Chapter 77

Zhao Shuqing had bought a car.

It wasn’t expensive, but it was more than sufficient for daily use—perfect for taking Lin Feng out.

She had seen Xu Tang drive Shen Qingming home once, and she’d been thinking about getting one ever since. Living alone gave her no financial pressure, and with her savings, the decision was easy. She’d test-driven it and bought it on the spot. It had arrived just yesterday.

This wasn’t Lin Feng’s first time in a car, but it was her first time riding in Zhao Shuqing’s. She fidgeted excitedly in the passenger seat, poking at this and that before leaning out the window to ask Zhao Shuqing, who stood by the car: “Is this our car?”

Zhao Shuqing’s eyes curved into smiles. “Yes, our car. From now on, I can take you anywhere you want to go.”

Lin Feng beamed with joy and ducked her head back inside.

Zhao Shuqing patted the roof and bent down to tell Little Fish inside: “Stop playing around. Let’s go home for dinner. We’ll head out again tomorrow.”

Lin Feng gazed at her pleadingly. “Can’t we go today?”

Zhao Shuqing’s heart softened at the pitiful look on her Little Fish’s face. After a moment’s thought, she decided to take Lin Feng for a quick drive first.

The car cruised along nearby roads. There were plenty of parks around the university district, so Zhao Shuqing didn’t go far. She looped around the park area before pulling into a quiet spot. The front of the car faced a stretch of river.

With the window rolled down, Lin Feng leaned against the door and reached out to feel the night breeze.

She liked this car. It went even faster than she could swim.

“Can we go to the seaside?” Lin Feng asked.

“No.”

“What about the lakeside?”

“No.”

“Then can we go…”

“No.”

Zhao Shuqing turned to look at her and lightly knocked Lin Feng’s forehead. “You can’t go anywhere. You can’t even get out of the car. No one can see your tail, got it?”

Lin Feng clutched her forehead, her eyes filled with dejection.

Zhao Shuqing immediately regretted it. Had she hit too hard? She cupped Lin Feng’s face and checked. Sure enough, a red mark had formed on her forehead. Her heart melted, and she apologized softly: “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hit you that hard.”

Lin Feng shook her head. She didn’t mind the knock at all. She had only hoped to splash around in a river or lake now that she was out, but she realized she truly could never go back.

Lin Feng had grown up in the ocean. Human life was certainly interesting, but she couldn’t help reminiscing about her old days—so much so that when she’d first come ashore, she’d been thrilled and even wanted to take Zhao Shuqing back to her home to see it.

Her home had nothing but jagged rocks, no warm blankets or clean food, but Lin Feng still missed it dearly.

Seeing Lin Feng so downcast, Zhao Shuqing wondered if she’d truly hurt her feelings. She leaned in and kissed the red spot on her forehead. Spotting a convenience store nearby, she coaxed: “How about I buy you some ice cream?”

Lin Feng nodded slightly in agreement.

Zhao Shuqing got out, repeatedly warning Lin Feng not to run off, then headed to the store with frequent glances back.

The child locks were on, and Lin Feng couldn’t drive anyway, so Zhao Shuqing wasn’t worried. She hurried, grabbing two ice cream bars and dashing back.

As she emerged, she saw Lin Feng sitting obediently in the car, waiting. The night breeze lifted her light hair, and with her eyes downcast, she stared at the river ahead, lost in thought.

Zhao Shuqing’s gaze darkened for a moment before she walked over.

“I got two flavors. See which one you like.” Zhao Shuqing slid into the driver’s seat and handed Lin Feng the chocolate and vanilla ice creams. “You can have half of one and give the rest to me, but don’t eat both, or you’ll get a stomachache.”

Lin Feng snapped out of it and looked at the two treats. She chose the vanilla one.

“Little Feng.”

Zhao Shuqing peeled off the lid and snapped the plastic spoon free, handing it to her. Softly, she asked: “Do you want to go home?”

Lin Feng shook her head. “We just got out. I don’t want to go back so soon.”

“I mean… back to the ocean.”

Lin Feng’s spoon paused mid-poke.

She looked up at Zhao Shuqing, her beautiful blue eyes flickering faintly before she lowered her gaze. Calmly, she said: “I can’t go back.”

The mermaids had all come ashore. A few older ones still lived in the homeland sea, but Lin Feng knew she could never return to the water.

Zhao Shuqing fell silent too.

She stared at her own ice cream. Water seeped from the melting paper cup, chilling her fingers.

“I’m sorry,” Zhao Shuqing whispered. “At the beginning, I only saw you as a key research subject. If you’d swum down the Yangtze back then, we never could have recaptured you.”

She tilted her head toward Lin Feng. “Why didn’t you leave?”

Back then, after they’d been kidnapped and fallen into the river, Lin Feng had dragged her to shore. Lin Feng could have escaped right there, following the river downstream until it met the sea and returned to the Pacific Ocean.

Zhao Shuqing had been unconscious. So why hadn’t Lin Feng gone?

“I…”

Lin Feng opened her mouth, unsure how to explain. Humans thought they’d caught her, but in truth, she’d swum right into their net on purpose.

Lin Feng turned away anxiously, gripping her melting ice cream, and shook her head gently.

“I don’t know,” she murmured. “I just… wanted to stay by your side.”

Zhao Shuqing’s heart skipped. Gazing at Lin Feng’s profile, her pupils trembled. She knew Lin Feng liked her, but not this much.

Willing to stay for her sake.

She set her ice cream aside and pulled Lin Feng into an embrace.

“Thank you,” Zhao Shuqing murmured against her ear, gripping her shoulders. “Thank you for liking me.”

Lin Feng clutched her paper cup, her palm growing icy.

She closed her eyes slowly and whispered: “Zhao Shuqing, if I ever lied to you someday, would you still like me?”

Zhao Shuqing pulled back in confusion. “You’re just a little fish. What could you possibly lie about? Tricking me for food?”

Lin Feng’s lips tugged into a small smile. Seeing her looking so adorably clueless, Zhao Shuqing snatched her spoon, scooped a bite, fed it to her, then leaned in for a kiss.

At least in this moment, the kiss was sweet.

A few days later, Zhao Shuqing visited the laboratory alone and underwent a second extraction procedure in the operating room.

The surgery was brief, and they used less anesthesia this time. After a short rest, she walked out as if nothing had happened.

Xu Tang had been waiting at the door. Smiling lightly, she approached as Zhao Shuqing emerged.

“Senior Sister.”

“Mm.”

Seeing that Zhao Shuqing had already changed, Xu Tang asked: “How many this time?”

“A bit more than last time—fifteen.”

“You’ve worked hard.” Xu Tang studied her face with concern. “You look pale. Want to rest in my office before heading back?”

“Sure.” Zhao Shuqing smiled. “I actually have something to discuss with you.”

Xu Tang led her to the office and, unusually, drew back the curtains to let sunlight flood the room. She secured them before saying to Zhao Shuqing: “Rest on the sofa. I’ll get you some lemon water.”

Zhao Shuqing watched her bustle about and chuckled. “Senior Sister, what are you doing? I’m not that weak. I feel fine.”

Xu Tang disagreed. She handed over a glass of warm water. “The project is urgent, but you don’t have to push so hard. We don’t need your genes specifically for the human side—there are plenty of samples in the gene bank, none inferior to yours.”

“It’s not the same.” Zhao Shuqing sipped her water. “They’re them, and I’m me.”

Besides, she’d already discussed it with Lin Feng. If the experiment succeeded, it would be their child—hers and Lin Feng’s—even if it turned out to be some little monster.

“Senior Sister.” Zhao Shuqing set down her glass and looked at Xu Tang, who leaned against the desk. “I want to return to the Marine Group and resume my research.”

Xu Tang met her gaze calmly. After a pause, she said: “No.”

Zhao Shuqing’s eyes widened. “Why not?”

“Your main job now is taking care of Lin Feng.” Xu Tang crossed her arms. “Plus, you’re providing genes for the Experimental Group. Commuting to the oceanarium would stretch you too thin—human energy is limited. You can’t handle multiple roles.”

“It’s fine. I think I can manage.” Zhao Shuqing insisted: “I haven’t touched research since coming back. Senior Sister, you don’t want my skills to rust, do you?”

Xu Tang shook her head, refusing again.

Zhao Shuqing frowned and stepped closer. “What about Teacher’s project? Can I take that on?”

“Teacher’s workload is heavy too. You can’t.” Xu Tang regarded her evenly. “I know you want back in a group, but there’s no suitable spot right now. You need rest.”

“I don’t.” Zhao Shuqing’s brows knit tighter. “I just want to join a group.”

Xu Tang’s stance was firm: “No.”

“Then what would make it possible?” Zhao Shuqing pressed.

Xu Tang leaned against the desk, her dark eyes fixed on Zhao Shuqing. Slowly, she said: “Unless you stop providing genes for the Mermaid Dual Female Plan. Then I can make you an external member.”

No more genes?

Zhao Shuqing stared blankly. “Why that condition?”

“No reason.” Xu Tang took a sip of coffee. “That surgery harms the body too much. I don’t want you doing it anymore. Promise me that, and I’ll consider letting you into this Experimental Group.”

Zhao Shuqing opened her mouth, then closed it.

“Let me think about it.” She looked at Xu Tang helplessly. “Nothing else today, so I’ll head back and rest.”

Though Zhao Shuqing said she’d consider it, Xu Tang knew she wouldn’t agree.

As she turned to leave, Xu Tang asked: “Free tonight? We haven’t eaten together in ages.”

Zhao Shuqing shook her head. “No, Lin Feng’s waiting at home. I need to go.”

Zhao Shuqing had hoped to persuade Xu Tang to let her stay with the Experimental Group, but it seemed impossible. No point lingering—Lin Feng was probably anxious by now after her long absence.

Xu Tang watched her go, her expression darkening.