Chapter 25

Lin Feng had overslept, waking up only in the late afternoon.

The water tank was so small that when she sat up, she began looking around curiously. Spotting Zhao Shuqing standing nearby and chatting with a woman in Research Institute uniform, she blew out a string of bubbles to catch her attention.

“That should do it for now. Thanks for handling the arrangements,” Zhao Shuqing said to her colleague before turning and walking over.

Lin Feng eagerly poked her head out of the tank, propping her arms under her chin as she gazed curiously at the approaching woman. “Zhao Shuqing.”

“Yeah, I’m here.” Zhao Shuqing reached her and gently touched Lin Feng’s cheek. After soaking in the water all day, her body temperature had dropped, making her feel cool and refreshing to the touch, like a chilled little cake.

Lin Feng nuzzled into the palm of her hand. “Zhao Shuqing…”

Zhao Shuqing smiled, eyeing her upper body with some hesitation. “I got you a gift. I hope you like it.”

Before they left, she had stopped at a rest stop supermarket, which stocked just about everything. Zhao Shuqing had spent ages picking out a swimsuit. She had no idea why a rest stop would carry swimsuits, but at least she had found one.

The bikini-style swimsuit was incredibly sexy, and the pale purple color she chose perfectly complemented Lin Feng’s fair skin.

“We’ll be arriving soon, and a bunch of people will be there to see you,” Zhao Shuqing said, leaning over the tank. “It’s fine for you to go naked around me, but you can’t do that in front of a crowd.”

Lin Feng held the swimsuit in her hands, staring at her in confusion.

Zhao Shuqing waved her over helplessly, and Lin Feng swam closer.

“Turn around,” Zhao Shuqing instructed.

Puzzled but obedient, Lin Feng turned, exposing her back. Zhao Shuqing gazed at her rounded shoulders and creamy skin, suddenly recalling the scale Lin Feng had opened the night before. She cleared her throat softly before starting to help her into the swimsuit.

The design was simple—just two patches of fabric connected by strings. Zhao Shuqing figured it out quickly and slipped it on her, tying a neat bow at the back with her fingers. Every time she accidentally brushed Lin Feng’s skin, the mermaid would glance back at her.

“Sorry.” Zhao Shuqing withdrew her hands and stepped back. “Turn around so I can see.”

Lin Feng spun back obediently, resting her hands on the edge of the tank and letting Zhao Shuqing inspect her.

It was basic, but it worked.

Mainly because Lin Feng looked stunning—radiant and gorgeous. In the swimsuit, she really resembled a human.

“You look great,” Zhao Shuqing praised with a smile.

Seeing her smile, Lin Feng instinctively smiled back.

Just then, the car came to a gentle stop. They had arrived.

As the door slid open, sunlight poured in. Lin Feng gazed at the unfamiliar surroundings outside with evident unease. Zhao Shuqing looked down at her and stroked her head soothingly. “It’s okay. I’ll be right with you.”

The media turnout this time was about three times larger than before. The event was held in the plaza right outside the Research Institute, where everyone was eager to hear about Mermaid Miss’s condition. Xu Tang had skipped being the spokesperson this round, letting Zhao Shuqing take the stage instead—after all, she’d have to face these situations often from now on.

Facing the barrage of cameras, Zhao Shuqing was undeniably nervous. Senior Sister Xu had briefed her during the day, but when it came time to actually speak, her nerves still kicked in.

She answered all the pressing questions one by one. Lin Feng, meanwhile, was on display for the crowd. She furrowed her brow in clear distress, but with no one crowding too close and Zhao Shuqing nearby, she didn’t grow too agitated.

Once the brief Q&A wrapped up, Zhao Shuqing led Lin Feng away.

Lin Feng wanted to stick close to her rather than be wheeled around in the tank. Spotting her intent, Zhao Shuqing gave a few instructions to her colleagues before letting her out.

The moment Lin Feng emerged, she reached to tug at her swimsuit. Zhao Shuqing quickly grabbed her hand and shook her head gently. “No taking it off.”

Lin Feng frowned. It felt uncomfortable and restrictive.

Just then, Xu Tang approached.

Lin Feng tensed up at the sight of her, averting her eyes as if trying to hide. Zhao Shuqing found it odd. Lin Feng wasn’t exactly arrogant around her, but she could slaughter a wild boar barehanded or charge into a fight without hesitation. So why was she always so scared of Xu Tang?

All Senior Sister had done was haul her out of the water. Was that really enough to terrify her so much?

Xu Tang glanced at Lin Feng before addressing Zhao Shuqing. “You did great out there. Leave Lin Feng with the others for now and come to the office with me to see Teacher. He’s been worried about you.”

Zhao Shuqing glanced at Lin Feng but replied, “Senior Sister, let me settle Lin Feng first. I’ll head over to Teacher right after.”

Xu Tang paused, then nodded lightly. “Alright. I’ll come with you.”

Together, they escorted Lin Feng into the Research Institute. Curious onlookers gathered along the way to gawk at the rare mermaid. Lin Feng sat rigidly in the smaller tank, not daring to move a muscle. Only when the hatch opened to reveal a vast expanse of blue water did her eyes light up.

“Remember the oceanarium I told you about?” Zhao Shuqing crouched down in front of her. “This will be your home from now on. You’ll need to stay in isolation for a bit at first to adjust. Once you’re settled, you’ll be free to roam. I’ll be with you the whole time, and we might run some basic checks, but don’t be scared.”

She spoke softly. “I’ll be right there with you.”

Lin Feng’s blue eyes fixed on her. After a long moment, she nodded.

Once the staff had released Lin Feng into the massive ecological pool—about the size of a swimming pool—Zhao Shuqing and Xu Tang finally went to meet their advisor.

Zhao Shuqing’s mentor was a towering figure in marine biology: Shen Qingming. Professor Shen was over sixty, with a slew of students under his wing, but Xu Tang and Zhao Shuqing were his most promising. This Pacific expedition had been their project.

Knock knock knock.

Xu Tang rapped on the office door. An elderly voice called from within, “Come in.”

They pushed the door open and entered. Shen Qingming looked up, broke into a smile, and stood. “Shuqing, you’re back! Come in, come in. No injuries? I was so worried when I heard you’d run into trouble. Thank goodness you’re safe.”

Professor Shen’s hair was snowy white, but at over sixty, he was still full of vigor. He’d devoted his life to studying mermaids and had supposedly glimpsed one in his youth, causing a huge stir at the time.

Unfortunately, genetic tests had dashed his hopes of fatherhood, so he’d never married. Instead, he made the Research Institute his home and treated his students like family.

Zhao Shuqing held her mentor in deep respect. Standing straight, she replied, “It was a close call, but we made it back unscathed.”

Shen Qingming gestured for them to sit and personally poured tea. He listened quietly as they recounted the sea voyage—mostly Zhao Shuqing speaking, with Xu Tang chiming in occasionally. When Zhao Shuqing showed him photos of Lin Feng on the ship, he adjusted his reading glasses and peered at them intently.

Stroking one of the images, his cloudy eyes seemed lost in thought. After a long while, he chuckled softly. “Good, good, very good. This is wonderful.”

Zhao Shuqing added, “We’re keeping her in isolation for observation now. Once we confirm she’s fine, she’ll be free to move about.”

Shen Qingming nodded and turned to Xu Tang. “I’ve submitted the report on the scientific expedition team. The disciplinary actions should come down in the next couple of days.”

Xu Tang nodded slightly.

It took Zhao Shuqing a moment to realize he meant Sun Chengzhou’s sudden death on the ship.

“Teacher, Senior Sister had nothing to do with Sun Chengzhou’s death. Why punish her?” Zhao Shuqing frowned in explanation. “It was his own fault. Plus, those foreign operatives he contacted were the ones who sold us out. That’s why those people came after Lin Feng.”

Shen Qingming raised a hand to quiet her.

“I included it all in the report. The higher-ups will decide,” he told Zhao Shuqing. “While the mermaid’s in isolation, use the time to finish your paper. Aim to publish soon—this’ll be the world’s first on mermaids.”

Zhao Shuqing glanced at Xu Tang before nodding reluctantly. “Alright. I’ll get started when I get back.”

Shen Qingming didn’t keep her longer, saying he needed a private word with Xu Tang. Zhao Shuqing stepped out. She lingered in the hallway, trying to eavesdrop, but pressing her ear to the door yielded nothing. With a shrug, she slipped away.

She decided to head back to her dormitory first and change into something clean. It was right around quitting time—maybe she’d run into some friends for dinner.

As for Lin Feng, she’d check on her after grabbing a bite.

With that in mind, Zhao Shuqing returned to her dorm.

She had lost her parents young, and Shen Qingming had funded her entire education. Bright and diligent, she had breezed through school and pursued her PhD under him. To her, he was more family than teacher.

The institute’s single dorm rooms were modest but sufficient for one. Zhao Shuqing rummaged through her clothes, sniffed one with no bad odors, and changed into it. She’d give the place a thorough cleaning after dinner.

It had been over a month unoccupied—who wouldn’t need a deep clean?

Tomorrow, she’d buy a new computer and phone. And some candy for Lin Feng—she seemed to love sweets.

Plotting her plans, Zhao Shuqing slipped into casual jeans and a white tee, ready to head out. As she opened the door, she heard a surprised “Eh!” Twisting her head, she saw the neighboring door swing open. A woman in Research Institute uniform stared at her in shock. “Shuqing? You’re back?”

Zhao Shuqing grinned and waved. “Gu Yao.”

Gu Yao bounced over in delight, eyeing Zhao Shuqing’s jeans and tee. “I heard you got kidnapped. I thought I’d never see you again!”

“Jinx,” Zhao Shuqing swatted her playfully, feigning sternness. “I’m back safe and sound. Doesn’t that mean you owe me hotpot?”

“Sure thing~” Gu Yao beamed without hesitation. “You have no idea how much I missed you this past month.”

“Really missed me?”

“Mostly missed you taking your cat back.”

Gu Yao sighed helplessly. “That thing eats like a horse. It’s about to bankrupt me.”