What was he even asking???

“What are YOU doing?” she shot back almost instantly.

And after she asked, Jin Yiken dropped a line: “My room.”

A surge of anger swept through Long Qi’s heart like a howling wind. She was simply at a loss for words. Jin Yiken’s eyes deliberately glanced at the bed she was currently sleeping in, meaning “my room, my bed, my pillow, my blankets”—everything was his. Xu Yifen looked at him, then shifted her gaze to Long Qi when he looked over, her face constantly flushed. He said: “Smells good.”

“Oh…” Xu Yifen responded, “I’m making egg tarts. Lunch is pretty much ready too, we can eat soon.”

As soon as she started speaking, Long Qi looked over. When she finished, Long Qi quickly looked back at Jin Yiken. He said: “What you made this morning was quite delicious, thanks for the hard work.”

“It’s nothing. Cooking is my hobby anyway. Making food for myself or for everyone is the same.” As Xu Yifen spoke, she leaned toward the door, pointing: “Then… I’ll go downstairs first, the egg tarts are almost done.”

Her gaze never dared linger on his body. She was already blushing from her ears to her neck. Long Qi was staring. Jin Yiken leisurely added another line: “Good luck at tomorrow’s audition.”

This word of encouragement from the investor finally made Xu Yifen look up at him. Long Qi couldn’t control her expression management in that instant. He really was—these official pleasantries really were—Xu Yifen hadn’t seen his former rogue appearance, so now she really took him for a gentlemanly and courteous good investor. She took all his words to heart, responding with a soft “mm” on the spot. But Long Qi could tell from Jin Yiken’s tone what schemes were brewing in his mind. That frustration surged in her chest, then with a “whoosh,” she forcefully threw off the covers. Getting out of bed, she brushed past Xu Yifen and headed for the door, walking with swift, purposeful steps. Jin Yiken just stood there with his hands in his pockets watching her leave. Ban Wei was standing in the hallway facing them. Seeing her fierce momentum, he immediately stepped aside, saying lunch was ready. She replied: “Not eating!”

“Are you becoming an immortal? You didn’t eat breakfast either.”

“Dieting!”

…

But by three in the afternoon, she was too hungry and came downstairs anyway.

When she reached the first-floor living room, she saw Fang Xuan buried in the sofa playing video games. Zang Siming had somehow attracted two girls from somewhere—they looked like minor internet celebrities, sitting on the sofa taking selfies with occasional laughter. The dining table had cut fruit and desserts. Long Qi took juice from the fridge, poured herself a glass, then glanced out at the yard—didn’t see any cars. She asked: “Where’s Ban Wei and the others?”

The two girls looked over at the sound of her voice, somewhat excited but timid in their eyes, still sitting on the sofa. Fang Xuan was lying all sprawled out, replying: “Went to the pier.”

“Down the mountain?”

“Yeah, there’s a seafood market there. The fishing boats sell fresh catches on the spot—super fresh. We’re having seafood tonight. They went to pick some out. Oh right, we all have to go down the mountain at dusk. Ban Wei said while surfing he found a beach with few people, perfect for camping and barbecue.”

This group was really energetic.

She swirled the glass in her hand, juice sloshing at the rim. She asked again: “Did everyone go?”

“Jin Yiken drove. Jiakui wanted to browse the market. Yifen said she wanted to buy some vegetables. Anyway, four people went.”

“When did they leave?”

“About half an hour ago.”

“Why didn’t you go?”

“Hey, four people—what am I supposed to be, a light bulb?”

Silently, just like that, they’d gone off on another outing. Even Fang Xuan could sense that adding one more person would be excessive. After hearing this, Long Qi wordlessly unwrapped a package of chocolate beans from the coffee table. The torn wrapper rustled in her hand. She saw the trash can by Fang Xuan’s feet: “If you can reach it, pass me that trash can.”

“Can’t reach it.” Didn’t even glance over.

“If you can’t reach it, then walk over and bring it here! I said it politely enough, but you’re quite rude.”

Only then did Fang Xuan shift her foot to move the trash can toward her. Five seconds later she reacted, her whole body springing up: “Wait! You can reach it yourself too! Little bitch, you’re quite good at bossing me around!”

Long Qi tossed the wrapper into the trash, ignored her, and holding her juice, wanted to go upstairs. The two girls sitting on the sofa gently asked: “Long Qi, can we take a photo with you?”

…

After taking photos with the girls, she continued upstairs to stay put. Fortunately, the third-floor air conditioning had been fixed. She sat there, spacing out, involuntarily starting to imagine that group of four—what they’d chat about in the car, the scene of them picking out seafood at the market.

Jin Yiken was particularly picky about seafood. He was half an expert in this area. Every time he returned to the country in the past, he’d take her out to eat once or twice. Each time, she’d be in the private room playing on her phone waiting for dishes to arrive, while he’d be in the kitchen picking out every fish, every scallop. He was particular about food. During those days she stayed at Langzhu Mansion, he often took her to browse various markets. Once he started picking ingredients, he’d be especially serious, especially enjoying himself.

As the sunset rose, clouds burned bright red. She sat on the sofa by the window, a beer pulled from the fridge placed on the small round table in front of her.

Tiny dust particles floated in the room.

Left knee bent, fingers rubbing the rim of the can, lost in thought for a long time, not knowing what to do. She’d never been so bored and lonely, as if she’d suddenly become an outsider—not catching anyone’s attention, unable to provoke anyone’s concern.

She sighed.

…

Close to five o’clock, car engine sounds finally came from downstairs.

By then she’d already drunk one can of beer and smoked two cigarettes. “Thump thump thump”—hurried footsteps rushed up from the bottom floor, urgent and hasty. After a while, she realized they were heading for this room. When she looked over, she saw Ban Wei burst through the door with a “click,” charging straight toward her position: “Come come come, let me borrow the window for a look!”

He lifted and moved the coffee table and sofa with one hand. Long Qi’s body nearly toppled. She grabbed the armrest, frowning, and kicked him in the waist: “In a rush to be reborn or something?”

“Jiakui just asked Ken Ken for a private talk.”

“…” Didn’t hear clearly, squinting to ask: “What?”

“These two were off in the car, didn’t communicate the whole way. I just got out and heard Jiakui ask him for a private chat. He agreed.”

While listening, she followed Ban Wei’s line of sight and glanced over. The third-floor view was excellent—the yard below and the tree-lined path were completely visible. Wu Jiakui and Jin Yiken were right at the entrance to the yard. He faced Wu Jiakui, left hand in his pants pocket, right hand hanging down holding a cigarette, listening to someone speak. While listening, he squinted toward the southern horizon several times, looking absent-minded but indeed patiently listening. The evening breeze blew gently. Wu Jiakui was talking, arms crossed at her waist, supporting her other hand that held a cigarette, expression quite indifferent. Long Qi couldn’t hear what she was saying at all. Ban Wei had half his body practically hanging outside but couldn’t hear either, anxiously muttering: “Damn, what are they talking about?”

Wu Jiakui finally seemed to finish, taking a drag on her cigarette and tapping off the ash.

Jin Yiken finally spoke too.

Also replying indifferently with a few sentences—not many words. After that, following a few seconds of mutual silence, Wu Jiakui nodded and said one more line. Jin Yiken looked at her.

Wu Jiakui walked one step closer to him, stood on tiptoe, wrapped both arms around him in a hug. Ban Wei got excited at this, muttering under his breath “fuck what is this what are they doing.” Jin Yiken’s hands initially remained in his beach shorts pockets. After about three seconds, he finally reached out and patted her back. Wu Jiakui withdrew from the embrace quickly, clean and efficient. Once she let go, she turned toward the villa. The wind was blowing, lifting her shawl, making her long earrings jingle. Long Qi watched with her forehead propped on her hand.

At this moment, Jin Yiken idly squinted up toward the third floor.

With that casual, nonchalant glance, she immediately withdrew her gaze and moved back. Ban Wei couldn’t—Ban Wei’s body had leaned out too far. This startled him badly, nearly falling out. Fortunately, she grabbed his shirt and pulled him back. Utterly embarrassing. As Ban Wei lay sweating coldly inside the room, Wu Jiakui came upstairs.

Ban Wei revived at full health again, rushing outside. When Wu Jiakui reached the third floor, he called out sleazily: “Kuikui~”

When Long Qi reached the doorway, Wu Jiakui had just turned around at Ban Wei’s call, her gaze quite indifferent. Ban Wei asked: “What were you and Ken Ken talking about?”

Wu Jiakui was unexpectedly straightforward.

“Unilateral breakup. Now I only want to make his money, don’t want his person anymore.”

After speaking, she added another line: “Ban Wei, do you prefer cyan bikinis or light blue bikinis?”

Ban Wei was stunned for two or three seconds, then immediately replied: “Like both! Like both! Cyan and light blue happen to be my two favorite colors. I like either one!”

“Then good thing I didn’t bring those two,” Wu Jiakui replied, walking toward her room, “Mine is white.”

Long Qi could practically hear Ban Wei’s bouncing heart turn to stone and shatter to pieces. She wanted to laugh but didn’t feel comfortable, so out of sympathy, she changed the subject and asked: “When are we going down the mountain?”

“Are you hungry?” He turned around listlessly: “If you’re hungry, we can go down now. Three batches of cars. Whose car are you riding in?”

“Yours.”—”Mine.”

Her response and a response from the balcony rang out simultaneously. Turning her head to look, that psycho Zang Siming was somehow there—hidden by the wall earlier so she hadn’t seen him. Now yawning as he walked over, looking like he’d just woken from a nap on the balcony sofa, pointing at her: “She’s my responsibility.”

“Did you ask Jin Yiken?”

Ban Wei replied.

But Ban Wei’s reply was interesting. She immediately followed up: “Wait, I’m a living person—what does this have to do with Jin Yiken? Am I his responsibility now? Do I need his permission for everything?”

“Exactly.” Zang Siming chimed in.

Ban Wei went “oho”: “Then I’m not getting involved, not getting involved. This is up to you, up to you.”

“Why’d you come up here?” She shot Zang Siming a line.

“Those two girls are too hot, don’t know which to pursue first. Wanted to think it over. Then your balcony was too comfortable.” He answered completely seriously, even shrugging, as if it really were an unsolvable problem of the century. Long Qi replied with “low,” looked back at Ban Wei: “I’m not riding that stallion’s car. I’m riding yours.”

This decision was made right then and there.

At six o’clock, she was already sitting in Ban Wei’s passenger seat, having changed into a little black backless dress with a fluorescent bikini underneath. The bikini straps tied delicately at her back and neck. Long hair over her shoulders, fluffy with slight waves, light makeup on, mermaid-hued lipstick. Ban Wei wasn’t in the car yet, still organizing BBQ ingredients. She had her knees up, nestled in the seat, playing games. In the back, Zang Siming’s car had two girls chattering about who should sit in the passenger seat. In Jin Yiken’s car, the trunk made a “bang” sound. After loading his equipment, he headed straight for Ban Wei’s car.

She just happened to look up, seeing him approach in the rearview mirror. Before she could react, the next second he was there. His middle and index fingers decisively knocked twice on the car window. She turned her head to glance. He didn’t bend down, so she didn’t lower the window. So Jin Yiken immediately pulled open the car door, quite smoothly, hand bracing on the car roof, asking: “You’re riding in Ban Wei’s car?”

“Aren’t I already sitting in his car?”

“You sure?” he asked again.

His voice quite heavy, looking directly at her. In the rearview mirror, Xu Yifen in a thin cardigan was walking toward Jin Yiken’s car. Long Qi watched, didn’t reply to him again, lowered her head to pair her phone with Bluetooth, connecting to Ban Wei’s car stereo. With this, Jin Yiken understood. He closed the car door, quite forcefully, quite loudly, walked toward his own car without a word. Passing the front of the car, he dropped a line to Xu Yifen. Long Qi couldn’t hear on this side, but after Xu Yifen heard it, she withdrew her hand that was originally going to open the rear door, instead opening the passenger door.

…

After Ban Wei got in the car, it slowly started, turning around on the tree-lined path. Jin Yiken and Zang Siming’s cars up ahead had already turned onto the main road. She asked: “When you guys went to the pier earlier, who sat in the passenger seat?”

“I did.” Ban Wei replied.

Then shook his head: “Wow, the look Ken Ken just gave me was really like a knife. I feel so guilty.”

“You guys…” she asked again, “When browsing the market, did you each do your own thing, or…”

“Tsk tsk tsk,” Ban Wei was sharp, knew what she wanted to find out, grinning wickedly, turning the steering wheel onto the main road. “I of course stuck to Jiakui. Really didn’t pay attention to his side. But he was very meticulous picking ingredients, going from stall to stall. Yifen was fine too, also quite good at examining seafood. Mainly she knows how to cook. Some things I’d never even seen, she’d see them and could explain cooking methods right away. So this time we bought quite a lot.”

“You’re saying Xu Yifen is quite patient.”

“Ken Ken goes somewhere, she follows. Aren’t you the same?”

Long Qi propped her forehead: “I’d be at the entrance fish spa soaking my feet waiting for him. Only when I was in an extremely good mood would I follow along for a bit.”

Ban Wei laughed heartily, then asked: “What’s actually going on with you two now? Didn’t you just break the ice last time?”

“Don’t ask me, I’m so annoyed.”

“Okay okay okay okay.”

“Also so hungry.”

“Okay okay okay, I’ll drive faster, pass them.”

…

But Ban Wei’s driving skills ultimately couldn’t surpass Jin Yiken and Zang Siming’s. When Long Qi arrived, the barbecue grill was already set up under the palm trees. Between the surrounding palm trees hung swings. The beach extended outward over fifty meters before reaching the sea. The sound of waves was surging, merging into a line with the dark blue sky. Faint traces of evening glow red light emerged by the seaside. The wind was strong. She wore a men’s baseball jacket taken from Ban Wei’s car, slowly descending the steps. Long hair flying in the wind, earrings swaying with her hair strands.

This beach had particularly good scenery, very atmospheric. Not as many people as public beaches either. Occasionally a few, also young men and women, wearing brightly colored bikinis or beach shorts, playing and laughing, slowly strolling along the waves. Not far from the barbecue grill, a bonfire was lit on the beach. In the deep blue dusk, firelight illuminated the beach bright red. The sea breeze carried the cumin roasted aroma. Beautiful girls, young boys—this sudden tranquility finally allowed her restless heart from the past two days to settle slightly. Facing the wind, looking at the sea, not speaking.

Jin Yiken was already barbecuing.

On the grill, a row of oysters and scallops. Ban Wei wanted to add seasoning—he wouldn’t let him. Every spoonful of seasoning not handled by him wasn’t allowed to be added by others. He’d long since mastered the art of eating seafood, knew how to cook it most deliciously. Ban Wei could only run to the neighboring grill to look at Zang Siming’s mantis shrimp, while making jokes with the two girls Zang Siming brought, grinning as he participated in their group photos.

Then Fang Xuan tried to add chili to Jin Yiken’s scallops.

Also tricked by Jin Yiken in a few words to go over to Zang Siming’s side.

“He’s really handsome.”

Not knowing when Wu Jiakui appeared beside her, just suddenly saying this line. Long Qi turned her head. She wore a ruffled camisole top paired with a printed short skirt, expression quite indifferent, gazing at Jin Yiken behind the barbecue grill: “Looks handsome with his head down, handsome when seriously working, handsome when not serious too. But his taste is just so-so. That stubborn temperament of hanging on one tree, can’t be coaxed no matter how you try, can’t be pulled back no matter how you tug. Good thing I don’t have that temperament.”

These words were really interesting—sounded relieved, yet habitually mocking her. Long Qi replied: “Want me to introduce you to a place for tattoo removal? Painless?”

“Remove what? My tattoo works on everyone. Whoever sees it is captivated.”

She smiled noncommittally, then realized the team was missing one person. She asked: “Where’s Xu Yifen?”

“Went to buy coconuts,” Wu Jiakui replied, meaningfully, “She volunteered.”

“Coconuts are so heavy, she went alone?”

“Like I said, she volunteered.”

Salt-baked saury was done. Ban Wei couldn’t wait to present it to Wu Jiakui, but after a few steps, his gaze suddenly focused past the two of them toward the back, his mouth unconsciously forming an “O” shape. Long Qi wasn’t paying attention at that moment, still chatting with Wu Jiakui. The wind was quite strong, blowing hair strands wild. She swept her hair behind her ears. Ban Wei inconspicuously stepped back a few paces and patted Zang Siming’s shoulder. Zang Siming glanced over, then his eyes also seemed nailed in place. He squinted, making tsk-tsk sounds, even whistled low. Only now did they notice, following their gazes to turn around.

Jin Yiken heard the commotion across from him, similarly following their gazes to look over.

So when Long Qi looked over, everyone had already looked. Less than ten meters behind her, Xu Yifen was descending the stairs to the beach, followed by a young man helping her carry coconuts. She also carried two in her hands, but the point wasn’t this. The point was she’d abandoned her usual vintage attire, wearing a dress similar to Long Qi’s, bright red. The thin cardigan she’d worn when leaving was also removed. And then…

Then unexpectedly, surprisingly, she was well-endowed.

From a distance, they could see that obvious cleavage line at her chest, naturally bouncing with her steps, particularly eye-catching, particularly stimulating male hormones. Paired with naturally curly long hair, extremely alluring. No wonder she habitually covered her neckline when getting out of cars. Ban Wei’s feedback was quick, softly clicking his tongue: “D, right?”

“Afraid it’s E.” Zang Siming.

“Hidden depths indeed.” Ban Wei.

“A stunner.” Zang Siming.

Long Qi immediately turned to look at Jin Yiken, her gaze practically slicing over. His attention had just withdrawn from Xu Yifen’s direction, meeting hers right on time. In that split second, like lightning, she seemed to see his gaze naturally drop to her chest. Damn it—comparing. Even smiling. But just that split second, he continued lowering his head to grill his oysters. Zang Siming and Ban Wei at this moment couldn’t move their eyes away at all. As Xu Yifen placed the coconuts by the palm tree roots, when she bent down, both men tilted their heads in the same direction. Staring. Even a young man over ten meters away walking along the beach with his girlfriend restlessly glanced over. Fang Xuan was also looking, looking while observing herself. Later Wu Jiakui poked Ban Wei’s waist with a finger.

Only then did Ban Wei snap back.

“Put them here, all on this side.” After directing the young man to place all the coconuts in the designated position, Xu Yifen acted as if nothing happened, asking: “I bought ten total. Is that enough?”

“Enough,” Zang Siming replied instantly, “Don’t buy more. You’re done. I’ll handle the rest. You just enjoy yourself.”

What a face.

Xu Yifen smiled, taking one of the opened coconuts: “Then I’ll distribute them.”

“No need to distribute,” Wu Jiakui said indifferently, “Just leave them there. Whoever wants one can take one. I don’t see anyone with free hands to hold coconuts.”

While speaking, she sat down on a beach chair in the rest area. Fang Xuan, holding a grilled squid skewer, immediately echoed her Kuikui: “Right, just take your own. You sit there and rest.”

Xu Yifen’s hand movements paused: “Then I…”

The oysters were done, particularly fragrant.

After Jin Yiken squeezed lemon juice inside, he placed them on a plate, one serving, tasting. Holding chopsticks, he put one in his mouth. After tasting, he placed another in the plate, squeezing a few more drops of lemon juice than the previous one. His cheeks slowly moved up and down. After adjusting the flavor, he looked up toward Long Qi, glancing over. Before he could speak, Xu Yifen said: “Then I’ll carry the cooked ones to the wooden table over there.”

But Jin Yiken was still holding barbecue tongs. His left hand was in his pocket, right hand holding the tongs. When his hand dropped, it happened to coincide with Xu Yifen coming over to carry the plate. No matter how quick her reaction, she couldn’t counter her sudden approach. The scalding tong head touched her side leg. Xu Yifen immediately bent down, didn’t cry out, but frowned and groaned softly. He knew. He noticed too. Following the sound, he turned his head. Long Qi, who had been heading to the rest area, also turned back. Ban Wei and Zang Siming were even more exaggerated. As soon as they saw, their mouths immediately went “oh dear oh dear” in tender sympathy. They put down what they were holding and all walked toward Xu Yifen.

A finger-sized patch of bright red burn appeared on her snow-white leg.

“What happened?”

Fang Xuan rushed over before Long Qi, she was always the fastest everywhere. Xu Yifen replied: “It’s nothing…”

But while saying it was nothing, her ears were quite red, eyes also a bit red. Her hand kept tightly covering the burn area. Looked like it really hurt. Done—Jin Yiken’s fault. So after observing for two seconds, he put down the tongs: “Come with me.”

Speaking, he glanced at Ban Wei to come take over his station. Xu Yifen followed behind him. Brushing past Long Qi, the line “I’ll take her to rinse with cold water” that Long Qi was about to say stopped at her throat due to Jin Yiken’s overly swift emergency response. Just like that, she watched him take Xu Yifen away, heading to the shore’s rinsing area.

Logically, there was nothing wrong—this should be his responsibility.

But the sea wind made people somewhat irritable. A stifled breath in her chest. After five seconds of settling, it transformed into a silent exhale. Ultimately saying nothing, giving no reaction, she smoothed her hair with her fingers.

“Tsk.”

Zang Siming suddenly made a sound toward her.

She slowly turned around, seeing him bring over a plate of grilled squid: “First serving, specially made, yours.”

Before she could respond, smelling the heavy fresh spicy powder scent, she coughed once, immediately almost gagging. Her hand covered her mouth. Zang Siming turned and gave the squid to a girl on the other side: “Long Qi, your feedback is really quite original.”