Chapter 18

The second week after Chu Xiaoche was discharged from the hospital, Song Mingye suggested a trip to the beach as a welcome back party and a chance to relax after days of stress. Everyone immediately agreed, and Qi Zihao even started packing three days in advance, filling half his suitcase with cameras, lenses, and sunscreen. Chu Xiaoche smiled and helped him organize everything, also stuffing his own light jacket inside: "It's windy at the beach at night, don't get cold."

On the day of departure, just as dawn broke, the six of them boarded the car heading to the beach. Song Mingye drove, while Song Linchuan sat in the passenger seat, holding Xiaobai's cot—they had brought Xiaobai along on this trip. In the back seat, Qi Zihao leaned on Chu Xiaoche's shoulder, excitedly flipping through a beach travel guide; Jiang Ziyu and Mu Nanjin looked out the window at the scenery, occasionally whispering to each other, the sunlight streaming through the car window and bathing them in a gentle glow.

After a four-hour drive, the car finally arrived at its destination. The air by the sea was exceptionally fresh, carrying a faint salty smell. The boundless sea shimmered under the sunlight, and seagulls soared freely in the sky. "Wow, so beautiful!" Qi Zihao immediately pushed open the car door, grabbed his camera, and rushed out. Chu Xiaoche quickly followed, afraid that he would fall if he ran too fast.

Song Mingye's booked guesthouse was right by the sea; the ocean was visible just outside the window. After putting down their luggage and quickly settling in, everyone eagerly rushed to the beach. Qi Zihao, camera in hand, snapped photos incessantly, capturing every moment—from the waves and sand to the distant fishing boats and the smiles of those around him. Chu Xiaoche held an umbrella for him, occasionally bending down to pick up a pretty seashell and quietly slipping it into his pocket.

Jiang Ziyu found a quiet corner, took out his easel, and began to depict the seascape before him. Mu Nanjin sat beside him, holding a book of poems, and softly recited: "The sea cannot be hidden, the beach after the tide recedes, every grain of sand is the sea's confession..." Jiang Ziyu's brush paused, he looked up at Mu Nanjin, his eyes full of tenderness, and the waves under his brush gradually took on a gentle hue.

Song Mingye and Song Linchuan took a walk on the beach with Xiaobai. Xiaobai ran excitedly across the sand, leaving a trail of tiny footprints. Song Linchuan squatted down and built a sandcastle, while Song Mingye helped him, occasionally teasing him with sand. Watching Xiaobai's pouty face, Song Mingye felt a surge of joy. "Brother, you're so naughty!" Song Linchuan pouted, reaching out to smear sand on his face. Song Mingye laughed, grabbed his hand, and pulled him into his arms: "Naughty."

As evening fell, the setting sun painted the sky orange-red, and the sea was bathed in a golden glow. The group sat on the beach, watching the sun slowly sink below the horizon, the afterglow painting the entire sky—a breathtaking sight. "It's so beautiful!" Qi Zihao exclaimed, raising his camera to capture this magnificent moment. Chu Xiaoche hugged him from behind, resting his chin on his shoulder: "From now on, I'll bring you here to watch the sunset every year." Qi Zihao's cheeks flushed, and he nodded gently: "Okay."

Dinner was at a seaside food stall, with fresh seafood, chilled beer, and a gentle sea breeze—it was incredibly pleasant. Song Mingye picked up his glass, smiled, and said, "A toast to us, to the peace after the storm, and to every day to come." "Cheers!" everyone responded in unison, their glasses clinking together with a crisp sound.

After dinner, everyone strolled along the beach. As night deepened, the stars gradually climbed into the sky, and the waves lapped against the sand with a gentle sound. Qi Zihao suddenly stopped, turned to look at Chu Xiaoche, and said earnestly, "Chu Xiaoche, I have something to say to you."

Chu Xiaoche paused for a moment, then looked at him gently: "Go ahead."

“I was really scared when you got into this accident, scared that I would never see you again.” Qi Zihao’s voice was a little choked up. “From the time we met at the guesthouse, to watching the sunrise and the art exhibition together, and now, you have become the most important person in my life. Chu Xiaoche, I like you, not just on a whim, but because I want to spend the rest of my life with you through every spring, summer, autumn and winter.”

Chu Xiaoche's eyes instantly welled up with tears. He reached out and grasped Qi Zihao's hand, his voice firm: "Zihao, me too. Meeting you is the luckiest thing that has ever happened to me. From now on, no matter how many difficulties we encounter, I will stay by your side and never leave you."

The two embraced tightly, the sound of the waves seeming to bear witness to their love. Not far away, Jiang Ziyu watched this scene, mustered his courage, and took Mu Nanjin's hand: "Mu Nanjin, I like you too. I want to see all the scenery in the world with you, and live a simple and carefree life together."

Mu Nanjin's lips curved into a smile, his eyes filled with tenderness: "I've been waiting to say these words for a long time. Jiang Ziyu, I do."

Song Mingye and Song Linchuan stood to the side, watching them with smiles of relief on their faces. Song Mingye put his arm around Song Linchuan's shoulder and whispered in his ear, "Achuan, it's so good to have you here." Song Linchuan leaned against him and whispered back, "Brother, me too."

Little White ran happily on the beach, the waves crashed against the shore, and the stars twinkled in the sky. Four couples stood side by side on the shore, hand in hand, feeling each other's warmth, their hearts filled with happiness. They knew that there might be storms in the future, but as long as they held hands and stood together, they would surely usher in their own sunny days.

A gentle evening breeze carries the scent of the waves and the sweet confessions between lovers. Their story continues to unfold in the seaside night, a tale of tenderness and happiness, like the ceaseless waves flowing gently and enduringly through the long river of time.