The second time Xia Yu boarded the Wake Boat with Xu Baiyan, her feelings were a bit complicated.
First of all, she was a little relieved, because this time it was completely free.
Secondly, she was still nervous.
The embarrassment from the first time left her with lingering fear, making her fully realize that Surfing was not an easy thing.
What if she failed again this time?
The Coach would be furious, right…
Xia Yu couldn’t imagine how dark his expression would be if that happened.
“Do you still remember all the basic moves I taught you before?”
After the boat reached the designated spot, the Coach on the other side—who might very well blacken his face—asked.
Xia Yu swallowed lightly and nodded, “I remember everything.”
“Alright, you can get in the water now.”
“Okay…”
Xia Yu took a few steps, then stopped again, “Coach.”
Xu Baiyan lowered his gaze, “What’s wrong?”
“If I can’t stand up later, could you… not get mad?”
Xu Baiyan: “…”
“It’s just that if you get angry, I’ll get even more nervous.”
Xu Baiyan narrowed his eyes, “Do I look like someone who gets angry that easily?”
Not sure.
Last time, even though he didn’t seem angry, her experience wasn’t great.
Xia Yu said awkwardly, “I mean… I hope you won’t get mad.”
Xu Baiyan snorted a laugh, “Then do your best. Go on, get in.”
“…Okay.”
Today, Xia Yu was still wearing the black Wetsuit she bought before, covering her up tightly.
After getting into the water, she followed her memory to get into the starting position—arms straight, gripping the board, front foot in the center, back foot near the tail, arching her foot…
Meanwhile, Xu Baiyan sat at the stern, his calm and stern gaze like an unfeeling judge.
“Listen to me carefully in a moment. Even when the boat’s moving, pay attention to my voice. Don’t get nervous or distracted, understand?”
Xia Yu felt like he was betting his “teaching career” on her, so she nodded seriously.
But Xu Baiyan was still not at ease.
He repeated all the details once more before letting Fang Yuan start the boat.
As the boat moved, the waves began to swell, and Xia Yu once again felt the resistance beneath her feet.
“…Tighten your core, press your hands down… focus on your front foot… squat, don’t stand, that’s right…”
This time, she listened to Xu Baiyan’s instructions very seriously and followed his guidance, but maybe because she wasn’t used to being in the water yet, after paddling for a bit, she still fell in.
She didn’t dare look at Xu Baiyan.
When the boat came back, she obediently returned to the front of the board, got ready, and prepared for the next attempt.
“Right wave, go.”
The spray came at her again…
The second time, the third time…
Each time she managed to stand up, she couldn’t last long before falling back into the water.
When she emerged from the water for the third time, dripping wet, Xia Yu felt the same frustration as last time.
And also a trace of panic.
She bit her lip lightly and looked up at the Wake Boat approaching from afar, and at the man in black at the stern of the Yacht.
She felt like she might as well just sink into the sea.
But the Life Vest wouldn’t allow her to do that, so she could only watch Xu Baiyan get closer and closer, until he finally stopped in front of her.
Xia Yu was a bit scared, afraid he would say something unpleasant.
But she couldn’t do anything to stop it, so she just kept quiet.
Xu Baiyan stood at the stern for a long moment, deep in thought, replaying why she had fallen in just now.
Most likely, she was gripping the rope too tightly, making her core unstable?
Yes, that’s it. If she hadn’t leaned forward, there wouldn’t have been a problem this time.
Looks like she let his words go in one ear and out the other again.
Xu Baiyan frowned, unable to resist wanting to scold her for “falling in again.”
But when he lowered his gaze, he saw the person in the water, dripping wet, her hair, her eyelashes… even her eyes.
Did she get water in her eyes?
No, that was her own watery shine, looking so pitiful.
He hadn’t said anything yet, and she was already about to cry?
Realizing this, Xu Baiyan’s expression changed just a little.
He had absolutely no experience comforting people, but what did Fang Yuan say before…
Students need encouragement, comfort, and their confidence has to be boosted.
After all, she was his first Student, and as a Teacher, he should do this.
But what should he say?
Xu Baiyan felt awkward, so when he finally squatted down, he looked like he wanted to speak but hesitated.
From Xia Yu’s perspective, he really looked like he was holding back some harsh words.
Her heart jumped, “Coach… I’m sorry!”
Her eyes looked even more watery.
Xu Baiyan took a shallow breath and stiffly patted her shoulder, carefully choosing his words, “You fell in very lightly this time, you did great.”
Xia Yu: “…”
Fang Yuan in the distance: “?”
“And just now, you already stood up. You just leaned forward for a few seconds and lost your balance, could you feel that?”
Xu Baiyan, feeling he’d encouraged her enough, started analyzing.
Xia Yu gave a muffled “mm.”
“Don’t cry yet, I wasn’t even harsh with you. Let’s review now, to prevent the same problem next time.”
“I’m not crying.”
Xia Yu widened her eyes and said seriously, “Coach, I’m not that much of a crybaby.”
“Not a crybaby? Last time your eyes were red, this time they’re all watery again. If you’re not a crybaby, who is? Alright, get ready to go again. This time, keep your core steady and watch me.”
Xu Baiyan gestured for her to get into position.
Xia Yu opened her mouth, but didn’t even have time to argue before hurriedly grabbing the board.
“Fang Yuan, right wave.”
“Alrighty.”
The Wake Boat started up.
Xia Yu had no time to be discouraged and immediately focused all her attention.
When the wave swelled, she seized the moment and stepped onto the board!
“Squat. Don’t stand yet, keep steady…”
Xia Yu listened to Xu Baiyan’s voice, balancing her body.
“Good, slowly stand up, weight on your front foot, throttle…”
Xu Baiyan adjusted the angle of the tow rope, “Yes, just like that… look at me.”
With the experience from the previous attempts, Xia Yu finally found her balance this time.
The Surfboard glided over the waves, and she didn’t fall.
She didn’t fall?!
“Co-Coach—”
“I see you, keep it up, look this way!”
Xu Baiyan stood and held the rope, his voice deep, “Xia Yu, look at me.”
Look at him.
Look at him.
Xia Yu’s heart pounded like a drum, as if it was going to jump out.
Her gaze followed his voice, and she saw Xu Baiyan standing not far away.
He was bundled up tightly, the hood of his jacket pulled over his baseball cap, the zipper all the way up, covering half his chin.
Because of this, his eyes were especially noticeable—a light brown, reflecting the blue of the sea and sky.
…So nice to look at.
Xia Yu knew she shouldn’t get distracted at a time like this, but somehow she was drawn to those eyes.
No, no, focus, focus!
She forced herself to treat Xu Baiyan as a pole, staring at that pole to keep her direction.
“Now try letting go with one hand.”
Xia Yu held her breath and let go with one hand.
Still gliding!
She couldn’t help but cheer, “Coach, I did it!”
The girl was so happy she couldn’t hide her excitement, her eyes curved with joy, as if she’d accomplished something earth-shattering, making others want to celebrate with her.
So Xu Baiyan’s lips curled slightly, and he gave her some appropriate encouragement, “Mm, this time was very good.”
As he spoke, he picked up his phone and took a few photos of her, then switched to video mode.
“I’m filming you, let go with the other hand too.”
Xia Yu understood, and completely released the tow rope.
The rope was taken in, and she bent slightly on the board, but still managed to stay balanced.
She did it—she was really Surfing behind the Yacht!
So this is what Surfing feels like—breaking free from a dull cage, adrenaline soaring, feeling like you’re flying across the vast ocean, free as can be!
“Coach! Did I really, really succeed this time?!”
“Mm, yes.”
Xu Baiyan filmed her with his phone, “Don’t get cocky, be careful you’ll—”
Splash.
After gliding for a while, Xia Yu heroically plunged into the water.
Xu Baiyan paused, then chuckled, as if he’d expected it, and finished his sentence, “Be careful you’ll fall in again.”
With this success, Xia Yu tried several more times afterward, and each time she lasted a bit longer after letting go of the rope.
She suddenly felt the fun of Surfing, and even on the way back to the Yacht, she was still savoring the experience.
“Coach, I’m not bad, right? I think I’ll do even better next time.”
“I’ve found my balance, I know how to keep steady now.”
“I think Surfing is so much fun, next time I’ll bring my friends to try it too.”
***
On the way back to Summer, Xia Yu rarely chattered away by his side.
Xu Baiyan, also in a good mood for once, sent a message to the Group Chat where Cheng Li, He Jiasen, and the others were: [Taught a student, easy as pie]
He Jiasen: [Bro, you seem the least qualified to say that]
Cheng Li: [Did Xia Yu learn it?]
Kk: [You took her Surfing, huh?]
Xu Baiyan: [@浪里小森, I’m not qualified? Fang Yuan hasn’t told you? My student can already let go of the rope.]
Xu Baiyan: [@大船长小方, come out and say something, why so quiet this time?]
Xu Baiyan: [Yes, I took her Surfing. With me teaching, how could she not learn? [smile]]
Cheng Li: [thumbs up]
Fang Yuan: [Here, here, I can vouch for it, our Baiyan was super gentle this time~]
Kk: [Hahaha, did you help her take photos?]
***
Of course, Xu Baiyan didn’t forget the photo-taking part. Many people come to play Wake Boat just for the great photos—it’s part of the package service.
“You want both the photos and videos, right?” He turned to ask the person next to him.
Xia Yu nodded, “Yes, I want them as a keepsake.”
Saying that, she quickly brought up her WeChat QR Code, “Scan this.”
After she spoke, she realized something and started to pull her phone back.
Xu Baiyan glanced at her, “Are you giving it or not?”
A second ago, Xia Yu felt she was being a bit forward, because she could also send them via AirDrop without adding WeChat.
After all, some people don’t like strangers in their private space.
“Is it okay if I add you?” Xia Yu hesitated, looking up at Xu Baiyan.
Their eyes met, and at this distance, his pupils were clearly visible. Xia Yu suddenly felt awkward and looked away, “Or, AirDrop is fine—”
Beep.
The sound of a phone scanning a code.
When Xia Yu looked again, Xu Baiyan had already accepted the friend request and put away his phone.
“I’ll send them to you when we get back.”
“Ah… okay.”
***
Back at Summer, Xia Yu went out for lunch.
Not long after eating, Kk returned.
She drove Xia Yu to the hospital for the Health Certificate exam, then went with her to check out of her current Homestay, and helped her move her large suitcase to her new place.
Kk’s Homestay was quite big, with a pure white exterior and a large courtyard, which even had a small pool.
Xia Yu was especially satisfied with the place.
There were about twenty rooms, and hers was on the third floor. From the balcony, she could even see the distant coastline.
After a busy day and an hour of Surfing, her body finally felt the fatigue.
Once Kk left, she flopped onto the bed, enjoying the sunlight creeping halfway across the floor.
Ding.
Ding ding ding ding…
Suddenly, her phone chimed continuously.
Xia Yu picked it up and saw that it was Xu Baiyan, whom she’d just added, sending her a bunch of photos, including two videos.
She’d been running around all afternoon and almost forgot about the photos!
Xia Yu opened them one by one.
Hmm… the photos weren’t great—either the angle was weird, or her expression management failed.
Guess you really can’t count on guys to take good pictures.
But thankfully the video was good. In a long clip, she could find more than ten seconds of herself gliding skillfully over the waves.
Oh my god, is that her?
She looked so cool!
Xia Yu was so excited she watched herself Surfing over and over, even forwarded it to Lin Ying.
It was a long while before she remembered she hadn’t replied to Xu Baiyan.
She had to thank him for today’s free lesson.
If he hadn’t “forced” her, maybe she really wouldn’t have tried Surfing again.
[Coach, got them, thank you!]
Xu Baiyan didn’t reply immediately, so while waiting, Xia Yu tapped into his profile.
His avatar was a black-and-white corner of a Surfboard, looking pretty simple.
His name was just an “x.”
Moments… empty, no content.
It matched the impression he gave—kind of cool and distant.
Xia Yu thought for a moment, Nickname: Cold Coach.
[Wow, so cool! You did it!]
Just then, Lin Ying replied.
Xia Yu switched over: [Yeah, once you get the hang of it, it’s not that hard!]
Lin Ying: [Why’d you suddenly go again, was it with that handsome coach you mentioned?]
Xia Yu: [Yeah, it was him. Because I didn’t learn it last time, he said he’d give me one free session, guaranteed to teach me. And I really did learn.]
Lin Ying: [No way, really?]
Xia Yu: [Yeah, he seems a little hard to approach, but actually he’s pretty nice. Maybe I misunderstood him before.]
Lin Ying: [Handsome and kind-hearted! That’s awesome! Go for it, girl, forget about Song Yu’an, have a Romantic Summer Love with the handsome coach!]
Xia Yu hadn’t expected Lin Ying to say that.
She froze, and Xu Baiyan’s eyes flashed through her mind, paired with the words “Romantic Summer Love”…
How terrifying!
Her face flushed red in an instant, and she quickly replied: [What nonsense are you spouting]
Lin Ying: [I’m not spouting nonsense, Song Yu’an and the person he likes have already Double Flight for Lovers, why are you still hung up on him? Yu, don’t waste your youth on a Crush! That’s not trendy anymore! Enjoy love, go wild for once!]
The person he likes, Double Flight for Lovers.
Xia Yu’s heart clenched hard.
She was silent for a moment, put down her phone, and stared at the ceiling.
The person she liked already had someone else by his side—she really couldn’t keep thinking about him…
As for love, going wild?
What a joke…
Words like that could never appear in her calm and uneventful life.