Aquarium

Sunday.

Early morning, Ye Shuang finished updating today's chapter of his novel.

Recently, his readership had grown significantly, along with a fair share of negative comments. But he was just happy to have readers at all. Every time he saw the number of eager followers ticking up at the end of a chapter, his mood lifted. As for the criticism, he didn’t dwell on it—after all, the novel was free, and everyone was entitled to their opinion.

"The weather’s nice today," Ye Shuang muttered, shutting his laptop and stepping onto the balcony.

A light rain had fallen overnight, leaving the air crisp with moisture. He took a deep breath, savoring the freshness that filled his lungs. The cheerful chirping of birds outside added to the serene atmosphere, and he stretched his arms high with a satisfied groan.

"Such a good day—it’d be a waste not to get some exercise." Instinctively, he patted his stomach, reminiscing about the days in university when he still had abs.

Now, they had all merged into one—a single, triumphant "masterpiece."

With that thought, he dropped to the balcony floor and started doing sit-ups.

After twenty reps, a voice sounded beside him. "Ye Shuang… what are you doing?"

He turned his head to find Bai Yuyou crouching next to him, watching quietly. She didn’t seem to notice that her position was giving him a full view of things she probably shouldn’t be showing.

"Yuyou, your underwear is showing," Ye Shuang pointed out.

"You want to see?"

"No!" he immediately protested. "Listen, you can’t squat like that when you’re wearing a short skirt!"

"Why?" She tilted her head.

"Did you forget what I told you?" Ye Shuang reminded her. "Your body is only for the person you like to see."

"We’re married, so…" Bai Yuyou nodded. "It’s fine."

"..." Ye Shuang found himself backed into a corner again by her logic. Sighing, he said, "Just change your position first."

Bai Yuyou obediently adjusted, shifting into a kneeling pose. Though it wasn’t the most comfortable way to sit, at least it was more ladylike.

Satisfied, Ye Shuang resumed his workout, this time switching to push-ups.

Bai Yuyou watched in silence. She didn’t understand the point of what he was doing, but she liked being near him.

"Meow!" Just then, Yīwàn, their little orange cat, wobbled over.

Now fully accustomed to the house, the tiny furball had turned into an endlessly curious explorer.

"So soft…" Bai Yuyou reached out, stroking Yīwàn’s fluffy coat.

Then, without warning, she scooped the kitten up and placed it squarely on Ye Shuang’s back.

"Huh?"

Ye Shuang felt a prickling weight on his back and glanced over his shoulder to see the little cat perched there.

"Piece of cake," he muttered, continuing his push-ups—until Yīwàn promptly leaped away.

At that moment, Bai Yuyou suddenly stood and straddled Ye Shuang’s back, sitting right on top of him.

"Yuyou, what are you doing?" Ye Shuang tensed at the unexpected contact, twisting to look at her.

"Helping you," she said. "In movies… they do this."

"That’s a bunch of buff guys stacking on each other."

Bai Yuyou nodded in understanding. "I see… Ye Shuang, you’re not strong enough."

Ye Shuang: "..."

He knew she didn’t mean it that way, but the phrasing still stung.

"Hold on tight," he growled, flexing his arms. "Don’t underestimate a grown man, little girl! Witness the power of my primal strength!"

Five push-ups later, he collapsed face-first onto the floor, motionless.

Bai Yuyou observed this with her usual blank expression, then mimicked his position—except instead of lying on the ground, she draped herself over his back, pressing flush against him.

"This… isn’t a great position," Ye Shuang muttered, acutely aware of the dangerous softness and warmth against his back. He turned his head slightly, finding her face mere inches from his.

The girl had no sense of personal space, pressing against him without hesitation. Their faces were so close he could feel her warm breath.

"Too close," he said, meeting her dark, tranquil eyes.

"Oh."

Once Bai Yuyou got up, Ye Shuang groaned and rubbed his aching back. "I’m getting old. Twenty-seven already…"

He studied Bai Yuyou beside him, then pinched her cheek and squeezed the soft flesh of her arm. "But you’re not even chubby."

She was like a delicate doll, flawless in every way.

"What do you usually do in P.E. class?" he asked.

"Running."

"And?"

"Badminton."

Hearing that, Ye Shuang grinned. "Perfect weather for badminton today. Let’s go play."

"I don’t know how…" Bai Yuyou admitted.

"You just said you played badminton?" Ye Shuang blinked.

"No one pairs with me," she explained. "Can’t play alone."

Ye Shuang: "..."

"Don’t worry. From now on, you have me," he said warmly. "And soon, Keke will join us too. Today, I’ll teach you."

Bai Yuyou nodded.

Just then, his phone rang from the balcony. He picked it up—Chen Hai was calling.

"Hello?"

"You awake?"

"It’s nine in the morning," Ye Shuang deadpanned.

"A client gave me two aquarium tickets. You want them?" Chen Hai continued. "Was gonna ask you to go with Chen Qin, but she’s overseas. Take that girl instead."

Ye Shuang glanced at Bai Yuyou before replying, "I’ll come get the tickets?"

"They’re digital. I’ll send you a screenshot."

"Got it."

After hanging up, Chen Hai quickly forwarded the e-tickets—just QR codes for scanning at the entrance.

"Yuyou, let’s skip badminton today. How about the aquarium instead?"

"Aquarium."

"Yeah, lots of sea creatures and shows. Chen Hai gave us the tickets."

"Ye Shuang…" She lowered her eyes. "I only want to go with you. Not anyone else."

Realizing her misunderstanding, he lightly tapped her head. "Not with Chen Hai—with me."

Bai Yuyou lifted her face. Though her expression remained blank, he could feel her mood brighten instantly.

"If she’s this attached now, will she ever be able to leave?" The thought flickered through his mind, but he quickly dismissed it. The age gap between them meant their paths would inevitably diverge.

For now, though—

"Let’s get changed."

"Okay."