High Altitude

The wind howled fiercely. From such a height, even the bravest might feel a chill, but Bai Yuyou in front of him merely shook her head gently. "With Ye Shuang here... not scared."

Ye Shuang smiled softly and ruffled the girl's hair.

"I'll take a photo for you," Aunt Li chimed in cheerfully. Truth be told, they'd all gone skydiving plenty of times before. In terms of danger, high-altitude jumps were actually less risky than mountain biking.

After all, online shopping platforms boasted a 100% satisfaction rate for parachutes (scratch that).

"Let's go." Chen Qin adjusted her goggles and reminded Bai Yuyou, "Little Yuyou, don’t squirm around when we jump, and whatever you do, don’t open your mouth."

"Open mouth..." Bai Yuyou tilted her head. "Will I eat something?"

"If the wind rushes in, your face will look funny in the photos," Ye Shuang couldn’t help but laugh, imagining Tang Keke’s cheeks puffing up comically.

Then, holding Bai Yuyou close, he leaped off without hesitation.

Aunt Li and Chen Qin exchanged a glance before following suit.

The intense weightlessness instantly sent a shiver through Bai Yuyou’s body. Her hands flailed briefly until a warm, firm grip steadied her.

"Don’t be afraid," a gentle voice reassured her.

The sensation didn’t last long. Feeling the comforting touch on her hand, Bai Yuyou soon relaxed.

Once she calmed down, Ye Shuang stabilized their descent and deployed the drogue chute.

The small white canopy popped open, slowing their fall slightly. Ye Shuang pointed ahead. "Yuyou, look forward—"

Bai Yuyou turned her gaze to where Aunt Li was holding a camera, giving them a thumbs-up.

Not understanding but mimicking the gesture, Bai Yuyou raised her own thumb.

Ye Shuang chuckled before glancing at Chen Qin, who drifted closer for a mid-air group photo.

After enough shots, Ye Shuang signaled, and Aunt Li and Chen Qin maneuvered away to maintain a safe distance.

Flying too close during canopy deployment could spell disaster—none of them wanted to "land in a box," as the saying went.

"Whoosh—"

The main parachute billowed open, abruptly slowing their descent. As they gently spun, the breathtaking scenery unfolded around them—the ocean below resembling a vast, shimmering sapphire.

"How do you feel?" Ye Shuang asked once they’d stabilized, admiring the stunning view beneath them.

"A little scary... but not anymore," Bai Yuyou replied, her eyes wide with curiosity.

"The initial drop is always the most intense, but you get used to it," Ye Shuang said warmly. "The world is huge, and there’s so much more for you to experience. Don’t worry—I’ll take you to see it all, step by step."

"All kinds of things..." Bai Yuyou twisted slightly to face him.

"What about making babies?"

"Uh..."

Maybe someday.

Ye Shuang guided their landing onto the sandy beach. For a first-time jumper, Bai Yuyou had done remarkably well—though he’d half-hoped to hear her let out a scream or two.

But that seemed unlikely. The girl’s face remained as expressionless as ever, her large eyes blinking innocently.

Meanwhile, elsewhere on the shore—

Tang Keke sat curled up on the sand, staring blankly at the ocean. "Beyond the sea... lies the enemy," she muttered.

"What’s wrong with Keke?" Ye Shuang asked.

"Who knows?" An Shiyu shrugged, hands stuffed in her pockets.

"Waaahhh! Big bro, she told me mid-air that the parachute was broken!!!" Tang Keke wailed, pointing accusingly at An Shiyu. At that moment, she’d already mentally drafted her will—mourning the unopened figurine deliveries and uneaten snacks left behind.

"An Shiyu, you’ll scare her to death one day," Ye Shuang sighed. The troublemaking "fish" really loved bullying poor Tang Keke, whose courage was inversely proportional to a slime’s.

"Just a joke," An Shiyu said dismissively, as if it were some kind of bravery training.

"At least apologize. Look, Keke can’t even stand up."

"..."

"Well?" Ye Shuang prompted with a smile.

"Tch." An Shiyu scratched her cheek awkwardly, avoiding Tang Keke’s teary gaze before mumbling under her breath,

"Sorry."

"Hmph, that’s more like it." Tang Keke stood up, easily pacified.

"Didn’t know you had it in you," Ye Shuang remarked, amused. He’d half-expected An Shiyu to never apologize.

"Whatever."

An Shiyu rolled her eyes but stayed silent.

"Come on, let’s go again once the plane’s ready."

She dragged Tang Keke away despite the protests.

"No!!!!!!"

"Help!!!!!"

"Big bro! Yuyou! Save me!!!"

Ye Shuang crossed his arms, noticing Chen Qin and Aunt Li approaching. "Did you land far away?"

"Not really, just a bit behind. Doubting my skills?" Chen Qin huffed, stretching contentedly. "Feels great—been too long since we did this."

"A little break from work does wonders for the skin," Aunt Li agreed, checking her makeup in a compact. Though her silver lipstick remained... an acquired taste.

"Another jump?" Ye Shuang asked.

"I’d rather go split a watermelon," Chen Qin waved him off, heading to change.

"Little Shuang, come see the photos," Aunt Li called, holding up the camera.

The screen displayed a brilliant blue backdrop, with Ye Shuang and Bai Yuyou in goggles, posing for the shot.

Bai Yuyou, however, hadn’t quite faced the lens, leaving her slightly off-center—adorably dazed.

"Like it, sweetie?" Aunt Li beamed.

"Yes. Aunt Li, can I have this photo?" Bai Yuyou asked.

"Of course! I’ll send it to you later." Aunt Li cupped her cheeks, doting. "Special moments deserve to be preserved. Looking back on them is half the joy."

Bai Yuyou seemed to ponder this before turning to Ye Shuang.

"Ye Shuang..."

"Yeah?"

"We should also record everything properly when we make babies."

Ye Shuang: "..."

Why are you so fixated on this?