The Beta Fake Young Master Just Wants to Decline the Shura Field - Chapter 5

The “jellyfish sea” of Xunwan was famous. Under the bright sunlight, the interlocking shades of turquoise and azure shimmered as if a handful of crushed diamonds had been scattered across the water.

Jiang Lanyi applied his sunscreen, donned a floral shirt with beach shorts, and perched his sunglasses on his head. He looked at the row of jet skis by the pontoon, itching to try them. Once his life jacket was on, he could not wait to hop onto the lead vessel.

Usually, these experiences only lasted five minutes, but since Jiang Lanyi was with the inspection team, he could play as long as he wanted. His instructor was a versatile veteran who, after teaching Jiang Lanyi how to accelerate and decelerate, sat behind him and let him take full control.

“Woohoo! The wind is so strong!” Once he got the hang of it, Jiang Lanyi floored the accelerator, charging toward the horizon where the sea met the sky.

The roar of the engine broke through the wind and waves. The salty scent of the ocean seeped into his pores, and he could not help but laugh. “Can we go any faster?”

The coach shouted from behind, “There is a speed limit! It cannot go any faster!”

Realizing Jiang Lanyi wanted a thrill, the coach directed him toward the higher waves. Jiang Lanyi had sharp eyes. Every time a high wave approached, he would turn the bow to meet it, flying off the crest. For a split second, he would be suspended in the air, his heart experiencing weightlessness, making him shout with excitement.

The jet ski area was directly opposite the hotel. In front of the massive floor-to-ceiling windows of a high-level meeting room, a contractor was presenting quarterly analyses and future prospects. After an hour of speaking until his throat was dry, the contractor finally saw the frown on the man in the head seat soften into a faint smile.

The presenter was overjoyed. The effort of staying up late for a week and pulling three all-nighters did not go to waste. It seemed Young Master Xiao was satisfied. A promotion and a raise were finally within reach.

Once the briefing ended, Xiao Chi withdrew his gaze from the beach and spoke to the project manager. “The explanation regarding resource allocation and risk control was very detailed; it addressed our main concerns. Lydia, set up a timeline for the follow-up cooperation as soon as possible.”

He turned his head slightly, and Lydia stood up to shake hands with the overjoyed contractor, exchanging business cards and contact information.

The contractor looked up, hoping to exchange a few more pleasantries with Xiao Chi, only to find he had already left the room.

“Ms. Lydia, our President Wang expresses deep regret for not being able to make it to Xunwan personally. He specifically instructed me to host a banquet in the VIP hall tonight. I hope Mr. Xiao can find the time to attend,” the manager said with a smile.

Lydia replied warmly, “Although Young Master Xiao and President Wang have crossed paths a few times, he mainly appreciates the design of your new product for this collaboration. As for the dinner, it will depend on his schedule.”

The manager nodded repeatedly. “Of course, of course.”

In truth, this cooperation had been under discussion for a month and was already at the contract-signing stage. It did not matter whether Xiao Chi showed up or not. However, his personal presence proved how much he valued them.

The manager was bubbling with joy. After seeing Lydia off, he immediately placed a call. “Yes, pick a few good-looking ones. Not those; they are too dishonest. Get some newcomers, understand?”

By the beach, Jiang Lanyi played on the jet ski and swam for over half an hour before heading back to shore under the increasingly harsh sun.

The environment of a swimming pool and the ocean were worlds apart. The salty, briny breath of the sea held challenges and dangers. Even on calm days, it filled one with anticipation and the desire to surpass personal limits. When washed by the surging waves, one felt the urge to resist, to conquer, and to prove that one would not be suppressed by the tide.

With a wet towel draped around his neck, Jiang Lanyi wiped the water from his face. He looked up to see a figure approaching from a distance. The person was so white they seemed to glow under the direct sunlight. Jiang Lanyi had to squint before pulling his sunglasses down.

The man wore only black beach shorts with blue patterns. His shark muscles and V-line were sculpted like a statue, emitting a jade-like luster as he walked. His black hair, usually styled meticulously with gel, was now loose and relaxed. His semi-long bangs hung over his brow, softening the sharpness of his features.

Jiang Lanyi watched him approach, his grip on his towel tightening unconsciously.

Xiao Chi was satisfied with the way Jiang Lanyi stared at him with full concentration. It was no secret that Jiang Lanyi was a fan of handsome faces. If not for that incident in their junior year, Xiao Chi would never have surrendered the position of Jiang Lanyi’s first love to someone else, only to end up with the mere title of landlord.

“I actually always thought you were the abstinent type,” Jiang Lanyi said suddenly.

“?”

Jiang Lanyi looked him up and down, his gaze scraping over his exposed skin. Xiao Chi felt a shiver down his spine.

“I did not expect you to wear beach shorts instead of a tightly wrapped diving suit.”

Xiao Chi said, “This is a private beach.”

The privacy was excellent. Even if one were to go skinny-dipping, it would not matter. Jiang Lanyi had a sudden realization. “So that is why there are so few people.”

He had wondered why there was only one customer for such a fun jet ski project. Even if it was a workday, there should have been university students on summer break. Finding a deserted spot with such peerless scenery made Jiang Lanyi think he had found a hidden gem.

It turned out it was just a private beach.

“Your Xiao family is truly wealthy,” he remarked.

Xiao Chi glanced at him. “This belongs to the hotel owner.” Otherwise, why would it be right below the hotel?

Jiang Lanyi could swear that look implied he was an idiot. He chuckled and changed his tune. “Then your Xiao family is not that wealthy.”

Xiao Chi raised an eyebrow. He walked over, put an arm around Jiang Lanyi’s shoulder to turn him toward the sea, and pointed to a mountain peak. “Do you see that mountain?”

Suddenly enveloped by the Alpha’s body heat, Jiang Lanyi felt a bit uneasy but did not show it. “What? Did you lease that?”

Xiao Chi said calmly, “Eleven nautical miles from here, there are two islands. They were my twentieth birthday present.”

Jiang Lanyi laughed again. “Why did I even bother provoking you?”

Xiao Chi let go of him. Water droplets rolled down the inside of his arm, feeling ticklish. “Are you done swimming? It is not lunchtime yet.”

“I am thirsty. I will have some water before going back in.”

The water bar was located under a shaded area. Jiang Lanyi grabbed a large coconut, finished it in a few gulps, and slumped comfortably onto a lounge chair. He pushed his sunglasses back onto his head and was about to ask Xiao Chi something when he saw the man rubbing his own chest.

“Did you not apply sunscreen?” Jiang Lanyi sat up.

“Mm.” Xiao Chi’s technique was very rough. The white lotion was not even spread evenly on his arms before he started on his chest and back. The result was a mess.

Jiang Lanyi could not stand it and told him to hand over the sunscreen. Xiao Chi looked wary, as if afraid of a prank. Jiang Lanyi had originally just been polite, but seeing Xiao Chi’s look, he became determined to apply it properly.

“Sunscreen needs to be applied in one direction to form a film; otherwise, it will come off easily in the water. Recovering from a sunburn is not a matter of a day or two.”

Jiang Lanyi poured the lotion into his palms and rubbed them together before applying it to Xiao Chi’s body. He worked from top to bottom and checked carefully to ensure no spots were missed.

Xiao Chi sat cross-legged and let him finish. Once Jiang Lanyi went to buy another coconut with his back turned, Xiao Chi finally allowed his tense core to relax slightly. It was a good thing he was wearing beach shorts instead of a form-fitting diving suit; otherwise, he would not have known where to hide.

“Do you want a coconut?” Jiang Lanyi turned back to ask.

Xiao Chi’s back straightened instantly. “No.”

Watching his dignified posture, Jiang Lanyi muttered, “So serious even while on vacation.”

Back in school, Xiao Chi was the type of person who remained unmoved even if the earth split open. He had this expression before and after exams, when he was confessed to, when he received awards on stage, and even when he was interviewed by the media as the top scorer of the college entrance exam.

Jiang Lanyi had heard from the Jiang family that Xiao Chi’s father was a child born late in his parents’ lives. Xiao Chi was currently the only child in his generation, carrying the love and expectations of the entire clan. He had to be excellent to live up to those expectations, so Xiao Chi had likely grown up burdened with immense responsibility.

Perhaps the two islands his parents gave him were meant to encourage him to start a development project? Was Xiao Chi here on an inspection to pave the way for the tourism industry?

Jiang Lanyi returned to his lounge chair with his coconut and sighed. “You have a hard life too.”

Xiao Chi did not know where this sentiment came from. “It is alright. Thank you.”

“Do not overthink things. Rest well when it is time to play. No one is demanding anything of you here.”

“Okay.”

Although he did not know what kind of backstory Jiang Lanyi had invented for him, Xiao Chi enjoyed Jiang Lanyi’s concern and advice. He managed a faint, almost imperceptible smile to show he was indeed enjoying his leisure time.

However, seeing that even his smile looked so bleak, Jiang Lanyi felt even more sympathetic. Even if he has islands, he still has to work for the family business and go on business trips everywhere.

Pulling Xiao Chi up from the lounge chair, Jiang Lanyi shouted, “Come on! Why come to the beach if you are not going in the water? Let us stay for three hours before going back!”

Xiao Chi was forced to run behind him toward the shore, the kicked-up sand sparkling in the air.

However, in the next second, Jiang Lanyi lost his footing and fell into a wave. Xiao Chi’s heart jumped in fear as he dove into the water. He saw Jiang Lanyi making a face at him under the surface, blowing two round bubbles toward his face.

Then, Jiang Lanyi gave a playful wiggle of his waist, kicked his feet, and swam toward the deeper water.

The bubbles burst into fine white foam. Xiao Chi blinked and waved the foam away. His heart was thumping so hard that his eardrums vibrated.

Jiang Lanyi was not far ahead, as agile as a sea fish. He was skilled in various strokes, alternating between freestyle and butterfly beneath the surface. His long limbs and streamlined torso stretched elegantly. Xiao Chi swam toward him but maintained a distance throughout, making sure he could see Jiang Lanyi without encroaching on his space.

I should install a glass swimming pool at home, Xiao Chi thought. That way, when Jiang Lanyi swam inside, he could admire him from the outside.

Reaching the limit of his breath, Xiao Chi surfaced to gasp for air. He searched the water for Jiang Lanyi’s position, wanting to keep up. But he had drifted a bit far. The waves were getting larger, pushing him toward the shore. Even with his legs working hard, he could not overcome the tide pushing him back.

A rare sense of losing control made Xiao Chi feel displeased and a little unsettled by the unknown.

Where did Jiang Lanyi go? Why had he not surfaced yet? The wind and waves were so strong now. Even if he was a good swimmer, he still could not be certain.

Xiao Chi’s calves felt a bit stiff. He might have failed to warm up properly before entering the water; he was close to a cramp.

But he still could not see Jiang Lanyi.

Xiao Chi gritted his teeth, took a deep breath, and dove back into the sea. This time, he surfaced in less than a minute.

There was no one around. Not on the surface, and not under the water.

Jiang Lanyi was gone.

A surge of panic made Xiao Chi’s brow furrow. The sea was vast and boundless, and he felt so small. Forgetting his composed image, Xiao Chi shouted at the top of his lungs, “Jiang Lanyi! Jiang Lanyi!”

“What is wrong?”

Suddenly, a person approached silently from behind, cutting off the remaining shouts Xiao Chi had prepared. Xiao Chi turned his head abruptly, choked on a mouthful of seawater, and began to cough violently.

Jiang Lanyi quickly patted his back to help him breathe, looking confused. “Why are you shouting over there? I have been right here.”

Once the coughing stopped, Xiao Chi was still wheezing, his eyes slightly red as he looked at him.

Even though Jiang Lanyi was slow, he realized he had done something wrong. He raised both hands defensively. “I picked up a few rainbow-colored shells. Do you want to see?”

But Xiao Chi swatted his hand away and swam toward the shore, following the push of the tide.

Jiang Lanyi caught the shells that Xiao Chi had almost knocked away and felt a bit annoyed himself.

What was his problem? He just picked up a few shells and lost track of him for a second. When he saw him trying so recklessly to swim further out, he thought he could do it. Why be angry just because he could not swim that far? And why be angry at him?

He always said that whoever ended up with Xiao Chi would be unlucky. The young master’s temper was even worse than his own.

If Xiao Chi was going to ignore him, then he would ignore Xiao Chi too. Who was afraid of whom? I do not care.

As it turned out, this cold war lasted for five whole days. After returning to the city from Xunwan, Xiao Chi left early and returned late every day. Forget eating together; Jiang Lanyi had not even spoken a word to him.

When he asked Housekeeper Zhang, she only said that Young Master Xiao had a lot on his plate and a heavy workload, asking for his patience.

By the sixth day, Xiao Chi locked himself in his room the moment he got home and skipped dinner entirely. Jiang Lanyi could not take it anymore. He jumped off the sofa, ran over, and pounded on the door. “What kind of mood are you in? How old are you? Open the door!”

The moment he finished speaking, the master bedroom door opened from the inside as if responding to a spell. Jiang Lanyi stood with his hands on his hips, ready to launch into a complaint.

However, Xiao Chi reached out and dragged him inside.

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