Chapter 29

On Saturday, Zhao Shuqing was chatting with Ye Xun in the laboratory about Lin Feng transferring to the Oceanarium once her isolation period ended.

The Oceanarium wasn’t far away—it was right next door and stood as the largest in the country, if not the entire world. Beyond the exhibits, it also featured an ocean museum displaying specimens and skeletal samples of marine animals. It welcomed over fifty thousand visitors every day.

Zhao Shuqing worried that Lin Feng might struggle to adjust. After all, she had come from the vast Pacific Ocean. While the Oceanarium was enormous, it was still a mere drop compared to the sea.

Ye Xun said, “From our observations during this isolation period, Lin Feng has shown remarkable adaptability. She’s not overly hostile toward the researchers anymore. Yesterday on my night shift, she even asked me what the midnight snack would be.”

Zhao Shuqing let out a wry smile and sighed. “She’s just a total foodie.”

Ye Xun laughed brightly. “She’s adorable.”

Just as the two women were discussing which pool would suit Lin Feng best, the laboratory door swung open.

Ye Xun glanced behind Zhao Shuqing and said in surprise, “Group Leader Xu, what brings you here?”

Zhao Shuqing turned and saw Xu Tang standing in the doorway. She immediately broke into a smile and greeted her. “Senior Sister, you’re here!”

Xu Tang nodded and approached. “Not off work yet?”

“I’m off, I’m off.” Zhao Shuqing replied, “I was just talking with Leader Ye about Lin Feng heading to the Oceanarium. I’ll grab my things now.”

Xu Tang glanced toward the nearby ecological pool. Lin Feng had already ducked out of sight inside it. She narrowed her eyes slightly but remained silent.

Zhao Shuqing swiftly packed up. She shrugged off her work jacket and hung it in her locker. Before they left, Ye Xun called after her, “Don’t forget to come back tonight and apply Lin Feng’s medicine.”

“Got it.” Zhao Shuqing tugged Xu Tang out the door.

As they walked side by side, Xu Tang asked curiously, “What kind of medicine?”

“Just standard wound salve.” Zhao Shuqing said offhandedly. “There’s that gash on Lin Feng’s tail, remember? We figured we’d treat it—once in the morning, once at night. It’s working wonders. It’s already healed up by about eighty percent.”

Zhao Shuqing herself marveled at Lin Feng’s regenerative powers. By all rights, losing that much tissue should have left a permanent scar, even after healing. But she was a mermaid through and through, and somehow the flesh had grown back.

“It’s come along great the last couple of days. Just this much left.” Zhao Shuqing held up her fingers to indicate about three or five centimeters. She added, “I believe by the end of the isolation period, she’ll be pretty much good as new.”

Xu Tang fell silent for a few seconds, lost in thought. Then she nodded and changed the subject. “Shall we go grab dinner now?”

That jogged Zhao Shuqing’s memory about Gu Yao. Her friend had stopped by at noon specifically to see her. Zhao Shuqing pulled out her phone. “Hold on, let me call Yao Yao.”

Five minutes later, she pocketed the phone and turned to Xu Tang. “She’s just wrapping up. She wants us to head over first—she’s already reserved a table.”

Xu Tang had no objections. She nodded, and the two took a cab together.

The restaurant was bustling when they arrived, filled mostly with locals out for a meal. The ambiance was a tad rough around the edges but tolerable. The moment they stepped inside, the spicy, savory aroma of grilled fish enveloped them.

Gu Yao arrived shortly after they sat down. Zhao Shuqing watched her settle in and arched an eyebrow.

“You’re wearing makeup?” she whispered.

Gu Yao gave her a quick elbow jab, then flashed a smile at Xu Tang. “Group Leader Xu, what flavors do you like? Their grilled fish is fantastic. I’ve been here tons of times with colleagues. My favorite is the weird-flavor grilled fish—sweet, sour, spicy, all in one. It’s amazing.”

Xu Tang had never eaten there before. She smiled at the recommendation. “I’m good with anything.”

“Then that’s what we’ll get.” Gu Yao asked about Xu Tang’s preferred sides. Once she’d finished tapping in the order on the iPad, she finally turned to Zhao Shuqing beside her. “What about you? What do you want?”

Zhao Shuqing was cracking melon seeds. She quipped, “Oh, you remember I’m here?”

Gu Yao gave her a discreet kick under the table. Zhao Shuqing patted her leg, snatched the iPad for a quick look, and ordered soy sauce fried rice.

“Just that?” Gu Yao eyed the single fried rice order, assuming Zhao Shuqing was sulking. She quickly added a plate of fried chicken bites.

Xu Tang excused herself to the restroom. Gu Yao immediately seized Zhao Shuqing’s hand and apologized. “Come on, why the attitude? Aren’t you helping me chase your senior sister? It’s only natural I’d focus on her a bit more, right?”

Zhao Shuqing explained, “I’m not upset with you two. I genuinely don’t want fish.”

She had eaten so much fish during those months at sea that she was thoroughly sick of it. She wasn’t Lin Feng, with her endless appetite for the stuff. The soy sauce fried rice was simply her go-to comfort food.

Seeing the sincerity in her eyes, Gu Yao relaxed and patted her chest. “Fine, make do with a few bites today. In a couple days, I’ll treat you to something proper.”

Zhao Shuqing shot her a sidelong glance. “Barbecue?”

Gu Yao grinned. “Deal.”

Zhao Shuqing chuckled. With Xu Tang still out of earshot, she leaned in and whispered to Gu Yao, “I’ll eat half and bounce. You keep things going with my senior sister. After dinner, head back to the dormitory together. Sound good? What are sisters for?”

Gu Yao’s eyes curved into happy crescents. “You’re the best to me. I’ll treat you to barbecue—and get canned food for Pumpkin too.”

One person’s success lifted everyone around her—even the pets. Zhao Shuqing’s fondness for Gu Yao grew even warmer. Pumpkin, her chubby cat, was in for a treat.

Gu Yao was striking, about the same age as Zhao Shuqing, with a great personality and generous spirit. If she and Xu Tang actually got together, Zhao Shuqing would be thrilled for them.

It all depended on whether Gu Yao had the chops to win her over.

The food arrived soon enough, and Xu Tang returned from the restroom. The three sat at the table, each nursing their own thoughts as they chatted lightly. Mostly, it was Zhao Shuqing and Gu Yao doing the talking while Xu Tang ate her fish quietly.

Gu Yao glanced at Xu Tang. “Group Leader Xu, Shuqing says you’re a big fish fan?”

Xu Tang’s chopsticks paused for a fraction of a second. She lifted her gaze. “It’s all right.”

Grinning, Gu Yao pressed on. “If you love fish, I know all these great seafood spots. I could take you sometime.”

Xu Tang offered a small smile but said nothing.

Zhao Shuqing checked the time. Lingering any longer would cramp Gu Yao’s style. She stood abruptly and addressed them both. “That’s my cue. I need to get back and apply Lin Feng’s medicine. You two enjoy—I’m heading out.”

Xu Tang looked up at her. Gu Yao feigned surprise. “Already? Hang on a bit. We can all head back to the Research Institute together after.”

Zhao Shuqing shook her head with a smile, slinging her bag over her shoulder as she rose. “Lin Feng really needs her dose. Leader Ye specifically reminded me on the way out. She won’t let anyone else near her if I’m not there.”

Gu Yao sighed theatrically. “All right, then. Be safe on the way.”

“Will do.” Zhao Shuqing winked at her. “You’re on escort duty for my senior sister later. Don’t lose her.”

Gu Yao’s smile widened. “You got it.”

Xu Tang said nothing, but she had picked up on the subtext from their gestures and banter. As Zhao Shuqing departed, her gaze settled calmly on the young woman named Gu Yao.

Feeling Xu Tang’s eyes on her, Gu Yao tensed. The air grew thick. She hastily picked up a piece of fish with her chopsticks and placed it in Xu Tang’s bowl. “Dig in, Group Leader Xu. Can’t let good fish go to waste. After this, want to wander around a bit? Or straight back to the Research Institute?”

Xu Tang eyed the fish in her bowl, then Gu Yao.

She knew this girl—Zhao Shuqing’s next-door neighbor, specializing in gene engineering.

Zhao Shuqing mentioned her constantly, every few days. They were thick as thieves, dining out and shopping together more often than she did with her own senior sister.

But today, Zhao Shuqing had invented some flimsy excuse to bolt. Applying medicine to Lin Feng wasn’t urgent; she could have waited an hour or two. Instead, she’d cleared the way for the two of them to be alone.

Xu Tang understood exactly what that meant.

“Gu Yao.”

Xu Tang leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, and regarded the girl steadily. “Do you have someone you like?”

Cough cough cough—cough cough.

Gu Yao nearly jumped out of her skin. She gulped some water to soothe her choking throat and stared at Xu Tang, her face flushing crimson. She fidgeted. “Group Leader Xu, I-I actually…”

Xu Tang cut her off, her words deliberate and clear. “But I already have someone I like.”

Gu Yao sat frozen in her seat, staring at Xu Tang. In that instant, she realized she hadn’t even confessed—and she’d already been turned down…

Zhao Shuqing took a cab back to the Research Institute.

She checked her phone. It was still early. Even if they finished eating and killed time with a casual stroll, they wouldn’t return until around ten, she figured.

She hoped her foolish friend Gu Yao wouldn’t just head straight home after dinner. At least fabricate an excuse to shop—pick up some daily essentials or whatever. They rarely crossed paths as it was. If she didn’t seize the moment to spend more time together, it’d be even harder later.

“Here’s hoping you give it your all.” Smiling, Zhao Shuqing pocketed her phone and headed toward the laboratory.

Someone was on duty in the lab that night. Zhao Shuqing called out a greeting as she entered.

“Dr. Zhao, back to check on Lin Feng?” her colleague asked with a grin. “We’re ordering takeout. Want in?”

“No thanks—I just ate.” Zhao Shuqing walked over with a smile. “Just here to apply Lin Feng’s medicine. Then I’ll head home.”

She grabbed the salve with practiced ease and settled by the ecological pool. She patted the water’s surface. Lin Feng swam up promptly from the depths.

These past few days, Zhao Shuqing had been applying the medicine morning and night. The moment she heard the door open, Lin Feng knew who it was. She pushed herself up with both hands and draped her tail over the edge with expert familiarity.

Zhao Shuqing dried the tail with a towel and inspected the wound. Thanks to the medicine and the stable environment, it had healed substantially.

Once she’d applied the salve, Zhao Shuqing didn’t rush off. She sat by the pool with Lin Feng, letting it air-dry.

“Zhao Shuqing.”

Lin Feng sidled closer, pressing against the woman beside her. She pointed upward at the skylight. Zhao Shuqing followed her gaze and spotted a luminous full moon hanging directly overhead. Silvery moonlight bathed the two of them, as if dusting them with frost.

Awash in the moon’s glow, Zhao Shuqing looked down at Lin Feng. Her eyes shone brighter than the moon itself.

Lin Feng took Zhao Shuqing’s hand and murmured softly from her seat beside her, “Listen.”

Zhao Shuqing was about to ask what when Lin Feng tilted her head back and began to sing beneath the moonlight.