Chapter Twenty-Seven: Swimsuits
Sunlight, it seemed, had moods. Spring sunlight was warm and gentle, like a mother’s caress. Winter sunlight was distant, like an elderly mother gazing at her child far from home, her thoughts and warmth reaching across the distance in fragmented beams. And summer? Lu Li felt that summer sunlight was like a tanned Khampa man dancing around a bonfire.
He lay on a beach chair, gazing at the empty beach, realizing he might have been prejudiced against vacations. Lazing under a beach umbrella, dozing in the sun, was pure bliss.
He put on his sunglasses, ready to drift off to sleep, surrounded by the metaphorical dancing Khampa men, when he heard the girls’ chattering voices behind him.
“Sister Zou, isn’t your swimsuit a bit small…?” That was Chu Jingyi.
“It is a bit tight… It’s fine, there’s no one else around…” That was Zou Yameng.
“Jingyi, I thought you’d be wearing your school swimsuit, giggle.” That was An Baili.
“Did you bring sunscreen?” That was Chen Jianing.
Finally, a composed, unhurried gait—that had to be Wen Hupo.
Lu Li removed his sunglasses and looked towards the approaching girls. His eyes widened, unwilling to miss a single detail. Bathed in sunlight, their skin glowed, radiating a luminous white. Their youthful bodies, in their most natural state, were a feast for his eyes.
Chu Jingyi walked in front, wearing a light blue bikini with ruffles. It suited her, but it wasn’t the kind of style she would normally choose. Silly Goose was often underestimated. Perhaps her usual school uniform was too concealing, making it hard to imagine the surprisingly ample curves hidden beneath. Lu Li’s gaze drifted downwards. Chu Jingyi, he realized, was the first girl he’d encountered with a “white tiger” down there.
Beside Chu Jingyi was Sister Yameng, wearing a black one-piece swimsuit with cutouts at the sides and abdomen. The material resembled leather, and the tight fit clung to her skin, accentuating her curves, pushing her cleavage into prominent display. With Sister Yameng’s figure, any swimsuit would look incredibly sexy.
Behind Zou Yameng was his An Baili. Although they were practically an old married couple, having seen each other countless times, Lu Li couldn’t help but smile when he saw her in the mature-looking purple bikini. She probably still remembered her two past lives, subconsciously refusing to be lumped in with the younger girls, but in Lu Li’s eyes, Baili would always be the same uncut gem.
Following An Baili was the petite Chen Jianing. As she walked towards him, bathed in sunlight, she looked like a radiant sprite, her delicate features and small frame the epitome of natural grace. But the moment she opened her mouth, the illusion shattered. Lu Li glanced down at his own chest, estimating that his bust was probably a full size larger than hers. He remembered that Chen Jianing’s parents were also short, a compact family. Perhaps her size was genetic.
Wen Hupo walked last. She followed at a leisurely pace, neither joining the conversation nor isolating herself, like a silent observer. As expected, she wore a large sunhat and sunglasses. Her swimsuit was a strapless top with a pure white sarong wrapped around her waist, making her look the most refined of the group. Seeming to sense his gaze, she turned slightly, offering him a faint smile.
“Li!” Sister Yameng waved cheerfully, her breasts jiggling enticingly.
Maybe this trip to the Maoming Resort wasn’t such a bad idea after all… Lu Li thought.
Noticing his gaze, Silly Goose blushed and adjusted her bikini top, worried that the straps were too loose. She mumbled, “Baili… I shouldn’t have chosen this one… it’s a bit too revealing…”
Silly Goose was the easiest to tease. A simple stare was enough to make her blush and lower her head like a child caught in the act. From experience, Lu Li knew that in this state, she would agree to anything he asked. Such a girl probably only existed in perfect first loves. He made a mental note: Don’t disappoint her.
“Are you all going swimming?” Lu Li wasn’t a strong swimmer. “I’ll pass. I’ll just sunbathe on the beach.”
“Come with us! It’s a rare opportunity for us to be together,” Sister Yameng said, clearly unaware of what had happened last night. Lu Li hadn’t slept a wink, relying solely on youthful energy to keep him going.
Silly Goose looked at him with concern. “Lu Li, did you not sleep well?”
“N-no, I slept great,” Lu Li quickly explained. “Just a bit of a backache. It’s fine, I’ll watch you all swim. I’ll ask the hotel to send us some watermelon later…”
Zou Yameng looked suspiciously at him and Chu Jingyi. “Alright, then.”
When people think of the beach, of swimming, of summer, they often imagine romantic encounters, perhaps a lecherous incident involving sunscreen application. None of that happened. The girls ran towards the azure sea, their laughter echoing in the air. Chen Jianing, seeing the ocean for the first time, was the most excited, behaving like a little child.
Lu Li watched them, his heart filled with happiness. Wasn’t this what life was about? Having enough food and clothing, surrounded by the people he loved and who loved him. If he thought positively, the price might simply be his excessive desires. In that case, his life was already perfect.
The beach chair wasn’t very comfortable; it was too narrow and flat.
As he shifted, trying to find a comfortable position, a white figure appeared beside him. Wen Hupo watched him fidgeting, then chuckled softly. “Mr. Paragon, do you have fleas?”
“This chair is uncomfortable,” Lu Li grumbled.
Wen Hupo spread a blanket on the sand and knelt on it. “Lie down.”
Lu Li blinked, then obediently lay down on the blanket. Wen Hupo lifted his head and placed it on her soft thigh. “I didn’t tell you to lie directly on the ground. Are you losing your mind, Mr. Paragon?”
I lose my mind every time I’m around you. Lu Li thought. He rested his head on her thigh, inhaling her fragrance, feeling like he was in a dream. He worried that his head might be too heavy, that he might be making her uncomfortable.
“You were fooling around with them last night, weren’t you?” Wen Hupo said softly. “You have dark circles under your eyes.”
“No… They were just scared by the ghost stories and came to my room for comfort.”
“Don’t indulge your desires too much. You’re not a machine; you’ll break down eventually.” She gently stroked his hair, as tender as a mother in springtime.
Lu Li’s eyes unexpectedly stung; he felt a pang of something familiar, a sudden urge to cry.
“Sleep well, Mr. Paragon,” the golden-haired girl whispered.
—
T/N: I’ll use Mr. Paragon for the nickname Wen Hupo uses for the Protagonist
Chapter Twenty-Eight: Déjà Vu
“You’ve been working hard lately.” Wen Hupo cleared the dishes, her long hair tied up in a bun, a perfect blend of serenity and gentleness. Lu Li watched her delicate hands holding the chopsticks, remembering that she hadn’t been very adept at housework before they married. Since then, she had diligently learned, and although he had offered to hire a housekeeper, she had simply smiled, saying that she enjoyed this fulfilling life, finding meaning in these mundane daily tasks.
“I saw you working on your manuscript in the study past midnight last night. Were you having trouble with it?” the golden-haired wife asked.
Lu Li rubbed his temples. He was indeed facing some problems. The proposal submitted by his team had some serious flaws. He usually turned to Wen Hupo for advice when faced with difficult problems, and she always offered insightful suggestions. He often admired her sharp, precise insights.
“Let’s not talk about that now. Hupo, how are the preparations for your art exhibition going?”
Wen Hupo smiled contentedly. “Everything’s ready. Would you like to see my masterpiece?”
“Of course.”
After washing the dishes, Wen Hupo led Lu Li to the attic, which he had converted into a studio for her. Numerous canvases leaned against the walls, splattered with colorful paint. He remembered a time when Wen Hupo, covered in paint, had excitedly rushed downstairs to show him her latest creation. He felt lucky to share common interests and hobbies with his wife, their relationship still as sweet as their first love, even after the initial passion had subsided.
A large canvas, covered with a cloth, stood in the center of the attic. With a graceful gesture, Wen Hupo pulled the cloth aside, like a theater curtain revealing a grand performance, unveiling the magnificent painting beneath.
In the painting, a man sat under a lamp, frowning in concentration. Behind him, a golden-haired woman, holding a glass of water, looked at him with affection.
It was a painting of Lu Li and Wen Hupo.
“Is… is that me?” Lu Li asked nervously. “You’re going to display this at the exhibition? Isn’t that a bit… much?”
Wen Hupo smiled at him. “I believe this is the most perfect work of my life. I’ve poured all my passion, love, hopes, and dreams into this painting. If the subject weren’t you, it would lose its soul.”
Lu Li was touched. Wen Hupo always expressed her love in such a sincere, earnest way. Perhaps for her, these were truly heartfelt words.
The golden-haired wife caressed the rough canvas. “Lu Li, painting was my only solace in the first half of my life. I wanted to create a perfect summary of my life before I met you, and this painting is the result. If, when I’m old and senile, I have this painting, I won’t forget you…”
Lu Li’s eyes stung, and he forced a smile. “You’re so smart, you’ll never get senile. You’ll never forget anything…”
Wen Hupo said, “But I’m afraid of forgetting. Shenzhou believes in karma and reincarnation. If there really is a next life, what if we forget each other? I know it sounds like the anxieties of a seventeen-year-old girl, but I’ve been having these thoughts lately. I just hope that when I pick up a brush, I’ll remember all our moments together…”
Lu Li didn’t want to encourage her pessimism. He knew that deep down, she harbored a profound sense of world-weariness. He didn’t reply, instead walking closer to examine the details of the painting. He suddenly noticed another, smaller figure behind his wife in the painting.
“Who is this?”
“An Baili.”
The name made Lu Li frown.
“Why did you include her?” He shook his head. “That name gives me a headache.”
“She’s a pitiful girl.” Wen Hupo looked calmly at the large canvas. “She has nothing, no one. I hope she finds happiness, in this life or the next.”
Lu Li hadn’t realized Wen Hupo felt such compassion for An Baili. He didn’t want to hear that name. “If she weren’t so obsessive, perhaps your wish would come true.”
“Those who are desperate often resort to extreme measures,” Wen Hupo explained. “Lu Li, perhaps you should let go of your prejudice and try to understand her from a different perspective. If she weren’t truly desperate, would she gamble with her own life?”
Lu Li’s heart stirred, but he still instinctively rejected that woman. “We’ll talk about it later. And you should avoid her, Hupo. I’m worried she might do something rash.”
“An Baili wouldn’t do that.”
Hupo, why do you trust her so much? Lu Li wondered.
“Anyway, Hupo, I love this painting… I want to buy it at the exhibition.” Lu Li’s gaze returned to the canvas. “I want to make it a family heirloom. When we have children, I’ll pass it down to them, then to our grandchildren, and then to our great-grandchildren…”
Wen Hupo smiled sweetly, like a young girl. “You don’t have to wait until then.”
Lu Li stared at her, his expression shifting from confusion to elation.
“Mr. Paragon…”
“Mr. Paragon…”
Lu Li heard someone calling him. He opened his eyes, seeing only darkness, then removed his sunglasses and sat up from Wen Hupo’s lap. “Hmm?… I just had a long dream…”
The golden-haired girl said softly, “You seemed to be sleeping soundly. What did you dream about?”
“I dreamed… I dreamed…” Lu Li was still groggy, vaguely remembering a dream about Wen Hupo and An Baili, something about painting. “I don’t remember clearly, but it was a vivid dream.”
He looked at Wen Hupo’s long, platinum blonde hair and patted his thigh. “Oh, I remember now. In the dream, your hair was tied up, and you were washing dishes.”
Wen Hupo dismissed his words as nonsense. “The fruit from the hotel arrived. Want to have some watermelon?”
Lu Li was still pondering the dream, feeling like he’d forgotten something important.
He and Wen Hupo walked to the other side of the beach, where the other girls were already waiting, gathered around a plate of chilled fruit, arguing about something. They waved excitedly when they saw him. “Come sit here!” They seemed to have enjoyed their swim; their faces were beaming.
Lu Li patted the cool watermelon. Although the Qingshan Hotel’s prices were exorbitant, at least their service wasn’t lacking.
He thought for a moment, then sat down between Zou Yameng and An Baili. “What are you all arguing about?”
An Baili instinctively took his hand. “We’re discussing teams for a water fight.”
A water fight? Lu Li noticed the brightly colored water guns behind the girls. So they hadn’t just gone to the supermarket for swimsuits…
Leave a Reply