An hour later.
Ling Jue belatedly realized something was off.
Watching Qin Shuyi, who had tensed her body and was intently focused on the waves, earnestly learning to surf to the point of forgetting her boyfriend entirely, he laughed in exasperation, "You really are treating me like a coach?"
And a completely free one at that.
If he tried to chat with her a bit more, she’d scold him for not being serious.
Qin Shuyi blinked.
She supposed she had gotten a little too absorbed.
But what could she do? New things were genuinely fascinating, and if she missed this chance with Ling Jue, she’d never find another instructor who suited her so perfectly.
Next time… who knew if there would even be a next time?
Sitting sideways on the surfboard, her slender, pale legs splashing in the seawater, she curved her lips into a smile and leaned up to plant a placating kiss on the man standing protectively before her.
"It’s because you’re teaching me that I’m so focused, Teacher Ling~"
She was cool and distant with outsiders, but with those she was familiar and close to, she never hesitated to express herself.
Her aunt, Zhou Tinglan, often said she’d been good at sweet-talking people since she was little.
Sure enough, Ling Jue was appeased.
Only now he was starting to think about naughty things again.
He braced his hands on either side of her as she sat on the surfboard, enveloping her in his embrace, and grinned mischievously, "That title can be saved for tonight."
Qin Shuyi pinched his waist hard.
Ling Jue hissed in mock pain and deliberately rocked the surfboard. Qin Shuyi lost her balance and tumbled into his arms, wrapping her limbs around him.
Ling Jue laughed triumphantly.
The people playing volleyball on the distant beach glanced over, a mix of envy and disdain in their eyes.
The sickeningly sweet stench of love.
In no time, Ling Jue had switched to a different kind of play.
He scooped her into his arms, complaining teasingly, "You don’t even know the proper way to use your boyfriend when he’s right here. Let me show you something more thrilling."
His idea of thrilling was tandem kite surfing.
Using a large kite to pull the surfboard across the water’s surface, when the wind was just right, the rider could not only speed across the water but even leap high into the air with the kite’s help, performing all sorts of cool mid-air pauses and maneuvers.
If it weren’t for Ling Jue, Qin Shuyi would never have experienced such a daring sport in her lifetime.
She clung tightly to Ling Jue’s back, both nervous and secretly exhilarated.
Sensing the tension in her body, Ling Jue turned his head to steal a kiss, laughing, "Don’t worry, I won’t let you fall."
His words were brimming with confidence and ease.
Strangely comforted, Qin Shuyi curved her lips and declared, "Let’s go!"
Like an elegant whale, the surfboard carried the two of them speeding out to sea.
For Qin Shuyi, the phrase "riding the wind and waves" had just become tangible for the first time.
In the vast expanse between sky and sea, it felt as if only the two of them remained.
All that was unconquerable, perilous and treacherous, turbulent and magnificent—all of it lay beneath their feet.
Ling Jue, Ling Jue, Qin Shuyi thought, at this moment, she truly loved him.
The woman’s delighted shrieks and the man’s deliberate showmanship drew everyone’s attention.
Ji Xiuheng gritted his teeth.
Now that was really showing off!
A girl watching the carefree couple in the distance, her eyes full of envy, tossed aside her volleyball and tugged at the man beside her, whining that she wanted to try it too.
Unfortunately, her boyfriend was powerless to oblige. He chuckled and scolded, "You think just anyone can be like Jue Ye, picking up a professional certificate as easily as surfing and taking someone along with no effort?"
Even with regular surfing, taking someone along required skill, let alone something this advanced.
He didn’t have that kind of ability.
The girl pouted, angry yet helpless, puffing her cheeks as she went to rest on the side.
Xu Yan glanced at Xie Muchen, who was sitting on a beach chair also smiling in the direction of Ling Jue and Qin Shuyi, and mustered the courage to walk over.
Seeing her approach, Xie Muchen gently patted her head. "Tired?"
Xu Yan shook her head, pausing for a moment before saying, "A-Chen, can I try surfing too?"
She quickly added, "Just the regular kind is fine. I wouldn’t dare try the kind where you stay airborne above the water." She wanted to avoid Xie Muchen rejecting her due to technical difficulties like that other man had.
She knew he was also an excellent surfer, often riding waves with Jue Ye.
Since they arrived here, they hadn’t had much time alone together…
Xie Muchen smiled knowingly, as if both helpless and amused. "Ling Jue, that guy, flaunts his own skills, and now he’s setting the bar high for others."
Then he looked at Xu Yan, who was hesitating and timid, and said casually, "Alright, go ahead if you want. I’ll arrange an instructor for you."
He added emphatically, "If you want to try the kind Qin Shuyi is doing, that’s fine too. Since we’re here, might as well give it a shot."
Xu Yan widened her eyes in surprise. "I didn’t mean…"
But Xie Muchen looked at her with a gentle yet unyielding expression, cutting off what she wanted to say.
I just… wanted you to teach me.
Besides, everyone at the beach is wearing skimpy swimwear. If I try that more professional style, I’ll inevitably have close physical contact with the instructor. Are you really not bothered by that?
She wanted to confront him like this but remained silent, tears welling up in her eyes.
Not far from them, Xia Zhiyue, who had been chatting with Ji Xiuheng, cheerfully walked over and casually slung an arm around Xu Yan’s shoulders. "That sounds great. I’d like to try surfing too. Thanks for arranging the instructor, Xie Shao."
Then she led Xu Yan away. "Come on, let’s go together. We’ll call that girl from earlier too."
Xie Muchen said nothing.
The moment Xu Yan turned her back, tears streamed down her face.
Xia Zhiyue only released her once they were farther away, speaking with exasperation. "What are you thinking? Do you not want to survive in this circle anymore?"
It’s rare for Xie Shao to be relatively satisfied with Xu Yan—investing in her dance troupe, pushing her to become the principal dancer. For now, he doesn’t seem to plan on replacing her as his companion. What good would breaking this balance do?
Xu Yan pressed her lips tightly together. It was precisely because he was so good to her that she began to harbor delusions.
"I just thought, since Miss Qin can date Jue Ye, maybe we could too. I don’t even need a lasting outcome, just… just a brief moment of love."
Even if it’s just for a day.
She covered her face and cried.
Xia Zhiyue’s expression turned cold.
Good advice is wasted on those determined to ruin themselves.
There’s nothing wrong with Xu Yan wanting love. The mistake lies in her inability to read the situation and asking the wrong person.
Qin Shuyi is Qin Shuyi, Ling Jue is Ling Jue. Xu Yan and Xie Muchen’s situation is different from theirs—it was a clearly defined exchange of interests from the start.
Her comparison is meaningless.
Besides, Xia Zhiyue didn’t believe human desires would stop there.
What happens after they start dating? Would she then want to become Mrs. Xie?
Would someone like Xie Muchen even give her the chance to begin?
Xia Zhiyue looked at Xu Yan’s despondency with waning interest.
"Do as you please. I’m going to find an instructor. If you’ve made up your mind, follow me."
Her relationship with Xu Yan was only so-so, and she wasn’t about to sacrifice herself for her.
Her good mood ruined, she kept a smile on her face while inwardly cursing—these people all deserve a good slap.
Women are foolish, but men are even more despicable.
One day, it would be satisfying to see those bad men who treat love as a joke get their comeuppance.
She would definitely give that girl flowers.