61. Coincidentally
It was almost afternoon when the two of them finished packing.
After a quick late breakfast (or brunch, really) in the hotel restaurant, Chen Yisheng looked out the window at the rare clear winter sky and suggested, "It's nice weather, how about a walk along the beach? There's a coastal trail nearby, and it shouldn't be crowded this time of year."
Chi Jin's eyes lit up and he nodded immediately: "Okay!"
The car drove along the coastline and soon arrived at a platform with a wide sea view. Although it was a sunny day, the winter sea breeze still had a biting and penetrating power. As soon as Chi Jin got out of the car, the wind blew her neck and she subconsciously buried her face in her scarf.
Chen Yisheng naturally reached out and wrapped her slightly cold hand completely in his warm, dry palm, then stuffed them both into his coat pocket. The pocket was warm, and his fingers gently clasped hers, tightly and tightly.
"Are you cold?" he asked with his head down, his voice a little dispersed by the wind, but exceptionally gentle.
Chi Jin shook his head, his heart warmer than his hands: "Not cold."
The two of them walked slowly along the wooden plank road. The winter seaside had its own unique charm. The sky was a high, azure blue, dotted with a few wisps of cloud. The sea wasn't as clear and azure as in summer, but a deeper gray-blue. Waves rolled in, crashing against the rocks, splashing white foam and making a low, continuous roar. The air was filled with the slightly salty, cool scent of the sea.
There were indeed few tourists, with only a few tightly wrapped tourists or locals walking or fishing.
Chi Jin took a deep breath of the crisp air, feeling her heart expand. She turned her head to look at Chen Yisheng, who was concentrating on gazing at the distant horizon. His profile was particularly clear and handsome in the winter sun.
"What are you looking at?" He noticed her gaze, turned his head, and there was a smile in his eyes.
"Look at you." Chi Jin was so straightforward that he felt embarrassed and quickly turned his head to point at the sea. "Look, there are seagulls over there!"
A group of seagulls are circling and soaring over the sea, sometimes diving and sometimes making crisp calls.
Chen Yisheng chuckled softly and held her hand tightly. He didn't expose her awkward attempt to change the subject, but looked over cooperatively: "Well, they're not afraid of the cold."
As they walked, they came to the end of a large reef, smooth and smooth from the sea. Chen Yisheng jumped down first, and after stabilizing himself, he reached out to Chi Jin, "Be careful, it's slippery here."
Chi Jin held his hand and stepped carefully on the slippery reef. The two found a relatively flat large reef to sit on, with an unobstructed and magnificent sea view in front of them.
The waves surged beneath their feet, and the sea breeze blew Chi Jin's hair across Chen Yisheng's cheeks and neck, carrying a faint scent of shampoo. He naturally pulled her into his arms, using his body to shield her from most of the cold wind.
Chi Jin snuggled up to him, quietly watching the tides rise and fall, her heart at peace. The heaviness of the past seemed to be gradually diluted and melted by the vast ocean and the warmth of the people around her.
"When I was feeling down before, I would also want to go see the sea, or find a high place to stay." Chi Jin suddenly said softly, "Looking at such a vast world, I would feel that my troubles seemed to have become a little smaller."
Chen Yisheng tightened his arms around her and rubbed his chin lightly against the top of her head.
After sitting for a while, Chen Yisheng, worried she might catch a cold, suggested they keep walking. They strolled along the edge of the beach, leaving two sets of footprints side by side. Occasionally, Chi Jin would childishly step on the darker sand, wet by the waves, listening to the subtle crunching sound.
Chen Yisheng just watched her play with indulgence, his eyes full of doting.
They reached a sheltered corner, where the sun shone brightly. Chen Yisheng stopped and turned to face her, his hands still in his coat pockets, holding hers.
"Jinjin." He called her name.
"Hmm?" Chi Jin looked up and looked into his deep eyes.
The sunlight outlined his long eyelashes, casting fine shadows under his eyes. He looked so serious that Chi Jin unconsciously held his breath.
He was silent for a few seconds, as if thinking about how to phrase it. In the end, he just squeezed her hand slightly, his voice low and clear: "From now on, you can be just Chi Jin with me. You can be fragile, you can rely on me, you can have any emotions. You don't have to be so brave, it doesn't matter."
The sea breeze seemed to soften at that moment, and his words pierced Chi Jin's heart more directly than the sun, burning her eyes until they felt slightly sore. She had always tried hard to act like a strong, independent, and emotionally stable adult, especially after losing her father. But this was what it felt like to have your facade seen through and be gently told, "You don't have to be so strong."
She lowered her head to hide her red eyes, and shook his hand firmly, her voice choking a little: "...Yeah. Got it."
Chen Yisheng didn't say anything else, but just raised his other hand and rubbed her cheek very lightly and cherishingly with his fingertips.
The two continued their stroll, the atmosphere even more intimate than before. Occasionally, they'd exchange a smile, the air thick with the sweetness of honey. They'd point out a strangely shaped rock or a particularly plump seagull, whispering to each other and sharing their meaningless yet amusing discoveries.
It gets dark early in winter. Before you know it, the sun has begun to set, dyeing the sky and the sea with brilliant golden red and orange pink. The clouds are as gorgeous as an overturned palette.
"It's so beautiful." Chi Jin couldn't help but marvel at the sight of the setting sun melting into gold.
Chen Yisheng stood beside her, but he didn't look at the sunset. Instead, he looked at her profile, which was coated with a soft halo of sunset light, and responded softly, "Yeah, very beautiful."
After watching the sunset, the sea breeze temperature dropped sharply, and the two decided to return. Back in the car, turning on the heater, Chi Jin stretched comfortably.
Chen Yisheng started the car and asked, "Take you home?"
Chi Jin paused slightly as she fastened her seatbelt. The word "home" now sounded strangely... desolate and distant. She subconsciously didn't want the day to end so quickly, didn't want to return to the rental apartment.
She gave a soft "hmm" as a response.
The car was driving steadily on the coastal highway, and the city lights were gradually lighting up outside the window.
There was soothing light music playing in the car, and neither of them spoke for a while, not knowing whether it was because they were tired or because they were embarrassed to speak.
Chi Jin watched the streets speed by outside the window, silently calculating how far she was from her old, shabby little house. With every intersection, her reluctance grew. She stole a glance at Chen Yisheng as he drove. The lines of his face were unpredictable in the streetlights, and he seemed... also silent.
About three intersections away from Chijin Apartment, they encountered a long red light. Chen Yisheng stopped the car, his fingers unconsciously tapping the steering wheel.
Chi Jin twisted her fingers and finally couldn't help it. Almost at the same time, Chen Yisheng turned his head and looked at her.
They both said in unison:
"You at night..."
"Do you want to..."
They spoke at the same time, then stopped at the same time, were stunned for a moment, and then they all started laughing.
"You speak first." Chen Yisheng said with a smile in his eyes.
Chi Jin pursed his lips, a little embarrassed: "I want to ask...what are you planning to eat tonight?"
Chen Yisheng looked at her with burning eyes. "I'm thinking about it. I think there are some ingredients in the refrigerator. I was planning to go home and make something. What about you?"
"I...I haven't thought about it yet." Chi Jin said in a low voice, his heart beating a little fast.
The green light came on, and Chen Yisheng slowly started the car, but instead of going straight to Chi Jin Apartment, he naturally turned on the turn signal at the next intersection and turned into another road - that was the road to his home.
His tone was incredibly natural, as if he was simply proposing something perfectly ordinary: "How about coming over to my place? I can just make something to eat, it's better than eating out alone or ordering takeout."
Chi Jin's heart lightened, and he was finally able to relax and joke: "How can you discuss this with me? You are obviously getting farther and farther away from my home."
"It's not easy to get off a pirate ship."
"Haha, then I want to see how good the thief captain's cooking is."
"Stay tuned."
When the car drove into the underground garage of the high-end residential complex where Chen Yisheng lived, the two looked at each other and saw a tacit expectation in each other's eyes.
The elevator ascended, leaving them alone in the cramped space. The numbers kept ticking, and the atmosphere grew vaguely ambiguous. Chen Yisheng's hand naturally dropped, and he held hers again.
I opened the door and walked in. The warm central air conditioning system immediately dispelled the cold air from outside.
Chen Yisheng took off his coat and hung it up, then naturally took Chi Jin's coat and scarf and hung them up carefully.
"You didn't expect to come to my house again, did you?" Chen Yisheng smiled. "When you first met me here, did you suspect I was a boss who would harass you in the workplace?"
"No. I really thought you had a wife at that time." Chi Jin quickly glanced around. It was not much different from the last time she came, except that there was no trace of Da Bing's life.
"It turns out my acting is pretty good." Chen Yisheng said, "What would you like to drink?"
Chi Jin said nothing, but followed him into the spacious and bright open kitchen.
Chen Yisheng opened the refrigerator and looked at the stock inside. "Isn't it bad to drink cold food in winter? We just... do you want some hot milk?"
Chi Jin had already reached to the side door of the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of ice cola.
"How about some pasta? It's easy to make. I could also throw in a salad and fry up a steak."
"Sure, I can do anything." Chi Jin nodded, looking at the dazzling but neatly arranged ingredients in the refrigerator, and couldn't help but sigh: "Your refrigerator looks like a prop refrigerator in a food show... I can't tell that you are a foodie like me."
Chen Yisheng smiled and took out the necessary ingredients: "If you live alone, you can't treat yourself too badly."
"Let me help you. If the King of Hell needs anything, please tell me at any time."
He washed his hands, handed Chi Jin a clean apron, and even took the initiative to help her tie a beautiful bow.
"You are responsible for being clean and presentable and chatting with me." Chen Yisheng tied on an old apron. "I am usually alone and listen to the radio. Whatever I hear is what I listen to."
Chi Jin washed the salad greens and cherry tomatoes, while Chen Yisheng expertly seared steak and cooked pasta. The kitchen was soon filled with the enticing aroma of food and the warm clatter of spatulas.
They chatted happily, and occasionally had a serious conversation.
"Pass me the olive oil."
"Give."
"Try this sauce and see if it's tasty enough?"
Chi Jin took his hand, licked the small spoon he handed over, and nodded: "Mm, delicious."
"Be careful of the heat."
There is no deliberate clinginess, but every eye contact and every brief physical contact are filled with the intimate magnetic field unique to couples in the honeymoon period.
The air seems sweet.
When they ate, they didn't choose the same dining table as last time, but sat side by side on the high chairs at the island, shoulders touching, knees occasionally bumping.
A simple yet delicious dinner that tasted especially sweet.
"Do you remember the friend I mentioned last time when we had grilled fish? She's getting married next Saturday and she invited me to be her bridesmaid."
"Do you agree?"
"Yeah. I'm embarrassed to refuse, even though the relationship has soured."
"That's a shame. Not only will you have a hard time next Saturday, but I won't be able to see you."
"We see each other every day at work. But last time there weren't many people around. From now on, we can't sit face to face at noon. Let's sit at the next table."
"With your little dinner buddies? No. I feel uncomfortable enough without you, and now I have to see you with two boys."
"Don't we still have Ouyang Yuan?" Chi Jin quickly hooked his arm to comfort him, "Just bear with it, office romance is not encouraged."
"The lunch break is long too, we can go out for lunch."
"No! The meal allowance goes directly into the meal card! My meal allowance will be wasted if I eat out." Chi Jin firmly disagreed with the extravagant behavior of having a private meal every day.
"Okay. Let's talk about it later."
After dinner, Chen Yisheng cleared the dishes and prepared to wash them. Chi Jin wanted to help, but he pressed his shoulders and sat back on the sofa in the living room: "Special treatment for the wounded. I'll do it today."
What he called "the injured" was her "exhaustion" last night and this morning. It took Chi Jin a long time to react. Her face turned red and she grabbed a pillow and threw it at him.
Chen Yisheng smiled and let her hit him.
"I'm indeed injured." Chi Jin raised his hands, "Editor-in-Chief Chen, please help me write the manuscript."
"I'm sorry, but Editor-in-Chief Chen is no longer the editor-in-chief. He doesn't have to contribute to every issue now," Chen Yisheng added with a smile. "Once Editor Xiaochi has cultivated for another 49 years, it will be time for him to retire."
"Stop talking, I really want to retire now." Chi Jin fell on the sofa.
Chen Yisheng gently threw the pillow back and let her have a good rest while he quickly finished the kitchen chores.
He walked over and, without turning on the main light, only turned on a floor lamp next to the sofa. The warm yellow light created a quiet and lazy atmosphere. He sat down beside her, and the sofa sank softly.
He naturally took her into his arms and let her lean on him. Chi Jin adjusted a comfortable position and rested her head on his shoulder.
The TV was on, playing an insignificant old movie, but no one was watching it seriously. Chi Jin played with his slender fingers, while he lowered his head and gently rubbed her hair with his chin.
The air was filled with a peaceful and contented atmosphere. No need for excessive words, just cuddling together, feeling each other's body temperature and heartbeat, was enough to fill the entire night.
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