Do you believe in mer people COMPLETE

Chapter 4: Separation

Xiao Zhan lay in his seashell, casually flapping his tail back and forth. His bed was usually soft, thanks to the tons of sea weed on it but Xiao Zhan was unable to sleep. He kept tossing and turning, opening and closing his shell.

He had not seen this person in years. When did he even get married? Now he was divorced? Who did he get married to? Why did they get divorced? Did he intend to stay this time or was he going away again? All these thoughts left Zhan unable to asleep.

Xiao Zhan had known Yibo for a long time. He was the first and only human he had encountered closely. They were friends for more than 10 years. Yibo wasn't repulsed or afraid of him when he first saw him caught in that fish net. Instead, Yibo helped him and in return, he helped Yibo catch a lot of fish. Since then, both boys met up often in secret. Over the years, Zhan realized he had fallen in love with Yibo. He was a few years older than Yibo but their ages were not too far apart and merpeople always looked younger than humans of the same age.

He remembered not too long ago when Yibo told him he was going to study in another country. A friend whom he had been with for such a long time, Zhan was sad at first but he decided to ask more questions.

"Where is this K country located?"

Yibo came with a map as discussed the previous day, he wanted to show Zhan his location.

"Here", he pointed to a location on the map.

"And you said all of these places painted blue is water?"

"Yes".

"That's fine. I can find you if that is the case. Can you tell me where we are right now?"

Yibo pointed at an area, "We're around here, I cannot tell exactly where we are using this map but don't worry. When I travel, I'd get a mobile phone. I heard the map on it is accurate, we can also navigate with it, the phone will tell us where to go".

Xiao Zhan looked forward to Yibo's return. As long as there was a sea, he could always find his way there. He didn't want to be separated from Yibo for too long.

"When I find my way there, I would leave some shells with my mark along the sea side. If you find it, know that I'm not too far from you. You can also leave a mark for me to find you with", Xiao Zhan sincerely planned to swim all the way there. it didn't matter how long it took as long as his aim was achieved.

"Hahaha, Zhan, it wouldn't be that easy but don't worry. As long as you can get out of water, you can find me. I'd leave an address for you to find me at. If you can locate the town I am in k country, all you need is some money. With that, you can call my phone or you can take a taxi to meet me". Both boys, equally young and naïve felt the world was a simple place and sincerely looked forward to finding each other in a new country.

Xiao Zhan didn't look too happy with that conclusion. He wanted certainty but he knew he had to be patient. He would allow Yibo go and find out what it was like there so he doesn't embark on a journey blindly.

"Zhan, you think I'm happy to leave? You're my only friend and I don't want to leave you but I need to have a better future so I can take care of my parents in their old age. I wouldn't leave unless it is absolutely necessary. I promise, I'd find a way for us to be together. It's a long journey there and I don't know if you can swim all the way but I'd find a way for us to meet. Even if we cannot meet, I would come home often. It's just for a few years. Don't be sad".

Zhan was having a hard time letting Yibo go but he soon realized that Yibo was equally having a hard time. They sat in a secluded corner of the beach, enclosed by rocks. They usually met here and people hardly came to this place. Xiao Zhan nodded his head.