Yìngyù was elated to hear that because for so long, he had loved her without daring to dream that she could ever express any interest in him in return. But still, he changed his expression into a neutral one as he whispered, "Let us talk more when Kǎi dismisses us for break."

Mei reddened while nodding and looking at the sand. Well, there was no way of getting her out of this. Not when she passionately made that outburst earlier. But for some strange reason, she couldn't help but wonder what he had to say in response to what she said earlier. She didn't want to be the only one with feelings and the idea that her feelings could be unrequited, that the idea of him only seeing her as a good friend made her sad at the thought…

Kǎi finally announced that it was break but those measly minutes felt like hours had passed.

Yìngyù smiled "What are you looking so glum for? Let's go somewhere private."

And even though Mei was filled with anticipation and worry, she couldn't help but smile in return. He took her hand, but she gave no objection when he did so, and her heart began pounding faster. She found herself holding his hand and enjoying the feel of his warmth.

The fact that Mei decided to hold his hand back didn't go unnoticed by Yìngyù either and he decided to squeeze her hand a bit which made her blush. Once they entered the seclusion of the kelp forest, they reluctantly let go of each other's hands after a few seconds.

Yìngyù turned around to face her and she looked up at him.

He spoke first. "W…What you said earlier, you meant it right?"

Mei closed her eyes for a bit before looking at Yìngyù with an indignant expression. "Of course, I know I wasn't exactly composed when I said those words, but I meant what I said. I didn't say them on a whim."

Yìngyù said "That's good because I-"

Mei held up a hand to cut him off before he could say anymore. "Wait." She was starting to get a little nervous about what he was going to say. Was he going to talk about how he felt towards her? She realized that while she stopped him in his tracks, this would be a good time to ask him about why he didn't pursue the path of a priest.

Mei breathed before saying "Before you say anything, I've been wondering about this for a long time..."

"Yes?" Yìngyù fixed her with a serious expression as he furrowed his brows. He had a feeling what question Mei had meant to ask. He had always avoided it when he had a feeling, she was trying to ask him about why he didn't become a priest because it would mean talking about his feelings towards her and while he had thought that she could never share his feelings in return, he did not want to experience the pain of rejection and just wanted to be by her side.

"You have the power and the ability. The reason you didn't become a priest had nothing to do with me being better, right?"

Yìngyù shook his head before replying "It's because… With the position I have now, I can stay by your side and protect you."

Mei's face blushed as she managed to utter "Y-Yìngyù."

Her eyes began to get a little teary as the thought of his devotion towards her overwhelmed her. "But… What if they assigned you to another temple to guard? Wouldn't that decision have been… Stupid? You'd be stuck in a lowly position and in a place you didn't want to be at."

Yìngyù softly chuckled. "You're right, I guess that would've been stupid. Thankfully the Gods took mercy on me for loving someone I couldn't have."

Mei couldn't hold back her tears anymore which turned into rubies as they rolled down her cheeks. "You…You idiot… Don't say that…Because… I think… You're starting… To have… A part… Of my heart…" She took a breath before she continued to speak. "So, I guess, the Gods probably took pity on you…"

Yìngyù held a ruby tear in his hand while he gently wiped the residual wetness and chuckled. "Don't cry, you shouldn't waste your tears on me. I'm the one who chose to honor my heart and love you even though I knew the path you pursued. I am glad to hear that I have your heart, but I still can't have all of you, can't I? His expression changed into one of bittersweetness. "You and I, even if we dared to go further than this then we can't show our feelings towards each other openly."

Mei looked at him with concern in her eyes. "Would you dare to go further then?"

Yìngyù chuckled as he scratched his head. "Well, it might be foolish of me I would like to, as long as you are willing."

Mei smiled. "Then I am willing."

It was hard to believe but he felt like those few words made his whole being light up with love, joy, and hope. Never had he dreamed he would have such a day and yet here they were now. Perhaps the Gods took mercy on him after all or perhaps, it was fate.

Mei teased "What are you waiting for? Just hold me, you idiot."

Yìngyù's hands slightly shook with yearning then with conviction he pulled her into his arms then Mei too hesitated for a brief moment before wrapping her arms around his warm back. They stayed wrapped in each other's embrace with their eyes closed then shifted positions in their mutual hold to look into each other's eyes. Amethyst orbs looking into those of blue-gray. They stayed like that for a little while until Mei hesitantly said "We should get some space. People might be suspicious."

Yìngyù sighed before giving her a bittersweet smile as they reluctantly broke their hold on one another. "You're right."

Mei smiled even though her eyes looked a little concerned. "Hey, don't look like that. We'll still see each other tonight." She sighed. "I don't want to make any promises but let's see where this affair of ours takes us."

He nodded while giving a happier smile and she turned her head over to look at him before leaving the kelp forest.