The Mermaid and Her Keeper (GL) - Chapter 30

Lin Feng’s voice was clear and ethereal. Sitting next to Zhao Shuqing, her singing seemed to reach straight into the soul.

Colleagues who were just ordering takeout stopped chatting and turned toward Lin Feng, drawn by her voice.

Zhao Shuqing hadn’t expected Lin Feng to start singing all of a sudden.

Maybe she was just in a good mood today.

Or maybe the moonlit setting made her feel calm and peaceful.

In any case, Lin Feng gently held Zhao Shuqing’s hand and hummed softly. Unlike the loud and bright voice she had by the riverbank before, her ethereal singing now was like a lullaby, slowly reaching deep into one’s heart.

Listening to the song, Zhao Shuqing felt a sudden tightness in her chest.

She felt the melody was very familiar, but she couldn’t place where she had heard it before.

Lin Feng closed her eyes and slightly lifted her chin, showing off her beautiful, fair neck. Moonlight shimmered on the water of the ecological pool and bathed both of them.

Colleagues hurriedly pulled out their phones to record this scene. The whole lab was quiet, with only Lin Feng singing softly to the moonlight.

When the song ended, Lin Feng turned to look at Zhao Shuqing. Her blue eyes sparkled as if asking if she sang well.

Before Zhao Shuqing could react, the colleagues applauded enthusiastically and shouted, “That was beautiful, Lin Feng!”

Startled, Lin Feng looked at the cheering people from afar, then glanced cautiously at Zhao Shuqing.

Zhao Shuqing smiled and said, “You sang really well.”

Happy, Lin Feng released Zhao Shuqing’s hand, jumped into the pool, and swam away until she disappeared from sight.

Seeing she wanted to rest, Zhao Shuqing didn’t disturb her. After tidying up the medicines and putting them back, she took some materials and returned to the dorm, planning to finish her thesis while she had time.

When she got back, Gu Yao from next door hadn’t come back yet. Zhao Shuqing raised an eyebrow, thinking maybe something was going on between them.

She fed the cat casually and then started organizing her materials. Before she realized it, it was already past midnight. She quickly washed her face and went to bed, unaware that early the next morning, she would find herself trending on social media.

#MermaidSinging#

#MermaidFirstAppearance#

#MermaidAndKeeper#

Several trending tags appeared at the top, with the first one being the hottest. Clicking it opened a video posted by the aquarium’s official account. In the video, Lin Feng and Zhao Shuqing sat by the ecological pool under the moonlight. Lin Feng lifted her fair, beautiful neck and sang toward the moon above.

Her whole body was covered in a layer of frost, and her blue tail shimmered in the moonlight like a piece of glazed gem.

The singing in the video was enchanting and melodious. The mermaid’s graceful movements made her look like a magical spirit straight out of legend.

“Oh my god, is this the sound of a mermaid’s song? If I were a sailor, I’d definitely be drawn in!”

“Lin Feng is so beautiful. How can there be such a stunning creature in this world?”

“I’m so jealous of her keeper. I used to want a panda, now I want a mermaid!”

“Wake up, whether it’s pandas or mermaids, keepers need a PhD at least.”

“…”

When Zhao Shuqing walked into the lab, she immediately felt all eyes on her. Curious, she looked around and asked, “What’s going on? Why is everyone staring at me?”

Soon, they surrounded her and showed her the trending video.

Holding her phone, Zhao Shuqing’s eyes grew wide. This was the first time she’d ever been on a trending list.

“Is it okay to show Lin Feng like this so quickly? Isn’t it risky?” After watching the video, she asked anxiously. After all, they had just been kidnapped not long ago.

Ye Xun waved her hand and smiled, “It’s fine. Those foreign agents have already been caught. Besides, now that Lin Feng’s quarantine is over, she’ll have to face visitors at the aquarium sooner or later. It’s good to have her appear more in public—it’ll bring a lot of attention to the aquarium.”

Although their research was funded by the government, part of the budget was linked to the aquarium’s revenue. After all, every time they went out to sea, they brought back samples to enrich the aquarium’s collection. So the funding was quite generous.

Hearing that the foreign agents had been caught, Zhao Shuqing finally relaxed. Watching the video of herself sitting side by side with Lin Feng, her heart felt warm and soft.

Looks like she and Lin Feng actually make a good match.

Zhao Shuqing was startled by the sudden thought and quickly handed back her phone, getting ready for work.

After a week of quarantine observation and medical checkups, Lin Feng’s health was stable. So after discussing with Ye Xun and the others, they decided to move Lin Feng to the aquarium during its Monday closure.

The news about Lin Feng joining the aquarium was promoted worldwide. Many countries were closely watching, but some even loudly claimed mermaids were fake, just made up stories. Even with videos and evidence, they refused to believe it.

The research institute’s attitude was clear: believe it or not, it’s up to you.

On Monday, Zhao Shuqing arrived at the lab early. Even earlier were Xu Tang and Ye Xun, who greeted her as she came in. After nodding and saying hello to Ye Xun, Zhao Shuqing curiously asked Xu Tang, “Senior, what are you doing here?”

It had been a while since the last weekend dinner, and Zhao Shuqing hadn’t seen Xu Tang or Gu Yao recently.

Gu Yao had been working overtime every day on the “Dual Female Project,” sometimes even sleeping in the lab. Zhao Shuqing was busy too and didn’t want to bother her but still cared about her friend’s love life and wanted to ask for updates.

But Gu Yao always changed the subject, and Zhao Shuqing sensed she didn’t want to talk about it, so she didn’t press.

Now, with Xu Tang standing right in front of her, Zhao Shuqing couldn’t help but feel curious and wanted to ask what really happened that day after Xu Tang left.

“Senior,”

Zhao Shuqing quietly pulled Xu Tang aside and asked, “How are things between you and Gu Yao?”

Xu Tang pretended not to know, “What do you mean?”

Zhao Shuqing said, “Nothing, I just mean after I left that day, did Gu Yao say anything to you? Did she make you angry?”

Xu Tang still wore her usual calm expression and said, “No, we just went back after dinner.”

Zhao Shuqing: “Ah?”

Xu Tang looked at her, “Otherwise, what do you think we would do after dinner?”

That question was a little risky, so Zhao Shuqing quickly explained, “Nothing, I was just asking casually.”

Xu Tang glanced at her sideways, then turned to look at the tanks by the ecological pool and said, “Stop worrying about such boring things. Let’s get to work.”

Feeling a little embarrassed, Zhao Shuqing rubbed her nose and followed Xu Tang to help out.

Lin Feng was angry about being back in the small tank. The ecological pool wasn’t huge but definitely more comfortable than that tiny tank. Zhao Shuqing calmed her down for a long time before Lin Feng finally understood she was “moving house” to a bigger pool.

Actually, Zhao Shuqing could have brought Lin Feng to the aquarium herself, but since the aquarium director and other officials were all coming, plus two media teams, they had to make a big show of it.

Fortunately, everything went smoothly. Zhao Shuqing watched as they moved the tank to the aquarium’s work area. In front of them was a huge water pool, each section fenced with deep iron bars.

Usually, sea creatures could swim freely inside the aquarium. But when staff left for the day, certain animals were locked up to prevent them from damaging the ecosystem while no one was around.

Smaller harmless fish and shrimp didn’t get that treatment. So, there were only about a dozen such fenced pools.

When Lin Feng was placed in the pool, she flapped a couple of times, then looked up at Zhao Shuqing nervously, quietly calling her name.

“It’s okay, it’s okay.” Zhao Shuqing stroked her head, reassuring her, “I’m here. I’ll stay with you.”

Lin Feng looked at her anxiously. Thankfully, the big shots just took some photos and left. Xu Tang, as the person in charge, was asked to stay with them but soon glanced back at Zhao Shuqing and Lin Feng before leaving.

After they left, Zhao Shuqing and the aquarium director stayed to help Lin Feng adjust and meet her new “colleagues.”

Wearing a wetsuit, Zhao Shuqing sat by the shore. Lin Feng looked at her all black figure with curiosity, laying on her legs watching her put on flippers and strap on an oxygen tank. Zhao Shuqing smiled and gently touched Lin Feng’s face: “I’ll dive with you soon.”

Diving wasn’t hard for Zhao Shuqing. Once fully geared up, she quickly slipped into the water. Lin Feng was startled to see her dive straight in—after all, in her mind humans were fragile and could easily die without protection.

But this time, Zhao Shuqing didn’t face any danger.

After adapting to the water, Zhao Shuqing noticed Lin Feng nervously swimming around her, worried she might suffocate underwater. Soon Lin Feng realized that as long as Zhao Shuqing wore that black suit, she was fine and relaxed.

Zhao Shuqing guided Lin Feng deeper into the water, where many sea creatures gathered. Lin Feng flicked her tail and followed, the two swimming together like a black and blue pair of mermaids.

Maybe it was in her nature—once in the deep sea, Lin Feng was drawn to the marine life. Her eyes widened, and she looked at Zhao Shuqing in amazement.

Zhao Shuqing blew a stream of bubbles and waved at her, signaling she could play freely inside.

Lin Feng hesitated a moment, then moved forward a couple of steps. Seeing Zhao Shuqing didn’t stop her, she flicked her tail fast, like a dark current, rushing into the relaxed school of fish.

Through her goggles, Zhao Shuqing saw Lin Feng swimming among the fish. The little fish were curious about this new “colleague,” gathering and circling around her, seemingly observing her.

Lin Feng happily flicked her tail, swimming freely in the water.

Freedom.

Beauty.

In the quiet water, Zhao Shuqing thought she heard the fish’s call and felt her own heart pounding wildly.

Many times before,

Every time she saw Lin Feng, her heartbeat raced uncontrollably. She liked Lin Feng’s clingy gaze, liked how she swam around her.

Liked her face, liked her movements.

Liked how she sat beside her and sang to her.

Maybe… she really had fallen in love with this beautiful mermaid.