It was the morning of July. Yuqin rolled down her white KIA SUV, her left pale and slender hand reaching out to feel the warm breeze while she waited for the lights to turn green. Her slender right index finger tapped on the steering wheel while listening to one of her favorite songs by Jay Chou, "Nocturne", which was also her first love's favorite song. Even though they broke up several years ago, she remembered him from time to time. Han Rong was an athletic young man blessed with a handsome face. Although they had a five-year age difference, she didn't even think that was a problem. They had common likes and dislikes, like everyone else. Even though Yuqin didn't know why he had to break up with her, she was obviously heart-broken, but she never showed it.

She took off her sunglasses as she arrived at the beach. Henry greeted her with a hug. Henry was an American- Chinese mixed young man. He was the lifeguard on duty for the day. She smiled and said, "It's such a beautiful day." Henry nodded. "Well, that's the weekend for you. Let's hope we don't have any accidents." Yuqin nodded. "Hope the weather cooperates with us." After Yuqin changed into her red uniform, her hourglass figure was everyone's dream. She was very attractive, unlike during high school years. Her classmates considered her fat even though she wasn't actually overweight.

Yuqin and Henry went to their designated tent to set up a first aid center since they don't have a designated building for that. As the people came to the beach, she texted Henry that she'll head over to the high chair so she can oversee the ocean and people. There were many families playing together and many young couples playing in the water.

Han Rong and his family arrived at the beach just in time and his sister, Han Lingling, found a perfect spot to settle down.

"Brother, mom, dad! Isn't this the perfect spot?" Han Lingling was an outgoing girl, but sometimes, she can be a little too confident. Han Rong smiled at his sister and replied, "It is." Han Rong's mother scolded Han Ling, "Look at your brother helping us out. Aren't you supposed to help too?"

"Mom! My friends are coming soon! I'm going to meet up with them." Han Lingling waved goodbye and smiled. The mom looked at her younger daughter and shook her head disappointedly.

"This girl, when will she ever grow up?"

"Mom, she's 18. She can take care of herself." Han Rong laughed and their father chuckled, "Honey, don't worry. She's only meeting her friends. She is responsible."

Han Rong's mother looked at her son and smiled. "If only your sister was born a few years younger than you, we don't have to worry too much. Look at her personality. One day, she'll hurt herself."

"Mom, don't worry. If she hurt herself, at least it's a lesson for her." Han Rong looked at the horizon and his smile faded. He was in his wheelchair for the past several years, but even after many sessions of physiotherapy, his walking progress hasn't improved. He was injured when a bullet struck his lumbar region of the spine. Sometimes, he still experiences pain around that region and it always reminds him he will not be normal ever again. Even simple things like getting up and sitting down took a lot of effort.

"Son, are you okay?" His father looked at him and Han Rong nodded. "I'm fine. I'm looking at the horizon. It's really refreshing." His father nodded and came to sit beside his son.

"Son, don't worry too much about it. Your mom and I can still take care of you. You're also working hard in the office every day. So it's fine, everything will be alright. Your mom and I are very lucky to have both of you safe and sound. That's what's important." Han Rong's father patted his son's shoulder and smiled, "The weather is gorgeous.". Han Rong forced out a smile so his dad won't be too worried about him.

Han Rong took out his painkiller pill because he felt sharp pain whenever his body was under stress.

Han Lingling came back with a smile on her face, "My friend's father is going to take us out for a boat ride. Can I go with them? We won't go too far."

"Be careful, Lingling. Have fun with your friends." Their father gave her permission, and she went with her friends. Since there were many people, Han Rong wasn't able to navigate his wheelchair.

"Father, I'll wait here. I'll tell mom after she comes back from the washroom." Han Rong's father nodded. "Then, I'll check up on her."

After a while, Han Rong's mother came out of the washroom and passed by the first aid tent and saw a young woman tending to a child with a cut on his legs.

"Such a beautiful soul." Han Rong's mother smiled, but she didn't know it was Yuqin.

When she went back to her seat, she spotted Han Rong sitting there reading a book.

"Where's your father?" She asked.

"Lingling went on a boat ride with her friends and their father, so dad is looking out for them by the port area." He replied.

"I'll find your father. There's a beautiful trail behind the beach, take a look. Take some photos, remember!" His mother grabbed her purse and phone while helping Han Rong get his wheelchair to the pavement.

"Thank you, mom. I'll do it by myself." As Han Rong navigated his way to the trail, he was relieved ‌because people were minding their own businesses instead of focusing on him. As he looked towards the beach, he spotted a young woman who looked like his ex-girlfriend. He shook his head. "It can't be. How can she be here?"

"Sir, is everything okay? Should we help with anything?" A young man looked at Han Rong with a concerned expression. That young man was wearing a white and blue striped T-shirt and black shorts. He was about his age.

"I'm alright. Thank you." He replied. Just as he was about to go on, he heard a man saying the name, "Yuqin!" Han Rong looked in front of him and saw his ex-girlfriend, whom he hadn't seen in ages. She grew into a beautiful lady since the last time he saw her.

Yuqin looked back and saw a man with a bouquet of roses. "James? Is that you?" She spoke fluent English and Mandarin even back in school.

"Yuqin, I know it's been a long time. I just came back last night from Dubai. I always wanted to confess to you. Remember the time we swam together in university and you saved me from drowning once? That was too embarrassing. But I wanted to thank you for saving me and also, my parents are dying to meet you. I tell them a lot about you whenever we face timed each other."

Yuqin smiled and replied, "Are your parents well?"

He nodded. "They will be arriving here in three days, so I'm wondering if you'll have time to meet them."

Yuqin looked at the bouquet of roses, then her smile slowly faded. "James, I'm thankful for you. Thank you for being my friend. But, I'm sorry I can't accept the roses. I'm in love with someone else." James' heart sank and replied, "Are you still in love with your ex-boyfriend who broke up with you?"

Yuqin nodded.

"But he broke up with you. What if he has a girlfriend right now?" He desperately wanted to have Yuqin, but she replied in a polite manner.

"James, I understand that it's hard for you to accept. I still haven't gotten over him. I'm sorry."

Han Rong saw Yuqin turning away from James without accepting the roses. He suddenly breathed a sigh of relief without knowing why. Even though they haven't seen each other for so long, Han Rong still had feelings for Yuqin. He recognized her right away, but then reality hit him. He was in a wheelchair. As he was about to turn, he accidentally dropped his book. Yuqin turned to her left and saw a young man in a wheelchair trying to grab the book.

She walked towards him and got the book.

"Here you go. This is yours, right?" Yuqin looked up and everything else blurred around her. Yuqin couldn't believe her eyes. It was Han Rong, she was sure it was him. Why was he in a wheelchair? Was this the reason he broke up with me? She wanted to ask a million questions. Han Rong looked at her, then apologized. "I'm sorry." Yuqin was about to say his name when the emergency alarm took over. Yuqin didn't have too much time to think, so she turned over and ran.