Chapter 4: Wakeboarding

Not long after, the Captain steered the yacht into position.

Xu Baiyan placed the Surfboard at the flat spot at the stern, gesturing for Xia Yu to get up.

“Come here. I’ve already told you most of the safety points just now.

Now let me explain what to do after you get in the water.”

Xia Yu was still feeling a bit down, but time was money, so she didn’t bother arguing with him.

She walked over and sat down, raising her eyes to him, waiting for his instructions.

Xu Baiyan said, “Let’s simulate first. When you get in the water, the first step is to grab the surf rope and the Surfboard with both hands—right here, at the red spot.”

As he spoke, he bent down and tapped the red spot on the Surfboard with his finger.

Xia Yu composed herself and followed his instructions, making the right movements.

“Once you’re holding on, put your heels on the Surfboard, about here.”

The afternoon sun was glaring, so as Xu Baiyan spoke, he pulled out his Sunglasses from his pocket and put them on.

Xia Yu finished the movement and looked at him, realizing she felt more relaxed when she couldn’t see his eyes.

Because when he looked at someone intently, it made people uneasy.

“Coach, is this right?”

“Yes.”

Xu Baiyan squatted down.

“Later, when you hear me say ‘ready’, let go of the board, raise your hands—uh, about this high. Then Fang Yuan will start the boat. At that point, I’ll remind you to act. You need to immediately step onto the board and squat on it.”

He looked serious, but his instructions were detailed.

Worried she wouldn’t understand, Xu Baiyan even sat in her spot and gave a simple demonstration.

After getting up, he told her to get in the water.

“Just—just get in like this?”

Xu Baiyan replied lightly, “Or do you plan to pretend-surf on the boat until dark?”

“……”

Xu Baiyan was blunt. “Get in.”

Though the weather was hot, the seawater didn’t feel cold.

Xia Yu took a deep breath and carefully entered the water.

The Life Vest held her afloat on the surface.

Xu Baiyan’s voice came from above her.

“Hold the rope tight, then put your hands on the red spot on the board.”

Xia Yu exhaled and did as told.

Standing at the stern, Xu Baiyan saw her nervous expression and couldn’t help but find it amusing.

“Wakesurfing is easy. Many people get up on the first try. You don’t need to be so nervous.”

Xia Yu pressed her lips together.

“Really?”

“Try and you’ll see,” Xu Baiyan said.

“Keep your ankles up, look to the left, and let go of the board.”

After speaking, he glanced behind him.

“Go.”

The Captain got the cue and started the boat.

The waves began to swell.

Xia Yu could clearly feel the resistance from the board.

As she listened to Xu Baiyan’s command to squat, she stiffly planted her feet on the Surfboard.

Soon, the waves grew bigger and the board picked up speed.

Xia Yu’s heart leapt into her throat—she couldn’t hear anything anymore!

“Arch your lower back, wait… don’t stand up yet…”

A faint voice reached her, but Xia Yu couldn’t control the board by now, nor could she tell what he was saying.

After a violent wobble or two, she instantly fell into the water!

The board was kicked away, and a splash of water crashed over her, completely covering Xia Yu.

But thanks to the Life Vest, she surfaced after flailing twice as the water gradually calmed down.

“Cough, cough—”

The sea stretched endlessly, a little intimidating.

Luckily, after a moment, the Wakesurfing Boat circled back to her.

She looked up and saw Xu Baiyan squatting at the stern, watching her.

The wind puffed up his jacket, making it billow wildly.

He’d already taken off his Sunglasses, and the light amber color of his eyes felt imposing.

“Did you swallow some water?” he asked.

Xia Yu answered honestly, “…I’m okay.”

“You rushed too much just now. You have to feel stable before you try to stand up.”

“Mm… Then I’ll try again.”

Xu Baiyan nodded and tossed the Surfboard in front of her.

“Hold it with both hands, feet in place.”

Xia Yu did as she was told, but this time she felt even more nervous inside.

Surfing really was difficult. Just one try and she could already feel how hard it was to keep her balance on the waves.

But then she thought… If other people can learn, shouldn’t she be able to as well?

With this belief, Xia Yu started again for several more tries, but… things didn’t go as she hoped!

After an hour and more than ten attempts, she only managed to stand up twice at the end, and even then, she barely went a short distance before crashing into the water in a sorry state…

What surfing—this was clearly a display of creative water entries!

Xia Yu was in despair. The last time she surfaced, she was already exhausted, lying back with the help of the Life Vest’s buoyancy.

“Coach, I can’t do it anymore…”

Xu Baiyan sat at the stern, tilting his head slightly, looking confused.

“That’s it? Your stamina’s that bad?”

Xia Yu’s ears instantly burned.

“I—I don’t usually exercise much.”

“I can tell. Your balance is pretty bad too,” Xu Baiyan commented bluntly.

Xia Yu: “……”

The two stared at each other.

Xu Baiyan squinted against the wind.

“If you have no athletic foundation, why did you come to surf?”

Xia Yu froze for a moment and fell silent.

She pressed her lips together and turned her head to look out at the sea.

Failing more than ten times had left her frustrated and doubting herself.

Yeah, she knew she had almost no athletic ability, barely passing PE tests in school, so why did she have to pick up surfing?

Xia Yu was on the verge of a breakdown.

Only now did she realize she’d just been giving herself excuses—telling herself it was just for fun, when in fact, she was trying to emulate Xue Enjin.

But not everyone could be Xue Enjin.

She couldn’t become the ideal version of herself, nor the kind of person Song Yu’an liked.

She was still just herself, unable to live an exciting or novel life.

“I shouldn’t have come.”

She muttered quietly, but Xu Baiyan didn’t catch it.

“What did you say?”

“Nothing.”

Xu Baiyan: “…?”

The sudden stalemate between the two made Fang Yuan, who was behind them, lose patience.

He signaled Xu Baiyan and mouthed, “Encourage her, encourage her. It’s totally normal.”

Xu Baiyan frowned. Normal?

Is it normal to not be able to stand up after half a day when wakesurfing is so simple?

Fang Yuan saw his expression and knew right away that Xu Baiyan didn’t get it at all.

Well, with someone like Xu Baiyan, who learned surfing easily and became a surfing prodigy at a young age, how could he possibly understand the despair of ordinary people who can’t even stand up on a wave?

What a tragedy!!

Fang Yuan couldn’t bear to watch and turned back to his steering.

Meanwhile, Xu Baiyan looked down at the person in the water for a while, thinking this wouldn’t do.

After all, whether it was normal or not, she was his first student.

And his first student couldn’t have trouble just standing up and riding a bit.

“Xia Yu.”

He called her name.

The person in the water moved but didn’t look back.

Xu Baiyan patiently said, “Rest for five minutes, then try again.”

Xia Yu was still feeling down.

“My hour is up.”

Xu Baiyan glanced at the time—there were only three minutes left.

But he didn’t care.

“I’m the Coach. I know the time.”

Xu Baiyan stood up.

“Listen to my commands next time. Do exactly as I say.”

“……”

“Did you hear me?”

“I hear you, but I just can’t learn…”

Xu Baiyan: “?”

“And I’m really tired now, I can’t keep going.”

Xia Yu drooped her head, paddled over, and held onto the stern.

Xu Baiyan didn’t move.

His first instinct was to stop her.

He had to get her to try a few more times, had to make sure she learned, but before he could speak, the person in the water looked up at him.

“Coach, could you give me a hand?”

She wasn’t wearing any makeup.

Her clean face was dripping wet, her skin very pale.

Maybe that was why he could see the redness in her eyes so clearly.

Bright red, on the verge of tears, as if she’d been terribly wronged.

Xu Baiyan froze, pausing for several seconds before reaching out his hand.

“Thank you.”

Xia Yu used his strength to get back on the boat, wrapped herself in a towel, and said, “Captain, we can head back now.”

Fang Yuan: “Ah, sure, sure.”

The trip back was silent.

They returned quickly. Once docked, Xia Yu nodded at Fang Yuan in greeting and walked away.

“Not a great start, huh.”

Fang Yuan shook his head as Xu Baiyan passed by.

Xu Baiyan stopped walking.

Fang Yuan hooked an arm around his shoulder, speaking earnestly, “Yan-ge, as a teacher, you need some patience, and your words should be nicer. See, you made her cry.”

Xu Baiyan frowned.

“You think she cried because of me?”

“Who else, then?”

Fang Yuan said.

“She was already feeling down from not succeeding, and you still had to comment about her balance and lack of athleticism. That girl’s got a thin skin—how could she take it?”

Xu Baiyan had nothing to say.

Fang Yuan rarely saw him so stumped when it came to surfing. It was both novel and amusing.

“Hey, it’s okay, it’s okay. Learn from this, it’s your first time teaching a student. Not succeeding is totally normal! Any regular Coach would be the same.”

“……”

A regular Coach? Regular? The same?

Xu Baiyan kicked Fang Yuan with a blank expression.

***

On the way back, the sun was still scorching. Xia Yu took a shower in Summer’s private bathroom and changed back into her regular clothes.

She was still in a bad mood, not just because of the sudden frustration out at sea, but also because she’d spent an hour’s worth of money and gained nothing.

Wasting money—that should be even more upsetting.

Xia Yu sighed deeply and glanced at the Beverage Shop nearby.

Forget it, she thought.

She was never destined for success anyway.

The wind chimes jingled softly as Xia Yu pushed open the door.

The owner, hair in braids, was still sitting in the back, but now there was also a woman with short hair and a tank top, looking sharp as she made fruit drinks.

“Hey, you’re back.”

The owner noticed her and greeted her first.

Xia Yu nodded.

“Boss, I’d like something to drink.”

“Sure, take a look at the menu.”

Xia Yu lowered her head to scan the menu, and just then, she noticed a small sign next to it.

Now Hiring: Beverage Shop staff, ages 18-40, male or female. Interested parties, please contact: 135xxxxxxx

Hiring…

Xia Yu’s heart fluttered a bit. She was about to ask, but then the wind chimes at the door rang again.

She turned and saw Xu Baiyan.

He looked like he’d showered too, his hair still a bit damp, and he’d changed clothes.

Xia Yu quickly looked away and randomly pointed at something.

“Boss, I’ll have this.”

“Okay, kk, one mango juice.”

The woman inside replied, “Coming right up~”

Xia Yu paid, said, “I’ll sit outside,” and hurried past Xu Baiyan.

Xu Baiyan turned his head, and the shop door slammed shut right in front of him.

His brow twitched.

“I was just about to ask that girl how surfing went, but she ran off the moment she saw you. You must’ve been way too strict with her—look how scared she is!”

After Xia Yu left, the owner, Cheng Li, spoke up.

Xu Baiyan walked to the bar and sat down on a high stool.

“Give me a glass of lemon water.”

Cheng Li said, “You’re still in the mood for water? Your student’s not happy. I’ll dock your pay.”

Xu Baiyan glanced at him.

“She hasn’t even said anything. How do you know she’s not happy with me?”

“Does she have to say it? Fang called me ten minutes ago and said you made her cry out on the water.”

Xu Baiyan: “?”

“Seriously, such a cute girl. She looks so well-behaved, not swayed by your looks, just focused on learning to surf. How could you be so harsh?”

“I didn’t scold her…”

“You think everyone can fly on the waves the way you do? Patience, you have to have patience with this.”

Kk, who was making the mango juice nearby, laughed.

“A Yan, how does it feel to fail your first time teaching a student?”

Xu Baiyan was a bit annoyed.

“Who said I failed? She was already able to stand up the last couple times. It’s just a matter of time before she learns. She just needs to come back again.”

Kk snickered.

“You sure she’ll ask for you next time?”

Xu Baiyan was stumped, looking out the window at Xia Yu sitting outside.

Of course he had to be sure—if there wasn’t a next time, it would mean he couldn’t even teach his first student. With Fang Yuan’s big mouth, his reputation would be ruined.

“But whether there’s a next time or not, you should at least say something nice. After all, you did make her cry,” Kk added.

Xu Baiyan was speechless, wanting to deny that he’d made her cry.

But when he saw the dejected girl outside, head down fiddling with her phone, he suddenly remembered the look she’d given him in the water, her eyes red and on the verge of tears.

Was he really that fierce?

He hadn’t actually scolded her, had he?