Chapter 59

Zhao Shuqing looked at her curiously, tilting her head as she asked, “A hundred bucks? What do you need a hundred bucks for?”

Lin Feng gazed at her with utmost seriousness. “Can’t say.”

Zhao Shuqing raised an eyebrow and reached out to pinch the soft spot on Lin Feng’s side. “You’ve got more and more little secrets lately. You’re even keeping things from me now?”

Lin Feng yelped in surprise and swatted at Zhao Shuqing’s hand, huffing indignantly. “That tickles!”

“If it didn’t tickle, I wouldn’t bother.” Zhao Shuqing’s eyes crinkled with laughter as she held up both hands. “Let me see what secret you’re hiding this time. You even want money for it? Spill—did you spot something you like and plan to buy it for me?”

“How did you know?” Lin Feng stared at her in astonishment, then clapped a hand over her mouth. She put on a grave, earnest expression. “Don’t go blabbing. I’ve got my own plans.”

Zhao Shuqing rubbed Lin Feng’s cheeks, growing fonder of her by the second. With no one else in the room, she leaned in and planted a quick kiss on her cheek. Smiling, she said, “Alright, let’s get you washed up first. I’ll buy you some milk tea on the way back.”

“Okay.” Lin Feng straightened up, letting Zhao Shuqing wash her hair.

“Still want mango pomelo sago?”

“Mm, make it chocolate this time.”

After leaving the hospital, Lin Feng had clutched her hot cocoa and gone to play with Nemo. Per her insistence, she refused to go to the oceanarium without bringing the little clownfish along.

Zhao Shuqing relayed all the requests to Wen Xiaoying, bumping the “salary” up to three thousand bucks. She figured Lin Feng had a bunch of things she wanted to buy and might as well ask for extra upfront.

Wen Xiaoying passed the requests up the chain, and approval came swiftly. They even doubled the pay, settling on six thousand a month in pocket money for Lin Feng.

If Lin Feng didn’t want to stay in the oceanarium’s rooms, she could tag along with Zhao Shuqing when she clocked out and head home.

Minus benefits like insurance and pension, Lin Feng was less like a fish and more like actual oceanarium staff.

Lin Feng was dumbfounded when she heard about the six thousand. Her hands trembled with excitement as she started calculating how to spend it.

“Get Nemo a bigger bathtub, and buy her a wife.” Lin Feng counted on her fingers as she listed things out for Zhao Shuqing. “And I want to treat you to hot pot and milk tea.”

“Sure, sure, sure.” Zhao Shuqing grinned at her phone. “I’ll text Xiaoying that, then. You can start work in a few days.”

Lin Feng nodded vigorously.

News of the mermaid Lin Feng’s return to the oceanarium exploded online in a flash.

The oceanarium’s official social media account dropped the details, and within ten minutes, that day’s tickets sold out. Even the next week’s worth vanished just as fast. They rushed to add thousands more overnight, only for those to sell out in two minutes flat.

Netizens bragged about snagging tickets, while those who missed out desperately hunted for scalpers. The hype was off the charts.

Zhao Shuqing watched the frenzy over Lin Feng and glanced at her on the balcony, cradling the fish tank. Lin Feng was murmuring reassurances to the clownfish Nemo in a language Zhao Shuqing couldn’t understand, telling it not to be scared—she’d have its back once they got to the oceanarium.

Nemo blew a bubble, as if in agreement.

“Meow—”

A cat’s cry cut through the air. Lin Feng whipped around, still holding Nemo, and spotted Pumpkin on the facing balcony.

One cat, two fish, locked eyes.

Lin Feng’s breath caught in terror. She froze, clutching the bathtub like she’d sighted a feral beast.

The dormitory balconies were fully enclosed, so Pumpkin couldn’t get over right away. But the cat paced agitatedly, clawing at the wall base and meowing at Lin Feng, her eyes glowing green with hunger.

“Zh-Zhao Shuqing!”

Lin Feng’s legs went weak. She yelled into the room, “Help!”

Zhao Shuqing hurried over. Following Lin Feng’s pointing finger, she spotted Pumpkin next door. The cat meowed at her owner once more, then resumed furiously pawing the wall.

What was going on?

Zhao Shuqing gave the orange tabby a look and soothed Lin Feng. “It’s fine. She can’t get over. Stay put in the house. I’ll check next door.”

Lin Feng clutched Nemo in fright, watching Zhao Shuqing leave her alone in the room.

Once Zhao Shuqing confirmed the door was securely shut, she headed next door and knocked. “Gu Yao? You home?”

No answer from inside.

She knocked a few more times. Pumpkin quit scratching at the balcony and stationed herself by the door, meowing insistently, sounding urgent. Zhao Shuqing knew the code for Gu Yao’s smart lock and punched it in without hesitation. The instant the door cracked open, Pumpkin shot out with a pitiful yowl, rubbing frantically against Zhao Shuqing’s legs.

“What’s wrong?” Zhao Shuqing scooped up the cat and stroked her head. “You feeling under the weather?”

Pumpkin nuzzled her face and meowed.

Zhao Shuqing frowned in puzzlement and decided to poke around Gu Yao’s place first.

The single dorm wasn’t large—one glance revealed Pumpkin’s empty food bowl. Little Fatty must be starving. She leaped from Zhao Shuqing’s arms, planted herself in front of the bowl, and meowed while batting at it with a paw.

Hungry, huh?

Zhao Shuqing hurried to pour kibble. Little Fatty devoured it like she was famished, polishing off half a bowl in under a minute before slowing to savor the rest.

Zhao Shuqing eyed the cat’s sturdy rear and ferocious eating habits, resolving to find a way to slim down this bottomless pit.

Once full, Pumpkin licked her paws and cooled toward Zhao Shuqing. No more meows—probably just panic from hunger that had her clawing at the wall earlier.

Zhao Shuqing called Gu Yao, but got no answer. Perplexed, she left a voicemail, topped off the food and water, gave Pumpkin a pat once everything seemed fine, and left.

Lin Feng fretted the whole time. At the sound of the door, she bolted over and sighed in relief upon seeing Zhao Shuqing intact.

“Thank goodness.” Lin Feng said. “I thought she ate you.”

Zhao Shuqing burst out laughing and ruffled Lin Feng’s hair. “Do I look like cat chow to you?”

Who knew about cat chow, but she sure smelled like fish food.

Lin Feng sniffed Zhao Shuqing and wrinkled her nose in distaste. “Go take a bath.”

Zhao Shuqing: “…”

Rejected.

Fresh from her shower, Zhao Shuqing heard noises at the door and motioned for Lin Feng to stay put before opening it to check.

Gu Yao was just letting herself in, still in yesterday’s clothes. Zhao Shuqing eyed her. “Why didn’t you pick up when I called?”

“Huh?” Gu Yao blinked up at her blankly. “I didn’t get it. My phone just died.”

Zhao Shuqing scanned her up and down.

Work at the Genome Group had lightened up lately, so Gu Yao lucked into two days off. Yesterday morning, she’d been thrilled, begging Zhao Shuqing to help pick outfits for shopping. Now she wore the same ensemble.

With Pumpkin meowing from starvation at home, Zhao Shuqing suspected Gu Yao hadn’t come back last night.

“You didn’t crash here last night, did you?” Zhao Shuqing said. “Pumpkin was howling like mad from hunger. I topped off her kibble.”

Gu Yao looked guilty. “Sorry about that. I got called in for overtime last night and forgot to refill her bowl. Poor thing must’ve been starving.”

Zhao Shuqing replied, “Nah, skipping a couple meals won’t hurt. Besides, she’s my cat originally. If Lin Feng weren’t scared of cats, I’d have taken her back myself.”

“Then… I’ll get her an automatic feeder.” Gu Yao offered. “It has a camera and lets you schedule portions. The vet said she needs to lose weight anyway.”

“I’ll handle the feeder.” Zhao Shuqing smiled. “It’s on me anyway.”

Gu Yao relented, and as she opened the door, Pumpkin sauntered out. She rubbed Gu Yao’s legs, then shot her a disdainful glance—as if to say, How dare you stay out all night and leave me hungry.

Zhao Shuqing watched Gu Yao squat in the doorway, coaxing Little Fatty, and her gaze drifted to her friend’s collarbone.

Gu Yao’s T-shirt and shorts highlighted her slim waist and long legs. The neckline gaped a bit, revealing a fresh hickey nestled deep inside.

Hm?

HM??

Zhao Shuqing’s eyes widened slightly. Wasn’t Gu Yao moving too fast with Xu Tang???

It’d been little more than half a month since the last work report.

Oblivious to Zhao Shuqing’s stare, Gu Yao scooped up the orange tabby and beamed. “I saw the oceanarium’s announcement—Lin Feng’s really coming back?”

Zhao Shuqing nodded, her expression complicated.

“Awesome!” Gu Yao exclaimed. “I’ll order takeout. Let’s celebrate properly.”

Zhao Shuqing hesitated a few seconds before nodding. “Sure. Go change and shower first. We’ll eat together tonight.”

Gu Yao nodded and ducked inside.

Staring at the closed door, Zhao Shuqing lingered in the hallway, mulling it over. Something felt off.

Way too fast, right?

Gu Yao made sense—she’d always crushed on Xu Tang. Jumping into bed was no shock; they’d ignite like dry tinder.

But Xu Tang shouldn’t be that into her. Hooking up and keeping Gu Yao out all night in under a month? Zhao Shuqing worried Xu Tang might be a player, toying with Gu Yao’s body and heart.

She’d be stuck in the middle and mighty awkward.

For dinner, Gu Yao got takeout. Zhao Shuqing pulled drinks from the fridge and whipped up a couple veggie sides.

When Gu Yao heard Lin Feng was bringing Nemo to work—and pulling six grand a month in salary—her eyes lit up. “Lin Feng, what do you need cash for? Something you wanna buy?”

Lin Feng gnawed on a lemon chicken foot in silence but sneaked a glance at Zhao Shuqing. Gu Yao got it instantly.

“Gotcha.” Gu Yao poured her a Sprite. “Hit me up if you need advice. I’ll give you the full rundown.”

Zhao Shuqing turned, baffled. “What do you get? I’m lost. What does she even want the money for?”

Gu Yao waved her off. “It’s our little secret with Lin Feng. You wouldn’t get it.”

Lin Feng smirked smugly. “Yeah, you wouldn’t.”

Zhao Shuqing shot them both a look and shook her head in exasperation. “Fine, keep your secrets.”