Chapter 30: First confrontation?
As soon as they kept their bags in their room, Siying jumped up and down eagerly.
"Sea! Sea! Let's go out Dada! I want to see the sea!"
Xinyi asked Zhiyuan, "When is the gathering?"
"Two hours later. Mu Chuanli kept it that way so we could have a short tour of the ship before it started."
"In that case, we are good."
"Mama, I want to wear my pirate clothes!"
She smiled. "So soon?"
"Yes, yes!" Siying proudly put his hands on his waist, "Everyone should know that I am the pirate boss!"
She burst into a chuckle. "Alright. Let's get you changed."
Ten minutes later, they went on the deck, and immediately, a cold, refreshing breeze with a slight taste of saltiness brushed past them.
Siying ran off towards the railing.
Zhiyuan sternly said, "Careful Siying. We don't want any accidents."
But Siying was floating in the clouds with the thrill of being on a ship.
"Mama. It is so high here," he giggled. "Mama, look! I saw a fish!"
Zhiyuan shook his head. His son completely ignored his concern. He walked up to him and picked Siying up in his arms.
"Dada! I am even higher now!"
Their room was on the highest floor. From that height, the view was breathtaking as they looked down at the sea. They could see the entire cruise ship stretched as far as their sight took them.
Xinyi smiled and quietly stood beside them. She gazed at the father-son pair and her eyes twinkled in happiness.
Zhiyuan carried Siying on his left arm while he placed his right hand on the railing that accidentally clutched onto Xinyi's hand.
They froze for a moment and their gazes met.
Xinyi panicked in nervousness and lowered her head. Her ears turned slightly red and she averted her gaze.
Zhiyuan's fingers gently brushed onto hers. His long fingers and big palm had completely enveloped her soft hand.
Her hand is so small. But her fingers feel slightly rugged around the edges. I wonder why…
He felt a little curious about it. So, his curiosity led him to touch her fingers more to try and figure out the reason.
Unknown to him, that greatly affected Xinyi. Her heart raced faster as he moved his fingers against hers. She blushed.
I thought his hand would be a little cold but it's surprisingly so warm...
She peeked at him. She thought he would quickly retreat it, but instead, he was touching and feeling them more.
As Zhiyuan looked back at her, he realized that he didn't take back his hand.
He quickly said, "I…"
"I…"
Both spoke at the same time.
Zhiyuan awkwardly smiled. "That I am-"
"Oh, that is so sweet."
They heard a voice and as they turned, they saw a woman in her forties, smiling at them.
Zhiyuan recognized her. "Mrs. Mu Lin."
She chuckled and nodded.
"I was just passing by and saw an adorable couple holding hands. You three look so cute together. Like a perfect, harmonious family."
Zhiyuan and Xinyi smiled but stood a little awkwardly.
Siying chirped. "Mama and Dada are very cute!"
Mu Lin laughed. "Yes, yes. They are. Hey, this is such a perfect moment to take a family picture! Wait, let me take out my phone."
Xinyi said, "I-It's okay...We don't want to trouble you."
"It's no trouble dear. I hardly get to see such a loving couple nowadays."
Loving…
They couldn't say anything to that.
She took out her phone and said, "Okay. Hold your hands just like that and come a little closer."
Zhiyuan took a step towards her and closed the distance.
Mu Lin frowned. "A little more."
Xinyi coughed.
They were now standing just a few centimeters away from each other. It felt a little warmer than before now. She felt the heat radiating from his body.
"Hmm... Something is missing. Yes! Hold her waist with your other arm."
Xinyi flustered. "T-that..."
"Dada! Quickly hold Mama! Picture! Picture!" Siying eagerly said.
Zhiyuan lowered his gaze and found her nervously fiddling with her fingers. He cleared his throat. "Please don't mind..."
Zhiyuan held her waist and gently pulled her towards him. Xinyi stood rooted like a statue. She felt her waist suddenly grow warmer with his touch. She furiously flushed and bit her lip.
"Mama, you are not looking at the camera," he pouted, "How will your face come in the picture?"
Xinyi flushed. "Y-yes I will…" she stammered.
Mu Lin laughed. "So cute. Even after so many years, you blush like a maiden. Alright. Now smile."
Siying grinned while Zhiyuan and Xinyi softly smiled.
This was the longest time that their hands were connected so intimately. She was so nervous that her fingers were slightly trembling.
Mu Lin took a picture and was pleased. "Yup I was right! You look so perfect in this scenery like a happy family. I will send this to you, Zhiyuan. You should keep it as your phone's wallpaper."
Zhiyuan said, "You are lively as ever, Mrs. Mu."
"Of course! I have to bring life into Chuanli's boring gatherings! If left to him, he would bore the hell out of you," she grimaced.
Xinyi's phone buzzed and she saw the picture that Mu Lin just sent her.
Her heart felt fuzzy and her lips curved into a gentle smile.
We really look like a happy couple and a loving family. Siying was adorable in his pirate outfit.
But she knew it the best how things were between them.
Nevertheless, she was happy with this picture. This was the first family picture they had ever taken.
I will cherish it.
Mu Lin said, "Well, I hope you liked our ship."
Zhiyuan nodded. "Very. As expected of Mr. Mu Chuanli."
She chuckled. "Right, right. Alright. I will leave you three alone now. See you at the gathering."
Siying giggled. "Dada loves Mama so much. He is still holding Mama's hand."
They jolted and coughed in embarrassment. Zhiyuan gently withdrew.
Then he remembered about her rugged fingers.
"By the way."
Xinyi calmed down and went back to normal.
"Hm?"
"Why are your fingers so-"
But then he suddenly stopped speaking. He froze as his gaze accidentally locked onto a certain woman's back.
Her back was only partially visible because of a tall pole in between but Zhiyuan recognized that figure instantly. He could recognize it even with his eyes closed.
Caihong…?
*****
Please do join my discord! https://discord.gg/CbhNys444r
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
enthu_reader
enthu_reader Zhiyuan recognized Caihong. Will this be their first confrontation?
Happy reading ❤️ Keep voting!
Chapter 31: Bumping into a crying little bun
Xinyi felt the change in Zhiyuan's voice and body language. He suddenly seemed in shock.
"Zhiyuan, what happened?"
Zhiyuan's gaze was locked onto that woman's figure. The same long hair and her same thin structure brought only Caihong into his mind.
Caihong…? Is she really her?
No, she is her. I cannot be mistaken. Is she really on this cruise ship?
Xinyi furrowed her brows and gently tugged him. "Zhiyuan?"
He snapped from his stupor and looked back at her. "Huh? Xi-Xinyi I just saw…"
He raised her finger towards that woman's direction.
"What did you see?"
When they glanced back again, there was no one standing there. The woman was gone.
Zhiyuan blinked his eyes.
Wait. She was just here. Where did she go?
He looked left and right but he didn't see anybody.
Zhiyuan put Siying down and quickly rushed towards that spot. Xinyi was surprised.
"Zhiyuan, wait. Where are you going?" She held Siying's hand and followed him.
When he reached, indeed there was nobody.
This...was I imagining things? No, but I really saw her…
Confusion furrowed his brows together.
One moment she was standing here and the next moment she wasn't.
Suddenly, his chest loudly thudded thinking of the prospect that Caihong could be here.
Seven years. He finally saw her after seven years. Even if it was a faint figure, he recognized it.
If she is here then will I finally get my answer?
Xinyi held his arm. "Zhiyuan."
"Dada! Why you ran off without us?" He whined. "I want to see the ship too!"
She worriedly asked, "What's wrong? You said you saw somebody. Who is it?"
Zhiyuan parted his lips to speak but then he pursed them.
Should I tell her? But I think it was my illusion anyway. Why will she be on this cruise?
"Nothing. It was my mistake."
Xinyi felt that something shook him for a few moments but now he seemed fine. He was back to his original self.
"Alright."
---
Caihong went back to her room after a breath of fresh air. She was in a bad mood since morning when she was forced to come on this trip with Xiaosi. She hated socializing with him and pretending to be a good wife in front of everyone.
And her bad mood worsened to know that they would be staying in the same room. In the Zhu villa, she had her own room while Xiaosi and Chyou lived in another.
Her chest flared in anger thinking to live in the same room as that man.
Caihong banged the door hard, jolting Chyou. She timidly shrank back and lowered her head. Then she wondered something.
Chyou slowly got down from the bed and trotted towards her cautiously.
"M-Mama. I drew a picture."
She showed her drawing book to her in anticipation.
Caihong grimaced. "Get it away! Show it to your father who actually cares about what you do."
Chyou trembled and her eyes shone with tears. She lowered the drawing book and stood rooted to the place.
"Mama…"
She snarled. "Away!"
Chyou burst into tears and ran away from the room. The bathroom door just opened and Xiaosi came out after getting freshened up.
He suddenly felt something wrong in the atmosphere. He glanced at the bed but Chyou wasn't there. Xiaosi narrowed his eyes and dangerously stared at Caihong.
In large strides, he walked up to her. He grabbed her arm and growled. "Where is Chyou?"
Caihong sneered. "You know, you should teach your daughter to stop pestering me. It's high time she learns it now that the woman who gave birth to her doesn't care about her."
She flinched when he increased the pressure on her arm, tightening his grip. His dark gaze looked down upon her. She gritted her teeth as she found his grasp painful.
There was pin-drop silence.
But then Xiaosi suddenly released her arm and left the room.
Caihong clutched her arm and saw the faint marks of his fingers forming on her skin. A reddish tinge was beginning to appear. She slowly sat on the couch and she rubbed her arm, blankly staring at the wall ahead.
---
Chyou sniffled and kept on running, carrying her small drawing book with her. Her eyes got blurry and wet and suddenly she fell as she bumped into someone.
"Oh, dear! I am so sorry!"
Xinyi quickly bent and helped the child stand. She picked her up in her arms and supported her. When Xinyi saw her crying, she panicked.
"I-I am really sorry. Did I hurt you anywhere, dear?"
Chyou looked up at her. She saw the woman looking at her with concern and anxiousness. She was checking her hands and legs for any bruise.
Xinyi sighed in relief. "You don't seem to be hurt. But I must have scared you. I am really sorry."
Her gentle and warm voice calmed down Chyou and she sniffled. It was sweet and full of care for a girl she didn't even know.
When she remembered how Caihong yelled at her, tears trickled down from her cheeks again.
"Oh, don't cry. You are not hurt thankfully," Xinyi wiped her tears and ruffled her head.
Then she saw her drawing book lying on the floor.
Xinyi brightened. "Oh is this yours? Can I see it? I love drawings!"
Chyou looked at her, surprised. She softly asked, "Y-you want to see it?"
Xinyi nodded hard. "Yes, yes! Can I?"
This was the first time that somebody else other than Xiaosi had shown interest in her work.
Chyou took her drawing book and opened it. "T-this I drew today…"
Xinyi picked her up and sat on a nearby bench. Her gaze sparkled. "Is this ship you drew this cruise ship where we are right now?"
Chyou was surprised as she correctly guessed it and then she brightly smiled. "Yes. I drew Uncle Mu's ship. How is it?"
"It's beautiful, dear! You captured the details very well and even colored it just like this ship. You are so good at drawing!"
Chyou felt shy with the praise. "R-really?"
"En! Of course. I like to draw too. Just a bit though. I am really impressed. You are talented," she chuckled.
Chyou was delighted. "Aunt, you draw too?"
Xinyi sheepishly smiled. "A little. But they are just some scribblings hehe~"
She nervously fiddled with her fingers and asked, "C-can I see them too?"
"Sure! I would love to show them, haha."
From the corner, Xiaosi who had been quietly watching them, hiding behind a wall, stared at Xinyi as he squinted his gaze.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS
enthu_reader
enthu_reader
A surprise mass release on the occasion of this book getting contracted by Webnovel!!! Yay!! (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*.✧
My dearest readers can also send gifts now! So fire away!
Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation! ❤️
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
21 Power
stone You may also Like
Paragraph comment