Zhao Shuqing arched an eyebrow slightly and leaned back in her chair, asking Gu Yao in bewilderment, “What does that mean? You want to meet my Senior Sister alone?”
“Yeah.” Gu Yao unwrapped the takeout, explaining the situation as she did.
Ever since the Joint Experimental Group had been formed, the leaders from both sides had planned to merge their laboratories. The Marine Group had no issues with it, and Xu Tang had selected a new office location. The Genome Group didn’t mind either, but they needed to hand over some matters to Xu Tang, so they chose Gu Yao as the point of contact.
“It’s mostly about equipment needs and restocking experimental reagents—these odds and ends were all dumped on me,” Gu Yao said with a headache. “Tomorrow afternoon, I have to go report to Xu Tang. Who knows, I might end up interacting with her a lot after this. I’m really torn about it right now.”
“What’s there to be torn about?” Zhao Shuqing took a sip of her ice-cold Sprite and shot her a sideways glance. “Don’t you want to pursue my Senior Sister? This is a golden opportunity.”
“You’re right, but…” Gu Yao clutched her head. “She has zero interest in me. Chasing after her like this is painful enough.”
Zhao Shuqing thought it over and realized she had a point.
Gu Yao slumped over the table, looking at her. “Help me out here, Shuqing. Should I just push this task off? The professor’s fine with me doing experiments, and I’d say tackling a project solo is a challenge I’d take on, but dealing directly with Xu Tang? I honestly have no idea what to do.”
Zhao Shuqing propped her head up and stroked the clingy little orange cat in her lap. She said to Gu Yao, “So what do you think? Do you want to meet my Senior Sister or not?”
“Of course I do. I dream of spending time alone with Xu Tang—I’d even marry her in my dreams. But what’s the point of just dreaming?” Gu Yao replied. “She doesn’t like me. If I push this, getting called a simp would be the least of my worries. If I end up annoying her more, I’d rather just stay ordinary friends.”
With that, Gu Yao picked up the Sprite and downed it in one go.
Zhao Shuqing comforted her. “Don’t think like that. My Senior Sister’s a good person—she wouldn’t curse you out that harshly.”
Gu Yao shook her head. “You haven’t even dated anyone. You wouldn’t get it.”
Zhao Shuqing opened her mouth to retort but thought better of it. She pressed her lips together in a faint, barely noticeable smile before saying calmly, “If it’s really that tough for you, then don’t go. Keeping some distance might be for the best.”
Gu Yao looked hurt. Gu Yao fell silent. Gu Yao poured herself a full glass of Sprite and downed it without another word.
“You’re right. We should keep some distance,” Gu Yao said, her eyes red. “We’re fated to meet but not to be together. After this meal, I’ll wake up tomorrow and go straight to the professor. Anyone can handle this report—except me.”
Zhao Shuqing gave a wry smile and shook her head, pouring her more Sprite. “Drink slower. Chugging like that rushes to your head and makes you feel worse.”
Gu Yao wrapped her arms around Zhao Shuqing’s in a pitiful hug and started wiping her tears on her sleeve. She rambled on about her feelings for Xu Tang, confessing how it had been love at first sight, crying and reminiscing about her lost first love all the while.
Zhao Shuqing had no choice but to keep her company, sharing barbecue and Sprite until Gu Yao talked herself out past 2 a.m. Exhausted, the two finally parted ways home.
When Zhao Shuqing got back, she lifted the covers and slipped into bed. Lin Feng rolled over, wrapped her arms around Zhao Shuqing, and went back to sleep.
Zhao Shuqing gave a wry smile, patted Lin Feng’s back, and settled in to sleep as well.
The next morning at 8 a.m., Gu Yao arrived early at the laboratory. Over the past few days, with the lab move underway, most people had taken the chance to rest, leaving only a handful still working. Gu Yao was one of them.
“Yaoyao.”
The Genome Group’s Group Leader Liu walked over and set some documents on Gu Yao’s desk. “All the materials you’ll need for this afternoon are here. Go explain everything clearly to Group Leader Xu. These are all essential—no cutting corners, got it?”
Gu Yao fidgeted and looked at her. “Little Liu Sis, can I skip going?”
Group Leader Liu looked puzzled. “What’s wrong? Wasn’t it settled that you’d report to Xu Tang? Why the change?”
Gu Yao hesitated. “I have a bit of a conflict with Group Leader Xu. She probably doesn’t want to see me. Little Liu Sis, can someone else go? Everyone knows this stuff inside out.”
“What kind of talk is that?” Group Leader Liu disapproved. “You’re the one who’s always handled these. No one knows them better. Besides, it’s last-minute—who am I supposed to send instead?”
“But…”
“Don’t worry.” Group Leader Liu patted her shoulder. “Group Leader Xu might be a bit aloof, but she’s not hard to get along with. It’s just a work report. Finish it and come right back—no need to eat with her or anything. What are you afraid of?”
Gu Yao thought to herself that she’d prefer eating together.
Seeing she couldn’t wriggle out of it, Gu Yao clutched the documents, thought it over for a long time, and finally agreed.
Even though Gu Yao knew Xu Tang wouldn’t like her, getting a little closer was still something.
Maybe this would be her last chance to get that near to Xu Tang.
After lunch, Gu Yao took the documents and headed to find Xu Tang. She waited on a chair by the door for a bit before seeing Xu Tang returning with some Marine Group colleagues. They seemed to be discussing a research topic, and even from afar, the sight made Gu Yao’s heart race.
Xu Tang noticed Gu Yao’s gaze. She turned her head, spotted Gu Yao sitting outside her office, paused her steps briefly, then stopped and turned back to her two colleagues. “You two go ahead and make the arrangements. Call me if anything comes up.”
“Got it, Group Leader Xu.”
Once they had left, Xu Tang turned around, lifted her foot, and walked over.
Gu Yao jumped up from the chair. “Group Leader Xu, I-I’m here to report on the Genome Group’s work and our consumables needs.”
Xu Tang nodded slightly and smiled. “Come on in.”
Gu Yao’s heart pounded wildly. She watched Xu Tang enter the office before hurrying after her.
The office was dim. Xu Tang went to the window first and drew the curtains, brightening the room before turning back to Gu Yao. “Want something to drink? I have coffee and herbal tea.”
“No need to trouble yourself—I’m not thirsty.” Gu Yao said quickly, “Let’s just get to the work report.”
Xu Tang chuckled lightly. “No rush. Have a seat first. I’ll pour you some water.”
Gu Yao watched her tensely as Xu Tang took a disposable paper cup, filled it with water, and set it in front of her. With a resigned sigh, Gu Yao sat down.
“I heard you’ve been taking care of the cat at Shuqing’s place lately,” Xu Tang said gently, placing the water down. “That cat must be a handful. Thanks for the trouble.”
Gu Yao shook her head. “Not at all. Pumpkin’s well-behaved. Just set up the litter box and cat food, and you’re good. It just doesn’t drink much water.”
Xu Tang fixed her dark eyes on Gu Yao, staring unwaveringly. When Gu Yao finished, she smiled, her eyes curving. “You’re good with small animals, huh? Do you like marine life?”
Gu Yao blinked. “You mean… like dolphins or orcas?”
“Not just those.” Xu Tang rested her hands on the desk and looked at her calmly. “Like mermaids, for example.”
Gu Yao froze.
Xu Tang sat across from her, taking in every nuance of her expression. She spoke slowly. “I know you live next door to Shuqing. She’s been keeping Lin Feng at home, so you’ve probably seen her plenty of times. What do you think of mermaids? Do you find them repulsive?”
“No way,” Gu Yao said. “I think Lin Feng’s adorable. She’s nothing like I imagined. I’ve never seen such a beautiful mermaid.”
Xu Tang’s eyes flickered faintly. “Oh? Really?”
Gu Yao nodded. “She’s got a great personality and is super obedient. Not just me—lots of people like Lin Feng. She has tons of fans on Weibo. Plenty come just to catch a glimpse of her.”
Gu Yao wasn’t wrong about that. Though Lin Feng had only appeared publicly for a few brief days, many had traveled far to see her.
Later, when Lin Feng had gone into seclusion and gotten injured, plenty online had worried about her condition, hoping the oceanarium would let her appear again soon.
Xu Tang, however, said, “What if not all mermaids are like her? Would you still find mermaids cute?”
Gu Yao didn’t catch Xu Tang’s meaning and looked at her blankly. “Group Leader Xu, what do you mean? Have you seen… other mermaids?”
“No.” Xu Tang smiled faintly. “Just chatting. Anyway, enough about Lin Feng. You came to report on the Genome Group’s work, right? Go ahead and start.”
“Oh? Right.” Gu Yao snapped back to attention and opened the documents to begin her report.
There wasn’t much to cover. As the head of the Joint Experimental Group, Xu Tang handled the consumables requests—which boiled down to equipment and funding—and Gu Yao explained where each item would be used.
The report wrapped up in half an hour, leaving Gu Yao parched. She picked up the cup and took a big gulp of water.
Xu Tang carefully reviewed the files Gu Yao had handed over. After a few minutes, she hummed in acknowledgment, closed them, and said to Gu Yao, “Leave them here for now. I’ll have someone handle it later.”
Gu Yao let out a breath of relief. That meant her task was done. She stood. “Alright, Group Leader Xu. I’ll head back then.”
Xu Tang gave her a deep look, hesitated for three seconds, and then called out, “Gu Yao, any plans tonight?”
Gu Yao paused and turned back. “None. Just heading home after work.”
Xu Tang smiled. Her tone was gentle. “Then let’s have dinner together tonight. My treat this time.”
Gu Yao felt her heartbeat thundering in her ears. She stared wide-eyed in shock.
While tidying up the house, Zhao Shuqing noticed her toothbrush was missing.
Sure, it was one she’d planned to toss anyway, but its inexplicable disappearance puzzled her all the same.
Lately, small things kept vanishing from the house—a toothbrush here, a cup there. Nothing major, but it left Zhao Shuqing scratching her head.
Had a thief broken in?
The building was mostly Research Institute staff. No one here would steal.
Besides, why steal her toothbrush?
There were plenty of valuables—why take only these trivial items?
Zhao Shuqing crossed her arms and scanned the room, her gaze finally landing on Lin Feng, who lay on the bed hugging a tablet and watching a drama. She narrowed her eyes, walked over, nudged the bed frame with her foot, and asked, “Lin Feng, things have been going missing around the house. Know anything about it?”
Lin Feng startled at the words, her hand slipping. The tablet went “thwack” as it dropped right onto her face.
