Lan stepped out of the bathroom, still feeling the sting of embarrassment warming her cheeks. She didn't dare look Zhao Chen in the eye, but she could tell he was watching her, probably enjoying her flustered state. Chen had ended the livestream and was already setting up for their next shoot, pretending like nothing had happened. Typical Zhao Chen, she thought, rolling her eyes.
They moved through the house, with Chen narrating each feature into the camera, showcasing the polished floors, spacious rooms, and picturesque views, aiming to make the property seem as inviting as possible. Lan helped point out some key features, keeping her voice steady and professional despite the earlier incident. Zhao's usual playful nature had shifted into an impressively focused demeanor, and she found herself seeing him in a new light, noticing how he could turn on his charm with ease and adapt to his role as a vlogger.
Once the work was done, the contractor approached them, suggesting they stay for the weekend to explore the area and get a few extra shots for the company's promotional materials. It was a warm day, the perfect opportunity to do something spontaneous something Qin Lan rarely did. She took a deep breath and turned to Zhao Chen, trying to keep her voice casual.
"Since it's the weekend," she said, glancing toward the horizon, "why don't we go to the beach? Just to clear our heads a bit."
Chen looked at her, surprised but pleased. "Are you suggesting something fun? Aren't you the serious lawyer who hates relaxing?"
She scoffed, trying not to smile. "You could use a bit more structure, and I could use a bit of sun. So maybe it's a win-win."
With a small laugh, Chen packed up his equipment, and they set off for the beach. The sea breeze hit them as soon as they arrived, and Lan couldn't help but feel a sense of freedom. The sun was warm, and as she slipped off her mask and let the fresh air fully hit her face, she felt as if she was leaving behind the rigid confines of her life in City A, just for a while.
For a moment, Zhao Chen was silent beside her, his usual teasing comments absent. When she looked over, she found him watching her with a look she couldn't quite place. His gaze lingered, and she quickly turned away, feeling the intensity of his attention. Zhao, however, couldn't resist capturing the moment. He pulled out his phone and snapped a quick photo of her as she stood on the sand, the sun casting a golden glow over her.
Without thinking, he posted the photo on his social media with a simple caption: #Mystery Girl. His followers would be intrigued, of course, and it felt oddly satisfying to share this side of her, even if it was only a small glimpse.
"Hey, don't you dare take my picture!" she said, noticing the phone in his hand. She didn't know he had already posted it, but she narrowed her eyes in mock annoyance. "And no pictures of my face."
"Relax, I only took your side profile. You're still a mystery," he said with a grin, pocketing his phone. "I have to say, you look… different here. Like you're actually enjoying yourself."
Ignoring his comment, she turned her attention to the waves crashing on the shore, letting herself relax for the first time in ages. Zhao, sensing her mood, decided to do a quick, impromptu travel vlog, updating his fans with a casual monologue as he walked along the sand. He gestured back to her occasionally, saying things like, "We're here with the mystery girl!" and "Look how she's finally letting loose."
Lan tried to keep a neutral expression, but every time he pointed the camera in her direction, she felt herself smiling, trying to cover her face,the atmosphere infectious. She hadn't felt this lighthearted in years, not since long before she got wrapped up in her career and her family's expectations. As the camera moved away, she found herself sneaking glances at him, noticing for the first time how the sunlight softened his features, highlighting his easy smile. He actually has a nice smile, she thought, catching herself and immediately looking away.
Yet, no matter how much she tried to ignore it, Li Jun's words from earlier lingered in her mind. She could still hear him, angry and harsh, his voice dripping with disappointment. "This isn't what we planned," he'd said coldly. "You'll ruin everything. We agreed on this marriage because it's what our families wanted. Don't mess it up."
She sighed, a heavy feeling settling in her chest. Li Jun had been so quick to chastise her, as if she were just a pawn in his carefully controlled life. His threat to tell her mother only added to the weight, making her feel trapped.
Zhao Chen noticed her shift in mood. He put the camera down, coming closer. "You okay?" he asked, his voice softer than usual.
She blinked, snapping out of her thoughts. "Oh, yeah… just… thinking."
"Thinking isn't allowed here," he joked, trying to lighten the mood. "Come on, this is supposed to be our break. Forget about City A for now."
She chuckled, appreciating his effort. "Fine, but if we're taking a break, we're doing it my way."
"Your way?" he echoed, intrigued. "What does the 'Qin Lan' way look like?"
She grinned, gesturing to the water. "I haven't been to the beach in years. I don't know… let's do something fun, like… building sandcastles?"
He stared at her, both amused and shocked. "Sandcastles? Are you serious?"
"Yes! I know it sounds childish, but isn't that the point of being here? To just… let go?"
With a shrug and a grin, Zhao joined her, and soon they were digging in the sand, laughing as they argued over the "best techniques" to build a castle strong enough to withstand the waves. They were both covered in sand, their hands a mess of gritty granules, but neither of them cared. It was silly, carefree, and entirely unlike anything Qin Lan would normally do.
As they worked, Zhao glanced at her again, noticing the way her face lit up with laughter, her eyes sparkling with something that wasn't quite so guarded. He found himself mesmerized by her in a way he couldn't ignore. She's different here, he thought. Actually… beautiful.
Without realizing it, he reached over, brushing a stray grain of sand from her cheek. She looked up, startled, and for a moment, they both froze, locked in each other's gaze. The noise of the waves faded into the background, and the world seemed to shrink until it was just the two of them.
Qin Lan's heart skipped a beat. She could feel her face heating up, but for some reason, she didn't pull away. There was something disarming about Zhao Chen when he wasn't being his usual, teasing self, something genuine that made her feel safe.
Breaking the silence, she coughed and looked away, forcing a laugh. "So, are you going to help with this castle or what?"
Zhao snapped back to reality, grinning as he shook off the moment. "Of course, but if it crumbles, it's all on you."
They continued building, the earlier tension dissipating, replaced by a comfortable camaraderie. By the time they finished, they were both exhausted and covered in sand, their "masterpiece" barely holding up under the pressure of the waves.
As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, they sat side by side, watching the water lap at their feet. For once, Qin Lan allowed herself to just be. She had no expectations, no one to impress, and no plan. Just the ocean, the sand, and Zhao Chen by her side.
"Thanks for today," she said quietly, glancing over at him.
He smiled, tilting his head back to look at the sky. "Don't thank me yet. You're stuck with me for three months, remember?"
Qin Lan smiled to herself, feeling lighter than she had in a long time.