Qing was stopped in the middle of her swim by a sudden tap on her shoulder which made her jump. "Ai!"

Ai waved. "What's going on?"

"I…" Qing had a hesitant expression as she wanted to look for Zhihao as soon as possible.

"Is there something going on between you and Zhihao?"

Qing let out a bit of a groan as she recalled that Lín's nervous smile confirmed that everyone knew about the pale blond merman's crush on her.

Qing grimaced. "Is it that obvious?"

"Well… You were kind of rude to him earlier this morning."

Qing exhaled. "Yes, I was."

"But …Why?"

The blue mermaid then explained about her fears about becoming heartbroken should she lose Zhihao's love.

"Oh, but Zhihao wouldn't… Not after he's been having feelings for you for so long."

Qing replied, "Lín said the same thing as well and she told me that I was getting ahead of myself."

"That's right! Look before you flop!" Ai pointed her index finger at Qing with a smile.

Qing giggled with the back of her hand over her lips before saying "You mean look before you leap."

Ai frowned dramatically as she held up her palms. "You know what I meant!"

Ai gently put her hands on Qing's shoulders. "Now, go get him! Kǎi and I saw him heading towards the kelp forest."

"I will." Qing smiled.

After thanking her blond friend, she swam in the direction of the kelp forest. She then entered it, trying to look for Zhihao. Where was he? It was if Zhihao was trying to purposely conceal himself from her. It took her a while, but she found him in the center of the kelp forest, looking extremely somber. She had never seen this side of him before. He had been extremely mischievous with Ruǎn yù, often smirking and around her, he often gave pure smiles but now he looked so miserable which made her feel so guilty as if a heavy rock had been placed in her belly.

Qing took a breath then called "…Zhihao?"

Zhihao gave a smirk although it was cold which stung her heart.

He scoffed a bit then asked. "I'm surprised you came after me after you gave me a cold fin this morning."

Qing had never seen Zhihao act like this and it frightened her, knowing that his cold reception was due to ignoring him this morning.

He looked pitifully sad for a moment before he resumed speaking with a harsh tone. "…Did I do anything that upset you or are you just not interested?"

Qing spoke with conviction as she placed her hand over her chest. "No, Zhihao. It's not you or anything you did. The problem lies with me."

Her serious tone seemed to have snapped Zhihao out of the cold attitude he had earlier. "You?... What do you mean?"

Qing lowered her eyelids as she looked somberly at the seafloor. "I… I was afraid…"

"Afraid of what?" Zhihao asked gently although it was clear that he was eager to know Qing's reasoning.

"I thought that… Should we… Become more than what we are now…" At her latter words, her cheeks flushed and Zhihao's yellow green eyes lit up with interest.

Qing shut her eyes tight. "I was afraid that I could get heartbroken like my mother had been in the past so I thought it would be best to turn away from you to avoid that risk."

Zhihao passionately cried "Perish the thought!"

At Zhihao's exclamation, Qing reopened her eyes and Zhihao took her soft hands in his, making her flush further. "Qing… Forgive me for my behavior earlier. I was hurt… And…"

He pouted as he furrowed his brows. "Ruǎn yù says I have a tendency to be a brat when things don't go my way. …Don't tell him I said that though." His tone became sheepish towards the end.

The blue-haired mermaid softly giggled as she put the side of her hand near her mouth. "I won't. I forgive you. I just… Hope you'll forgive me."

"There is nothing to forgive, as long as you'll have me." Zhihao gave Qing a smile which made her heart flutter.

"I…" Qing paused as she still had lingering doubts.

"I promise, I would not dare to intentionally hurt you and even if I was cruel to you like I was earlier than I will do anything within my power to make you forgive me."

Qing teared up. "How… How could you? W-What is it that you see… In me?"

Zhihao brushed away her tears which turned into aquamarine stones and held her aquamarine tears in his hand. "You are beautiful like these tears of yours. There is more to you than what meets the eye. And I want to see more of the clever, witty, resolute Qing."

Qing shut her eyes and more tears ran from her eyes, transforming into aquamarines as she flushed. "I want to see more of you too. Your beauty, your bratty nature, all of it."

With his free hand, he cradled his face. "I promise I will only allow you to shed tears of joy from here on out."

Then he boldly allowed himself to kiss her and to his surprise, she kissed him back and he wrapped her in an embrace which was reciprocated.

Ai mischievously smirked at the thought of Qing and Zhihao potentially kissing.

Kǎi could tell there was something on Ai's mind judging by her naughty expression and so he whispered into her ear which tickled her being. "What are you thinking about?"

Ai grinned. "Oh… Well, I was just thinking… Qing and Zhihao have been in the kelp forest for quite a while."

"That is true." Kǎi replied in a matter-of-fact tone.

"I was thinking that they probably kissed and made up." Ai spoke with a naughty tone.

Hearing that revelation made Kǎi choke and cough.

Ai hit his upper back somewhat hard to get him to stop coughing. "Are you alright?"

Kǎi groaned as he straightened his back. "I am fine now, thank you."

Note: Yes, I had to name this chapter after Black Pink's song featuring Dua Lipa: Kiss and Make Up.