Chapter 7 A Slap for Each

Chapter 7: A Slap for Each

An hour later.

Ling Jue belatedly sensed something was off.

Watching Qin Shuyi, her body tense and expression focused as she stared intently at the waves, earnestly learning to surf—so much so that she had completely forgotten about her boyfriend—he couldn't help but laugh in exasperation. "You really are treating me like a coach now?"

And getting a free ride at that.

If he tried to chat with her a bit more, she'd complain he wasn't being serious.

Qin Shuyi blinked.

She supposed she had gotten a little too absorbed.

Well, it couldn't be helped. New things were genuinely fascinating, and if she missed this chance with Ling Jue, she might never find another mentor who suited her so perfectly.

Next time... who knew if there would even be a next time.

Sitting sideways on the surfboard, her slender, pale legs dangling in the seawater, she curved her lips into a smile and leaned up to placatingly kiss the man standing protectively in front of her.

"It's because you're the one teaching me that I'm so focused, Teacher Ling~"

She might be aloof with outsiders, but with those familiar and close to her, she never held back in expressing herself.

Her aunt, Zhou Tinglan, often said she had a knack for sweet-talking people since childhood.

Ling Jue was indeed appeased.

Only, his thoughts immediately turned dirty again.

Bracing his hands on either side of her as she sat on the board, caging her in his arms, he grinned mischievously. "That title can be saved for tonight."

Qin Shuyi gave his waist a hard twist.

Ling Jue hissed in mock pain and deliberately rocked the surfboard. Qin Shuyi lost her balance and tumbled into his embrace, her arms and legs wrapping around him instinctively.

Ling Jue laughed triumphantly.

The volleyball players on the distant beach glanced over at the sound, their expressions a mix of envy and disdain.

The cloying stench of love.

In no time, Ling Jue had switched to a new way of playing with her.

He scooped her into his arms, complaining with feigned annoyance, "You have a boyfriend right here and don't even know the proper way to use him. Let me show you something exciting."

His idea of excitement was tandem kite surfing.

Using a large kite to pull the surfboard across the water's surface, when the wind was right, the rider could not only speed across the water but even use the wind's force to leap high into the air, performing all sorts of cool mid-air pauses and maneuvers.

If not for Ling Jue, Qin Shuyi would never have experienced such a thrilling activity in her life.

She clung tightly to Ling Jue's back, both nervous and secretly exhilarated.

Sensing the tension in her body, Ling Jue turned his head with a laugh to steal a kiss. "Don't worry, I won't let you fall."

His words were brimming with arrogant confidence.

Strangely comforted, Qin Shuyi curved her lips. "Let's go!"

Like a graceful whale, the surfboard carried the two of them speeding out into the ocean.

For Qin Shuyi, the phrase "riding the wind and waves" became tangible for the very first time.

In the vast expanse between heaven and earth, it felt as if only the two of them remained.

All that was unconquerable, treacherous, turbulent, and magnificent lay beneath their feet.

Ling Jue, Ling Jue, Qin Shuyi thought, at this moment, she truly loved him.

The woman's delighted shrieks and the man's deliberate displays of skill drew everyone's attention.

Ji Xiuhang felt his teeth ache with envy.

He's really putting on a show now!

A girl watching the carefree couple with envy tossed aside her ball, grabbed her boyfriend's arm, and whined that she wanted to try it too.

Unfortunately, her boyfriend was powerless to help. He chuckled and scolded, "You think just anyone can play like Master Jue? He can casually pick up a professional certificate while surfing and effortlessly take someone along with him."

Forget such a high-difficulty sport; even regular tandem surfing required skill.

He didn't have that ability.

The girl pouted, angry yet helpless, and stomped off to rest on the side.

Xu Yan glanced at Xie Muchen, who was also watching Ling Jue and Qin Shuyi's direction with a smile from his beach chair, and mustered her courage to walk over.

Seeing her approach, Xie Muchen gently patted her head. "Tired?"

Xu Yan shook her head, hesitating for a moment before saying, "A-Chen, can I go surfing too?"

She quickly added, "Just the regular kind is fine. I wouldn't dare try the kind where you jump out of the water." She wanted to avoid Xie Muchen refusing due to technical difficulties like that other man had.

She knew he was also very good at surfing, often playing with Master Jue.

Since they arrived here, they hadn't had much time alone...

Xie Muchen gave an understanding smile, seeming both helpless and amused. "That Ling Jue, showing off himself is one thing, but he's raising the bar for everyone else."

He then looked at the timid Xu Yan and said casually, "Alright, if you want to go, then go. I'll arrange a coach for you."

He added for emphasis, "If you want to try what Qin Shuyi's doing, that's fine too. Since we're here, might as well give it a shot."

Xu Yan's eyes widened in surprise. "I didn't mean..."

But Xie Muchen's gentle yet firm gaze stopped her from finishing.

I just... wanted you to teach me.

And besides, everyone wears skimpy swimsuits at the beach. For those professional-level moves, close physical contact with the coach is unavoidable. Are you really okay with that?

She desperately wanted to ask these questions, but instead remained silent, tears welling up in her eyes.

Not far from them, Xia Zhiyue, who had been chatting with Ji Xiuhang, sauntered over with a grin and slung an arm around Xu Yan's shoulders. "That's great! I want to try too. Thanks in advance for the coach, Young Master Xie."

With that, she led Xu Yan away. "Come on, let's go together. We'll get that girl from earlier too."

Xie Muchen said nothing.

The moment Xu Yan turned her back, tears rolled down her cheeks.

Xia Zhiyue waited until they were farther away before letting go of her, scolding her in frustration, "What are you thinking? Don't you want to stay in this circle anymore?"

It was rare for Young Master Xie to be quite satisfied with Xu Yan—investing in her dance troupe, pushing her to become the principal dancer—and for now, he didn’t seem ready to change his partner. What good would it do to break this balance?

Xu Yan pressed her lips tightly together. It was precisely because he was so good to her that she had begun to harbor delusions.

"I just thought, if Miss Qin can date Master Jue, then maybe we could too. I don’t even need a lasting outcome, just… just a fleeting love affair."

Even one day would be enough.

She covered her face and cried.

Xia Zhiyue’s expression turned cold.

Kind words can’t save someone determined to ruin themselves.

There was nothing wrong with Xu Yan wanting love. The mistake was that she couldn’t read the situation and was asking the wrong person.

Qin Shuyi was Qin Shuyi, Ling Jue was Ling Jue. Xu Yan and Xie Muchen’s situation was different from theirs—it had been a clear-cut deal from the start.

Her drawing that parallel was pointless.

Besides, she didn't believe anyone's desires would just stop there.

What would happen after they started dating? Would she then want to become Mrs. Xie?

Would someone like Xie Muchen even give her a chance to begin?

Xia Zhiyue looked at Xu Yan’s despondency with waning interest.

“Do as you please. I’m going to find the coach. If you’ve thought it through, come along.”

Her relationship with Xu Yan was only so-so; she wasn’t about to risk herself for her.

Her good mood ruined, she kept a smile on her face while cursing inwardly—these people each deserved a good hard slap.

The woman was foolish, but the man was even more despicable.

How satisfying it would be if one day these bad men who treated feelings as a joke also took a fall.

She would definitely give that girl flowers.

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