Lanbo's heart was a mess — sour, hurt, and helpless.
But honestly… he brought this on himself.
In the end, he didn't say anything. He simply walked over to Si Lu and the others. Either way, at least they could finally leave now.
"Lulu, the coral over there is so pretty! Let's go look at it together!" Lanbo's voice arrived before he did.
At that moment, Si Lu could still feel her lips tingling. The next second, Lanbo's voice cut through the moment.
Panicking, she quickly pushed Jinyang away and turned around. Lanbo wasn't in sight yet — relief. But then she saw him stepping out from behind a giant coral.
Hopefully… he didn't see what happened just now. Otherwise she'd actually die of embarrassment.
"Okay," Si Lu replied with a smile.
Jinyang watched from the side, a hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes. But he said nothing. He knew his younger brother had done that on purpose.
And honestly… Jinyang had lost control just now.
"Eh? Brother, Lulu, what happened? Lulu, why is your face so red?" Lanbo stared straight at Si Lu, pretending not to know anything.
"Oh? You really don't know? You're sure you didn't see anything just now?" Si Lu looked directly into his eyes.
This man definitely left on purpose to give her and Jinyang space. And now he wanted to act clueless?
As if she'd believe that.
"I—I… Lulu… fine, yes, I left to give you and my brother time alone. I know he likes you too, so I just wanted you two to talk."
"Please don't be mad at me… okay?" Lanbo grabbed her wrist nervously, voice soft and shaky, his ice-blue eyes shimmering like they might drop pearls any second.
Si Lu's heart squeezed. Ugh, he was too pretty when he looked pitiful.
"Alright, alright, don't cry. I was teasing you. Aren't you always teasing me too?"
"I heard people say merfolk tears turn into pearls. Is that true?" Si Lu cupped Lanbo's face gently. She hated seeing those red-rimmed eyes.
Heiyao silently walked over to her side, saying nothing.
"It's true," Jinyang answered softly. "Sea clams also produce pearls, but the ones formed from merfolk tears are far rarer and more precious."
"And in extreme emotions, they don't form pearls — they form Tear Stones, which work like a protective water-repelling bead."
He explained everything carefully, worried Si Lu might not understand.
"So that's how it is," Si Lu nodded.
"Alright then. It's all settled." She smiled at both brothers. "You two are going to be my partners anyway. We're one family. You'll get along and support each other."
Then she glanced at Heiyao and gave him a knowing glare.
He definitely saw everything earlier too.
Heiyao touched his nose guiltily and stayed quiet, simply standing at Si Lu's side like an obedient shadow.
They walked toward the coral mountains. Si Lu stared wide-eyed at the colorful corals, fish darting around, crabs crawling along the branches — it was breathtaking.
She had imagined scenes like this before, but seeing it with her own eyes? Nothing compared.
"You know… you merfolk are ridiculously blessed. Living underwater is like living inside a painting," Si Lu sighed in awe.
"Lulu," Jinyang chuckled, "we see this every day. It's normal to us."
"But we've never seen a real forest before — not the towering trees, not the deep green. We can imagine it, but the real thing would shock us too."
Si Lu nodded. "You two really are brothers. Lanbo said the exact same thing earlier."
Then something hit her.
"By the way… if I become partners with both of you… what about the merfolk tribe?"
She turned to Jinyang.
"You're the tribe leader. You can't just leave the ocean, right?"
Lanbo was a prince — he had freedom. But Jinyang? He carried responsibility on his back.
Jinyang took a deep breath.
"Lulu, you're right. I want to stay with you more than anything… but my tribe needs me."
"I've already decided — I will become your partner. You're the female I love."
"But I cannot abandon my people. My brother will be with you at all times. And the two of us are connected — we can sense each other and communicate through it."
"When you stay near the ocean, I'll come to the shore and be with you. But if you return to the forest… I might not be able to stay by your side."
"Lulu… will you hate me for it? Think I'm selfish? Think I'm unworthy of being your partner?"
His voice trembled with guilt.
He wanted both — his tribe and the female he loved. And that made him feel greedy.
Si Lu squeezed his hand.
"You don't need to worry. I understand," she said firmly.
"You're a tribe leader. You have responsibilities. I respect that. And I won't go back on my promise either — I already accepted you."
"Besides, if you stay here, then I've got the entire merfolk tribe backing me. Who would dare mess with me?"
She grinned.
"And I like the ocean. You guarding it only makes me feel safer."
Jinyang's eyes reddened instantly.
"Lulu… thank you. Thank you for understanding me. I'm sorry I can't give you a full-time partner…"
"It's okay," she cut him off. "You're my partner. All of you are. I respect each of your choices."
"And honestly? Your people need you more than I do."
Lanbo's eyes filled with tears again. What kind of miraculous female was this? How could someone be so understanding, so gentle?
Heiyao watched quietly. To him, Jinyang staying here wasn't just right — it was necessary. The merfolk tribe was their strongest support.
"Lulu, you're so good to my brother," Lanbo whispered.
"I'm good to all of you." She ruffled his blue hair affectionately.
Her gaze drifted over all their hair colors — silver-white, blue, gold, black-purple, gray, pink, orange…
She couldn't help imagining them standing in a row. A rainbow lineup of beautiful men.
She nearly giggled out loud.
"Alright, it's decided," Si Lu announced. "Let's keep exploring!"
They continued down the coral path, chatting and admiring everything. It was peaceful and perfect.
…
The next morning, Lanbo and Jinyang packed a few things — mostly food for Si Lu. They didn't need much themselves, but their delicate little female did.
They even cleaned up the mating area and assigned guards far away so no random beastmen would interrupt.
Everything was ready.