Chapter 54: Blooming

Lumi kept her word and gifted Shang Zhitao a bikini. It was bright red, a classic three-piece, as bold and dazzling as could be.

Shang Zhitao walked behind Lumi with her hands crossed over her chest. The sunlight blazed down on her skin, warming it to the point of tingling—but not as much as her face. This was too intense, yet she couldn’t help but notice how many women on the beach were wearing bikinis, making her efforts to cover up seem redundant.

Lumi turned around and scolded her: “Take your hands off this instant! No blocking!”

“No, no!” Shang Zhitao waved her hands frantically, then quickly returned them to her chest. “I feel awkward.”

“It’s not like you’re the only one with body parts!” Lumi pointed toward the distance. “See that girl? Her figure is nowhere near as good as yours, and she’s still having fun. Your body is yours—do what you want with it.”

“Okay.”

Finally, Shang Zhitao lowered her hands. Lumi gave her back a pat: “Stand tall!”

Shang Zhitao’s figure, usually hidden beneath modest clothing, now gleamed under the sun. What stood out most was her curves—a beautifully proportioned bust that was subtly ample, tapering into a delicate waist before flaring out at the hips.

The effect was stunning. She looked radiant, luminous even, walking alongside Lumi on the beach, catching the eyes of countless passersby.

“A beauty like you deserves a man worthy of her!” Lumi teased, pointing to a foreigner in the distance. “See him? Based on my years of experience, he should be quite impressive.”

“What do you mean by ‘impressive’?” Shang Zhitao genuinely didn’t understand.

“One inch longer, one inch stronger,” Lumi chuckled mischievously, tugging Shang Zhitao toward a shaded umbrella. “Let’s find a spot to lie down and soak up some sun. That handsome foreigner has already glanced your way several times.”

“Fine. You stay out here a little longer later,” Shang Zhitao replied, playing along. Their private banter knew no bounds, but neither took it seriously.

Under one of the umbrellas lay a person with a newspaper covering their face, seemingly asleep. There were three umbrellas, and he had chosen the middle one, leaving the other two separated—an irritating move. Lumi approached to ask him to switch places, but he lifted the newspaper, glancing at Lumi and then Shang Zhitao: “Letting loose, are we?” It was Luan Nian.

Shang Zhitao suddenly felt her cheeks flush. She avoided looking at Luan Nian, partly embarrassed by her skimpy attire. It was an odd feeling. But Luan Nian didn’t give her a second glance. Instead, he smiled at Lumi: “Some also say that short men have their advantages. Your earlier statement was rather narrow-minded.” He then reclined again, ignoring them completely.

He’d been busy the past few days and hadn’t slept well. Now, he wanted to soak up some seaside sun to recharge while relaxing for a few days. Just as he’d settled in, he overheard Lumi and Shang Zhitao discussing their plans to “catch” a foreign hunk. He inwardly mocked their naivety—two country bumpkins dreaming of reaching the stars. When he lifted the newspaper and saw their outfits, his brow furrowed slightly before he covered his face again, pretending they weren’t there.

Luan Nian appreciated confident women who embraced their allure—but Shang Zhitao wasn’t one of them. Though displeased, he remained silent.

There was another empty lounge chair further away, but if they moved there, they’d be farther apart. Since Luan Nian clearly refused to budge, they each took a seat on either side of him.

Surprisingly, Lumi now seemed shy, draping a towel over herself. Meanwhile, Shang Zhitao’s rare streak of defiance kicked in, refusing to cover up. She lay there boldly, secretly hoping the foreign hunk would approach.

She even mentally lit a stick of incense, praying he’d hurry. If he came, she felt it would somehow vindicate her.

But the foreign hunk never showed, leaving Shang Zhitao disheartened. She messaged Lumi: “I’m going to buy coconuts. Do you want one?”

“Yes! Get me one, sister!”

Shang Zhitao stood up and walked away. By now, she wasn’t afraid anymore. Lumi was right—her body belonged to her. She’d bare it whenever she pleased, pleasing only herself—not others, including Luan Nian.

Sometimes clarity comes so easily. Standing by the coconut stand, watching the vendor crack open a coconut, she heard someone greet her in broken Chinese. Turning around, she saw the foreign hunk.

He said, “Hello, I noticed you earlier.”

Shang Zhitao burst out laughing: “I know.”

She couldn’t feign surprise—she simply acknowledged it. The foreign boy, now a bit bashful, scratched the back of his head and smiled: “May I treat you and your friend to some coconuts?”

“Sure, thank you.”

The two of them carried their coconuts back. Along the way, the boy asked about her departure and itinerary. Shang Zhitao answered politely. Before parting, he said: “You’re truly beautiful. If you have time, maybe we can have dinner together.”

“Sure, thank you,” she replied.

She realized how delightful direct compliments from the opposite sex could be. Walking back, she caught Lumi staring at her in amazement. Winking playfully, she handed Lumi her coconut. Lumi pointed at Luan Nian, implying: Didn’t you get him one?

Shang Zhitao shrugged. Why should she?

Why should she buy him anything when he hogged the middle lounge chair without budging?

Lumi gestured toward her phone. Shang Zhitao checked it and saw Lumi’s reminder: Don’t provoke trouble. While you were buying coconuts, he got a call and flew into a rage.

Oh.

Shang Zhitao sipped her coconut, stretched out on her lounge chair, plugged in her earphones, draped a towel over herself, and closed her eyes to listen to music. During this time, she needed to immerse herself in songs—any song would do—because there was a small void in her heart that nothing could fill.

All because Luan Nian had said, “I’ll bring flowers to see you,” and then actually delivered them to Zang Yao. Such a trivial matter.

The Phuket sun was glorious, blazing warmly on her skin, with the humid sea breeze caressing her face—it was perfect for napping. When Shang Zhitao opened her eyes, the sun had set. Checking her phone, she saw a message from Lumi: “I’m checking tonight’s menu; Alex assigned me this task. Come to the western side of the hotel’s beach when you wake up—we’re having dinner there.”

“Got it, I’m awake.”

Shang Zhitao replied, sitting up to take in Phuket’s sunset.

The afterglow painted the beach red, with sparkling seawater shimmering like scattered stars. Unable to think of any poetry to describe the scene, she could only marvel inwardly: So beautiful.

She was spellbound.

Hearing movement from the neighboring lounge chair, she turned her head to see Luan Nian waking up. She greeted him: “Did you sleep well, Luke? Lumi said dinner starts in half an hour.”

Luan Nian’s gaze lingered on Shang Zhitao’s bikini top before pointing to some foreign girls playing beach volleyball in the distance: “See them? Bikinis suit them better.” Those girls were exceptionally athletic, exuding a different kind of beauty than Eastern women.

In the past, Shang Zhitao might have felt ashamed, but today was different. She understood that no matter how she dressed, it was for her own pleasure, unrelated to anyone else. With a gentle smile in her eyes, she replied calmly: “I know they look good, but I like dressing this way. It’s none of anyone else’s business.”

Shang Zhitao stood up and began walking back to her room. She no longer cared how Luan Nian viewed her. After all, he’d seen countless beautiful women—no matter what she wore, it wouldn’t earn her a single compliment from him.

As she headed toward her room, she heard hurried footsteps behind her. Before she could react, she was pushed into a nearby room with startling speed. Her hands instinctively pressed against him, her earlier defiance melting away. Her voice trembled: “Someone will see us.”

“Don’t dress like that again.”

“I’m happy this way. I like it.”

Luan Nian’s hand slipped beneath her bikini bottom, gripping her firmly. He leaned in, biting her shoulder fiercely, almost savagely. The sharp pain made Shang Zhitao falter, and she finally relented: “I won’t wear it again.”

Much of the anger in Luan Nian’s heart subsided, but his hand remained where it was. In the dim light, he gazed into Shang Zhitao’s eyes, sensing an indescribable sadness within her. This softened him, prompting him to say something he’d never imagined uttering: “I don’t like other men looking at you like that.”

“Because you look damn beautiful today.”

Shang Zhitao bit her lip, staying silent. She knew that if she spoke, she might cry. Luan Nian calling her beautiful was so rare, so precious, that it brought a pang of bittersweetness to her heart. Pressing her hand over his, which still lingered, she furrowed her brow slightly, her breathing growing erratic. Her trembling lips sought his, her tongue meeting his as he hungrily claimed her mouth, pulling her deeper into his embrace.

The ringing of a phone startled them apart. Luan Nian walked to the bedside to answer it, his eyes still fixed on Shang Zhitao. He regained his composure, realizing he’d lost control in bringing her into his room under such circumstances. Any misstep could lead to serious trouble—for both of them. While he could handle it calmly, she likely wouldn’t fare as well. She’d probably crumble.

After hanging up, he walked to the door, opening it to reveal an empty corridor.

As they parted ways, there was a lingering sense of loss.

Shang Zhitao returned to her room and changed into a slip dress. Remembering the bite mark on her shoulder, she added a cardigan over it.

The beach BBQ was lively and extravagant. Lobsters, crabs, cocktails—everything was provided. Everyone waited for Luan Nian to raise a toast, but he only said: “Everyone’s worked hard. Special bonuses will be distributed next month. Enjoy yourselves.”

Applause erupted, drinks were poured, and glasses clinked. After a sip, everyone dispersed to the buffet tables, enjoying seafood by candlelight and ocean breezes—a truly idyllic evening.

Lumi shared a slice of cake with Shang Zhitao, wiping a smudge of cream from her lips. Suddenly, she asked: “After I left, did Luke give you a hard time?”

“Huh?”

“At the lounge chairs—did he lose his temper or anything?”

“No.”

“That’s good.” Lumi relaxed. “You don’t know—he was furious when you went to buy coconuts. On the phone, he yelled, ‘If you can do it, do it; if not, get out.’”

Never before had Luan Nian spoken like that, even when angry. He was strict, but not harsh.

“What was it about?” Shang Zhitao asked.

“I have no idea.” Lumi shrugged.

Shang Zhitao turned to look for Luan Nian. He was sitting across from Alex at a table by the sea, deep in conversation. Both men looked serious.

A colleague with a video camera roamed through the crowd, asking everyone to say hello for footage that would later be edited into a promotional travel video—a staple project for the marketing team’s retreat.

Other colleagues gave perfunctory nods to the camera, but Shang Zhitao greeted it earnestly: “Hello, I’m Shang Zhitao.” Adorable as ever.