So I hadn't noticed on my first watch how important this scene in episode 25 is. It's the exact moment DFQC realized that maaaaybe Xiao Lanhua has feelings for him and also the moment she finally reveals them and makes a definite choice.
He's badly injured, but he's carefully listening to her. Should he have hope or is he going to lose her forever?
They both hold on to each other and we see that as they hold hands tightly, not letting go.
Can he still have hope? If she hadn't met him, she would still be living peacefully as a fairy. Maybe she still wants to go back to that life and be free of him.
And then she uses her magic to set sail and declare her choice in front of the immortals. She has just betrayed her homeland for him and there is no turning back. He can now close his eyes and let the pain of his injury take over. He knows she chose him.
When the immortals attack them, she hugs him like a baby to protect him. She no longer hides how she feels, she is not afraid to show her love for him to the whole world. I mean look at her. Look at them 🥹
