Chapter 35
The plane landed smoothly at Jeju Island Airport. A moist, slightly salty sea breeze blew in, bringing a distinctly different scent from the inland. Everything felt fresh and exciting. Ling Yao expertly handled immigration, collected his luggage, and then took Su Rui to the pre-booked car.
Instead of heading toward the high-rise hotel district, the car drove along a winding coastal road into a relatively quiet area, eventually stopping in front of a small white house with a private courtyard. The house was small and looked cozy and unique. Beyond the courtyard walls lay an endless, lush green grove of orange trees, dotted with heavy golden fruits. The air seemed to be filled with a faint, sweet, fruity fragrance.
"We... aren't we staying in a hotel?" Su Rui looked at the B&B in front of him, a little surprised. He thought Ling Yao would prefer the luxury and convenience of a hotel.
Ling Yao paid the fare, picked up his luggage, and glanced at the orange grove, which was glowing with warm light in the setting sun. His tone was casual, but with a subtle hint of emotion. "The hotel is cold and boring. Isn't this good? It's quiet, spacious, and you can pick oranges wherever you want." He paused, turned his head to look at Su Rui, and the setting sun gilded his outline. "It feels more like home."
——“More like home.”
Those three words gently struck Su Rui's heart. He looked toward the warmly lit cottage, then at Ling Yao, whose brows relaxed beside him. Suddenly, his heart softened, all doubts dissipating, leaving only a full, rising tide of tenderness. "Yeah, it's nice here," he agreed softly, his lips curling upward.
After putting down her luggage and packing up briefly, the evening breeze faded the day's heat, becoming pleasantly cool. Passing through the open window, it brought with it the richer, sweeter aroma of the orange grove. Su Rui leaned against the window, gazing out at the orchard, dyed golden red by the setting sun, her eyes filled with longing.
"Let's go out and take a look." Ling Yao pulled his wrist.
The two ran into the orange grove, one in front of the other. The low, intertwined branches of the fruit trees were laden with plump oranges, like small lanterns. The setting sun's rays filtered through the gaps between the branches, casting dappled, dancing spots of light on the ground.
It was unclear who started it, perhaps a pursuing glance, perhaps a provocative smile, but suddenly the two of them were chasing each other through the fruit trees. Su Rui smiled, nimbly dodging between the trees, while Ling Yao, relying on his long legs, closed the distance with a few strides.
"Why are you running? I can't catch you!" Ling Yao's voice was tinged with laughter, and it was particularly clear in the quiet orchard. Su Rui looked back at him, a rare and unbridled joy on her face: "We'll talk when we catch you!"
The laughter and footsteps startled returning birds. Su Rui's stamina was ultimately inferior to Ling Yao's, and after running for a while, she began to pant and slow down. Ling Yao saw the opportunity, accelerated, and with a long arm extended, he easily grabbed her from behind, hugging her waist and holding her in his arms.
"I got you." Ling Yao's breath was a little rapid, and it brushed Su Rui's ear warmly, with a triumphant smile on his face. Su Rui was tightly held in his arms, her back pressed against his warm chest. She could clearly feel his heartbeat, which was as strong as her own. Boom, boom, boom, it was hard to tell whose it was, fast and loud, beating out a consistent rhythm in the quiet evening.
After struggling for a few times and finding it futile, Su Rui smiled and collapsed in Ling Yao's arms, panting and begging for mercy: "Alright, alright... I won't run anymore... You win..."
Ling Yao didn't let go of him immediately. He continued to hug her, his chin resting lightly on the top of her head, his gaze fixed on a particularly golden orange that lay close at hand. He reached out and plucked it easily.
The arms around him loosened a little, and now they were wrapped around him from behind. Ling Yao stuffed the orange into Su Rui's hand and said, "Peel it."
Su Rui blushed slightly as she carefully peeled the orange peel. A refreshing, sweet and sour aroma instantly burst forth, filling the air between them. It was richer and more intoxicating than anything she had smelled before. The orange segments were plump, the flesh translucent.
Su Rui broke off half and subconsciously offered it to Ling Yao's lips behind him. Ling Yao took his hand, lowered his head and bit it, his warm lips accidentally brushing his fingertips. Su Rui's fingertips trembled slightly, as if struck by a weak electric current. He also broke off a piece and put it in his mouth. The sweet juice immediately exploded on his tongue, with a slight sourness that perfectly balanced the sweetness, just like the taste of a beating heart.
They stood like this under the orange tree, sharing the same orange. The setting sun stretched their shadows, interweaving them. No one spoke, only the subtle sounds of chewing the orange flesh and the sound of each other's breathing, which had not yet fully calmed.
Su Rui couldn't help but turn his head slightly, wanting to look at Ling Yao. Unexpectedly, Ling Yao was also looking down at him.
Their eyes met.
The golden sunset bathed their eyes, clearly reflecting each other's shadows and a certain, equally throbbing, tender emotion. The sweet scent of oranges blended with the clean soapy fragrance of a young man and the thriving hormones of a recent run, creating a unique, dizzying atmosphere.
Ling Yao's lips curled up into a gentle arc, and Su Rui couldn't help but smile too, her eyes curved into beautiful crescents. All words seemed superfluous. At this moment, their eyes only held each other and a tacit, heart-pounding sweetness.
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