Chapter 31：First confrontation?

As soon as they kept their bags in their room, Siying jumped up and down eagerly.

"Sea! Sea! Let's go out Dada! I want to see the sea!"

Xinyi asked Zhiyuan, "When is the gathering?"

"Two hours later. Mu Chuanli kept it that way so we could have a short tour of the ship before it started."

"In that case, we are good."

"Mama, I want to wear my pirate clothes!"

She smiled. "So soon?"

"Yes, yes!" Siying proudly put his hands on his waist, "Everyone should know that I am the pirate boss!"

She burst into a chuckle. "Alright. Let's get you changed."

Ten minutes later, they went on the deck, and immediately, a cold, refreshing breeze with a slight taste of saltiness brushed past them.

Siying ran off towards the railing.

Zhiyuan sternly said, "Careful Siying. We don't want any accidents."

But Siying was floating in the clouds with the thrill of being on a ship.

"Mama. It is so high here," he giggled. "Mama, look! I saw a fish!"

Zhiyuan shook his head. His son completely ignored his concern. He walked up to him and picked Siying up in his arms.

"Dada! I am even higher now!"

Their room was on the highest floor. From that height, the view was breathtaking as they looked down at the sea. They could see the entire cruise ship stretched as far as their sight took them.

Xinyi smiled and quietly stood beside them. She gazed at the father-son pair and her eyes twinkled in happiness.

Zhiyuan carried Siying on his left arm while he placed his right hand on the railing that accidentally clutched onto Xinyi's hand.

They froze for a moment and their gazes met.

Xinyi panicked in nervousness and lowered her head. Her ears turned slightly red and she averted her gaze.

Zhiyuan's fingers gently brushed onto hers. His long fingers and big palm had completely enveloped her soft hand.

Her hand is so small. But her fingers feel slightly rugged around the edges. I wonder why…

He felt a little curious about it. So, his curiosity led him to touch her fingers more to try and figure out the reason.

Unknown to him, that greatly affected Xinyi. Her heart raced faster as he moved his fingers against hers. She blushed.

I thought his hand would be a little cold but it's surprisingly so warm...

She peeked at him. She thought he would quickly retreat it, but instead, he was touching and feeling them more.

As Zhiyuan looked back at her, he realized that he didn't take back his hand.

He quickly said, "I…"

"I…"

Both spoke at the same time.

Zhiyuan awkwardly smiled. "That I am-"

"Oh, that is so sweet."

They heard a voice and as they turned, they saw a woman in her forties, smiling at them.

Zhiyuan recognized her. "Mrs. Mu Lin."

She chuckled and nodded.

"I was just passing by and saw an adorable couple holding hands. You three look so cute together. Like a perfect, harmonious family."

Siying chirped. "Mama and Dada are very cute!"

Mu Lin laughed. "Yes, yes. They are. Hey, this is such a perfect moment to take a family picture! Wait, let me take out my phone."

Xinyi said, "I-It's okay...We don't want to trouble you."

"It's no trouble dear. I hardly get to see such a loving couple nowadays."

Loving…

They couldn't say anything to that.

She took out her phone and said, "Okay. Hold your hands just like that and come a little closer."

Zhiyuan took a step towards her and closed the distance.

Mu Lin frowned. "A little more."

Xinyi coughed.

They were now standing just a few centimeters away from each other. It felt a little warmer than before now. She felt the heat radiating from his body.

"Hmm... Something is missing. Yes! Hold her waist with your other arm."

Xinyi flustered. "T-that..."

"Dada! Quickly hold Mama! Picture! Picture!" Siying eagerly said.

Zhiyuan lowered his gaze and found her nervously fiddling with her fingers. He cleared his throat. "Please don't mind..."

Zhiyuan held her waist and gently pulled her towards him. Xinyi stood rooted like a statue. She felt her waist suddenly grow warmer with his touch. She furiously flushed and bit her lip.

"Mama, you are not looking at the camera," he pouted, "How will your face come in the picture?"

Xinyi flushed. "Y-yes I will…" she stammered.

Mu Lin laughed. "So cute. Even after so many years, you blush like a maiden. Alright. Now smile."

Siying grinned while Zhiyuan and Xinyi softly smiled.

This was the longest time that their hands were connected so intimately. She was so nervous that her fingers were slightly trembling.

Mu Lin took a picture and was pleased. "Yup I was right! You look so perfect in this scenery like a happy family. I will send this to you, Zhiyuan. You should keep it as your phone's wallpaper."

Zhiyuan said, "You are lively as ever, Mrs. Mu."

"Of course! I have to bring life into Chuanli's boring gatherings! If left to him, he would bore the hell out of you," she grimaced.

Xinyi's phone buzzed and she saw the picture that Mu Lin just sent her.

Her heart felt fuzzy and her lips curved into a gentle smile.

We really look like a happy couple and a loving family. Siying was adorable in his pirate outfit.

But she knew it the best how things were between them.

Nevertheless, she was happy with this picture. This was the first family picture they had ever taken.

I will cherish it.

Mu Lin said, "Well, I hope you liked our ship."

Zhiyuan nodded. "Very. As expected of Mr. Mu Chuanli."

She chuckled. "Right, right. Alright. I will leave you three alone now. See you at the gathering."

Siying giggled. "Dada loves Mama so much. He is still holding Mama's hand."

They jolted and coughed in embarrassment. Zhiyuan gently withdrew.

Then he remembered about her rugged fingers.

"By the way."

Xinyi calmed down and went back to normal.

"Hm?"

"Why are your fingers so-"

But then he suddenly stopped speaking. He froze as his gaze accidentally locked onto a certain woman's back.

Her back was only partially visible because of a tall pole in between but Zhiyuan recognized that figure instantly. He could recognize it even with his eyes closed.

Caihong…?

*****

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