The Mermaid and Her Keeper (GL) - Chapter 55

The room was silent.

Lin Feng stared calmly at the door, her gaze fixed on the shadow in the door crack—a sign that someone was standing outside but not knocking.

The clownfish in the aquarium blew a bubble, then quickly darted back into the artificial rock, sensing something.

The person outside stood for five minutes before speaking in a measured tone.

“Lin Feng, I know you’re inside.”

It was Xu Tang’s voice.

Xu Tang was dressed in a white blouse and black wide-leg pants, carrying a simple square-shaped bag. Her shoes were the kind of plain leather shoes anyone could buy. To a stranger, she might look like an ordinary office worker.

But Lin Feng knew better. She knew how dangerous Xu Tang really was.

It seemed Xu Tang wasn’t expecting Lin Feng to open the door. Though she knew Zhao Shuqing’s door code, opening the lock would alert Zhao Shuqing. Xu Tang wasn’t ready for that confrontation—yet.

Speaking through the door, Xu Tang said, “I know I can’t hide this from you, and I don’t plan to. After all, you and I are the same.”

Lin Feng bristled and snapped, “Don’t compare me to you!”

Xu Tang chuckled softly, her gaze lingering on the door. “Even if you refuse to admit it, you can’t deny the truth. Ever since they pulled you out of the water, the plan has been in motion. I advise you to stop resisting.”

Lin Feng stayed silent.

After a pause, Xu Tang added, “I remember your tail is almost healed, isn’t it?”

Lin Feng froze, glaring at the door. “What do you want?”

“It’s not about what I want—it’s about what you want.” Xu Tang’s voice was gentle yet firm. “I don’t want Zhao Shuqing to find out about your ability to grow legs. That’s our species’ greatest secret. If you can’t keep it hidden, I’ll have to make sure you’re injured again.”

The memory of that injury—the pain of her tail being torn—flashed through Lin Feng’s mind, her face turning pale. She knew how ruthless Xu Tang could be, and she had no doubt she would follow through on her threats. This time, Xu Tang might even cut off her tail completely, leaving her unable to transform ever again.

Sensing Lin Feng’s unease, Xu Tang gently caressed the doorframe. “Don’t worry. As long as you do nothing, pretend to be just a harmless little fish, I won’t hurt you.”

Xu Tang paused before continuing, “Not only will I spare you, but I’ll also guarantee Zhao Shuqing’s safety.”

Lin Feng hesitated. “How can I trust you?”

“Of course you can trust me,” Xu Tang said softly. “After all, she’s someone I care about too. Why would I ever harm her?”

Lin Feng immediately felt something was off and retorted angrily, “Zhao Shuqing is mine!”

Xu Tang raised an eyebrow and chuckled ambiguously but said nothing.

Lin Feng found Xu Tang’s laughter grating, but at least it seemed she had said all she wanted to. Turning, Xu Tang began to leave.

“Wait!” Lin Feng suddenly called out. “Does it have to be Gu Yao? Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell her everything?”

Xu Tang thought for a moment before answering in a low voice, “I can’t stop you. But I must warn you, if you reveal everything, Zhao Shuqing will never see you the same way again.”

“To her, you’d be a freak—the monster responsible for harming humans.” Xu Tang asked, “Do you think Zhao Shuqing could still love you after that?”

Lin Feng had no response. She knew that if the truth ever came out, it would mark the end of her relationship with Zhao Shuqing.

Xu Tang left after delivering her warning, and Lin Feng sat in her chair, dazed for a long time.

She loved Zhao Shuqing, and Zhao Shuqing loved her too—of that she had no doubt. But if Zhao Shuqing ever found out the truth…

If she remained a mermaid, Zhao Shuqing might continue to see her as a harmless, lovable creature. Maybe they could truly stay together forever.

Mermaids lived for 500 years. Even if Zhao Shuqing lived to a ripe old age of 100, they could only spend 70 years together at most.

Seventy years—a lifetime for a human, but just a fraction of time for a mermaid.

Lin Feng stared at the clownfish hiding in the artificial rock, unsure of what to do.

Loving someone means being honest with them, but what if that honesty jeopardized the safety of an entire species? How would Zhao Shuqing see her then?

How would she view a mermaid who had deceived the entire world?

At a grilled fish restaurant, Zhao Shuqing ordered a spiced grilled fish, picking out the fattest Qingjiang fish for takeout.

Gu Yao, after paying the bill, stood nervously by the door, waiting eagerly for Xu Tang to arrive.

Meanwhile, Zhao Shuqing casually cracked sunflower seeds and teased, “Hey, Gu Yao, do you really like my senior that much? I mean, isn’t she just one of many in the research institute? She’s not even the prettiest.”

Gu Yao shot her a sideways glance. “What do you know? Xu Tang has an elegant, intellectual beauty. Mature and refined. She may not be the most striking, but she’s the most beautiful.”

Got it.

Gu Yao was a sapiosexual—the more intellectual someone was, the more she was drawn to them.

Zhao Shuqing shook her head with a wry smile. Just then, she saw Xu Tang walk in, dressed sharply in a black-and-white suit. Quickly, she kicked Gu Yao lightly under the table, signaling her that Xu Tang had arrived.

Xu Tang also noticed the two sitting at the table. Smiling faintly, she walked over.

Zhao Shuqing originally intended to greet Xu Tang with Gu Yao, but when she turned her head, she saw Gu Yao’s face flushed bright red, clutching the hem of her dress as if she was about to tear it apart. Zhao Shuqing quickly patted Gu Yao’s hand and whispered, “What’s wrong with you? No need to be this nervous!”

Gu Yao looked at her pleadingly, “Shuqing, don’t leave me. Stay here with me, please! I’m so nervous I might die!”

Zhao Shuqing gave her a disdainful look. “Why would I stay? You’re the one going on a date! What do you need me for? To be a third wheel? Lin Feng is waiting at home for me to bring her grilled fish. I can’t hang around with you.”

Gu Yao pouted, “You’re abandoning a friend for love!”

Before Zhao Shuqing could retort, Xu Tang had already reached them. Curious, she asked Zhao Shuqing, “What are you doing here?”

Zhao Shuqing quickly replied, “Oh, I tried the grilled fish here last time, and it was pretty good. Lin Feng hasn’t had it before, so I thought I’d bring some home for her to try.”

Right on cue, the server brought out the packaged fish. Zhao Shuqing picked it up and said to the two, “Well, I’ve got my fish, so I’ll head out. You two enjoy your meal.”

Xu Tang’s smile remained warm and gentle, as if she didn’t mind Zhao Shuqing knowing about the situation. But Gu Yao gave Zhao Shuqing a look full of desperation, silently begging her to stay.

Just as Zhao Shuqing was about to leave, Xu Tang called out to her suddenly.

“The joint lab is almost ready,” Xu Tang said. “In another two weeks, it should be operational. Lin Feng’s injuries should be healed by then. Bring her to visit. She’ll probably be spending a lot of time there in the future.”

Hearing this, Zhao Shuqing’s smile froze. Her expression grew complicated as she looked at Xu Tang. She knew the mermaid dual-female project was inevitable. As a small-time researcher, she had no power to stop it. Xu Tang’s words were likely meant to prepare her and Lin Feng mentally.

“…I understand,” Zhao Shuqing nodded at Xu Tang, then left with her fish.

Gu Yao nervously glanced at Xu Tang. When Xu Tang sat down, Gu Yao quickly followed suit, still too nervous to look her in the eye. She stammered, “X-Xu Captain, I ordered a four-pound fish. It’s the same flavor as last time. If… if there’s anything else you want to eat, we can order it now.”

Xu Tang took in all of Gu Yao’s nervous behavior with a faint smile. She asked, “Did you put on makeup today?”

Gu Yao flinched slightly and turned to look at her. “I did. If you think it doesn’t look good, I won’t—”

“No,” Xu Tang interrupted gently. “You look very beautiful today.”

Gu Yao felt her mind go blank. It wasn’t until the server came to pour water that she snapped back to reality, grabbing her glass and taking a big gulp to cover up her flustered state.

Xu Tang nodded at the server and ordered some appetizers. Then she turned back to Gu Yao and said, “Last time, I noticed you liked the salted crispy chicken here. I ordered another serving for you.”

Gu Yao blushed. “Thank you, Xu Captain.”

“There’s no need to be so formal,” Xu Tang replied with a smile. “Calling me ‘Captain Xu’ feels a bit distant. Since we’ll be working together often, why don’t you just call me Xu Tang from now on?”

“Wouldn’t that be too informal?” Gu Yao asked nervously, though with a hint of hope. “How about I call you Sister Xiao Tang instead? Is that okay?”

Xu Tang thought for a moment and nodded. “Of course.”

She smiled warmly. “You can call me anything you like.”

Zhao Shuqing returned home with the grilled fish, her mind heavy with Xu Tang’s parting words.

The joint lab was ready, and in two weeks, research on the mermaid dual-female project would officially begin. That meant Lin Feng’s carefree days were coming to an end. Soon, she would be providing eggs for experimentation during the trial phase.

Zhao Shuqing couldn’t predict where the research would lead. If it failed, it would likely be due to reproductive isolation, making it impossible to create a viable embryo between humans and mermaids.

But if the experiment succeeded?

Would Xu Tang then demand that Lin Feng carry this life to term?

Her mind was a mess as she entered the house, not noticing the concerned look Lin Feng gave her. She absentmindedly set the takeout on the table and said, “Dinner’s here. I’ll cook some rice, and we’ll eat in a bit.”

Lin Feng furrowed her brows, watching Zhao Shuqing retreat into the kitchen. She clutched the blanket tightly and closed her eyes in pain.

She couldn’t say it.

Lin Feng knew that if she told Zhao Shuqing the truth, they could never be together.

She couldn’t say it. She absolutely couldn’t say it…

After setting the rice cooker, Zhao Shuqing went to take a shower. When she came back, the rice was ready, and they sat down to eat. But both of them, lost in their thoughts, barely touched their food.

Zhao Shuqing found it odd. Lin Feng usually loved eating, but today she seemed disinterested in the grilled fish.

“Don’t you like the flavor? You’ve barely eaten,” Zhao Shuqing asked casually while clearing the table.

Lin Feng shook her head and whispered, “No, it’s delicious.”

Zhao Shuqing paused, then put down the dishes. She sat beside Lin Feng and held her hand. Lin Feng looked up at her, confused, as Zhao Shuqing met her gaze and said softly, “Lin Feng, there’s something I need to tell you.”

Lin Feng’s heart tightened, but she forced herself to appear calm. “What is it?”

“The joint lab is ready,” Zhao Shuqing said gently. “Once you’ve fully recovered, we’ll be heading there to begin the experiments.”