Tidal Engagement - Chapter 14

One year later, on Nangang Shipwreck Memorial Day, I went to the seaside with Pei Tinglan.
I brought a bouquet of white flowers.
He brought a black umbrella.
The sea wind was strong, blowing petals onto him.
I placed the flowers into the water.
“I’ve always been afraid of this place.”
Pei Tinglan stood behind me.
“And now?”
“I’m still afraid.”
I said, “But I can come here now.”
He fell silent for a moment.
“Me too.”
I turned to look at him.
“What are you afraid of?”
Pei Tinglan gazed at the sea.
“I’m afraid that I didn’t save you that day.”
I froze for a second.
He continued, “And I’m afraid that after saving you, I might never be able to let go.”
That was so Pei Tinglan.
Honest, dangerous, and with a beauty that made you angry.
I held out my hand.
He didn’t take it immediately.
Instead, he asked first, “May I?”
I gave a hum.
The next second, he clasped my hand.
It was cold.
But there were no scales.
I glanced down.
“You’re in good form today.”
He smiled.
“I soaked in the Isolation Pool for three hours before leaving.”
“That must have been tough.”
“Not too tough.”
I looked up.
He was looking at me, his tone very serious.
“Compared to scaring you away, soaking in a pool isn’t tough.”
I was struck dumb.
After a while, I said, “Pei Tinglan, the way you talk is still very dangerous.”
“I know.”
He held my hand with a light grip.
“That’s why I’m taking it slow.”
We didn’t get married right away.
To be precise, the engagement was called off by me.
The day Pei Tinglan received the notice of broken engagement, he was undergoing a High Tide test at the research institute.
According to his advisor, the water temperature in the test pool dropped by three degrees on the spot.
When I rushed over, he was sitting by the pool, his hair wet, a silver line of scales shimmering at the corners of his eyes.
When he saw me, the first thing he said was, “I didn’t break down any doors.”
“I know.”
“And I didn’t go looking for your father.”
“Good.”
“But I wanted to.”
“You can want to.”
He looked up at me.
“Why did you call off the engagement?”
I handed him the new contract.
“The old engagement was signed between your father and the Pei Family. It doesn’t count.”
Pei Tinglan looked down and opened it.
The first page of the contract read:
Free Love Observation Agreement.
He stared at it for a full half minute.
“How long is the observation period?”
“One year minimum.”
“Is there a mechanism for becoming official?”
“Depends on Party B’s performance.”
“Party B is me?”
“Who else?”
Pei Tinglan read over the contract again, the corners of his mouth gradually curving up.
“Could Party A perhaps reveal some of the assessment criteria?”
I thought for a moment.
“First, no pretending to be pitiful.”
“A bit difficult.”
“Second, no using instinct as an excuse.”
“Should be doable.”
“Third, if you really lose control, get away from me first.”
He lifted his gaze.
“And fourth?”
I looked at him.
“Fourth, if you want something, say it directly.”
Pei Tinglan fell quiet.
The sound of water gently lapped behind him.
After a long while, he said, “I want you to stay.”
I didn’t answer.
He added, “But you can go.”
This time I smiled.
“Pei Tinglan.”
“Mm.”
“That gets you extra points.”