Chapter 130

Zhao Shuqing stepped forward and clamped a hand over Lin Feng’s mouth, looking apologetically at Ye Gui. “Sorry about that. She’s not the most sensible, and we don’t give away our little fish.”

Ye Gui couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

“No worries,” she said, her eyes crinkling with amusement. “She’s barely an adult, so she probably doesn’t know much about these things yet. Of course I wouldn’t take your little fish. You’ll have to keep a closer eye on her from now on and teach her some human customs.”

Zhao Shuqing thought Ye Gui made a good point. Lin Feng had always been right by her side before, the two of them inseparable. But they couldn’t stay glued together every second of every day forever. Lin Feng needed to learn a thing or two.

What if one day she took a liking to someone and just handed over their daughter? Zhao Shuqing wouldn’t even know who to cry to.

Afterward, Zhao Shuqing gave Lin Feng a stern talking-to, rubbing her little belly as she explained that their little fish belonged only to the two of them. She couldn’t go giving them away to just anyone.

Lin Feng seemed to get it. Human society really was different from theirs. Down in the ocean, if a mermaid couldn’t care for her two little fish, she’d pass them off to someone else to raise. They were all mermaids, after all—who raised them didn’t matter.

And kind female mermaids would even help watch the little ones, with no fear of anyone stealing them away.

Human society was so complicated…

Ye Gui chatted with Lin Feng for over an hour before medical staff came in to treat her. Lin Feng sat nearby, watching as they opened the cage and hooked Ye Gui up to an IV inside it, changing her dressings.

“Can’t you let her out of the cage?” Lin Feng asked sadly. “It looks so small.”

A kind young nurse explained to Lin Feng, “If we let the lady out, she’ll find all sorts of ways to hurt herself. It’s safer with her in the cage.”

Lin Feng gazed worriedly at Ye Gui, her heart aching for her.

Compared to that morning, Ye Gui was much more cooperative this time. She even chatted occasionally with the medical staff, telling them where she felt uncomfortable so the doctor could examine those spots more closely. After drawing two vials of blood for testing, they left just one nurse to monitor her IV.

Yue Jiuchu stepped in from the doorway and said to the pair, “It’s getting late. Have you had lunch? If not, stay and eat with us.”

Zhao Shuqing didn’t refuse. She led Lin Feng out of the basement, promising Ye Gui they’d visit again soon.

“Did I hear you’re buying a house?” Chen Huijun asked casually as she sat across from them. “If you need help, just tell Jiuchu. She can scout out some options for you.”

“We’ve already found one,” Zhao Shuqing replied. “A standalone villa by the lake. Lin Feng loves it, and barring any surprises, we should sign the contract in the next couple of days.”

Chen Huijun glanced up at them. Perhaps it was affection by association, but she found herself liking the two of them more and more—even her hostility toward Lin Feng had softened.

“Still, have someone check it out,” she suggested. “A little investigation never hurts.”

“Lin Feng says the previous owner was probably a mermaid,” Zhao Shuqing explained. “We don’t want trouble, so this works for us. If anything comes up, we’ll definitely ask for help.”

Chen Huijun paused, then nodded in agreement.

During the meal, she even broke precedent by serving Lin Feng some food. Lin Feng stared in stunned silence for a few seconds before murmuring a quiet “thank you.” Afterward, as the two prepared to leave, Lin Feng dashed back down to the basement for one last look at Ye Gui. She urged her to keep a positive mindset so she could get out of the cage sooner, promising to visit again next time.

Over the next few days back home, Zhao Shuqing threw herself into preparations for the move.

She also checked with the real estate agent, who confirmed the owner had some issues. She’d wired the money to an overseas account after delegating the sale—no further details, just that the house was fine now and ready for transfer anytime.

Having their own place—even a secondhand one—still thrilled Lin Feng.

No need for new furniture, either. The previous mermaid owner had left almost everything behind except daily essentials, handing it all over in pristine condition and saving Zhao Shuqing a hefty renovation bill.

The villa’s layout was sensible: first floor had the dining room, kitchen, living room, tea room, gym, and storage; upstairs featured the master bedroom, guest room, kids’ room, study, and a spacious balcony. From there, you could see straight across the lake, with a gloriously open view.

Zhao Shuqing signed the contract with the agent soon after, then hired a company to dig a swimming pool in the yard next month. With so many little fish coming, the bathtub wouldn’t cut it—they’d need a proper pool.

She bought a new bed and a few other pieces of furniture. It took a solid half month of odds and ends to get everything sorted.

The landlord of their old apartment gaped wordlessly at the bizarre symbols scrawled across the bedroom ceiling, quoted Zhao Shuqing a number with a cold face, and she paid up without argument before slinking away sheepishly with Lin Feng.

As they left, Xiao Qi dropped by with a pot of succulents she’d nurtured herself. Lin Feng adored it and planned to tend it carefully on their new balcony.

They’d just moved into the new house, and by rights, they should have a housewarming—invite a crowd to celebrate. Buying a home and moving was a big deal, after all.

But with Gu Yao still missing, Wen Xiaoying and the others unemployed, and Yue Jiuchu hardly a friend, Zhao Shuqing decided it was just the two of them. They’d keep it simple with a hotpot dinner in their new place—Lin Feng’s favorite.

As she wrapped the plaid scarf around Lin Feng’s neck, Zhao Shuqing couldn’t help asking, “You really want to come to the supermarket with me? You could wait at home. I’ll be quick.”

Lin Feng tugged at the scarf. “It’s been ages since I went out. I want to tag along and browse.”

Dr. Luo had advised her to get some light exercise now and then, not just hole up at home. Lin Feng was an obedient patient—if the doctor said so, she would stroll around more.

First stop: the supermarket for hotpot ingredients.

It was already bitterly cold, with New Year’s just around the corner, and the place was packed. Zhao Shuqing eyed the crowds warily, anxious some careless kid might barrel into her little fish.

“Stick to the inside,” she said, steadying Lin Feng’s waist. “Dodge any children you see. Wouldn’t want you getting bumped.”

Lin Feng glanced down at her belly and nodded.

Her stomach was getting noticeably bigger now. With good nutrition and twins on the way, at four months it already rivaled someone else’s five or six. The maternity clothes were starting to feel snug; in another month, they’d be unwearable.

Zhao Shuqing was already fretting. Better to keep Lin Feng indoors from here on—just wander the yard at home.

Oblivious to her worry, Lin Feng peered around eagerly, picking out treats: chocolates one minute, oatmeal the next. She grabbed several packs of cookies and snacks from the bakery aisle. They hadn’t even reached the hotpot stuff, and the cart was nearly full.

When Lin Feng reached for a massive combo bag of chips, Zhao Shuqing intercepted her.

“Too much, way too much,” she said. “Didn’t you just grab three bags of chips? Why more?”

“Those are different,” Lin Feng protested. “I haven’t tried this flavor.”

Zhao Shuqing headed her off. “Let’s get the ingredients first, then snacks. We don’t want the fresh stuff to sell out.”

Supermarket veggies didn’t go bad that fast, but Zhao Shuqing chalked it up to Lin Feng’s inexperience and coaxed her away. Fewer trips to the junk food aisle from now on—too much wasn’t good for her.

Lin Feng pouted a little at first, but perked up in the seafood section. She selected three fish, a huge bag of mixed seafood. By the time Zhao Shuqing arrived with a box of mantis shrimp, Lin Feng was eyeing the hairy crabs.

Zhao Shuqing stared. “…”

She swore the fishmonger was giving Lin Feng a funny look.

“That’s enough,” Zhao Shuqing announced loudly, swooping in. “Even the cat at home couldn’t finish all this.”

Lin Feng blinked at her. “What cat? This is all for m—”

“For the cat, I know,” Zhao Shuqing cut in, tugging her sleeve to hush her. She turned to the crabs. “I’m good at picking these. I’ll grab some females for you.”

Laden with a massive bag of seafood, they added some greens and mushroom platters, plus two rolls of beef slices. That would do.

They checked out and hauled the bags home. Despite the winter chill, Zhao Shuqing was sweating by the time they got inside.

The villa had central heating, wrapping them in instant warmth. Lin Feng tried to help with the bags, but Zhao Shuqing shooed her off to the living room sofa with her chips. She handled dinner herself.

Lin Feng watched an undersea documentary on the eighty-inch TV, mesmerized by the colorful fish and corals. She rubbed her belly and swallowed hard.

Steaming hotpot filled the air, the house toasty and new—their first night together here.

The pot brimmed mostly with seafood and fish fillets; the crabs steamed whole. Zhao Shuqing mixed a dipping sauce from a recipe, cracked the crabs for Lin Feng, and piled the meat neatly on a small plate for easy eating.

Lin Feng kept busy too, fishing out her favorite shrimp and fish slices for Zhao Shuqing until they formed a little mountain.

After dinner, Zhao Shuqing scooped up Pumpkin, who was padding through the house.

“You’ve got a gift today, too.”

She pulled out a small box with the newly arrived GPS watch and fastened it around Pumpkin’s neck while holding her squirming form.

“Meow—!”

Pumpkin hit the floor and pawed furiously at the braided cord, rolling wildly to chomp the collar. She tumbled round and round before flopping still, playing dead.

Lin Feng peeked through the door crack. “Is it dead?”

“Nah,” Zhao Shuqing said. “It’s a GPS watch. Now when she wanders off, I can call her back anytime—or track her if she gets lost.”

The little fatty was getting bolder about sneaking out, especially with more space. Impossible to corral.

Zhao Shuqing had made peace with it. GPS on, windows sealed—no worries if she bolted.

Seeing Lin Feng’s anxious face, Zhao Shuqing opened the door. Lin Feng backed up instinctively, looking puzzled.

“It’s getting late,” Zhao Shuqing said. “Time for bed.”