Serenade

The next morning, Jin Xi was woken up by Shen Ping Chuan’s “deadly alarm clock”. She sat groggily in front of the dressing table.

Shen Ping Chuan twisted a washcloth and vigorously scrubbed her face, then applied various skincare creams and sunscreen lotions layer by layer onto her face.

Jin Xi yawned repeatedly as she gazed at the barely brightened sky outside the window. She exclaimed in despair, “I’m not fully awake yet! Ah ah ah!”

After finishing with her face, Shen Ping Chuan picked up a comb and started braiding her hair. “Old Shen went fishing by the lake. Let’s get ready and head over too.”

“What fish is there to catch, you don’t even know how to fish.”

“Fishing is not the point. I asked the manager, every morning at 6:30am, the boys from the camp do their weighted morning jog past the lake area.”

Jin Xi perked up immediately: “Bro, quick, braid me a centipede braid, and the dress, I want to wear that red dress.”

“With your messy hair...”

“Oh, no time for that, forget about braiding. You go out, I’ll change.”

...

After the siblings got themselves ready, carrying fishing rods and a tackle box, they headed towards the lake area.

The hazy sky was vaguely brightening, and the sun was rising in the east, gilding the mountain pass with a layer of brilliant golden rim.

The morning breeze was slightly cool, sending ripples across the surface of the lake.

Shen Shishan sat on a small stool with two fishing rods laid out in front of him. Seeing the siblings come over, he reminded, “It rained last night, the road is slippery. Shen Ping Chuan, keep an eye on your sister, don’t let her fall.”

Shen Ping Chuan held Jin Xi’s hand carefully as they jumped off the wet, slippery grass.

Jin Xi looked down at the big fish in Shen Shishan’s bucket. “Wow, there’s so many!”

“Yeah, I’ll make a whole fish feast for you two today.”

“Great!”

Shen Ping Chuan spread out a picnic mat some distance away on open ground and had Jin Xi sit on it.

“Come, strike a sassy slutty pose to seduce your thirsty Senior Xu Chaoyang.”

“What’s a sassy slutty pose?”

Shen Ping Chuan flipped her skirt hem, revealing a section of her snowy white overlapping little pig's trotters. Then he tucked the loose strands of her hair behind her ears, and put on sunglasses for her too.

Seeing her lips were dry, Shen Ping Chuan fished out lipstick from her schoolbag and messily painted her lips.

Jin Xi doubted Shen Ping Chuan’s skills, “Do you even know how to apply makeup?”

“Nonsense, is there anything your brother can’t do.”

“Bro, isn’t this too over the top?”

“Trust your brother. We haven’t seen each other for almost a month, leave him a beautiful lasting impression.”

“You really know best.”

Following Shen Ping Chuan’s instructions, Jin Xi sat on the mat striking poses for over half an hour. But there was no sign of the jogging team members he claimed would be passing by.

Jin Xi waited anxiously, tidying her hair and flipping her skirt hem occasionally.

It was 7:30am, still no one was in sight.

“Bro, my arms are tired.”

“Persevere a little longer.”

Shen Shishan glanced back at the siblings. His daughter was striking glamorous poses on the mat, while his son was squatting on the grass like a dog.

He always felt like the siblings were brewing some conspiracy.

Ever since they were young, the two siblings discussed and schemed things between themselves, often bypassing him as their father.

At 8am, with the sun high in the sky, Jin Xi’s expression was frozen. She squinted at Shen Ping Chuan, “What happened to the people you said would pass by?”

Shen Ping Chuan was puzzled. “Strange, the manager said they come by every day.”

Jin Xi got up and dusted her skirt. “I knew I shouldn't have believed you. I’ll go fishing with uncle Shen.”

Shen Shishan patiently baited the hook and taught Jin Xi how to cast the line and reel it in.

“Slowly, it’s slippery by the river, don't fall in.”

Jin Xi obediently stood by the riverside, holding the fishing rod, concentrated on watching the float bobber, completely off guard as Shen Ping Chuan cast his line. The line got caught in a tree, and the fish hook dangled in the air, somehow hooking onto the back of Jin Xi’s collar.

“Shen Ping Chuan!”

“Oh no, sorry, mistake, my mistake!”

“Don’t pull it! Oh no, you tore my dress!”

“It wasn’t me pulling, the line got tangled in the tree!”

Shen Shishan glared at Shen Ping Chuan and said in annoyance, “Clumsy oaf, go untangle your sister quickly.”

Shen Ping Chuan hurriedly ran to the tree and tugged at the branches, trying to detach the fishing line. “It won’t come off, it’s tangled. Little sis, come here, walk in a circle to unwind the line.”

Jin Xi’s collar was completely hooked up. She could only obediently follow Shen Ping Chuan’s instructions, turning stupidly in circles. “Is it untangled?”

“Go more to the left, no wait, right, move right.”

“Which side is it?”

“Just take it off.”

“Like hell I will!”

Just as the two were fumbling in panic, a shrill whistle sounded.

Not far away on the trail, a team in camouflage marched by in neat formation.

Each member had a weighted sandbag on their back, jogging past the lake area.

“Oh come on, of all times...”

Before Shen Ping Chuan could finish speaking, Jin Xi turned to run, but was yanked back forcefully by the fish hook again. It shook the tree violently, sending leaves fluttering down.

In the group, Xu Chaoyang gradually slowed to a stop, gazing at the girl by the lake.

The shadow cast by his cap obscured his eyes in obscure darkness.

The girl had fair, snowy skin. Her cheeks were flushed red from panic, the collar hooked by a fish hook. She hid behind Shen Ping Chuan with a flustered expression.

Shen Ping Chuan was still tugging at the fishing line. Seeing Xu Chaoyang, he smiled awkwardly with a wave.

Xu Chaoyang rubbed his eyes, thinking his hallucinations were getting worse. Even in his exhausted, delirious state, he could envision his silly girlfriend and silly uncle.

Xu Chaoyang helplessly shook his head and continued jogging.

The team quickly disappeared into the morning mist.

Jin Xi asked Shen Ping Chuan blankly, “Did he just ignore us?”

Shen Ping Chuan: “He probably thought you looked lame.”

Jin Xi got angry and turned to punch Shen Ping Chuan fiercely. Shen Ping Chuan dodged while pulling the line, “Don’t mess around, let me get you untangled first.”

**

That night, Jin Xi soaked in a comfortable bathtub and enjoyed a nice hot shower. She then wore a thin nightgown and sat on the balcony blowing in the mountain breeze.

The moonlight between the mountains was exceptionally clear and bright, with stars dotted everywhere, much more brilliant compared to the city.

Jin Xi closed her eyes, letting the breeze caress her face, soft as gauze. She could smell the scent of soil and grass.

Just as she opened her eyes, she suddenly saw a man sitting on top of the short wall around the villa.

His figure was somewhat blurred in the shadows cast by the wall lamps, but Jin Xi recognized him with one glance.

Xu Chaoyang!

How did he get here?

Jin Xi immediately ran to the door to listen. Shen Shishan seemed to have returned to his own room. Only the footsteps of Shen Ping Chuan pacing around could be heard outside.

She hurried back to the balcony. Xu Chaoyang had already nimbly climbed over the enclosure wall and was standing below her floor.

He was still wearing camo jacket over a T-shirt. After not seeing him for months, his features seemed more mature as the youthful green faded away.

He made a small heart sign with his fingertips towards her. His dark, piercing phoenix eyes were slightly raised. "Little lass, long time no see."

Jin Xi felt her heart was about to leap out of her chest. "Wait there, I'll come right down."

"No need."

Xu Chaoyang climbed up a flourishing big tree next to the wall. Using the vine clinging to the tree, he swiftly scaled up the balcony railing with a few motions. With a powerful flex of his muscular arms, his body adeptly flipped over into the balcony.

The entire process took no more than two minutes.

Seeing his agile figure, Jin Xi suddenly felt that with her man's physique, he would definitely have been a formidable bandit plundering homes in ancient times.

The balcony wall lamps cast an inscrutable shadow on his tranquil brows and eyes. He just stood before her like this, reaching out to pinch her little face.

The soft, fleshy skin felt real under his fingers.

Jin Xi pulled back from the painful pinch with a frown of her delicate brows. "What are you doing, bullying me as soon as you arrive..."

Before she could finish speaking, Xu Chaoyang suddenly pulled her into an embrace. His arms flexed tighter and tighter, as if wanting to draw her into his body.

"I really wanted to bully you badly."

Perhaps from the strenuous physical exertion over the past days, his voice was much richer and deeper. "I missed you so much I nearly went crazy."

Jin Xi's face was forcefully buried into his scorching chest. She inhaled his scent, the most natural smell of earth and grass from the mountain wilderness.

Her eyes suddenly reddened and her lips pouted as her eyes grew moist: "I waited for you for so long today, but you didn't show up. When you finally did, you ignored me."

"I...thought it was an illusion." Bo Yan felt his chest grow damp as his heart tingled: "The more I thought about it when I went back, the more it didn't feel right. So I guessed you had come."

Jin Xi wrapped her arms around his lean waist, looking up at him and blinking her wet eyes: "I thought you didn't want to see me."

Bo Yan's rough fingertips stroked her cheeks, wiping away all the tear stains on her face. He murmured helplessly: "Silly girl."

Jin Xi closed her eyes and rubbed against his hand affectionately like a kitten.

"How did you find this place?"

"This was the only mansion with lights on, so I was planning to just look from afar outside the door. But when I saw you standing on the balcony, I couldn't resist." Bo Yan's eyes darkened.

"Couldn't resist what?"

Before Jin Xi could react, Bo Yan lifted her face and kissed her lips.

Jin Xi could clearly feel that his lips were somewhat dry and bitter. She eagerly sucked on them, moistening them.

Bo Yan probed deeper inside, forcibly pinching her jaw to make her open her mouth as wide as possible for him.

Jin Xi felt dizzy from his kisses, unconsciously letting out soft, sticky moans from the corners of her mouth.

Bo Yan lazily picked her up, supporting her buttocks in his hands as if carrying a daughter, and walked into the room with her in his arms.

Jin Xi clung to his neck, her whole body hanging off of him.

His body was scorching hot, hard as an iron brand.

Bo Yan placed her down on the bed, then pressed down on top of her.

He knelt on the soft bedding, avoiding crushing the soft girl beneath him. During this long, lingering kiss, Jin Xi subconsciously took his hand in hers, interlocking all ten fingers.

It was as if the strength of their hands represented the power of their love―intimately clinging together.

Bo Yan had kissed Jin Xi until she was breathless. He let her go for a moment to catch her breath before immediately kissing her again.

Jin Xi's consciousness started wandering. Her other hand clung tightly to his neck, their lips and tongues entwining, mixed with soft swallowing sounds that were somewhat tantalizing.

His kisses moved to her neck, passionate and frenzied.

Jin Xi gazed up at the ceiling, feeling the world spin as her mind grew hazy, as if she had been thrown into the clouds.

She held his face in her hands. His eyelashes drooped down, with turbulent darkness swirling in his eyes.

Bo Yan nuzzled her nose with his, asking gently: "Did you miss me?"

Jin Xi parted her moist, glistening lips but couldn't get any words out.

Bo Yan enjoyed her shyness with great interest, patiently waiting for her response...

The room was dimly lit. The girl lay beneath him, with only a thin layer of nightgown separating their bodies.

"The little thing seems to have grown up a bit." Bo Yan commented.

Jin Xi's face suddenly flushed crimson. She gently pushed him away and turned to the side: "Pervert."

Bo Yan looked into her eyes, asking gently: "Can I touch it?"

Jin Xi was utterly ashamed: "If you want to touch, then touch. Why even ask?"

It's not like he wouldn't touch her if she refused.

Just as Bo Yan's hand was about to make contact, they suddenly heard the door creak open. Shen Ping Chuan walked in brushing his teeth: "Bored to death. Little sis, come out and play games with me."

"......"

The three of them stared at each other.

Shen Ping Chuan dropped his toothbrush from his mouth. One hand pointed at the pair on the bed, the other clutching his chest: "You...you guys...what are you doing?!"

Bo Yan was still pressing Jin Xi down beneath him. He raised a finger to his lips, gesturing for Shen Ping Chuan to be quiet: "Shhh."

Jin Xi's face was red as she urgently said: "Bro, get out!"

Shen Ping Chuan picked up his toothbrush and hurried back out, closing the door behind him.

Bo Yan and Jin Xi looked at each other and laughed at the same time.

Still worried, Shen Ping Chuan leaned against the door outside, eavesdropping and occasionally knocking: "Hey, you two...behave yourselves. No funny business."

Jin Xi pushed Bo Yan off and sat up, asking: "Is it okay for you to sneak out?"

"I slipped away. Xu Chaoyang is covering for me. As long as there's no night training, no one should find out."

She knew Bo Yan was wild, never one to follow rules. At the military academy, he had given the instructors endless headaches.

"You should head back quickly. You'll definitely be punished if caught."

His brows raised slightly as he toyed with her hand in his palm, asking: "Worried about me?"

"As if."

"Your words and heart don't match."

Jin Xi pouted, suddenly recalling something. She slipped on her fuzzy slippers, grabbed her bag, and took out mosquito repellent, compressed biscuits, and piles of other food and supplies, cramming it all into Bo Yan's arms.

Bo Yan said helplessly: "All personal items were confiscated. It won't look good if these get found."

Jin Xi could only stop. Dejected, she asked: "When does training end?"

"In just a few days." Bo Yan held her hand and kissed it: "You coming to see me was an unexpected delight."

Shen Ping Chuan's knocking interrupted them again: "Hey, what are you two doing!? I'm coming in!"

"Don't come in!" Jin Xi grumbled: "So annoying."

"I should get going."

"Use the front door."

"Too much trouble." Bo Yan went to the balcony, nimbly leaping over the railing with his hands.

"You..."

What a sneaky thief.

Clinging to the vines outside, Bo Yan seemed to remember something. He said to Jin Xi: "My birthday's coming up soon. Have you decided what to give me yet?"

Jin Xi deliberately said: "Let me think about it carefully."

"No need to think. Just promise me one thing."

Jin Xi leaned on the balcony railing, her curved brows and eyes holding moonlight: "What wish does Bo Yan have? Tell me and I'll make it come true."

The corners of Bo Yan's lips quirked into a faint smile: "I do have one, but afraid you won't agree to it."

"Let's hear it."

"On my birthday, come to the art studio and model for me."

Jin Xi let out a cheerful laugh, generously saying: "That's easy, I promise."

Bo Yan's chin tilted up slightly as he tidied her collar: "I mean nude modeling."

"......"

Although coming to Mount Cangnan for vacation had impure motives, Jin Xi still accompanied Shen Shishan fishing, hiking, drinking tea, and playing chess every day...

She didn't neglect bonding with her father-in-law at all. She was naturally endearing, with a sweet little mouth, and knew how to act cute. Old Shen was utterly delighted with her.

Shen Ping Chuan had no doubt that in Old Shen's eyes, this stepdaughter's status had already surpassed his own birth son.

Seeing his precious daughter blossoming, Old Shen eagerly wanted to find the best boyfriend in the world for her.

That night, the siblings accompanied Old Shen watching TV. As usual, they fought fiercely over the remote control.

Old Shen held his large smartphone, fully absorbed in poking the screen with one finger. He called to the quarrelling siblings: "Stop fighting. Behave yourselves and come look. What do you think of this kid?"

Shen Ping Chuan and Jin Xi's little heads squeezed together to peer at the bespectacled boy's photo on Old Shen's phone.

Curious, Shen Ping Chuan asked: "Who's this dork?"

"He's the son of your Uncle Qin. A Cambridge architectural prodigy, 6'1”. Jin Xi, do you like the look of this boy?"

Jin Xi immediately sensed Old Shen's gossipy desire to introduce her to a boyfriend.

Before she could speak, Shen Ping Chuan immediately said: "Old Shen, isn't it too early for this? She's not even nineteen yet and you're rushing to matchmake her?"

"You know nothing. Good boys are in high demand these days. In a couple years, they'll all have girlfriends for sure. I have to pick the best one for our Jin Xi and reserve him early, just to be safe."

Shen Ping Chuan grimaced in disgust: "What's so great about him? He looks like a wimp."

"You know nothing." Old Shen shoved him away contemptuously: "Don't judge by appearances, look at ability and character. Jin Xi, what do you think of the boy?"

"Well, actually, I already..."

Shen Pingchuan kicked her to stop her words. If this was said, Old Shen's doting temperament would surely investigate Bo Yan's ancestors for three generations.

"No, I don't agree. This guy looks unpleasant."

"What's that got to do with you!"

"Jinxi, you speak for yourself."

Jinxi swallowed and said, "I don't like this type. I like handsome, muscular guys."

"There are also handsome ones, choose for yourself." Shen Shishan handed his phone to Jinxi.

Jinxi found that all the uncles and brothers-in-law in his WeChat group had sent photos of their sons. Scrolling down, there were more than a dozen.

Shen Pingchuan laughed while picking at his feet: "Old Shen, you're like posting a marriage advertisement! Are you so insecure that you think your well-behaved daughter can't find a boyfriend?"

"How can you randomly find a boyfriend!" Shen Shishan said, "Those boys outside are so bad. What if Jinxi gets cheated? I must find a boyfriend for Jinxi that I know well and who will be good to Jinxi in the future."

Jinxi really looked at the photos of these boys carefully.

"Hmm, this brother looks good."

"This one's also good."

"Wow, this brother is so fair, I like him."

The corners of Shen Shishan's eyes wrinkled deeply with laughter: "Okay, okay, save the ones you like."

Shen Pingchuan grinned. How did he not see that his sister had the ability to play the field? If Bo Yan knew, wouldn't he vomit blood in anger?

The photos of boys Jinxi chose tended to be masculine. She didn't know what kind of boys she liked before dating. Now her aesthetic was completely influenced by Bo Yan. Anyone who looked like Bo Yan was good looking—

With narrow, single-lidded eyes, flavorful gaze, delicate and clean features, and muscular physique...

Everything about Bo Yan was what she liked.

The next day, the siblings accompanied Shen Shishan on a walk through the canyon.

Shen Shishan had his old friends send more photos of boys. Jinxi felt they were all okay and had trouble choosing.

"I think they're all good, I want them all."

"That won't do." Old Shen pushed up his glasses, "Anything else is fine, Uncle can satisfy you, but with a boyfriend... you can only choose one."

"Ah, I can't decide, so struggling."

Shen Shishan thought for a moment and said earnestly, "Then... choose at most two, no more!"

Shen Pingchuan couldn't help but laugh out loud: "You're selecting concubines for your precious daughter, a harem of three thousand handsome men, not bad!"

"Go away, stop talking nonsense."

Shen Pingchuan saw that the little sister didn't want to dampen their old man's enthusiasm, so she was deliberately playing dumb.

Ahead in the canyon, there were more than a dozen teenagers in camouflage sitting on chairs by the boardwalk, resting.

Jinxi saw Bo Yan in the crowd. Carrying a 20 kg sandbag on his back, he squatted down to tie his shoelaces with his jacket tied around his waist. His tight t-shirt outlined the contours of his chest and arms.

Seeing Jinxi, he was startled, the corners of his mouth raised in a sunny smile that reached his eyes and brows.

But with so many people around, including Shen Shishan, he sat down opposite Jinxi without speaking, gazing at her longingly.

Seeing Jinxi glance at the boy across from her from time to time when Shen Pingchuan pulled her away to buy water, Shen Shishan looked Bo Yan up and down.

The young man had clear brows and eyes, an impressive build. Maybe because of the camouflage, he looked righteous and imposing.

No wonder Jinxi liked this kind of boy. The photos she picked were also this type.

Jinxi came back with water to see Shen Shishan actually chatting with Bo Yan.

"Young man, you must still be a student. Where are you studying?"

"B University, I'll be a junior this year."

"What a coincidence, my daughter also goes to B University. You are schoolmates!" Shen Shishan was immediately excited, "Young man, do you have a girlfriend?"

Jinxi came over, red-faced, and pulled at Shen Shishan's sleeve, "Don't be like this."

Bo Yan smiled calmly, the group was assembling, and he returned to the front.

Shen Shishan still said, "That young man looks decent, bright eyes, obviously an upright boy. Jinxi, if you like the look of him but are too shy, I'll go get his contact for you. He hasn't gone far yet."

"No need, Uncle Shen."

Jinxi was quite happy inside that her elder approved of her choice.

Bo Yan was the kind of boy elders would like, as if he had a magic touch. Shen Shishan was so discerning, yet he could approve of Bo Yan at first sight—that was quite rare.

Shen Pingchuan snorted, "Old Shen is just superficial, thinks the kid looks good, so wants to make him his son-in-law."

"Nonsense, am I that shallow? The boy has bright eyes and an upright heart."

"Could be a wolf in sheep's clothing."

Before Shen Shishan could reply, Jinxi kicked him and said unhappily, "What are you talking about!"

"Okay, okay, I won't say anything." Shen Pingchuan pretended to sew his mouth shut.

**

Not long after the Shen family's vacation ended, Bo Yan and the others also came back.

The girls planned to welcome back the seniors from the dormitory across and have dinner and sing together.

Jinxi went to Bo Yan's home early. He stood in front of the bathroom mirror, lathering his jaw and shaving his stubble, tilting his head.

She simply leaned against the doorframe, smiling as she watched him.

His upper body was bare. The ceiling light shone down on his fair skin. His dark brown eyes looked exceptionally clear. His features were sharp and distinct.

He shaved his jaw, the outline sharp, exuding youthful wildness.

Bo Yan shaved his stubble clean, washed off the lather, and said to Jinxi as he turned, "I'm going to wash my hair. Go watch TV, there are chips on the coffee table."

Jinxi came back with the chips, leaning against the side as she watched him wash his hair at the tap.

Bo Yan washed his head casually and asked, "Does it look good?"

"Looks good."

Jinxi suddenly suggested, "Let me wash your hair!"

Bo Yan stopped and saw her enthusiasm, so he agreed, "Okay."

Jinxi rubbed some shampoo on her palms.

The short hair from this training couldn't produce much lather, but Jinxi's wet, smooth little claws massaging his head felt very comfortable. He closed his eyes and enjoyed her massage and rinse.

"I used to wash my brother's head at home too, but he wasn't as obedient as you, always fidgeting and getting me full of suds."

"Is that so?" Bo Yan nudged into her arms.

"Ah!" Jinxi exclaimed softly and patted his head, "Why are you so affected by praise? I just said you were obedient."

Bo Yan smiled silently, rinsed his head, and went back to sit on the sofa, casually taking a cigarette from the pack on the coffee table.

Jinxi came out with a towel and dried Bo Yan's hair.

Bo Yan smoothly pulled her onto his lap, his hand on her waist holding her in his arms, the other hand holding the cigarette.

Jinxi used the towel to dry his hair. The bristles were very obedient, drying with one swipe without even needing a hairdryer.

"These forty-odd days pent up the hell out of me." Bo Yan held her waist and buried his head in her small chest, nuzzling, "From now on, Jinxi will never be apart from me again."

Jin Xi was made soft and ticklish by his bold gesture, her cheeks flushed red, and said in a soft, sweet voice: "In the future... you'll have to leave me too, after graduation..."

"No, I'll apply to stay in City B. I absolutely won't..." He looked up at her, his jet black eyes very serious—

"I absolutely won't leave my family."

Jin Xi was stunned for a moment, gazing at the faded photo of Bo Yan's parents on the wall.

His head buried against her again, like he was begging for affection, his tall nose nuzzling her, the contact obvious through their thin clothing.

Jin Xi held his head in her hands, giggling softly: "Don't do that."

Bo Yan lifted his head and kissed her chin: "My birthday's coming up soon, have you got everything ready?"

Jin Xi's cheeks burned, she awkwardly averted her gaze, and said in a muffled voice: "Hooligan."

"How's that being a hooligan? It's just drawing." Bo Yan teased her deliberately: "If you won't do it, I can find someone else."

"You're not allowed to find anyone else!" Jin Xi really believed him, and slapped his shoulder with the towel: "If you dare find someone else, I'll..."

"You'll what?"

"I won't play with you anymore." She puffed out her cheeks, glaring at him resentfully, looking just like an indignant little dove.

Bo Yan's hand slid from her waist down to her bottom, and slapped it with some force: "You're still acting like a child."

"I'm not a child anymore."

"How are you not a child anymore?"

Jin Xi's face turned red, she nestled her head affectionately into the crook of his neck, and said in a barely audible voice: "You'll know...when the time comes."