Chapter Twenty-Seven

During their time in Tahiti, Su Xian and Lin Zhiyuan were the only two people on the island besides the staff. They went diving and whale watching together; he taught her how to fish and took her boating on the coral reefs; she played tennis and went cycling with him; they hiked and birdwatched with guides and bathed in the seawater and fine white sand of the lagoon; if they were feeling lazy and woke up late, they would stay in the cabin chatting and reading. Once, Su Xian begged Lin Zhiyuan to read the book he was holding to her, and she ended up falling asleep until dawn.

Of course, there's another thing. Su Xian doesn't know why Lin Zhiyuan has so much energy. Her somewhat conservative mentality, which she had always only wanted to do this in the room or in bed, has been gradually won over by him. For Lin Zhiyuan, any place can become a battlefield.

In the steamy bathroom, he pinned her against the sink. The large floor-to-ceiling mirror reflected his every move. Su Xian caught a glimpse of her own pleasure in the mirror, and for a moment she was so ashamed that she dared not look up again.

Under the eaves where raindrops formed lines, she and he kissed on a deck chair. She coaxed him into coming inside, but he lifted her up and sat her down without saying a word. The sudden fullness made her scalp tingle. He held her waist and, under his guidance, she indulged herself.

Hidden in the canoe under the shade of a tree, the sunlight shining through the gaps in the leaves onto her face was dazzling. If she moved even slightly, the boat would rock. She could only let him lie on top of her and slowly caress her. The affair became more exciting because of the fear of capsizing.

Su Xian once thought she wasn't particularly enthusiastic about this, but Lin Zhiyuan made her realize that wasn't the case. Whether it was the enjoyment each time or the tenderness of cuddling together afterward, she truly savored it under his guidance.

On our last night before leaving, the table was set on the beach, adorned with pink hibiscus flowers picked that morning. The Mahi-Mahi fish on the plate, roasted with Tahitian herbs, exuded a sweet aroma.

Thinking about leaving tomorrow, Su Xian suddenly felt a little lost and had no appetite. She ate a few bites of each dish and then put down her knife and fork. As a result, she didn't eat much dinner, but she drank quite a lot of red wine.

The warm yellow light from the ground lamps illuminated the wooden boardwalk, outlining two figures walking on it. Lin Zhiyuan held her hand, accompanying her on a aimless stroll.

These past few days, she's sometimes had this illusion that they've been together for a long time.

He knew her preferences, just like the Mahi-Mahi for dinner tonight was a dish she loved when she first arrived in Tahiti. He was considerate, just like now, knowing she was feeling down, he quietly stayed by her side.

Is this kind of understanding related to his past romantic experiences? Perhaps he treats his ex-girlfriends the same way. Does he treat himself any differently?

Su Xian felt inexplicably irritated and absentmindedly followed Lin Zhiyuan until she saw light and realized they were almost at the cabin.

Lin Zhiyuan led her through the floor-to-ceiling window into the room. He took out his phone from his pocket and pressed a few buttons, and soothing music started playing from the speakers on the living room table.

Su Xian couldn't tell what kind of music it was, but it felt very warm and cozy.

"Is something on your mind?" Lin Zhiyuan gently brushed the stray hairs from her forehead. Su Xian stared at him blankly. His eyes were always so gentle and affectionate. She wondered if he looked at other women the same way.

"Didn't I tell you that you must tell me if anything happens?" Lin Zhiyuan pulled her into his arms.

Su Xian couldn't bring herself to voice these chaotic thoughts. She had been very happy these past few days, experiencing a rare period of relaxation and joy in her more than 20 years of life. But happiness always comes to an end, and perhaps before long, she too would become one of his ex-girlfriends.

Su Xian leaned silently on Lin Zhiyuan's shoulder, and only a low sigh could be heard.

Lin Zhiyuan placed his hand on her waist, leading her to dance to the rhythm of the music. The dance was slow, not concerned with movements or steps, but simply about being close to each other.

Su Xian's gaze fell on the hand resting on his shoulder, the star and moon ring on her index finger sparkling under the light. She loved this ring, only taking it off when sleeping or filming. After that night, the star and moon had never been separated.

On that moonlit night, Lin Zhiyuan said he didn't dwell on the past or look to the future, only valuing the present. When she decided to be with him, she had also decided to follow her heart, but tonight she was trapped by these delusional thoughts.

In the future, she and he will only become a memory for each other, so why worry about losing each other?

Su Xian moved the corners of her mouth, silently mocking herself, and affectionately rubbed her forehead against Lin Zhiyuan's shirt.

"I was just feeling a little reluctant because I was thinking about leaving tomorrow."

"Are you reluctant to leave this place, or reluctant to part with me?"

Su Xian curved her lips into a smile. "Guess."

"If you can't bear to leave me, then move to the hillside and live with me."

"I often need to get my hair styled, and there are a lot of people around, so it's inconvenient."

"Then I'll stay in your little courtyard."

"My house is too small to accommodate you."

"I only need half of your bed." Lin Zhiyuan paused, then whispered in her ear, "Maybe even less, we can try..."

Lin Zhiyuan's voice grew softer and softer, but Su Xian's face grew hotter and hotter. She raised her hand to pinch his arm, but he dodged it.

Lin Zhiyuan released her and walked to the stereo to turn off the music. Su Xian stood outside the French windows, where she could see the full moon in the sky.

Lin Zhiyuan wrapped his arms around her from behind, and the clenched fist that appeared in front of her suddenly opened, and an exquisite necklace fell from her palm.

Beneath the heart-shaped clasp studded with tiny diamonds hangs a perfectly round black pearl, which shimmers with a blue-green light under the illumination, as dazzling as peacock feathers.

"This necklace isn't particularly valuable, but the black pearl is 13 millimeters in size and has a near-perfect peacock color, making it one of the best pearls from Daxi Real Estate in recent years."

Lin Zhiyuan unfastened the necklace and put it around her neck.

“When we get back, if we’re both in Hong Kong, you can stay at my place. If you have an event the next day and need to get your hair and makeup done, I’ll stay at your place.”

"If you go to another city to film, I'll visit the set like last time, okay?"

“But that will make you very busy.” Su Xian knew he was also very busy, and he had been receiving work calls from time to time these past few days, but he would end the calls as soon as possible just for her. “Actually, you don’t need to make special arrangements for me.”

"Silly girl, this isn't about giving in. I also want to see you often."

Su Xian felt a surge of tenderness in her heart; his love was like a gentle spring, nourishing her little by little.

He showered her neck and earlobes with soft, delicate kisses. “That night on the yacht, you were wearing this nightgown, your face flushed from the wine. You looked so alluring. I wanted to hold you in my arms like this right then and there.”

Su Xian's body felt weak and limp as she leaned against him, her voice trembling, "So you were lustful at first sight."

"Didn't you?" Lin Zhiyuan nudged her gently from behind. "You glanced at me several times."

"No," Su Xian said, feeling ashamed and indignant.

Lin Zhiyuan chuckled softly, "If there isn't even this initial thought, how can there be any feelings later on?"

Lin Zhiyuan carried her to the bed, and Su Xian hooked her arms around his neck and kissed him. She said he was lustful at first sight, but in fact she felt the same way.

The tender, lingering kiss seemed to last forever; both he and she were impatient.

"Xiaoxian, we've run out of that."

The hoarse voice brought Su Xian back to her senses somewhat, and she gently shook her head.

"I have a physical exam every year..."

"It's still not safe."

Lin Zhiyuan frowned slightly, but quickly understood what she meant. A sly smile flashed in his eyes. "Aren't you taking your medicine?"

"It's not because of that." Su Xian was quite embarrassed and annoyed. She had indeed been taking Yousiyue, but only to regulate her menstrual cycle.

"Okay, okay." Lin Zhiyuan kissed her lips. "Xiaoxian, I want to possess you without reservation."

"If we really have a child, I only hope it will be with you."

How much credibility can be found in vows made in bed?

But Lin Zhiyuan's gaze was so deep and focused that Su Xian couldn't tell whether he was sincere or not.

Her hands were pinned above her head by one of his hands, her head buried in the pillow, and her pitiful rationality was no match for his temptation.

"Call me by my name," Lin Zhiyuan insisted.

The black pearl between her fair collarbones floated up and down like a small boat. Su Xian's mind went blank, and a tear even welled up in the corner of her eye.

Su Xian clung tightly to Lin Zhiyuan's embrace, as if she never wanted to be separated from him.