Chapter 74: I Can Hold Back

Chapter 74: I Can Hold Back

"The sun is rising!" a crew member shouted from the beach.

As the sun gradually ascended from the horizon, a fiery-red sunrise painted the entire ocean in resplendent gold. A wave crashed ashore, and the placid sea resembled a shattered mirror, fragmented into dazzling pieces, reflecting radiant beams that illuminated their youthful, beautiful faces.

To capture the sunrise, the production team deployed a drone, which hummed as it circled overhead.

As more people flocked to the beach to witness the sunrise, many gathered to watch the ongoing filming. The crew was forced to set up a barrier.

Some fans recognized them, shouting their names. Mixed with the sound of rolling waves, Song Ji Mo went over to greet them.

Bian Qiao borrowed a phone from the crew to capture the sunrise and snap a few shots of the massive gathering. Initially intending to share the photos in a group chat, he hesitated and decided against it.

Xie Wen Shi crouched on the sand, occasionally glancing towards the parking area by the beach.

Shen Yao approached the director directly, "Which hospital did they go to? Why haven’t they returned yet?"

"I just checked; there's a bit of traffic. They'll be here soon," Li Chang Hong replied.

Drawing a circle in the sand, Xie Wen Shi looked up, "With the captain's foot injury, can we continue filming?"

Li Chang Hong advised, "Check on his condition. If it's serious, let him rest. The rest of you, please be cautious."

The barrage of comments showed even more concern than they did. Li Chang Hong hadn’t arranged for a following camera crew, so no one knew the status at the hospital.

[Who's littering on the beach? People with no civic sense disgust me.]

[What's with the production team? Couldn’t they find a cleaner beach for filming?]

[Please be careful, darlings. Watching this makes me so anxious.]

As they left the hospital, the snail-paced car had a crew member in the passenger seat making a call.

"There was an accident up ahead. It’s clearing up now, but it might still take about ten minutes or so..."

Once the car merged onto the main road, it frequently started and stopped. The end of the traffic jam was nowhere in sight.

Ying Li hadn't slept well last night, managing just about four hours. The swaying car made him sleepy, and as he leaned against the window, his hand was gently nudged.

Turning his head, he saw Qi Xie reclined in his seat, looking laid-back. His features, usually sharp, were soft. Ying Li looked away, pretending not to notice, but Qi Xie playfully entwined their fingers.

The driver in front was focused on the road while the crew member continued his call, oblivious to their interaction.

Ying Li frowned, ignoring Qi Xie’s touch. Just as he thought to pull his hand away, something small and hard was slipped into his palm.

He opened his hand to find a shell the size of a fingernail, vibrant purple in color, and exquisitely crafted by nature.

Captivated by the shell, unlike any he'd seen before, Ying Li inquired, "It’s beautiful. When did you pick this up?"

Qi Xie replied, "Right after we got out of the car."

A beam of sunlight pierced through the car window, making Ying Li realize that the shell refracted a rainbow-like luster with the changing light, shimmering and dreamlike.

Ying Li exclaimed, "Look, its color changes!"

His voice carried uncontainable excitement, almost making him forget the unpleasant events at the hospital.

Qi Xie nodded slightly, "I see it."

"It's so magical," Ying Li marveled, playing with the shell in his hand, flipping it to admire from every angle. He then looked up with sparkling eyes and asked, "Is this for me?"

"Do you want it?" Qi Xie replied, his voice laced with a teasing allure.

Yi Li looked at him, and the depths of Qi Xie's eyes were so profound that it seemed like a trap had been laid, waiting for him to fall in.

After locking eyes for two seconds, Yi Li felt light-headed and blurted out, "I don't want it, take it back."

It's not that pretty, and there's a piece missing from the corner. Just average.

He shoved the shell back into Qi Xie's hand, clenched his fists on his knees, and turned his head to look out of the window with a huff.

The sunlight cast a rosy hue on his cheeks, the car's speed increased, and the bustling streetscape receded rapidly.

The buildings here were painted in shades of blue and white, with the vast blue sky and sea, and the brilliant light made it look like a scene from a comic. Yi Li turned his head to look, and his clenched fingers were forcibly pried open.

"For you."

Without any warning, a large and hard object was thrust into his hand. It was so big that Yi Li couldn't close his palm, and he looked down in shock.

In his hand was still a purple shell, but much larger than the previous one, about half the size of his palm. Its vibrant colors and concentric patterns made it look exceptionally beautiful.

After a few glances, Yi Li averted his eyes, his eyelashes fluttering slightly as he stiffly said, "I don’t want it."

As he tried to return it, his fingers were pressed onto the shell.

Qi Xie whispered softly, "Keep it for me."

-

Half an hour later, the sun had fully risen, casting a golden-red hue across the sky, and the temperature had also risen.

Xie Wen Shi drew several circles in the sand, expressing regretfully, "They missed the sunrise. Such a pity."

A horn sounded from a distance, and upon spotting the license plate of the production team, Song Ji Mo remarked, "They're back."

No sooner had he spoken than the vehicle pulled up steadily by the road. Even before the doors opened, a few people on the beach rushed over.

[A bond of brotherhood that moves heaven and earth.]

[The concern on their faces was palpable, challenging anyone who claimed they weren't united to face the consequences.]

Yi Li was the first to get out of the car, then turned back to those inside and cautioned, "Watch out for the rocks."

Although Qi Xie's foot was wrapped in bandages, it didn't seem to hinder his movement.

Shen Yao raised an eyebrow and asked Qi Xie, "How's your foot?"

Without thinking, Yi Li interjected, "The doctor said it's not serious."

His response came naturally.

Shen Yao's expression turned serious. He wasn't sure, but it seemed to him that Yi Li appeared happier, not as downcast as he was in the morning.

Yi Li didn't notice anything amiss. Feeling Shen Yao's gaze, he met his eyes, questioning him silently.

Shen Yao looked away first.

Li Changhong also inquired, "Are you okay? If not, you should go back and rest."

Qi Xie replied, "I'm fine."

Xie Wen Shi remarked with a tinge of regret, "You all returned so late. You missed the sunrise. It was beautiful, with the entire sea turning golden."

They had missed that brief half-hour window of sunrise.

The sun hung low over the ocean, and the dawn spread from the horizon, as mesmerizing as a crumpled oil painting. Yi Li commented, "It's still beautiful now."

Bian Qiao suddenly spoke up, "I took a few photos earlier. I can share them with you."

He was addressing Yi Li.

Xie Wen Shi asked, "When did you take them?"

Bian Qiao: "Just now."

He had been taking photos since the sun began to rise, capturing many shots.

Upon hearing this, Yi Li's eyes lit up with joy, smiling gratefully, "That's kind of you, thank you."

The corners of Bian Qiao's mouth lifted into a smile, "I took quite a lot. Would you like to pick a few?"

Yi Li replied, "Did you take many?"

"Yes, dozens of them."

Xie Wen Shi whispered, "I hadn't thought of asking the production crew for a phone."

Although the production team had taken their phones, they could still request them back if needed.

Shen Yao hadn’t considered it either. At that moment, he only thought about how regrettable it was for Yi Li and the others to miss such a beautiful sunrise. He discreetly glanced at Yi Li and Bian Qiao, who were selecting photos, and then turned his attention to Song Ji Mo, only to find Song Ji Mo observing Bian Qiao with an indescribable, probing, yet ultimately indifferent expression.

Approaching Song Ji Mo, Shen Yao murmured so that only the two of them could hear, "Did you notice something?"

"Hmm?" Song Ji Mo responded, looking at him coldly, his face expressionless.

Shen Yao's expression turned serious, "Don't play coy. Have you picked up on something?"

With a nonchalant posture, Song Ji Mo replied, "I suspect my observations are similar to yours."

Shen Yao hesitated, "Don't just suspect. Take a closer look."

Irritably, Song Ji Mo retorted, "Not everyone is as infatuated as you. Instead of asking me, why not directly question him?"

At that, Shen Yao felt as if he'd been hit with a curveball, thinking, "Can't be! Four gay members in our team?"

It was already known about Song Ji Mo, and as for Qi Xie, Shen Yao wasn't sure when he might've come to terms with it.

Bian Qiao might have feelings for Yi Li.

This was something Shen Yao hadn’t anticipated.

Bian Qiao wasn't as boisterous as Xie Wen Shi or as cold as Qi Xie. He always had a subtle presence in the team, rarely mingling with the group, and had minimal interaction with Yi Li. It was puzzling to Shen Yao how Bian Qiao might have developed feelings for Yi Li.

As the old saying goes, the dog that bites seldom barks.

Shen Yao studied Bian Qiao closely. He didn't seem gay. Was he overthinking? Yet, Song Ji Mo's words made him reconsider.

Then he scanned the others, wondering who might be gay, but no one seemed the part.

Especially not Qi Xie, who, with his aloof demeanor earlier on, barely even acknowledged Yi Li. Even now, he didn't appear overtly warm, certainly less so than Xie Wen Shi.

Xie Wen Shi...

Shen Yao, now suspicious of everyone, looked at Xie Wen Shi. Having grown up abroad, Xie Wen Shi's open and enthusiastic demeanor wasn't new. He was very close to Yi Li lately, even insisting on sitting next to him during car rides. However, having had a girlfriend before, he probably wasn't in the same boat.

Between the two rivals, Shen Yao had his hands full. With Bian Qiao entering the scene, his situation became even more challenging.

Shen Yao's expression darkened instantly, saying to Bian Qiao, "Why not share it in the group? None of us took pictures."

Being accommodating, Bian Qiao nodded, "Alright, I'll send it right away."

Bian Qiao had a good eye for photography; every picture looked impressive. Yi Li chose three or four of them, and Bian Qiao offered, "I'll send these specific ones to you separately."

Yi Li responded, "Thanks."

The two exchanged a smile.

Holding the phone, Bian Qiao captured Yi Li's attention, causing him to lean in. Given Bian Qiao's tall frame, he almost overshadowed half of Yi Li's shoulder. At a quick glance, they looked rather compatible.

A storm seemed to rage over Shen Yao's head, frustrated. He nudged Yi Li with his elbow.

When Yi Li looked back, Shen Yao pointed to his face, indicating, "Mask."

Yi Li took off his mask and then glanced at Qi Xie, who had already removed his.

As everyone gathered, Xie Wen Shi inquired, "Aren't we here to go beachcombing? Can we start now?"

[Yes, beachcombing! I always love watching videos of that.]

[Shouldn't we be at a spot specifically known for beachcombing? I bet this place only has trash.]

"We are here for beachcombing, but you won't be searching for crabs or shrimps," Li Chang Hong clarified. "This is the dirtiest part of the bay. I'm sure you've noticed the trash left on the beach during our walk. Today's task is to clean up this mess."

Shen Yao, though not expecting anything luxurious, still flinched at the idea of picking up trash, remarking, "Just us? I bet we'll be at it until nightfall."

The production team, with all its resources, had cordoned off a few kilometers of the coastline. With daylight in its full bloom, every grain of sand was clear to the eye, and litter of various kinds marred the view.

Li Chang Hong, considerate as ever, said, "It's not just you guys. Our staff and the official coastal cleanup crew will help. Once we're done, we'll head out to sea."

Xie Wen Shi's eyes lit up, "We're heading out to sea?"

Li Chang Hong confirmed, "Yes, we are."

Full of curiosity, Xie Wen Shi asked, "Which part of the sea are we venturing into?"

[I recently saw a post on social media about someone encountering a migrating pod of whales at Jin Shui Bay. The sight was absolutely breathtaking.]

[I saw it too. That blogger is incredibly lucky.]

The production team clearly did their homework. Li Changhong said, "In Jinshui Bay, there's a pod of whales migrating northward. If we're lucky, we might catch a glimpse. So let's get moving quickly."

The crew distributed gloves and trash-picking tools to them. This area is a shallow water zone, a prime spot for sunrise and sunset viewing and where tourists congregate the most. Every day, a lot of trash is left behind. This "sea-gleaning" activity also carries a semi-charitable nature, promoting positivity.

[Your idea of sea-gleaning seems different from mine.]

[Hahaha, Xiao Xie just asked earlier if we could take seafood home if we found any. Never imagined we'd be picking up trash.]

[Trash-picking brigade, assemble!]

The sun at six or seven o'clock isn't too intense, but there's no shade on the beach. It was fine at first, but as they moved, it got hotter. Ying Li didn't dare to take off his shirt; his exposed calves were already turning a bit red.

When Shen Yao saw this, he said, "We didn't mention going into the water. You should go to the car and apply some sunscreen."

Ying Li looked at the people around him, no one was complaining about the heat or fatigue, and shook his head, "No need, we're almost done."

His trash bin was half full, containing a few glass bottles that felt heavy. Shen Yao's bin had mostly paper scraps, so they swapped bins.

[Did I just see that? Da Yao swapped bins with Xiao Ying.]

[Although Shen Yao seems aloof, he's actually quite caring.]

[Enough said, I'm swooning.]

Xie Wen shrieked, "Mine is so heavy too!"

Shen Yao glanced at him and dumped the contents of Xie's bin into his own, instantly appearing more gallant.

Xie Wen, receiving the empty bin, couldn't resist applauding, "Da Yao is the coolest!"

Fans of the rugged farmer and the fallen nobleman pairing are swooning again.

[You're fickle, golden boy. Just a moment ago, you said the captain was the coolest.]

[Seeing them drenched in sweat makes me think of the ocean cleanup crew who do this every day. It's such hard work.]

[So, everyone, cherish the environment. Let's start by not littering.]

Many fans later expressed their wish to help with the cleanup, but the production team declined for safety reasons.

Including assistants and cameramen, the production crew consisted of over twenty people. With the addition of a dozen cleaners, they finished within two hours. They boarded the ship before ten o'clock.

The production team can be frugal, but when they splurge, they truly go all out—they chartered a three-story yacht that can accommodate hundreds.

Li Changhong said, "Diving, fishing, surfing, and jet skiing—you guys can do whatever you wish."

Xie Wen was the first to raise his hand: "I'll go diving."

Shen Yao turned to him, "You know how to dive?"

Xie Wen responded with pride, "Of course, I just got my diving certification earlier this year."

Several others also knew how to dive, so Shen Yao, feeling a bit left out, decided to try his hand at fishing.

Li Changhong advised, "Those who choose to dive, make sure to wear a camera. Don't go too deep and always prioritize safety."

Ying Li was initially excited, but once on the boat, he discovered he was prone to seasickness. Feeling unsteady from the rocking motion, he decided to rest in a room on the second floor.

After taking some medication provided by the crew and resting for about half an hour, Ying Li felt much better. Just as he was about to head out, someone opened the door.

The curtains in the room were drawn and no lights were on. Ying Li squinted, unable to see who entered, but a salty, damp scent of seawater reached his nose.

As he switched on the bedside lamp, the door simultaneously closed.

Once he recognized the visitor, Ying Li's pupils contracted slightly, and he quickly retreated under the covers, eyeing the doorway warily.

Qi Xie had just emerged from the water and was still in his diving suit. The tight, glossy, jet-black fabric accentuated his tall, lean physique, with every muscle visibly defined.

The diving suit was one-piece, making Qi Xie appear even taller to Ying Li's eyes. His legs were long and well-proportioned, with a smooth silhouette. The muscle movements were particularly pronounced when he walked, emanating an indescribable aura.

Unlike before, Ying Li didn't ask him to leave. Instead, wrapped in the blanket, he instinctively recoiled slightly, his tone somewhat icy as he asked, "Why are you here? Has everyone returned?"

Qi Xie replied, "No."

They had separated after diving.

Qi Xie approached in just a few strides, his hair slicked back, revealing his sharp, piercing gaze. A cold dampness lingered on him.

"Feeling better?"

Ying Li: "What?"

Qi Xie approached the bedside. Perhaps due to his discomfort, Ying Li's reaction was slower than usual. By the time he thought of evading, Qi Xie's cool hand was already pressed against his forehead.

It was cold but strangely comforting.

Qi Xie brushed away the hair from Ying Li's forehead and, after a moment, remarked, "You're not feverish."

Ying Li pushed his hand away, a hint of blush on his cheeks, "I'm just feeling unwell, I don't have a fever."

After returning from the hospital, Ying Li began to regret his decisions. Was he too soft-hearted, too accommodating? He had so easily accepted Qi Xie's apology.

Ying Li felt as if he were the flawed one—unable to be firm, feeling a mix of sympathy and reluctant compromise whenever he saw Qi Xie. There was also an emotion he couldn't quite name, persistently tugging at his heart.

As Ying Li attempted to get out of bed, Qi Xie suddenly crouched in front of him. Looking up slightly, the black diving suit accentuated his pale skin. His wet hair clung in strands, water dripping down and tracing his back.

Ying Li instinctively drew back, thinking Qi Xie was going to grab his foot. But Qi Xie remained motionless, his intense gaze fixed on Ying Li, as if invisible hands were wandering over him.

The intent was clear; Ying Li knew exactly what Qi Xie was thinking.

Indecent.

Their eyes met, creating a strangely tense atmosphere. Unexpectedly, Ying Li shivered, looked away, put on his shoes, and as he stood up, his wrist was seized.

Qi Xie rose to his feet, towering over Ying Li by half a head. He lowered his gaze and brushed Ying Li's hand, whispering, "For you."

A tingling sensation crept along Ying Li's ear. He obediently opened his palm, and a small blue seashell, no larger than a fingertip, fell into his hand. It was stunning.

The purple shell was still in his pocket. Ying Li gazed at the new gift for a moment and murmured softly, "Should I keep this one too?"

"Yes, keep it."

Ying Li licked his lips nervously, wondering if "keeping" it meant it would be reclaimed later.

While admiring the beautiful seashell in his hand, his gaze unintentionally drifted to Qi Xie's hand resting by his side. After being soaked for nearly half an hour, the cuts on Qi Xie's hand appeared swollen and pale, with fingers wrinkled from the water.

Concerned, Ying Li inquired, "Do you need to apply some medicine to your hand?"

"It's fine."

Qi Xie revealed his other hand, which was even more severely injured. The back of the hand was swollen and blistered, looking alarmingly grotesque.

Ying Li had a sneaking suspicion he was trying to gain sympathy. Gently, he said, “It’s just water blisters. They'll subside soon. Don't scratch it; it’s healing.”

Some of the scars were beginning to peel off, and they'd likely heal within a week.

Qi Xie murmured, “It itches.”

Ying Li frowned slightly, “Even if it itches, don’t scratch. You wouldn’t want scars marring the beauty of your hands.”

Qi Xie's voice was soft, “Would it be unattractive?”

Without hesitation, Ying Li nodded and responded, “Your hands are quite handsome. Many people admire them.”

They're large with slender, elongated fingers, and defined knuckles. People often say his hands are worthy of being models.

Ying Li's hands were also attractive but looked small compared to Qi Xie's.

Qi Xie queried, “Many people?”

“Yes, many,” Ying Li said, giving him a puzzled look, “Don’t you go online? Haven’t you seen the fan edits of you?”

A simple online search yields countless results. There’s even a fan forum dedicated to his hands, where recent discussions revolved around his wearing gloves.

Qi Xie shook his head, “I don’t look.”

Ying Li responded, “You should take a peek and see what they’re saying.”

Some of the video edits are really well done; it’d be a pity if he never saw them.

“Alright.”

Ying Li continued admiring the seashell necklace. He had seen people on 'C-site' crafting such seashells into exquisite necklaces.

Logically, after giving the gift, Qi Xie should've left. Yet, his feet, a size larger than Ying Li's, still stood slightly apart before him. His towering figure blocked the light from the lamp above Ying Li.

It was rare for Ying Li to have such a calm conversation with him, making the atmosphere feel somewhat unusual.

“Is there something else?”

As Ying Li looked up, he caught Qi Xie swallowing hard. Qi Xie then licked his lips, leaving a moist trail where his tongue had touched.

Qi Xie's upper lip was thin, with a pronounced cupid's bow, faintly pursed, exuding indifference.

Dominated by memories, Ying Li was lost in thought, his heart seemingly malfunctioning in that moment.

But as Qi Xie lowered his head, Ying Li reflexively covered Qi Xie's mouth, firmly stating, "No."

The palm of the hand was soft, warm, and damp. Ying Li couldn't differentiate between Qi Xie's lips and tongue, his body giving a jolt as if electrified.

"Mm." Qi Xie pulled his hand away, his gaze darkening, he sighed softly.

"I can bear it."

Author's note:

As if he could really bear it!