Strange Little Island

"The Suspension Bridge Effect, in other words—"

"When someone nervously crosses a suspension bridge, they can't help but feel tense, their heart racing. If they happen to meet another person at that moment, their brain might misinterpret the accelerated heartbeat as attraction toward that person, sparking the flames of love."

"The Suspension Bridge Effect isn’t limited to just suspension bridges—any stimulating situation that makes your heart race can trigger it."

"So, Yuyou, do you understand now?"

At night, in the room, Ye Shuang looked at the girl beside him tilting her head in thought and smiled as he explained the meaning of the term. "Why did you come ask me about this today?"

"Keke said… I should make good use of the Suspension Bridge Effect," Bai Yuyou murmured softly.

Ye Shuang: "..."

What on earth has that girl been filling Yuyou’s head with?

"Alright, go back to your room and rest. You must be tired after playing all day, right?"

The girl said, "Want to sleep with Ye Shuang."

"No?"

"Didn’t you promise Keke you’d watch a drama with her tonight?" Ye Shuang chuckled. "You agreed, didn’t you?"

"Then… I’ll come later," Bai Yuyou said.

"Go on, then."

After Bai Yuyou left, Ye Shuang sat on the edge of the bed—this private room was about eighty square meters, with floor-to-ceiling one-way glass windows offering an unobstructed view of the ocean at night. The glass was designed so that the inside could see out, but outsiders couldn’t see in, supposedly for privacy.

This same technology had been used in public restrooms, but Ye Shuang couldn’t wrap his head around the idea of squatting in a stall while clearly seeing passersby outside, even if he knew they couldn’t see him.

Whoever came up with that design must have had a few screws loose.

"Should I go for a swim later?" Ye Shuang glanced at the private pool outside but felt too exhausted after diving all afternoon. Maybe he’d just turn in early tonight—after all, that girl would probably sneak over once she finished binge-watching with Keke.

Ye Shuang had recently put his foot down about Bai Yuyou clinging to him while sleeping. Though it was hard to break the habit overnight, he was content with the small progress each day.

Persistence would pay off eventually.

"Maybe I should ask Fugui over for a drink?" Ye Shuang stretched lazily when suddenly, a knock came at the door.

Assuming it was Bai Yuyou, he called out, "It’s unlocked. Come in."

Click. The door slowly opened, and a familiar head of slightly wavy hair peeked in. Ye Shuang turned to see Chen Qin’s smiling face. "Ye~"

Chen Qin wore a simple nightgown, her delicately sculpted face free of makeup yet radiating a pure, gentle charm. She bounded over and flopped onto the bed with a playful "Ta-da!"

Watching her bury her face motionless into the mattress, Ye Shuang recalled the incident with Zhao Mengyao that afternoon and softly said, "Thanks."

"Huh?" Chen Qin lifted her flushed face.

"Nothing. It’s just… about Zhao Mengyao earlier. I really appreciated you speaking up for me."

"Pfft, no big deal. If those two idiots hadn’t scrammed fast enough, I’d have tossed ‘em into the sea. Consider it mercy." Chen Qin hadn’t expected to run into Zhao Mengyao here, and she’d been worried about Ye Shuang’s state of mind. But now, he seemed fine.

"Yeah." Ye Shuang smiled faintly.

Their eyes met, and for some reason, the room fell silent—the atmosphere growing oddly charged.

Before, being around Chen Qin had felt no different from hanging out with Chen Hai. But ever since her confession, something inside Ye Shuang had quietly shifted.

Now, Chen Qin’s cheeks grew increasingly red until she finally averted her gaze, twirling a strand of hair around her finger.

"Ah! Let’s have some wine!" Chen Qin abruptly broke the silence, hopping up and heading to the wine cabinet. She pulled out a bottle.

"Here."

"Sure." Ye Shuang didn’t mind a nightcap—it always helped him sleep.

Chen Qin’s eyes curved into mischievous crescents as she turned to pour the wine.

While her back was turned, she discreetly pinched a small blue pill between her fingers.

"Ye, isn’t the view outside gorgeous?"

Ye Shuang glanced at the ocean scenery. "Yeah, stunning. I had no idea your family owned a private island."

"Hehe." Chen Qin grinned, dropping the pill into one of the glasses.

She returned to Ye Shuang’s side and handed him the wineglass. "Here."

"Thanks."

Their glasses clinked lightly, and Ye Shuang took a sip.

They chatted idly, downing a few more glasses—until Ye Shuang slumped onto the bed, fast asleep.

"Mission accomplished~" Whether from the alcohol or excitement, Chen Qin’s face glowed pink. Seeing Ye Shuang out cold, she inwardly cheered.

"Now… for step two."

……

……

……

"Mmm…"

"Ugh…"

"Huh?" Ye Shuang felt an icy chill against his skin, as if lying on cold concrete—yet his back registered a gritty texture, like sand.

His eyelids were heavy, but he forced them open.

Above him stretched a sky full of stars, the inky blue expanse dotted with constellations unseen in the city. The Milky Way arched across the heavens, leaving Ye Shuang momentarily awestruck.

"Beautiful, but…"

"Where am I?" He slowly sat up, only to find himself on a beach—face-to-face with a familiar figure. "Ye! You’re finally awake! You scared me to death!"

A girl suddenly threw herself into his arms. Ye Shuang instinctively caught her, then looked down to see Chen Qin, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Why… are we here?" He tried to recall the last thing he remembered—drinking with Chen Qin in his room.

So how did they end up on a beach?

"Ye… you really don’t remember?" Chen Qin asked.

"Remember what?"

"After you got drunk, you insisted we go fishing to prove you wouldn’t come back empty-handed. So I went with you," Chen Qin explained, her voice trembling.

"And then… the boat capsized."

"When I woke up, we were here." She rubbed her eyes anxiously. "I think we’ve been washed ashore on some unknown island."

"What do we do, Ye? I’m so scared…"

Ye Shuang: "..."

"Excuse me?"

He rubbed his temples. Had he really blacked out?

Did all that actually happen?

Or was this a dream?

Glancing down, he realized both he and Chen Qin were in swimwear. Pinching himself to confirm he wasn’t dreaming, Ye Shuang took a deep breath to steady himself—but for now, he focused on comforting Chen Qin.

"Don't worry, let's figure out how to contact someone first."

"Mm, Ye Shuang, you're the most reliable." Chen Qin gazed at Ye Shuang and nodded softly.