This year's Spring Festival unfolded much like the last. After Yu's mother had fallen asleep, Yu Shuman and Qin Ran snuck out on their nearly dilapidated bicycle, leaving behind the bodyguard who was on duty. They rode all the way to the same bridge they had visited the year before, waiting for the fireworks to light up the sky and promising to spend the next year together again.
However, this year, they didn't stay until the very end of the holiday. Instead, Yu Shuman told her mother, "Mom, we've already planned to go on vacation over the New Year, so we're heading off early." Yu's mother, while saying, "Why not stay a few more days?" still helped them pack, reminding them to take care of their skin in the hot tropical sun.
"Got it, got it!"
Initially, Qin Ran hadn't expected to be able to go on vacation during the holiday, but to her surprise, Yu Shuman had worked tirelessly in the days leading up to it, finishing her filming ahead of schedule. The director, who had pushed the crew to work hard alongside her, marveled, "People say I'm a workaholic, but I think you're even crazier. Aren't you overdoing it?"
It wasn't that Yu Shuman didn't care about her health. She simply missed Qin Ran so much that if she didn't rush to be by her side, she'd feel restless.
Thanks to her hard work, Yu Shuman wrapped up all her scenes right before the holiday. Without even stopping for a meal, she caught a plane home. This was how they managed to escape for a seaside vacation during the Spring Festival.
They boarded the plane, first heading to a northern country's airport to transfer flights. Yu Shuman was puzzled, "Did we need a transfer for this trip?" Qin Ran, too embarrassed to admit she had bought a private jet, quickly claimed she had rented it. Yu Shuman had never experienced a private jet before, so she happily climbed aboard with Qin Ran.
Qin Ran had already flown on the jet during her earlier inspection trip, so this time she acted like a tour guide, explaining the various features of the private jet to Yu Shuman.
"Before takeoff, we need to sit down and fasten our seatbelts. But once we reach cruising altitude, you can move around freely," Qin Ran explained, emphasizing the bed and shower facilities in the back. "If you get tired, you can lie down and sleep comfortably. Long flights won't be a problem."
"Manman, I've rented this jet long-term. If you ever need to travel abroad for work, we can use this. It's much more comfortable than regular flights."
Yu Shuman followed Qin Ran around the jet, exploring every corner. When she saw the soft bed, she couldn't resist lying down. She had pushed herself so hard before the holiday, working late into the night almost every day. On days with night shoots, she would wake up at odd hours to film. While most actors balanced their schedules with plenty of rest, Yu Shuman had forgone sleep to stay on track.
Some days, she only managed three or four hours of sleep, and on the best days, six hours. Yet, she never cut corners on her performances, delivering high-quality work even when pressed for time. After working so hard, the sight of the bed was too tempting, and she soon fell asleep.
Watching Yu Shuman, Qin Ran felt her own sleepiness creeping in. She lay down beside Yu Shuman, her eyelids drooping, and soon they were both sound asleep. They were gently awakened by the flight attendants when the plane was about to land.
Qin Ran yawned, gently waking Yu Shuman and helping her buckle into her seat for landing. Still half-asleep, Yu Shuman reached out to hug Qin Ran, who smiled and carried her to the seat. Startled, Yu Shuman clung to Qin Ran's neck.
"When did you secretly become a miner?" she teased, referring to a joke about strength.
"Where do you even learn these phrases?" Qin Ran muttered, but couldn't hide her pride. "They say a healthy woman can lift her own body weight. At worst, I can carry 80% of it. But Manman, you haven't been eating properly lately. You've gotten thinner."
Yu Shuman couldn't argue, knowing it was true. During her intense work schedule, she hadn't eaten or slept well, and her exercise routine had dwindled. Naturally, she had lost weight. What she didn't expect was that Qin Ran could actually lift her. At least Qin Ran had been taking care of herself while they were apart.
Yu Shuman buried her head in Qin Ran's neck, and within a few steps, Qin Ran had set her down in her seat and fastened her seatbelt. Qin Ran then sat beside her.
By now, they could see the coastline. This location was three hours ahead of home. When they had taken off, it was 9 a.m. in their home country. After a long flight, it was now 3 p.m. at home, but only noon at their destination. Having slept through lunchtime, both of their stomachs growled.
The view from the plane was breathtaking, with the ocean at its most beautiful during the midday sun. From the window, they could take it all in.
Yu Shuman was thrilled at the sight of the sea, leaning closer to the window for a better view. Qin Ran couldn't see her face but knew she must be enjoying it. She was relieved to have chosen a place Yu Shuman would love.
Once they landed, they were greeted by Qin Ran's assistant, who had been working tirelessly, not having taken a break yet. The assistant had noticeably tanned after spending so much time in the tropical sun. At first, Yu Shuman didn't recognize her, thinking she was a local, until the assistant spoke in Mandarin. Realizing who it was, Yu Shuman was momentarily stunned.
She sympathized, wondering if she had gotten just as tan when filming on the beach for that commercial.
"Thank you for your hard work..."
The assistant, on the verge of tears, quickly perked up at the thought of her upcoming fully paid vacation to Europe. "Not at all! Yu Shuman, just enjoy your time here. I'm here to take care of everything." She drove them straight to the beachside villa. Once there, she led them to the dining area.
Knowing they were exhausted from their journey, the assistant had prepared light and comforting dishes: congee, small side dishes, and noodles, rather than the local cuisine. Yu Shuman, with three bowls of congee down, felt rejuvenated after the meal.
Having slept so much on the plane, she was now full of energy.
She took Qin Ran on a tour of the area. Before they arrived, Qin Ran had told her that this beach was private, belonging to the villa they rented. They could relax and play without fear of being disturbed. Qin Ran, despite having visited before, acted like a country bumpkin, so Yu Shuman lovingly guided her around.
The pier, which had been under construction during Qin Ran's last visit, was now finished. The wooden planks were smooth, treated with eco-friendly tung oil, and the scent had long dissipated in the open air. The pier extended over the blue sea, with a platform at the end from which they could jump into the water and climb back up using a wooden ladder.
Yu Shuman brought two sun hats, though Qin Ran doubted they'd be much help under the blazing noon sun. The heat sapped Qin Ran's desire to keep exploring, but Yu Shuman, in high spirits, was enjoying the breeze that occasionally threatened to whisk her hat away, making her press it down with a laugh.
Dressed in a light green sundress with long ties fluttering in the wind, Yu Shuman surveyed the area. Confirming that they were truly alone, she suddenly grabbed Qin Ran's hand and dashed toward the platform, pulling her along. With a playful "Ah!" from Qin Ran, they jumped into the sea together.
As they plunged into the water, the top layer, warmed by the sun, gave way to a sudden, refreshing coolness. They both sank beneath the surface, their hats flying off somewhere.
Qin Ran, prepared for Yu Shuman's sudden leap, took a deep breath to avoid choking on seawater. They hit the water with a splash, staying submerged for a moment before resurfacing, gasping for air. Qin Ran's ears were filled with water, and she was about to complain when she heard Yu Shuman laughing beside her.
"Now we're both soaking wet!"
Qin Ran looked over at Yu Shuman. Her sundress was soaked, clinging to her upper body and revealing a hint of her fair skin beneath, while the lower part floated around her in the water. Yu Shuman's curly hair, now wet, clung to her cheeks, while the rest of it floated on the surface, gently rippling with the waves.
Qin Ran's own dress, made of linen, had darkened with the water.
Despite Yu Shuman's disheveled appearance, she looked radiant, and Qin Ran couldn't help but be mesmerized by her beauty. But even so, she couldn't resist scolding, "You jumped in without any safety precautions! What if a wave had carried us away?"
Yu Shuman, realizing her mistake, stuck out her tongue playfully. "I was just too excited to see the ocean. I couldn't help myself." Qin Ran was about to lecture her more when Yu Shuman paddled over, brushing aside the water, and kissed her on the lips.
The kiss tasted salty, a mix of the sea and their shared happiness.