Chapter 23

Zhao Shuqing didn’t dare linger. She got out, scooped Lin Feng up, bundled her into the car, and floored it, terrified that those shady operatives might spot them if they delayed even a moment longer.

Lin Feng settled into the passenger seat, peering curiously at the car’s interior. Zhao Shuqing drove fast and aggressively, but she still remembered to remind her, “Buckle your seatbelt.”

Lin Feng clutched her massive tail, staring at her in bewilderment.

Zhao Shuqing slapped her forehead. Right—she’d forgotten Lin Feng had never worn one before. She glanced around, then slammed the accelerator and veered into a nearby thicket. The underbrush crunched and splintered beneath the tires. After bumping along a narrow path for a bit, she finally pulled to a stop.

She twisted around to check their spot. It was dark and dense—perfect for hiding out.

Leaning back against the seat, Zhao Shuqing let out a breath of relief. It wasn’t time to drop her guard completely, but without her phone, her sense of security was still climbing. She glanced at Lin Feng, who looked uncomfortable crammed into the passenger seat by her oversized tail, and couldn’t help but chuckle.

Lin Feng looked up at her laugh, puzzled.

“Come here, Lin Feng.” Zhao Shuqing leaned over, trapping her against the seatback, and murmured, “Let me show you how to do this.”

Lin Feng pressed herself tightly against the seatback as Zhao Shuqing drew near. Her bright eyes fixed on the woman before her. Zhao Shuqing yanked out a black strap from the side. As she bent down, stray locks of hair slipped from her shoulder, brushing Lin Feng’s neck and chest.

It tickled.

But she couldn’t pinpoint where.

After pulling the seatbelt free, Zhao Shuqing glanced up at Lin Feng. “You have to buckle this whenever you’re in the car—it’s not safe otherwise. Pull it out and grab this buckle. Can you feel the slot on the side?”

With that, Zhao Shuqing took Lin Feng’s hand and leaned in closer. “Right here. Slide it in.”

Click. Lin Feng felt a slight tingle in her palm as the narrow strap pinned her in place.

She looked up at Zhao Shuqing, who smiled and explained, “There. Got it?”

Lin Feng’s long fin-ears quivered faintly. She lowered her gaze and saw Zhao Shuqing’s pale, slender fingers resting at her side. They were so close that she could smell the faint mix of dust and sweat on Zhao Shuqing’s skin.

It didn’t smell bad.

It was nice. Fragrant, even.

Lin Feng zoned out for a moment before nodding. As she looked up, she met Zhao Shuqing’s warm smile. Slowly, Zhao Shuqing raised her hand and brushed the dirt from Lin Feng’s cheek—sometime unknown when it had gotten there—murmuring softly, “Zhao Shuqing.”

“Hm?” Zhao Shuqing responded with a soft hum.

Lin Feng glanced down at her tail. The off-road vehicle had plenty of space, but her tail was enormous. Even curled up, it pressed uncomfortably against the seatback under Zhao Shuqing’s adjustment. She shifted it slightly before saying to Zhao Shuqing, “Tail.”

Zhao Shuqing thought Lin Feng was remarkably clever. When they’d first pulled her from the water, she hadn’t understood human speech at all. Yet in less than a month, not only did she comprehend it, but she could even say a word or two accurately.

She’d said “hurt” before. Now it was “tail.”

Maybe one day they’d converse freely.

“What’s wrong with your tail?” Zhao Shuqing eyed the beautiful appendage. After their frantic escape, it was caked in mud, turning the stunning blue a dull gray. The rags wrapped around it were twisted into filthy clumps.

Lin Feng didn’t know how to articulate her discomfort. She just frowned, shoving against the seat with her tail and back, grunting with effort.

Zhao Shuqing got it—the passenger seat felt too cramped.

She laughed again and patted Lin Feng’s tail. “I understand. Let me adjust the seat for you.”

She slid the passenger seat back to its maximum recline, giving Lin Feng’s tail some room to move. Then Zhao Shuqing poured a bottle of water over the big tail before preparing to drive off.

The finless porpoise had successfully lured those people away.

Zhao Shuqing drove cautiously at first, spotting heavy tire tracks all veering in one direction—as if everyone had been drawn that way. Relieved, she punched the gas and barreled onto the village road, heading straight ahead.

Without her phone, she couldn’t contact Xu Tang, but she remembered her senior sister mentioning the highway toll booth. She didn’t waste time and drove straight there.

The vehicle lacked auto-headlights, so despite the risk, Zhao Shuqing drove in the dark without turning them on. Thankfully, the road was deserted, and she encountered no one.

Twenty minutes later, she spotted the toll booth in the distance, ablaze with lights. Dozens of police cars ringed the area, and she could even make out vehicles marked with the Research Institute logo.

Her people.

Zhao Shuqing exhaled in relief and flicked on the headlights.

Xu Tang paced anxiously. Half an hour had passed since Zhao Shuqing’s call, and she was deeply worried. A few more minutes, and she’d send a search party.

Then, headlights pierced the darkness from afar. A black off-road vehicle appeared in view.

“A car!” someone shouted nearby. “Is that Zhao Shuqing?”

Excitement rippled through the group. Xu Tang hurried forward a few steps as the vehicle sped up and screeched to a halt in front of her.

“Senior Sister!”

Zhao Shuqing leaped out and rushed over, throwing her dusty arms around Xu Tang. Tears welled in her eyes as she wailed, “I thought I’d never make it back!”

Xu Tang froze for a second, then wrapped her arms around Zhao Shuqing’s waist. Her own tension eased, and she chuckled softly. “You’re safe—that’s what matters. Let’s head back now.”

“Okay.” Zhao Shuqing nodded, releasing her. She turned and caught Lin Feng peering from the window, brows furrowed at the sight of their embrace. For some reason, Zhao Shuqing felt a pang of inexplicable guilt, like she’d been caught in the act.

Just her imagination, she told herself.

Xu Tang followed her gaze and spotted Lin Feng in the window. But Lin Feng’s eyes stayed fixed on Zhao Shuqing, oblivious to Xu Tang.

Remembering her duty, Zhao Shuqing yanked open the door, unbuckled the seatbelt, and bent down to lift Lin Feng out.

The moment Lin Feng emerged, every eye locked onto her massive, magnificent fish tail. They knew this was the mermaid they’d brought back.

Lin Feng shrank back behind Zhao Shuqing at all the attention. She tried desperately to hide, but her tail was impossible to conceal—even mud-smeared, its vibrant colors shone through.

“Oh my god, a mermaid.”

Whispers stirred in the crowd. Zhao Shuqing heard their awed murmurs: “Is that a real mermaid? She’s gorgeous.”

“Even prettier than on TV. That tail sparkles like diamonds.”

“I gotta sneak a photo for my friends…”

Though hushed, Zhao Shuqing and Xu Tang caught every word. Zhao Shuqing frowned and called out, “Sorry, no photos allowed here.”

Xu Tang just smiled. “It’s fine. They’ve all worked hard—let them snap a few. Lin Feng’s still around; she’ll be public knowledge soon enough.”

Zhao Shuqing opened her mouth to protest, but seeing the group already taking covert shots, she held her tongue and followed Xu Tang’s lead. Time to get Lin Feng out of here.

They couldn’t linger. Xu Tang had arranged a spacious box truck for Lin Feng. Zhao Shuqing remembered she still needed to return the off-road vehicle to Liang Yue. She briefed the others and prepared to board, but a small hiccup arose as they separated.

It wasn’t serious—Lin Feng simply refused to enter the Research Institute’s assigned truck.

She flung off two researchers trying to guide her, sending one tumbling to the ground. Panic erupted; they feared her wild instincts had kicked in and she meant to attack. Zhao Shuqing, one foot already in the truck, whipped around and dashed back.

“Zhao Shuqing.”

Lin Feng’s voice was plaintive and hurt as she ran up. Her gem-like blue eyes pleaded desperately, her face screaming, “Are you abandoning me?”

Zhao Shuqing apologized profusely to her colleagues and soothed Lin Feng. “It’s okay, it’s okay. I’ll ride with you, alright?”

Xu Tang frowned. “No. You’ve had one close call already. You can’t stick together this time.”

Lin Feng shuddered at Xu Tang’s voice, avoiding her gaze. She clutched Zhao Shuqing’s pinky finger without looking up, clearly terrified.

Zhao Shuqing spoke up. “It’s fine. Just send extra people with us. I’m her keeper—she trusts me most. I should stay with her.”

Xu Tang studied Lin Feng, her eyes lingering on the filthy fish tail. After a three-minute hesitation, she relented. “Alright. But others come too. Safety in numbers.”

Zhao Shuqing grinned and nodded.

Lin Feng moved like a snake when using her tail on land. Zhao Shuqing winced at the scales scraping the concrete, then scooped her up and boarded the box truck with the group.

Inside was a large water tank. Lin Feng’s eyes lit up at the sight.

After days of crawling on dry ground, leaving her filthy and parched, the water beckoned. Without prompting from Zhao Shuqing, she clambered over and plunged in with a splash. Her magnificent tail swished as she swam two joyful loops.

Zhao Shuqing smiled at her delight.

Under police escort, the convoy pressed on without pause, bound straight for the Research Institute in the capital.

But even at 150 kph, the drive would take two or three days.

Zhao Shuqing napped in the truck, watched the scenery crawl by the next full day, and pulled into a service area at dusk for a break.

Xu Tang assigned her a room; everyone else got squared away. Lin Feng stayed in the truck under twenty-four-hour watch.

They were this far—no more trouble expected.

The service area’s hotel wasn’t luxurious but comfortable enough. The single room had all the amenities, including a large bathtub.

Zhao Shuqing skipped the bath, rinsed off quickly, and crashed into bed. One more day of driving, and they’d reach the city by afternoon.

Exhausted from days on the road, she fell asleep the instant her head hit the pillow.

In the dead of night, Zhao Shuqing stirred at a faint sound—like trickling water. As her eyes fluttered open, she dimly made out a figure crouched by her bedside…