Chapter 49: Swimming
So, Bai Qi was led by Bo Yan toward the seashore in a daze.
Once they stepped out of the forest, a humid, warm breeze blew toward them. It was very soft and comfortable against the face, though it was a bit hot.
Bai Qi couldn’t help but roll up his sleeves, revealing a patch of snow-white skin.
Under the brilliant sunlight, his slender arms were blindingly white. His face was also steamed into a delicate hue, like a sweet and delicious honey peach. He smelled fragrant and felt soft all over.
Perhaps it really was too hot; Bo Yan’s usually pale earlobes were slightly red, and his jaw tightened.
He moved his gaze away imperceptibly and quickened his pace, leading Bai Qi along.
This island was truly very quiet. The seaside tourist spots had all been booked by Bo Yan. At this moment, there wasn’t a soul on the vast beach. It felt as if only the two of them existed between heaven and earth.
A place like this was truly healing for the soul. If it weren’t for the fact that university students didn’t have much time off, Bai Qi would have loved to stay here for a while.
Five minutes later, they reached the coastline.
The fine white sand was soft underfoot. The ocean before them was dreamily beautiful—not an endless deep blue, but a translucent turquoise.
Bai Qi was in an excellent mood. He couldn’t help but touch the seawater. His palms felt cool. Despite the heat, the surface of the sea felt like melting ice.
Then, he heard a rustling sound. Bai Qi looked up and saw Bo Yan taking off his shirt. His long, lean body was like cold jade, with thin muscles and snowy skin—even more beautiful and translucent than the beach and the ocean.
Bai Qi was stunned for a moment, then he couldn’t help but feel a surge of heat. He quickly lowered his head, too embarrassed to look.
He didn’t know if it was because the environment was better or because the current atmosphere was more relaxed, but he wasn’t as nervous as he usually was when he saw Bo Yan’s body.
Bo Yan is actually quite good-looking.
His fingertips dipped into the cool water again. This time, Bai Qi’s heart beat a bit fast.
After a moment, he couldn’t help but sneak another look. He was met with the sight of Bo Yan’s pale, taut back muscles. Bo Yan was also carrying a large swimming ring on his shoulder; who knows where he had just gotten it from.
Bai Qi paused, only to see Bo Yan turn around and ask, “Do you want to go in? I’ll push you while you swim.”
Bai Qi was tempted.
He had never gone swimming before, let alone in such a beautiful place. With Bo Yan and the swimming ring, it would surely be very safe.
Bai Qi couldn’t help but nod excitedly. He quickly took off his shoes to reveal his feet, then rolled his pant legs up to his knees. His pinkish-white joints were exceptionally noticeable.
Actually, it would have been best to take off his shirt, as being in the swimming ring might be a bit inconvenient otherwise. But Bai Qi was still very shy, so he continued to wear his white short-sleeved shirt.
Bo Yan watched Bai Qi take off his shoes and socks unblinkingly. He rarely refrained from bullying him and said nothing, only seriously placing the swimming ring over Bai Qi.
Even though he was shirtless, he still maintained a gentlemanly posture. His cold, stern face was exceptionally handsome, and he carried a strong sense of security.
Bai Qi was completely at ease. He obediently raised his hands, and soon his thin waist was surrounded by the massive swimming ring.
Only once it was actually on did he realize just how big and thick the swimming ring was. Bai Qi’s arms rested on it, and it was hard for his fingers to wrap completely around it. Floating with this, he would definitely not sink.
Seeing that Bo Yan wasn’t wearing anything, Bai Qi couldn’t help but ask curiously, “Can you open your eyes in the sea?”
Bo Yan lifted his eyelids to look at him and smiled: “You’ll know in a moment.”
Seeing him play mysterious for once, Bai Qi was also a bit curious. Soon, Bo Yan led him into the sea.
The cool water rose past his ankles, and the humid heat on his body was instantly dispelled.
To let Bai Qi adapt to the water temperature bit by bit, the two didn’t walk fast. It wasn’t until the water reached the level of the swimming ring that Bo Yan moved behind him to push it.
Bai Qi’s feet gradually left the ground. He began to float in the water, held firmly on the surface by the swimming ring like a plump dolphin.
The unprecedented magical experience made his eyes widen. He couldn’t help but lightly splash his feet in the water. The sea was like a piece of cold emerald, swaying against Bai Qi’s ankles, so vivid it was intoxicating.
Bo Yan lowered his eyelashes, and his speed grew faster and faster.
His athletic talent was superb. Even with one hand needing to hold the swimming ring, he wasn’t hindered at all. Soon, he had led Bai Qi far away from the shore.
The weather today was truly excellent. The sea was calm, and occasional seabirds flew overhead.
A smile appeared in Bai Qi’s eyes. He turned his head to call out to Bo Yan: “Let’s stop and look at the scenery.”
“Okay.”
They were already quite far from the shore. Even the trees near the beach were becoming indistinct.
Bai Qi wanted to lie on the swimming ring and paddle with his hands and feet. Just as he was about to ask Bo Yan for help, he heard a slight splashing sound.
He looked down curiously, then froze.
Bo Yan was completely submerged in the sea. The contours of his neck and shoulders contained an explosive power. His floating black hair and pale face were like a man-eating merman from the deep sea—highly aggressive.
He opened his eyes just like that underwater, his dark pupils staring unblinkingly at Bai Qi.
For a moment, Bai Qi had a flash of feeling like he had encountered danger. Instinctively wanting to retreat, his feet kicked empty air in the water. He couldn’t find any leverage at all and could only grip the red swimming ring around his waist.
He finally knew whether Bo Yan could open his eyes underwater.
Just as he was about to call him up, Bo Yan suddenly sank further, disappearing directly from view.
“Bo Yan?”
Bai Qi panicked a bit. He couldn’t help but call out anxiously, yet no one emerged.
At the same time, a dark shadow merged beneath the swimming ring. Like a demon, he approached Bai Qi silently.
Bai Qi was stunned for a second, then his face suddenly exploded with red.
He never expected Bo Yan to bully him here. He kicked his legs in embarrassment, but his ankles were gripped by a great force.
“Don’t.”
His sense of touch in the water was exceptionally sharp. Bai Qi was so stimulated his whole body was trembling. The calm surface of the water rippled incessantly.
Even though his body was soaked in the cool water, he was so hot he was going crazy. Thin sweat gradually appeared on his fair forehead.
Yet, while he was protected by the swimming ring, he was also restrained by it. He couldn’t reach the water’s surface at all. He could only endure desperately, and his entire body was drained of strength.
The magnificent sea bloomed with an eerie scenery.
Bo Yan grew more and more excessive. Bai Qi was even lifted by his waist and partially pulled out of the swimming ring.
Time became incredibly slow.
After an unknown amount of time, Bo Yan resurfaced with a pair of pants, looking like a satisfied eagle after a hunt.
“Don’t worry, it wasn’t lost.”
“…Thank you.”
Bai Qi lay powerlessly in the swimming ring. He could only let Bo Yan help him dress, and then he was held by the face and kissed for a long time. Only then was he finally pushed back to the shore.
Bo Yan’s stamina was impressive. After holding his breath and swimming for so long, he still easily carried Bai Qi back to the villa.
But being carried in a “princess hug” like this was truly shameful. Bai Qi was terrified the whole way, looking around for fear of being seen.
Bo Yan looked down at Bai Qi’s beautiful, tear-reddened eyes and couldn’t help but kiss the corner of his eye: “Don’t be afraid. The people nearby were sent away long ago.”
Bai Qi sighed in relief, then couldn’t help but glare at Bo Yan. So he had planned it all along.
“How can you think about such things all day? Didn’t we come here to see Mother?”
Bai Qi didn’t understand. He thought he looked quite fierce, but his voice was too soft. Coupled with that glance from the corner of his thin eyes, he was so beautiful he could make one lose their soul.
Bo Yan was dazed for a long while before he said, “Sorry.”
His voice was very raspy, making this apology seem exceptionally sincere.
Now it was Bai Qi’s turn to be stunned.
He didn’t expect Bo Yan to apologize so politely all of a sudden. He finally understood why Bo Yan never liked it when he was too polite before.
Bai Qi subconsciously shook his head: “N-No need to apologize.”
Bo Yan smiled slightly and nodded seriously: “Okay. Then can I continue next time?”
Bai Qi: “…”
He buried his face in Bo Yan’s shoulder and said nothing. Gradually, his ears turned red again.
Fortunately, his mother and the others hadn’t returned either. The two successfully returned to the villa to shower and change.
In the evening, Mother Bai and Bo’s Mother finally returned.
The two were on excellent terms. Like they were back in their student days, they returned arm-in-arm, laughing cheerfully. Both were glowing with health after their soak.
Who knows how long they had been chatting; their voices were raspy. Mother Bai was even clamoring to see the sea.
So, the group came to the seashore to watch the sunset and have dinner.
At this time, the evening breeze had lost the humid heat of the afternoon and become refreshing.
Sitting here was truly very comfortable. Bo Yan had originally intended for someone to set up a table so everyone could sit together. Unexpectedly, Bo’s Mother said with a beaming smile that she wanted to give the two of them some private time.
So, Bai Qi, with a bright red face, sat at one table with Bo Yan, while the two parents sat cheerfully at another table some distance away.
Bai Qi’s table had dishes prepared by Bo Yan: mango sticky rice, coconut cake, lemonade, and finally, bean-stewed beef—all the things Bai Qi had liked at lunch.
However, it wasn’t just Bo Yan who observed his lover’s preferences; Bai Qi had also specifically observed what Bo Yan liked to eat.
So, upon seeing the dishes before him, Bai Qi unhesitatingly had someone add a dish of plain rice noodles and stir-fried cauliflower.
The waiter smiled, agreed, and left to have them prepared quickly.
Bai Qi wasn’t in a hurry to start eating. He wanted to wait for Bo Yan’s dishes to arrive so they could eat together. He sat with his head down, replying to the Class Monitor’s messages, planning to bring him some island specialties when he returned to school.
Yet, out of the corner of his eye, he could feel Bo Yan watching him.
After sending the message, Bai Qi looked up: “What’s wrong?”
Just then, a cloud drifted away. The brilliant golden rays of the setting sun fell on Bo Yan’s face, making his features appear exceptionally gentle.
Bo Yan watched Bai Qi quietly for a good while, then reached down to take his hand, interlacing their fingers. Their warm palms met, as if even their hearts were drawing closer.
“Qiqi, I like you so much.”
Bo Yan lowered his voice, but the joy in his tone was about to overflow.
Bai Qi hadn’t expected Bo Yan to be so happy.
He couldn’t help but tighten his grip on Bo Yan’s hand. In truth, remembering Bo Yan’s favorite dishes was a small thing, but perhaps it’s such small things added together that form a warm home.
This was just the beginning; he would take good care of Bo Yan in the future as well.
His heart was beating fast. Bai Qi’s long eyelashes fluttered slightly. For the first time, he indulged himself a bit, leaning in to lightly kiss the corner of Bo Yan’s mouth while his mother’s back was turned.
“I like you, too.”
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