That evening, amidst the humid sea breeze and the sound of waves on the tropical island, Ye Chen found a rare moment of true calm.
Beside him, Xiao Churan had fallen asleep early, her back turned to Ye Chen, and he noticed nothing unusual.
The next morning, while Ye Chen was still sleeping, Xiao Churan quietly got out of bed.
Though she tried her best to make no noise, Ye Chen quickly sensed her movement and woke up.
After getting up, Xiao Churan left the bedroom. In this overwater villa, both the bedroom and the living room had large doors facing the sea, opening to a jelly-like turquoise ocean.
Stepping out from the bedroom, she reached a private overwater terrace with wooden railings, the entire villa built on underwater reefs, with waves crashing beneath her feet.
On the terrace were two outdoor lounge chairs, and below, a large freshwater pool.
When Xiao Churan stepped out, the skyline was just beginning to brighten, though the sunrise was not yet visible.
She sat on a lounge chair, propping her chin with one hand, staring intently at the brightest spot on the horizon, her expression slightly dazed.
At that moment, Ye Chen pushed open the door and stepped out. Hearing his approach, Xiao Churan turned to him, somewhat surprised, and asked, “You’re awake? Did I disturb you?”
“No,” Ye Chen smiled faintly, “Why are you watching the sunrise alone and not calling me along?”
Xiao Churan said a bit unnaturally, “I didn’t want to wake you. You’re always rushing about outside, working so hard. We’re finally on a holiday, so I wanted you to rest more.”
Ye Chen nodded and sat beside her. On the sea, the morning glow was starting to turn red, casting a rosy hue on Xiao Churan’s fair face, making her look like a fresh, ripe apple, radiant and alluring.
Ye Chen was momentarily entranced, but as he glanced around, he didn’t feel calm. Instead, a sense of restlessness crept in.
Since the age of eight, when his parents were killed in Jinling, he hadn’t lived a single day of normal life. Even now, vacationing in the picturesque Maldives, he still had to wear a mask in front of his wife, his mind consumed with the need to avenge his parents.
That deep-seated hatred lingered in his heart, making it hard for him to truly relax, even on holiday.
He longed to kill Wu Feiyan soon, to cast off all disguises and live well with Xiao Churan, free from thoughts of the Po Qing Society or Wu Feiyan. But achieving that goal was still far off.
In a daze, the sun rose in the east.
The same red sun captivated Xiao Churan, while Ye Chen watched it in a trance.
As the sun fully rose above the sea, a seaplane appeared on the horizon.
Seeing the plane draw closer and lower, Xiao Churan said to Ye Chen, “Someone’s arriving on the island so early. Could it be Miss Tawanna Sweet?”
“Possibly,” Ye Chen replied casually.
He found Tawanna a bit of a headache.
Xiao Churan teased, “Seems you and Miss Sweet are quite fated, having worked together for so long and now meeting here.”
“Ugh,” Ye Chen waved his hand, “On holiday, I don’t want to see any familiar faces.”
