CTS 40

Shen Mo spent the New Year quietly. He gave Yang Yue time off and stayed home, cooking a few dishes for himself and opening a bottle of red wine. But eating alone made even the most exquisite food taste bland. In the end, it felt no different from his usual takeout, just the same quiet, lonely flavor. Before midnight, he went to bed, wrapped himself tightly in a thick quilt, and fell into a deep sleep to the sound of fireworks outside.

Once the New Year passed, the beginning of spring followed.

Shen Mo had been to S Island several times. There was no need to plan much. He exchanged cash, packed his bags, and even got a haircut the day before departure. His features were already youthful, and with his bangs trimmed short, his eyes were more visible, making him look even younger than he was.

Just like four years ago.

Around this same time four years ago, he had looked forward to going to S Island with Ji Mingxuan. But things had changed. What should have been a shared journey ended up becoming one he took alone.

On the morning of February fourth, Shen Mo left with his suitcase. He had a connecting flight, and it took over ten hours to reach his destination. S Island was famous as a honeymoon spot, best known for its beaches. White sand, clear blue sea, and breathtaking views.

The hotel Shen Mo checked into was built on a cliff in the southern part of the island. The suites and villas were arranged along the slope, and inside the rooms, one could hear the sound of waves crashing. When he opened the window and looked out, the vast ocean stretched before him, the view grand and spectacular. The interior design was unique, blending modern elements with the raw charm of the natural surroundings. The hotel had only recently opened. Word was, it was funded by a Chinese investor. The nightly rate wasn’t cheap, but since Shen Mo was already traveling, he didn’t fuss over the details.

By the time he arrived, it was already evening. He took a long sleep to adjust to the time difference. Only the next morning did he start enjoying the seaside view at his leisure.

He had chosen to come at this time partly for reasons he couldn’t put into words. But the official reason was a painting trip, so after lunch, he slung his sketchpad over his back and began touring the island.

He rode a bike through the small villages, lay on the beach to watch the sunset, and tasted the local cuisine in its most authentic form. After a few days, he had thoroughly enjoyed himself. He had also completed quite a few paintings, some of which turned out beautifully, full of character and charm.

He had even thought about renting a speedboat to go out to sea, but eventually, the fatigue caught up to him. During the last few days, he simply stayed in his hotel room, quietly painting. One side of the hotel overlooked the cliff, while the other featured a swimming pool. Whenever he felt tired, he would stroll along the poolside to relax.

That day, the sunlight was especially warm. Shen Mo had no plans for the afternoon, so after lunch, he headed to the poolside. He sat there soaking in the sun, thinking about his next composition. As the afternoon wore on, more and more people came out for a swim. Shen Mo sipped a cup of coffee, and just as he was enjoying the peaceful moment, he suddenly heard someone call out in Chinese.

“Mingxuan…”

A sweet, sticky female voice drifted through the air, soft and winding as if trying to act coy.

Everything around Shen Mo fell silent for a moment, as if all sound had vanished except for those two words, which rang out with piercing clarity. A thin layer of sweat formed at the tip of his nose. He stood up without thinking and turned toward the voice.

What he saw was a woman in a swimsuit. Her legs were long and pale, her figure curvy and eye-catching, and her long black hair stood out in particular. She had her arm looped through that of a man who looked to be Chinese, around forty years old, mostly bald, with a belly round and firm like a ripe watermelon.

Ah. Not Ji Mingxuan.

Shen Mo felt his whole body relax. He gave a quiet laugh at his own nerves. The name Mingxuan was far from rare. There must be thousands, if not tens of thousands, of people with that name. Why had he assumed it would be him?

He watched as that other Mingxuan passed by with the swimsuit-clad woman, all affectionate and flirtatious. A thought rose in his mind. What did Ji Mingxuan look like now? Had he put on weight too, changed beyond recognition? But he shook his head right after, telling himself again, they would never meet again.

He gave a wry smile and turned to sit back down in his chair. But as he turned, that smile froze on his face.

There, just a few steps away, stood Ji Mingxuan.

He was neatly dressed, tall and straight-backed, and even more striking than Shen Mo remembered. His gaze was locked firmly on him. His complexion remained light, his features still handsome, as if time had never laid a hand on him.