Chapter 73: Lin Feng Turns Human?

Zhao Shuqing had never even considered the possibility. In her eyes, Lin Feng was a mermaid—nothing more, nothing less—and mermaids simply couldn’t become human. Amused, she looked at Lin Feng and said, “What are you talking about? How could you possibly turn into a human?”

If she truly could, then mermaids wouldn’t be mere ocean creatures anymore. They would be something that transcended species entirely.

Lin Feng’s expression fell at Zhao Shuqing’s words.

As expected.

If she forced herself to sprout a pair of legs, Zhao Shuqing might see her as a monster. She might even end up dissected in a laboratory as a research specimen, all by her own hand.

Lin Feng didn’t want Zhao Shuqing to view her that way.

She buried her face in her tail, resenting it more than ever before. For the first time, she truly hated having this cumbersome appendage.

If only she were human.

Zhao Shuqing had no idea her words had plunged Lin Feng into gloom. Seeing the mermaid’s aggrieved expression, on the verge of tears, she quickly consoled her. “There, there, don’t be sad.” She stroked Lin Feng’s long hair and back, coaxing softly, “Whether you’re human or mermaid, I like you just the same.”

Lin Feng lifted her head from her tail. “Really?”

Zhao Shuqing nodded. “Really.”

Lin Feng knew she was just being humored, but she threw herself into Zhao Shuqing’s arms anyway, closing her eyes in lingering grievance.

At that moment, she chose to believe her.

Night had fallen.

A gentle breeze stirred the familiar room, rippling the stillness.

Zhao Shuqing opened her eyes in a daze. She lay in bed, the room pitch black save for the moonlight spilling in from the balcony, casting a glow along the edge and illuminating the scene before her.

Someone was straddling her.

Pale hair cascaded down the figure’s back, sliding forward to brush Zhao Shuqing’s neck as she leaned down to kiss her, sending tingles of itchiness across her skin.

Zhao Shuqing frowned slightly. She reached out to push the figure away, only to feel a pair of smooth, bare legs.

Her tongue was being gently sucked. Zhao Shuqing’s hand trailed upward along the leg until it reached the sleep skirt draped over the figure’s body.

It was Lin Feng.

Zhao Shuqing wasn’t surprised by the realization. She simply lay there, watching quietly as Lin Feng straightened up atop her. Those beautiful sea-blue eyes gazed at her with seductive allure, her vermilion lips swollen from the kisses like ripe cherries begging to be plucked.

Zhao Shuqing’s gaze lingered on the figure’s face before drifting slowly downward.

Lin Feng’s chest rose and fell dramatically. She wore a beige sleep skirt—Zhao Shuqing’s own.

The scent was one Zhao Shuqing knew intimately, mingled with a faint fragrance of bath gel.

Utterly captivating.

Zhao Shuqing didn’t dwell on how Lin Feng had achieved this form. She only thought this version of her was hazy and breathtakingly beautiful.

Beautiful in a way that belonged to her alone.

Moonlight rose slowly, bathing Lin Feng’s body.

Zhao Shuqing saw skin as white as snow, legs smooth as congealed cream, ankles and fingertips tinged with soft pink, as if freshly formed.

Beautiful. Sacred.

“Zhao Shuqing…”

Lin Feng murmured her name, seizing Zhao Shuqing’s hand and guiding it up beneath her skirt hem to press against her slightly rounded belly…

Zhao Shuqing’s eyes snapped open.

Her hand hovered in midair, exactly where Lin Feng’s belly had been in the dream.

Her own chest heaved wildly. Dazed, she couldn’t tell for a moment whether she’d just dreamed it all or truly seen Lin Feng with legs.

She sat up in bed with a huff, brushing back the stray hairs from her forehead. Her gaze fell on Lin Feng, who was sleeping soundly while clutching a pillow, her enormous, magnificent tail draped neatly across the bed. Half her face was buried in the pillow, and she slumbered sweetly.

Zhao Shuqing couldn’t help but let her eyes linger on that blue tail.

In the dream, Lin Feng had possessed two slender, pale legs—sexy and alluring. Straddling her with those eyes rimmed in red, she’d exuded raw sensuality.

Zhao Shuqing gently placed her hand on the tail. It felt cool to the touch.

Lin Feng stirred uncomfortably at the contact, letting out a soft hum. She buried her face deeper into the pillow, her lashes quivering faintly.

After a long silence, Zhao Shuqing withdrew her hand. She decided she must be hallucinating.

It was just one offhand comment from Lin Feng during the day, and here she was that night, dreaming of the mermaid parting those legs and mounting her like some insatiable predator.

The mere memory made Zhao Shuqing’s throat itch. She slipped out of bed in the dark, downed a glass of ice water, and climbed back under the covers to sleep.

The alarm blared for ages the next morning, but Zhao Shuqing didn’t stir. Lin Feng finally shook her awake.

“Time to get up!”

Lin Feng pushed at Zhao Shuqing’s shoulders. “It’s almost eight!”

Zhao Shuqing painfully pried her eyes open, coming face-to-face with Lin Feng, who was crouched before her.

This was bad.

That bizarre erotic dream from last night had ruined her sleep. She’d woken every few hours until dawn finally let her drift off for real.

“Eight already?” Zhao Shuqing squinted. “Why does it have to come so soon…”

She wanted to sleep more.

Lin Feng sat beside her, puzzled. She leaned in and touched Zhao Shuqing’s forehead. “You’re not feverish. Did you sleep poorly last night?”

Propping herself up on the bed’s edge, Zhao Shuqing sat. “Yeah, not very well.”

Mainly because that dream version of Lin Feng had clung to her like a siren all night, leaving her utterly exhausted.

Lin Feng blinked at her in confusion. “If you’re not feeling well, rest. I can go to the oceanarium by myself.”

Zhao Shuqing shook her head.

Lin Feng was sensible now and had some basic self-care skills, but sending her alone to the oceanarium was out of the question.

After all, Lin Feng was a national treasure these days. Any bump or scrape would be Zhao Shuqing’s responsibility.

“It’s fine,” Zhao Shuqing told her. “I’ve got to head to the hospital today. I’ll drop you off at the oceanarium first, then take care of my stuff. You be good there—no roughhousing with the staff.”

Lin Feng shot her a disdainful look. “I haven’t hit anyone in ages.”

That much was true.

Since Lin Feng’s return to the oceanarium, everyone had gotten along splendidly. There was no such thing as workplace bullying; they were all beautiful, adorable creatures.

Zhao Shuqing first delivered Lin Feng to the oceanarium and handed her over to Wen Xiaoying. Then she stopped by the flower shop to pick up the bouquet she’d ordered the day before and took a cab straight to the hospital. Her timing was perfect—not too early, not too late.

Upon entering the ward, Zhao Shuqing saw that Shen Qingming had already changed into casual clothes and was packing his things.

He hadn’t brought much when he arrived, so leaving was simply a matter of one bag.

Brother Chen, the caregiver, stood nearby as the two men murmured quietly to each other. They fell silent the moment Zhao Shuqing entered.

She glanced curiously around the room, bouquet in hand. “Has Senior Sister not arrived yet?”

“She has,” Shen Qingming said with a smile. “She’s handling my discharge papers. She’ll be back any minute.”

His smile lacked the stiffness of recent days, looking much like his old self. Zhao Shuqing eyed his expression suspiciously before grinning. “Teacher, these flowers are for you. Congratulations on getting out today.”

She stepped forward and handed them over. Shen Qingming beamed with delight, cradling the bouquet lovingly. “Thank you—they’re beautiful.”

“I’m glad you like them.”

“I love them.”

He caressed the golden little daisies, smiling at Zhao Shuqing. “I remember you loved flowers as a kid. The first ones you gave me were daisies too, though you picked them from the roadside back then.”

Zhao Shuqing was surprised he still remembered her childhood antics. She laughed along. “We were poor and I was so young—I could only give you wildflowers from the side of the road. Now I can get you something nicer. Do they look good?”

Shen Qingming nodded. “They’re all beautiful. Anything from you, I love.”

Zhao Shuqing caught a faint whiff of sea salt—so subtle she almost missed it. She glanced at Shen Qingming curiously, leaning closer to sniff again, but it was gone, replaced only by the floral scent. By then, Xu Tang had returned with the discharge papers, so Zhao Shuqing grabbed Shen Qingming’s bag and followed them downstairs.

In the parking lot, Xu Tang settled Shen Qingming in the back seat with his things beside him. He refused to let go of Zhao Shuqing’s flowers, clutching them even as he climbed in. The car filled with their sweet fragrance.

Zhao Shuqing buckled into the passenger seat, watching Xu Tang drive with practiced ease. She wondered if she should buy a car herself. It would make outings with Lin Feng so much easier.

Along the way, Zhao Shuqing mentally tallied her bank account. What kind of car could she afford outright? Or should she finance it? Her job was stable, her income solid, and the single-employee dormitory was free. A car loan would be no burden at all.

Xu Tang preferred quiet drives, so only faint music played as they soon pulled up to Shen Qingming’s villa.

As one of the pioneering marine biology experts, Shen Qingming enjoyed excellent perks despite having no children. The research institute had allocated him this standalone two-story villa, complete with an elevator for easy access.

“We’re here.”

Xu Tang parked and turned to Shen Qingming. “Let’s head inside and rest first, then go to the restaurant for dinner.”

Shen Qingming had no objections, happily allowing himself to be helped out of the car. Zhao Shuqing bustled about, grabbing the luggage and closing the doors. Together, she and Xu Tang supported him into the house.

The villa had been cleaned by a part-time housekeeper the day before. Shen Qingming surveyed the first-floor living room, his eyes sparkling with emotion. “There’s no place like home.”

Xu Tang smiled and guided him further in.

Zhao Shuqing watched their backs, sensing something off but not dwelling on it. She helped Shen Qingming settle into the old rattan armchair in the living room.

He leaned back against the cushion with a contented sigh, then straightened up and looked at his two students. “Enough fussing, both of you. Come sit. I have something to tell you.”

Zhao Shuqing glanced at Xu Tang, who looked equally puzzled. They set aside their tasks and took seats on the sofa facing Shen Qingming.

He cradled the cup of tea Xu Tang had handed him, blowing on it gently. “As you can see, my health isn’t what it used to be. Even though I’m discharged, I’ll need time to recuperate.”

He took a sip. “So I’ve decided to resign from my professorship.”