Sunshine, Beach

Upon arriving at the airport, Ye Shuang and the others boarded a private jet with Chen Qin, accompanied by two bodyguards and three or four service staff.

Chen Hai couldn’t make it—after that incident, his wife reportedly took their child and fled back to their hometown. Understandably, he wasn’t in the mood for a vacation.

"Wow," Tang Keke gasped as she stepped onto the plane, her eyes darting around like she’d entered a whole new world. "Being rich is amazing," she finally declared.

The interior resembled a cozy living room, complete with standard airplane seats, plush sofas, a large display screen, and even a double-sized bed at the far end, which Tang Keke couldn’t help but notice.

"Meow!" Inside the pet carrier Ye Shuang was holding, Yīwàn (Ten Thousand) was itching to get out.

"Let him out," Chen Qin said with a soft smile.

"Your plane’s gonna be covered in cat hair," Ye Shuang warned.

"Someone will clean it," she replied breezily.

Ye Shuang opened the carrier, and the chubby cat immediately leaped out, sprawling on the floor belly-up as if celebrating his newfound freedom.

"Not shy at all, are you?" Ye Shuang nudged the cat lightly with his socked foot before glancing at the flight display nearby. The estimated arrival time was still over ten to twenty hours away.

"We’re about to take off. Settle in first—you can move around once we reach the stratosphere," Chen Qin advised.

"What’s the stratosphere?" Tang Keke asked.

Bai Yuyou, ever the knowledgeable one, explained, "The atmosphere has different layers… each with unique characteristics. The stratosphere has less dust, rain, and fog, making it ideal for flying."

"Right. The troposphere below is all wind and rain—not great for smooth flights," Ye Shuang added, ruffling Tang Keke’s hair. "See? This knowledge comes in handy."

Tang Keke scratched her head, unable to argue.

The plane reached the stratosphere in just a few minutes, and the rest of the flight promised to be smooth. A flight attendant soon arrived with menus, asking everyone for their meal preferences.

The food was pre-made, simply reheated in a microwave, so no one expected gourmet quality—Chen Qin didn’t even bother ordering a proper meal, opting for snacks and drinks instead.

"Ye, wanna binge a show together?" Chen Qin patted the seat beside her invitingly.

"Shouldn’t we catch some sleep while we can?" Ye Shuang suggested.

"Then nap with me."

"I’m not tired."

……

Meanwhile, An Shiyu and Tang Keke lounged on a sofa. The short-haired girl, engrossed in her handheld game, suddenly shifted uncomfortably before plopping her head onto Tang Keke’s lap without warning.

"What are you doing?" Tang Keke asked.

"Your thighs are comfier than the sofa," An Shiyu mumbled lazily.

"Seriously…" Tang Keke initially resisted but then remembered An Shiyu had once saved her life. She relented, peering curiously at the game instead.

After a while, An Shiyu lowered the device slightly and glanced up—only to find her view entirely blocked.

"……" She deadpanned, tugging at her clothes with inexplicable irritation.

"Just chop them off."

"Huh?"

Aunt Li, meanwhile, sat with Bai Yuyou, both sporting face masks as she taught the younger girl about skincare.

Time passed leisurely, but the casual chatter and snacking made the flight feel effortless.

At one point, Bai Yuyou eagerly tried to help the flight attendant, only to be gently but firmly escorted back to her seat.

Finally—

After over ten hours, the plane began its descent.

As they pierced through the clouds, an expanse of ocean, blue like gelatin, came into view. The islands and white sandy beaches captivated the girls instantly.

"So blue…" Bai Yuyou murmured, her eyes glued to the window before turning to Ye Shuang. "Ye Shuang… beautiful."

"Yeah, the scenery’s stunning," Ye Shuang agreed, then asked Chen Qin, "Does your family’s island have an airport?"

"Yep. We’ll land right at our destination," Chen Qin replied sweetly.

After touchdown, a team of staff greeted them promptly. The entire island was Chen family property, and during their stay, no other guests would be accommodated.

"It’s so hot—"

"Ah, don’t forget sunscreen!"

"Hey, can I take that helicopter for a spin?"

"In your dreams. Stick to the beach."

"Tch."

……

By the shore, the pristine white sand was meticulously maintained—so much so that not a single seashell could be found. Bai Yuyou crouched in the sand, looking slightly disappointed at the lack of treasures.

"Yuyou, Yuyou! Let’s play with this!" Tang Keke brandished a floatie she’d somehow procured, dragging Bai Yuyou toward the water.

The two girls splashed around, laughter ringing across the beach.

"They don’t look jet-lagged at all," Ye Shuang remarked under a sun umbrella, clad in swim trunks and a sunproof jacket as he watched them.

"Ye." Chen Qin’s voice chimed in beside him.

"Yeah?"

"Help me with sunscreen~" She stood there in a sleek black swimsuit, her figure leaving Ye Shuang momentarily speechless.

"Wha—cat got your tongue?" Chen Qin teased, cheeks faintly pink but clearly pleased.

She sidled closer, her… assets pressing against him. "Hurry up."

"Fine, lie down," Ye Shuang sighed, uncapping the sunscreen.

Chen Qin stretched out on a mat, and Ye Shuang started applying the lotion from her calves upward—

"Mmm~"

Ye Shuang: "……"

"That noise is… questionable. I’m just doing your legs."

"It tickles!"

He pressed harder, only for her to react even more dramatically.

She’s totally doing this on purpose.

Ye Shuang sped through the task. "Done?"

"Lots of spots still need coverage," Chen Qin purred, resting her cheek on her arm before untieing the back of her swimsuit with a soft snap.

"Especially here… needs thorough rubbing."

"Hey?!"

……

Not far away, An Shiyu twirled a lock of hair around her finger.

"Those two… do they think no one’s watching? Or are we part of their little game?"

"An Shiyu! Come build a sandcastle with us!" Tang Keke called out, already knee-deep in construction with Bai Yuyou.

"Boring. Pass," An Shiyu deadpanned, her expression flat.

"Oho~ What, are you bad at it?" Tang Keke smirked.

"Ha?" An Shiyu’s eyebrow twitched.