Chapter 17: Sharing the Same Moment Under the Sky Bookmark Quote Suggestion TTS Link

The atmosphere suddenly turned somewhat melancholic and heavy. After a moment of silence, Zhuo Zhixuan deliberately joked, "So, you mean a platonic crush?"

Chen Wan chuckled softly.

Loving Zhao Shengge was his own business, as was how and how much he loved him.

This was the core principle of Chen Wan's unrequited love, unique to him. He made the rules and enforced them, following them strictly in his own world, and he wouldn’t let anyone break it.

Including Zhao Shengge himself.

But all of this was only because it was Zhao Shengge, and he was willing, even happy, to do all of this.

Because it was Zhao Shengge, it was bittersweet.

It wouldn’t work with anyone else.

After dinner, everyone took their room keys and dispersed.

The room keys were handed out randomly, all for first-class cabins, with no difference.

Chen Wan made his way down the long, carpeted hallway, the lights dim. Even with the soundproofing, he sometimes caught noises as he passed certain rooms.

The young masters were rowdy, and Chen Wan kept his head down and hurried along. Dealing with Zhao Shengge was draining, and he was somewhat tired.

Suddenly, a figure appeared in front of him.

"Mr. Qin, still up?" Chen Wan greeted.

Qin Zhaoting leaned against the corridor window, smiling at him, "It’s rare to be out here, just taking in the night sea."

The night was late, and the ship sailed at a specific point on the ocean. Outside the window, it was pitch dark, and far away, a lighthouse’s faint glow could be seen, with the sound of waves crashing against the sea.

Chen Wan nodded, about to excuse himself, but the other showed an intention to converse, "And you, why so late?"

Chen Wan was a natural worrier. After the young masters had eaten and drunk their fill and dispersed, he still confirmed the next day's weather and voyage with the ship's captain and steward. Although it wasn't his responsibility, none of these young masters seemed like the type to handle such tasks. He was thorough, asking extra questions for reassurance.

Chen Wan had no intention of having a deep conversation with Qin Zhaoting, just said, "Just walking off dinner, Mr. Qin—"

With a "click," a young man in a white robe emerged from the room at the end of the corridor, very beautiful.

Chen Wan was stunned for a moment, then quickly averted his gaze as if nothing had happened.

The room numbers were indeed randomly assigned, but the owner of this cruise ship was not, the owner had his own exclusive room.

The front room had the best view, other rooms had at most two windows, but the first room could have three sides facing the sea.

Qin Zhaoting observed Chen Wan's expression, who still conversed with him appropriately, showing no change in demeanor.

A hint of a smile appeared in Qin Zhaoting's eyes, observing him for two seconds, he said, "You're too formal, just call me Zhaoting like Tan Youming and the others, let's be friends."

Chen Wan also smiled, about to speak, when the door of the first-class cabin from which the young man had emerged opened again.

This time, it was the room owner himself.

Dressed in a full suit and tie in the middle of the night.

Qin Zhaoting, with his back to him, asked Chen Wan, "What's wrong?"

Chen Wan respectfully nodded towards the man behind him, "Mr. Zhao."

It was only then that Qin Zhaoting seemed to notice Zhao Shengge had come out, and he smiled at him, "Why are you still up? Did you finish or haven’t you started?"

Chen Wan kept a straight face, his eyes lowered, not participating in the discussion.

Zhao Shengge didn’t respond to Qin Zhaoting’s probing, but instead criticized them in a calm tone, "Isn’t it a little rude to be chatting outside someone’s door in the middle of the night?"

"..."

Besides, their conversation was barely audible and couldn’t possibly disturb the soundproofed rooms. Even if it did, the distance from where they were standing to Zhao Shengge’s exclusive room could hardly be considered "outside the door."

But Chen Wan quickly apologized, "Sorry, Mr. Zhao, we disturbed your rest."

Qin Zhaoting: "..."

Since Chen Wan was so quick to apologize, and he stood some distance away from Qin Zhaoting, Zhao Shengge let it slide. However, he noticed that Chen Wan didn’t look at him when he spoke, and his smile seemed mechanical.

Zhao Shengge suddenly asked, "What floor is the wine pool on?"

Both Qin Zhaoting and Chen Wan were briefly taken aback, as if the ship wasn’t Zhao Shengge’s own asset. But Chen Wan still replied politely, "It’s on the second floor. Do you want to grab a drink?"

Zhao Shengge glanced at him, rubbed his eyes, and said in a calm tone, not like he was complaining, "Yeah, I’m wide awake now."

"..." Chen Wan had to apologize again, "I’m really sorry. Let me take you downstairs to pick a bottle as an apology."

Zhao Shengge gave in reluctantly.

"..." Qin Zhaoting was still here, and Chen Wan naturally wouldn’t leave him out, "Qin, care to join us for a drink?"

"Didn’t I tell you to call me Zhaoting?"

Zhao Shengge looked at Chen Wan.

Chen Wan nodded with a smile. For someone like him with no background, having more friends meant more opportunities.

Zhao Shengge must’ve been really craving a drink, as he didn’t rush but put his hands in his pockets.

Qin Zhaoting waved his room key and said with a double meaning, "I won’t join you for a drink. Spring nights don’t come often, and there are better things to do than drink."

"..." Chen Wan, used to such remarks, politely said, "Well, have a good night then."

Zhao Shengge asked, "Shall we go?"

Chen Wan immediately said, "Let’s go, Mr. Zhao."

The wine pool on the second floor was open around the clock, with expensive wines categorized by year and origin on the shelves.

Chen Wan asked, "What’ll it be, Mr. Zhao?"

Zhao Shengge propped his head with one hand, tapping the table casually, "You pick." As if the person who insisted on going downstairs for a drink late at night wasn’t him.

Chen Wan noticed him sitting at the bar, deep in thought, like a grumpy lion who’d been woken up, his eyelids drooping, not like his usual self, appearing relaxed and lazy. Chen Wan picked a mild, sleep-inducing Parma Queen for him, and dutifully decanted the wine.

The red wine swirled in the swan cup, held by Chen Wan’s hand.

A fragrance wafted into Zhao Shengge’s nostrils, the Parma Queen had been decanted.

Chen Wan thoughtfully added dry ice around it to smooth out the flavor.

However, Zhao Shengge still sensed that Chen Wan wasn’t feeling too upbeat. Though he always seemed as pleasant as a spring breeze, Zhao Shengge had keen observational and discerning abilities.

At this moment, Chen Wan was speaking less than when Qin Zhaoting was present. Zhao Shengge thought for a moment and considerately said, "If you’re tired, you can go back and rest first."

Chen Wan paused, a bit puzzled and somewhat disappointed, but he wouldn’t shamelessly stay. He smiled and said, "Enjoy your drink, Mr. Zhao. I’ll go back and rest first. If you need anything, just call me."

Zhao Shengge was silent.

Tan Youming happened to call at this moment, "I heard you went down for a drink?"

"Hey," Zhao Shengge warned him gently, "I don’t want any strange animals in my room again."

Tan Youming protested loudly, "It wasn’t me!" He’d known Zhao Shengge for years; how could he risk being thrown into the sea to feed the sharks by doing something so foolish?

Zhao Shengge hung up without listening.

He took a sip of the wine Chen Wan had decanted; the aroma of the Queen of Parma had already faded.

Early the next morning at six, Whale Ship 17 had already passed through the Gisi Strait, and the view suddenly expanded.

Chen Wan rose early to catch the famous Sha Island sunrise.

Unexpectedly, someone was even earlier.

Zhao Shengge stood on the deck, the sea breeze blowing, looking like a cool model in a sea-themed photoshoot.

Chen Wan peeked out but quickly pulled back, thinking it would look too planned if he walked over now, but then he immediately felt that his action was not very composed.

Zhao Shengge, with his sharp senses, seemed to have eyes in the back of his head, knowing that someone had thought they were unnoticed and had retreated like a mole.

However, he thought Chen Wan had left, but Chen Wan was actually standing at the end of the corridor of the cabin, watching the same sunrise through the window.

Chen Wan was great at self-comfort, even entertaining himself with a poetic line:

"The moon rises over the sea, and here we are, under the same sky."

The rising sun was no different; this moment was his alone to share, without needing the other’s permission, because he hadn’t disturbed the other.

Although he and Zhao Shengge were close at hand, they had always been separated by the ends of the earth, so sharing this moment, Chen Wan thought it was worth celebrating and holding onto.

The ship was now in the heart of the ocean, influenced by warm currents, and this month, many deep-sea fish were migrating. Tan Youming said they would have a seafood feast at noon.

The ship could catch and kill on the spot; this level of cruise ship had complete fishing facilities, and all necessary permits and procedures were in place. Guests could also fish themselves and then hand it over to the kitchen.

The young masters on board were exhausted from playing cards last night and all slept until the sun was high; fishing was out of the question.

The kitchen had been fishing since dawn, with great success: shrimp, crabs, shellfish, and deep-sea fish.

Chen Wan checked out the fishing deck. Although each guest had filled out their physical condition, medical history, allergies, and dietary restrictions in detail when boarding, he still felt it necessary to check with the kitchen to be safe. If anything happened in the vast ocean, emergency help would be too late.

After confirming with the steward and the kitchen, Chen Wan took the elevator back to the third floor to return to his room for a shower and a change of clothes. His pants were soaked, and his clothes carried a hint of the ocean.

As the elevator door opened, a few people came face to face with Chen Wan and greeted him.

Chen Wan smiled and responded, his peripheral vision catching Zhao Shengge. He subtly moved half a step to the left and put his hands behind his back. On the deck, a several-pound cod had jumped out, and he had helped the crew with the tools.

Zhao Shengge saw Chen Wan unconsciously stand next to Qin Zhaoting as soon as he stepped out of the elevator, chatting with everyone.

The corridor was long and narrow, and when they passed each other, Chen Wan also tried to lean to the other side, creating a wide distance in the narrow passage, leaving as much space as possible for Zhao Shengge to walk alongside.

He was extremely polite.

Zhao Shengge walked past without so much as a glance, but suddenly, he turned around and fixed his gaze on the retreating figure.

Shen Zongnian asked, "What's wrong?"

Zhao Shengge, with his hands in his pockets, fiddled with the Cartier lighter: "Nothing."

The lunch was exceptionally lavish. Haishi locals prize the freshness of their seafood, and the preparation methods are diverse—steaming, blanching, simmering, baking with star anise, or serving as sashimi. The seasoning is simple—just a few drops of specially prepared soy sauce, sesame oil, or fried garlic oil—enhancing the seafood's natural sweetness and tenderness. It’s light and not greasy, with a lingering aftertaste.

Everyone enjoyed the meal, except for Zhao Shengge, who seemed less enthusiastic. Chen Wan sighed to himself, got up, and headed to the kitchen to request another pot of seafood porridge.

Author's note:

Wanbao’s daily routine: ‘Princess, please eat.’