Chapter 85

Zhao Shuqing arrived at the nursing home, a facility with top-notch amenities. Everything here was complete and professional—the rooms spotless and bright. Even the few residents who couldn’t care for themselves were tended to with great care.

She knew the fees here were steep, and the entry requirements strict. Not just anyone could retire in a place like this. But Shen Qingming held a high status, and his pension was generous, so he had no trouble living here.

The nursing home consisted of villa-style buildings, each housing just one elderly resident along with a nanny and a caregiver. Zhao Shuqing walked up to the door and rang the bell. Soon, the nanny came over, wiping her hands, and opened it.

The nanny was a wiry woman in her fifties, her face kindly when she smiled. Spotting Zhao Shuqing, she grinned and said, “You’re Zhao Shuqing, right? Teacher Shen mentioned you’d be coming. Come on in—I’ll grab some slippers for you.”

“Thank you.” Zhao Shuqing stepped inside and watched the woman bend down to retrieve slippers from the cabinet. Suddenly, a faint fishy smell wafted toward her.

As she changed into the slippers, Zhao Shuqing asked casually, “Are you stewing fish soup?”

The nanny looked up, startled. “What?”

Zhao Shuqing blinked, then shook her head. “Nothing. Where’s Teacher Shen?”

The nanny pointed upstairs. “He’s in the study. I’ll take you up.”

Zhao Shuqing nodded and followed her toward the stairs. As they passed the kitchen, she glanced inside out of habit. No fish in sight—and the stove hadn’t even been lit.

So where was that faint fishy smell filling the house coming from?

Puzzled, Zhao Shuqing wondered if it was mildew from the house, but everything looked impeccably clean. She couldn’t make sense of it.

They went upstairs, turned a corner, and reached the study door. An elevator stood at the end of the hall, installed mainly for residents with mobility issues, but Shen Qingming was still healthy, so it went unused.

The fishy smell had all but vanished on the second floor. Zhao Shuqing suspected some fish must be stashed somewhere downstairs.

“Thank you,” she said to the nanny. “I can go in myself. You get back to what you were doing.”

The nanny agreed and headed downstairs. The fishy smell faded even more, almost undetectable now.

Zhao Shuqing watched her go, still puzzled, when Shen Qingming’s voice came from the study. “Is that Shuqing? Why are you lingering outside?”

She snapped her gaze away, reached for the door, and pushed it open.

The study was modest—a desk, a sofa, and one entire wall of bookshelves crammed full of books. A stack sat on the desk too. Zhao Shuqing glanced over them: novels, biographies, scientific journals, even some children’s picture books.

What an eclectic collection.

Shen Qingming was holding a foreign novel. When she entered, he set it facedown on the desk, stood with a smile, and said, “Have a seat. I’ll pour you some tea.”

“No need to trouble yourself, Teacher.” Flattered, Zhao Shuqing moved to pour it herself, but he stopped her.

“I’ve got nothing but time all day. Pouring you a cup is no big deal. Sit over there—it’ll be ready in a moment.” Smiling, Shen Qingming picked up the kettle and began brewing tea for her. Zhao Shuqing settled on the sofa, watching his back as he worked.

As she sat there awkwardly, he asked, “How about that speech for the Marine Charity event? Have you thought it over? It’s a rare opportunity—I still think you should do it.”

She nodded. “That’s actually why I came, Teacher—to discuss it with you. You’re right; it’s a great chance.”

Shen Qingming glanced back at her and smiled faintly.

The affection encoded in human genes ran deep. The original Shen Qingming must have been very fond of this student, because the moment the current one heard about the invitation, she was the first person he thought of.

A minor speech for some marine charity—he’d even checked with Xu Tang, who saw no issue. Clearly, it was unimportant.

“If you’re sure, I’ll reply to the email and confirm for you.” He set a steaming cup of tea in front of her and sat down. “Tell me about your planned topic. Got any ideas?”

“Yes.” Zhao Shuqing pulled her tablet from her bag and handed it over. “I’d like to talk about mermaids.”

Shen Qingming’s hand paused as he took it, then steadied. He glanced at the mermaid research outline on the screen, tugged the corner of his mouth, and nodded. “Walk me through it in detail.”

For the next hour and a half, Zhao Shuqing discussed the topic with him. When she came back to herself, lunchtime was approaching.

The nanny knocked and stood in the doorway. “Lunch is ready. Will you be staying to eat?”

Only then did Zhao Shuqing realize how much she’d talked—she’d completely forgotten about the time.

“No, I have things to handle at home.” She hurriedly gathered her things, figuring she could make it back in half an hour.

But Shen Qingming said, “The food’s already prepared. Stay and eat with me.”

She started to decline when her phone dinged. It was a message from Gu Yao, wondering why she hadn’t come home yet.

【I ordered takeout and ate with Lin Feng. You’re on your own out there.】

The attached photo showed Lin Feng puffing out her cheeks to blow on some noodles.

Zhao Shuqing’s expression softened. She pocketed her phone and told Shen Qingming, “All right then. Thanks for having me.”

The nanny and caregiver ate at the small kitchen table, while Shen Qingming and Zhao Shuqing sat in the dining room. Lunch was lavish—all seafood, including a platter of bass as long as her forearm. The only vegetable was a small dish of stir-fried greens.

Zhao Shuqing tugged the corner of her mouth with her chopsticks, already feeling queasy at the sight.

“Teacher, you eat like this every day now?” She forced a dry laugh. “Didn’t you used to love free-range chicken? When did you switch to all fish and shrimp?”

Shen Qingming glanced at the spread. “What’s wrong? Not to your taste?”

She waved it off hastily. “No, no—it’s just so extravagant. I’m not used to it.”

He chuckled. “Extravagant? The market’s right next door—these were fresh when we bought them. Dig in and try Sister Feng’s cooking.”

With that, he picked a piece of belly meat from the fish and placed it in her bowl, urging her to taste it. Zhao Shuqing was thoroughly sick of fish by now, but she couldn’t show distaste in front of her mentor. She forced it down and managed a compliment on the cooking.

The meal left her with a sour stomach. She’d barely finished half a bowl of rice when the faint fishy smell hit her again. She couldn’t tell if it came from the people, the house, or the feast before her.

Either way, she resolved not to touch fish for days.

After lunch, Zhao Shuqing took her leave. Shen Qingming didn’t press her to stay, just gave a few words of advice before seeing her out. Once outside the villa, breathing in the fresh air, the queasy fishy smell finally dissipated completely.

Her appetite returned. She bought two grilled sausages from a roadside vendor and ate them in her car.

The vendor must have used good ingredients—the taste was surprisingly great. Zhao Shuqing got out and bought five more to bring home for Lin Feng and Gu Yao.

Back at the dormitory, she parked the car. The lot was a short walk away, so she hurried home with her bag, planning to review the materials Teacher Shen had sent that afternoon. Once confirmed, she’d tell Lin Feng the news.

She needed to find someone reliable to watch over Lin Feng while she was gone—no letting anyone drag her off for a live body experiment.

Opening the door, Zhao Shuqing called out, “I’m home!”

Lin Feng and Gu Yao both poked their heads out.

“Zhao Shuqing.” Lin Feng’s eyes sparkled as she gazed at her. They’d only been apart half a day, but she missed her terribly.

Zhao Shuqing felt the same about her little fish. She changed her shoes and walked over. “What are you two up to?”

Gu Yao stood. “Nothing much. Just keeping Lin Feng company watching TV dramas.”

Zhao Shuqing eyed Gu Yao’s unchanged outfit from earlier. “Haven’t you slept? Go rest—I’ll stay with Lin Feng.”

“I’m fine. I napped four hours in the lab dorm. Not too tired.” Gu Yao spotted the sausages in her hand. “What’s that? For us?”

Zhao Shuqing raised an eyebrow and held them out. “Five grilled sausages. You two split them—I ate on the way.”

Lin Feng leaned in curiously. “What’s a grilled sausage?”

“It’s made from pork.” Zhao Shuqing handed her one. “Try it.”

Lin Feng rarely ate pork products, and this was her first grilled sausage. She examined it closely before taking a bite.

The crispy casing crackled softly. Warm, tender inside and crisp outside, the rich aroma burst forth. Lin Feng’s eyes lit up. “Delicious!”

She’d discovered another treat on par with hotpot and milk tea.

Gu Yao tried one too—solid flavor, good quality. For Lin Feng, it was a revelation.

Gu Yao handed the rest to her, then wandered off munching one to find Zhao Shuqing.

Zhao Shuqing had just changed in the bathroom and stuffed the last couple days’ laundry into the washing machine. Seeing Gu Yao approach with her sausage, she leaned against the wall. “Eating in the bathroom?”

Gu Yao shot her a disdainful look and kicked vaguely at the air. “Zhao Shuqing, is there anything you really want?”

Zhao Shuqing paused while loading clothes and eyed her up and down. “What, planning to get me a birthday gift?”

Gu Yao looked away awkwardly. She couldn’t admit she was fishing for gift ideas for Lin Feng.

Ever since Zhao Shuqing left, she and Lin Feng had spent nearly the whole day browsing Taobao recommendations. A house was out of reach, she’d already bought a car herself, and Lin Feng wasn’t into the rest. Not wanting to overcomplicate it, Gu Yao had come straight to ask.

“Just pretend it’s a birthday gift from me,” Gu Yao pressed. “Come on, what do you want?”

Zhao Shuqing thought seriously, finished loading the washer, and hit start. Then she turned to Gu Yao. “Nothing I want.”