After dinner in the evening, Song Mai changed into shorts and went to the beach with the man to wade in the water.
The fiery sunset, combined with the blue sea, painted the surface of the ocean a romantic crimson-purple.
By this time, the beach had become more crowded, with people gathering in small groups. Some sat on the sand chatting, while others drank and listened to the resident singer playing guitar and singing niche songs in front of a small bar not far away.
Song Mai took off her shoes and carried them in her hand, walking along the coastline into the distance.
The seawater receded and surged, creating waves that lapped at her calves. Beneath her feet lay soft, damp sand—it felt wonderful.
She invited Chu Xing to come with her, but after he refused several times, she stopped mentioning it.
She waded through the water and walked forward, while the man followed behind her, walking with her on the shore.
Have you ever been to the Forbidden City?
She tilted her head back to look at the man.
Chu Xing nodded.
"when?"
"years ago."
Song Mai stopped asking questions and turned her head to see a mobile food truck not far away, which sold ice cream and coffee.
She looked at the man excitedly: "Let's go there together!"
With that, she picked up her shoes and ran.
The man watched her retreating figure, a silent smile playing on his lips.
It seems that at this moment, this kind of vitality is what she should be like.
Song Mai bought two coffees and two ice creams from the food truck, and she handed one to Chu Xing.
The man looked at the ice cream handed to him, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly.
"You eat it."
While sucking on her strawberry-flavored ice cream, Song Mai insisted on handing it to him.
“I already have one, this one was originally bought for you.”
The man hesitated before taking it.
He doesn't like sweets and has never eaten ice cream.
Seeing Song Mai enjoying his food, he took a small bite. The milky ice cream melted in his mouth, and the coolness traveled down his throat to his chest, as if opening a small hole in the summer heat and dispelling the stuffiness.
"How about it?"
The woman looked at him with some expectation.
"good."
A woman's face immediately lit up with a happy smile when she received a man's approval.
By nightfall, the beach was already packed with people.
During the day, many people felt hot, and the beach was incredibly quiet. But now the sky was completely black, and the heat had dissipated considerably. The night breeze, carrying moisture, blew on people with a touch of coolness, making them feel extremely comfortable.
It seems that only at night can one realize that early autumn has arrived.
Torches were lit at the entrance of the tavern, and many people gathered there, singing and dancing while listening to music.
Song Mai sat on a large rock, the sea breeze tousling her hair.
She looked at the lights in the distance, a hint of longing in her eyes.
"Want to go?"
Song Mai nodded vigorously.
She truly longed for that feeling of freedom and doing whatever she wanted.
"Then let's go over there."
The man lifted his leg and walked towards the tavern.
Song Mai also climbed up from the reef and followed.
There was a barbecue stall outside the tavern, with many tables set up and a few people sitting there eating barbecue.
Song Mai sat down there, ordered some barbecue, and a bottle of plum wine. Enjoying the night breeze and watching the singing and dancing around him, he felt extremely comfortable.
Chu Xing didn't move at all; he didn't pick up a single skewer of barbecue in front of him.
Song Mai handed him a skewer of beef, which he held in his hand for a long time without eating, and then put it on his plate.
Song Mai couldn't help but wonder, "Don't you like it?"
"fine."
The man glanced at the people around him, each holding a skewer in one hand and a beer in the other, their mouths greasy, and felt a pang of unease.
It's not that he doesn't eat barbecue, it's just that he feels these kinds of stalls aren't clean.
The sanitary conditions are truly appalling.
Song Mai poured him a small glass of plum wine, but since he didn't want to eat barbecue, she didn't force him.
This was the peak she could enjoy, like stolen time, making her cherish every second.
A smile played on the woman's face as she downed glass after glass of wine, seemingly oblivious to the effects of alcohol.
Seeing that she was enjoying her drink, Chu Xing also picked up the glass and took a sip.
The strong taste of mixed alcohol and concentrated plum juice filled his mouth, and he frowned uncomfortably.
Just as the bottle was almost empty, Song Mai picked up the nearly empty bottle to pour herself another glass, but Chu Xing swiftly snatched it away before she could touch it.
"Stop drinking, or you'll get drunk."
This is no good wine at all; it's terribly cheap. She'll probably get a headache if she drinks too much.
Song Mai, however, refused. Her eyelashes fluttered, and her eyes seemed to be misty, making her look unclear.
She smiled and shook her head: "I'm not drunk, I'll just have one last drink."
But she was clearly a little drunk, her cheeks flushed, and she laughed more freely than usual.
"You're drunk, you can't drink anymore."
The woman shook her head vigorously: "No, I'm not drunk. I only had one drink, that's all."
She looked at the man as he spoke earnestly, but her tone carried a hint of shyness, as if she were pleading.
Chu Xing had no choice but to take the small wine glass in front of her and pour her a glass.
Song Mai immediately picked up the wine glass as if it were a treasure and drank the small glass of plum wine in one gulp, a hint of satisfaction in her eyes.
"Let's go back, it's getting late."
It was 9 p.m., not too early, but not too late either, and the beach was at its liveliest.
The resident singer at the pub, who used to sing love songs and rock music, was now belting out songs on a makeshift stage made of wooden planks.
The music coming from the speakers was very dynamic.
The crowd singing and dancing around the bonfire also moved to the music.
"No, it's still early, let's play a little longer."
The man was somewhat helpless, but he had no choice but to be patient.
"Song Mai, you're drunk."
Song Mai raised her little face, stubborn as ever.
"I don't."
Just then, two young girls dressed in ethnic costumes walked over and warmly invited, "Come dance with us!"
The man refused without a second thought, but Song Mai agreed and left surrounded by two girls.
There are many people dancing, from all age groups.
Song Mai couldn't dance, but she had drunk some alcohol and was slightly tipsy. Everything seemed a little unreal to her, but she felt very happy.
The crowd swayed gently to the music, thoroughly enjoying themselves.
Chu Xing didn't want to join the crowd; he always preferred quiet, and after listening to the music for a while, he found it incredibly noisy.
But she didn't want to leave, and he was worried about leaving her there alone, so he could only sit beside her and wait for her.
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