Not bad
The morning sun was brighter than at any other time in Linzhou. The calls of seabirds and the sound of waves replaced the alarm clock, waking people from their slumber.
Meng Yihe woke up first. The moment his consciousness returned, the first thing he felt was an undeniable soreness all over his body, especially in his waist, legs, and the back of his neck, which clearly reminded him of everything that had happened last night.
Immediately afterwards, he found himself still tightly held in Cui Yu's arms from behind.
Meng Yihe had never slept so intimately with anyone before. After a brief moment of stiffness, memories flooded back, filled with blush-inducing details. Meng Yihe subconsciously tried to move away a little, only to find that the arms wrapped around her waist were quite tight.
His subtle movement startled the person behind him.
Cui Yu let out a muffled murmur, but instead of letting go, he subconsciously tightened his arms and buried his face even deeper into the back of Meng Yihe's neck.
His nose unconsciously brushed against the slightly swollen and painful gland, and the tingling sensation made Meng Yihe's body tremble, and he couldn't help but let out a very soft gasp.
Now Cui Yu was fully awake.
He opened his eyes, paused for a few seconds, then chuckled softly, his voice hoarse from just waking up.
Good morning...
He loosened his grip slightly, allowing Meng Yihe to turn around. He smiled as he looked at her flushed cheeks and evasive eyes.
"Did you sleep well, Director Meng?"
Meng Yihe pursed his lips, reluctant to answer the question, especially under the other person's pleased gaze after "having a good meal." He tried to sit up, but his movements faltered due to the soreness in his lower back.
Cui Yu immediately noticed and reached out to support his waist, helping him sit up: "Slow down, do you want to lie down for a while longer? Anyway, it's a vacation, there's nothing urgent."
“…No need.” Meng Yihe’s voice was a little dry.
He grabbed the bathrobe from the bedside, put it on, and walked briskly toward the bathroom, his steps slightly unsteady.
Watching his retreating figure, which seemed to be fleeing in disarray, Cui Yu lay back on the bed in high spirits, his hands behind his head, unable to suppress the smile on his lips. He could hear the sound of running water coming from the bathroom and imagined the expression on the person inside.
This vacation was definitely worth the price of admission.
After a while, the sound of water stopped. Meng Yihe came out wearing a bathrobe, her hair wet and her face steaming. She looked much more awake, but still didn't dare to look Cui Yu in the eye.
Cui Yu also got out of bed and stretched her body without any hesitation, revealing her smooth back muscles in the sunlight.
He walked up to Meng Yihe and naturally reached out to help him adjust the belt of his bathrobe, but Meng Yihe slightly turned away to avoid him.
"Are you hungry? Should we order breakfast to be brought in?" Cui Yu naturally withdrew his hand and asked with a smile, "Or should we go out to eat? I've heard the hotel's buffet breakfast is very good, and the seats facing the sea have a fantastic view."
"Let them in." Meng Yihe chose the first option.
He wasn't really prepared to appear in a public breakfast restaurant with Cui Yu, especially after what happened last night.
“Okay.” Cui Yu picked up the phone and ordered breakfast, specifically Chinese congee and side dishes.
Breakfast was delivered quickly and placed on the small table on the balcony.
A sea breeze caressed our faces, and the scenery was delightful. The atmosphere became slightly more relaxed during the meal.
While placing a small shrimp dumpling on Meng Yihe's plate, Cui Yu suggested, "We don't have any plans for today, so how about we just rest at the hotel? Or go lie on the beach for a while? Do you... need to relax a bit?"
That last question was quite meaningful.
Meng Yihe paused, her hands holding the shrimp dumplings, her ears turning red again, and she replied stiffly, "...No need, let's go to the beach."
Cui Yu readily agreed: "Okay, I'll listen to you."
Sunshine, beach, waves, deck chairs.
The two lay side by side under a parasol, wearing sunglasses, gazing at the boundless blue sky before them. Occasionally, women in bikinis or men in beach shorts would walk by, casting admiring or curious glances.
Cui Yu and Meng Yihe's appearance and temperament stood out even among the vacationers.
Cui Yu seemed to enjoy this pure relaxation, occasionally taking a sip of ice-cold juice, and even actually taking a nap.
Meng Yihe seemed somewhat absent-minded, his gaze from behind his sunglasses occasionally glancing at the person on the recliner next to him. The subtle discomfort in his body, the faint pheromones in the air, and the lingering images from last night all reminded him of the complete change in their relationship.
When Cui Yu woke up, he saw Meng Yihe staring at the sea in a daze.
Meng Yihe's profile appeared somewhat aloof in the sunlight, but her tightly pursed lips betrayed an unusual emotion.
With a smile, Cui Yu reached out and, through the gap between the two recliners, grasped Meng Yihe's hand, which was resting at her side. Meng Yihe stiffened, instinctively trying to pull away, but Cui Yu held on even tighter.
"Relax."
Cui Yu's voice carried the languidness of someone who had just woken up, and his fingers naturally slipped between his own, forming an interlocked shape.
"Nobody knows us."
Meng Yihe stopped struggling. He felt the warmth and strength from the other person's palm, as well as the undeniable intimacy, and his heartbeat gradually became erratic.
The midday sun grew increasingly intense.
"It's too sunny, let's go back to the room or we'll get heatstroke," Cui Yu suggested, wiping the sweat from Meng Yihe's forehead with her fingers.
Meng Yihe did feel it was a bit too hot, so she nodded. The two packed up their things and walked back across the sand. Back in the well-air-conditioned suite, the instant coolness was a welcome relief.
"Want to take a refreshing shower?" Cui Yu asked as he put down his things, heading towards the small refrigerator. "What would you like to drink? Ice water? Or juice?"
"Water is fine." Meng Yihe felt her throat was a little dry.
Cui Yu handed him a bottle of ice water, took one for himself, tilted his head back and drank several large gulps. His Adam's apple bobbed, and water droplets slid down the lines of his neck and into his collar.
Meng Yihe looked away, unscrewed the bottle cap, and took a small sip of ice water.
After taking a shower and changing into dry clothes, Cui Yu leaned back on the sofa and checked emails on her tablet.
Although we said we were on vacation, it's unrealistic to completely ignore it.
Meng Yihe sat on the other side, holding a book she had brought, but didn't turn a single page for a long time.
After processing several urgent emails, Cui Yu put down his tablet and looked at Meng Yihe. The other woman sat there quietly, her profile clean-cut, her eyelashes lowered, looking at the pages of a book, but clearly distracted.
Cui Yu stood up and sat down next to Meng Yihe.
Meng Yihe looked up from the book and looked at him.
Cui Yu didn't say anything, but simply reached out and gently took the book from his hand, placing it aside.
Then, he turned to the side, and under Meng Yihe's slightly puzzled gaze, slowly lowered his head and kissed his lips, with a tentative and endless tenderness, as if he were savoring this quiet time that belonged only to the two of them.
Meng Yihe froze for a moment, then softened under the gentle kiss. He closed his eyes and responded awkwardly.
The coolness of the ice water lingered in my mouth, but it was quickly melted away by the warmth of the other person.
After the kiss ended, their foreheads touched.
"Does it still hurt?" Cui Yu asked in a low voice, her fingertips gently touching his lower back.
Meng Yihe shook her head slightly, her ears turning red. She still felt a little sore, but it wasn't unbearable.
"Well..." Cui Yu's voice was tinged with laughter, "Want to take a nap? I promise, it's just sleeping."
Meng Yihe looked into his smiling eyes, where the tenderness and longing were equally clear.
The sun shines brightly outside the window, and the sound of the waves is gentle and continuous.
In this private space, far removed from all the hustle and bustle, everything seemed to fall into place naturally. Meng Yihe didn't answer, but simply tilted her head back slightly and kissed Cui Yu's lips again, the scent of cherry brandy filling the air.
Cui Yu immediately deepened the kiss, wrapped his arms around the other person's waist, and gently pulled him down onto the soft sofa.
The book slipped onto the carpet and went unnoticed.
Cui Yu placed his palm on Meng Yihe's lower back, the warmth of his fingertips seeping through the thin fabric, bringing a slight shiver.
Just as the atmosphere was heating up and almost spiraling out of control, Cui Yu was the first to restrain himself. He slightly withdrew from the intoxicating kiss, his forehead resting against Meng Yihe's. He sighed softly, his thumb gently stroking Meng Yihe's flushed cheek, his voice terribly hoarse:
"no."
Meng Yihe opened her eyes, still slightly misty, and looked at him with confusion.
Cui Yu chuckled softly, then lowered her head and lightly pecked his lips before explaining, "Your body hasn't recovered yet... it was just yesterday..."
Cui Yu didn't say it too bluntly, but the meaning was clear.
"If I bother you again this afternoon, you'll feel terrible tonight. What you need now is rest, just rest."
His desires were strong, but Meng Yihe's condition was more important to him.
Meng Yihe understood what he meant, and the blush on her cheeks deepened. She looked away and softly hummed in agreement with the arrangement.
Cui Yu smiled and helped him sit up.
"Go to bed for a while?" he suggested, his voice no longer as gentle as usual. "Sleeping on the sofa is uncomfortable."
"Um."
The two got up and walked towards the bedroom, one after the other.
Cui Yu pulled back the air-conditioning blanket and naturally lay down first. Then, looking at Meng Yihe who was still standing by the bed, she patted the spot next to her.
"Come on, it's a promise, it's just for sleeping." His eyes were clear and open, carrying a reassuring promise.
Meng Yihe lifted the blanket and lay down beside him.
The two lay side by side. Cui Yu kept his promise and simply reached out to gently hold Meng Yihe's hand, which was placed at her side, their fingers intertwined.
"Go to sleep," Cui Yu whispered, closing her eyes.
Meng Yihe had just opened his eyes, his consciousness still a little hazy. The first thing he felt was his right hand, which was still being held tightly. He turned his head slightly and saw that Cui Yu was still asleep.
He gazed quietly at his sleeping face, without immediately withdrawing his hand.
After watching for a while, he tried to move his fingers slightly, wanting to withdraw his hand without waking the other person. However, as soon as he moved, Cui Yu's eyelashes trembled, and then she opened her eyes.
"Awake?" Instead of loosening her grip, she subconsciously tightened her hold on the hand.
Did you sleep well?
"Mm," Meng Yihe responded, her gaze slightly shifting to their clasped hands, the implication clear.
Cui Yu seemed to just realize it then, chuckled and let go, his tone tinged with regret: "Sigh, it felt too good, I couldn't bear to let go."
Meng Yihe ignored his teasing, sat up, and went straight to the bathroom. When he came out, Cui Yu was leaning against the headboard looking at his phone.
Seeing him come out, she put down her phone and smiled, "It's almost evening, are you hungry?"
After he mentioned it, Meng Yihe did indeed feel a pang of hunger.
"Would you like to eat out, or order room service?" Cui Yu asked for his opinion.
"Let's go out," Meng Yihe replied after thinking for a moment. He needed some fresh air after spending the afternoon in the room.
“Okay.” Cui Yuli jumped out of bed. “How about we find a seafood stall by the sea? I heard the beach is very lively at night.”
Half an hour later, the two changed their clothes and went out.
As evening falls, the island sheds the daytime heat, and a cool, moist sea breeze blows in, making it very pleasant.
They strolled along the beach.
We finally found a popular open-air seafood stall, ordered some local seafood and barbecue, and chilled drinks. The atmosphere was lively and bustling.
Cui Yu naturally served Meng Yihe some food and peeled shrimp.
"How is it? It tastes good, right?" Cui Yu asked with a smile as he watched him eat the shrimp he had peeled.
"Mm." Meng Yihe nodded.
The seafood was indeed fresh, and the cooking method preserved its original flavor.
"That's good." Cui Yu poured himself a beer in a good mood. "When you're out having fun, you have to eat and drink well."
As the sun completely sank below the horizon, darkness fell. The colorful strings of lights hanging from the food stalls lit up, reflecting the waves and the smiling faces of the people, creating a unique and charming scene.
After dinner, the two took a walk along the beach at night to digest their food.
After walking for a while, Cui Yu naturally took Meng Yihe's hand again. Meng Yihe's fingertips stiffened slightly, but she let him hold her hand.
The warmth of my palm seeped through my skin, accompanied by the rhythmic sound of the tides, bringing a simple yet genuine sense of happiness.
Back in the hotel room, Meng Yihe suddenly asked, "Did you... come to places like this often before?"
Cui Yu paused for a moment, then seemed to understand something, the smile in his eyes deepened, but he did not answer immediately.
He pulled Meng Yihe to the balcony. The sea in the distance was pitch black, with only the moonlight casting fragmented silver glow and the scattered lights on the shore.
"Before?" Cui Yu leaned against the railing, turning his head to look at Meng Yihe. "Does passing through on business trips count? You were always rushing in and out, your mind filled with nothing but project data and meeting schedules." He smiled, a hint of self-deprecation in his tone.
"To be honest, this is the first time I've really stopped like this, looked at the sea, taken a walk, and not thought about anything..."
He turned around to face Meng Yihe, his gaze serious: "And, it's with someone important."
Meng Yihe lowered her eyelashes and after a while said in a low voice, "Me too."
Cui Yu reached out and grasped Meng Yihe's hand again, their fingers intertwined tightly.
"How did it feel?" he asked softly, as if afraid of disturbing the tranquility. "This was your first time?"
Meng Yihe didn't pull away, letting him hold her hand, the sea breeze ruffling the stray hairs on his forehead. He remained silent for a long time, so long that Cui Yu thought he wouldn't answer, before he heard him say very softly, "Not bad."
It was just two simple words, hardly a positive evaluation. But coming from Meng Yihe, especially in this context, it was almost equivalent to the highest level of approval.
Cui Yu chuckled softly.
He lifted Meng Yihe's hand, brought it to his lips, and gently kissed the back of his hand.
“I’m very happy.” Cui Yu looked into his eyes and said earnestly, “I’m very happy that this first time is with me.”
The two stood quietly on the balcony for a while, listening to the sound of the waves and looking at the night view, holding hands without saying a word.
After a while, Cui Yu spoke softly, "It's getting late. Do you still want to watch the sunrise tomorrow? I heard the view from the rocky beach on the east side is the best."
Meng Yihe turned to look at him and nodded: "Okay."
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