Gu Moqian nodded, his expression calm: "Mm, I’ve already booked the ticket for two weeks later."
Ye Cheng was silent for a few seconds before replying, "Alright, I’ll go with you then."
Gu Moqian looked at Ye Cheng with some surprise, but before he could say anything, Xi Nanfeng suddenly slapped his thigh and boldly declared, "Count me in too!"
"The more people, the more complicated it gets. You don’t need to add to the chaos," Ye Cheng said expressionlessly.
"Eh? How am I adding to the chaos? If things get violent, at least I can help bolster the numbers!" Xi Nanfeng retorted indignantly, rolling up his sleeves.
"None of you are going." Gu Moqian suddenly stood up, looking seriously at his two close friends in front of him. "This matter has nothing to do with you. I don’t want to drag you into it."
Ye Cheng was about to say something when he noticed Gu Moqian’s gaze suddenly darken, focused on the beach not far away. Before he could react, Gu Moqian had already dashed toward the shore.
Xi Nanfeng, startled, followed Gu Moqian’s line of sight. On the distant shoreline, a figure was walking steadily deeper into the sea. He couldn’t help but mutter, "Isn’t that Ji Xiaowei? It’s already dark, and she’s still trying to catch fish?"
At this moment on the beach:
Xia Duoduo staggered to her feet, kicking away the pile of empty beer cans beside her. Her eyes were hazy as she looked at the woman wading into the dark water, drunkenly shouting with a giggle, "Weiwei, why are you going into the sea when it’s so dark? Come back and drink with me instead..."
"Duoduo, come join me. Soaking in the seawater feels so good."
Hearing the voice from the shore, Ji Wei turned her head and gave a blurry smile, then continued walking deeper into the water.
Suddenly, a tall figure leapt into the sea, reaching out to firmly pull the woman into his arms.
Ji Wei struggled, lifting her head with a frown of annoyance. "Why are you grabbing me?"
When she saw the man’s face clearly, she suddenly broke into a wide grin. "I recognize you, you’re... you’re..."
Ji Wei swayed her head slightly, as if trying hard to remember, but no matter how she tried, she couldn’t recall his name.
Her tolerance for alcohol had never been great, and tonight she had let herself drink freely. Now, she was utterly, hopelessly drunk.
Gu Moqian looked at her flushed little face, showing no trace of impatience, and firmly held onto her wobbling body.
"Right! Husband!" Ji Wei repeated, beaming brightly. "Husband~ I’m just feeling so hot, and the water feels so much better..."
She tilted her head back to look at him, her eyes clouded with intoxication. As she spoke, her cherry-like lips pouted slightly, unconsciously acting coquettish toward him.
Gu Moqian patiently coaxed her, "Be good, come with me to the shore. The seawater is cold."
"The cool water feels good though."
Ji Wei retorted. Turning her gaze to see Xia Duoduo still on the shore, she hurriedly waved and shouted, "Duoduo, come down quickly!"
Xia Duoduo, by now just as drunk, laughed foolishly, wobbling as she charged toward the sea. "Alright..."
She stumbled forward, but before her foot could touch the water, a strong force suddenly grabbed her arm. The pull spun her around, throwing her off balance, and she fell straight into the embrace of the person behind her.
The man’s body stiffened slightly.
Xia Duoduo lifted her eyes to see Ye Cheng looking at her with a cold expression. She stared blankly for a moment, then suddenly shivered.
Her eyes flickered with a trace of panic as she reached out to push the man away. "Let go, let go of me! I can walk on my own..."