The sun was high, glittering against the turquoise waves when they arrived at the shoreline. Jet skis lined the dock, roaring to life as couples and tourists took off into the open sea.
Guo Min's eyes lit up instantly. "Finally! Something fun. Don't think you can stop me from going full speed," she said, pointing at the sleek black jet ski the instructor had prepared for them.
Zihan's brows lifted faintly, his hands slipping into his pockets. "Full speed?" he repeated, almost like it was a foreign concept.
"Yes, full speed. You can stay behind if you're scared." She smirked, already tugging the chiffon and shirt off and tossing it into their beach bag. The bikini underneath caught more than a few passing stares, and Zihan's jaw tightened imperceptibly.
In one smooth motion, he stepped forward and gripped her wrist, pulling her flush against him. "You want full speed? Then you ride with me."
Guo Min blinked, surprised at the firmness in his tone. "What? No way. I wanted to drive it myself."
"Absolutely not." His refusal was instant, his voice low enough that only she could hear. "The waves are unpredictable, and I'm not letting you take that risk."
She narrowed her eyes at him, lips twitching with irritation. "You're impossible. What, afraid I'll outshine you even on water?"
Zihan's lips curved slightly, but his eyes stayed sharp. "I'm afraid you'll get hurt, Min."
The words threw her off balance for just a second. Her mouth opened, then closed again, before she huffed and climbed onto the jet ski, muttering, "Fine".
Zihan swung on behind her, settling her between his arms as his hands gripped the handlebars. He leaned down, his lips brushing her ear, making her skin prickle. "Hold on tight".
The engine roared, and they shot across the waves, Guo Min's laugh ringing out as seawater splashed around them. She clung to his arms, excitement flooding through her veins, but no matter how fast they went, she could feel the steady control in Zihan's movements.
"Not bad, hubby!" she shouted over the rush of wind and waves. "Maybe you're not as boring as I thought!".
Zihan smirked, tightening his grip on her waist as he leaned into a sharp turn, the spray of seawater misting against their faces. "You really just think of me as a boring nutshell, don't you?"
Guo Min tilted her head, pretending to think. "Well… you are always on your phone, and it's always business-related."
Her lips curved into a mischievous smile as she shifted slightly, turning so she could face him instead of the horizon. Her knees brushed his thigh, and she leaned in just close enough to make his eyes flick toward her. "I suddenly want to kiss you right now."
Zihan's grip on the handlebars stiffened instantly. His eyes, sharp and dark, snapped down to hers. "Guo Min...don't."
She widened her eyes, feigning innocence. "Don't what? I'm not doing anything." But her hand betrayed her words, sliding slowly down his chest, her fingers teasing the fabric of his shirt.
His voice came out low, tight, strained. "Guo Min!"
She blinked up at him, lips twitching. "What?!"
"We are going to fall, I'm serious." His hands clamped tighter on the handlebars, his jaw clenched as if he was holding back more than just frustration.
Her laughter spilled out, light and unrestrained, carried away by the ocean breeze. "Okay, okay."
"You found that funny?" His voice was incredulous, caught somewhere between irritation and disbelief. "Really?"
"Yes," she answered shamelessly, laughter still dancing in her eyes. "It's hilarious watching you, the unshakable President Zhu, panicking over a kiss." His glare darkened, but it only made her laugh harder.
The jet ski hit another wave, splashing water up around them. Zihan's grip on the handlebars didn't loosen, but his free arm tightened securely around her waist, locking her against him. His voice dropped, rough and low, brushing against her ear.
"If you really want to kiss me, wife… wait until we're on steady ground. Because if you push me now, I swear I'll take you under with me."
Her laughter faded into a soft gasp at the way he said it. The sharp undertone in his voice wasn't a bluff. Guo Min blinked, her cheeks heating, but she refused to back down completely. "Fine," she muttered at last, pouting as though conceding a battle she wasn't entirely ready to lose.
The rest of the ride passed with her stealing glances at him, biting her lip every time their eyes met. Zihan kept his gaze fixed ahead, his jaw hard, though the smirk tugging faintly at his lips betrayed how much he'd enjoyed flustering her.
By the time they reached the shore, Guo Min hopped off the jet ski first, eager to run toward a group of girls she'd noticed playing volleyball farther down the sand. But before her feet could hit the ground properly, she suddenly felt weightless...floating.
Her eyes widened as she looked down. Zihan's arms were firm under her, his strength making it look effortless as he lifted her clean off her feet. "What now?" she demanded, wriggling, though she knew better than to make a scene.
His gaze dropped to her barely covered frame before rising back to meet her eyes, dark and unyielding. "Put the shirt on," he ordered, his tone flat and final, his palm splayed in a way that left no room for doubt about how intimately he was holding her.
Guo Min's face flamed. "Okay, fine!" she huffed, rummaging quickly through the tote bag he handed her. She slipped on the shirt in a rush, tugging the hem down. "Happy?"
She barely got two steps before his hand shot out again, tugging her back. This time he didn't lift her, he pulled her flush against him, one arm banding around her waist.
Her breath hitched as her chest pressed firmly against his. "Zihan..."
"Oh, you owe me a kiss," he interrupted smoothly, his voice low, the words brushing against her ear. His eyes glinted with quiet satisfaction as he bent slightly, bringing her impossibly closer.
Her lips parted, caught between shock and indignation. "You're unbelievable."
"And you're stalling." His grip tightened, one hand firm on her waist as though daring her to push him away. His voice dropped, rough but steady. "Pay your debt, wife."
Guo Min pressed her lips together, sighing dramatically. "…Fine." She leaned in slowly, her face moving close to his, the anticipation heavy between them.
But just as Zihan's lashes lowered and his breathing deepened, she shifted back with a sly smile. "If you want it," she murmured, her eyes sparkling with mischief, "you have to close your eyes."
For a moment, Zihan studied her expression, the suspicion in his gaze sharp as a blade. Yet, when her pout lingered, he relented, shutting his eyes with quiet authority. "Okay."
Seconds ticked by. He waited, the tension straining every nerve in his body, fully expecting the brush of her lips. Instead, all he felt was the faint squirm of her body. By the time he realized what she was doing, it was too late. She had already wiggled free of his hold.
Zihan's eyes snapped open, and his jaw dropped as he caught sight of her darting away across the sand, laughter spilling from her lips like bells in the wind. She had tricked him.
"Guo Min!" His voice rang out, half command, half frustration. He took a step forward, but she was already weaving through the crowd, her scarf fluttering behind her like a teasing banner.
She turned once, just enough to flash him a victorious grin before disappearing into the lively throng. Zihan stood there, his fists clenching at his sides, the corners of his lips twitching despite himself.
The day rolled on with the beach alive in laughter, music, and the crashing of waves. Everywhere was busy and vibrant, the air thick with sun and sea-salt warmth. Yet Zihan's eyes never strayed far from her figure, always keeping her within his sight no matter how far she wandered. His possessiveness simmered quietly beneath the surface, the memory of her trick fueling a storm he intended to unleash later.
By the time night draped the island in velvet darkness, the bustling energy gave way to a calmer hush. Lights flickered from the nearby beach houses, and soft music drifted through the air as couples retreated to their private spaces.
When they finally returned to their booked apartment, Guo Min was humming contentedly, her hair damp from the shower she'd taken earlier, her skin glowing. She moved lightly, as though the evening were perfectly ordinary.
But Zihan was silent, too silent. His gaze followed her every step, dark and unreadable, his earlier smirk replaced by a look that made her pulse quicken. She had teased him all day, but now, behind closed doors, she had nowhere left to run.