Chapter 14: Leaving Her Alone on the Beach
“I know, but I’m just afraid.”
Xianyu held Liang Youjia tightly, tears soaking the collar of his shirt.
She caught the scent of a lady’s osmanthus perfume.
It was very similar to the one Du Ruanruan wore.
Liang Youjia gently stroked her hair, long fingers wiping away her tears. “You’re just timid.”
“What will I do when I become a mother?”
Xianyu shuddered all over. The thought of the child she lost pierced her heart like a knife.
Liang Youjia didn’t know this; he thought Xianyu was simply scared.
He patted her back like he would his daughter. “We’ll deal with the future when it comes. Your husband is here with you now. What’s wrong with being a little timid?”
Suddenly, Xianyu grabbed the collar of his shirt. “Then won’t you stay with me anymore?”
Liang Youjia was taken aback, paused for a long moment, then smiled, “Of course, I’ll always be by your side.”
But Xianyu didn’t miss the fleeting coldness in his eyes.
He teased her nose. “Sleeping all afternoon?”
Xianyu shook her head. “No, I just woke up a little while ago.”
“Wanna go take photos?” Held in Liang Youjia’s arms, she gazed at the clouds dyed by the sunset.
Today’s sunset was even more beautiful than the first day they arrived in Phuket.
Dreamlike and enchanting, it was a romantic landscape painting.
Liang Youjia was a master photographer, especially skilled at capturing both scenery and people.
The photos in their album were all his masterpieces.
Each one was good enough to enter competitions and win awards.
His phone’s wallpaper was a scene of her smiling beneath a dazzling aurora.
Hers was a candid shot of him raising his camera—slightly blurry due to her limited skills and the secretive angle—but it didn’t diminish his sharply handsome features.
“Let’s go.”
If this was about to end soon, she wanted to create as many memories as possible.
Today, she wore a white, off-shoulder lace gown.
Her long hair was dyed a cool ash brown, making her pale skin appear even more delicate.
The wind swept her hair back and lifted her skirt, her bare feet pressing against the golden sand. Half turned, her profile was bathed in the sunset’s glow.
Light and shadow—absolutely stunning.
Liang Youjia’s lens captured this moment.
He didn’t need Xianyu to pose deliberately or take multiple shots of the same scene; every snap was perfect.
He set down the camera, one hand in his pocket, his gray sweatpants revealing long, relaxed legs.
Xianyu asked, “Are you done?”
Liang Youjia raised an eyebrow with a smile. “Come here, beauty.”
“Coming.” Xianyu held her skirt and ran toward him.
The sea breeze was like an invisible hand, shaping her skirt into a blooming flower.
“A You, your skills are unmatched.”
Liang Youjia’s words were sweet, and he wasn’t stingy with praise for her. “It’s our Yuyu who’s photogenic and charming—every frame looks great.”
Xianyu blushed. “You’re making me shy.”
Liang Youjia cupped her flawless cheek, pinching it affectionately. “You’re the perfect partner for a cameraman.”
The softest part of Xianyu’s heart sank. “I really need a talented photographer like you.”
Seizing the moment, Liang Youjia lowered his head and pressed a kiss on her lips.
Xianyu tiptoed, looping her arms around his neck, about to deepen the kiss when—
Suddenly, a phone ringtone sounded.
It was the song “Stay With You.”
She froze, slowly releasing him, her mind a blur.
He had said only her ringtone was set individually; everyone else’s was uniform. She had heard his friends’ calls—they weren’t this song. And since it was a love song, the caller definitely wasn’t a man.
Liang Youjia pushed her away and pulled out his phone.
Before he walked away, Xianyu caught a glimpse of his phone’s lock screen.
No longer the aurora and her, but a patch of pink crimson night roses.
A sudden chill gripped her chest.
Had he already begun erasing all traces of her before she even left completely?
A sharp pain gripped her heart, making it hard to breathe.
Liang Youjia moved a few steps away, his voice low and muffled. Though she couldn’t hear clearly, his furrowed brow showed he was anxious.
Soon, he hung up and returned to Xianyu.
“My friend has an urgent matter. I have to go. You take the camera and head back. Don’t wait up for me tonight.”
He handed the camera to her.
Their fingertips touched, the warmth lingering even as he walked away.
She was left standing alone on the beach.
Other tourists were sparse and distant, making Xianyu feel like a solitary island.
She was strikingly beautiful—slim waist, long legs, and a face that could topple kingdoms.
Even among crowds, she would stand out like a precious gem unearthed.
She walked the beach aimlessly, bored and lost in thought, unaware when someone began following her.
A whistle suddenly sounded beside her ear.
“Beautiful, all alone?”
A hairy arm casually draped over Xianyu’s shoulder.
The sudden gesture startled her.
It sparked a surge of disgust.
She frowned. “Sorry, I have a boyfriend,” and tried to shake off the stranger’s lecherous hand.