The Mermaid and Her Keeper (GL) - Chapter 28
“Lesbian reproduction?” Zhao Shuqing looked at her in surprise.
Lesbian reproduction, as the name suggests, is a genetic research project studying whether two eggs can combine and produce offspring. The “Lesbian Project” had actually been proposed decades ago. Ever since the outbreak of the genetic virus hundreds of years ago, more and more men have lost their ability to reproduce. Only a few lucky men can provide healthy genes, and many families have had to rely on others’ genes to continue their lineage.
As time passed, the number of fertile men in that era grew smaller and smaller, and eventually, women could no longer conceive naturally.
Without even basic reproductive ability, men’s social status declined sharply. Although men still hold some social value today, more people prefer daughters who can carry on the family line.
After same-s3x marriage became legal, families formed by two women found it easier to have children. Meanwhile, more men struggled to find a place in family life, and many were forced to focus on work or study, trying to find their role elsewhere.
Just like Zhao Shuqing’s mentor, who was found to be infertile after genetic screening. He gave up on family life and threw himself into research, luckily making significant progress in marine studies.
Up to now, the gene bank’s samples have grown fewer and fewer. It’s believed that, with time, humanity will eventually face extinction because of the lack of offspring.
Though this future seems far off, humans still need to take preventive measures, like the hottest topic—the Lesbian Project.
Abandon men, and continue the species using only two women’s genes.
This idea caused widespread panic among men. Although many supported the project, the social unrest was serious, so it was quickly shut down. Zhao Shuqing didn’t expect that Gu Yao and her team would suddenly be assigned this topic.
“Wasn’t this project banned decades ago? Why is it starting again?” Zhao Shuqing frowned as she asked.
Gu Yao shrugged. “I’m just a regular operator. These are orders from above. I don’t know their real intentions. But…” She changed her tone, “Men’s fertility is getting worse. Sooner or later, this project will be back on the table. Look around—how many men do you still see outside? Many pregnant women secretly abort if the fetus is a boy during checkups. If they can’t abort, that’s the only time a boy is born.”
Gu Yao said, “Raising a son costs a lot and gives no returns. It’s easier just to have a daughter. Maybe then you’ll get a grandson someday.”
Though that made some sense, Zhao Shuqing still worried. “If you study this, won’t you get in trouble?”
Gu Yao smiled. “Don’t worry. This is an important project approved by the top. Nothing will happen.”
Zhao Shuqing nodded. “That’s good then.”
Gu Yao was a genetic engineer, Zhao Shuqing a marine scientist, so their work topics didn’t overlap much. Luckily, they were about the same age, so after a brief chat, they changed the subject.
Zhao Shuqing sat in her chair, fiddling with her thesis format. Gu Yao sat cross-legged on her bed holding the cat, curious: “When are you planning to publish your thesis?”
“Still organizing it recently.” Zhao Shuqing tidied the data she brought back today, planning to write after Gu Yao left. Seeing her sitting on the bed with the cat, she smiled softly.
“Yao Yao, do you have a girlfriend?” Zhao Shuqing asked.
“Huh?” Gu Yao glanced at her and hugged the cat. “What, are you trying to set me up?”
“I’m single myself. Just curious about what it feels like to like someone,” Zhao Shuqing said casually.
Gu Yao thought for a moment, holding Guazi’s paw. “Liking someone is complicated, right? When you see her, you get nervous; when you don’t, you miss her a lot. Every time we meet in the cafeteria, just saying hi makes my heart race. After parting, I wonder if I didn’t do well enough or if I wasn’t in the right state of mind.”
Zhao Shuqing raised her eyebrows, leaning on the chair back. “You seem to know a lot. Do you have someone you like?”
“Aiya,” Gu Yao blushed. “You asked, so I told you. Why are you exposing me now?”
Zhao Shuqing’s curiosity spiked. She jumped up from the chair, sat beside Gu Yao, and asked eagerly, “We’re so close now. Tell me who you like. Maybe I can help.”
Gu Yao bit her lip, hesitating before saying, “Maybe you really can help.”
Zhao Shuqing’s eyes lit up. “Is it someone I know?”
“Yes.” Gu Yao hugged Guazi and shyly said, “It’s… it’s your senior, Xu Tang.”
Zhao Shuqing was clearly stunned.
She never expected that her longtime close friend’s crush was actually her senior, Xu Tang.
Gu Yao glanced at her, then sighed in disappointment. “But I know that Captain Xu doesn’t have any interest in that kind of thing. She’s never really looked at me properly. We’re not even on the same team, so the only times I see her are in the dorm or the cafeteria.”
She sighed again and turned to ask Zhao Shuqing, “Shuqing, be honest—do you think I have any chance with her?”
Zhao Shuqing looked at her with a complicated expression, thought carefully, and said, “It seems… not really.”
Gu Yao puffed up like a pufferfish, clearly frustrated.
Zhao Shuqing hurried to comfort her, “I know your senior well. She’s always serious and focused on research. Out of 365 days a year, she spends about 200 days at sea and the other 165 in the lab. You’ve probably seen her dorm—it’s just a bed and a blanket, almost nothing else. How do you expect to have a relationship with someone like that?”
Gu Yao pouted, “But I just like her, Shuqing. Please help me. I’m 26 this year and have never dated anyone. I’m not interested in anyone else—just your senior at first sight.”
“So… I’ll try to arrange a chance for you two to have dinner together, and you can talk to her yourself?” Zhao Shuqing tried to ease into it.
Gu Yao’s eyes lit up immediately. “Great! How about we set it for this weekend? My treat.”
“What’s the excuse?”
“I just got a bonus, so it’s perfect to celebrate your return from the sea.”
“Alright, I’ll tell Senior for you.”
Gu Yao cheered loudly and hugged Zhao Shuqing happily. “Thanks, Shuqing! If it works out, I’ll give you a big red envelope.”
Zhao Shuqing smiled helplessly and shook her head. “Whether it works depends on you. My senior is really hard to win over.”
“I’m not afraid,” Gu Yao said.
Seeing Gu Yao so excited, Zhao Shuqing suddenly got curious. She also recalled how this afternoon Lin Feng sat by the pool, looking at her with those bright eyes. Absentmindedly, she asked, “Can love happen between different species?”
Gu Yao was a little stunned and asked, “What do you mean? Isn’t Captain Xu human?”
Zhao Shuqing was stunned too, then realized what she had said and quickly blushed, explaining, “No, no, Senior is definitely human. I just got distracted for a moment.”
Gu Yao looked at her curiously and leaned in to ask, “What do you mean by different species?”
Zhao Shuqing shook her head. “Nothing, how could there be feelings across species? I just asked casually.” She was afraid Gu Yao would press further, so she quickly changed the subject, “I’ll check with Senior if she’s free this weekend, so we can confirm the time. Don’t want her to be busy and not able to come.”
Gu Yao immediately got distracted and nodded eagerly, “Okay, okay.”
In front of Gu Yao, Zhao Shuqing sent a message to Xu Tang, asking if she was free this weekend because Gu Yao got a bonus and wanted to invite everyone out to eat. Both of them got nervous after sending it. Zhao Shuqing worried Xu Tang might suddenly ask, “Who is Gu Yao?” but fortunately, she didn’t. Xu Tang replied quickly:
Xu Tang: [I’m free Saturday evening.]
“That’s great!” Gu Yao was thrilled and said to Zhao Shuqing, “I’ll book the restaurant for Saturday night. Can you ask Xu Tang what kind of food she likes? I’ll check group deals.”
Watching Gu Yao rush off, Zhao Shuqing shook her head helplessly and closed the door.
When she came back, she saw Xu Tang had replied with a bunch of information about mermaid research directions. Zhao Shuqing opened the files on her computer and also asked Xu Tang what cuisine she preferred.
Xu Tang paused for a moment, then called her directly.
Zhao Shuqing rubbed her nose and nervously answered.
“Why ask such a random question?” Xu Tang asked calmly.
Zhao Shuqing couldn’t betray Gu Yao, so she stuck to the story: “Yao Yao said she got a bonus and wanted to invite us to dinner.”
Xu Tang frowned. “Gu Yao is your friend, why invite me to dinner?”
“Well, we just got back from the sea, and you know, Gu Yao’s kind and generous. She just wants to treat us both,” Zhao Shuqing pushed hard, “Senior, please come. You always have to eat anyway, we’ll eat and then come back.”
Xu Tang seemed hesitant, but Zhao Shuqing kept at it until she reluctantly agreed.
“Alright,” Xu Tang said. “I’ll come find you in the lab Saturday afternoon, and then we’ll go together.”
“Great!” Zhao Shuqing clenched her fist excitedly and asked, “What do you like to eat? Should we book hotpot or barbecue?”
Xu Tang calmly said, “Let’s have grilled fish. Haven’t had that in a while.”
Zhao Shuqing was surprised, “Senior, after being at sea so long, you still want more fish?”
“The fish at sea are different from grilled fish,” Xu Tang said lightly. “If you don’t like it, we can arrange something else.”
“We’ll have grilled fish, no problem. I’ll book the restaurant.”
For her friend’s love life, Zhao Shuqing was all in.
After Xu Tang gave some work instructions and hung up, Zhao Shuqing sent a message to Gu Yao: grilled fish Saturday night. Gu Yao replied with a big “OK” emoji, looking super happy.
Zhao Shuqing stared at the gene reports and the materials from Xu Tang and couldn’t help but dread the coming Saturday.
Why did Xu Tang like fish so much?
Just like Lin Feng.