Chapter 141

Lin Feng beamed at the praise, which even brought a smile to Ye Gui’s face.

“I heard your friend is back?” Ye Gui surprisingly struck up a conversation, turning to Zhao Shuqing. “The mermaid didn’t bully her, did she?”

Zhao Shuqing replied, “She says no, but we’ll have to wait for the hospital results to be sure. I’m worried she might have post-traumatic stress disorder, so I was thinking of finding her a psychologist to check her out.”

Lin Feng glanced over in confusion, clearly not understanding what “post-traumatic stress disorder” meant.

Such disorders didn’t always show up right away after a trauma. Some people could even laugh and chat normally at first, only to panic later whenever those memories resurfaced. Cases like that weren’t uncommon.

Ye Gui understood better than Lin Feng and gave a slight nod. “As long as she’s back safe and sound, that’s what matters.”

Soon, the medical staff assigned to care for Ye Gui arrived. Zhao Shuqing led Lin Feng away first. As they climbed the stairs, she supported her, careful of her big belly blocking the view of the steps. They took each one slow and steady.

Even so, Lin Feng missed a step and stumbled into Zhao Shuqing’s arms.

“You okay?” Zhao Shuqing steadied her waist, holding her close. “Take it slow. No rush.”

Lin Feng cradled her belly, looking worried. “It’s so big. I can’t even see the ground under my feet anymore.”

Zhao Shuqing laughed and gently touched her belly. “Two little fish in there, of course it’s bigger than usual.”

The meal suited Lin Feng’s tastes perfectly. Perhaps because she was a mermaid, her preferences matched Ye Gui’s closely. The auntie who cooked didn’t need to change the menu much—just added extra fish and shrimp.

Once full, Lin Feng started to doze off, her eyelids growing heavy and sticky.

“Already sleepy?” Zhao Shuqing teased, pinching her chubby cheeks. “Out like a light right after eating. You’re no little fish—you’re a little piglet.”

The sleepy little piglet Lin Feng didn’t argue. She rubbed her eyes and tried to stand, heading back to the room for a nap. Zhao Shuqing quickly moved the chair aside and helped the yawning Lin Feng upstairs.

Chen Huijun stayed in the master bedroom on the second floor, so Zhao Shuqing and Lin Feng took the one at the other end of the hall.

The room wasn’t large, but it had its own bathroom and balcony, with a soft bed. It was more than adequate for Zhao Shuqing and Lin Feng, who didn’t need much.

Lin Feng sat on the edge of the bed while Zhao Shuqing knelt to take off her shoes. As she did, she said, “That house we had probably won’t sell for at least two years, but Commissioner Chen says she’ll help us out. We should get a new place soon. You still want a villa?”

Exhausted after the shoes came off, Lin Feng mumbled, “Whatever’s fine,” before flipping back the covers and burrowing in.

Zhao Shuqing had just set the shoes neatly aside when she heard Lin Feng snoring softly in her sleep. She froze.

What amazing sleep quality—out like a light the moment her head hit the pillow.

Zhao Shuqing watched her little fish sink into deep slumber, shaking her head with fond envy.

Before heading downstairs, she drew the curtains for Lin Feng. Even in winter, with the sun not too harsh, it was always better to sleep in the dark. Zhao Shuqing closed the door quietly, only for Pumpkin to dart out from somewhere, padding toward the room. She blocked it with her foot.

While the cat was momentarily stunned, Zhao Shuqing shut the door.

Pumpkin looked up at her, narrowing its pretty green eyes, then sat like a little Buddha statue by the door, staring longingly at the gap.

Ever since Pumpkin had gotten a taste of Lin Feng last time, it was hooked, coming over every few days to rub against her.

For an ordinary person, a little cat cuddling up was harmless—just some affection, maybe begging for canned food. But Lin Feng was different. With her belly so big she couldn’t see her feet, a sudden cat brush against her ankles would send chills straight to the top of her head.

To avoid getting herself and Lin Feng kicked out by Chen Huijun, Zhao Shuqing now kept a close eye on the little fatty.

“Don’t wait here—you’ll scare my wife.” Zhao Shuqing bent down with a grunt and scooped up the ten-plus-pound cat into her arms, bouncing it lightly. Surprised, she asked, “Haven’t been watching your weight these days, have you? Getting chubbier?”

Pumpkin meowed indignantly toward the door.

Carrying it downstairs, Zhao Shuqing said, “You need to diet. So fat—how will you find a boyfriend? Even the little tomcat next door ignores you because you’re too heavy.”

Pumpkin draped over her shoulder, flicking its tail in displeasure.

Lin Feng slept soundly. When she opened her eyes, the room was dim, with only a sliver of light peeking under the curtains—and it had darkened to a deep hue.

What time was it?

Had she slept the whole afternoon away?

Side-lying on the bed, Lin Feng stretched lazily, then kicked out with her foot and hit something soft, fuzzy, and warm. She froze, propping herself up with her belly and flipping back the covers.

“Ah!”

Zhao Shuqing was about to call Lin Feng for a wash-up when a scream came from the room. Thinking Xu Tang had snuck in for a prank, she shoved the door open and rushed inside. Something bumped her ankle, then “whoosh”—it bolted away.

Peeking out, Zhao Shuqing saw Pumpkin’s fat rear end thumping down the stairs.

Wasn’t the door closed? How did the little fatty get in?

Lin Feng clutched the covers, still shaken. She could still feel the sensation of kicking Pumpkin—soft, fuzzy, and hot.

Scalding her foot.

Lin Feng looked dazed, so Zhao Shuqing cupped her face, turning it this way and that, deciding her little fish had been scared silly.

“You okay?” Zhao Shuqing checked her forehead, then her belly. The two little fish were probably sleeping with their mom—still quiet. She rubbed Lin Feng’s cheeks to snap her out of it.

“Mmm…” Lin Feng wrinkled her nose and finally looked at Zhao Shuqing. “Just now, Pumpkin said it was protecting me.”

Zhao Shuqing raised an eyebrow. “What?”

Lin Feng couldn’t quite explain, but this time, it felt like the little fatty hadn’t meant any harm.

Over the next few days, Zhao Shuqing noticed something: Every so often, while Lin Feng slept, Pumpkin would sneak in, squat by the bed like a vigilant farmer, then flop down. Sometimes Zhao Shuqing caught its eye, and the little fatty would wag its tail in greeting.

After looking it up, Zhao Shuqing learned that was how cats showed they were guarding their owner.

She figured the cat-fish war in their home might finally be over.

Gu Yao had been taken away three days ago. On the third day, Yue Jiuchu video-called Zhao Shuqing—but it was Gu Yao who answered.

The background looked like a hospital room, a private single.

Gu Yao seemed in good spirits, chatting and laughing with Zhao Shuqing about the past couple of days.

“Nurses come draw blood every morning at 6 a.m.,” Gu Yao groaned. “I’m still dead asleep when they shake me awake—beyond groggy. Breakfast arrives at 7, lunch at 11, dinner at 4 p.m.”

She shook her head. “I think these three days in the hospital have fixed my sleep schedule.”

Zhao Shuqing smiled. “That’s a good thing. How are the checkups going?”

“All good, no issues.” Gu Yao said, “I saw the reports myself—healthy as can be. Once I’m out, I want barbecue.”

“Barbecue in the dead of winter?” Zhao Shuqing replied. “If you’re really craving it, wait till you’re free. I’ll skewer and grill the meat myself in the courtyard. Lin Feng hasn’t had any in ages—we can all eat together.”

Mentioning Lin Feng piqued Gu Yao’s interest. “Hey, I heard from that Officer Yue that Lin Feng’s carrying twins? Both girls? Everything check out okay?”

Zhao Shuqing’s expression darkened slightly. Gu Yao saw the hesitation and knew she’d overstepped.

“The initial results are back, but it’s not exactly problem-free—you know, different species and all,” Zhao Shuqing said. “The fetal report mentions both babies’ legs have tail fins. I don’t know if that’s an issue.”

Mermaids had one tail, thus one tail fin.

But the babies in Lin Feng’s belly had two legs, each with its own tail fin—like swim webs.

Dr. Luo couldn’t say if it was normal or not. Zhao Shuqing hadn’t dared tell Lin Feng, fearing it’d stress her out. For now, everyone kept it from her. Whether they were monsters or not would only be clear after birth.

Some had quietly suggested to Zhao Shuqing not to have them—cross-species hybrids might come out unhealthy, a burden.

But every time Zhao Shuqing saw Lin Feng on the balcony, basking in the sun and saying she wanted the two little fish to get some calcium, she couldn’t bear it.

Even if they were a burden, she’d raise them well.

Gu Yao’s mood sank after hearing this. She sighed. “Before I left, I finished two embryo transfers. The other OR wrapped up at latest. I destroyed what I could in spare moments, but creating embryos is just a matter of time for them.”

“You did great,” Zhao Shuqing told her friend on-screen. “Don’t dwell. Get the treatment, then come back.”

Gu Yao forced a smile, then glanced off-camera. Yue Jiuchu had entered the room, telling her to follow the doctor for more checks. Gu Yao waved to Zhao Shuqing and handed the phone over.

Yue Jiuchu took it, meeting Zhao Shuqing’s gaze. Neither hung up.

Once Gu Yao was gone, Yue Jiuchu sat on the sofa, glanced at the camera, and said, “Something you want to ask?”

Zhao Shuqing didn’t deny it. “How’s Gu Yao doing? When can she be discharged?”

Yue Jiuchu propped her head, thinking. “Not these next couple days. I overheard your chat—she was mostly honest, but hid some things.”

She continued, “She didn’t tell you that when idle, she zones out. Some nights, she wakes in terror and stares awake till dawn.”

Zhao Shuqing fell silent for a long moment before asking Yue Jiuchu, “Can I come see her?”

“Of course,” Yue Jiuchu said. “I’ll send you the address. Come anytime.”