"Wow!!!"
Miao's eyes sparkled with amazement as they arrived at Penglai Beach.
She immediately pulled out her phone and started taking pictures. She had never imagined that she would get the chance to visit such a beautiful place.
"Are you done taking photos?" Kan asked.
"Hehe, yup!" she replied cheerfully.
Kan nodded and continued walking ahead.
"Psh... It's still early in the morning, and he's already acting so stern," Miao muttered with a pout as she carried his bags.
"Wow, the beach is so beautiful," Manager Song said admiringly as they walked.
"Manager, can we take a walk after the photoshoot? It would be such a waste not to. This place is perfect for social media photos!" Miao whispered excitedly.
"Of course! I even packed my summer outfit for this trip!" Manager Song replied with a laugh.
Kan simply shook his head after overhearing their conversation.
"Kan!"
The director approached with a bright smile.
"Every time I see you, I can't help but stare. You're incredibly handsome," Director Shin praised.
"Thank you, Director Shin," Kan replied politely with a smile.
Since Kan was busy talking with the director and photographer, Miao quietly left to put his belongings inside one of the beach cottages.
.
Not long after...
"Oh my gosh! He's so handsome!"
"He's absolutely perfect!"
"Kyaaa! I can't believe I'm seeing him in person!"
Miao's ears were ringing from the constant screams of the tourists watching Kan's photoshoot.
He really has a lot of fans...
She glanced toward the set again.
One of the staff members was slowly pouring water over Kan.
Oh my... the wet look!
Kan ran a hand through his damp hair and effortlessly struck another pose.
The crowd screamed even louder when he casually took off his shirt.
My goodness, Miao... don't drool.
But seriously... he's showing off his abs!
Miao immediately grabbed a bottle of mineral water and took several large gulps while secretly watching him.
Whew...
Why is it suddenly so hot here?
She fanned herself with her hand.
"Okay! That's a wrap!" the photographer announced.
Kan walked over to review the photos with the director. After making sure everything looked perfect, he headed toward Miao.
The moment he stopped in front of her, Miao's eyes instinctively dropped to his toned abs.
She swallowed.
Why is this handsome creature so ridiculously hot?
I wonder... are his abs really that hard? What would they feel like...?
"You're drooling," Kan said.
Miao snapped out of her thoughts and looked up, only to find him smirking at her.
"Who's drooling?" she quickly wiped the corner of her mouth. "There wasn't even any drool!"
"Were you fantasizing about me?" Kan teased proudly. "It's okay. I'm used to it."
"Eww! As if I'd fantasize about you," she shot back.
"Oh? Then why were you staring at my abs?" he grinned.
"You don't even have abs. Stop flattering yourself," she looked away.
"Pfft," he chuckled. "You're in denial."
"Go get dressed! You're so annoying," she grabbed his clothes and threw them at him.
Kan simply smiled before changing right in front of her.
"W-What the heck?!" Miao immediately turned around and covered her eyes.
Why is he changing clothes right here?!
"Oh, by the way," Kan said while getting dressed, "today's shoot will end early, so you'll have time to look around the place."
"Really?" she immediately turned back to him.
"Yup. But I'm coming with you," he shrugged. "I'm afraid you'll get lost here. That would be a huge problem."
"Fine," she replied with a grin. "But make sure we visit lots of places."
"Pfft... sure," Kan reached over and playfully ruffled her hair.
Miao froze.
Huh...?
Why is my heart beating so fast?
Kan tilted his head.
"Oh? Why is your face so red?" he looked at her curiously. "Did you get sunburned?"
"W-What? I don't have sunburn!" she quickly looked away. "You're just imagining things!"
Without waiting for his response, Miao hurried back toward the cottage.
Kan watched her leave with a raised eyebrow.
.
.
.....
"I thought you were available this afternoon. You promised me." Kaia frowned as she sat down on the sofa.
She was talking to her boyfriend on the phone.
Nico stopped walking when he overheard their conversation.
"But, babe, today is the last day they're showing that movie in the cinema. I wanted to watch it with you."
Nico noticed the sadness on her face.
She sighed.
"Fine. Take care."
Kaia ended the call.
She stared at the two movie tickets she had bought.
When she noticed Nico standing nearby, he politely bowed to her before continuing to walk away.
Kaia looked at the tickets in her hand once more.
"Ah, wait!" she called out.
Nico stopped and turned around.
She hurried over to him.
"Hehe... you don't have anything to do, right? Would you like to watch a movie with me? It would be such a waste because I bought two tickets, but now I have no one to go with," she said.
Nico looked at her with his usual expressionless face.
"Please!" she pleaded, giving him puppy eyes.
After a moment, Nico nodded.
"Yay! I'm going to change my clothes!" Kaia happily ran upstairs.
Nico simply watched her.
A faint smile slowly appeared on his face.
.
.
.....
Miao struck another pose while Manager Song took pictures of her.
Kan's photoshoot had already ended, and as he had promised, they were now taking a walk around the beach.
"Kan, come over here and join Miao! Photos always look better with two people. Hurry up!" Manager Song called.
"I don't want an ugly woman standing next to me in my pictures," Kan said.
"Wow! As if I want to be in a picture with you," Miao shot back.
"Oh, you two are fighting again. That's enough, okay?" Manager Song chuckled. "I'll take a picture of both of you."
He pulled Kan over until he was standing beside Miao.
"Move a little closer," Manager Song said.
Click.
He took several pictures.
"Argh! Come on, give me a sweet pose. You two look like strangers," Manager Song complained.
"Eh?" Miao blinked.
"Kan, hug her," he ordered.
"Are you serious?" Kan raised an eyebrow.
"Hurry up!" said the manager.
"Tsk... fine," Kan reluctantly wrapped one arm around Miao's shoulders.
"Hehe! Smile!" Manager Song teased.
The two forced awkward smiles.
What's happening...?
Why is my heart beating so fast again?
"You should pose like a couple," Manager Song instructed.
"We're not a couple," Kan complained.
"Did I say you were?" the manager laughed. "I said pose like a couple."
Kan scratched his head helplessly.
Manager Song looked delighted as he continued taking pictures, while Kan and Miao grew increasingly awkward around each other.
.
.
A little while later...
"The food here looks delicious," Miao said as she looked through the menu.
"Hello, sir, ma'am. May I take your order?" the waitress asked politely.
"We'll have three Grilled Kung Pao Shrimp, two Cantonese-Style Lobsters, three Szechuan Peppercorn Salmons, and three Crab Soups," Manager Song ordered.
"Certainly, sir. Please wait about fifteen minutes," the waitress smiled before leaving.
Manager Song turned toward Miao. "Miao, I've wanted to ask you this for a long time."
Miao looked at him curiously.
"Do you have a boyfriend?" the manager asked.
Miao scratched the back of her head awkwardly. "H-Hehe... I don't have a boyfriend."
"What? Really?" Manager Song looked surprised. "How come? You're so pretty."
"Actually..." her smile slowly faded. "My ex and I broke up two years ago."
"Aww... what happened?" Manager Song asked again.
Miao lowered her head.
Kan noticed the sadness that suddenly appeared on her face.
"H-He married my best friend," she answered softly.
Both Kan and Manager Song were stunned.
"I'm sorry," Manager Song said apologetically.
"It's okay." Miao forced a smile.
"I've already moved on. Besides... I know he's happy with my best friend."
Although she smiled...
Kan could still see the sadness hidden in her eyes.
Who wouldn't be hurt?
The person you loved ended up marrying your best friend.
"Here are your orders," the waitress returned with their food.
"Wow! Everything looks delicious!" Manager Song exclaimed.
"Xiexie!" they all thanked the waitress.
"Let's eat!"
Everyone happily began enjoying the meal.
As they ate, Kan noticed Miao struggling to peel the lobster.
He sighed. "Give it to me."
Before she could react, he took the lobster from her plate and skillfully peeled it.
Then he peeled the shrimp as well and placed the meat back onto her plate.
Miao stared at him in surprise.
"Aww... how sweet, Mr. Huang," Manager Song teased with a grin.
"Shut up," Kan replied without looking at him.
Manager Song burst into laughter.
"Thank you," Miao said softly.
Kan simply smiled before quietly continuing his meal.