048: Sister, Your Pink and Tender Feet Are So Beautiful

"Oh~ let's just enjoy ourselves one last time with this guy," Xia Jian thought, unable to resist Qi Lin's insistence as he pulled her toward the stall to pick out a swimsuit. Blushing, she followed along.

Since they weren't at the beach, Qi Lin wanted to make sure they kept things modest. He eventually settled on a one-piece swimsuit with a short skirt for Xia Jian, while he picked out a simple pair of swimming trunks for himself.

"Boss, is there a place to change here?" Qi Lin asked after paying.

The boss pointed to a small, portable changing room nearby. "I brought that here just for tourists like you to change."

"Thanks," Qi Lin smiled and led Xia Jian to the changing room. "Sister Xia Jian, you go in first. I'll hold the door for you."

Having already bought the swimsuit, Xia Jian had no choice but to go along with his plan. With an eye-roll directed at Qi Lin, she entered the changing room, deciding to go with the flow.

"Maybe journalism just isn't in the cards for me," she muttered with a sigh as she began changing into her swimsuit. She removed her suit skirt and thin black stockings, only to realize there was no place to put her clothes.

Xia Jian's face turned red. "Ugh, do I have to ask Qi Lin to take these for me?"

She picked up her stockings and gave them a quick sniff. Fortunately, they only carried a faint scent of sweat and a hint of her shower gel.

"Qi Lin, there's nowhere to put my clothes. Can you hold them for me?"

Qi Lin, standing guard outside, saw a pale arm stretch out from the changing room holding a neatly folded suit.

"No problem," Qi Lin replied, taking the clothes. But before Xia Jian could finish her request, he mischievously lifted the top layer of her folded clothes and slipped her black stockings into his pocket, a smile dancing in his eyes.

A few moments later, Xia Jian emerged from the changing room in her swimsuit. Shy, she crossed her arms over her shoulders, feeling self-conscious. "Just so you know, I'm not going into the water. I'll stay on the shore."

Qi Lin gave her an appreciative once-over. The one-piece swimsuit fit her perfectly, showing off her smooth, white thighs. She looked beautiful.

Xia Jian blushed under his gaze. "Am I dressed wrong or something?" she asked, confused.

"It's beautiful, but your oleander hasn't bloomed yet," Qi Lin teased with a grin.

"Oleander?" Xia Jian blinked, confused by the metaphor.

Qi Lin laughed and motioned for her to follow. "It's too hot to explain right now. Let's get to the water first, and I'll tell you later."

As Qi Lin walked ahead, Xia Jian suddenly realized what he meant, her face flushing with embarrassment. "Did he just call me flat-chested?!"

Blushing furiously, she threw aside her reservations and chased after him. Her flustered reaction, paired with her swimsuit, drew the attention of passersby, some of whom shot envious glances at Qi Lin, who was clearly enjoying himself.

Once they reached the water, Qi Lin dived right in. "Sister Xia Jian, you're really not coming in? The water's so cool!"

Xia Jian stood at the shore, watching in surprise. She remembered that Qi Lin used to be as afraid of water as she was after that childhood incident. Yet now, he moved through the water with ease, like a fish.

"When did you learn to swim?" Xia Jian asked, curiosity in her voice.

Qi Lin surfaced, smiling. "Remember what happened when we were kids? After that, I taught myself how to swim."

For a moment, Xia Jian felt her heart flutter. "Did… did he learn to swim because of me?" she wondered. "Does he know I'm afraid of the water?"

Qi Lin noticed her dazed expression and called out, "Are you going to join me, or are you just going to sit there?"

Xia Jian smiled softly, her tone gentler now. "I'll stay on the shore. Someone has to watch the filming equipment and our clothes. I'll just wash my feet here."

The news filming equipment was expensive, and Xia Jian didn't want to risk any damage. After a couple more invitations, Qi Lin gave up and said, "Alright, I'll have fun on my own."

With that, he dived back into the water, swimming farther away.

Xia Jian watched him swim with a smile. It reminded her of the summers they used to spend together more than ten years ago, except back then, she was the one swimming while Qi Lin was the one afraid of the water.

Suddenly, Xia Jian jumped in fright. She quickly lifted her feet out of the water.

"Did something just touch my feet? Was it a fish… or a snake?"

Still startled, Xia Jian's heart raced. But a moment later, Qi Lin surfaced from the water, laughing mischievously. "Gotcha!"

Xia Jian, torn between anger and amusement, splashed water at him. "Are you serious? How childish can you be? You scared me!"

Qi Lin winked at her. "Sister Xia Jian, your pink and tender feet are so beautiful."

Xia Jian's face turned crimson once again. She had lost track of how many times she'd blushed today. "You… you pervert! Teasing me again!"

Laughing, Xia Jian playfully splashed more water at him, their carefree banter continuing as they enjoyed their time by the water.

Just as they were getting into the playful rhythm, a series of frantic screams echoed across the swimming area.

"Help! Someone's caught in the current! Quick, someone rescue them!"

The fun and laughter between Qi Lin and Xia Jian evaporated in an instant as they both turned their attention to the source of the cries.

Qi Lin glanced at his waterproof watch—exactly 3:00 PM. The time had come.