Because of Lin Feng’s singing performances, the mermaid’s popularity had remained sky-high. Even as the weather turned cooler lately, she still drew huge crowds of tourists every time she sang.
Rain or shine.
The visitors adored Lin Feng, and the oceanarium’s souvenirs had mostly been replaced with ones featuring her. The orca and giant octopus plushies had been pushed aside, swapped out entirely for Lin Feng figurines.
With her light-colored long hair, sapphire-blue eyes, and a massive, beautiful tail to match, the plushies were soft and fuzzy to the touch. They were an instant hit—no one could resist Lin Feng’s merchandise.
As for Lin Feng herself, she had some exciting news lately: she had gotten paid.
“Here.”
Zhao Shuqing handed a bank card to Lin Feng in the pool. “This has your wages from last month, plus the bonus I promised you. It’s all in there.”
Lin Feng’s eyes lit up. She took the bank card from Zhao Shuqing and held it high overhead, her gaze sparkling.
She knew what this card was for. It held money inside—swipe it anywhere, and she could buy all sorts of things she wanted.
Lin Feng’s mind raced as she quickly decided what to get.
Zhao Shuqing watched Lin Feng thrash about happily in the pool with the card clutched in her hand, like an excited little fish. Unable to contain her curiosity, she tapped the water’s surface. “Come here. Tell me, what are you planning to buy with the money?”
Lin Feng flicked her tail gleefully. “I’m not telling.”
With that, she dove underwater in a splash and swam off through the sluice gate, probably to show off to her “coworkers.”
Zhao Shuqing stared at the ripples on the surface, muttering worriedly, “This fish isn’t planning to buy fish food for them, is she?”
Wen Xiaoying had just walked in and chimed in at the comment. “Fish food? We don’t feed that stuff much around here.”
Little fish and shrimp might get some fish flakes, but for massive creatures like orcas? How much food would it even take to fill them up? They’d choke on that much.
Most of the oceanarium’s animals were fed sliced fresh fish or similar, supplemented with fresh water.
The feeding area walls had charts for every species—what they ate each day, all spelled out clearly. No one could just feed them willy-nilly.
“It’s nothing.” Zhao Shuqing stood up and gave Wen Xiaoying a wry smile. “Lin Feng just got her pay and dove down to show her friends. I’m guessing she wants to buy some fish food for her little fish pals.”
Wen Xiaoying found it adorable too.
She grinned. “Lin Feng’s such a sweetheart. She might really treat everyone to an extra meal. After all, she’s the first fish here to get wages.”
Zhao Shuqing nodded. “I just wonder what she actually wants the money for.”
It couldn’t be for anything bad, could it?
But what trouble could one fish really get into?
Lin Feng didn’t stay down long. After a quick swim around, she surfaced again. The area was safe enough, so Zhao Shuqing had brought Nemo here too. The oceanarium had plenty of clownfish to keep the little guy company.
Lin Feng had gone to check on her clownfish.
Zhao Shuqing and Wen Xiaoying were scrubbing the floor when Lin Feng poked her head up. Zhao Shuqing called out, “Back already?”
“Yeah.” Lin Feng perched on the pool’s edge and eyed the two of them dragging brushes across the floor. She offered generously, “Those brushes are shedding hairs. Want me to buy you new ones?”
Zhao Shuqing and Wen Xiaoying exchanged a glance and burst out laughing.
Leaning on her mop, Zhao Shuqing asked, “You just got paid and you’re already planning to blow it all? Did you promise something down there?”
Lin Feng looked at her in surprise. “How did you know?”
Zhao Shuqing chuckled. “I know all your little schemes. Fresh wages and you’re itching to shop. Don’t let those other fish con you out of it, or you’ll come crying to me later.”
Lin Feng lifted her chin proudly. “No way. Good fish get good rewards. They trust me so much—how could I not buy them some treats?”
Good fish get good rewards?
What kind of saying was that?
Intrigued, Zhao Shuqing leaned in to meet her gaze at eye level. “What do you mean by ‘good fish get good rewards’?”
Lin Feng tilted her head. “You know, like those lines from TV dramas. Good people get good rewards. I’m a fish, so good fish get good rewards, right?”
Zhao Shuqing raised an eyebrow, amused. “Got any more like that?”
“Tons!” Lin Feng thought for a moment. “Help fish for joy, a thousand fish look alike, fish come fish go, don’t judge a fish by its scales.”
“Stop, stop!” Zhao Shuqing cut off the fishy wordplay with a pained laugh, rubbing her temple. “No more fish puns. Tell me what you want for dinner tonight instead.”
Lin Feng waved the bank card triumphantly. “I’m treating you tonight. You pick!”
Zhao Shuqing clapped her hands with an exaggerated “Wow! Lin Feng, you’re the best~”
Lin Feng was buzzing with excitement by the time they got to the car. Her tail patted the floor mat lightly as she peered out the window, watching Zhao Shuqing fold the wheelchair to stow it in the back. “Hurry up and get in! I want to treat you to dinner!”
Zhao Shuqing slammed the trunk shut and jogged over to hop in the driver’s seat, helpless. “I know, I know, my little ancestor. It’s just a paycheck. Is there any need to rush like this?”
Lin Feng beamed. “Doesn’t matter! Drive, drive! Let’s go for hotpot!”
Zhao Shuqing shook her head and hit the gas, pulling out onto the road.
They chose their usual hotpot spot. After parking, Zhao Shuqing lifted Lin Feng from the passenger seat and settled her into the wheelchair. She knelt to tuck the blanket around her legs, slipping a hand underneath to feel her chilly tail. “Are you too cold? Maybe I should get you a thicker blanket tomorrow.”
Lin Feng didn’t feel cold at all. She reached out to rub Zhao Shuqing’s cheek, smiling. “I’ll warm up after eating. It’s fine.”
Zhao Shuqing was still concerned. The temperature had been fluctuating wildly lately. Lin Feng seemed perfectly healthy—no signs of catching a chill or anything—but Zhao Shuqing treated her like fragile glass, careful about everything.
“Put on one more layer anyway.” Zhao Shuqing stood and grabbed her own long trench coat from the back seat—the one she’d brought that morning because it was chilly. It would come in handy now.
Lin Feng wrapped herself in the coat but didn’t feel any warmer; she was a fish, after all, with no real sense of human coziness. Still, if Zhao Shuqing thought she needed it, she’d wear it.
The shop owner recognized the pair by now. With all their comings and goings, and the wheelchair, they stood out.
“Got a private room open today?” Zhao Shuqing asked.
“All booked up,” the owner replied. He eyed Lin Feng, bundled up tight. “Dining hall okay with you?”
Zhao Shuqing glanced around. The place was packed—tables full, and “dining hall” just meant waiting for someone to finish so they could snag their spot after cleanup.
No private room would be tricky. Lin Feng couldn’t be seen by just anyone.
“Let me check with my little sister.” Zhao Shuqing smiled at the owner. “Sorry about that.”
“No worries.” The owner was easygoing and bustled off to handle other customers, telling them to let the server know once they’d decided.
Zhao Shuqing knelt down, holding Lin Feng’s hand and looking up at her. “What do we do, Little Fish? No private rooms.”
Lin Feng blinked and slipped the bank card into her hand.
Zhao Shuqing shook her head. “Money won’t help. No rooms means no rooms. Should we try somewhere else?”
Lin Feng’s brows drooped. She didn’t want to.
She loved the broth here—mildly spicy and so flavorful. Perfect for a gluttonous fish who couldn’t handle much heat. Plus, the seafood was always fresh, not like the freezer-burnt stuff elsewhere.
But with no seats, dining in the open wasn’t an option. If only she were human.
Lin Feng fidgeted with the coat sleeve under the blanket, shifting slightly. She hesitated, words on the tip of her tongue.
She could actually sprout legs now. But Xu Tang’s threats lingered—even in sleep, she avoided dreaming of her human form, so she hadn’t told Zhao Shuqing.
Still, Zhao Shuqing doted on her, loved her. Wouldn’t she be thrilled to know Lin Feng could grow legs?
The urge to transform and delight her grew stronger. Maybe today was the chance to reveal she could turn human? Not the whole mermaid plan—just the legs part. Perhaps…
“Zhao Shuqing, I…”
Just then, two people walked in from outside. Spotting Zhao Shuqing crouched by the wheelchair, one called out in surprise, “Shuqing? What are you doing here? And who’s this…?”
Gu Yao stared at Zhao Shuqing in astonishment. Arm-in-arm with Xu Tang, she hurried over and noticed the blanket over Lin Feng’s legs. She whispered sharply, “Why’d you bring Lin Feng to a place this crowded?”
Zhao Shuqing looked up and saw them, her gaze lingering on their linked arms. Xu Tang seemed to notice and casually let go of Gu Yao’s hand.
Zhao Shuqing blinked. “?”
What was that about?
Afraid she’d see them dating or something?
“What about you two? Here for a date?” Zhao Shuqing shot back.
It was a question, but their vibe screamed yes.
Grinning, Gu Yao nodded. “Yep, Little Tang Sis and I are out for dinner. Why aren’t you inside? Squatting at the door for what?”
Zhao Shuqing hadn’t seen Gu Yao in ages. She patted the wheelchair arm. “No private rooms. I’m trying to convince her to go elsewhere, but Lin Feng doesn’t want to.”
Lin Feng tugged Zhao Shuqing’s sleeve, turning away from Xu Tang to signal with her eyes: she hadn’t wanted to before, but now she did—just not with Xu Tang around.
Xu Tang narrowed her eyes at the bundled-up Lin Feng, amused. “All wrapped up like that—you’re not hot?”
“Not hot,” Zhao Shuqing answered for her. “Her temperature’s a bit low. I’m keeping her extra warm so she doesn’t catch cold.”
“Is that so?” Xu Tang said coolly. “You’re awfully attentive.”
Gu Yao saw them chatting away right there in the hotpot shop entrance like no one else mattered and cut in. “No need to switch spots. We booked a private room ahead—plenty of space. Join us!”
She bent down to smile at Lin Feng. “Sound good, Lin Feng?”
Lin Feng frowned faintly, ready to refuse, but Xu Tang spoke first. “What’s the issue? We’re all friends. Let’s eat together.”
Gazing at Lin Feng’s back, Xu Tang added, “Today, dinner’s on me.”
