Chapter 12: Tofu

Xia Yu had no idea where Xu Baiyan got such a conclusion.

But the unfortunate thing was, he was right.

She stared at him blankly for a good while before stammering, “You—don’t talk nonsense.”

Xu Baiyan: “Alright, then can you focus now?”

“……”

“Look at me, can you?”

Xu Baiyan’s expression grew a bit stern.

When he was serious, his eyes seemed to darken, carrying an inexplicable sense of pressure.

Xia Yu’s heart trembled slightly, feeling apologetic for spacing out earlier.

“I can. Sorry.”

Xu Baiyan indifferently put on his sunglasses.

“Repeat the movement I just did.”

“Okay…”

Not far away, Song Yu’an, who had already gone back and forth twice, stopped at the shallow water, instinctively searching for Xia Yu’s location.

By now, she was no longer on the Beach.

That guy named Xu Baiyan had already taken her into the water.

She clearly wasn’t used to floating on the water yet, so the man stood by her side, steadying the Surfboard for her.

Everything looked just like when Xue Enjin taught him before—nothing out of the ordinary.

But when he saw that man’s hand lightly press on Xia Yu’s lower back, signaling her to lower her waist, Song Yu’an still frowned.

“What are you looking at?”

The person beside him walked over and asked.

Song Yu’an withdrew his gaze.

“Nothing.”

But Xue Enjin followed his line of sight and glanced over.

“Yu’an, are you worried about Xia Yu?”

Song Yu’an didn’t deny it. “She’s not good in the water.”

“The waves aren’t big today, she’ll be fine,” Xue Enjin said.

“Besides, Xu Baiyan is right next to her. How could he let anything happen to her?”

“Even though he’s your idol, you’ve never actually interacted with him in real life. At most, he’s just a stranger whose name you know. You don’t have to trust him that much, do you?”

The sudden sharp tone made Xue Enjin pause.

She frowned, “What I mean is, Xu Baiyan is her Coach now. He wouldn’t let his student get hurt. It has nothing to do with whether he’s my idol or not.”

Song Yu’an stopped, realizing his tone had been inappropriate.

“Sorry, I spoke a bit harshly just now.”

Xue Enjin felt a bit uncomfortable inside but still said, “I know you’re just worried about Xia Yu, but she’s not a child anymore. You don’t have to always treat her like a little Sister.”

Song Yu’an was silent for two seconds.

“I’m used to it.”

***

Maybe it was the experience from wakesurfing earlier, but this time Xia Yu stood up on the board much faster, even if the distance she glided wasn’t very far.

“Coach, I think I’ve got it again!”

As the Surfboard slid into the Shallow Water, Xia Yu jumped off, turning back with a bright smile.

Xu Baiyan walked over slowly.

“Showing off now, are you?”

He said that, but there was a hint of a smile in his eyes.

Because he knew she was learning much faster now, not like before when she was always wobbling like a total beginner.

“I want to try again! This time, let me go farther.”

“So confident?”

Xia Yu: “It’s because you’re such a good teacher. I think I can do it.”

She really knew how to flatter.

But he had to admit, it sounded pretty nice.

Xu Baiyan said, “Alright, go ahead. I’ll be right by your side.”

“Mm!”

The sea breeze was gentle, and golden ripples shimmered across the water.

After floating for quite a distance, Xia Yu turned over and climbed onto the Surfboard, beginning to paddle.

She had already been practicing in the water for over fifty minutes, but she didn’t feel tired at all.

On the contrary, she was getting more and more excited, her courage growing as well.

Just then, a wave rolled in from not far away. Xia Yu fixed her gaze on it, and the moment it swelled behind her, she quickly pushed herself up and stood.

She repeated the same movements as before, and did quite well. But unexpectedly, this wave was much fiercer than the previous ones. She had just managed to steady herself for two seconds when the Surfboard was swept away by the wave!

It was too fast—so fast that Xia Yu couldn’t react before she lost her balance and fell backward into the sea with a splash!

Because they had been Surfing in the shallows today, she hadn’t worn a Life Vest. So when the water went over her head, fear surged up instantly.

Salty seawater flooded her mouth, and it felt like there was no bottom beneath her feet!

In a panic, she flailed about like someone who had never learned to swim.

Just as she was suffocating, suddenly, a strong arm grabbed her around the waist and hauled her up.

She clung to that person like a drowning person grabbing a lifeline, hugging tightly, desperate for fresh air.

Xu Baiyan had been watching her from nearby the whole time, so the moment she fell, he swam over quickly and pulled her up.

But he hadn’t expected her to be this scared. She wrapped herself around him in an instant, arms around his neck, coughing violently against his shoulder.

She instinctively pressed herself close to him.

The unfamiliar softness of her body made Xu Baiyan freeze for a moment, but he was afraid she’d panic and struggle, so he didn’t pull her off.

After hesitating for two seconds, he gently patted her back.

“Swallowed some water? Relax.”

The salty taste still lingered in her mouth. After coughing for a while, Xia Yu finally calmed down a bit.

Only then did she realize she had completely clung to Xu Baiyan, the sensation of softness and firmness mixed together.

The unfamiliar closeness made her cheeks flush instantly.

“S-sorry.”

She was so close to him that even her breath landed by his ear.

Xu Baiyan’s ear tingled uncontrollably for a moment.

He turned his head, pulling away a little to keep some distance.

“Weren’t you supposed to know how to swim? Why so scared?”

“I remembered I wasn’t wearing a Life Vest… I thought I was going to drown just now.”

Xia Yu was extremely embarrassed, both because of her own panic and their current position.

“Are you still scared now?”

“No…”

She quietly let go of his neck, but they didn’t separate, because she could still feel his hand firmly holding her waist.

“Get back on the board,” Xu Baiyan said.

“Mm…”

Xu Baiyan pulled the board back and, with a light tug, sent her onto the Surfboard.

Xu Baiyan said, “That’s enough for today. You’re too tired to keep going. Let’s head back.”

After that scare, Xia Yu did feel a bit exhausted and could only nod. On their way paddling back, they saw Song Yu’an and the others running toward them.

“Xiao Yu, are you alright? Did you swallow any water?”

Before she even made it to shore, Song Yu’an had already waded over.

Xia Yu: “I’m fine, really.”

“You just started learning to surf and already went out so far? Is that even allowed? What if something happened? You were way too careless!”

His words clearly carried a tone of blame.

Xu Baiyan gave him a mild glance.

Xia Yu noticed as well, and worried Xu Baiyan might feel uncomfortable, she hurried to explain to Song Yu’an, “I wanted to challenge myself, so I asked to go farther out. And the Coach was right next to me. He would protect me, so nothing would happen.”

Song Yu’an: “But you just fell—”

Xia Yu: “Falling is totally normal.”

“Yeah, everyone falls in the water when learning to surf. It’s fine as long as you’re okay,” Xue Enjin tugged at Song Yu’an, quietly reminding him.

Song Yu’an fell silent, though he still looked unhappy.

Xue Enjin smiled at Xu Baiyan.

“Yu’an is just worried about his Sister, sorry about that.”

Sister?

Xu Baiyan glanced at Xia Yu and smiled.

“Oh, I understand.”

“Well… let’s not just stand here. Xia Yu, we’re planning to have lunch after showering. Come with us,” Xue Enjin said.

“No thanks.”

The word ‘Sister’ echoed in Xia Yu’s mind, grating on her nerves.

She didn’t want to eat with them or witness the feelings between Song Yu’an and Xue Enjin.

“I already have plans.”

Song Yu’an: “What plans?”

Xia Yu’s mind went blank for a second. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Xu Baiyan and blurted out, “I promised the Coach I’d have lunch with him. So I won’t be joining you guys.”

Xu Baiyan: “?”

“Coach.”

Xia Yu turned and tugged Xu Baiyan’s wrist, her eyes pleading.

“We agreed to this, right…”

Her fingers tightened around his wrist.

Xu Baiyan lowered his gaze, looking into her desperate, pitiful eyes.

He’d wanted to refute her and watch the drama, but for some reason, that urge just disappeared.

It was as if not saving her would make him a terrible person.

“We agreed? Oh, right. What did you want to eat again?”

Xia Yu immediately said, “You decide. I’m fine with anything.”

From the corner of his eye, Xu Baiyan saw Song Yu’an’s face darken, and found it amusing.

“Alright, then come with me.”

***

When Xia Yu came out in clean clothes, Xu Baiyan was already sitting in the Surf Shop.

Cai Weihao and the others were outside on the chairs, drinking fruit drinks.

Song Yu’an was nowhere to be seen—probably still in the Shower Room.

Xia Yu greeted them, then called Xu Baiyan at the shop entrance.

With so many people watching, she had to make sure to call Xu Baiyan out and leave together.

“Ready?”

Xu Baiyan walked out.

“Mm, I’m ready.”

Xia Yu said softly, “Thank you…”

Xu Baiyan glanced at the group in the distance, then turned back and grabbed a Pink Helmet from the shop entrance.

“Put it on. Let’s go.”

There was a Cycling Path along the coastline, with electric scooters and bicycles passing by every day.

Their shop had two Electric Scooters, usually used by Cheng Li and kk.

After Xia Yu put on kk’s helmet, Xu Baiyan had already rolled one of the blue-and-white Electric Scooters to the door.

His long legs reached the ground, looking a bit too relaxed.

“Spacing out for what? Get on,” Xu Baiyan said.

Xia Yu hurried over, hopping onto the seat behind him.

This little scooter wasn’t very big.

Two people fit just right, maybe even a bit close.

Xia Yu tried to scoot back as much as possible to leave a little space between them.

“Are you seated?”

“Mm, all set.”

Xu Baiyan started up the scooter.

Xia Yu quickly grabbed the handle behind the seat.

The summer sun was blazing, but this path was shaded with thick greenery.

Sunlight only trickled through small gaps onto the ground.

The sea breeze blew in from afar, making Xu Baiyan’s T-shirt billow behind him and carrying a faint, fresh scent.

Was it body wash, or laundry detergent… Xia Yu wasn’t sure, but it smelled nice.

“Be careful.”

Xia Yu: “Hm?”

His voice drifted from the front, and before Xia Yu realized what he meant, the scooter suddenly sped up.

It was a downhill section!

Her eyes went wide. To better keep her balance and stay safe, she instinctively did something.

She reached forward and grabbed his waist!

The fluttering hem of his shirt was caught by her grip.

In her panic, Xia Yu felt the firm, warm lines of his waist beneath her hands.

Her face turned red in an instant.

She quickly let go, but just as the scooter slowed down, she lurched forward uncontrollably, her face pressing against his back, hands awkwardly landing on his waist again.

Grab, release, and grab again.

Heart-pounding.

It almost felt indecent.

“Y-you, slow down!”

Xia Yu’s voice nearly cracked.

Xu Baiyan had always driven this way on this road.

But before, the person behind him was always some big guy—not a delicate girl.

He glanced down at the hands tightly wrapped around his waist.

He Jiasen and the others always sat steady as a rock, but this girl was soft and delicate, her thin wrists so fair you could see the bluish veins beneath the skin, as if she couldn’t withstand any rough treatment.

He silently looked up and cleared his throat.

“Got it. Sit tight.”

The speed dropped, and Xia Yu slowly let go of him.

But they were still close, and the fresh scent on his shirt made her cheeks stay warm.

Xia Yu puffed out her cheeks and let out a breath.

Come to think of it, this was all her own doing.

That lie at the Beach just now must have been presumptuous for Xu Baiyan too—after all, she used him as her shield.

“Coach.”

“Mm.”

“If—if you’re busy or have something else to do, you can just drop me off. You really don’t have to eat with me…”

The scooter stopped under the trees.

Xu Baiyan put his long legs to the ground, turned his head to look at her.

“So, you take advantage of me and now you’re pretending you don’t know me after?”