SG 40

On Monday, Chu Baiyan found an indoor swimming center. The ocean park also had a pool, but it was outdoors, with rides above it, and the crowds during summer break made it unsuitable for Yan Anqing.

For Yan Anqing, swimming wasn’t just a sudden whim. Every time he saw Chu Baiyan dragging his fish tail and gliding through the water toward him, he always wanted to know what it felt like to be in the water. But since he couldn’t swim, that thought never went beyond curiosity.

That afternoon, when he heard the tall man mention taking his lover swimming, the idea of swimming with Chu Baiyan reached its peak. Even if he couldn’t swim, he could still watch Chu Baiyan swim in front of him, and that was more appealing than seeing him through water and glass.

Even though it was summer vacation, most classes trained in the afternoon. When they arrived at the swimming center in the morning, it had just opened, and except for the coach and lifeguard resting by the pool, it was practically empty.

It was Yan Anqing’s first time at a swimming center. When he walked into the locker room and saw the showers lined up with only partitions and no doors, he instantly lost his courage.

“There’s no one now. Go to the one in the corner.” Chu Baiyan pointed to the more hidden stall when he saw Yan Anqing standing at the entrance for a long time without moving.

After checking both sides and confirming that no one was there, Yan Anqing went into the stall in the corner, took off his clothes quickly, and changed into the swim trunks that Chu Baiyan had bought for him.

When he came out, Chu Baiyan was already waiting by the door with a towel. He took the clothes and pants from Yan Anqing’s hands, folded them, and locked them in the locker along with his own.

“Come sit by the edge.” Chu Baiyan put the two towels on a chair and stepped into the pool with one long stride.

When Yan Anqing sat down by the edge, Chu Baiyan held his legs and placed them into the water. “Get used to the temperature first. If you jump right in, your legs might cramp.”

Yan Anqing’s skin was pale. He rarely went outside, and the parts covered by clothes were even paler. His lower legs soaked in the water, and his two white feet curled together nervously.

“Move your feet a little.” Chu Baiyan held his ankle and showed him how to move through the water.

Yan Anqing shifted his legs slightly and felt the resistance of the water. The ripples splashed onto Chu Baiyan’s body, ran down his collarbone, and dripped into the pool.

“Come down. This side’s shallow. Don’t be scared.”

Yan Anqing held Chu Baiyan’s arm and slid down. The cool water instantly reached below his chest, and the sudden immersion made him reflexively wrap his arms around Chu Baiyan’s waist.

“Do you stay like this in the water every day?”

“When I dive, the temperature’s lower. They keep it cool for the marine life, around twenty-four or twenty-five degrees.” Chu Baiyan splashed some water onto him to help him adjust faster.

They were so close that the body he usually only saw through clothes was right in front of him. Chu Baiyan was tall, and the water only reached his waist. While he was flicking water toward himself, Yan Anqing’s gaze slowly traveled down his body.

Chu Baiyan’s skin was fair, but now when their arms were pressed together, he was two shades darker than him, looking healthier.

Yan Anqing’s eyes looked down through the water, and the bulge in his swimming trunks was more obvious than when he wore a fishtail. He looked at Chu Baiyan, then at himself, and the difference was huge.

“What are you looking at?” Chu Baiyan pinched his chin and lifted Yan Anqing’s head, having tried his best to restrain himself. If he was stared at again, he would really get into trouble.

“Why is yours so much bigger than mine?” Yan Anqing was very confused. He had never seen anyone else’s, so he had no way to compare whether Chu Baiyan’s was the biggest.

Chu Baiyan couldn’t answer that question, so he changed the subject, “Aren’t you going to swim? Huh?”

When Yan Anqing finally looked away, Chu Baiyan continued, “I’ll swim a lap and show you. Stay by the edge and hold on. The front’s deep, so don’t go there.”

Yan Anqing remembered the main purpose and nodded. “Alright.”

After explaining, Chu Baiyan broke through the water and started swimming. Compared to diving, this was easy. After one lap back and forth, he stopped beside Yan Anqing and wiped the water off his face.

“I want to see how you swim normally.” Yan Anqing didn’t know the names of strokes, but he could tell the way Chu Baiyan swam now wasn’t the same as what he had seen before.

“Does it look better when I swim normally?” Chu Baiyan asked with a smile. Yan Anqing’s observation was sharp. He had used breaststroke earlier, which was simpler than his usual form.

“Today’s good too. But the usual one looks better.” Yan Anqing answered seriously.

Chu Baiyan smiled. “Wait here.” He dove again and swam another lap using the butterfly stroke.

In the water, Chu Baiyan moved like a dolphin. His waist and abdomen moved with force, his arms and thighs synchronized precisely, and the waves pushed forward under him. For the first time, Yan Anqing watched Chu Baiyan swim so close, and this time, Chu Baiyan swam only for him.

When Chu Baiyan came back, even the coach nearby clapped. The speed and form clearly belonged to a professional.

“Do you want to try? I’ll teach you.” Chu Baiyan stood in the water and brushed his wet hair back.

“I’m dumb. I can’t learn. When I was a kid, even running took me a long time to learn. I was always last in class, and everyone laughed at how ugly my movements were.”

It wasn’t only running. He couldn’t ride a bike or roller-skate either. His grandma had even enrolled him in classes to train his balance, but he never learned any of it.

“Not everyone has to know how to swim. Not learning doesn’t mean you’re dumb. You make beautiful ceramics. Many people can’t do that. You’re amazing already.”

Chu Baiyan held his hand and walked a few steps toward the deeper end. “I’ll hold your stomach. Try moving your arms and legs.”

His palm was warm against the cool water. Even though Chu Baiyan supported him so he wouldn’t sink, Yan Anqing still splashed around and swallowed a few mouthfuls of water. He didn’t learn much, but he had fun.

“Lie on my back. I’ll take you around.” Seeing him get tired, Chu Baiyan made a suggestion.

Yan Anqing held his shoulders and climbed on from behind.

“When you’re steady, don’t be scared. You won’t fall.” Chu Baiyan said that and started swimming with him on his back.

The sound of splashing water filled Yan Anqing’s ears. The feeling was new. It wasn’t like being on a boat. His chest rested against Chu Baiyan’s back, his upper body floated above the water, and his legs drifted below with buoyancy. When they entered the deep section, he clung tightly to Chu Baiyan’s shoulders.

“You can move your legs a bit too.” Chu Baiyan swam steadily and showed him how to play.

After one lap, Yan Anqing still didn’t want to stop. Chu Baiyan got out to drink some water, then carried him again for another lap.

As noon approached, more people arrived. Someone whistled when they saw the two of them. Yan Anqing turned his head away and buried his face in Chu Baiyan’s hair. His breath hit the top of Chu Baiyan’s head as he exhaled.

“Let’s go back.” They swam one last lap, and as more people came in, Yan Anqing started feeling uncomfortable.

“Alright. If you want, we’ll come again next week.” Chu Baiyan brought him to the ladder, placed his hands on the edge, and climbed out. When Yan Anqing followed, he quickly wrapped the towel tightly around him.

In the locker room, another problem came up. Several people were changing, and even the stalls in the back had others nearby.

For Yan Anqing, showering or changing in front of others was impossible. He looked at Chu Baiyan for help. “Shower with me.”

“You go first. I’ll block the door.” Chu Baiyan hung the clothes bag on the hook on the stall wall. Next time they swam, he would pick a place with private stalls.

Yan Anqing answered softly, turned around, and took off his swim trunks before turning on the shower. The view behind him was completely visible. Chu Baiyan’s throat tightened. He wanted to turn away, but every other stall was occupied. Facing outside would be even more awkward, so he had no choice but to turn back again.