Wen Ci did not know what to do.
Should she honestly admit that she had kept the school uniform bearing his real signature separately?
That would make things far too obvious. Zhou Wu would probably realise immediately that the person she liked was not Xiang Wenwen at all.
And how would Zhou Wu react once he understood?
Would he not care, or would he find it troublesome?
After all, they were only sleeping together. Suddenly involving feelings would complicate everything.
Or should she claim that the original uniform had been lost?
Would he immediately realise she was lying again?
Countless worries filled Wen Ci’s mind. She did not want to lie, but she also did not dare reveal the truth. Her fingers tightened unconsciously at her side.
While she struggled to decide what to say, footsteps sounded behind them as several other guests approached.
It was a family of three.
For the sake of appearance and atmosphere, the gravel path had not been made particularly wide.
Wen Ci was still waging an internal battle when Zhou Wu suddenly wrapped an arm around her waist and drew her closer to the side.
After the family passed, Zhou Wu released her.
Seeing that she remained silent and looked deeply troubled, he laughed.
“Even if you hadn’t added my name, I wouldn’t have been angry.”
Wen Ci froze.
“What?”
“Did you use another shirt because my signature was too large?”
Zhou Wu had a vague memory of the incident. He raised his eyes slightly as he recalled it.
“I originally wanted to compensate you with a new uniform.”
His expression was entirely natural.
He clearly had not considered any other possibility.
That was normal.
Who would ever imagine that a female classmate with whom he had barely interacted throughout three years of high school had secretly loved him?
Wen Ci had merely overthought it.
She raised her head and stared at Zhou Wu blankly for a long time.
Finally, she silently forced a sound from her throat.
“Mm.”
…
Only guests from the villa district had access to the hotel’s private beach.
There were few people, the water was clear, and the scenery was beautiful.
By the time the two reached the beach, Qin Yun had already arranged for parasols and loungers to be set up.
The afternoon light was excellent, though the sunlight was intense.
Dou Yiqing lay on a lounger and lifted her sunglasses, squinting as she examined the photographs Qin Yun had just taken for her.
Her expressions changed dramatically as she looked through them.
Finally, she put down her phone and sighed.
“Qin Yun, you really are… completely useless.”
“…The sunlight is so strong that I couldn’t even see your terrible phone screen properly,” Qin Yun defended himself. “Besides, that’s simply what you look like—”
Dou Yiqing raised one leg and kicked directly towards his knee.
Qin Yun swiftly dodged.
“Oh, you’re angry.”
Dou Yiqing rolled her eyes and could not be bothered with him.
When she saw Wen Ci approaching, she immediately sat up and waved.
“Wen Ci—save me—”
Hearing her, Wen Ci hurried forwards and took over the role of photographer with an amused smile.
Zhou Wu and Qin Yun frequently came to Bincheng for holidays.
The moment Zhou Wu reached the beach, he casually sent a voice message.
Soon, an employee arrived carrying their swimming goggles and surfboards.
The man appeared to be a manager. He wore formal clothing that looked completely out of place on the relaxed beach.
After handing Zhou Wu the equipment, he asked, “President Zhou, is there anything else you require?”
“Nothing for now.”
Zhou Wu pointed towards Wen Ci, who was twisting herself into a strange position to photograph Dou Yiqing.
“When she’s finished, ask her what she wants.”
Wen Ci had just taken another photograph of Dou Yiqing.
Hearing him, she hurriedly turned to say she did not need anything.
Instead, she happened to see Zhou Wu changing into his surfing suit.
He pulled off his shirt with one hand, then bent to pick up the suit from the chair.
The muscles across his back tightened into smooth, defined lines.
After casually pulling on the black surfing suit, Zhou Wu looked back at her.
“Are you coming into the water?”
Wen Ci blinked.
“In a little while… I haven’t finished taking Yiqing’s photographs.”
Zhou Wu nodded faintly, adjusted the hem of his suit and lifted the surfboard.
He called to Qin Yun beside him.
“Let’s go.”
Qin Yun also exercised regularly.
Although he looked slightly leaner than Zhou Wu, he was still attractive on his own.
The two tall, long-legged men walked towards the sea together, attracting the attention of many nearby guests.
“Um…”
The manager withdrew his gaze.
“Do either of you ladies need anything? We can provide whatever you require.”
“Do you have drinks?” Dou Yiqing asked naturally.
The manager hurriedly replied, “Yes. We have beverages, sparkling water, fruit platters and nuts.”
“One of each, please.”
Dou Yiqing smiled.
Then she suddenly remembered something.
“By the way, is there anywhere nearby that sells swimming rings? My friend isn’t particularly good at swimming.”
Wen Ci had poor coordination.
For her, swimming meant flailing around in the water for a little while and enjoying the atmosphere.
“Yes. Please wait here, and I’ll have someone bring one.”
After the manager left, Dou Yiqing’s photography session around the loungers finally ended.
Wen Ci returned her phone and was at last able to sit down and rest.
Perhaps because there were so few people on the beach, or because Zhou Wu stood out so much, Wen Ci spotted him among the surfers almost immediately whenever she looked up.
He was too far away for her to see his expression.
She could only see his long arms and legs, his waist slightly bent as his body tightened into a beautiful curve.
Sunlight formed a dazzling halo around him as he moved freely and boldly across the surface of the sea.
The ocean was free.
So was Zhou Wu.
After resting for a while, Wen Ci accompanied Dou Yiqing to take more photographs beside the sea and beneath the coconut trees.
When they returned, the employees happened to arrive with the food and swimming float.
Wen Ci had wanted a small, practical life ring.
Unexpectedly, they brought her an enormous pink-and-red flamingo float.
Wen Ci stood beneath the parasol holding a flamingo larger than herself, wondering whether she should ask to exchange it.
Not far away, Zhou Wu and Qin Yun emerged from the sea and walked towards them.
Zhou Wu’s hair was completely soaked.
He lowered his head and casually pushed it back with one hand when someone suddenly approached him.
Qin Yun reached the parasol and asked Dou Yiqing, who was still lying on the lounger, “How long are you planning to continue taking photographs? Didn’t you say you wanted me to teach you how to surf?”
“Why are you rushing me? I’m coming now.”
Dou Yiqing put down her phone and stood.
She took out the top she had prepared and pulled it on.
Looking towards the distance, she casually asked, “Who is Zhou Wu talking to?”
“No idea. She’s hitting on him.”
Qin Yun was completely accustomed to it.
He turned towards Wen Ci.
“Do you want to come too? I can teach you while I’m at it.”
Wen Ci smiled and shook her head.
“No, you two should go. Be careful. I’ll enter the water by myself later and splash around for a while.”
The two left with their surfboards, still arguing noisily.
Once her surroundings became quiet, Wen Ci could not resist looking towards Zhou Wu again.
The woman hitting on him was beautiful, with long, wavy hair and a fitted surfing suit.
They exchanged several words.
Zhou Wu lightly shook his head and prepared to leave, but she quickly followed him and waved her phone while saying something.
Wen Ci guessed that she was asking for his contact details.
The sunlight was dazzling.
Wen Ci held the enormous float with one arm and shielded her forehead with the other, narrowing her eyes as she tried to see more clearly—
Zhou Wu suddenly raised his head and looked directly at her.
Then he pointed towards her.
Wen Ci:
“?”
The woman followed his gesture and looked over.
Caught openly watching, Wen Ci stiffly turned around and stared elsewhere as though nothing had happened.
…
When Zhou Wu approached, Wen Ci was still pretending to observe the distant scenery.
He picked up a towel and casually rubbed his hair several times.
Then he bent beside her and looked in the direction she had been staring.
“What are you looking at?” he asked carelessly.
He carried the scent of seawater.
Wen Ci paused and turned back in a fluster.
“Nothing. Have you finished? Would you like some water? There’s mineral water here.”
“I’m resting for a while.”
Zhou Wu straightened.
“Why aren’t you surfing? Didn’t they bring you a board?”
He had only just asked when he noticed the object she was holding.
His movements paused.
He confirmed, “You can’t swim?”
“Not very well,” Wen Ci admitted honestly.
“But don’t worry. I’ll only walk around in the shallow water. Nothing will happen. Go and enjoy yourself. You don’t need to worry about me.”
Zhou Wu raised an eyebrow.
“Then why did you agree when I said I’d take you diving?”
“I checked. Apparently, you don’t necessarily need to know how to swim in order to dive.”
Wen Ci hugged the float.
“And you’ll be there, won’t you?”
Zhou Wu stared into her eyes in silence for a while.
Then he suddenly turned his face aside and laughed.
Wen Ci looked confused.
“What’s wrong?”
Zhou Wu lazily shook his head.
“Nothing. Ms Wen really trusts me.”
He casually dropped the surfboard onto the sand and gestured towards her.
“I’ll take you into the water.”
“Aren’t you going surfing anymore?”
“No. The waves aren’t high today. It isn’t very interesting.”
Zhou Wu took the float from her.
“Come on.”
Zhou Wu had long legs and walked quickly.
Wen Ci hurriedly removed her cover-up and followed him.
He asked whether she wanted to remain in the shallows for a while.
Wen Ci glanced towards Dou Yiqing, who could now barely stand on her surfboard.
“I want to experience the waves over there.”
She turned towards him.
The woman who had only just claimed she would remain in the shallow water now had brightly shining eyes.
“Could you please push me over?”
Zhou Wu steadied the float.
“Climb on.”
The area nearby was mostly occupied by guests who had come specifically to surf.
To avoid interfering with them, Zhou Wu guided her slightly farther into the water.
However, even in the so-called deeper section, his feet could still touch the seabed.
Just as he pushed her forwards, a wave approached.
He loosened his hold slightly, allowing the float to be lifted high by the water before suddenly dropping again.
Even while sitting on the float, Wen Ci maintained an extremely upright posture.
Feeling the subtle weightlessness, she instinctively hugged the flamingo’s neck.
“Were you frightened?” Zhou Wu asked.
Wen Ci lowered her head to look at him.
Her face was filled with delighted surprise, and her beautiful eyes curved.
“No. It’s so much fun!”
“Wen Ci! Watch me—ah!”
Dou Yiqing’s voice sounded not far away.
Before she could finish speaking, she fell into the sea.
Qin Yun was about to move forwards and help when Dou Yiqing had already climbed back up by herself.
“Could you slow down?” Qin Yun complained. “How many times have you fallen? You’ll end up covered in bruises.”
“It doesn’t matter if I fall.”
Dou Yiqing shouted towards Wen Ci, “Wen Ci, watch me! I’ve managed to stand on the board several times!”
Wen Ci cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted back.
“All right! I’m watching!”
She looked around.
She was the only person still using a float.
After sitting there for a while, she bent down in embarrassment and quietly asked Zhou Wu, “Will I get in the way of the surfers here?”
Zhou Wu laughed.
“No. We’re far enough away.”
As he spoke, someone lying on a surfboard paddled past them.
It was the woman who had approached Zhou Wu earlier.
As she passed, she suddenly lifted her head and looked at Wen Ci.
There was no hostility in her gaze, only curiosity.
She was clearly an experienced surfer.
She ventured farther out than most people and soon returned riding a wave.
Her movements were so graceful that Wen Ci could not resist watching for a little longer.
A powerful sea breeze swept past.
The bucket hat on the woman’s head was blown away.
She hurriedly held down her hair.
“Ah!”
At the same time, Qin Yun shouted, “Dou Yiqing! That wave is large! Don’t stand up!”
The bucket hat flew towards Wen Ci.
She instinctively released the flamingo’s neck and reached out to catch it.
A large wave slammed into her.
Zhou Wu held the float securely, so it did not overturn.
However, Wen Ci lost her balance.
Her skin was also slippery from the seawater.
With a splash, she slid from the opposite side and fell into the sea.
The water changed rapidly.
Wen Ci felt the waves pulling her deeper.
Her breath was stolen, and her feet could not touch the bottom.
She squeezed her eyes shut and instinctively flailed her limbs.
Before panic could fully rise, someone caught her hand and immediately pulled her into his arms.
Wen Ci did not open her eyes, but she knew who it was.
Her survival instinct made her cling tightly to Zhou Wu.
She wrapped both legs around his waist and embraced him like an octopus.
He quickly lifted her above the surface.
She had been underwater for fewer than ten seconds, but Wen Ci still could not stop herself from gasping for air.
She pressed closely against Zhou Wu’s shoulder.
Seawater ran from her hair onto her eyelashes, then dripped into Zhou Wu’s surfing suit.
“I’m sorry.”
She quickly recovered from the fear and apologised quietly beside Zhou Wu’s ear.
“I shouldn’t have held you so tightly. I might have prevented you from getting back to the surface.”
Although she said this, she continued holding him tightly.
In the water, Zhou Wu could clearly feel her damp, soft body.
Her panting beside his ear was heavier than anything he usually heard from her in bed.
“You should apologise,” Zhou Wu said, supporting her hips. “But not for that.”
Wen Ci looked confused.
“Then why?”
Being provoked when he could not do anything about it was a situation Zhou Wu had almost become accustomed to.
He did not answer.
With his other hand, he pulled the float in front of her and lightly supported her.
“Climb back on.”
Wen Ci hurriedly attempted to climb onto the float.
It was difficult to control her balance in the water, and she needed two attempts before succeeding.
The sea lifted her skirt, exposing the pale, slender tops of her thighs and half of the round, beautiful curve her swimsuit had failed to cover.
Expressionlessly, Zhou Wu reached out and pulled her skirt back into place.
Wen Ci remained completely unaware.
Once she returned to the float, she released a breath of relief.
She lay partly on her stomach and turned around, intending to thank Zhou Wu in the water.
Her soaked hair clung to her elegant collarbones.
Water travelled down her excessively fair skin and disappeared beneath the tight swimsuit over her chest.
After being rinsed by the sea, her bare face appeared even clearer and softer than usual.
Zhou Wu’s hair was also completely wet.
He had pushed it all backwards, except for one damp strand that fell across his brow.
Without his hair concealing it, the tall, handsome lines of his face became even more striking.
“Thank you.”
Wen Ci reached out, intending to move the wet strand aside.
Zhou Wu gave a quiet hum.
Before she could touch him, he reached first, caught the back of her neck and pressed her face downwards.
They shared a very brief kiss tasting faintly of saltwater.
Before Wen Ci could recover, he released her.
The kiss had come so unexpectedly that she stared at him with widened eyes.
“What… was that for?” she finally asked blankly.
“I suddenly wanted to kiss you.”
Zhou Wu raised an eyebrow.
“Consider it a thank-you gift.”
Wen Ci:
“…All right.”
The surfing woman paddled towards them and retrieved the hat floating on the surface.
Before leaving, she suddenly turned towards Wen Ci.
“I’m sorry about earlier. I didn’t know he had a girlfriend.”
She quickly rode the next wave away.
Sitting on the float, Wen Ci looked confused again.
“What did she say?”
“Nothing. She asked me for my number earlier. I rejected her several times, but she wouldn’t leave, so I said you were my girlfriend.”
Zhou Wu placed both hands against her float and controlled the direction in which it moved.
He raised his eyes and smiled at her lazily.
“It was only to deal with the situation. Don’t mind it, Ms Wen.”
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