The Sea, The Maiden

Ye Shuang unlocked the door with his key and noticed Bai Yuyou was already awake—she was kneeling by the balcony door, feeding Yīwàn (Ten Thousand) cat food with her fingers. However, the cat didn’t seem hungry at the moment, instead showing more interest in the strands of hair swaying in front of it, playfully batting at them with its tiny paws.

Bai Yuyou didn’t mind. In fact, seeing how much Yīwàn was enjoying itself, she gathered all her hair and handed it over to the kitten. The waist-length locks were far too much for the little cat, practically burying Yīwàn under them.

Just then, Bai Yuyou seemed to sense something. She turned her head and noticed Ye Shuang standing not far away.

"Ye Shuang…"

She immediately stood up and hurried over, but Yīwàn, still clinging to her hair, wasn’t quick enough to react. The sudden movement sent the kitten bouncing along behind her, its little body bobbing up and down near her backside.

"Don’t let Yīwàn ruin such beautiful hair," Ye Shuang said, reaching out to pluck the cat free. After lightly tapping its little head, he set it down. Yīwàn promptly rolled onto its back, exposing its belly—a sign of trust and relaxation among cats.

"Little troublemaker," Ye Shuang murmured, his gaze lingering on Bai Yuyou.

Perhaps recalling the old man’s words from earlier, Ye Shuang’s mood hadn’t fully settled yet. There were things he needed to know.

"Yuyou, why aren’t you eating breakfast?" He steadied his emotions before gesturing to the nearby table.

Bai Yuyou replied, "Ye Shuang was gone just now… wanted to eat with Ye Shuang…"

"Eating is a happy thing… wanted to be happy with Ye Shuang…"

Ye Shuang reached out and gently pinched her cheek. "Alright, sit down."

Once she took her seat, she watched as Ye Shuang began eating before picking up a steamed bun herself. She nibbled at it delicately, her movements reminiscent of a small animal—adorable enough to lift anyone’s spirits.

Ye Shuang studied her for a few seconds before suddenly asking, "Yuyou, do you remember anything from your childhood?"

"Childhood?"

"Yeah, around five or six years old. Any memories?"

Bai Yuyou nodded.

"What do you remember?"

After a moment of thought, she answered earnestly, "Very hungry… and, my body hurt."

Ye Shuang: "…"

The air around him seemed to thicken, making it hard to breathe. A suffocating weight pressed against his chest, and he forced a weak smile, deciding not to press further.

"I took the day off. Want to go out somewhere?" he offered, though what he really wanted was to take her to the police station.

"Okay."

"Anywhere you’d like to go?"

"Want to be with Ye Shuang."

Ye Shuang blinked. "I’m right here, aren’t I?"

"Mm." Bai Yuyou nodded. "That’s enough."

After a brief silence, Ye Shuang suddenly said, "Let’s go to the beach."

Haizhu City was a coastal town. Though most locals insisted that staying home with their phones was better than visiting the shore, it didn’t stop tourists from flocking there every year to see the ocean. For Ye Shuang, the beach was also a good place to clear his mind when he was feeling down.

"The sea."

"Yeah. Has it been a while since you last went?" He smiled faintly—truthfully, it had been a long time for him too.

But Bai Yuyou shook her head. "I… have never been."

Ye Shuang froze for a second before understanding dawned on him. This girl had been locked in an attic for eight years, then spent another two years fending for herself in confusion. Unless there had been some extraordinary circumstance, she wouldn’t have had the chance to visit the beach.

"Let’s head out after breakfast?"

"Okay."

After finishing their meal, they rested for a while, watched a short show, and then left the house.

The weather was beautiful—the sky a pristine blue, the warm sunlight filtering through the leaves and casting shifting patterns like gray fish swimming across the parked cars below. A gentle breeze rustled the branches, making the "fish" appear to dart about.

Ye Shuang’s heavy mood lightened slightly. He glanced at the girl beside him, who was quietly holding onto the hem of his shirt. Her small, delicate face was serene, though a bandage still wrapped around her forehead.

Once in the car, Ye Shuang drove off.

The beach wasn’t far—just a twenty-minute drive. Fortunately, it wasn’t a holiday, or finding parking would have been a nightmare. He still remembered the days when he’d haphazardly parked by the shore, only to return to a windshield plastered with parking tickets.

Bai Yuyou gazed curiously out the window as the scenery rushed past. Her unfamiliarity with the world made everything seem new and fascinating.

Ye Shuang drove at a leisurely pace, long past the age where he’d speed down highways at 150 km/h. Even in a sports car, he preferred a smooth, steady ride.

Soon, they approached a tunnel, about a kilometer long.

As a few car horns echoed around them, the surroundings plunged into darkness.

Bai Yuyou instinctively shuddered. The sudden blackness wrapped around her, stirring an inexplicable fear that tightened around her heart. She reached out, seeking Ye Shuang’s sleeve for comfort.

But the next moment, warmth enveloped her hand.

Ye Shuang kept one hand on the wheel while the other gently held hers. He’d noticed her reaction immediately—though the tunnel wasn’t particularly dark, the abrupt change must have unsettled her.

"Don’t be afraid," his soothing voice reassured her.

"Yuyou, do you trust me?"

"Mm."

"Close your eyes."

The moment he spoke, Bai Yuyou obeyed.

About thirty seconds later, a rush of wind filled her ears, carrying the briny scent of the sea.

"Okay, open them."

Bai Yuyou slowly opened her eyes. Bright light flooded her vision—the car window had been rolled down at some point. She stared blankly at the scene before her.

The ocean stretched endlessly, merging with the horizon in a seamless blend of blue. Sunlight danced across the water’s surface, casting shimmering arcs of light that reflected in Bai Yuyou’s clear, wide eyes.

She watched, as if trying to imprint every detail into her memory, unmoving for a long moment.

Ye Shuang drove on, occasionally glancing at the faint blue hue mirrored in her gaze. He didn’t interrupt her thoughts.

"That’s the sea…"

"Yes, that’s the sea."

"I… think I’ve been here before," Bai Yuyou murmured. The sight felt familiar, as though it existed in her mind but was veiled by a hazy filter.

Ye Shuang studied her intently before suddenly asking, "Yuyou, did you have another name before?"

"Name…"

"I think… I did…"