See How Flexible You Are

The wok burners in the back kitchen of the food stall roared loudly.

Before long, a large platter of Typhoon Shelter-style green crab, fresh from the wok, was carried to the table.

The two crabs, each weighing more than two pounds, had been chopped into pieces and deep-fried. A golden, crispy mound of fried garlic was piled on top like a little hill, dotted with bright red dried chilies and chopped scallions.

The rich aroma of garlic mingled with the crab’s distinctive sweetness. Steam rose from the platter, whetting everyone’s appetite.

“It smells amazing.”

Ke Yujia sniffed, her eyes sparkling.

“Eat it while it’s hot. The fried garlic won’t stay crispy once it cools.”

Su Bai picked up a huge, meaty crab claw and handed it to Ke Yujia.

The kitchen staff had already cracked the crab’s shell with the back of a cleaver, creating a web of fine fractures. The savory sauce and golden fried garlic had seeped deep into the firm crabmeat.

Su Bai picked up a few pieces of crab body for himself and began eating heartily.

With a physique of 170 points, he expended an enormous amount of energy. Only solid, tender, high-protein seafood like this could give him a truly satisfying sense of fullness.

Zhou Jialu ate with unhurried elegance. Every so often, she peeled off a small piece of crabmeat and fed it to Su Bai, her eyes full of tenderness.

Yu Ou had initially thought she was already full, but the chef’s skill with the Typhoon Shelter-style crab was undeniably authentic. The aroma of garlic kept drifting into her nose, and before long, she could not resist putting on a pair of disposable gloves and slowly gnawing on a piece of crab body herself.

As they ate, Zhou Jialu happened to glance at Ke Yujia.

A small pile of crab shells had already accumulated in the little white porcelain dish in front of her.

Zhou Jialu stared at the shells, momentarily stunned.

When ordinary people ate fried crab, especially hard-shelled green crab like this, plenty of shredded meat and soft roe usually remained in the cracks. No matter how carefully they bit through the shells or pried them apart with their hands, some was almost always left behind.

But the shells Ke Yujia had discarded were unbelievably clean.

Whether it was the large claws lined with jagged edges, the narrow, winding crevices around the joints, or even the tips of the slender legs, no meat remained inside.

Every piece of shell looked as though it had been meticulously cleaned with professional tools. The insides were smooth and white, without even the slightest trace of leftover meat or fibers.

Zhou Jialu grew curious.

She set down her chopsticks, turned toward Ke Yujia, and could not help studying the young girl’s delicate, tender features.

“Little Yujia, do you always eat crab this cleanly?”

Ke Yujia was still chewing the last mouthful of crab, her cheeks puffed out as her little mouth worked away.

When she heard Zhou Jialu’s question, she blinked her large eyes and swallowed the meat, looking somewhat confused.

“Huh? What is it, Sister Jialu?”

Zhou Jialu extended a fair, delicate finger and pointed at the little dish in front of Ke Yujia.

“Look at the shells you’ve spit out. Even the meat in the tiny joint crevices is gone. They’re cleaner than if they’d been washed. The shell of a green crab is so hard and covered in spikes. How did you get every bit of meat out?”

Hearing that, Yu Ou instinctively turned to look as well.

When she saw the completely empty dish of crab shells, without a scrap of meat left behind, she clicked her tongue in amazement.

“That really is impressive. I grew up by the sea, and even I don’t eat crab this carefully. The little piece of meat at the very end of the crab legs is the hardest to get out. Usually, even if you crush the shell with your teeth, you still can’t suck it out. How did you manage it?”

Ke Yujia’s fair cheeks flushed a faint pink when she heard them both praising her.

She lowered her head shyly and twisted a tissue between her fingers as she explained in a small voice, “Actually… I didn’t use any tools.”

“It’s just… my teeth and tongue are fairly nimble.”

“Nimble?” Zhou Jialu raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile in her eyes.

“Mm…”

Ke Yujia’s voice was soft and sweet, almost no louder than a mosquito’s hum.

“I’ve practiced dance since I was little, so I’m used to controlling every part of my body. When I eat, I can use my tongue to push the meat toward the gaps between my teeth. Then I gently pry it loose with my front teeth and canines, following the shape of the shell to pull out the entire strip of meat.”

“And my little teeth are very precise when they come together. The soft tendons inside the shell snap as soon as I touch them, but I don’t hurt my lips.”

After saying this, Ke Yujia shyly lifted her watery eyes and stole a glance at Su Bai.

Seeing him watching her with an amused, knowing smile, the young girl’s heart skipped a beat. Her ears instantly turned bright red, and she hurriedly ducked her head.

Zhou Jialu was far too perceptive to miss the implication. A meaningful smile immediately appeared at the corners of her lips.

She gave Su Bai a significant look, picked up the glass of juice beside her, and took a sip, choosing not to tease the embarrassed little white rabbit any further.

The late-night meal lasted for more than an hour.

The two large green crabs, along with several full platters of seafood, were devoured without leaving a trace.

Su Bai went to the counter to pay the bill.

The group walked out of the food stall, and the cool, damp sea breeze swept over them, dispelling some of the heat and smell of cooking oil clinging to their bodies.

The streetlights on either side of the road cast hazy yellow halos. The crowds around the harbor had already begun to thin.

It was time to say goodbye.

Standing at the intersection, Yu Ou held the shoulder strap of her sports backpack with one hand, her unfocused gaze resting on Su Bai.

For some reason, she walked unusually slowly. A feeling of reluctance rose in her heart without warning.

Throughout the entire day, from sea fishing and cooking to the easy laughter around the dinner table, this young man—two years younger than her—had displayed an almost perfect personal charm.

He was powerful, composed, and wealthy, yet remarkably gentle with others, showing none of the arrogance commonly associated with rich men.

Yu Ou knew perfectly well that she had developed feelings for Su Bai. She had even been deeply drawn to him.

But she had no idea how to take the initiative with a man.

Ever since she had been selected for a sailing training team in middle school, her life had revolved around waves, ropes, sailboards, and intense physical training. There had been no room for anything else.

After retiring, she remained deeply involved in the water-sports world. She had never lacked admirers, but she had no interest in those idle rich heirs.

She was pure at heart, as innocent as a blank sheet of paper. She had never properly held a man’s hand, much less had any closer contact with one.

At sea, whether she was controlling a sailboard against the waves or guiding a large yacht into and out of a deep-water berth, she was decisive, capable, and entirely self-reliant.

Yet when it came to relationships, she became so awkward in front of a man she liked that she could not even bring herself to ask for his contact information or invite him to meet again.

Yu Ou opened her mouth, then nervously tightened her fingers around her backpack strap. Beneath the streetlight, she looked completely at a loss.

Su Bai stood beside her, taking in the unmistakable longing and uncertainty in her eyes.

He smiled gently and took the initiative to break the silence.

“Coach Yu, do you have any plans for tomorrow?”

Yu Ou paused, then looked up at Su Bai and instinctively shook her head.

“I don’t have any classes tomorrow. I’m taking the day off.”

“Perfect, then.”

Su Bai’s tone was natural and casual, as though they were discussing an ordinary little matter.

“I heard from Mr. Zhang that there are several naturally weathered cliffs on the mountainside across the bay. A lot of outdoor enthusiasts supposedly go there for rappelling and rock climbing?”

At the mention of rock climbing, Yu Ou’s originally stiff expression instantly came alive.

“Exactly. It’s at the Blackstone Cliffs north of Binhai Park. The rock face is natural granite with very little weathering, and the routes are classics. There are courses ranging from beginner to professional level.”

“How about it? Do you have time tomorrow during the day to take us there?”

Su Bai looked at her and smiled. “I usually climb at indoor gyms. Since we’re finally by the sea, I’d love to try a real outdoor cliff. With a professional athlete like you leading the way, we’ll feel much safer.”

A flicker of unconcealed delight passed through Yu Ou’s eyes.

The lingering reluctance and uncertainty in her heart instantly transformed into wholehearted excitement and anticipation.

When it came to outdoor sports like rock climbing, she was naturally an expert.

“Of course. No problem at all.”

Yu Ou’s lips curved into her trademark sunny smile, and her voice was bright and decisive.

“I know the owner of an equipment shop over there. I’ll help you pick out a few properly fitting static ropes and harnesses first thing tomorrow morning. I’ll drive to the hotel to pick you up at nine.”

“Great. It’s a deal.” Su Bai smiled and nodded.

The two exchanged WeChat contacts naturally, and Yu Ou waved before turning around and hailing a taxi, her steps light and brisk.

After seeing Yu Ou off, Zhou Jialu walked over and slipped her arm naturally through Su Bai’s.

“Junior, where are we staying tonight?”

“The Mandarin Oriental closest to the scenic area,” Su Bai replied.

The Mandarin Oriental was unquestionably one of Binhai’s premier luxury resort hotels.

Built against the mountains and facing the sea, the hotel backed onto a lush, densely wooded primeval forest park, while an expansive private bay stretched out directly in front of it.

A little over ten minutes later, their private car pulled up in front of the hotel lobby.

Su Bai simply presented his black card. The front desk manager treated him with the utmost respect, personally leading the three of them all the way to a cliffside panoramic luxury suite on the top floor.

When he swiped the card and pushed open the heavy solid-wood door, the suite’s smart lights slowly flickered on.

The entire suite covered more than two hundred square meters. Two enormous curved floor-to-ceiling windows brought the nighttime scenery outside fully into view.

On one side, layer upon layer of verdant mountains lay immersed in the darkness. On the other, the sea shimmered beneath the moonlight, its waves tipped with silver-white foam.

The faint sound of waves striking the cliffs drifted in from outside, creating an atmosphere of utter peace and comfort.

“Wow, the view is incredible.”

Zhou Jialu slipped off her high heels and padded barefoot across the thick carpet, stretching her graceful figure in comfort.

After spending most of the day being tossed about on the yacht and then standing in the sea breeze all evening, her skin naturally felt faintly sticky.

Zhou Jialu turned around and gave Su Bai a flirtatious wink with her alluring, almond-shaped eyes.

“I smell like sea air. I’m going to run a bath first, Junior.”

With that, she took a robe from her suitcase and swayed toward the luxurious marble bathroom, which featured an oversized soaking tub with a spectacular view.

As the frosted-glass door slid gently shut, the sound of warm water soon came pouring from inside the bathroom.

In the spacious, lavish suite, only Su Bai and Ke Yujia remained in the living room.

Ke Yujia stood somewhat awkwardly beside the floor-to-ceiling window. Her small feet, clad in white stockings, were pressed together, while she clasped her hands behind her back and lowered her head, staring at the patterns in the carpet.

Although she had already shared an extremely intimate encounter with Su Bai in the yacht’s master bedroom that day, whenever she was alone with him, the innate innocence and shyness in her still proved difficult to cast off.

Su Bai walked over to the leather sofa and beckoned to her.

“Yujia, come here.”

Ke Yujia obediently took a few small steps forward and stopped beside him, softly calling out,

“Brother Su Bai…”

Su Bai reached out and took her slender, tender hand. With a slight pull, he drew her into his arms.

Ke Yujia let out a soft gasp, her petite body willingly nestling against Su Bai’s broad, warm chest. His steady, pleasant scent filled her senses.

Su Bai raised a hand and gently pinched her fair, delicate chin, a teasing smile playing at the corners of his lips.

“At dinner just now, you told Jialu that your… technique was particularly agile?”

Ke Yujia’s body stiffened slightly, and a lovely flush instantly spread across her fair neck.

She bit her lower lip shyly and whispered, “I just meant that I’m pretty agile when it comes to eating…”

“How much difference can there be when it comes to eating?”

Su Bai leaned down, his warm breath lightly brushing her flushed ear as he chuckled softly.

“Talk is cheap.”

“We have plenty of time now. Let me see your skill at eating crab for myself.”

Ke Yujia’s cheeks turned so red they looked ready to bleed, while her limpid almond-shaped eyes filled with embarrassment and panic.

She lowered her gaze shyly, her lashes trembling faintly, and her little hands fidgeted helplessly with Su Bai’s clothes.

Yet when Su Bai made his request, she showed not the slightest resistance.

Biting her lip softly, Ke Yujia obediently followed Su Bai’s movements and bent down, pressing herself against him.