“Xia Tian, here’s your cola!”
Just as I finished making my overly dramatic vow and was about to take things further, Sister Lin’s voice suddenly called out.
“Coming!” I responded, reluctantly pulling Mei’er back to the shore. Taking the cola from Sister Lin, I forced a smile. “Thanks!”
Sister Lin didn’t notice anything off about my expression and even patted my shoulder cheerfully. “No big deal, no need to thank me!”
‘Can I just vent for a second? Ugh, fine, no swearing…’
Mei’er seemed to love the water, but I wasn’t particularly interested. She went off to play with Tang Shuyao and the others, while I stayed by the shore with Sister Lin and Xu Xin.
“Xia Tian, how’s the cola I got you?” Sister Lin took a sip of her drink, grinning at me.
But her expression sent chills down my spine. ‘When someone acts overly nice for no reason, they’re either up to no good or want a favor!’ Sister Lin definitely had something to ask me—better escape before she brings it up.
“It’s great, really good!” I quickly turned to Xu Xin. “Hey, Xu Xin, let’s go play in the water!”
“I-I don’t really like water…” Xu Xin shook her head repeatedly.
“Come on! I’ll take care of you, it’ll be fun!” I really didn’t want to stay here, unsure what unreasonable request Sister Lin might make. Ignoring Xu Xin’s reluctance, I grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the sea.
Xu Xin tried to resist at first, but once I held her hand firmly, she stopped struggling and followed me.
Sister Lin, probably self-conscious about her flat chest, didn’t follow.
“Phew…” I sighed in relief, about to say something to Xu Xin—when I noticed her blushing deeply, gazing at me with an intense look.
Realizing things were getting awkward, I quickly let go and laughed it off. “Nice weather, huh?” When she didn’t respond, I added, “How about we go in for a bit?”
At that, Xu Xin’s flushed face suddenly paled—though not drastically—and she shook her head. “No, you go ahead…” She turned to leave.
‘What’s up with her?’ It wasn’t just dislike—there had to be something else.
Feeling mischievous, I decided to test her reaction.
“Come on in!” I grabbed her hand and yanked her into the water.
Xu Xin lost her balance and fell in, but the water only reached her chest.
Yet, she immediately panicked, flailing and screaming, “No! No! H-Help!”
‘Seriously? This is the shallowest part of the shallow zone…’
But her cries were drawing attention, so I quickly pulled her up.
Xu Xin was trembling, eyes tightly shut, clearly terrified.
“You okay?” I asked, realizing she wasn’t just disliking water—she was ‘afraid’ of it. But she bathed normally, so it couldn’t be all water…
Her face was pale as she opened her eyes, voice shaky. “I-I’m fine… Can we go back?”
“Alright…” I sighed and turned toward the shore.
But Xu Xin clung to me. “What’s wrong?” I asked.
“I… I can’t walk…” She stammered, too scared to even look down.
I exhaled. “I’ll carry you.” ‘Well, I got her into this mess—guess I have to fix it.’
I lifted her out of the water and set her down on the sand.
“Sorry, I didn’t know you were this scared of water…” I said guiltily.
Once on land, Xu Xin seemed better, forcing a smile. “It’s nothing…”
Sister Lin, seeing us return, pointed at Xu Xin. “What’s wrong with her? She looks sick.”
Before I could explain, Xu Xin spoke up. “It’s nothing… probably just lingering effects from my last illness.”
“Oh!” Sister Lin nodded. “Then you should stay on shore with me.”
“Mm.” Xu Xin sat down quietly.
Seeing Sister Lin about to say something else, I quickly blurted, “I’m going swimming!” and bolted.
I sat by the water’s edge, letting the small waves lap at me, watching Mei’er and Tang Shuyao play with a smile.
Suddenly, someone covered my eyes. “Guess who!”
I chuckled. “Mei Xue, stop messing around.”
“So boring!” She stuck out her tongue and sat beside me.
“Thanks for last time,” I said sincerely.
Mei Xue smiled. “It was nothing. I’d do the same for anyone.”
“Oh? So you’ve given mouth-to-mouth to a lot of people?” I teased. “Do you just wait by the shore for handsome drowning guys to rescue?”
“Shut up! You were my first!” Her face turned red as she shoved me.
I laughed. “Just kidding. Why so serious?” ‘First time? Does that count as her first kiss?’
“You took my first… How are you going to make it up to me?” She grinned.
I blinked. Mei Xue had always seemed so innocent—when did she get so bold?
Scratching my head, I offered, “How about lunch?”
“Can’t. We’re heading back to the hospital by noon.” She sighed.
“That early?”
“Hospital rules.” She shrugged helplessly.
“Xiao Xue!” A voice called out.
I turned—’oh hell no!’ It was that Rottweiler nurse, ‘in a swimsuit!’ ‘How the hell did she even get into that thing?!’
“Gotta go.” Mei Xue waved reluctantly.
“I’m at Shenghua University now. Come visit sometime!”
“I will. Bye!” She ran off.
Soon, Tang Shuyao and the others came back, exhausted.
“So tired…” Tang Shuyao groaned.
I smirked. “Youth should be energetic. You’re worn out already?”
“At least I actually went in the water, unlike ‘some’ people!” She rolled her eyes.
“Who said I didn’t? Ask Mei’er!”
“Whatever. I’m hungry—let’s eat.” She marched off toward Sister Lin.
Qin Mengdie followed without a word.
Mei’er, meanwhile, covered her mouth, giggling.
‘…What’s so funny about this?!’