Si Lu looked at Lan Po beside her and couldn't help but laugh softly.This guy… he was kind of silly, but that made him even cuter.
She let him hold her hand as they swam deeper into the ocean.
"Lu Lu, look over there — jellyfish!" Lan Po pointed excitedly into the distance.
She had already been so thrilled by the coral reefs and schools of fish earlier; seeing jellyfish would definitely blow her mind.
Sure enough, when she turned in the direction he pointed, she saw a whole field of them — jellyfish of every color, glowing gently like lanterns in the dark sea. It was breathtaking, almost like a dreamscape from another world.
It was her first time seeing so many of them all together. The sight left her stunned.The colorful corals, the enormous clams big enough to fit three or four people, and now this — a glowing dance of jellyfish.
"This is incredible," she breathed out. "The ocean you live in… it's so beautiful."
Lan Po smiled as he watched her eyes light up with wonder. "If you like it, you can come down here anytime. I'll bring you myself."
He paused, his gaze softening. "To be honest, we sea folk are so used to all this beauty that it stopped impressing us long ago… but seeing it now, with you, it feels brand new again."
His eyes lingered on her face, glimmering with something she couldn't quite name.
Si Lu tilted her head, puzzled.She understood the first part of what he said… but that last part—why did it sound so heavy, so full of meaning?
And when she looked into his eyes, she thought she saw something shimmering there… a tenderness, a warmth… maybe even love.
No, that couldn't be right, could it?
"Lu Lu," he said quietly, "I… I like you. From the first moment I saw you, I was drawn to you. That necklace I gave you—it was my mother's. But I wanted you to have it."
He took her hand and pressed it to his chest. His heartbeat was strong under her palm. "You're important to me."
Si Lu froze, staring at him.
He said he liked her.Liked her?
Was this real?Had she just heard that right?
He looked so serious, his gaze filled with emotion that made her own heart stumble.
She was happy, but… it all felt so sudden.
"Lu Lu," Lan Po murmured when she stayed silent, "did I scare you? Or… do you not like me? You don't want to be my mate?"
His bright blue eyes dimmed, and even his handsome face seemed shadowed by sadness.
Si Lu's heart ached a little."No, it's not that," she said quickly. "It's just… you already have five mates. And three cubs."
She wanted to be honest about that.He deserved to know what kind of life she already had.
If he couldn't accept it, she wouldn't force him. Fate was strange enough without trying to bend it.
Lan Po's eyes widened — then softened again, a smile tugging at his lips."It's fine," he said. "I can be the sixth. Is that okay?"
His tone was earnest, almost nervous, and he squeezed her hand as if afraid she'd slip away.
In the Beast World, it wasn't unusual for a female to have several mates.And for one as beautiful and kind as Si Lu, most would have far more than five.So the idea of being her sixth made Lan Po oddly proud — like he'd just won a prize.
Si Lu blinked at him. He looked so happy about it, like he didn't even process what being "the sixth" meant.
"You really don't mind?" she asked softly.
He smiled brightly. "Not at all. Being your sixth is perfectly fine by me."
She stared at him, speechless."But… you're a merman. You live in the sea. I live on land. How could we even be together? My other mates can't live underwater."
Lan Po chuckled. "That's fine. I can live on land."
She gawked at him. "What about your tail?"
He only smiled wider. "Our tails can turn into legs, you know. We just don't do it often because most of us prefer the ocean. But it's not impossible. For you, I'd do it in a heartbeat."
Si Lu frowned, still unsure. "But… doesn't that hurt you? I read stories that say merfolk have to make a deal with a sea witch to walk on land. And that every step feels like knives cutting your flesh, and your life gets shorter because of it. Is that true? Are you sure you're not just saying that to make me feel better?"
Her voice trembled slightly. "Because if that's true, I don't want you to go through that. I couldn't bear it."
Lan Po blinked — and then burst out laughing.
She glared. "Why are you laughing!?"
He wiped the corner of his eye, still grinning. "Lu Lu, where did you even hear something like that? There's no such thing as witches or curses in our world. I promise."
He reached out, ruffling her hair affectionately."You really are the cutest little female," he said warmly. "Always worrying about me for nothing."
Si Lu blushed, but her heart fluttered all the same.
Lan Po thought to himself: She's too adorable. What am I supposed to do with her?