Chapter 34 - 2#
“You’re too kind.”
Ji Tianheng raised his glass. “Drinks, alcohol, or water—how about a toast?”
Qin Ye and Xie Congjin exchanged a glance, then both gave him face.
The glasses clinked, and host and guests were all pleased.
…
On the last day, the cruise ship began its return to Ao City’s port.
But at noon, when passing the designated swimming area, it still stopped for two hours as planned.
The pre-prepared jet skis and flying air mats were deployed into the sea, and many guests took advantage of the last bit of time to frolic on the water.
No one was crazier than Xie Congjin.
Completely shedding his sickly demeanor from the day before, he drove a jet ski across the water in a showy loop, sending sprays flying and drawing cheers from the crowd.
Jing Shun sat on the deck platform watching, unable to resist pulling out his phone to film a video. He planned to secretly “test” Yu Xiuzhu with it once they returned to Hai City.
“Jing Shun, what are you filming?”
Chi Gui had somehow appeared behind him and asked out loud.
“Huh?”
Jing Shun was startled and quickly lowered his phone to look back. “When did you get here? I had no idea.”
Chi Gui said faintly, “You were filming too intently and didn’t notice me.”
“Oh.”
Jing Shun looked back at the crowd having fun on the sea, a hint of envy in his eyes. “Everyone’s having a great time.”
If only his legs hadn’t been injured, maybe he could try riding a jet ski in the water. That feeling of speeding against the sea breeze and waves must be amazing.
Chi Gui noticed his longing. “You want to try?”
Jing Shun masked a bit of disappointment. “It’s okay, I’m not exactly suited for it.”
Chi Gui said, “Why not? Change clothes, I’ll take you.”
Jing Shun was startled. “Huh?”
Chi Gui gave him no time to hesitate. With one hand, he turned the wheelchair around and pushed him away. “Change into UV-protective swimwear and a life jacket. If you go in now, you can still play for another hour.”
Ten minutes later.
Jing Shun had changed into a black tight T-shirt and matching loose shorts below. Under the sunlight on the deck, his exposed legs were slender and nearly pale enough to reflect light.
Some resting guests cast glances his way.
Jing Shun noticed, and his physical limitations instinctively made him feel awkward, even making him want to back out. “Chi Gui, maybe we should forget it. I…”
“No forgetting.”
Chi Gui slipped a bright orange buoyancy vest over his T-shirt and carefully fastened the straps for him. “Jing Shun, if you want to play, play. You’re no different from anyone else.”
A simple sentence, but it carried a gentle force that caught Jing Shun’s sensitive heart.
The butler Jamie walked up. “Mr. Chi, the ladder has been lowered as you instructed, and the jet ski is waiting by the side.”
Chi Gui responded briefly, then bent slightly. “Come on, I’ll hold you. You won’t fall in.”
Jing Shun silently accepted his approach and hooked his arm around the man’s shoulder. “Okay.”
Chi Gui easily lifted him horizontally and carried him down.
A brand-new white jet ski was parked at the end of the stairs. Chi Gui set Jing Shun down in the front seat and sat behind him.
The jet ski bobbed and swayed on the sea. Jing Shun nervously grabbed the front strap.
“You okay?”
Chi Gui discussed with him considerately. “To keep you safe, I might need to wrap one arm around your waist. Can you handle that?”
“…”
As he spoke, the warm breath brushed past Jing Shun’s ear, then was blown away by the cool sea breeze.
Jing Shun’s breath tightened. He couldn’t tell if it was nervousness or excitement. “Yeah.”
Chi Gui’s right hand came over, encircling the waist of the person in his arms, pulling him into his protective range. “Then I’ll start?”
“Okay.”
The jet ski’s engine roared to life. Chi Gui controlled the handlebar with one hand and sped off.
“Chi Gui!”
Jing Shun instinctively closed his eyes, but opened them again after two seconds.
Chi Gui paid attention to how he was feeling. “Scared?”
“No.” Jing Shun was eager to try, facing the sea breeze with a request. “I want to go faster.”
“Alright!”
Chi Gui accelerated, but the grip around his waist didn’t loosen. With one hand on the handlebar and relying on his powerful arm strength, he also executed a water-skimming spin.
Waves splashed up, and the seawater hitting them carried a unique salty, briny scent.
Chi Gui said, “That was what you saw Xie Congjin do earlier.”
“…”
Jing Shun took a face full of water, but his mood improved even more. “Yeah! That was thrilling!”
Chi Gui reminded him, “He used both hands.”
“…”
Jing Shun looked down at the hand around his waist and laughed. “Then you’re better than him.”
Chi Gui smiled and accelerated decisively.
The jet ski raced across the sea, leaving everyone behind. The howling sea wind created a barrier between them.
Jing Shun gazed at the vast blue sea before him, feeling an excitement that felt like a different world. The surging adrenaline welcomed a long-lost sense of freedom.
After speeding for a stretch, Chi Gui gradually slowed down.
Surrounded on all sides by rolling, endless seawater.
Jing Shun glanced sideways and realized they had drifted far from the cruise ship. At this point, even if a wave capsized the jet ski, they would only have each other to rely on.
The two were sitting almost pressed together, and Chi Gui’s breathing grew a little tighter.
“How was it? Fun?”
“Yeah, fun.”
Jing Shun didn’t notice the smile spreading across his face. He instinctively leaned his head back, and in an almost uncontrollable moment, his forehead touched Chi Gui’s lips.
“…”
A drop of water fell.
Jing Shun heard his own heartbeat skip, along with Chi Gui’s suddenly disordered breath. Something seemed ready to burst forth, yet both of them fiercely suppressed it.
Jing Shun quickly acted as if nothing had happened and straightened his body. “Chi, Chi Gui?”
“Hm?”
Chi Gui responded, but his voice was very low.
Jing Shun dared not move, yet couldn’t help but ask, “Can we do that one more time? I still, want to.”
“Sure.”
Chi Gui’s hand around his waist loosened, and he shifted back a little. “How about you try driving us back?”
Jing Shun asked, “I can?”
Chi Gui replied, “You can. I’m here, nothing will go wrong.”
He lightly patted the back of the hand in his arms, signaling. “Put it on. Twist forward to accelerate. Want to try?”
Jing Shun perked up, like an obedient student. “Okay.”
…
Jing Shun was a novice, so he didn’t drive the jet ski fast, but he still brought them back smoothly to where the cruise ship was anchored.
Chi Gui boarded first, then lifted him up.
Having gotten used to simple physical closeness after three days of “acting” for the outside world, Jing Shun cooperated easily.
On the deck, several lounge chairs were set out in a row. The sun was just right.
Chi Gui grabbed a thick bath towel and handed it to Jing Shun. Then he saw Weidi walk up. “Sir, there’s a call from headquarters.”
“Okay.”
Chi Gui looked at Jing Shun. “Sit for a bit. I need to take a call.”
Jing Shun nodded. “Mm.”
As Chi Gui walked away, Jing Shun was still immersed in the brief but exhilarating sea ride.
So good. Another new life experience unlocked.
And with Chi Gui.
The moment this thought surfaced, Jing Shun’s heart fluttered for a couple of seconds, and he unconsciously looked in the direction Chi Gui had gone.
“Jing Shun.”
A voice came from the other side.
Jing Shun quickly turned to look. It was Ji Tianheng.
His diving suit was soaked through, and he had a towel draped over his shoulders, looking like he had just come up from the water.
Ji Tianheng asked, “Mind if I sit next to you?”
Jing Shun said, “Feel free, Second Young Master.”
Ji Tianheng sat down on the lounge chair beside him and gestured for a waiter to bring drinks.
He spoke up first. “I just saw you and Chi Gui on the jet ski. You two seem very close.”
“…”
We’re acting.
But not really.
Those dozen minutes on the water had made him genuinely happy.
Jing Shun couldn’t answer, so he just smiled.
The waiter brought over wine and drinks, handed them to Ji Tianheng and Jing Shun, then withdrew.
Ji Tianheng took a sip of his cocktail, speaking as if casually. “You’ve known each other for a long time, right? Been together for two or three years?”
“No. If you count officially…” Jing Shun paused slightly, adjusting his wording for outsiders. “Being together, it would be the beginning of this year.”
At this answer, Ji Tianheng showed a trace of surprise. “This year?”
Jing Shun asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
Ji Tianheng changed the subject. “Actually, I had heard your name before this trip.”
Jing Shun was surprised. “You know me, Second Young Master?”
“For Anhe?” Ji Tianheng said uncertainly. “Is that what the movie is called?”
Jing Shun nodded and pressed on. “Have you seen it?”
Ji Tianheng answered honestly. “No, but the movie’s nominal investor, Jinshao Media, is one of the Ji family’s film and television subsidiaries.”
Jing Shun learned this for the first time, and his surprise deepened.
Back when For Anhe, as an art film script, was being pitched, even though Jing Shun approached many film investment companies, few were optimistic.
Even those willing to invest offered harsh terms.
Just when Jing Shun was about to despair, Jinshao Media reached out on its own, saying their higher-ups valued the script and were willing to invest and serve as supervising producers.
They provided not only sufficient funding but also gave Jing Shun maximum creative freedom as writer-director.
Thinking of this, Jing Shun’s eyes lit up. “Second Young Master, do you know Mr. Song by any chance?”
Ji Tianheng was startled. “Mr. Song?”
“The vice president of Jinshao Media, the general investor and supervising producer of my film—” Jing Shun paused, then gave the name he knew by heart. “Song Yu.”
“…”
Ji Tianheng met the bright expectation in his eyes, seeming to realize something.
He caught a glimpse of Chi Gui returning from a distance and tested the waters. “You’ve never actually met Song Yu?”