The Mermaid and Her Keeper (GL) - Chapter 53

Zhao Shuqing raised her eyebrows slightly, leaning back in her chair as she asked curiously, “What do you mean? You want to meet my senior alone?”

“Exactly.” Gu Yao was unpacking takeout as she explained the situation.

Since the joint experiment team was formed, the heads of both teams decided to merge their laboratories. There was no issue on the marine research team’s side, as Xu Tang had already picked a new workspace. On the genetics team’s side, they needed to hand over some materials and equipment to Xu Tang, so Gu Yao was chosen as the liaison.

“It’s mainly about the equipment needs and the replenishment of experimental drugs. All these little details were assigned to me,” Gu Yao said with a headache. “Tomorrow afternoon, I have to meet Xu Tang to report on the progress. I might even need to interact with her regularly from now on. I’m feeling so conflicted.”

“What’s there to feel conflicted about?” Zhao Shuqing took a sip of cold soda and glanced at her. “Don’t you want to pursue my senior? Isn’t this a perfect opportunity?”

“It’s not that simple. The problem is…” Gu Yao held her head in her hands. “She has absolutely no interest in me. Forcing myself into contact with her is just painful.”

Zhao Shuqing thought for a moment. “That… makes sense, I guess.”

Gu Yao slumped onto the table and looked at her. “Help me out here, Shuqing. Do you think I should decline this job? The professor asking me to conduct experiments is fine, and even completing an independent project is something I can attempt. But direct interaction with Xu Tang? I have no idea what to do.”

Zhao Shuqing rested her head on her hand, petting the clingy little orange cat in her lap. She asked, “What do you really want? Do you want to meet my senior or not?”

“Of course, I do! I dream of spending time alone with Xu Tang—heck, I even dream of marrying her. But what’s the point of just wanting it?” Gu Yao lamented. “She doesn’t like me. If I keep forcing myself into her space, at best, people will call me a simp. At worst, I might just end up annoying her even more. It’d be better to just stay friends.”

With that, Gu Yao grabbed her soda and downed it in one go.

Zhao Shuqing tried to comfort her. “Don’t think like that. My senior is pretty kind—she wouldn’t call you names.”

Gu Yao shook her head. “You’ve never been in love. You don’t understand me.”

Zhao Shuqing opened her mouth to retort but then thought of something, smirking slightly before responding calmly, “If it really feels that overwhelming, then don’t go. Keeping some distance might be better.”

Gu Yao’s heart sank. She stayed silent for a moment before refilling her glass with soda and gulping it down. Her eyes reddened slightly.

“You’re right. It’s better to maintain some distance,” Gu Yao said sadly. “Xu Tang and I are just not meant to be. I’ll eat this meal and talk to the professor tomorrow. Someone else can handle this report—not me.”

Zhao Shuqing chuckled bitterly and shook her head, pouring more soda for Gu Yao. “Go easy on the drinks. If you chug it too fast, you’ll regret it.”

Gu Yao clung to Zhao Shuqing’s arm, tears welling up as she babbled about her feelings for Xu Tang—her love at first sight and how she cherished the memory of her first love, all while crying and reminiscing.

Zhao Shuqing could only keep her company, eating barbecue and drinking soda until past 2 a.m. Finally, too exhausted to continue, they each went home.

When Zhao Shuqing got home, she climbed into bed. Lin Feng rolled over and snuggled up to her, falling back asleep almost immediately.

Zhao Shuqing smiled wryly, patting Lin Feng’s back as they drifted off to sleep together.

The next morning, at 8 a.m., Gu Yao arrived at the lab. With the lab move underway, many people were taking the chance to rest, leaving only a handful of staff still working. Gu Yao was among them.

“Yao Yao,” the genetics team leader approached, placing a stack of materials on Gu Yao’s desk. “Here are the supplies for this afternoon. When you meet with Team Captain Xu, make sure to explain everything clearly. These are all essential items—not a single one can be omitted. Got it?”

Gu Yao fidgeted nervously, looking at the team leader. “Uh, Liu Jie, could I… not go?”

Team Leader Liu was puzzled. “What’s wrong? Didn’t we agree that you’d report to Xu Tang?”

Gu Yao hesitated. “Well, I kind of have a bit of… tension with Team Captain Xu. She might not want to see me. Couldn’t someone else go? Everyone here knows these things—it doesn’t have to be me.”

“What are you talking about?” Liu Jie said disapprovingly. “You’ve been handling this from the start. No one knows these details better than you. And now you want me to find someone else last minute? Who do you suggest I send?”

“But…” Gu Yao started.

“Stop worrying,” Liu Jie reassured her, patting her shoulder. “Xu Tang might seem a bit cold, but she’s not hard to get along with. Besides, it’s just a report. You’ll be back in no time. What are you so afraid of?”

Gu Yao thought bitterly to herself, I’d rather have dinner with her.

Seeing no way out, Gu Yao spent a long time staring at the documents before reluctantly agreeing.

Although she knew Xu Tang wouldn’t like her, the thought of even a little closer interaction was enough to make her hopeful.

Maybe… just maybe…

It was the last time she would be so close to Xu Tang.

After lunch, Gu Yao took her documents and went to find Xu Tang. She waited for a while on the bench outside the office and finally saw Xu Tang returning with her colleagues from the marine team. The group seemed to be discussing some research topics, and even from afar, Xu Tang was captivating.

Noticing Gu Yao’s gaze, Xu Tang turned her head and saw her sitting by the office door. Her steps paused slightly before she turned back to her colleagues and said, “You two go ahead and make the arrangements. Call me if there’s anything urgent.”

“Got it, Captain Xu.”

Once they left, Xu Tang turned around and walked over. Gu Yao quickly stood up from the bench and said nervously, “Captain Xu, I—I came to report on the work of the genetics team and the supplies we need.”

Xu Tang nodded slightly and smiled. “Come in.”

Gu Yao’s heart pounded wildly as she watched Xu Tang enter the office. She hurriedly followed behind.

The office was dimly lit. After entering, Xu Tang went to the window and opened the curtains, letting in some light. Only then did she turn to Gu Yao and ask, “Would you like something to drink? I have coffee and herbal tea.”

“No need to trouble yourself. I’m not thirsty,” Gu Yao said hastily. “We should start with the work report.”

Xu Tang chuckled softly. “No rush. Sit down first. I’ll pour you some water.”

Gu Yao nervously watched as Xu Tang took out a disposable paper cup and filled it with water. Reluctantly, she sat down.

“I heard you’ve been taking care of Shu Qing’s cat recently,” Xu Tang said as she placed the water in front of Gu Yao. Her tone was warm. “That cat is hard to look after, isn’t it? You must have had a hard time.”

Gu Yao shook her head. “Not at all. Guazi is very well-behaved. As long as there’s enough litter and food, it’s fine. It just doesn’t like drinking water.”

Xu Tang’s dark eyes fixed on her, unblinking. After listening, she smiled, her gaze softening. “You’re good with animals. Do you like marine creatures too?”

Gu Yao blinked. “You mean dolphins and orcas?”

“Not just those,” Xu Tang said, resting her hands on the table and looking at her steadily. “For example, mermaids.”

Gu Yao froze.

Xu Tang studied Gu Yao’s expression and slowly asked, “I know you’re neighbors with Shu Qing. Since she’s taken Lin Feng home, you must have seen her many times, right? How do you feel about mermaids? Do you dislike them?”

“Of course not,” Gu Yao replied quickly. “I think Lin Feng is adorable. She’s not what I imagined a mermaid to be like. I’ve never seen such a beautiful one.”

Xu Tang’s gaze flickered slightly. “Oh? Really?”

Gu Yao nodded. “Her personality is great, and she’s so sweet. Not just me—many people like Lin Feng. She even has a lot of fans on social media. Some people travel from far away just to catch a glimpse of her.”

That part wasn’t an exaggeration. Although Lin Feng had only appeared publicly for a few days, people came from all over just to see her. Later, when Lin Feng was kept out of sight and injured, many people online expressed concern for her and hoped the aquarium would let her meet the public again.

Xu Tang said, “But if not all mermaids were like her, would you still find them cute?”

Gu Yao couldn’t understand what Xu Tang meant and looked at her blankly. “Captain Xu, what are you trying to say? Have you… seen other mermaids?”

“No,” Xu Tang replied with a faint smile. “Just chatting casually. Anyway, let’s not talk about Lin Feng now. Didn’t you come to report on the genetics team’s work? Let’s start.”

“Oh, right.” Gu Yao snapped out of it, opened her documents, and began reporting to Xu Tang.

The report didn’t take long, about half an hour. By the end, Gu Yao’s throat was dry. She took a big gulp of water from the cup.

Xu Tang carefully reviewed the files Gu Yao handed over. After a few minutes, she nodded and closed them. “Leave these with me. I’ll arrange everything later.”

Gu Yao breathed a sigh of relief. Xu Tang’s words meant her work for the day was done. Standing up, she said, “Okay, Captain Xu. I’ll head back now.”

Xu Tang stared at her for a moment, hesitating for a few seconds before stopping her. “Gu Yao, do you have any plans tonight?”

Gu Yao froze slightly and looked back. “No plans. I’ll just head home after work.”

Xu Tang smiled warmly. “Then let’s have dinner together tonight. My treat this time.”

Gu Yao felt her heart pounding in her chest, her eyes wide with surprise.

While tidying up her house, Zhao Shu Qing noticed her toothbrush was missing.

Granted, it was an old toothbrush she’d meant to throw away, but its sudden disappearance puzzled her.

Recently, things had been going missing at home—a toothbrush one day, a cup the next. Although it wasn’t anything valuable, Zhao Shu Qing found it odd.

Could a thief have broken in?

But the building was full of research staff. Surely, no one would steal from her. And even if they did, why steal a toothbrush?

Arms crossed, Zhao Shu Qing scanned her home, her eyes eventually landing on Lin Feng, who was lying on the bed, watching a drama on her tablet. Narrowing her eyes, she walked over and kicked the bedframe lightly. “Lin Feng, things have been going missing in the house. Do you know anything about it?”

Startled, Lin Feng’s hand slipped, and the tablet fell with a loud smack right onto her face.