"Very well, sir." The flight attendant gave a standard smile. "But please be quick. Standing here will hold up the other passengers."
"Okay." Lu Lingchen looked at Shen Nian. "Nian, take my seat."
Shen Nian stood up to leave, but the fat man stubbornly refused to give up his seat.
The flight attendant looked embarrassed as she turned to the fat man. "Sir, would you please stand up for a moment so this young lady can get out?"
The fat man retorted, "Why should I stand up? I'm not getting up!"
He was being unreasonable.
"Sir..."
Lu Lingchuan stood up from his seat in front. His deep, piercing gaze fixed on the fat man, who was instantly intimidated by his stare.
Having spent many years in the business world, Lu Lingchuan had cultivated a powerful aura, a fox-like presence. Without needing to say much, a single glance could strike fear into others.
His eyes seemed to unleash hundreds of razor-sharp blades, irresistibly overwhelming anyone they fell upon.
"Stand up," he said softly, his voice light but bone-chilling, making the fat man shudder.
"Mr. Lu," Shen Nian called out.
The fat man was a typical bully, brave against the meek but cowardly against the formidable. Faced with Lu Lingchuan's intimidating presence and Shen Nian's "Mr. Lu" address, he didn't dare act arrogant any longer and silently stood up. Shen Nian exited the row, and Lu Lingchen took her seat.
The incident seemed to be over, but the resentful fat man glared at Shen Nian, who was now seated in front of him. He stretched out his foot, intending to kick the seat in front of him.
Lu Lingchuan noticed his petty action and, looking at Shen Nian about to sit down, said calmly, "You sit here."
Shen Nian obediently nodded. "Okay."
She then took Lu Lingchuan's former seat, while he sat in the aisle.
Seeing Lu Lingchuan in front of him, the fat man remembered the intimidating glare from earlier and became uneasy. He withdrew his foot, no longer daring to act out.
After a minor disruption that was quickly resolved, the economy class passengers had all boarded, and the cabin doors were closed. The plane taxied to the designated runway for takeoff.
After accelerating and taking off, the three-and-a-half-hour flight to Hai City began. Shen Nian had not slept well the previous night, so she leaned against the window and fell asleep shortly after takeoff.
Lu Lingchuan opened the tray table in front of him, placing his laptop on it to review a project report.
He felt a cool breeze from the air conditioning blowing on his hands, making them feel chilled. Public spaces tend to set the air conditioning temperature quite low during hot weather.
Even Lu Lingchuan found it a bit cold.
He immediately turned his head to look at the person beside him.
Shen Nian's petite frame was curled up, her arms wrapped around herself as she slept restlessly.
Frowning slightly but saying nothing, he turned his attention back to the laptop.
Less than a minute later, he called over a passing flight attendant.
"Can you bring me a blanket?"
The attendant smiled. "Certainly, sir."
She quickly brought Lu Lingchuan the requested blanket, which he draped over Shen Nian, tucking it in to prevent drafts.
Unintentionally touching her hand, he found it icy cold.
Lu Lingchuan's movements paused for a moment as he gripped her hand and tucked it under the blanket.
They arrived in Hai City in the afternoon and went straight to their pre-booked luxury hotel after leaving the airport.
They had an appointment with the other company's CEO the next day, so today was free time for leisure activities.
This hotel was renowned for its lavish accommodations and prime location. But what attracted visitors most was the oceanfront view – every room opened to a panoramic vista of the sea. Waking up each morning to such breathtaking scenery was truly captivating.
The hotel's beach area allowed visitors to swim in the shallow waters, and many tourists had already gathered on the sand.
After returning to her room, Shen Nian changed into a dress, having slept for nearly three hours on the plane. Now fully refreshed, she prepared to go to the beach for a stroll.
Leaving the hotel, she made her way downstairs.
The tide was still out, and many visitors were swimming and playing in the shallow waters. Several children were digging in the sand with small shovels, building sandcastles.
Shen Nian walked alone along the beach, wearing sandals. A few grains of sand had slipped into her shoes, irritating her feet, so she decided to remove them and walk barefoot on the sand.
She wore a light blue floral sundress that fell to her ankles. The sea breeze caused the dress to billow gently, lending an ethereal grace to her appearance.
Her hair was simply tied back with a hair tie, a few loose strands framing her face. Devoid of makeup, she exuded a clean, gentle beauty.
Holding up the hem of her dress, she gazed at her fair, lovely feet, leaving a trail of footprints in the sand as she walked – evidence of her presence.
Along the way, she encountered a group of children building sandcastles, engrossed in their joyful play. One child noticed Shen Nian, approached her, and tugged at her hand, repeatedly calling her "beautiful sister" with an endearing lisp that brought a warm smile to her face. The child even tried to coax her into joining their sandcastle-building.
Watching the playful, laughing children, Shen Nian's eyes brimmed with tenderness.
The adorable little rascal, who knew where he had learned to flatter people? Children these days were so precocious.
She gazed fondly at the young boy holding her hand, reluctant to look away.
If not for all the troubles in her life, her own little one would be four years old now.
She didn't know how big a four-year-old child would be, but they would surely be running and jumping, cooing in that sweet, childish voice to cheer her up.
Rarely did Shen Nian feel so relaxed, as she squatted down with the children, using a small shovel to build castles and sand figures alongside them.
Her gentleness and patience impressed the mothers watching over the children.
One mother couldn't help but remark, "You have such a good temperament. My little rascal drives me crazy every day."
Shovel in hand, Shen Nian smiled and replied, "It's tiring, but very fulfilling."
Having a lively little one fussing around was truly a blessing.
"That's true," the mothers agreed. One of them asked Shen Nian, "You seem quite young. Are you married?"
Shen Nian shook her head. "Not yet."
Eyeing Shen Nian's beautiful face, another mother commented, "Then you must have a boyfriend. With your good looks and sweet disposition, any man who marries you will be very fortunate."
Shen Nian smiled. "I'm not as good as you say."
The mothers laughed. "Make the most of your youth and go out to see the world. Don't have children too early. Look at us – once we had kids, we have to revolve around them. Even going out for fun requires dragging the whole family along."
Shen Nian did not respond, focusing instead on carefully opening the small duck-shaped mold in her hand, which was filled with sand. As she opened the mold, the sand formed the shape of a little duck.
