Jian Dan wasn’t exactly friends with her, but Jian Dan was not one to offend people, so she had introduced her friends. However, Bo Qin was very clear about what status Zhao Linlin held, it was only this girl who stayed foolishly, without concern.
Bo Qin did not expose her, letting her hang onto his arm, "Tired? I heard from Sister Wen Xue that you played some sea activities today?"
Jian Dan was very interested, "Uncle Qin, if you accompany me tomorrow, can I play with things like jet skis or go diving? I really want to try that."
Such an opportunity was indeed rare.
She wasn’t a playful character, but inland kids like her couldn’t help yearning for the sea. As long as she was by the sea, even just playing in the water didn’t feel boring.
Today, I only played on a banana boat which was exciting, Sister Wen Xue wouldn’t let me play anything else.
Zhao Linlin found it funny on the side, that just sold out Wen Xue completely.
Hearing her talk about playing on the banana boat, Bo Qin’s face darkened, probably because he didn’t want her playing dangerous sea activities.
But following that, Zhao Linlin heard Bo Qin say, "Alright, tomorrow I’ll accompany you with whatever you want to play, but you have to listen to me, and not leave my line of sight, okay?"
Zhao Linlin was slightly stunned, realizing it was not about not letting her play, but about not feeling at ease with her playing dangerous activities out of his sight.
Following behind the two, staying at the same hotel, it was only natural to return together. Although she maintained a distance, she could still hear their conversation.
Looking up, she saw the tall and straight figure of the man, protecting Jian Dan by his side, their footsteps on the beach, one deep, one shallow, giving her a sense of serene tranquility.
She felt she had thought too far off the track and brought her thoughts back.
Ahead, the two were still chatting.
"Uncle Qin, can you take me to play with beach buggies tomorrow? They look so cool, and I also want to go for a sea BBQ."
Bo Qin’s voice was tinged with laughter, without a hint of impatience, "Tomorrow our flight is at four in the afternoon. We probably won’t have time for so much. Sea activities, going out for a BBQ, you choose one?"
Jian Dan was torn, still pleading, "Can’t we play both?"
"It’s not that we can’t play both, but there’s no time. Next time, when I come over next time, I’ll take you here, just the two of us."
Jian Dan was puzzled for a moment before becoming happy, "Just Uncle Qin and me?"
"Uncle Qin, can you fish? Can you drive a boat?"
Bo Qin nodded and ruffled the top of her head, "Of course. If I couldn’t, I couldn’t make such a promise to you, so let’s wait for next time, okay?"
Zhao Linlin, trailing behind them, felt an indescribable envy. The elders in her family were never so close with their nieces, and the way Jian Dan interacted with Mr. Bo didn’t seem like an uncle with a niece, but more as if Mr. Bo was doting on a daughter. It truly was something.
But Zhao Linlin could also see that Jian Dan’s attachment to Bo Qin exceeded the usual familial affection, more like a crush...
With that thought, she immediately checked herself. Sometimes, thinking too much was a mistake.
It was an error she didn’t wish to commit.
They soon walked back to the hotel. Jian Dan paused, turned around to say goodbye to Zhao Linlin, who waved with a smile, "Goodbye, see you in the capital."
Jian Dan nodded repeatedly, "Okay, you can come to look for me."
"Hmm, I’ll remember that."
"Uncle Qin, what a coincidence, she studies in the capital, right next to our school. I think she’s not too bad, although she troubled me before, but she seems quite pitiful too."
"You don’t even know her, and yet you think she’s pitiful?" He flicked her on the forehead, causing Jian Dan to flinch in pain and glare at the culprit. "Uncle Qin, that hurts."
"Does it hurt? Let me see."
Bo Qin smiled faintly, moving her hand away and lowering his eyes to look at her fair and full forehead, their proximity was so close, Jian Dan nearly could just lift her lips and kiss him. Her heartbeat quickened, yet she didn’t want to give up such closeness, feeling rather base.
Desiring to take advantage of his closeness to her, and ignobly trying to make him stay.
"It doesn’t hurt at all, does it really hurt?"
Bo Qin’s gaze carried a hint of light concern, wondering if he had indeed been too forceful. His long fingers rested on her forehead, gently rubbing.
Jian Dan pulled her rationale back, taking his hand off her forehead, "Uncle Qin, it’s okay now."
Instantaneously, she wilted like a listless flower, drained of vitality. Bo Qin, unsure why she suddenly became listless, thought she might be feeling unwell, somewhat overwhelmed, "Did I really hit too hard? Or are you feeling unwell somewhere?"