Cupid's Assistant

Chapter 33

It was the next day, and they were at the beach. The water came onto the shore and rushed back. The air smelled refreshing with a hint of a fishy odor. The sun was bright above their heads. Wu Mingze's parents decided to stay behind at the summer house to have quality time with each other while the rest were in the sea, except for Wu Ming Feng. He played in the sand nearby, occasionally glancing at the ocean with them in it. Xiaodan glanced back to Wu Ming Feng and saw Wu Mingze, who stayed close to the shore, constantly keeping an eye on him.

Xiaodan couldn't help but stop what she was doing and headed to the shore. She reached where Wu Ming Feng was building a sand castle and squatted beside him.

"Whatcha doing?" She simply asked politely.

"What does it look like," he said, aloof, not paying any attention to her. He dug up more sand into his bucket. She just chuckled at his remark.

"I can see that, but why don't you want to swim with us?" She said.

"Didn't I say before I would rather play in the sand," he said, slightly annoyed.

Once they arrived at the beach and stepped into the sand, Wu Ming Feng looked at the waters and then at his brother before looking at the sand. He then said he would rather play in the sand than go swimming and assured them that he was okay with playing by himself.

"Is that so, then why do you keep looking at the ocean as if you want to go play in it," she said with a hint of teasing.

"I-I don't know what you are talking about," he stuttered and avoided looking her in the eyes, carelessly packing down the sand together.

"You know anyone can see that you really want to join us but are too stubborn to admit it. So, why don't you want to go swimming? What's your real reason?" Xiaodan asked with a nice smile.

He looked at her before looking down at his hands and started rubbing them together. "I-I barely know how to swim. If I go in the water, I have to wear a life jacket," he said as they had brought one, and it was inside the car, being unused.

"There's no shame in that," she said, squatting closer to him.

"I'm not ashamed," he said almighty. "I-I just don't want to burden my brother... If I go, then he has to constantly keep an eye on me. I don't want to ruin his fun," he said softly again.

She couldn't help but chuckle at his cute remark. Wu Ming Feng quickly shot her a glare.

"Don't laugh at me," he said, upset with a pouting tone.

"Sorry, it's just that it's so cute of you to say that," she teased. He soon grumbled at the word 'cute'.

She controlled her smile and held in her chuckle. "But don't you know your brother is already keeping an eye on you constantly? Can't you see that he is always looking back to make sure you're okay? So, won't it be easier if you go in the water so he doesn't have to look so far?"

She tilted her head. He was silent for a second as he didn't realize that.

"Oh...," he finally uttered. She then smiled at his clueless expression.

"Also, don't worry. I'll watch you and play with you instead since I'm not a good swimmer either," Xiaodan said, patting her chest.

"Trust me," she said with a goofy smile.

"If you're not a good swimmer, why would I trust you!" Wu Ming Feng said, returning to his snarky comments.

"Well, then I guess I have to bug your brother," she smirked and stood up.

"Don't you dare!" He pouted, grabbing her hand.

"So, does that mean you will play with me?" She teased.

"Fine," he grudgingly said, letting go of her hand. "Just because I don't want you to ruin my brother's fun by watching over you," he clarified.

"Mmm," she nodded. "Come on. Let's go grab your life jacket," she added, extending her hand out.

"I'm not a baby who needs to hold hands," he said, walking past her.

"My bad," she said with a smile still on her face.

A couple of minutes later, Xiaodan and Wu Ming Feng, in a red life jacket, entered the water. Wu Mingze instantly headed to them.

"Ge," Wu Ming Feng shouted happily, getting closer to him.

"What changed your mind?" Wu Mingze asked, patting Wu Ming Feng's head.

"I..I," he stuttered, not knowing how to respond.

"I made him. I need someone with my level of swimming to play with," Xiaodan answered with a smile.

"Oh," Wu Mingze said, raising an eyebrow at them.

"Mmm." Wu Ming Feng frantically nodded.

"Hey, look who is here. You finally came to join us," Zhou Haoran said, messing with Wu Ming Feng's hair as the rest of them joined in.

While Zhu Haoran and Wu Ming Feng were splashing each other along with Feng Yichen and Li Chyou, Wu Mingze came up beside Xiaodan.

"What did you say to him to make him come to the waters?" Wu Mingze whispered to her.

Xiaodan just smiled and answered, "It's a secret."

"Hey, what are you two whispering about?" Wu Ming Feng interrupted them as he noticed them whispering to each other.

"Nothing," Wu Mingze straightened up.

"Nothing at all," Xiaodan smiled.