Chapter 57 Playing at the Beach
Due to time constraints, the concert could only be organized in the large fountain plaza below the Holiday Inn.
It was a rare leisure activity in the post-apocalyptic world, and almost everyone in Luozhou came, standing in twos and threes in the middle of the square. Out of some degree of wariness about the apocalypse, people did not crowd together as usual, but instead kept some distance from each other.
The Li family had sent people to keep a close watch on the crowd's restlessness.
The stage was built very high so that the singing could be heard.
There were no flowers, no colorful lights, no waving cheering sticks; on stage were young, inexperienced high school girls, and below were somewhat indifferent residents.
On a clear, sunny afternoon, Bai Tao gripped the microphone tightly, looking at the dense, ant-like crowd in the square, her palms sweating profusely.
In her panic, she looked around and caught a glimpse of Sister Zhuohua and Tang Zhao cheering her on from the side of the stage. The little bit of helplessness in her heart was blown away by the late spring wind.
——
When the first syllable traveled out of the square on the wind, Bai Chenzhu by the sea felt that familiar spiritual power.
He didn't go to the concert. Bai Tao's singing was effective not only against zombies but also against people with superpowers. He was extremely sensitive to mental energy, so much so that going to Bai Tao's concert was self-torture.
In fact, back in his previous life, he had always dreamed of saving money to travel, to escape from his boring, tedious, and tedious job, and to run far away to enjoy the wind and freedom.
Ironically, he never achieved his dream until the moment of his death.
Once you get here, the apocalypse will arrive. You'll be preoccupied with basic physiological needs like eating, drinking, and relieving yourself. Just surviving will be a luxury. Where will you find the leisure to travel?
Unexpectedly, I ended up in Naju, a famous tourist destination, by accident.
Because everyone went to the concert thanks to the Li family's promotion, the beach was almost deserted, leaving only the remnants of a bygone holiday scene: dolphin statues bathed in sunlight, coconut trees swaying gently in the breeze, and colorful graffiti on sailing equipment…
He took off his shoes and walked on the beach, childishly stepping on the white waves.
One after another.
Occasionally, some mutated fish would chase after him, only to be kicked back into the sea. He shielded his eyes from the light and looked up, where mutated seabirds circled overhead, watching him intently and calling out from time to time.
Ignoring their ugly appearance, they are a kind of beautiful scenery. Bai Chenzhu thought to himself, amusing himself.
He couldn't swim and looked around, but there didn't seem to be anything for him to do. So he just waded in the water for a bit, then found a big rock, sat cross-legged, and stared blankly into space.
The wind ruffled his shoulder-length black hair, the gold pendant by his ear, and the hem of his white robe. Bai Chenzhu brushed a stray hair from his forehead with one hand and looked into the distance.
A variety of trivial things flashed before his eyes. He suddenly wondered how Bai Tao's concert was going. Were there any new zombies or new superhumans? But he didn't want to force himself to watch it.
"Hello!"
A voice came from behind.
Bai Chenzhu's lowered eyelashes trembled; without turning around, she knew who it was. "Why are you here?"
"That's strange. You don't go to the concert, but you ask me why I don't go?" Jiang Ye came over familiarly. Of all the places, he had to squeeze onto Bai Chenzhu's rock and stand at an angle next to the big rock.
He crossed his arms and gazed at the sea. "I've noticed you really enjoy looking at the sea. Ever since you came to Luozhou, every time you walk along the beach, you stare at the sea for a long time."
Bai Chenzhu responded softly, "I've seen many mountains, but rarely the sea."
"Oh, I see? So you've never tried any water sports?"
Bai Chenzhu unbuttoned a button and casually replied, "Yes, Young Master Jiang must have come here quite often."
"Of course." Jiang Ye smiled smugly, kicked a small stone on the beach into his pocket, and pulled Bai Chenzhu down. "Get down, young master, I'll take you out to play today."
"Where are we going?" Bai Chenzhu used the pull on his arm to get off the big rock. Jiang Ye was running very fast, and he was pulled along, staggering. "Where are we going?"
Jiang Ye led him to a dock where many different kinds of boats were moored. Bai Chenzhu glanced at them but didn't recognize any of them and couldn't name them.
Jiang Ye let go of his hand and started looking for something on the dock, pressing left and right.
Nowadays, who has the mind to do water sports? Perhaps the owners are no longer around. Some boats are peeling off from the sun, and others are covered in dust.
Jiang Ye selected a red and black motorboat, found two old life jackets, and threw them at Bai Chenzhu, saying, "Put them on, I'll take you for a ride."
"...Is it not dangerous?" Bai Chenzhu was tempted, but his fear of the sea held him back.
"Tsk, who do you think I am? Would I lie to you? There's no danger at all. It's just like taking a motorcycle ride and seeing the scenery. We won't go too far, and we'll be back soon." Jiang Ye clenched his fist, pointed at himself, and smiled confidently.
Bai Chenzhu put on his life jacket, swallowed hard, and walked to the riverbank. "Where should I sit?"
Jiang Ye pushed a motorboat hard, and as it went into the water, he stepped on. "Come on, sit in front of me. I'll hold you up so you won't fall into the sea."
Bai Chenzhu was still very concerned about his image, so he said, "I'll sit in the back."
"Are you sure?" Jiang Ye's expression was somewhat strange.
Bai Chenzhu replied confidently, "What? I'm tall, it's not appropriate for me to be encircled by you, can't I sit in the back?"
“Sure, of course. But you have to hold on tight, or don’t blame me if you fall,” Jiang Ye, who was also tall, said with a grin.
Jiang Ye's words made Bai Chenzhu regret his words, but it was impossible for him to say that he should sit in the front now.
Jiang Ye's boat was very close to the dock. He waved to him and said, "Come here."
Bai Chenzhu glanced at the distance, took two steps back, accelerated, and landed steadily behind Jiang Ye. He hugged Jiang Ye's waist tightly, and the scent of another person suddenly filled his face and head. The motorboat rose and fell on the sea, and his heart pounded.
Jiang Ye started the engine, and the motorboat moved slowly on the sea, rising and falling with the waves.
It was indeed quite relaxing, not exciting, and didn't seem dangerous. Bai Chenzhu slowly relaxed.
Jiang Ye explained to him, "It hasn't been turned on for too long, let it run for a while and warm up."
"Um."
The sun felt warm on his skin, and Bai Chenzhu squinted, feeling a little sleepy.
Jiang Ye started the engine, and the motorboat shot forward like an arrow in an instant, almost suffocating Bai Chenzhu.
"Wow~" Jiang Ye exclaimed happily, twisting the throttle to the floor. The jet ski kicked up white waves, and the whole boat rocked and swayed, twisting and turning on the sea, looking like it was about to fly off at any moment.
Bai Chenzhu was so frightened that she immediately hugged him tightly.
"Jiang Ye!" Bai Chenzhu shouted.
Jiang Ye excitedly turned on the stereo, and the cheerful music burst forth, drowning out Bai Tao's faint singing from afar.
Bai Chenzhu's soul has flown away.
Jiang Ye spun him around and around like a pro, drawing a snail shell pattern on the sea surface. The speed was so fast that the wind made him squint and unable to see clearly ahead, only the dazzling ball of light in the sky and the shimmering sea.
Several times, Bai Chenzhu felt like he was about to be thrown off, the thumping music was practically an external sound of his heartbeat.
On one even more outrageous occasion, the entire motorboat shot up from the sea like an arrow, startling Bai Chenzhu so much that he stopped breathing for a few seconds. Just when it seemed like the boat was about to capsize and crash into the sea, it landed steadily on the surface of the sea in the next second.
"Jiang Ye!" Bai Chenzhu called out several times, and Jiang Ye responded, but he couldn't hear what Jiang Ye said. He could only see the veins bulging on Jiang Ye's hand as he twisted the accelerator, hear his somewhat heavy breathing, and hear his heart beating strongly and steadily.
Suddenly, Jiang Ye stood up. Bai Chenzhu was startled and quickly stood up after him. The two of them swayed and stood on the speeding motorboat, like riding horses. The sound of the waves and loud music filled their ears. The white waves on both sides turned into white vapor and rushed backward like a pair of snow-white wings.
The jet ski kept tilting its nose upward, the wind howling. Every time Bai Chenzhu thought it was going to capsize, Jiang Ye was able to control the jet ski like he was riding a wild beast, and forcefully brought it back down.
With his heart pounding so hard, Bai Chenzhu felt completely numb, and his hands were also numb from exerting too much force. He began to get used to the sea breeze, the sun, the music, and Jiang Ye's carefree surfing, and he didn't even know when he had adapted to the rhythm.
Even if he falls into the sea, he'll accept it; after all, he got on that pirate ship.
The moment the motorboat came ashore, Bai Chenzhu vowed never to go out to sea with Jiang Ye again.
"Having a blast, huh!" Jiang Ye turned around, still quite pleased with himself. He turned the key on his life jacket and stepped off the boat. Bai Chenzhu's arms had gone numb from holding him for so long, and he didn't have time to pull back. He was pulled off the boat by Jiang Ye, and he stumbled, almost landing face-first on the ground.
Jiang Ye quickly caught him and hugged his shoulders. Bai Chenzhu fell on top of him, forming a tight, seamless embrace.
"Are you alright?" Jiang Ye, who had been having a great time, belatedly felt a little guilty. "I'm a very skilled swimmer, I promise I won't fall into the sea."
Bai Chenzhu had no interest in arguing with him and said listlessly, "I can tell."
Jiang Ye thought he was being praised and was overjoyed.
Bai Chenzhu was exhausted and buried himself in Jiang Ye's arms, too lazy to move. "Let me lean on you for a while."
Jiang Ye responded twice, then put his arm around Bai Chenzhu's shoulder and sat down on the long bench beside him. Bai Chenzhu blew on his red fingers. Jiang Ye looked down at his life jacket with a puzzled expression.
Good heavens, Bai Chenzhu has practically torn my waist to shreds.
Jiang Ye felt a chill run down his spine. He tried to recall the process and thought that Bai Chenzhu should have had a lot of fun with him. He must have been so happy that he couldn't help but hug her so tightly.
"Jiang Ye," Bai Chenzhu called out softly.
"Here!" Jiang Ye straightened up immediately, just like when his name was called on by a teacher.
Bai Chenzhu opened his mouth, wanting to get angry, but not knowing where to begin. In the end, he was filled with helplessness and ended up laughing at himself. He paused, then said tactfully, "Haven't you ever mentored anyone before?"
Has no one commented on your skills? They're good, you keep showing off your skills, but your peers think they're terrible.
Jiang Ye raised his chin. "Hmph, they're not worthy of riding on my boat."
Bai Chenzhu: ...
That would be my honor.
Jiang Ye glanced at Bai Chenzhu again and blinked. "I just wanted to take you for a drive. Didn't you have enough fun?"
Since the other party meant well, Bai Chenzhu could only wipe his face and say against his will, "No, I'm quite happy."
His heart was still beating, so fast that his hands were shaking, and he felt he might need an ambulance.
——
After resting for a while, Jiang Ye got up, stretched, yawned, and pointed to the golden sunset on the sea. "A-Zhu, now is the best time to see the sea. Let's walk back together."
It was almost evening, and the fountain square was probably almost closed. Bai Chenzhu estimated the time and knew it was time to go back.
Jiang Ye tilted his head to look at him, then suddenly asked teasingly, "Are you feeling better now? Do you need me to carry you back?"
Bai Chenzhu smiled and gave him a light kick to the shin as a response.
Jiang Ye shrugged. "Let's go then."
Bai Chenzhu took off his life jacket, his back covered in cold sweat. A gust of wind made him sneeze. Jiang Ye put the life jacket back on him, saying, "Take it off slowly, or you'll catch a cold."
They both know how troublesome it is to be sick now.
Bai Chenzhu nodded.
Jiang Ye led the way, walking very slowly. Bai Chenzhu followed him at a leisurely pace, and seeing Jiang Ye's nonchalant, hand-in-pocket manner, and then looking at his own exhausted state, the contrast was stark.
How dazzling! Bai Chenzhu stopped and looked at the salted egg yolk on the sea surface, squinting at the light. The golden light jumped into his eyes, making him feel warm and refreshed. As the spring breeze blew, he became energetic again.
Bai Chenzhu looked ahead. Jiang Ye hadn't gone far. Instead, he turned back to look at him, standing casually with his hands in his pockets.
Bai Chenzhu could clearly see his neat short hair and deep-set features.
This person always loved to wear brightly colored clothes, saying that the clothes made in the late apocalypse were all black, white, and gray because they were difficult to dye.
So he really likes the vibrant colors now, and he enjoys the present moment before everything completely collapses.
After learning the reason, Bai Chenzhu never mocked his aesthetic sense again.
Standing there in his orange beach outfit, Jiang Ye exudes an arrogant and domineering aura. Under the sun, he looks like a supermodel on a photoshoot—tall and long-legged, a sight to behold wherever he stands.
Jiang Ye smiled provocatively. "What's wrong? Tired from walking? Call me 'brother,' and I'll carry you back."
"A supermodel would be perfect if she didn't have a mouth," Bai Chenzhu thought.
Little did he know that he was also a beautiful sight in Jiang Ye's eyes.
Bai Chenzhu walked over slowly, and Jiang Ye walked alongside him, leaving two long sets of footprints on the beach. The long shadows cast by the setting sun fell on the white sand, almost overlapping each other.
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