National-level Sailboat Athlete

The waters just outside the marina opened into a broad inner bay.

Sunlight spilled across the azure sea, making its surface shimmer.

In the splashing waves not far away, a lithe figure was riding a brightly colored windsurfing board, rising and falling lightly with the swells.

Mr. Zhang stood at the edge of the floating dock and raised a hand to point ahead.

“President Su, there she is—Yu Ou.”

Su Bai followed his gesture.

The figure on the water moved with remarkable skill.

With both hands gripping the boom, she leaned back slightly, using the wind and the waves to carve a clean white arc across the surface.

After a beautiful turn into the crosswind, the board adjusted its course steadily and glided toward the berth beside the marina.

As the distance closed, the figure gradually came into focus.

She was a strikingly tall woman.

She looked to be at least five foot nine, with a long, well-proportioned figure and exceptional balance.

She wore only a skimpy black sports tank top and a pair of tight, quick-drying shorts.

Her exposed arms and thighs were lean and toned, without an ounce of excess fat. The powerful lines of her body spoke of years of professional athletic training.

The sea breeze swept past as the windsurfing board slowly decelerated in the shallow water not far from the gangway.

Controlling the sail with one hand, the woman swiftly and neatly lowered the mast. Then she stepped through the shallows and lightly leapt onto the wooden deck of the floating dock.

Only then did Su Bai and the others get a clear look at her.

Her long hair was tied neatly behind her head, with a few damp strands clinging to the side of her slender neck.

Her skin was not the delicate, porcelain white of someone sheltered from the elements. Years of exposure to sunlight and sea wind had given it a healthy, golden-brown tan.

Her features were strikingly attractive, with bold, spirited eyes and a high, straight nose. She wore no makeup, yet looked exceptionally bright and confident.

Her sports tank top hugged her full curves, while faint, sharply defined lines showed across her flat stomach.

Tiny beads of seawater still clung to her long, straight thighs, gleaming with a healthy sheen in the sunlight.

“Old Zhang, the southeast wind feels great today.”

The woman casually shook the water from her wrist and walked over with an easy, confident stride. Her voice was clear and brisk.

Mr. Zhang hurried forward with a smile.

“Little Yu, come over here. Let me introduce you.”

Mr. Zhang stepped aside, his manner exceptionally courteous.

“This is President Su, our honored guest who chartered the yacht today. You’ll be at the helm later.”

Yu Ou stopped and turned her gaze to Su Bai.

She looked the tall, composed young man over from head to toe, a flicker of surprise crossing her eyes.

Then her gaze shifted to the two women beside him, Zhou Jialu and Ke Yujia.

One was voluptuous and alluring, the other petite and sweet. Both were exceptionally beautiful women.

A knowing smile appeared in Yu Ou’s eyes.

She pulled a dry towel from the rack beside her and draped it casually around her neck, her manner warm and completely at ease.

“Hello, Boss Su.”

Yu Ou smiled faintly and extended her hand.

“I’m Yu Ou. I used to train in sailing with the provincial and national teams. After retiring, I became a watersports instructor here in Binhai. I know these waters like the back of my hand. I could steer this boat with my eyes closed and never run her aground.”

Su Bai reached out and shook her hand.

Her palm was warm and dry, with a thin layer of calluses around the knuckles from years of gripping ropes and hauling sails. Her handshake was firm, carrying the crisp strength unique to a trained athlete.

“Hello, I’m Su Bai.”

Su Bai smiled.

“Mr. Zhang says you’re an excellent sailor.”

“That goes without saying. A motorboat is much easier to handle than a sailboat without an engine. It’s got plenty of power and electronic controls—there’s nothing difficult about it.”

Yu Ou casually adjusted the towel and wiped away a drop of water from her collarbone.

She turned to glance at the eighty-two-foot luxury yacht moored nearby, then looked at the two women beside Su Bai. The corners of her mouth curled into a teasing smile.

“But let me make one thing clear first, Boss Su.”

Yu Ou arched an eyebrow, her tone carrying the bold, playful teasing of someone accustomed to speaking her mind.

“I’ll have no trouble handling the boat, and I can keep her nice and steady. But even though the yacht is well insulated, the master cabin isn’t exactly far from the bridge.”

Her eyes sparkled as she looked Su Bai over with a grin.

“When I’m at the helm, cruising the waters, am I going to get in the way of you and the pretty ladies having wild nights aboard?”

The question was blunt and daring.

Mr. Zhang broke out in a cold sweat beside them, worried that the national-level athlete’s booming voice and forthright nature might offend their wealthy client.

Zhou Jialu, standing beside Su Bai, couldn’t help but burst out laughing, her seductive eyes curving into crescent moons.

Ke Yujia’s delicate face flushed slightly, and she shyly edged behind Zhou Jialu.

Su Bai, however, remained completely composed, not embarrassed in the slightest.

With both hands in his trouser pockets, he looked at the spirited, long-legged woman with the sun-kissed complexion and answered her teasing with some of his own.

“Don’t worry about that.”

Su Bai spoke slowly.

“When the time comes, you can just wear earplugs in the bridge.”

Yu Ou froze for a moment.

She clearly hadn’t expected this seemingly refined and handsome young boss to play along so smoothly, without the slightest hint of awkwardness.

“Not bad, Boss Su. You’ve got a sense of humor.”

Yu Ou burst out laughing and gave Su Bai a thumbs-up.

“I always keep earplugs in my bag. As long as you don’t mind, I’ll make sure to keep the yacht steady as a tabletop.”

Those two simple jokes instantly swept away the awkwardness of their first meeting.

“All right, everything seems to be ready. Let’s get aboard.”

Su Bai gave the order.

“Got it. All aboard!”

Yu Ou answered briskly. She tossed the towel over her shoulder and led the way up the boarding ladder on a pair of long, powerful, sun-browned legs.

With Zhou Jialu holding Ke Yujia’s arm, the two women followed Su Bai aboard.

Mr. Zhang remained on the dock, waving respectfully to Su Bai from the deck as they departed.

The yacht’s two powerful marine diesel engines rumbled to life, deep and forceful. White water churned behind the stern as the yacht slowly pulled away from the berth.

Under Yu Ou’s practiced handling, it turned smoothly and glided out of the harbor toward the boundless blue sea.

Once they passed beyond the breakwater, the view opened up completely.

Sea wind carrying a faint salty tang blew against their faces. Above them stretched a cloudless blue sky, while beneath their feet lay deep blue water as clear and smooth as a mirror.

The eighty-two-foot yacht was indeed remarkably spacious.

The salon on the lower main deck was entirely floored with pale gray hardwood. A curved leather sofa offered soft, comfortable seating, while the panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows gave them an unobstructed view of the sea outside.

The open-air lounge at the stern was furnished with large shaded sofas and a dining table. The fishing station and diving platform were spotless, with more than enough room to move around.

Most comfortable of all was the yacht’s ride.

It was equipped with a top-of-the-line gyroscopic stabilization system. Even as the yacht gradually increased speed, the hull cut through the waves with barely any noticeable pitching or rolling. It was as smooth as gliding across level ground.

Ke Yujia slipped off her shoes and stood barefoot on the deck, her feet still encased in white stockings.

The young woman gripped the yacht’s gleaming stainless-steel railing with both hands and leaned forward, her little head turning curiously as she took in the sights.

The sea breeze gently stirred her long hair and the drawstrings of her pink hoodie.

Every now and then, she glanced at the white foam rushing away behind them, then looked up at the seagulls circling in the yacht’s wake. Her eyes sparkled with excitement and wonder.

Zhou Jialu emerged from the cabin carrying two glasses of chilled, freshly squeezed orange juice. She handed one to Ke Yujia and kept the other for herself.

“Yujia, how do you like it?”

Leaning against the edge of the sofa, Zhou Jialu asked with a smile.

Ke Yujia accepted the juice and took a cautious sip. Then she turned around and blinked her big eyes in disbelief.

“Sister Jialu, this boat is so steady.”

Her voice was soft and sweet, and her face was filled with undisguised amazement.

“I once took a ferry on a river back home. It rocked so badly that I got dizzy and nauseous, and felt awful for a long time.”

Ke Yujia lowered her head to look at the deck, which remained as steady as ever, then glanced at Su Bai, who was standing at the stern gazing out at the sea. She could not help patting her chest as she exclaimed in surprise:

“I thought going out to sea on a yacht would make me feel really seasick, but I can’t feel the slightest bit of movement standing here. I’m not seasick at all!”