were already there, and her arrival with the others made it feel even more cramped.

“Looks like that’s most of us.”

The captain turned to Xu Tang, who had been standing by the door. “Rescue team’s back too. Ready to set sail, Group Leader Xu?”

Xu Tang scanned every face in the room, lingering for a moment on Lin Feng before slowly looking away. She nodded to the captain. “Appreciate it.”

“My pleasure.” The captain promptly called for the crew to prepare departure. Once the sailors left, the room felt much less crowded, filled now only with researchers.

Standing at the door, Xu Tang addressed the group. “Until we disembark, everyone stays right here. For safety, no one goes out alone—at least two people together. Bathroom doors stay open. Meals will be brought here.”

Someone raised a hand right away. “What about sleeping? There aren’t any beds.”

Xu Tang replied, “We’ll sleep on floor mats.”

“What?” A few grumbled. They’d had single cabins on board, single dorms back at the Research Institute, even single beds in hotel rooms on field trips. No one had slept in a big communal pile like this. And though there were few men, they weren’t entirely absent. Some female researchers protested, “At least separate men and women?”

Xu Tang shot her a glance and said, “Mermaids don’t care if you’re male or female when they come for you.”

That silenced the objections. Everyone began unpacking bedding to set up their mats.

Lin Feng followed suit, mimicking those around her. She’d spent the last few days in the medical bay, and everyone knew a mermaid had carried her off. Once they finished, her teammates couldn’t resist huddling up for whispers.

“Lin Feng.” A bespectacled young woman sidled over, eyes wide with curiosity. “What’s a mermaid really look like? I heard the females are total knockout beauties, prettier than movie stars. True?”

Others perked up at the mermaid talk and crowded in. “Yeah, Lin Feng, didn’t you run into one before? She didn’t hurt you?”

Lin Feng flushed, recalling her first glimpse of Zhao Shuqing. She could hardly admit the mermaid had spared her to satisfy some… physical need.

“N-no, she didn’t,” Lin Feng said awkwardly. “She was hurt at the time. I took care of her for a bit, and then she didn’t try to eat me.”

“Seriously? You saved a mermaid’s life? No wonder she ignored everyone else and fixated on you.” Someone sighed. “Too bad you’re human. Otherwise, you’d make a cute pair.”

“Repaying a lifesaving favor with her body—straight out of a romance novel!”

“Right? A mermaid that gorgeous? It’s like getting a stunning wife for free.”

As their chatter veered into wild territory, Lin Feng blushed furiously and cut them off. “It’s not like that! No, really, don’t talk nonsense!”

“Haha, Lin Feng, you’re blushing!”

“I swear, it’s not…”

Lin Feng stammered explanations, but only dug herself deeper amid the teasing. Her teammates clustered around, poking fun until she was thoroughly embarrassed.

Their noise must have carried, because one short-haired researcher in the corner slammed her bedding down in irritation. She whipped around at Lin Feng’s group. “Quit yapping! Take it outside if you have to talk. Some of us are trying to rest this late at night.”

Her outburst drew glares from Lin Feng’s teasers. Lin Feng quickly apologized. “Sorry, we’ll keep it down.”

The bespectacled girl beside her grabbed Lin Feng’s hand and shot back, “Qiao Ying, we weren’t that loud. What’s got you so pissed? It’s not the noise—it’s Lin Feng, isn’t it?”

Qiao Ying’s face darkened at her name. She stepped forward. “Watch it. Don’t slander me without proof.”

“Who doesn’t know you and He Yin were classmates? She’s dead, and you’ve blamed Lin Feng ever since. Is this her fault? Go catch that mermaid if you’re so tough. What are you doing snapping at us?”

“Say that again.”

Qiao Ying lunged, but teammates held her back.

“We’re all on the same team. No need to make it ugly.”

“Yeah, Qiao Ying, we get it—you’re hurting over He Yin. This isn’t the time for fights.”

“Everyone, calm down.”

They swarmed to mediate. Lin Feng tugged at the bespectacled girl’s arm. “Enough. She’s right…”

“Right about what?” The girl pinched her in frustration. “He Yin didn’t die because of you. Why are you so meek with her?”

Lin Feng murmured, “Out of respect for the dead.”

The girl huffed and turned away.

Satisfied she wouldn’t escalate, Lin Feng approached Qiao Ying. “Sorry, about He Yin…”

“Get lost.”

Qiao Ying shoved her shoulder and stormed out. Someone steadied Lin Feng and called after her, “Group Leader Xu said at least two people to go out, Qiao Ying!”

“Don’t need it.” Qiao Ying glared back at the group. “I don’t buy mermaids are orbiting Lin Feng. If one shows, perfect—I can avenge A-Yin.”

She shoved the door open and left.

The room shook their heads at her words. “She’s lost it.”

“Says whatever she wants.”

“Forget it. Probably just the bathroom. Let’s set up beds; someone check on her later.”

Qiao Ying rounded a corner to the restroom. She splashed water on her face, calming a bit. But thinking of returning empty-handed, with her friend still frozen in a cabinet, soured her mood.

Why wasn’t it Lin Feng who died?

She was the root of all this. He Yin was just unlucky, sharing a tent with her. If Lin Feng hadn’t wandered off—if she’d stayed put—maybe she’d be the dead one.

Seeing Lin Feng laughing and chatting made Qiao Ying’s stomach turn. She wanted to shove her overboard.

“Why her?” Qiao Ying stared into the mirror, fuming. “Why not Lin Feng?”

She splashed more water, then dried off. No way was she sharing a room with Lin Feng. She’d beg Xu Tang for a solo spot—even the corridor floor beat seeing that face.

“Acting all innocent, even apologizing.” Qiao Ying wiped her hands and face with paper towels, muttering curses. “So what if she’s a bit prettier than average? Pretty doesn’t pay the bills. Disgusting…”

Her venting eased the knot somewhat. She’d lingered long in the quiet restroom; the drip of a faucet echoed loudly.

Drip.

A droplet hit Qiao Ying’s head. She glanced up at the low ceiling, frowning as she tiptoed and swiped her finger across it.

“Where’s this water from?” Qiao Ying muttered. “Leak?”

Ship water came from tanks—a leak would be trouble. As she turned to report it, her peripheral vision caught a stranger in the mirror behind her.

Qiao Ying couldn’t say when the woman had appeared. She wore a ridiculous cartoon short-sleeved shirt and an ill-fitting half-skirt from who-knew-where. Wet black hair clung to her sides, her gaze dark and sinister—like a drowned horror-movie ghost risen for revenge.

“Help—”

Qiao Ying’s cry cut short as dizziness hit. The woman merely stood there, doing nothing, yet Qiao Ying’s vision warped.

In an instant, she crumpled, head lolling against the wall. Zhao Shuqing stepped up, eyed her clothes, and hiked up the skirt to squat down.

The floor mats were laid out in the cramped room, just big enough for all the researchers. Sailors and other crew crammed into the control room and captain’s quarters.

With everything set, the door creaked open.

Qiao Ying—head down, capped and masked—stood silently at the threshold. Her dark eyes swept the room, locking onto Lin Feng in the corner.

Lin Feng felt the stare and looked up. Something off about Qiao Ying’s gaze nagged at her, though she couldn’t pinpoint why.

“Qiao Ying, I set up your mat over there.” Someone jumped in to forestall trouble, pointing to the spot farthest from Lin Feng.

Qiao Ying glanced over, brow furrowing slightly, but said nothing. She crossed straight to it and sat against the wall.

One leg stretched out, the other bent. Beneath the hat brim, her calm gaze met Lin Feng’s squarely.

Someone nearby spoke to her—likely asking about the long bathroom trip. She gave them a flat look and tugged her hat lower, silent.

Lin Feng: …A bad feeling crept over her.