Questions of love in the water realm: who could untangle the silken gown entwined in dreams?

Cloud waves pressed upon the moon overhead, yet the shore remained as quiet as ever. In the chill moonlight, only wind and water could be heard, with the occasional rustle of Qiong Rong's clothes as she shifted and looked around. A little while later, as Ling Yier gazed dreamily out at the boundless sea beneath the night sky, her eyes shimmering, the boy lying on his back before her suddenly sat up, turned, and said:

"Lingyi, there's something I want to tell you."

His unusually solemn tone suddenly unsettled her. Over his shoulder, she saw the distant sea glittering, its restless waves reflecting the pale moonlight, flickering bright and dim as though countless silver sprites were dancing in the heart of the waves.

"What is it?"

Steadying herself, Ling Yier gently questioned her beloved.

"Well," Xing Yan said calmly, looking into her clear, star-bright eyes:

"Lingyi, you know I grew up poor. I never imagined I would come this far."

"Mm."

The Dragon Lady listened quietly.

"I'll tell you now, even if you laugh at me. When I was little, whenever someone in the village took a bride or married off a daughter, I would watch all the red finery, the bridal sedan and the suona horns, and think that perhaps I would only ever get to watch other people marry. With my family's circumstances, I would probably end up like the other poor older boys and uncles in the village, with no girl willing to enter my home for my whole life. I-"

"I'm willing, Brother!"

Just as the boy reached this point in his wistful account, the little girl listening nearby suddenly jumped in, hastening to promise him.

"Ha! Thank you, little sister Qiong Rong!"

Xing Yan reached out to stroke Qiong Rong's soft hair, then continued speaking