Xia Wan woke to the clear chirping of birds. Pushing open the window, she stepped onto the large balcony, enveloped in the thin morning mist of the mountain forest, breathing deeply in the swirling clouds.
From this balcony, she could quietly watch the sunrise and sunset, the leisurely white clouds, the growth of trees, and the shifting shadows of the sun and moon.
Thanks to the milk Ji Heng had brought her last night, she had slept soundly the entire night.
With few people around, beautiful scenery, and fresh air, Xia Wan decided to go for a morning run outside.
There was no dance studio here for her to practice, and while there was a gym, Xia Wan felt running outdoors was better than being in a gym. She could enjoy the beauty of nature while breathing in the fresher air.
After washing up in the bathroom, she changed into white sportswear, put on her running shoes, tied her hair into a high ponytail, and headed out.
Fortunately, she had come prepared, bringing her sportswear and shoes with her.
While exploring yesterday, she had discovered a suitable route for running.
She jogged along that path.
After about ten minutes, Xia Wan noticed another person running ahead, dressed in black sportswear.
Just from the broad silhouette, she knew who it was.
Remembering the milk he had brought her last night, Xia Wan quickened her pace to catch up and greeted him, “Ji Heng.”
She called out twice from behind, but the person ahead didn’t stop.
It wasn’t until Xia Wan reached his side that the running man realized there was someone else with him.
Xia Wan also understood why he hadn’t heard her earlier—he was wearing Bluetooth earphones.
Ji Heng stopped, removed his earphones, and looked at the person beside him.
Golden sunlight spilled over her face, her delicate features free of makeup, full of collagen, fair with a hint of pink.
Her slender snow-white neck and form-fitting sportswear accentuated her tall, graceful figure, curvy and well-proportioned, with jade-like arms as smooth as lotus roots.
Her legs were straight and long, pale as tender cheese.
With an angelic face and a siren’s body, purity and allure blended perfectly in her.
Ji Heng now felt she truly deserved the title of “divine beauty.” Previously, seeing her photos online, he had thought it was all thanks to makeup.
“Thank you for bringing me milk last night,” Xia Wan thanked him again.
Ji Heng felt a bit embarrassed by her sincere gratitude.
After all, he hadn’t done it voluntarily but out of necessity.
“It’s fine. The kitchen won’t be closed tonight,” Ji Heng slowed to a walk.
Hearing this, Xia Wan thought it might be because of her. Her eyelashes fluttered slightly. “It’s okay if it’s closed. I have milk in my room now.”
“Mm.” Even if he wanted it closed, her die-hard fan Gu Chi would be the first to object.
Noticing they had switched to walking, Xia Wan immediately said, “Did I disturb you? You can continue running.”
“No.”
“Why are you up so early for a run?” If he hadn’t been woken by a phone call and couldn’t fall back asleep, he’d definitely still be in bed now.
He had come to this resort to rest and relax properly.
“I slept well last night, and the scenery and air out here are great.”
Ji Heng nodded. He noticed Xia Wan’s voice was quite pleasant—clear with a sweet, soft tone.
No wonder she’s a singer.
After walking with her for a while, Ji Heng prepared to resume running. “Want to run?”
Xia Wan agreed without hesitation. “Sure.” Having a running partner was more fun than running alone.What Xia Wan hadn’t anticipated was that Ji Heng had already left her far behind after just a few steps of running.
Wearing earphones, he blocked out the outside noise and immersed himself in his own world.
“I should’ve brought my earphones too,” Xia Wan thought to herself.
She had brought everything else, but had left her earphones at home.
Xia Wan jogged alone at the back, with no intention of catching up to Ji Heng.
When Ji Heng finally realized there was someone with him, he could no longer see her figure.
She wasn’t behind him either.
Ji Heng sighed and reluctantly ran back.
He shouldn’t have suggested running together in the first place – he’d never run with a girl before and didn’t know she would be this slow.
But since he had made the offer, and he was the one who had left her behind, he felt somewhat guilty.
After running back for some distance, he indeed spotted Xia Wan jogging slowly.
“Why did you come back?” Xia Wan asked in surprise when she saw the person who had turned back.
Ji Heng walked up to her, “To pick you up.” His fast walking pace could almost match her running speed.
Xia Wan’s breath hitched, and she froze for a moment. Ji Heng’s action had taken her by surprise.
“I think I’m holding you back,” Xia Wan said softly.
Ji Heng heard her clearly, “Not at all. Running back is still running – it’s the same.”
The slight guilt in Xia Wan’s heart was instantly swept away by Ji Heng’s words.
She extended an invitation, “Let me treat you to breakfast after our run.” It would be her way of thanking him.
A low chuckle escaped from deep in Ji Heng’s throat, “Have you forgotten who owns this place?”
“I know, it’s you,” Xia Wan replied calmly with a smile, “But isn’t that even better? You get to make money and eat – killing two birds with one stone.”
Ji Heng teased, “Then I’ll have to take advantage of you.”
Xia Wan didn’t mind, “Go ahead, I have money.”
“Alright.” Ji Heng certainly knew she had money – how could a top singer not have money?
Xia Wan looked up at the man beside her, “Do you still want to run? You can go ahead, and we’ll meet at the restaurant.”
“No more running.” He had already been running for over forty minutes before meeting Xia Wan. “Are you still running?”
Xia Wan shook her head quickly, “No, I can’t run anymore.”
While she could dance for long periods without breaks, running was different – half an hour was her limit.
“What are you listening to?” Xia Wan was very curious about what kind of music a big boss like him enjoyed.
Her brother, for example, loved listening to her songs the most.
Ji Heng lit up his phone screen and showed Xia Wan the song he had just paused.
He had already taken off his earphones and put them in his pocket when he started talking to Xia Wan.
After all, it would be impolite to speak with her while wearing earphones.
Xia Wan saw the familiar song title and artist, “You like his songs too?”
It was a very popular male singer overseas, known for his fresh musical style and upbeat rhythms.
“Yeah, this song is pretty good.” Ji Heng only listened to songs he liked, without paying attention to who sang them.
“You like it too?” This surprised him somewhat.
“Of course! I listen to him often. Before I became famous, I even went abroad specifically to attend his concert.”
“But why are you so surprised?” It wasn’t like he was an obscure artist.
Ji Heng slowed his pace to match Xia Wan’s, “I thought singers like you wouldn’t listen to other people’s music.”Xia Wan curved her lips into a smile. “Of course not. If there’s a song I like, I’d listen to it on repeat too.”
Then she asked, “Have you ever heard my songs?”
Ji Heng pondered for a moment before answering truthfully, “I have, but only a few lines. Never listened properly.”
Xia Wan’s songs were played everywhere – he’d only caught fragments in passing.
“Oh.” Xia Wan nodded slightly. She had been about to ask what Ji Heng thought of her music.
But now it seemed unnecessary – he probably couldn’t offer any meaningful evaluation.
Thinking his words might have hurt her, Ji Heng lowered his head and tapped on his phone screen a few times.
“Here.” He took the Bluetooth earphones from his pocket and offered one to Xia Wan.
Before she could ask, he continued, “For listening to music.”
“Oh, okay.” Under Ji Heng’s gaze, Xia Wan unconsciously accepted the earpiece.
When she put it on, she heard a voice she knew all too well.
“You…” Xia Wan turned her head toward Ji Heng, at a loss for how to express what she was feeling.
The earphone was playing her own song.
Ji Heng slightly increased the volume. “Don’t speak. Just listen carefully.”
“Okay.” Neither of them spoke again, quietly listening to the music flowing through the earphones.
Earlier, when Ji Heng had said those words, they were reasonable – it was impossible for everyone to like her songs or even have heard them.
But this gesture of his now struck a deep chord within her heart.
As he listened to Xia Wan’s singing, Ji Heng felt she was truly born for this career.
Her voice was clear and melodious, like scattered pearls falling on jade plates, utterly pleasing to the ear with a subtly intoxicating quality.
Her vocal tones and timbre varied with different song styles.
Some of her singing was fresh and sweet, giving people a warm and comfortable feeling.
The lyrics were filled with her unique style and emotional expression.