To be honest, the homestay Liu Kan had found was truly excellent. It faced the river with mountains at its back, and because it wasn't located inside the resort itself, the price was much cheaper. There were plenty of places to eat and things to do nearby.
The only inconvenience was that many of the attractions were within the resort grounds. Since they weren't staying there, they had to buy extra tickets to enter the scenic area.
Initially, they had only planned to stay for one night. However, when Liu Kan was booking, the owner mentioned a two-night minimum. Unwilling to switch to a different place, Liu Kan changed the plan to a three-day, two-night trip. It worked out well.
The homestay was a converted three-story building with its own small courtyard. The yard featured an oval swimming pool—it was tiny, far too small for actual laps, but perfect for a soak. There were five rooms in total. A couple had already booked one on the second floor, leaving four rooms across the second and third floors for the group to divide among themselves.
The first floor served as a communal kitchen and an entertainment lounge. The lounge was quite spacious, equipped with a TV, a ping-pong table, two large sofas, and a coffee table for card games. There was even a home KTV machine, though the song library was small and filled mostly with golden oldies from the eighties and nineties.
The group arrived just after noon. The owner was waiting for them, lounging in a recliner by the front door. Seeing them arrive with their heavy bags, he quickly opened the door and ushered them inside.
After they dropped their luggage in the lounge, the owner took them on a tour of the building, explaining the facilities. Once the tour was over, they gathered by the door for a few final instructions. Chang Ying handed over the remaining balance, excluding the deposit.
The owner chatted with them as he counted the cash.
"...It’s peak season, so this price is a real steal. Who booked the room? I have to say, you’ve got a good eye. Let me tell you, since you’re all students—if you’d booked inside the resort, you’d be lucky not to get fleeced by all the hidden fees. Ah, of course, I don’t mean the resort is bad. Each has its own merits, its own merits. Just don’t go posting on those travel forums that I said they have hidden fees."
Still seemingly uneasy, the owner continued to backtrack. "We locals are actually quite grateful to the resort’s boss. He’s got a real head for business; he’s the reason all the homestays in this area are making money. Oh, speaking of which, when they first came here to sign the contracts, I had the honor of meeting the big boss. I heard he owns quite a few industries. Surname Qin. He had his wife with him at the time—she was beautiful, like a celestial being."
"Right behind you, there’s a photo hanging on the wall. There, young man, the one behind you. It’s a photo of me with Boss Qin and his wife." The owner tucked the counted money into his pocket, ready to leave, and gestured casually toward the photo behind Chang Ying.
Chang Ying turned around. He was the first to see the photo. He only gave it a casual glance at first, but a flicker of surprise crossed his heart. In an instant, before he could even process the thought, he instinctively moved to block the photo with his body before the others could see it.
Tan Junzi, wanting to see the "celestial" wife the owner mentioned, craned her neck to find the photo. Chang Ying pressed a hand firmly on her shoulder, keeping her from moving.
"I want to see the photo," Tan Junzi protested.
Chang Ying pointed toward the luggage in the lounge. "What’s there to see? Let’s get the bags upstairs and stop piling them up here. We still need to assign the rooms."
Only after the others had picked up their bags and started heading up the stairs did Chang Ying silently turn back to study the photograph.
There were three people in the photo. The man in the center was presumably Boss Qin of the resort—dressed in a sharp suit and leather shoes, he carried an air of relaxed elegance and looked to be in his early forties. The woman beside him, Mrs. Qin, was extremely well-preserved. She looked to be in her early thirties, though her actual age was likely higher. With long, wavy hair, she possessed both the allure of a mature woman and the purity of a young girl. Calling her a great beauty was no exaggeration, and her aura was truly outstanding.
The reason Chang Ying had instinctively blocked the view was that this Mrs. Qin looked remarkably like Tan Junzi.
Not only that.
Her posture and expression were identical to the half-photo of Tan Junzi’s mother from when she was fifteen or sixteen. The resemblance was so striking it was impossible to believe it was a mere coincidence.
As Chang Ying stood there hesitating, Qin Ke’s voice sounded in his ear. "If I were you, I’d put this photo away carefully and not let Tan Junzi see it."
Chang Ying turned to look at Qin Ke. He hadn't even realized that Qin Ke had been standing beside him, staring at the photo for just as long.
Qin Ke’s sudden advice raised questions in Chang Ying’s mind, but being a clever person, he immediately realized that Qin Ke must know something. Now wasn't the time to ask; even if he did, Qin Ke might not tell him.
Qin Ke didn't look at him again. He simply shouldered his luggage and went upstairs. Chang Ying didn't hesitate further. He gently took the frame off the wall, tucked it into his backpack, and suppressed his doubts as he followed Qin Ke up the stairs.
***
On the second floor, besides the room occupied by the young couple, there were two large rooms left.
They divided them up: Chang Ying and Liu Kan in one, and the three girls in the other, all on the second floor. The two smaller rooms on the third floor were left for Qin Ke and Zhang Da.
Once the rooms were assigned, everyone went inside to unpack. The rooms were nice—not exactly luxurious, but cozy, with a style somewhere between a hotel and a home. Each room had its own bathroom, though toiletries weren't provided.
Tan Junzi was the type of person who traveled with everything she could possibly need, sometimes bringing doubles just in case. Yuan Gu took a look around the bathroom and, seeing no shampoo, body wash, or toothpaste, felt her heart sink. Tan Junzi knelt on the floor and unzipped her suitcase. "What are you worried about? Use mine, I brought everything."
The large room had two beds: one double and one single. Qin Ruanshu and Yuan Gu had a disagreement over the sleeping arrangements, but they eventually reached a compromise. Since they were staying for two nights, they would each take a turn sharing the double bed with Tan Junzi.
By the time everyone had finished settling in, it was nearly three o'clock. There were no major plans for the afternoon other than heading down to the riverbank. They brought along the grilling equipment provided by the homestay owner, planning to have a barbecue on the sandy shore that evening.
The riverbank featured a man-made beach that was quite clean, with fine, soft sand. It wasn't particularly warm in early May, but because of the holiday, the beach was fairly crowded. There were rental umbrellas, tables, and chairs available.
The boys found a good spot, set up the umbrella, and arranged the table. The grill needed assembly, and the ingredients needed prep. Liu Kan sat down and started skewering meat, while Chang Ying studied a portable gas canister. They had divided the labor, and they didn't let the girls lift a finger.
Yuan Gu had already shed her outer layers, revealing a cute swimsuit underneath. Unfazed by the chill, she grabbed a swim ring and ran toward the river to soak like a dumpling.
Liu Kan’s gaze followed Yuan Gu’s long, pale legs until Qin Ke slapped him on the back of the head.
It was the last day of Qin Ruanshu’s period, so she didn't plan on getting in the water. She had brought five volumes of *Detective Conan* and simply sat cross-legged on the sand to read her manga.
Tan Junzi felt the weather was too cool for a swim. But she couldn't sit still; seeing the boys all busy with work, she wanted to help.
"Brother Chang, deal with Sister Tan. She’s being annoying, just circling around us," Liu Kan couldn't help but complain.
Zhang Da clicked his tongue. "Who are you calling annoying?"
Chang Ying, however, found the phrase "deal with Sister Tan" incredibly satisfying. He set down the small gas canister and beckoned to her.
"Coming!" Tan Junzi hopped over.
He led her to the water's edge, knelt down, and used a bamboo skewer to poke a hole in the sand.
"What are you doing?" Tan Junzi knelt beside him.
"I’m giving this skewer to you." Chang Ying placed the bamboo stick in her hand. "You stay here and guard this. If the water washes the hole away, poke it back out."
Tan Junzi found this incredibly mysterious. "And then?"
"Crabs will come out of the hole. If you catch them, we’ll have crabs for dinner tonight." Chang Ying looked dead serious.
"Really?" Tan Junzi asked suspiciously.
"Really. I saw it on *Secrets to Wealth*; that’s how the fishermen do it." Chang Ying maintained his serious expression and stood up, dusting off his hands. "Keep a good eye on it. Catch a few more—there are seven of us, so you need to catch at least seven."
Tan Junzi asked, "Just one hole? Should I poke a few more?"
Chang Ying almost broke into a grin. Fearing she would get suspicious, he masked the smirk as a fond, paternal smile. He rubbed her head and suppressed his laughter. "No need. If you poke too many, a whole swarm of crabs might rush out and you won't be able to catch them all. One is enough. Don't be greedy."
"Okay, leave it to me." Tan Junzi nodded solemnly, filled with a sense of mission.
Chang Ying returned to the umbrella to continue helping Liu Kan. At first, Liu Kan didn't know what trick Chang Ying had used; he just saw Tan Junzi in the distance, squatting on the beach like a little mushroom, perfectly still.
Later, Chang Ying explained: "Told her to catch crabs."
On a beach like this? Where would crabs come from? Besides, poke a hole and a crab comes out? What a joke. Only Sister Tan would believe that. Hearing this, Liu Kan couldn't help but marvel, "Brother Chang, you’re truly a god. You’ve got her wrapped around your finger. Sister Tan is doomed in your hands."
"What do you mean 'doomed'? Watch your mouth," Chang Ying said, looking up.
Beside them, Zhang Da threw a handful of sand at Liu Kan’s head. "What do you mean 'wrapped around his finger'? Did he send you a wedding invitation?"
Chang Ying smiled. "I’ll take that as a blessing. It’s only a matter of time."
The sand landed all over Liu Kan’s hair. He cursed and stood up to brush it off. "Did I say something wrong? Zhang Da, don't tell me you still like Tan Junzi. You don't mess with a friend's girl... Shit! You threw sand all over the meat! How are we supposed to eat that now?!"
Just then, Qin Ke walked past carrying a chair and 'accidentally' bumped into Liu Kan, sending him face-first into the sand.
***
Tan Junzi had been squatting there seriously for nearly two hours with nothing to show for it. Where were the promised crabs? She had picked up a few pretty shells, though, planning to take them home for her windowsill.
"How many crabs did you catch?"
"Not a single one... Did *Secrets to Wealth* really say that?" Tan Junzi turned around crossly. She thought it was Chang Ying coming to check on her progress, but instead, she saw Zhang Da. He had his hands in his pockets, looking down at her with a faint smile.
After that incident, their relationship had improved significantly. They had, in a sense, gone through a trial together.
Before she really knew Zhang Da, Tan Junzi’s impression of him had been mediocre. She had found him a bit gloomy and cold. Now, she didn't think he was gloomy anymore, but since she rarely spoke to him alone, she didn't quite know what to say.
She rubbed her legs and prepared to stand up. But her feet were numb, and she stumbled as she rose. Zhang Da reached out to steady her, but she stepped back, not letting him touch her. Zhang Da’s hand stopped halfway and he pulled it back. This time, he wasn't embarrassed; he just said naturally, "Steady now."
"Is it time to eat?" Tan Junzi assumed Zhang Da had come to call her, so she started to walk back.
"Tan Junzi." Zhang Da followed and called her name.
"Yeah?" Tan Junzi turned back to look at him, but instinctively took another step back, widening the distance between them.
"Are you that afraid of me?" Zhang Da asked.
"No, why would I be afraid of you?" Tan Junzi also felt her behavior was a bit strange. In reality, she hadn't realized that, except for Chang Ying, she wasn't used to being so close to boys. Subconsciously, when Zhang Da approached, she created a psychological safety buffer.
Zhang Da didn't mind. The river breeze was making his nose uncomfortable, so he twitched his nostrils, kept his hands in his pockets, and said, "I haven't had a chance to thank you properly since that thing happened."
"Oh, there's no need for that. It’s what friends do." Tan Junzi felt a bit shy. She wanted to wave her hand dismissively, but since she was holding the bamboo skewer, she didn't dare wave it around.
Zhang Da looked down, trying to catch her eye, but Tan Junzi wouldn't meet his gaze. His heart was pounding like a drum, as if he had made a major decision. "There’s something I’ve wanted to tell you."
Sensing that Zhang Da was different than usual, and that the air between them seemed to pulse with his heartbeat, Tan Junzi didn't know what he was going to say, but she grew nervous too. Her voice even wavered slightly. "What is it?"
Zhang Da closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them. He stopped trying to force eye contact. "It’s nothing important. It’s just that, in the past... how should I put this? I used to like you."
*Thump. Thump. Thump.* In the past? Used to... like?
Tan Junzi’s eyes widened. Was this a confession? It seemed like one, yet it didn't.
The moment the words left his mouth, Zhang Da regretted them. But he forced an air of indifference. "Hey, why did I even bring that up? I’m talking about the past. Not now." Well, that was a classic case of 'the more one tries to hide, the more one reveals.' Zhang Da wanted to strangle himself.
"Oh." Tan Junzi didn't know how to respond. She didn't realize his last sentence was a clumsy cover-up; she believed him when he said "not now," so she breathed a sigh of relief. Good, he wasn't confessing.
Zhang Da felt his performance was pathetic. The words coming out were nothing like what he had planned in his head. The tone was all wrong. He sounded like a jerk.
"Then... thank you for telling me?" Tan Junzi looked up at him, wanting to end this strange, nonsensical conversation.
Zhang Da was incredibly grateful that he wasn't the type to blush easily; even alcohol didn't make his face turn red. He forced himself to stay calm. Now that Tan Junzi was looking at him, he didn't dare look back. Her eyelashes were so long. He looked down and kicked at the sand. "You're welcome."
*Fuck, am I an idiot? What do I mean 'you're welcome'?!*
"I mean, yeah, what I really wanted to say was just that I’m really grateful to you," Zhang Da said, repeating himself in circles.
Tan Junzi nodded awkwardly. "You already thanked me just now."
"Oh, did I? Haha, I forgot." Zhang Da rubbed his nose and made a final resolution. "If it’s okay, can I give you a hug?"
"?" Tan Junzi was confused by his jumping logic. "Why?"
"Just a hug of gratitude between friends," Zhang Da insisted.
Tan Junzi took half a step back. "Maybe not..."
Zhang Da remained silent, cursing himself a thousand times in his head as he built up his courage. His brain lost control of his hands; he moved swiftly, pulling Tan Junzi into a lightning-fast embrace before letting go. He felt the girl’s warmth for only a fleeting second. As he released her, he said, "Truly, thank you."
What was this? Whether it was the incoherent 'confession' or this unilateral, forced hug, he was trying to comfort and forgive himself. This was the last time. He would consider it closure for his younger self, closure for the years he had spent liking her, and closure for the twisted, miserable version of himself that had been stuck in the mud. He had hugged the girl he liked; now, he had to take a big step forward.
When he said he *used to* like Tan Junzi, it wasn't a lie. It wasn't that he had stopped liking her now or wouldn't in the future, but rather that he had decided to hit 'pause' on that affection. He would wait until he had become a better person before he liked her openly and honorably. She was so wonderful; he had to become better too.
But could one really just hit 'pause'? Zhang Da didn't think about it.
After the hug, Zhang Da returned to his usual nonchalant self. He started walking back, his back to her as he called out, "Everything’s almost ready. Come over and eat."
Tan Junzi remained where she was, still clutching the bamboo skewer. When Zhang Da had hugged her, she had wanted to struggle, but then she remembered the skewer in her hand and was afraid of stabbing him, so she had kept her hands down and stayed still. Fortunately, the hug had been very brief.
Because Zhang Da had called it a "hug of gratitude" and his "truly, thank you" had sounded so sincere—and because the hug lacked any desire beyond friendship—Tan Junzi wasn't angry. She was just stunned. After a long moment, a slow question mark formed in her mind.
?
Over by the grill, Qin Ke had gone to a nearby supermarket to buy drinks and wasn't there. But Liu Kan had been watching closely. When Zhang Da hugged Tan Junzi, Liu Kan gasped, "He hugged her! He hugged her! Holy shit!!!!" He turned to Chang Ying. "You’re gonna take that?"
Chang Ying said nothing.
Zhang Da walked back, looking perfectly natural. He looked at Chang Ying, and Chang Ying looked at him. The moment their eyes met, everything was understood.
Zhang Da didn't explain anything, nor did he need to. Chang Ying knew his actions just now had been honorable, so he didn't say much.
A young man’s affection, no matter how deeply hidden, is like an oyster in the sand—one dig and it’s out. And once that oyster is rinsed in the river, it’s mostly clear, with only a hint of bitterness.
Chang Ying had always known Zhang Da liked Tan Junzi. He hadn't liked Zhang Da much before, not because they liked the same girl, but because he felt the way Zhang Da looked at her was a bit 'dirty,' which annoyed him.
Now, he could sense the change in Zhang Da.
Zhang Da still liked Junzi, but it was the affection of a youth—it wasn't dirty. From Chang Ying’s perspective, he had no right to stop a feeling that Zhang Da kept buried in his heart.
To say he wasn't jealous would be a lie. But as a man, he didn't have such a narrow mind or so much free time that he would get worked up over every little thing. Chang Ying was never afraid of anyone else liking Tan Junzi; he had confidence in himself. He would meet every challenge as it came; he had been doing it for years.
Zhang Da had gone to talk to her and then given her a hug. Deep down, Chang Ying understood: Zhang Da did it partly to thank her, and partly to give himself closure. It was like a farewell, like crossing a hurdle in his own heart.
So, he really wasn't angry. Chang Ying thought to himself: *I’m really not angry. There’s no need. What’s mine is mine; it’s not going anywhere.*
*It was just a hug. It didn't even last a second.*
*I. Am. Really. Not. Angry.*
*Fuck.*
***
**Glossary**
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
--- | --- | ---
咸城 | Xian City | A city neighboring Tong City.
雾灵山 | Wuling Mountain | The tourist destination/resort area.
致富经 | *Secrets to Wealth* | A real-life CCTV program about agriculture and business success stories.
驴友 | Backpacker / Traveler | Literally "donkey friends," a common term for outdoor travel enthusiasts.
秦轲 | Qin Ke | A character introduced previously, now part of the trip.
张达 | Zhang Da | A character who previously had a conflict with the group, now reconciled.
昌哥 | Brother Chang | A respectful/familiar way Liu Kan addresses Chang Ying.
谈姐 | Sister Tan | A respectful/familiar way Liu Kan addresses Tan Junzi.
