The setting sun sank in the west, painting the ocean in a brilliant display of purples and reds.
Zhen Ai sat by the side of the ship, resting against the railing, dangling her feet. Below her, the sea was a brilliant blue, shimmering with golden reflections—beautiful and radiant, like memories of the past. Yan Su stood beside her, hands in his pockets, his tall figure standing firm against the chilly sea breeze, like a tree.
A tree on the sea.
He stood, she sat; watching the sun sink into the ocean together in silence, enjoying the view and the wind in serene companionship.
Occasionally, he would lower his gaze to watch her feet happily kicking over the sea's surface, and his heart would fill with peace and joy.
He thought, how he truly wished he could give her a calm and happy life, just the two of them, watching her every day, letting her live in eternal happiness and carefreeness.
He had never imagined that one day his heart could soften like this. In truth, he really liked the version of himself that existed when he was with her.
By now, the sun had completely sunk beneath the waves, and the sky and sea darkened together. The colorful sky reflected the faint outline of the moon.
The summer solstice was approaching.
He looked down. Zhen Ai was leaning on the railing, watching the sea. He gently patted her head and said tenderly, "You haven't eaten properly these last few days. How about we go to the dining hall for dinner?"
"Sure!" She looked up, her smile sweet as she stood up with his support. "We've been on this ship for so long, and we haven't joined any activities yet. What a pity."
Yan Su and Zhen Ai arrived late, and the tables for two and the smaller tables were all full. Yan Su initially suggested having the chef prepare something and sending it to their cabin, but Zhen Ai felt that a buffet sounded good, so she pulled him along to join in.
There were already some other people seated at the large round table.
As soon as Zhen Ai sat down, she noticed the subtle glances the others at the table cast toward her and Yan Su. Feeling curious, she looked over at Yan Su, who was calmly unfolding a napkin for her, completely ignoring the people around them.
Was this why they were being stared at?
Zhen Ai felt a bit embarrassed, but at the same time, very sweet inside.
A few seconds later, a man in his thirties sitting next to Yan Su struck up a conversation enthusiastically. "You two are from cabin 1003, right?"
Yan Su didn't respond, but Zhen Ai looked up at the man curiously and asked, "How do you know?"
The man grinned. "We're staying on the same luxury floor. See, all the cabins from 1001 to 1010 are here. Everyone has gotten to know each other over the past few days, except for you two from 1003. Ever since the first day you boarded the ship, you've been completely absent."
He smiled at Zhen Ai, his gaze lingering on her pale and delicate features, his eyes taking on a suggestive glint. "If I had someone to keep me company, I wouldn't leave the cabin either. The scenery inside the cabin is much better than outside."
Someone at the table raised an eyebrow disdainfully, either scoffing at the man's vulgar remark or unimpressed by the couple's lovey-dovey behavior.
However, Zhen Ai didn't catch the meaning behind his words and asked in confusion, "Why do you say the scenery inside the cabin is better? I think the sea is beautiful!"
Several people at the table chuckled softly.
Yan Su gently took Zhen Ai's hand in his, his expression calm, but his gaze sharp and cold as he glanced at the man beside him. "Are you a host for an online show?"
The man was surprised, pleased, and said, "You know me?"
"No." Yan Su replied indifferently, "You have a habit of exaggerating your smile, and they're all fake smiles. You talk too much, you're overly enthusiastic, and you're constantly trying to create a lively atmosphere. Either you're a salesman, or you're a host."
Before Yan Su finished speaking, the others at the table looked at him in amazement. Zhen Ai realized that Yan Su had guessed correctly.
The host's smile faltered, but he quickly recovered, saying with a laugh, "Well, at least I'm not an annoying salesman."
But Yan Su wasn't done yet. "Salesmen are usually more persuasive," he said coolly, implying that...
"And salesmen are typically more polite; they don't speak so crudely."
The host's smile dropped completely.
Zhen Ai was delighted listening to this and found herself loving Yan Su's keen observations. But...it did seem like the atmosphere had gotten a bit cold. She sensed it, but she was too amused to care.
At that moment, the man sitting next to the host asked, "So, can you tell what I do for a living?"
"Writer," Yan Su replied without even looking up, as he passed Zhen Ai a glass of water.
Zhen Ai was far too absorbed in watching him to bother with drinking water. Like the others, she was eagerly watching his performance.
Without pausing, Yan Su methodically unfolded a napkin as he spoke rapidly and without emotion:
"You're in your thirties, right? In the past few minutes, you've frequently rubbed your neck and back. Your cervical and lumbar vertebrae are in bad shape because you sit still for long periods. You have dark circles under your eyes from staying up late. Your wrist seems strained, likely from frequent typing or using a mouse, leading to joint issues. You're either an office worker or a writer. But you're very quiet, avoiding both verbal and eye contact with others. You probably have mild social anxiety. You keep a notebook beside you, wanting to jot down things you hear or encounter."
"Also, office workers are usually well-dressed, but you, pardon me for saying so, look a bit scruffy. Is that enough?"
The writer stared at him in shock for a moment before his eyes lit up behind his thick glasses. He quickly picked up his notebook and started writing while praising Yan Su. "You're amazing! I'm currently working on a detective novel. I'd love to learn from you some—"
"Do I look like a public lecture instructor?" Yan Su's cold reply shut him down instantly.
Across from them, a beautiful woman who had been watching with interest propped her chin on her hand, her red lips curving into a soft smile as she asked flirtatiously, "And what do you think I do?"
Zhen Ai followed the sound of her voice and saw the woman wearing heavy makeup. She was very beautiful, her outfit expensive, though somewhat revealing. Her chest was prominently displayed, and Zhen Ai found herself staring at it for a few seconds before awkwardly looking away, realizing the woman's suggestive gaze was now on her.
Sensing Zhen Ai's distracted glance, the woman, feeling competitive, instinctively puffed out her chest and gazed even more seductively at Yan Su.
Yan Su glanced at her briefly. "You're an actress." Then he returned to cutting his steak.
"Why do you say that?" The woman blinked, though Yan Su wasn't looking at her.
Without looking up, Yan Su replied, "You're good at striking poses and showing off your best angles. Your smile and the way you look at people all have traces of performance. Given your height, you're not a model."
The woman smiled proudly and shot Zhen Ai a quick look. "Impressive."
But Zhen Ai didn't feel like there was anything wrong with what Yan Su said. She knew him well—he was simply stating objective facts, not admiring the woman's beauty. And besides, he wasn't done yet.
"Your clothes and makeup are expensive, but your manners lack refinement. You're not a noblewoman. So, either you're a high-end escort, or you're an actress."
...
The actress's smile froze slightly, but after a brief pause, she smiled again and said lightly, "But would you prefer I be a high-end escort?"
Yan Su looked at her indifferently. "Whether you're high-end or low-end, what does that have to do with me?"
The actress shrugged and bit her lip with a smile. "Then how did you deduce that I'm an actress? My aura?"