Chapter 10: Creditor

Hai Cheng was such a big city; Xia Yu had never imagined she would run into Song Yu’an here.

The moment she saw him standing not far away, staring at her in shock, she instantly felt lost and flustered.

After all, not long ago, she had still been lying to him, saying she was strolling around a mall in Hangcheng.

“Do you know each other?”

Xu Baiyan’s gaze moved from Xia Yu’s face to the man not far away.

The man was also looking at him, with an unhidden wariness and hostility in his eyes.

The person beside her nodded.

“Mm… we know each other.”

Xu Baiyan calmly withdrew his gaze, took the surfboard from her hands again, and said, “Your creditor’s here?”

Xia Yu let out a sound.

“No, it’s just… just a friend.”

“Seeing how flustered you look, I thought your creditor chased you all the way to Hai Cheng.”

Xia Yu felt a bit embarrassed.

“Coach, I’ll head over for a bit.”

“Oh.”

After replying, Xu Baiyan picked up the surfboard and walked straight inside.

Xia Yu headed toward Song Yu’an.

It was only five or six meters, but her steps felt heavy.

“Yu’an-ge, what a coincidence.”

Stopping in front of Song Yu’an, she forced a smile.

Song Yu’an glanced at Xu Baiyan’s departing back, then at Xia Yu, but didn’t say anything right away.

It was his roommate behind him who spoke up in surprise.

“Xia Yu, you’re here too? Didn’t Yu’an say you were in Hangcheng? When did you arrive? Why didn’t you say anything?”

The one speaking was Song Yu’an’s dorm mate, Cai Weihao. Back in school, Song Yu’an had introduced his roommates to her, and they’d had a few meals together.

They all had each other on WeChat.

Xia Yu said, “I’ve been here for a while now.”

“Then why didn’t you ever tell me?”

Song Yu’an finally spoke, his face a bit stern.

Ever since they were young, Song Yu’an had always been the one protecting her; he had never given her the cold shoulder.

Seeing his rare stern look, Xia Yu felt guilty. She hesitated and said, “I just wanted to clear my head… I thought you guys probably had your own plans and arrangements, so I didn’t mention it.”

Song Yu’an frowned.

“We just came here to have fun. It’s not like we have any special plans. If you’d told me you were here, we could’ve hung out together. Did you come alone? Where are you staying now?”

“Staff Dormitory. I’m working part-time at this surf shop,” Xia Yu said.

“I wasn’t alone at first. Lin Ying was supposed to come with me, but something came up for her…”

“So you met Xu Baiyan because of your part-time job here?!”

Just then, Xue Enjin behind Song Yu’an asked excitedly.

Xia Yu looked past Song Yu’an at her.

She had actually noticed her earlier.

This group must have come to Summer for drinks; their shop’s set menu was still on the table.

Xia Yu asked, “You know him?”

Xue Enjin nodded repeatedly.

“Of course! He’s my idol! Remember in the school cafeteria, I showed you his video? Oh my god, I heard a few days ago that he’s been hanging around here, but I didn’t expect to run into him just after arriving!”

Cafeteria… video…

Xia Yu remembered now.

The first time she met Xue Enjin, this had indeed happened.

But back then, her mind was full of the idea that Song Yu’an probably liked Xue Enjin, so she had forgotten about that video immediately after.

Xue Enjin said, “Xia Yu, can you help me ask if we can take a photo together?”

A photo? Why take a photo like he’s some celebrity? Is he really that famous?

Xia Yu was a little confused.

“He just got back from surfing and went to shower. I don’t know if you can take a photo with him. We’re not that close.”

“Not close? Watching you walk over together just now, I thought you two were close!”

Song Yu’an’s brow furrowed slightly.

Earlier, he’d also seen them walking together from not far away.

That man had been walking very close to her, and even lightly tapped her forehead—definitely a bit too familiar…

She had always been slow to warm up, rarely getting close to strangers.

Yet she had only been here a few days, and was already chatting and laughing with this guy?

Seeing Xue Enjin’s probing look, Xia Yu quickly shook her head.

“I just saw him go surfing earlier because he used to be my coach.”

“Coach, he’s your coach?”

Xue Enjin exclaimed.

“I heard in a surfing group that he was teaching lately, and his first student was a girl—turns out it was you!”

“…”

“Wow, that’s so lucky! I can’t believe he’d teach a beginner!”

“Mm…”

“Xia Yu, come sit down. Let’s have a good chat!”

Xue Enjin was as enthusiastic as ever, but Xia Yu felt a little overwhelmed.

Just then, Cheng Li came out from the shop and asked if she could watch the store for ten minutes while he ran an errand.

Xia Yu felt like this was music to her ears and immediately agreed.

After replying, she said to the others, “I’m heading inside. You guys sit first.”

It was already past five, and the sunset was gradually coloring the clouds.

Since Xia Yu had to work, Song Yu’an had to swallow all the words he wanted to say and sat back down at their original spot.

They had originally come to check out the food street not far from here, and after that, planned to sit by the sea.

Summer was one of the most popular shops in this area.

Their surfing gear and fruit drinks both had high ratings online, so they decided to come here for a drink.

But he hadn’t expected to run into Xia Yu here.

“Hey, why do you think Xia Yu came here without saying a word?”

Cai Weihao nudged Song Yu’an and asked quietly.

Song Yu’an was still frowning.

“I don’t know. She didn’t let anything slip.”

“I bet it’s because you’re here. She probably snuck over because of you.”

This sounded a little ambiguous. Song Yu’an shot him an unhappy glare.

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

Cai Weihao responded with an “oh” and made a zipper motion across his lips.

The seats they chose faced the window, which gave them a clear view of Xia Yu bustling about inside.

Song Yu’an’s gaze fell on her figure inside, and he felt a strange irritation in his heart.

He had never thought Xia Yu would be here alone.

Nor had he thought she would lie to him…

Why?

Over ten minutes later, their juice was nearly finished.

Cai Weihao noticed Xu Baiyan coming out from inside.

“Enjin, your idol is out! Damn, you weren’t exaggerating—he really is good-looking.”

“Of course.”

Xue Enjin looked up and saw him.

“He’s teaching classes now. Why don’t we ask if we can book a lesson?”

Cai Weihao said, “Sure, let’s go!”

Everyone got up, and Song Yu’an was dragged along too.

Xu Baiyan had just finished showering and changed into casual clothes.

He hadn’t walked far before being stopped.

He looked up and saw it was Xia Yu’s group of friends, so he put away his phone.

“Yan-ge, hi! I’m Xue Enjin,” she was the first to speak.

“I surf too—have been for years! I really like you. I’ve watched all your competitions, especially the one in Tahiti. You were amazing—”

“Mm, thank you.”

Xu Baiyan nodded slightly, cutting her off.

Xue Enjin paused, but didn’t seem embarrassed by being interrupted, and continued, “Could I take a photo with you?”

“It’s not convenient, sorry.”

“Ah… it’s fine.” Xue Enjin had heard from other surfers that Xu Baiyan wasn’t known for his good temper.

But geniuses tended to be a bit arrogant.

She didn’t mind and changed the topic.

“I heard you’ve been teaching lately. Can I book a class with you?”

Xu Baiyan replied indifferently, “I’m not taking students for now.”

“Okay, got it.”

Xu Baiyan walked around them, but after a few steps, suddenly turned back.

They saw him stop in front of the fruit drink shop’s window and tap the edge with his knuckle.

“Xia Yu.” He spoke lazily.

The person inside making fruit drinks looked up.

Xu Baiyan said, “Didn’t you say you had the afternoon off? Why are you at work?”

Xia Yu explained, “Boss Cheng went out. He said he’d be back in ten minutes and asked me to cover for him.”

“Ten minutes? You believe that?”

Xu Baiyan checked the time and asked, “When are you off tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow morning’s my day off.”

“Then come here tomorrow morning.”

“Hm? For what…”

Xu Baiyan said, “What do you think? Are you learning or not?”

Xia Yu’s eyes lit up.

“I am, I am!”

Xu Baiyan seemed satisfied at last.

He didn’t look at anyone else and left without turning back.

The others watched his departing figure, exchanging glances.

Cai Weihao said, “Your idol’s lessons are so hard to book, but he offered to teach Xia Yu.”

Xue Enjin said enviously, “Maybe she asked early, or they’re just more familiar…”

The shop was filled with the scent of fruit.

About half an hour later, Cheng Li finally returned, looking apologetic.

Xia Yu actually wished he wouldn’t come back—then she wouldn’t have to go outside and face everyone.

“Hurry and go have fun. Sorry, I got tied up with something,” Cheng Li said. “Yu, don’t tell your kk-jie I made you cover for me this long. She’d kill me for slacking off.”

Xia Yu smiled.

“Don’t worry, Boss, I’m heading out now.”

“Mm, mm.”

Xia Yu walked out of the shop, and the people outside all stood up too.

“Xiao Yu, what do you want to eat? Let’s have dinner together,” Song Yu’an said.

Xia Yu knew she couldn’t avoid it.

“You guys pick—I’m fine with anything.”

Earlier, Xue Enjin and the others had already picked out a few dinner spots.

In the end, they chose a seafood restaurant about a ten-minute walk away.

On the way, the night breeze was cool, and the air was filled with the scent of ice cream and coconut milk.

This was all familiar to her from her daily walks home after work, but tonight, her mind was elsewhere.

The group chatted and laughed.

Xue Enjin was still recommending some of Xu Baiyan’s old videos to Cai Weihao and the others.

Halfway through, she turned back and said, “Yu’an, aren’t we switching hotels these days? Why don’t we stay around here? The coaches at Summer are all great, and maybe we’ll be able to book Xu Baiyan next time!”

Song Yu’an was walking next to Xia Yu.

After a few seconds’ pause, he agreed.

Xue Enjin happily continued chatting with the others.

Xia Yu glanced sideways at Song Yu’an.

She remembered he had said Xue Enjin was from Hai Cheng, but apparently, she hadn’t been staying at home lately and was living with them in the hotel.

Well, it made sense—she was showing them around, so it was more convenient to stay together.

“Is where you live far from here?”

Suddenly, she heard Song Yu’an ask.

Xia Yu came back to herself.

“Not far, it’s just a ten-minute walk for me.”

“Are you very busy usually?”

“Not really, I only work about six hours a day, and I get days off.”

“Mm. Xiao Yu, you’re alone in a strange place. You need to be careful.”

Xia Yu said, “I know. Actually, I mostly just hang out with the people from the shop. They’re all really nice and take good care of me. It’s safe.”

“The people from the shop… does that include Xu Baiyan?”

Xia Yu paused.

“He’s the shop’s coach, so I guess he counts.”

“But you only just met them. Don’t get too close to people you don’t know well, especially guys. What if they’re not good people—”

“You mean my coach?”

Xia Yu said.

“No, he’s just a bit cold on the outside.”

Song Yu’an pressed his lips into a line. “…”

Afraid he’d misunderstand Xu Baiyan or worry too much, Xia Yu explained seriously, “He once gave me a free extra lesson because he hadn’t taught me well before. He’s actually a really good person.”