“You must be tourists,” the Boat Captain said while steering at the stern. His voice had a rhythmic cadence, characteristic of the local dialect.
“Mm.” Lin Yiren held her Smartphone at her side and nodded slightly.
Chen Zhaoyue watched her thin, delicate lips press together as her expression remained faint. Yiren was somewhat introverted in front of strangers.
She gently rubbed the girl’s rounded shoulder while chatting with the Boat Captain. “You’re a local, right?”
“That’s right. I’ve been sailing these seas for over ten years. I know all the ocean’s moods,” the Boat Captain said, revealing a set of white teeth like a sailor who could navigate hundreds of nautical miles.
“An island like the one you’re going to used to only have dozens of families. Boats only went out for business, but now,” the Boat Captain pointed to the side, “more boats head over there in a single day than in an entire year back then.”
Beside them was an almost identical boat crowded with tourists. A child gripped the railing, watching seagulls sweep across the sky, while a young girl sat at the bow, holding down her sun hat as it fluttered in the sea breeze.
“Hey!” the Boat Captain waved toward the other boat, and a response came from the opposite side. Their rough, boisterous voices carried across the sea breeze like fishermen heading out together into the sunlight, calling out to one another upon meeting again on the open water.
“Do you know him?”
“We’re old friends. Back when we made a living from fishing, he and I were both master catchers.” The Boat Captain took a towel to wipe his sweat, a look of nostalgia in his eyes.
Lin Yiren noticed a pile of green fishing nets crumpled in a corner of the boat. The surface was dry, having clearly gone unused for a long time.
“Are there still people who rely on fishing for a living?” Lin Yiren asked.
Seeing the previously cold-looking girl ask such a question, the Boat Captain hung the towel back on a rail and rubbed the stubble on his chin.
“There are fewer fishermen now, but more fish are caught. Many of the original fishermen now run Restaurants or sell local specialties—after all, there are so many tourists. Serving you all well is the pillar industry here now.” A bright smile appeared on his tanned face.
Thinking of the street cries she heard yesterday in Lantern Alley, Lin Yiren nodded understandingly.
“Hey, don’t throw that into the sea!”
Lin Yiren suddenly heard a voice from the neighboring boat and straightened her back to look over. A mother was pulling her child’s hand, which held a piece of used tissue.
“Tourists are more civilized these days, too.” The Boat Captain looked over as well, his tone gratified, carrying a hint of relieved luck.
Noticing the change in his tone, Chen Zhaoyue asked, “Was it bad before?”
“There was a period when the color of the sea looked terrible, like it was sick.” A flash of pain crossed the man’s eyes. He scratched his coarse, messy hair and gave a somewhat embarrassed smile. “Sometimes I want there to be as many tourists as possible, but I also want the sea to stay the same. It’s a bit of a contradiction, isn’t it?”
“No, it’s not.”
The cool voice was filled with sincerity.
The Boat Captain looked over. It was the girl who had only spoken a couple of words to him. Her clear pupils reflected the sunlight, reminding him of the shimmering ocean.
“Haha, is that so?” he said with a laugh, waving his hand. “Well, that’s all in the past. Now, everyone who comes is like you all. High quality and beautiful!”
The Boat Captain swept away the previous gloom, his brow clearing as he gave them a thumbs-up just like when they first met.
“Beautiful!” Lin Xingyao imitated the Boat Captain, sticking up her chubby thumb.
“Hahaha, good job learning that.”
The boat cut through the current, churning up transparent spray as it gradually approached the small island.
Once the boat was steady, the Boat Captain set up the gangplank. Lin Yiren walked across, carrying the little one and leading the bigger one.
“You must go take photos at the beach next to the Fishery Market this evening. It’s very beautiful.”
He stood on the boat and waved goodbye to them. The small boat drifted away, leaving deep and shallow ripples in its wake.
***
“Nn—”
Lin Yiren stretched her back upward, loosening her body after it had been encased in a life jacket for so long.
“Tired of sitting?” Chen Zhaoyue placed the straw of the Cup into Xing Yao’s mouth and then handed a Water Bottle to Yiren from her bag.
“No, just moving around a bit.” Lin Yiren took the water and tilted her head back to gulp down a few mouthfuls.
As she was wiping the water from her lips, the water was taken away by a pair of pale, slender hands. Chen Zhaoyue tilted her graceful neck back.
“Wait! That’s my…”
Lin Yiren watched as the other woman’s warm lips covered the spot where she had just drunk. The shimmering water flowed into her mouth.
The girl’s face instantly turned bright red, her shoulders trembling slightly. This wasn’t indirect, indirect…
Chen Zhaoyue set down the Water Bottle and met those eyes that were rippling like water. She gave a light laugh and shook the Water Bottle in her hand with an innocent look.
“The Water Bottle is too heavy, and I only brought one.”
The slightly aggrieved tone immediately breached Lin Yiren’s defenses. It was her fault for making Chen Zhaoyue carry something so heavy.
“I-I’ll carry it.”
Lin Yiren took the Water Bottle, put it into her canvas bag, and slung it over her shoulder.
“The strap is a bit long; it’s almost down to your butt.” Chen Zhaoyue leaned in and reached out to help adjust the strap. Although it was a simple task, she pressed against Lin Yiren as if she couldn’t see clearly. Her fragrant hair brushed against Lin Yiren’s skin, causing bursts of itchiness.
“There.” Her hand left as if accidentally brushing against Yiren’s soft waist. Lin Yiren was so overwhelmed with guilt that she stood perfectly still, even slowing her breathing to cooperate.
So obedient. Is it because of my tone? Chen Zhaoyue’s gaze fell upon the girl. Her hands were pressed against the hem of her short skirt. Her cream-colored clothes glowed warmly in the sunlight, making her look like an elf who had strayed into the human world.
“Alright, it’s actually not that heavy. I was just teasing you. Why so nervous?” Chen Zhaoyue tapped Yiren’s nose twice with her finger.
Although it works wonders, I shouldn’t use this method next time. That lovely face I like so much has become all bunched up.
Lin Yiren blinked and tested the weight on her shoulder. It… really didn’t seem heavy?
***
“Let’s go, let’s go. Somewhere cool.” Chen Zhaoyue took the hand of Xing Yao, who was squatting on the ground looking at oddly shaped stones.
Lin Yiren ran a few steps to catch up as they walked into the shade of the trees. Overhead, they were covered by overlapping branches and leaves. The sunlight made the green leaves look almost translucent.
The road appeared to have been built in recent years, covered in gravel and fallen leaves. Lin Yiren tried to imagine what kind of paths the islanders had carved out among the craggy rocks before these orderly roads existed.
Mm… she couldn’t quite picture it. Most of the houses visible nearby were either recently renovated or newly built Red Brick Houses, looking fresh and beautiful from a distance. The old stone-walled houses were rarely seen now.
Even though Lin Yiren and the others had woken up quite early, there were already many tourists who had arrived before them or were simply staying on the island. The sounds of laughter came from the more commercialized areas further in.
The island has been renovated too, Lin Yiren thought, kicking at the gravel by the roadside. Her pleated skirt moved with her, revealing a small patch of skin not covered by her white stockings, constantly drawing a certain someone’s gaze.
The sound of waves crashing against the reefs came from the shore—majestic and grand. This sound, at least, remained eternal.
“Why do you think what the Boat Captain said isn’t a contradiction? When there are more tourists, the environment will always change,” Chen Zhaoyue asked, suddenly withdrawing her gaze with a sage-like air.
“Mm—his thoughts aren’t contradictory. Earning money to support his family and protecting the ocean are both his wishes.” Lin Yiren propped up her small chin and gave a faint smile. “We are guests of the ocean. If we respect the host properly, we can always find a way to cooperate and benefit together.”
“That makes sense.” Chen Zhaoyue reached out and rubbed her soft hair.