Chapter 60 Ocean View

In other words, she still hadn’t fully trusted him with her heart.

Pei Jiayin’s gaze was dark and unfathomable; he made no effort to explain. “Get a good rest tonight.”

He handed the suitcase back to Yu Youchu. Their rooms were opposite each other, which was very convenient.

“See you tomorrow. If you need anything, just come find me—I’m right across the hall.”

Yu Youchu took it, opened her door, then smiled and closed it behind her.

No matter how convenient across the hall was, it was never as convenient as having a door right next to you.

After closing the door, Yu Youchu pressed her ear against it, listening intently. Soon, she heard another door close from the other side.

“Ahhh!”

How embarrassing! Yu Youchu hastily ruffled her hair, trying to forget the humiliating moment just now.

After a moment, she stood up and went to find the sea view that Pei Jiayin had mentioned.

The suite was a one-bedroom with a living room; the balcony was directly opposite the main room.

She hurried over. Earlier, outside, she hadn’t taken the time to properly enjoy the scenery… It was too dark all around. The entire sea was pitch black, only the lighthouse’s faint glow revealed the hazy water from above.

It ought to have a mysterious beauty.

Yu Youchu felt a faint spark of anticipation.

She pushed open the glass door and looked out—but was greatly disappointed.

Although she could vaguely see a corner of the sea, much of the view was blocked by buildings, completely different from what she had imagined.

The darkness made it almost impossible to see anything clearly; it was just an irregular sky and the city’s nightscape. Yu Youchu felt deeply cheated.

“Where’s the promised sea view room?”

Could she be the infamous unlucky one?

“Ahhh, so unlucky.”

She took a photo in the dim light—a pitch-black image—and posted a status.

“So unlucky.”

Mu Chuan and Cui Jing almost instantly liked it.

Yu Youchu clenched her phone in frustration. It seemed these two were always quick to empathize with her bad luck.

“Going for a walk in the coastal city?”

Mu Chuan messaged quickly, as her location was tagged there and not hidden.

Yu Youchu replied soon after: “Day off, do not disturb.”

“...”

“How did you know I was going to ask you something?”

“Divine intuition. It’s late—don’t stay up, go to sleep.”

While replying to messages, Yu Youchu tidied her luggage and took another shower.

Under the cascade of warm water, she truly felt her muscles relax and her fatigue vanish.

After the bath, she applied the skincare products she’d brought to her face.

For the next few days, she’d have to be diligent with sun protection, or she’d return to Beijing with a terrible tan.

After a while, she picked up her phone again. Mu Chuan’s message lay there, pitifully awaiting a reply.

“The duty-free shop in the coastal city—I’ve got my eye on a perfume. Can you bring it back for me?”

“I’ve already arranged someone to queue for a reservation at the Tao Zhai shop!”

“Please, Sister Yu.”

Yu Youchu laughed aloud.

“Leave it to me. What brand? What scent? Send me all the details.”

Though it was late, a reply came swiftly with a women’s perfume.

Clearly, he really wanted it.

Yu Youchu teased: “For your girlfriend?”

“...”

“It’s a birthday gift for my mom.”

“...Alright.”

Mu Chuan put away his phone. In the darkness, he could hear his own heartbeat.

When he picked up his phone again, he went to the shopping app and canceled the order he'd originally placed.

He was really going to find such an excuse to get closer to someone...

Yu Youchu dried her hair. She liked the scent of the hotel’s toiletries.

A light citrus aroma refreshed her spirit; the slightly bitter aftertaste helped her relax.

Just then, Pei Jiayin sent a message.

Yu Youchu opened it; it was a photo.

Even though the phone’s pixels vanished in the dark, under Pei Jiayin’s lens, the stars were clearly arranged in the sky. The scene merged water and sky into one. Except for the blurred waves marking the coastline, the sea shimmered with a gentle glow like the heavens.

Yu Youchu’s heart stirred deeply.

“The view here is quite good. Want to come admire it?”

“Okay.”

Such beauty almost captivated Yu Youchu. She hurriedly put on her jacket and knocked on the door opposite.

The door opened quickly, revealing Pei Jiayin, fresh from his own shower.

Both of them carried the same citrus scent, slowly blending together.

He naturally stepped aside to let Yu Youchu in.

The door clicked shut, and Pei Jiayin’s voice flowed softly into her ear.

“Though the hotel deliberately changed the balcony’s position on your side—since it doesn’t directly face the sea—the view must be limited, right?”

Yu Youchu nodded.

“I should have chosen your room from the start.”

“It’s my fault for not thinking it through. Want to switch rooms?”

Pei Jiayin had no particular demands about the view outside, but if it diminished Yu Youchu’s experience, that would be a loss.

“No need,” Yu Youchu said, walking toward the balcony.

The scene on her phone was but a fraction of the beauty before her eyes.

The water and sky still merged as one, though no longer indistinguishable. With subtle differences, she could now discern the horizon and the vanishing point.

Waves rolled endlessly, ceaselessly swallowing the lighthouse’s distant beam. The salty, briny scent wafted in, while the starlight intoxicated the senses.

The sound of the waves came from all directions.

Yu Youchu closed her eyes, wanting to remember this moment.

Pei Jiayin wanted to remember this enchanted Yu Youchu before him.

Her hair danced with the gentle breeze, swirling lightly. Her closed eyelids trembled slightly, and beneath the cloak of night, her serene calmness shone through.

“Do you think the coastal city is still this charming during the day?”

Pei Jiayin’s voice was like a deep cello.

“Yesterday might have been ordinary, but tomorrow will be full of charm.”

“Why?”

Pei Jiayin said no more, stepping forward to stand beside Yu Youchu.

Because yesterday’s coastal city didn’t have Yu Youchu.

He filled in that answer in his heart, then pulled out a cigarette case.

“Mind if I?”

Yu Youchu shook her head and stepped outside.

“Wait for me.”

After a moment, she returned, holding a cigarette case.

It was metal, square, with some scratches on the edges. The surface bore no logo—likely just a reused pack.

It looked well-used over a long time.

Pei Jiayin froze.

Yu Youchu, who seemed so honest and straightforward, actually smoked?

Sensing his puzzled gaze, Yu Youchu explained, “I haven’t smoked in a long time. Carrying the case is just a habit. Luckily, there were a few left inside.”

Pei Jiayin nodded. “I haven’t smoked for a long time either.”

He only wanted to smoke because he was somewhat stirred.

He wanted to kiss Yu Youchu.

But feared he wouldn’t be able to stop himself from doing more.

He needed something in his mouth—candy would do—but now only cigarettes could fill that role, so he smoked.