Chapter 30

When Wen Ci woke up, the room was pitch dark. The curtains blocked all the light from outside, and she could only feel the comfortable air conditioning and the smooth sheets.

Her mind was muddled, and she habitually reached for her phone. She turned it on and glanced at the time: 10:52.

She put down the phone and closed her eyes again, but two seconds later, she sat up abruptly—

What time is it?!

She fumbled to turn on the light and saw the unfamiliar decor of the room. As her awareness returned, she finally remembered that she had fallen asleep in Zhou Wu’s bed last night.

The space beside her was empty, but there was a casually placed watch on the nightstand, indicating that Zhou Wu had slept there last night.

After taking a moment to clear her mind, she opened the electric curtains. Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the lush greenery and the expanse of the sea and sky presented a vast scene unseen in the city.

Putting aside the time she was drunk, Wen Ci hadn’t slept this long in a while. Without the aid of alcohol, she woke up without a headache and felt refreshed and invigorated.

She casually brushed her sleep-tousled hair back and began to check her unread messages on her phone. Opening WeChat, she sighed in relief—thankfully, her mother hadn’t checked on her this morning.

There were 21 messages on WeChat, 20 from Dou Yiqing, including 15 videos. Just seeing this number made Wen Ci smile. She leaned against the pillow and began to watch the videos one by one.

They were all live recordings. Wen Ci wasn’t particularly interested in this band; it was a bit too noisy for her, but Dou Yiqing liked them. Whenever Dou Yiqing was stressed from writing lesson plans, she would listen to this band and dance wildly around her room.

The bar was crowded and noisy, and Wen Ci couldn’t hear what was being sung. She could only feel Dou Yiqing’s craziness and joy. Dou Yiqing was shaking the camera and singing along, clearly drunk, shouting, “Wen Ci! Can you hear me? It’s so fun! It’s so awesome—”

In the last video, Qin Yun’s voice could be heard: “Dou Yiqing, are you crazy? Are you drinking alcohol like it’s water?”

At this, Wen Ci’s smile faded a bit, and she began typing a message.

[Wen Ci: Sorry, Yiqing, I fell asleep last night and only just saw your messages. The live show looks great! Are you awake? Did you drink last night?]

After waiting for half a minute without a reply, Wen Ci couldn’t resist messaging Qin Yun.

Qin Yun responded quickly.

[Qin Yun: Of course she’s fine. It’s me who has issues.]

[Wen Ci: Huh?]

[Qin Yun: Never mind, it’s a personal grudge between me and her… Don’t worry, she’s fine. She’s just still asleep, like a pig.]

Feeling relieved, Wen Ci decided to ask Dou Yiqing about it when she woke up.

She got out of bed barefoot and wandered around the villa but didn’t see Zhou Wu. So she picked up her clothes and put them on, sending a message to Zhou Wu as she walked out.

Before she could finish typing, she opened the wooden gate of the villa courtyard and ran into Zhou Wu, who had just returned.

Zhou Wu was dressed in neat workout clothes, his gray sleeveless top drenched in sweat, looking like he had just come back from a morning run.

Seeing her, he stepped back to avoid getting his sweat on her. “Awake?”

“Mm.” Upon seeing the person in question, Wen Ci closed the chat window. “Sorry, I accidentally fell asleep last night.”

Zhou Wu propped up the wooden door with one hand. “What do you want for breakfast? I’ll have someone bring it over.”

“No need,” Wen Ci quickly waved her hand, “don’t trouble yourself, I’ll just go to the restaurant myself.”

“By yourself?”

Zhou Wu raised an eyebrow and suddenly changed the subject, “What’s on your agenda today, Teacher Wen?”

“Read some books, then take a walk on the beach,” Wen Ci replied. “You don’t need to worry about me; I can take care of myself during the day and won’t bother you.”

Zhou Wu nodded. “Go freshen up then.”

“Okay, I—”

“And then come over for breakfast, bring your clothes and toiletries for the next couple of days,” Zhou Wu said with amusement, looking at her. “Do you think I sent them away for nothing? We’re not limited to just being in bed at night.”

“….”

Saying this out in broad daylight at the door made Wen Ci’s heart beat faster, and she gripped her phone tightly.

“Of course, it’s not just for that reason. Four people are too noisy; two is just right,” Zhou Wu said lazily, looking down. “Add me to your vacation plans, Teacher Wen.”

Wen Ci tightened her grip, trying to keep her happiness from showing too much. She replied calmly, “Alright.”

—

Wen Ci didn’t have any real vacation plans. Her trip here had ulterior motives. With Dou Yiqing, who usually planned everything, gone, the only activities Wen Ci could think of were reading and watching the sea.

After finishing the brunch delivered by the hotel, Zhou Wu went to the study for a brief conference call. When he came out, Wen Ci was sitting on the sofa reading a book, with a notebook beside her.

Zhou Wu glanced at the book: “Xiao Xiurong’s Key Knowledge Points Explained in Detail.”

Although he had gone abroad after high school, he had many friends back home and knew a bit about this. “Planning to go to graduate school?”

“It’s just a thought… Are you done with your meeting?” Wen Ci was brought back to reality by his question and hesitantly handed him two books she had picked out. “Do you want to read? I also brought some books unrelated to exams.”

Zhou Wu, who was notorious for not turning in homework in high school yet always ranking at the top, shook his head. “I don’t like reading.”

As expected.

Wen Ci awkwardly put the books back, feeling a bit embarrassed about her boring pastime. “Okay.”

“How long do you plan to read?” Zhou Wu asked.

Wen Ci was puzzled. “Any time is fine.”

“Then how about until four?” Zhou Wu looked at the sun outside. “It won’t be so hot then. I’ll have someone change the water, and we can swim in the pool.”

He smiled casually, “Shall I teach you to swim?”

Wen Ci had never found studying time to pass so slowly.

After looking up several times, she finally made it to four o’clock.

Standing in the bathroom, Wen Ci hesitated for a long time over which of her two swimsuits to wear, black or white, feeling too shy to ask for advice.

She finally chose the white one.

When she went out, Zhou Wu was already swimming in the pool.

“What style do you want to learn?” Zhou Wu asked, water streaming down his deep-set features as he looked up at her, his Adam’s apple prominent.

Wen Ci was taken aback, not expecting to actually learn swimming.

“Anything simple, I’m really not good at water sports,” she said, tugging at the scanty fabric of her swimsuit that made her feel unsafe. “Would it be better if I changed to my previous swimsuit?”

“This one is fine.” Zhou Wu reached out from the water, grabbing her ankle. “Come in.”

In the water, Zhou Wu held her hands, letting her float on the surface.

Wen Ci was so fair she almost blended with her white swimsuit, slender but with long limbs that didn’t make her look short.

She kicked her feet a bit but to no avail, entirely dependent on Zhou Wu for support. Before long, she couldn’t help but stand up straight.

After more than ten minutes and several failed attempts, Wen Ci wiped the water from her face, feeling like a hopeless student. “Sorry, I’m really not good at swimming.”

“Not just that.”

Zhou Wu pushed her wet hair back, suddenly asking, “In your third year of high school, was it you who fainted just after finishing the 800-meter race?”

“…It was in the second year,” Wen Ci hesitated, then nodded. “I caused you trouble back then.”

Zhou Wu hadn’t wanted to participate in the sports meet and was planning to sneak out when Wen Ci fainted right in front of him at the 800-meter finish line.

After realizing it was a classmate, he even suspected that their teacher had sent her to fake it.

Remembering this, Zhou Wu chuckled. “Your athletic ability was so poor, fainting after an 800-meter run. Someone came to the infirmary saying you had signed up for the 3000-meter race too… You’re something.”

Wen Ci covered her face. “No one wanted to run the 3000 meters back then. And I didn’t faint from running, it was heatstroke.”

“Doesn’t matter.” Zhou Wu let her go. “Start from the basics then, practice holding your breath.”

Wen Ci dived under, and Zhou Wu waited above the water for a while before following her in.

Wen Ci leaned against the pool wall, her legs bent, holding her nose, her small face scrunched up in discomfort. Her hair was tied loosely, with strands floating gently in the water, sunlight streaming in and making her skin glow.

Zhou Wu counted the seconds in his head, and as she reached twice her previous breath-holding time, he moved to lift her out. Just as he touched her, Wen Ci surfaced, gasping for air.

They were very close, her breath almost on Zhou Wu.

Wen Ci’s face was flushed from holding her breath, gasping for air, her thin swimsuit clinging to her skin, slightly accentuating her features. When she opened her eyes, water clung to her eyelashes, her eyes glistening.

“Did I hold my breath longer than last time?”

Zhou Wu replied lazily, “Yes. Is it uncomfortable?”

Wen Ci nodded. Just as she was about to say she could handle it, Zhou Wu cupped her neck, his fingers resting on her chin, lifting her head. “Let me give you artificial respiration.”

—-

In the end, she didn’t learn to swim.

It was their first time doing it outdoors. The air was humid and hot, cicadas were chirping, and the occasional breeze rustled the leaves. Wen Ci lay on a lounge chair by the private pool, feeling embarrassed and stimulated by every sound of nature.

Zhou Wu had just straightened up, and Wen Ci immediately pulled her swimsuit back over her chest. Zhou Wu chuckled, “There’s no one here, Ms. Wen.”

“I know.” Wen Ci closed her eyes. “But… it still feels strange.”

“Okay.” Zhou Wu understood. He kissed her through the swimsuit, “Then turn around.”

The lounge chair was too hard, so Zhou Wu used his clothes to cushion her knees.

But after a long time, Wen Ci’s knees still got bruised.

Afterwards, Wen Ci softly explained to the person half-kneeling in front of her, “It’s really okay, it will go away by tomorrow. It’s just my constitution; my skin is thin, so I bruise easily.”

Zhou Wu applied medicine to her knees, gently massaging with his fingertips. His tone was casual, “Yes, Ms. Wen is delicate. I’ll be more careful in the future.”

Wen Ci: “That’s not what I meant.”

“I know.” Zhou Wu finished applying the medicine, lowered her long skirt, and looked up to ask, “What’s the next activity on our vacation?”

“Watching the sea?” Wen Ci suggested, then suddenly realized the time, “Wait, isn’t it time for dinner? Are you hungry?”

They combined the activities and walked to another beach restaurant at the hotel.

The sunset by the sea was different every day. Yesterday, it was a sky full of red and orange; today, it was a rich light pink.

Wen Ci walked on the beach, replying to Dou Yiqing’s message. As expected, Dou Yiqing had slept off her hangover until the afternoon. Luckily, she was in good spirits. Wen Ci reminded her to drink some milk or honey water, then asked what had happened with Qin Yun last night.

Dou Yiqing, having blacked out, replied nonchalantly: “Don’t remember. He went nuts, yelling at me for half the night but wouldn’t say why. Maybe I finally lost it and hit him.”

Wen Ci smiled.

Wen Ci usually dressed in an elegant and fresh style, and any of her long dresses suited the beach. Today, she wore a simple white dress, and the sea breeze lifted her skirt and hair, making them dance against the pink-tinted sea.

Zhou Wu, with his hands in his pockets, watched for a while before raising his phone.

They went to a casual bar-style restaurant, decorated like a boathouse, with a captain playing the guitar in the upstairs cockpit. Since it was dinner time, the restaurant was full, leaving only the most corner seat available.

The corner seat seemed like an afterthought, with just one table and a long wooden bench, separated by a few wooden boards. You couldn’t see anyone outside, only hear the singing. Even the waiter had to take a turn to get there. The only advantage was a small exclusive window.

To put it nicely, it was a private booth. To put it bluntly, it was a repurposed storage room.

Fortunately, neither of them minded.

After half a bowl of pasta, Wen Ci was full. Seeing they had finished their meal, the waiter brought two bottles of special house cocktails as compensation for the bad seating: “These are our specially made coconut cocktails. Only our bartender can make this unique flavor, and many customers come just for these drinks. Would you like to try?”

Zhou Wu was about to refuse when he noticed the curious look in Wen Ci’s eyes. He turned his gaze away, “Do you want to try?”

Wen Ci’s eyes were filled with “I really want to try,” but she slowly shook her head, “No.”

Finding it amusing, Zhou Wu tapped the wooden table and said to the waiter, “Leave them here, thank you.”

After the waiter left, he pushed one of the drinks towards her, “If you want to try, go ahead.”

“Forget it.” Wen Ci hesitated, “My alcohol tolerance is low. What if I get drunk again?”

“If you get drunk, I’ll take you back. What else?” Zhou Wu chuckled, “Besides, the alcohol content isn’t that high.”

“…”

The coconut cocktail looked almost like coconut water, clear and fragrant. The only difference was the alcohol vapor rising, with a mini coconut shell on the rim.

In front of Zhou Wu, Wen Ci’s self-control weakened automatically.

She picked up the glass with both hands, “Then, I’ll take a sip.”

She took a cautious sip, and Zhou Wu looked down at her, “How is it?”

Wen Ci frowned, “It’s delicious.”

Her expression reminded Zhou Wu of the last time she drank, also frowning as if she couldn’t stand it, yet taking sip after sip.

Despite her terrible alcohol tolerance.

A novice yet eager.

Recalling her behavior when drunk, Zhou Wu raised an eyebrow subtly and indulgently said, “This place has a few other famous low-alcohol drinks that won’t upset your stomach. Want to try?”

Wen Ci: “I don’t think so…”

Ten minutes later, Wen Ci had finished the coconut cocktail, and several more colorful cocktails had appeared on the table.

“Do you drink often?” Zhou Wu asked lazily.

Wen Ci put down her glass, “No, the last time was my first.”

“Which time?” Zhou Wu asked casually, “At the wedding?”

“No…” Wen Ci paused and quickly changed her answer, “Yes. Including today, I’ve only drunk three times.”

After drinking, Wen Ci became a bit more talkative, “My mom used to forbid it, but I’ve always wanted to know what it tastes like.”

Zhou Wu nodded in understanding.

People are like that. The more they’re told not to do something, the more they want to try it.

“What else did your mom forbid you to do that you want to try?”

Under the dim light, Zhou Wu’s eyes were very deep. He had also had a few sips of alcohol, his voice low and husky, “I’ll take you.”

Wen Ci was stunned, and she looked up at him blankly.

Zhou Wu laughed, “Except for breaking the law.”

Whether it was the alcohol or Zhou Wu’s words, Wen Ci’s heart started pounding. She glanced at the small box by Zhou Wu’s hand.

Zhou Wu followed her gaze and saw his cigarette box.

He picked it up and placed it where she couldn’t see it. “Don’t even think about it—what’s going on, Ms. Wen?”

He chuckled, “You look so well-behaved. How come you want to smoke and drink?”

Wasn’t it you who said smoking can make you forget your troubles?

Wen Ci looked at him, and in a daze, she seemed to return to the stairwell of the high school rooftop that day.

A tall, slender figure sat one level below her, holding a cigarette and looking up, his tone leisurely, “Which student is up there? Stop crying, your crying is annoying me. Come down, I’ll give you a cigarette, once you smoke it, your troubles will be gone.”

At that time, she sniffed and choked out, “Really?”

Realizing she was a girl, Zhou Wu paused and cursed, “Damn,” then got up and left, leaving behind, “No, it’s not true. You can keep crying.”

Ten minutes later, the figure returned. A plastic bag was handed through the gap in the stair railing, containing tissues, water, and candy.

Zhou Wu didn’t say anything, not even looking up at her. He left immediately after placing the items down.

The bar switched to a new song.

Wen Ci blinked, snapping back to reality. “Alright.”

Her phone on the table vibrated, and just as she was about to check it, Zhou Wu casually asked, “Do you really want to try?”

Wen Ci’s head shot up.

Like a physiological reaction before doing something bad, her breathing quickened, fingers trembled, and her heartbeat pounded in her ears.

Wen Ci nodded.

Zhou Wu tapped out a cigarette with one hand—putting it to his own lips.

He lit it, took a puff, and then grabbed the back of Wen Ci’s neck, pulling her forward—

The taste of tobacco mingled with Zhou Wu’s lips, and Wen Ci was quickly released, the unfamiliar, pungent taste making her turn her head and cough.

Zhou Wu extinguished the cigarette, laughing in a low, lazy manner, “I told you…”

But his words were cut off.

Wen Ci turned back, her slender fingers gently cupping his face, and she gave him a passionate kiss.