Chapter 92

A gift?

Zhao Shuqing narrowed her eyes at the caller ID. Once she confirmed it was Gu Yao, she asked in confusion, “Did she send me another gift?”

“Another?” Gu Yao sounded puzzled. “What do you mean ‘another’? Has she given you other presents before?”

Zhao Shuqing thought of the bloodstained bedsheet and blanket, along with that single blue fish scale. She shook her head and said, “No. What did she buy? Is it something big?”

“Not big at all—just a piece of jewelry.” Gu Yao replied, “Forget it, I’ll head up. See you in a minute.”

Gu Yao hung up, and Zhao Shuqing gave her phone a puzzled glance before turning back to Lin Feng, who was still sleeping. After a moment’s thought, she headed to the bathroom and spotted the blue scale she’d left soaking in a basin.

She fished the scale out of the water. Now detached from the tail, it had lost some of its vibrant luster, but it still gleamed like a beautiful blue gemstone.

Zhao Shuqing pulled out a couple of sheets of tissue paper and gave it a quick wipe. After hesitating briefly, she carried it out and set it on the desk.

The scale felt incredibly hard to the touch, like stone, yet it sparkled more brilliantly than any gem.

Once she had placed it safely, Zhao Shuqing quietly slipped out the door.

She ran into Gu Yao right outside. Gu Yao was emerging from the elevator with a parcel box in hand. Spotting Zhao Shuqing, she waved in greeting and jogged over. Her gaze flicked to Zhao Shuqing’s pajamas, and she raised an eyebrow. “Don’t tell me you two are only just getting up?”

Zhao Shuqing didn’t answer. Instead, she eyed the box in Gu Yao’s hands. “What’s that?”

“It’s the gift from Lin Feng for you. She put my name and number on the delivery, so they called me.” Gu Yao thrust the box into Zhao Shuqing’s arms. “Take a look. This thing cost a fortune—it wiped out all of Lin Feng’s savings.”

Zhao Shuqing cradled the surprisingly light box and glanced at it. She started to open it, but Gu Yao stopped her.

“Lin Feng went broke buying this for you. Isn’t it a bit rude to unwrap it right here?” Gu Yao said with a grin. “Take it home and open it in front of her. And make sure you shower her with praise.”

Zhao Shuqing lowered her gaze and nodded slightly. “I will.”

Gu Yao had other errands to run, so after dropping off the package, she hurried away. Zhao Shuqing watched her enter the elevator before hugging the parcel and heading back inside.

The box was so light that, upon hearing it was jewelry, Zhao Shuqing didn’t dare shake it. She retrieved a utility knife from the pen holder on her desk, sliced open the packaging, and pulled out the small box nestled inside layers of shock-absorbing foam.

The box was made of sandalwood, intricately carved with openwork floral patterns. Though she couldn’t make out the exact design, the little sandalwood case itself was exquisitely crafted. If the packaging was this lavish, Zhao Shuqing couldn’t help but wonder what lay within.

She opened it gently. Nestled inside was a deep, somber teal green—a jade bracelet.

The bracelet’s luster was fine and smooth, its quality evident at a glance. It was clearly a fine specimen, and the rich teal hue lent it a steady, dignified air, evoking the haze of a heavy rain and the bamboo groves shrouded within.

Zhao Shuqing picked up the bracelet and examined it closely for a moment.

She knew nothing about jade or emeralds and had no interest in jewelry, but because it was from Lin Feng, she loved it.

Before long, Lin Feng stirred and woke.

She lay there in a daze for a bit before looking around the room. Her eyes landed on Zhao Shuqing, who was seated at the desk tapping away at her keyboard. Lin Feng called out softly, “Zhao Shuqing…”

Hearing her voice, Zhao Shuqing turned around, resting her hand on the back of her chair. “Awake? Hungry? It’s already two in the afternoon.”

Lin Feng shook her head. Her gaze drifted to the arm Zhao Shuqing had draped over the chair back.

It was the same hand as always, but now a band of teal green encircled Zhao Shuqing’s otherwise bare wrist. Lin Feng peered at it closely and found it familiar. She blinked, a mix of puzzlement and curiosity flickering in her eyes.

“Does it look good?” Zhao Shuqing held up her hand for Lin Feng to see. “This is the gift you got me. Gu Yao just brought it over at noon.”

Lin Feng sat bolt upright in bed at the sight of it, excitement lighting up her face. “Let me see!”

Zhao Shuqing wasn’t stingy. She rose, walked over, and sat on the edge of the bed so Lin Feng could get a proper look at the bracelet.

“This must have been expensive, right?” Zhao Shuqing met Lin Feng’s eyes. “She said it cost all your savings—tens of thousands, at least? Something this valuable… are you sure you want to give it to me?”

Lin Feng looked up at her, her deep blue eyes sparkling. She sat up very straight. “It suits you perfectly. It’s beautiful.”

It was unclear whether that “beautiful” referred to the bracelet or to Zhao Shuqing.

“Thank you.” Zhao Shuqing leaned down and kissed her forehead. She ran her fingers through Lin Feng’s light-colored long hair and said, “Go wash up. There’s still some stuff in the fridge—I’ll whip up a simple bowl of congee for you. Tonight, we’ll go out for hotpot.”

Lin Feng thought of how Zhao Shuqing would be leaving tomorrow. She took the initiative, wrapping her arms around Zhao Shuqing’s waist and nestling into her embrace.

Zhao Shuqing hugged her back, murmuring affectionately, “I know you hate for me to go. I promise I’ll video call you every morning and night. The moment I’m done with work, I’ll rush back to see you. In the meantime, you can move to the oceanarium. Wen Xiaoying and the other keepers will take good care of you.”

Of course Lin Feng knew. Zhao Shuqing had repeated it endlessly, nagging on and on.

She rubbed her cheek against Zhao Shuqing’s neck before lifting her head. “I know. I won’t make you worry.”

Zhao Shuqing was a little surprised by Lin Feng’s sudden maturity. Supporting her waist, she leaned in and kissed her on the lips.

Soft. Warm.

“Good girl.” Zhao Shuqing lightly stroked the curve of Lin Feng’s back and waist. “I’ll think of you every day.”

“Mmm.” Lin Feng closed her eyes.

After a brief rest that afternoon, Gu Yao called ahead to say she was done with work and for them to get ready. She’d meet them at the hotpot place.

Zhao Shuqing brought Lin Feng to the restaurant. The owner came out personally to greet them and brought Lin Feng a tall glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice, along with a few complimentary side dishes.

Once Lin Feng was settled comfortably, Zhao Shuqing placed their order. They’d start the pot when Gu Yao arrived.

Gu Yao was a tad late. She’d made a detour to the cake shop to pick up the cake they’d ordered the day before. She arrived looking windswept, cake box in hand, startling Zhao Shuqing.

“I’m not big on cake. Why’d you get such a huge one?” Zhao Shuqing eyed the eight-inch cake. “My flight’s tomorrow afternoon—we won’t finish it. What a waste.”

She hadn’t been cooking these past few days and had already cleared out the fridge. Tomorrow she’d drop Lin Feng off at the oceanarium and pull the main breaker before leaving. This massive cake had caught her off guard.

“What’s with you?” Gu Yao shot her a sideways glance. “Who said I got it for you?”

Zhao Shuqing: “?”

It’s my birthday. If not for me, then…

Lin Feng’s eyes lit up at the sight of the cake. “Is that the one I wanted?”

Grinning ear to ear, Gu Yao said, “Yep—the mermaid cake you specifically asked for. The baker added a mango layer in the middle~”

Zhao Shuqing: “…”

Of course it wasn’t for her.

Zhao Shuqing sighed, then shook her head with a smile.

Fine, fine. Whether it was for Lin Feng or her made no difference. As long as Little Fish was happy.

It was the first time in her adult life that someone had celebrated Zhao Shuqing’s birthday like this—one was the Little Fish she adored, the other her best friend.

They barely touched the cake, but for the first time, Zhao Shuqing didn’t find her birthday so depressing.

After dinner, Zhao Shuqing handled the bill. Clutching the long receipt, she stepped out to find Gu Yao standing and Lin Feng seated beside the car, chatting idly. Lin Feng clutched the leftover cake box. Spotting Zhao Shuqing, she waved happily.

Gu Yao shoved her hands in her pockets and patted the roof of Zhao Shuqing’s car. “Pop the locks first. I’ll carry Lin Feng in.”

Lin Feng turned to look at her upon hearing that. Zhao Shuqing said in surprise, “With those skinny arms of yours? Can you even lift our Little Fish? She’s got to weigh at least a hundred pounds.”

Gu Yao rolled up her sleeves, flexing her slender white arms and the faint outline of her biceps. “Don’t worry—I’ve got this.”

Zhao Shuqing wasn’t about to let her try. What if she dropped Lin Feng? She’d be the one heartbroken.

“Forget it.” Zhao Shuqing tossed her the keys, went to the wheelchair, scooped Lin Feng up, and said, “You drive.”

“Who’re you underestimating?” Gu Yao grumbled, but she took the keys and got behind the wheel. Zhao Shuqing settled Little Fish in the back seat, folded the wheelchair, and stowed it in the trunk. Then she joined Lin Feng in the back.

Gu Yao had her license but didn’t drive often. Rubbing her hands together eagerly, she asked Zhao Shuqing, “Your insurance is all up to date, right?”

The implication: If I crash, I won’t have to pay out of pocket?

Zhao Shuqing narrowed her eyes slightly, her arm around Lin Feng’s waist. She said to Lin Feng, “If we wreck the car, you’re not coming home tonight.”

Gu Yao shrank back and started the engine.

Lin Feng was probably stuffed from the meal. She slumped bonelessly against Zhao Shuqing, clutching the half-eaten cake box. Worried she wasn’t comfortable, Zhao Shuqing pulled her closer.

Gu Yao caught the scene in the rearview mirror and let out a tsk-tsk. “Ease up on torturing this freshly single gal. If I get sick of you lovebirds, I might just floor it into the river.”

“Go ahead.” Zhao Shuqing said cheerfully. “The body of the last idiot who drove us into the river is probably rotted away by now.”

Gu Yao grimaced in disgust and drove straight ahead, avoiding the rearview mirror.

Lin Feng didn’t catch that Zhao Shuqing was joking. She looked up earnestly and said, “If we go in the river, I’ll save both of you.”

Zhao Shuqing froze.

Gu Yao practically crowed with delight, slapping the steering wheel. “Lin Feng, I really like you. Why don’t we all just get together? The three of us making a happy life would beat anything else.”

Zhao Shuqing rolled her eyes. “Can you shut up?”

Gu Yao: “Nope.”

Zhao Shuqing sighed, deciding not to bother with her. Instead, she looked down at Lin Feng in her arms and the cake box she held.

“Finish the cake by tomorrow at the latest.” Zhao Shuqing said softly. “After I leave tomorrow, you have to listen to Wen Xiaoying and eat properly.”

Lin Feng nodded, gazing into Zhao Shuqing’s eyes. “Then you have to carry my scale with you at all times. It… it’s important.”

Zhao Shuqing smiled and nodded.

That night, Zhao Shuqing held Lin Feng close after her bath, stroking her large blue tail. She kissed her collarbone and neck. Lin Feng lowered her eyelids, letting Zhao Shuqing leave her marks.

“I’ll miss you…”

Lin Feng pressed her forehead to Zhao Shuqing’s and whispered, “You haven’t even left yet, but I already miss you…”

Zhao Shuqing caressed Lin Feng’s lower abdomen, parting the sealed scales there. She kissed her lips and murmured, “Me too.”