Chapter 115: Azure Sea, Golden Sands

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Jo Zhen nestled in his embrace, listening to Qin Yichi ask if she was satisfied with the service, her ears tinged with a faint blush. This man really was something... After much hesitation, she gave a slight nod. Qin Yichi tightened his hold on her and softly coaxed, “If you’re satisfied, how about a little tip?” Jo Zhen looked up at him, her voice sweet and soft, “You’re shameless.” Yet, seeing the earnest and slightly wronged look in his eyes, her heart softened. She gently rose onto her tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his lips.

“*Mwah~*”

Qin Yichi, fully content, put aside his grievances, lifted her high, and took the elevator downstairs to join the others. By the time they finished eating, it was already afternoon. Everyone eagerly dashed to the beach. Niu Yifeng swiftly pulled along two other boys like untamed stallions, shouting, “I want to play in the sand, swim, and surf!” One boy ran alongside, sighing, “Me too, I’ve been waiting for this day so long it feels like my spirit throughout finals week depended on it!” Another nearby collapsed in despair, “We’re on a trip, why bring this up? My Python class is probably going to fail, sob, I hope the teacher can save my participation grade…”

The afternoon sun blazed fiercely, dazzling as it shone directly on the sea, casting a radiant golden sheen. The sea sparkled magnificently, occasionally punctuated by the crashing sound of waves against rocks. Since it was a weekday, there weren’t many tourists around.

Jo Zhen and Qin Yichi walked hand in hand along the soft, fine sand, slowly nearing the water’s edge. The beach was delicate and tender, like golden silk, making every step unusually pleasant. Jo Zhen felt as if each step was surreal. The vast blue ocean, the golden sands, and the presence of her beloved—all elements quickening her heartbeat.

She turned her head slightly, secretly glancing at Qin Yichi. The man wore only swim trunks, his strikingly attractive physique bathed in sunlight, radiating wild allure. His tousled hair fluttered gently in the breeze, and the sun accentuated his handsome features, lending him an air of freedom and nonchalance.

Suddenly, he turned and met her gaze with precision. “What’s wrong?” Jo Zhen quietly withdrew her eyes and faced the sea, letting the salty breeze caress her face.

“Qin Yichi, I really love watching the sea,” she murmured with a soft smile, “Especially with you.”

Those words fell into his ears, and he froze—his heart struck by an invisible arrow, bursting with countless sweet sensations.

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“I love it too, with you,” he replied, a smile tugging at his lips. He was inexplicably reminded of lines once written in a secret diary from his days of quiet affection:

“Jo Zhen, I want to watch the snow with you, the mountains and the sea, sunrises and sunsets, shooting stars and auroras—I want to see every beautiful, romantic scene in this world with you.”

The bitter, aching emotions of the past had now transformed into bubbles of happiness, gradually fading away. His eyes were filled with her image.

The girl wore two fishtail braids, each tied with golden ribbons woven neatly into her hair, making her look uniquely lovely. She seemed to glow with golden radiance, shining from within.

Qin Yichi’s heart warmed, and he called her softly, “Zhenzhen.”

“Hm?”

He squeezed her hand firmly and said slowly, “You’re my little sun.”

A presence like the sun itself—warm and radiant—bringing light to his heart, dispelling shadows of pain and darkness.

Jo Zhen was silent for a moment before shaking her head decisively. “I’m not...” she said earnestly, “Qin Yichi, you’re my sun.”

If Qin Yichi were to be likened to anything, it would be the blazing sun—bold and brilliant. After she had endured heartbreak and despair, he appeared like a flame, burning fiercely for her. She could always feel his searing warmth in the smallest details, slowly melting her heart.

Qin Yichi paused, surprised by her reply, just about to speak when suddenly Zhang Ning, wearing a pink swimsuit, came running over. She eagerly pulled them towards the sand for a group photo. “Hurry, come take the picture! Just waiting on you two!”

The boys found a middle-aged woman who looked impressive to take the photo. Wearing cool sunglasses and standing firmly, she struck a professional pose, loudly instructing, “Come on, handsome guys and beautiful ladies, look at the camera~”

The boys were moved to tears—never before had anyone called them handsome.

Qin Yichi held Jo Zhen’s hand, lazily smiling at the camera. Jo Zhen leaned on his shoulder, sweetly flashing a peace sign.

In the photo, the group stood on the soft sand, backs to the endless azure sea, vibrant and free.

The moment was frozen in time:

Summer and the sea, sunlight and waves—all became a backdrop to the youthful canvas of these teenagers, painting a vivid oil painting of life.

After the photo, everyone scattered to their own activities, planning to reunite at sunset for a boat ride to feed the seagulls.

Zhang Ning stuck close to Jo Zhen, building sandcastles on the beach with a serious expression, clutching props.

“Zhenzhen, this time I’m building SpongeBob’s pineapple house!”

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Jo Zhen silently encouraged her.

Before long, Niu Yifeng was done with his sandcastle, grinning widely. “Guys, check out my luxury toilet!”

Everyone looked up at once, falling silent for two minutes.

“...Are you crazy?”

“You just came here to poop, ruining the vibe—get out!”

Jo Zhen began building sandcastles as well, her gaze drifting to Qin Yichi a short distance away. He had stepped aside to buy something, but the next moment, a gorgeous young woman approached him, opening her phone as if to add him on WeChat.

She wore a red swimsuit, her figure fiery and alluring, yet she was polite and composed. Even from a distance, her striking beauty was palpable.

Zhang Ning immediately stood alert, abandoning her pineapple house, quickly tapping Jo Zhen’s shoulder with a wary expression.

Jo Zhen remained unperturbed, asking, “What’s wrong? No more sandcastles?”

“No,” Zhang Ning whispered, pointing toward Qin Yichi and the woman in red. “Sis, aren’t you nervous?”

Jo Zhen’s gaze rested on Qin Yichi, a gentle smile curving her lips. “Not at all.”

Because she trusted him. Because Qin Yichi had long since given her a profound sense of security.

Sure enough, Qin Yichi showed the ring on his finger, politely shook his head, and walked away without hesitation, seemingly not even remembering the woman’s face.

Jo Zhen’s heart warmed as she continued shaping the sand.

Soon, Qin Yichi returned, holding two sea salt-flavored ice creams in one hand and a large coconut in the other. He leaned close to Jo Zhen affectionately.

“Try this—new flavor.”

But the next moment, his eyes fell on the sandcastle she had made.

A three-dimensional heart, with the inscription:

【QYC ♡ QZ】

Jo Zhen sat on the beach, smiling charmingly, presenting her treasure like a gift, her eyes sparkling as she asked, “Look, isn’t it pretty?”

Qin Yichi’s steps faltered. He suddenly froze, inexplicably recalling a scene from the past.

On the night of December 31 last year, beneath the first snow and moonlight, he had secretly kept a secret.

And now, Jo Zhen had drawn it on the beach, offering it to him without reservation.

How could this not be fate...