Chapter 20: Spirit

“Xia Yu, want some ice cream?”

On the bustling snack street, Kk changed hands and pointed to an ice cream shop not far away.

Xia Yu: “Sure.”

“Let’s go, let’s go! This place tastes pretty good. When it first opened, there were long lines.”

Kk pulled her inside, and a wave of cool air greeted them.

Both sighed comfortably.

Kk: “I’ll have vanilla—it’s really tasty. Do you want the same?”

Vanilla…

In Xia Yu’s mind, a scene from yesterday popped up—eating ice cream by the roadside with Xu Baiyan.

At that time, she wasn’t sure if the vanilla flavor was good; in fact, she could barely taste what the matcha flavor was like.

What she faintly remembered was the icy coolness on her tongue and the warm back she felt while walking back to her place with him.

“I’ll have something else… a double scoop—mango and strawberry.”

Kk: “Sounds good.”

After getting their ice cream, they finished it right inside the shop.

Then, they walked to a nearby mall.

Today, they were out shopping for clothes.

Kk said there was a Summer Beach Party over at Lanting Bay Villa District the day after tomorrow, and she wanted to get a nice new outfit.

Xia Yu had actually wanted to buy some new clothes suitable for the seaside for a while, but going shopping alone didn’t appeal to her.

Now that she had company, it was just right.

“The dresses in this store are really pretty. I’ve bought a lot here before,” Kk said as she led Xia Yu into one of her favorite shops.

But Xia Yu wandered around inside and didn’t know what to pick.

The clothes here leaned toward form-fitting and sexy styles, with very few loose T-shirts. Normally, she bought mostly T-shirts when she went out, and for a while, she couldn’t change her type that she noticed first.

While Xia Yu hesitated, Kk had already picked out two or three sets. When she turned back and saw Xia Yu’s empty hands, she asked, “Don’t you see anything you like?”

Xia Yu: “It’s not that—they’re all pretty nice, but they just don’t seem to suit me.”

“How could that be?”

Kk glanced over and picked out a little dress and a tank top with hot pants for her.

“These two sets are perfect for you—cute and sexy.”

Xia Yu: “This… really suits me?”

“Definitely! Try it on. Don’t always wear T-shirts!”

“All right.”

Under Kk’s urging, Xia Yu took the clothes to the fitting room and first tried on the pink tank top with the white hot pants.

There was a mirror inside the little cubicle.

After looking at herself, Xia Yu quickly started thinking about taking them off.

But Kk was pressing from outside, insisting she come out and show her.

Xia Yu had no choice but to pull the curtain and walk over to the full-length mirror outside.

“Kk, I feel like this outfit is…”

“Oh my. Xia Yu, your figure is amazing!” Kk interrupted as she stared.

Xia Yu paused, realizing where Kk was looking, blushing instantly and covering her chest.

“I think this outfit is a bit too small, too tight.”

“No way. Wearing it is supposed to show off your figure, and it really suits you. Honestly, you look so hot in it!”

A nearby female shop assistant couldn’t help but say, “Yes, miss, your chest shape is gorgeous, and your slim waist shows off so well in a tank top.”

Kk nodded, eyes full of hearts: “Exactly! I also think this set is great. Xia Yu, buy this one!”

Xia Yu: “I think it’s too tight. Maybe I’ll try on the dress again!”

“But it really is hot…”

Ignoring Kk’s disappointment, Xia Yu hurried back into the fitting room, took off the form-fitting tank top, and put on the light blue dress.

The dress was also somewhat form-fitting, but probably because she had just tried on that tank top, she suddenly found this level acceptable.

After changing, she came out and was met with another exclamation.

“This looks great on you too! See, my eye for style is spot on.”

Kk circled her.

“This cute dress you’re wearing somehow feels sexy too. Only you can pull off a dress that’s both pure and alluring.”

Xia Yu felt embarrassed by the compliment.

“Does it really look good?”

“Really. I don’t think you have this kind of dress normally. Buy one and wear it.”

Xia Yu looked into the mirror, her expression faintly pleased.

The dress suited her skin tone, wasn’t overly revealing, and felt smooth and cool on her.

“Miss, you’re really fair-skinned. Did you just come to Hai Cheng?” the shop assistant asked.

Kk laughed, “She’s actually tanned a bit, but when she gets home she’ll look even paler.”

“Yeah, really pretty.”

Maybe because Kk and the shop assistant kept praising her, Xia Yu liked the dress more and finally decided to buy it.

But she absolutely refused to buy the sexy tank top—she felt like her chest was going to burst out of it… it wasn’t comfortable at all.

After finishing there, they went to a swimsuit shop.

The swimsuit shop had all kinds of beautiful swimsuits—one-piece, two-piece, and even bikinis.

Xia Yu’s original surfing suit was a conservative sun-protective one-piece.

She had been thinking about buying a flashy swimsuit, so she picked a black and pink leg-exposing style.

That was supposed to be the end, but Kk insisted that she’d look incredibly sexy and beautiful in a bikini, and recommended one to her.

Bikinis weren’t everyday wear; in that setting, revealing and sexy was normal.

Xia Yu thought maybe when Lin Ying came over, they could wear them together and go to the pool. So she bit the bullet and bought it too.

***

They shopped for most of the day and returned to Summer with plenty of new things.

There were quite a few people surfing on the beach today.

Just as Xia Yu put down the shopping bags and got ready to start work, she happened to see Song Yu’an and Cai Weihao coming back from the beach carrying their surfboards.

“Xiao, Xia Yu!”

Cai Weihao greeted her as he passed by.

Xia Yu nodded in response, then looked toward Song Yu’an.

Since the last time they had a bit of a quarrel outside Summer—when she insisted on going to bring food to the injured Xu Baiyan—they hadn’t been in contact.

Seeing him now felt a bit awkward.

“Zi’an ge…”

“About to start work?”

Both spoke at the same time.

Xia Yu nodded: “I just went out shopping with Kk and came back. I’m tidying up and about to go in.”

Song Yu’an had been mad at Xia Yu these past few days.

He was angry because she sided with a stranger against him.

But now seeing her, his heart softened quickly.

He understood her—she was always the kind of girl who cared about others.

If she regarded someone as a friend, of course she would do things like that.

There was no need to hold a grudge over it…

“Been busy lately?”

Song Yu’an asked softly.

Xia Yu shook her head.

“Not really. I still have plenty of free time to rest.”

“That’s good.” Song Yu’an said.

“By the way, the day after tomorrow there’s a Summer Beach Party over at Lanting Bay Villa District. Do you want to go?”

Xia Yu knew about the party—Kk had bought new clothes today just for it.

Cai Weihao added, “I heard it’s going to be lively! There’s also a super popular Couple Market. We’re all going to check it out!”

A Couple Market?

Sounds like something for couples to go to together.

Xia Yu glanced at Song Yu’an, guessing he would probably be with Xue Enjin then.

In that case, she wouldn’t bother joining the fun.

“That day Kk and Cheng Li are going to the party. I’ll probably have to stay and mind the store, so I won’t go,” Xia Yu said.

Cai Weihao: “Ah… that’s a pity.”

“No choice, we’ll see how they arrange it.”

Xia Yu smiled and changed the subject.

“Yu’an ge, you guys better go shower now. There’s no line inside at the moment. I’ll head in first.”

Song Yu’an: “Okay…”

Xia Yu left, and Song Yu’an and Cai Weihao put away their surfboards and headed toward the showers.

Along the way, Song Yu’an’s mood grew heavy.

They’d been in Hai Cheng for so long but never really hung out together.

This time, he wanted to take her along, but she refused.

Yet he remembered that Xia Yu had always been clingy before—she liked being around him.

“You call her again, she’ll come,” Cai Weihao patted his shoulder, sensing his mood.

Song Yu’an glanced at him.

“Really?”

“Definitely. Xia Yu likes you so much…”

Song Yu’an shot him a warning look.

Cai Weihao caught himself and quickly clarified, “I mean… she definitely likes hanging out with you. You just have to ask the Store Manager for leave.”

Song Yu’an pursed his lips: “Hmm.”

***

Two days later, the Summer Beach Party.

The party went from morning to night. According to Kk, during the day it was mainly a music festival with performances by many well-known bands.

The beach would be packed with revelers.

At night, there would be a famous Couple Market with many interactive activities and booths for couples—food, drinks, entertainment, everything.

Singles could also join in and maybe meet someone special.

Summer was open as usual that day, but at around four in the afternoon, Kk told Xia Yu they would close the store at night and go to the beach party together.

The party was so big that Xia Yu felt it unlikely to run into Song Yu’an and the others, but just in case… she had rejected Song Yu’an’s earlier invitation, saying she was too busy at the store.

“How can you not go? You came to Hai Cheng mainly to experience this, not just to work!”

Kk said.

“Hurry up, go change and put on some makeup. I’ll come pick you up later.”

Xia Yu: “But you’re going with Cheng Li, right? I don’t want to be a third wheel.”

“We’ll definitely go in a big group. Jia Sen and the others are coming too. It’s only when it gets dark that we might split up. You can wander around alone then—maybe you’ll meet the right person. Rumor has it the chances of success tonight are high.”

Xia Yu didn’t believe in such rumors, but Kk insisted, so she agreed.

“Oh, and wear something pretty today—the new dress you bought. Maybe you’ll bump into a handsome guy!”

Xia Yu smiled.

“Okay, got it.”

She just hoped not to run into Song Yu’an and his group…

After leaving Summer, Xia Yu went back to her place.

With an hour before Kk was supposed to pick her up, she showered and put on light makeup.

Though her skills weren’t perfect, following video tutorials made it look decent.

Afterward, she put on the new blue dress she’d bought.

By the time she finished, it was almost time. Kk called to say she was waiting downstairs.

Xia Yu slung a small white bag over her shoulder, stuffing in her phone, tissues, and a lip balm, then hurried downstairs.

***

“There’ll be a lot of cars at the parking lot over there, A Yan. How about after I drop you off, we park the car in your garage? It’s just a short walk from there,” Cheng Li said as he steered.

The beach party was held at Lanting Bay.

The beach wasn’t far from Xu Baiyan’s place.

Around noon, when Xu Baiyan went out on some business, he had heard an electronic band performing over there.

It was noisy.

“Sounds good.”

Xu Baiyan, sitting in the back, agreed.

Too lazy to drive himself, he was on Cheng Li’s car on the way back.

Unexpectedly, Cheng Li and Kk detoured by the guesthouse to pick up Xia Yu.

Time ticked by, and the two up front chatted.

“Xia Yu, over here!” Suddenly, Kk in the passenger seat turned the wheel and shouted outside.

The sea breeze blew softly, stirring the leaves; the light was bright but ever-changing.

Xu Baiyan’s gaze drifted out the window and unexpectedly locked eyes with a girl running out of the guesthouse entrance.

In the sunlight, her light blue dress swayed.

She looked like a sprite who had suddenly appeared from the forest, shimmering with tiny scattered rays of light, clear and bright.

Xu Baiyan paused for a moment, his eyes not shifting away.

Xia Yu, running along, hadn’t expected to see Xu Baiyan just as she stepped out.

She froze for two seconds and unconsciously tugged her skirt.

Then she walked over to the car, greeting Kk and Cheng Li.

“Oh wow, you look really pretty today, Xia Yu,” Cheng Li said.

Kk added, “Right? I picked out this dress for her. I told her ages ago she should wear stuff like this! Xia Yu, get in the car.”

There was still a seat in the back.

Xia Yu glanced at Xu Baiyan and greeted, “Coach.”

Xu Baiyan acknowledged her with a grunt. Before she went around to get in on the other side, he shifted inside, “Come in here.”

Cheng Li’s car was a tall SUV.

Xia Yu grabbed the door frame and had to lift her leg high to get in.

She was wearing a dress that was a little short.

As she lifted her leg, the hem slipped upward, revealing smooth, delicate skin on her knee and thigh, dazzlingly fair.

Xu Baiyan’s gaze touched that, then quickly looked away and turned to the other side.

Only after hearing the door shut confirming she was seated did he glance sideways at her again.

Xia Yu lowered her head, tidying her slightly messy dress.

Her lips were slightly tinted—she was wearing lipstick.

“Want to listen to music, everyone?”

Cheng Li asked.

Kk: “Yes, yes! Something light and cheerful.”

Cheng Li played a playlist he had collected for a long time—soft and romantic music fitting the scenery and sea breeze outside, filling the summer atmosphere.

But Xia Yu felt a little uneasy.

Maybe because she was wearing this outfit and makeup today. Maybe because Xu Baiyan was sitting next to her.

But the ice cream incident last time wasn’t really a big deal, right?

Was she just overthinking and being too petty?

Xia Yu took a soft breath, deciding to relax.

Then she turned to ask, “Coach, what are you doing here?”

Xu Baiyan looked straight ahead.

“On the way.”

“Oh, I see.”

Kk looked back from the passenger seat.

“Isn’t his place near the beach party? He’s just going home, so he’s riding with us.”

“Wow, then aren’t you going to join the others?”

Xu Baiyan opened his mouth to answer, but Cheng Li beat him to it: “He thinks it’s noisy and said every year it’s the same and boring, so he doesn’t want to go.”

Xu Baiyan: “…”

Xia Yu nodded and smiled.

“It’s my first time going. It feels different from the bonfire parties before.”

Kk: “Of course it’s different. The scale is much bigger and livelier, and there’s a lot of good food. You’ll see once you get there.”

***

After more than twenty minutes, the car arrived at the entrance of Xu Baiyan’s neighborhood.

Cheng Li drove inside and parked in Xu Baiyan’s garage.

They got out, walked out of the garage, and when they reached the small courtyard gate, Xia Yu confidently pressed the button to call the shuttle.

Cheng Li and Kk both looked at her.

Xia Yu was a bit startled, realizing she sounded like a local.

“Oh… I meant the neighborhood is so big, calling the shuttle saves effort, okay?”

Cheng Li: “Of course. I just didn’t think of it earlier. You really come here more often.”

Xia Yu felt a little embarrassed and subconsciously glanced at Xu Baiyan, who smiled faintly while also looking at her.

She quickly averted her eyes.

Two minutes later, a nearby security guard drove the shuttle over.

Cheng Li and Kk got on first. Xia Yu sat in the back row, just as she was about to tell the guard they could go, Xu Baiyan lifted his leg and sat down beside her.

Xia Yu looked at him in surprise.

Cheng Li turned his head and said, “What are you doing? I thought you weren’t going.”

Xu Baiyan leaned back lazily.

“I suddenly want to go now. No way.”