The most likely thing to happen by the sea is drowning. People always cherish what they lose, and this was the opportunity she wanted to find, but today…
Let’s play for a while first!
Xu Qian plunged into the azure sea like an arrow, leaving behind a white spray.
A faint smile touched Tang Zhiyuan's lips. In the end, he had no choice but to follow.
Men are naturally stronger than women. He quickly swam behind her and patted Xu Qian's fair shoulder.
Xu Qian turned her head.
Tang Zhiyuan's stray hairs floated upwards with the water, revealing his smooth forehead. His originally sharp, clean-cut features now appeared even sharper, making him more handsome and captivating.
Xu Qian's eyes flickered. She decided to give Tang Zhiyuan a thrill. She quickly turned and kissed his thin lips.
They embraced tightly, and in the suffocating closeness, there was a feeling of not wanting to lose, of deep care.
[Ding, Tang Zhiyuan's favorability +10, total favorability 51.]
They surfaced for air only when they could no longer breathe, both gasping.
Xu Qian wrapped a slender, soft arm around his neck and brushed the wet hair from her forehead with her other hand, revealing her entire delicate and beautiful face. Her eyes were hazy and rippling, and she said in a light tone,
"Mr. Tang, will you be my boyfriend?"
"Hmm? What do you say?"
The sunlight in the sea glinted off his flawless face. His eyes held a smile, the coldness gone, dazzlingly bright.
Xu Qian tilted her head, raised her eyebrows, and said, "No? Then I'll find another man to be my boyfriend."
"You wouldn't dare."
Tang Zhiyuan's slightly cool lips descended, filled with helpless indulgence and a sigh. There was no space between them.
The kiss was lingering and passionate, merging, profound, and unrestrained.
Tang Zhiyuan's gaze deepened. He wrapped his arms around Xu Qian's slender waist, his cool fingertips brushing against the warm skin of her waist, gently caressing it.
He was trying to control himself. He considered himself not a man of excess. He was usually busy with work, and when he had needs, he relied on his own. Between research and women, research was more important to him.
She was an accident.
Xu Qian's body stiffened, then relaxed.
What was the big deal? Just a touch and then going to bed?
But the disgust that welled up inside her couldn't be controlled.
Tang Zhiyuan's dark eyes flickered. He sensitively sensed Xu Qian's momentary stiffness. He let go and smoothly cut through the water.
"Let's see who's faster."
"Childish."
Xu Qian raised her eyebrows. Although she said that, she still refused to admit defeat and immediately splashed water, catching up. After all, she was on the school's swimming team.
In the vast blue sea, Xu Qian finally acted as freely and recklessly as a normal 18-year-old girl.
They swam until they were exhausted and returned to their rooms, both ravenously hungry.
After Tang Zhiyuan called for room service, they each went to their rooms to shower.
Xu Qian was the first to finish. The apocalypse had changed her habits from her maiden days; she showered quickly.
Even though she had been a water-element ability user in her previous life, the water consumption during the day far exceeded the energy in her body. Many times, she didn't have enough water to shower.
"Ding dong."
"Room service."
A waiter pushed a cart laden with seafood: hairy crabs, lobsters, abalones, sea cucumbers, and sashimi.
No wonder Tang Zhiyuan said she was after his family's money. Z Group was the largest commercial empire in country Z, naturally managed by his brother, Tang Zhisen.
Soon, Tang Zhiyuan emerged, wearing a gray loungewear set. A faint smile graced his handsome features. "Ms. Xu, please wipe the drool from the corner of your mouth."
Xu Qian reached up and wiped her mouth. There was indeed a little. She loved seafood the most.
She smiled faintly, playfully raising her eyebrows, and said, "Mr. Tang, are you disgusted with me?"
"I wouldn't dare to be disgusted with Ms. Xu. Please, Ms. Xu, come and have your meal."
Xu Qian carefully selected a… zombie movie.
They peeled crabs and ate shrimp, watching the terrifying zombies on the screen with relish.
Not long after they started eating, Tang Zhiyuan's phone rang. A string of German words came from his mouth. After a brief conversation outside, he went into the room.
[System, when can you develop a translation item?]
[Ding, the system is continuously improving for you.]
Xu Qian had finished eating and drinking her fill, but Tang Zhiyuan still hadn't come out. She gently knocked on his door, but there was no response from inside.
She furrowed her brow slightly and opened the door.
Tang Zhiyuan was doing calculations on paper. His handwriting was free and bold. The computer on his desk was on a video call. On the screen was the same blonde, blue-eyed German. They were speaking rapidly, seemingly busy.
Xu Qian lowered her eyelids, about to close the door and leave.
The German on the screen noticed Xu Qian.
"Tang, your girl?"
Tang Zhiyuan stopped writing, turned back, somewhat surprised. After all, everyone knew how serious he was during work, and no one dared to disturb him. Xu Qian was the first.
A trace of coldness flashed in his calm eyes. His voice was sharp and hard, "Xu Qian, you go out first."
Xu Qian's back stiffened, her eyes darkening. "Mr. Tang, please eat first. You haven't eaten all day, your stomach will hurt."
"I'll say it again, get out." His voice carried the chill of a harsh winter, icy and unforgiving.
They were discussing a crucial point, and Xu Qian's sudden intrusion had completely disrupted his train of thought. For a researcher, the thoughts at that moment were incredibly important.
Xu Qian huffed and pulled the door shut heavily.
"Bang."
A loud noise.
"Tang, your little girlfriend seems angry."
Tang Zhiyuan's face turned cold. He rubbed his temples. "Let's continue."
[Ding, Tang Zhiyuan's favorability -3, total favorability 48.]
Xu Qian brushed her teeth and washed her face angrily, then lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling for a while before her mind suddenly cleared.
What was she doing? Why was she angry? Tang Zhiyuan was just a target, an unaccomplished one. From the beginning, she had only treated him as a mission, not involving any other emotions.
And now she was acting like a girl in love, throwing a tantrum at Tang Zhiyuan, even forgetting the mission, forgetting he was a target.
Tang Zhiyuan's favorability towards her had risen to 51, and she had taken it for granted that he had fallen for her. But clearly, the other party didn't think so. Work was more important than her.
Xu Qian felt as if she had fallen into an ice cellar. A biting cold spread from her heart. She closed her eyes, pulled the covers over herself, and gradually drifted off to sleep.
Late at night, a bouquet of vibrant, dewy roses quietly bloomed on the bedside table.