The two returned to Lanpo's quarters, which had already been prepared by the clan.
Lanpo carried a large bag in one hand and held Si Lu's hand with the other as they left the sea.
Their journey out went smoothly. Along the way, Lanpo even showed her some of the more beautiful underwater scenery.
Si Lu was already starting to feel numb—this underwater scenery was just too breathtaking!
It was clear that the mermaids who lived here led such carefree and secluded lives.
"Lu Lu, if you want, we can stay here for a while next time. We can come back whenever we like," Lanpo said.
"And when we mate, we'll return here anyway. I'll take you to see more of the underwater world—you haven't seen half of it yet. It's just a bit far from here. If we rush now, we won't reach the shore before sunset," he explained.
He could tell Si Lu really loved the ocean and these sights. If time permitted, he would have loved to take her around the underwater world more thoroughly.
"No worries, next time then. We still need to hurry back," Si Lu replied. Opportunities would come again, and there was no point in rushing and missing the sights. Besides, someone was waiting for her, and she couldn't help but worry.
"Alright, we'll do as you say. Are you tired? If so, you can sit on my tail—I can carry you while we swim," Lanpo said tenderly. They had spent the whole day together, visiting many places, and he worried about her getting exhausted.
"No need, I can walk on my own. Besides, you're already carrying so much," Si Lu replied, glancing at the large bag in his hand. It was full of animal hides for her. She felt touched—just because she liked it, he had brought so much to make clothes for her. He was really good to her.
"Come on, sit on my tail. I can carry you, really. Don't underestimate a male's strength—it's nothing to me. Come, trust me, your future beastmate," Lanpo said, lifting Si Lu onto his tail. As he swam forward, he felt immense sweetness. Holding his beloved little female like this, he felt as if he were carrying his whole world—it was comforting and reassuring.
He loved it. He loved being so close to her, loved her unconditional trust.
Si Lu, sitting on his broad tail, felt both excited and nervous. It was her first time riding a mermaid's tail. Looking at his ice-blue tail, her eyes were full of admiration. She couldn't help but reach out and touch the scales.
The scales felt like obsidian—smooth, slightly cool, and glimmering faintly.
She watched the tail's fin swing back and forth, finding it fun, beautiful, and graceful. Turning her head, she saw his hair—long, ice-blue, flowing like seaweed.
Why did male beastmen always have such amazing hair?
Unable to resist, she touched his hair, twirling a strand in her hand.
Lanpo felt her sitting on his tail, playing with his hair, and a gentle smile lifted his lips. He could tell she really liked him—otherwise, she wouldn't touch his hair or tail. Being liked by her was both an honor and a blessing. Deep down, he was thrilled.
Like all merfolk, the upper body was humanoid while the lower body was a fish tail, though they could transform their tails into legs. Rarely did they do so—they were used to swimming with tails.
He was willing to go live on land with her.
"Lanpo, do you think your brother will be upset with me? Or your clan? Will they think I came and stole their beautiful, graceful Prince Lanpo?" Si Lu giggled.
She felt a little mischievous herself. After all, she really had taken Lanpo from his carefree ocean life to live on land. She wondered if it might feel cruel to a mermaid used to the sea.
"I doubt it. They might even envy me for finding such a beautiful female. Even merfolk sometimes seek love on land. As long as the heart has a home, any place can be home. Don't feel guilty—I chose this myself, willingly!" Lanpo said earnestly.
"As long as I can be with you, that's my greatest luck, my greatest happiness," he continued, turning to her with deep emotion.
"Lanpo, you're so good. Meeting you is my luck too," Si Lu said, moved, hugging his waist. She felt truly fortunate—coming here, she met one amazing partner after another.
"Just promise to treat me well. If you don't, I'll be heartbroken—you're all I have, Lu Lu," Lanpo said, his voice tinged with nervousness.
"Don't worry, I'll treat you well. I won't betray your true feelings for me. We'll live well together, and I'll even give you baby mermaids," Si Lu said, lifting her face, her cheeks brushing against his lower back, intimate and tender.
"Lu Lu, don't… saying that makes me lose all restraint," Lanpo thought, both shocked and delighted. She was so affectionate, so playful with him—how could he resist? His chest burned, and his gaze darkened. He longed to mate with her, but the timing wasn't right. He didn't want to scare her.
Si Lu blushed immediately at his words. He spoke so bluntly—it left her shy.
o(////▽////)q
She quickly diverted the topic. "Hurry, let's get to the shore." Lanpo nodded and swam faster with her on his tail.
He couldn't see her face, but the corner of his mouth lifted slightly—he could feel it: the little female was shy!
…
Meanwhile, on the beach, Bai Fei was frantically collecting seafood. He had gathered quite a lot—two large animal hide bags were already full.
Tata was doing the same, filling two more bags. She was thrilled; it was her first time collecting seafood like this.
"The sun's about to set… why isn't Lu Lu back yet?" Bai Fei said, looking at the descending sun and then at the silent Hei Yao beside him.
Didn't she go with them? Why haven't they returned so quickly?
Hei Yao had followed them only to the vicinity of the mermaid palace. He didn't continue any further and returned.
"She'll be back soon. Don't worry—the mermaid won't hurt Lu Lu," Hei Yao said.
He could tell the mermaid really liked Lu Lu, treating her like a treasure. The mermaid's strength was formidable, so no one would dare cause trouble. Hei Yao was comfortable giving them space—they genuinely deserved it.
"Fine, fine. I'm done collecting seafood anyway. Let's just sit here and wait," Bai Fei said, moving a large stone to the beach and sitting, resting his chin in his hands, watching the waves.