Chapter 29
As the car pulled into the seaside guesthouse, the setting sun was slowly sinking below the horizon, painting the sky a brilliant orange-red. The guesthouse owner was already waiting at the door and greeted them warmly: "Mr. Song, Mr. Chu, and everyone else, you must be tired from your journey! The rooms are all ready."
Song Mingye was carefully helped out of the car by Song Linchuan. Although he had just been diagnosed with early-stage bone cancer, looking at the boundless sea in front of him, the weariness between his brows faded a lot, and a relaxed smile appeared on his lips: "Thank you for your trouble, boss." The boss smiled and waved his hand: "No trouble at all, come in and rest. I had someone save some fresh seafood for you for dinner."
The guesthouse rooms all faced the sea, with floor-to-ceiling windows leading directly to a wooden terrace where the sound of waves could be clearly heard. Song Linchuan helped Song Mingye sit on a wicker chair on the terrace, casually picking up a thin blanket and draping it over his lap: "Brother, sit here and enjoy the sea breeze while I pack my luggage." Song Mingye nodded, his gaze following the fishing boats returning in the distance. The salty sea breeze brushed against his cheeks, gradually dispelling the tension of the past few days.
In the next room, Qi Zihao had just put down his camera bag when he eagerly pulled Chu Xiaoche outside, exclaiming, "Hurry! We'll miss the sunset!" Chu Xiaoche followed with a helpless yet indulgent expression, carrying a jacket he had prepared for Qi Zihao. The two ran towards the beach in the afterglow of the setting sun. Qi Zihao kept pressing the shutter button with his camera, while Chu Xiaoche stood behind him, shielding him from the glaring backlight. Occasionally, he would bend down to pick up a seashell and quietly slip it into Qi Zihao's pocket.
In Jiang Ziyu and Mu Nanjin's room, the art supplies were neatly arranged on the terrace. Jiang Ziyu stood before the easel, holding his brush but hesitant to move, his eyes filled with awe at the sea view. Mu Nanjin walked to his side and gently took his wrist: "Don't be nervous, take your time, I'll keep you company." Jiang Ziyu looked up at him, his nose slightly red, and softly hummed in agreement. Finally, the brush touched the paper, spreading the first shade of blue sea on the canvas.
At dinner time, the table was set up under the banyan tree in the courtyard, with warm yellow string lights hanging overhead, and the sea breeze carrying the fragrance of flowers. Fresh crabs, shrimp, and shellfish were neatly arranged on the table, along with a bowl of milky white seafood soup. Song Linchuan kept putting food on Song Mingye's plate, his eyes full of concern: "Brother, drink more soup to nourish your body." Song Mingye smiled and took the soup, then put some crab meat from his bowl on Song Linchuan's plate: "You eat too, don't just eat for me."
Chu Xiaoche skillfully peeled shrimp for Qi Zihao, piling the peeled shrimp meat into his bowl. Qi Zihao's mouth was stuffed full, and he mumbled, "Xiaoche, you eat too!" Chu Xiaoche raised an eyebrow: "I'll feed you first, then I'll eat." Mu Nanjin patiently picked out the fish bones for Jiang Ziyu. Jiang Ziyu lowered his head and ate in small bites, his ear tips turning slightly red. He would occasionally look up at Mu Nanjin with tender eyes.
After dinner, the six of them moved wicker chairs to the courtyard to look at the stars. Song Linchuan leaned on Song Mingye's shoulder, pointing at the stars and chattering, "Brother, look, that's the Big Dipper!" Song Mingye looked in the direction he was pointing, a smile playing on his lips, "Yeah, when we were little you always pestered me to take you to the mountains to see the stars." Qi Zihao leaned against Chu Xiaoche, playing with the seashells he had collected that afternoon. Chu Xiaoche lowered his head and planted a kiss on the top of his head, his voice gentle, "Do you like it here? Come often." Qi Zihao nodded vigorously, "I love it! There's the sea, the stars, and you."
Jiang Ziyu leaned against Mu Nanjin, listening quietly to their conversation, his hands gently stroking his paintbrush. Mu Nanjin noticed his silence and asked softly, "What are you thinking about?" Jiang Ziyu looked up at him, his eyes bright, "I want to paint the stars tonight and give them to everyone." Mu Nanjin smiled and reached out to ruffle his hair, "Okay, I'll go with you."
Late at night, Song Mingye lay in bed, Song Linchuan curled up beside him, breathing evenly. Song Mingye gently stroked his hair, his heart filled with warmth. The diagnosis of bone cancer was like a pebble thrown into a lake, but he didn't want to be overwhelmed by fear. At least for now, he wanted to cherish the time with his loved ones and friends. He took out his phone and quietly sent a message to Chu Xiaoche: "Order some fireworks for me tomorrow. The Lantern Festival is coming soon; I want to give everyone a surprise."
The next morning, Qi Zihao was awakened by the sound of the waves. He tiptoed out of bed, grabbed his camera, and ran to the beach, Chu Xiaoche close behind, carrying a jacket and a warm milk. The sun slowly rose from the horizon, its golden rays shimmering on the sea. Qi Zihao excitedly pressed the shutter, and Chu Xiaoche walked to his side, handing him the warm milk: "Take your time taking pictures, don't get cold." Qi Zihao turned back and smiled at him, his eyes filled with sunshine.
When Song Mingye and Song Linchuan woke up, sunlight already filled the room. Song Linchuan took Song Mingye for a walk on the beach, with Xiaobai running happily beside them. Song Mingye didn't walk fast, so Song Linchuan walked slowly alongside him, occasionally bending down to pick up a pretty seashell and handing it to him: "Brother, doesn't this look like a little fan?" Song Mingye took the seashell, running his fingertips along the patterns on it, and nodded with a smile: "Yes, everything Achuan picks is pretty."
Jiang Ziyu and Mu Nanjin sat in front of the easel on the terrace. Jiang Ziyu was intently painting the sunrise, while Mu Nanjin sat beside him, holding a book of poems and softly reading them aloud. Sunlight bathed them, creating a warm and peaceful scene. When Jiang Ziyu got tired of painting, he leaned on Mu Nanjin's shoulder to rest. Mu Nanjin gently patted his back, his voice so tender it could melt hearts.
At noon, everyone ate seafood barbecue at a roadside stall on the beach. Song Mingye had a good appetite and ate quite a few grilled shrimp and scallops. Qi Zihao excitedly took a group photo of everyone; everyone in the photo smiled brightly, the sunlight dancing on their faces. Chu Xiaoche quietly walked up to Song Mingye and whispered, "The fireworks are ordered; they'll be on the beach at seven tonight." Song Mingye nodded, his eyes full of anticipation.
In the afternoon, Song Mingye was a little tired, and Song Linchuan helped him back to the guesthouse to rest. Qi Zihao and Chu Xiaoche went to the sea to wade in the waves, their laughter echoing on the beach. Jiang Ziyu and Mu Nanjin collected seashells together. Jiang Ziyu arranged the seashells he collected into the shape of a heart, while Mu Nanjin stood aside watching him, his eyes full of doting affection.
In the evening, after Song Mingye had rested, the group took a walk on the beach. The setting sun painted the sky a fiery red, and the waves lapped against the sand, leaving a trail of footprints. Song Mingye held Song Linchuan's hand, Chu Xiaoche had his arm around Qi Zihao's shoulder, and Mu Nanjin held Jiang Ziyu's hand. The six of them walked side by side on the beach, their shadows stretched long by the setting sun.
At exactly seven o'clock, a loud "bang" suddenly rang out from the beach, and a dazzling firework bloomed in the night sky. Qi Zihao clapped excitedly, "Wow! Fireworks!" Immediately afterward, more fireworks soared into the sky, their colorful lights illuminating the entire night and everyone's faces. Song Mingye looked at Song Linchuan beside him, his eyes full of tenderness, "Do you like it?" Song Linchuan nodded vigorously, his eyes glistening with tears, "I love it! Brother, this is the most beautiful firework I've ever seen."
Jiang Ziyu leaned against Mu Nanjin's chest, watching the fireworks in the sky, a faint smile on his lips. Mu Nanjin lowered his head and placed a kiss on his forehead: "Happy Lantern Festival, Ziyu." Jiang Ziyu looked up at him, his cheeks slightly flushed: "Happy Lantern Festival, Nanjin."
Fireworks burst in the night sky, waves lapped against the beach, and the evening breeze kissed the old windowsill, bringing with it the sweet scent of lovers. Song Mingye gazed at everything before him, his heart overflowing with happiness. The shadow of bone cancer hadn't vanished, but at this moment, he only wanted to cherish the warmth before him. He knew that after the trip, he would face treatment with a positive attitude, but for now, he wanted to savor every single moment spent with his loved ones and friends.
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