Chapter 2, Love Like a Whale Shark (Part 2)

Ye Fei had already guessed his second half of the sentence, and the two said in unison: "Put it on the account"

The feeling of hunger had long since overcome her restraint. Ye Fei glanced at him, opened the sauce on her own, picked up a calamari ring, dipped it vigorously, and stuffed a large piece into her mouth. While chewing, she said, "What's the big deal? Just put it on my tab!" The intensity of her chewing caused her ears to ache again.

She discovered that, whether intentionally or unintentionally, she could always see that handsome and elegant boy in the crowd. There seemed to be an unspoken understanding between them, as they smiled and nodded at each other from a distance. She even felt that the gaze directed at her was filled with care and joy. A small sense of delight arose in her heart, and she was eager to share it with her friends, yet feared that she might be overthinking it.

Ye Fei could no longer go on, hiding behind a large tree by the beach, she squatted down with her knees hugged, and began to sob sadly. The words of Chen Jiajun and Old Paul occasionally echoed in her ears: "love is like 'find it.'"

"Apart from a little change, this is all I have. You know that, don't you? Shouldn't I keep some to pay you back?" She gritted her teeth, "For your motorcycle!"

Is this ... ... for me? Ye Fei caught a whiff of the aroma and couldn't help but lift the cover. Inside were golden-fried calamari rings, plump and fluffy, exuding a fresh and fragrant scent, accompanied by a small packet of bright red Thai sweet chili sauce, which was enough to make anyone salivate

His voice was not loud, yet it struck like a bolt from the blue. Ye Fei was momentarily at a loss for words, pouting her lips as tears streamed down her face again. She did not want others to see, so she turned away and hid by the edge of the pool, constantly wiping her eyes.

three to four days

The footsteps behind gradually faded away. Ye Fei shouted a few times, and the frustration in her heart eased a little. The light under the porch attracted a few small flying insects, which danced lightly around the beam of light. She had just yelled loudly, causing her ears to throb painfully. She covered her ears, feeling stifled, yet she couldn't cry. Instead, she thought about finding a diving tutorial and continued to read on.

"Then why don't you go see a doctor?" He said somewhat impatiently, scolding Ye Fei to sit properly, twisting her forehead and chin to align her ears with the light.

Then, Xu Pengcheng cleared his throat and said, "How about we study together tomorrow?"

"Are you going to drink, or are you going to find Songxi?" Chen Jiajun mocked with a raised corner of his mouth, still bearing the familiar curve.

I am not feeling well, " Ye Fei replied irritably

At this thought, she felt a bit nervous: "I hope I haven't ruptured my eardrum."

"Did you hear? She is fine, everyone can rest assured and go eat." Chen Jiajun chuckled, turning to Ye Fei, "Are you still able to afford to drink? You are responsible for watching the store here and continue your studies. There are accompanying DVDs, watch them yourself."

Chloe stepped forward, putting her arm around Ye Fei's shoulder, "What would you like to eat? I can bring it to you"

The divers had long since returned. The staff cleaned and dried the equipment, and returned it to the storage room. By the time Ye Fei came back, everyone had already tidied up the shop and was sitting on the terrace, chatting and drinking beer

The sun was still fierce, and as she smiled, her heart gradually grew colder, to the point of freezing, leaving her smile frozen on her face. This was how she initially noticed Xu Pengcheng. Although Xu Pengcheng claimed that after seeing her at the swimming pool, he inquired about her department, checked the class schedule, and waited outside the classroom to pass by when her class ended, heading to the same cafeteria and sitting nearby to eat, Ye Fei was unaware of this at the time. Although Xu Pengcheng claimed that after seeing her at the swimming pool, he inquired about her department, checked the class schedule, and waited outside the classroom to pass by when her class ended, heading to the same cafeteria and sitting nearby to eat, Ye Fei was unaware of this at the time.

Ye Fei nodded

"Let's all go eat." Chen Jiajun's voice was heard

Don't you still have two hundred dollars

"Does your ear hurt?" he asked

"Let Chloe take you tomorrow, the consultation fee..." Chen Jiajun's face showed a hint of delight

"What terrible luck." Chen Jiajun turned around and took the diving flashlight, "Is it just water ingress? Or did you dive too deep without equalizing your ear pressure?"

The book was not on the table. She looked around and saw a thick book with a deep blue cover on the counter. Upon closer inspection, it was indeed the one that Chen Jiajun had given her, accompanied by a DVD case beside it. On the wall inside the counter hung the qualifications of the dive shop and several instructors. Next to it was a photo the size of a book, featuring a large and graceful whale shark, with a diver in the upper right corner, elegantly posed, holding an underwater camera and focused on filming. Below the photo, against a deep blue ocean background, a line of text was written in gold ink: daniel with baby whale shark. Next to it was another photo of the same size, again depicting the magnificent whale shark, with the same diver in the upper right corner, elegantly posed, holding an underwater camera and focused on filming. Below this photo, against the deep blue ocean background, the same line of text was written in gold ink: daniel with baby whale shark. The signature was in cursive: lyn

The dinner was lengthy for everyone, perhaps because they each returned home afterward. However, the shop door remained wide open, and Ye Fei did not dare to wander far, so she began watching the instructional videos as the owner had suggested. The videos were quite light-hearted and entertaining, complete with Chinese subtitles, and before she knew it, she had watched three episodes. Afterward, feeling a bit hungry, Ye Fei wandered around the shop a couple of times and then ran to the terrace, standing on tiptoe to look towards the monkey bar. On the beach, a few tourists passed by, but she could not see anyone from the dive shop. She was almost in despair while waiting and remembered that the dive shop had prepared instant coffee for customers, along with sugar cubes. Ye Fei sighed, realizing she had fallen to the point of relying on sugar cubes to stave off hunger.

The people sitting around the table were startled by her. Only Scar continued to drink quietly, while Wenka, Chloe, and several other employees looked up in surprise at her. They had never seen anyone dare to lose their temper like that at the boss. Chen Jiajun was not angry; instead, he smiled rarely and said, "Quit? You say a few words and you want to quit your job. Then let me ask you, when you encounter greater misfortunes, how will you quit? Quit your life?"

Is it acceptable to take leave just because you feel unwell? Do you not know that you need to request leave? He wore that mocking expression again, asking, "You are at work now, not on a trip. Do you need me to teach you how to write the word 'serious'?"

Crying until her tears ran dry, she buried her head like an ostrich, squatting on the beach for an unknown length of time. Finally, unable to endure her thirst any longer, she remembered that her belongings were still at the dive shop. As she stood up, she felt dizzy and her legs were numb. Leaning against a tree trunk, she stood for a while before gradually regaining her senses. She had already missed the afternoon sun and the magnificent sunset. There was only the last trace of twilight in the sky, winding its way across the horizon, the rosy hue quickly swallowed by the cold blue-gray. As darkness fell, Ye Fei silently walked towards the dive shop, lost and dejected. She had already missed the afternoon sun and the magnificent sunset. There was only the last trace of twilight in the sky, winding its way across the horizon, the rosy hue quickly swallowed by the cold blue-gray. As darkness fell, Ye Fei silently walked towards the dive shop, lost and dejected.

Ye Fei held the lunch box and obediently sat down on the chair. Chen Jiajun walked over and stood beside her, a faint scent of alcohol emanating from him, becoming increasingly distinct. She felt somewhat nervous and stammered, "You won't let me go to the monkey bar, yet you yourself are half-drunk."

Fortunately, Ye Fei had just watched the video and understood the meaning of ear pressure balance: for every 10 meters of depth in seawater, the surrounding pressure increases by one atmosphere. During the descent, it is necessary to gradually equalize the pressure in the inner ear to ensure that the pressure on both sides of the eardrum is consistent, preventing damage from water pressure

She was startled, leaping up from her chair. The suddenness of her movement caused two squid rings from the food container to bounce out, rolling on the floor. "Who do you think I am?" Ye Fei said, both angry and anxious, with a hint of fear, stuttering as she repeated what she had just said.

I noticed it early. How many days has it been

Ye Fei recalled something; at the end of the whale shark video from earlier in the day, the subtitles indicated that it was produced by Daniel. When Paul asked Chen Jiajun whether he was the one who filmed it, he did not deny it. Therefore, Daniel should be Chen Jiajun's English name, and perhaps this photo was taken at that time. But who is Lyn? Ye Fei looked up and carefully examined the coaching certificates on the wall. The one at the top should belong to Chen Jiajun, inscribed with "ka-chuntan." The next one had a long name that looked like it belonged to a Muslim; after some thought, perhaps it was Scar. Ye Fei looked up again and scrutinized the coaching certificates on the wall. The one at the top should belong to Chen Jiajun, inscribed with "ka-chuntan." The next one had a long name that looked like it belonged to a Muslim; after some thought, perhaps it was Scar. Next to it was Chloe's. However, there was no one named Jocelyn. Perhaps it was an employee other than the coaches? Ye Fei pondered this but quickly dismissed the thought, as Chloe had mentioned that previously there was only one girl in the store.

When Chen Jiajun returned, he happened to see Ye Fei puffing her cheeks, holding two sugar cubes in her hand. He put down the plastic lunch box in his hand and teased, "So you have already eaten."

I am okay," Ye Fei said with tears in her eyes, choking on her words, "I want to go to the monkey bar

I have no money," Ye Fei replied weakly

She buried her head between her arms, crying inconsolably.

When she was full of hope, he quietly gave her up, or perhaps he had already sought solace in someone else's arms during their arguments. So hypocritical, so filthy

"You have quite the audacity," Chen Jiajun beckoned her with a finger, "Come here." He then pointed to the chair in front of him, "Sit down."

"Do not move around, let me take a look." Chen Jiajun said softly, leaning down, his large and warm palm gently cradling Ye Fei's cheek

Chloe stomped her foot

For some reason, Ye Fei has a feeling that Lyn is not an ordinary customer. Perhaps for Daniel, she is also "lost in the sea, unaware of her whereabouts"? Ye Fei feels a twinge of curiosity, mixed with a hint of schadenfreude. A person who is so cold in demeanor, heartless and unfeeling, is likely very difficult to understand when it comes to caring for others.

"Hmph." This elicited a sneer from the other party. "I have absolutely no interest in you. Who do you think you are..." Chen Jiajun curled his lips, snorted coldly, "What do you take me for?" After saying this, he poked Ye Fei's chin with his finger, causing her to gasp in pain.

As she walked, tears uncontrollably streamed down her face, and her vision became a blur. Ye Fei stopped and kept wiping her eyes. She still could not believe that all of this was real. Although the distance made her feel strange and alienated, what filled her heart more was longing, the hope of being together for a long time. She still foolishly thought that the best way to solve the problem was to get married to Xu Pengcheng when summer arrived and she graduated with her master's degree, and then to apply for a dependent visa to go to the United States. She still could not believe that all of this was real. Although the distance made her feel strange and alienated, what filled her heart more was longing, the hope of being together for a long time. She still foolishly thought that the best way to solve the problem was to get married to Xu Pengcheng when summer arrived and she graduated with her master's degree, and then to apply for a dependent visa to go to the United States. This was something they had envisioned countless times. She thought that the estrangement and cold war were tests that couples in long-distance relationships had to endure, and as long as they were together again, everything would be resolved.

What do you expect to receive from Song Xi?" Chen Jiajun stared into her eyes, his expression serious, "He has a girlfriend, Mo Li, who has already returned.

Love is like a whale shark, in that vast ocean; aware of its existence, yet unaware of its whereabouts

Ye Fei suddenly realized, "That day, the reggae performance... on the beach..." recalling the flickering firelight, feeling embarrassed and wishing to find a crack in the ground to hide in

She is not hungry. Chen Jiajun said in a deep voice, "I just finished eating fried rice at three o'clock"

A simple sentence, and the way he appeared nervous and shy at that time made her so excited that she wanted to scream. This is the most romantic scene in her memories, no matter how much time has passed, no matter which corner of the world she escapes to, it follows her like a shadow

"What did I say? You are not allowed to touch things that I have told you not to touch," Chen Jiajun said sternly, yet he did not stop her any further

Is this the reason you don't let me go to the bar? Afraid I might find Songxi?" Ye Fei was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, "What do you take me for?!" She exaggeratedly pouted, causing her ear to hurt again, and she couldn't help but frown.

"We are all waiting for you, do you know that?" Chen Jiajun's gaze was piercing as he coldly looked at her, "Everyone is busy, where have you been?"

"Don't I have no money?" Ye Fei replied irritably, "I got water in my ears while swimming and lost my motorcycle. On the same day."

What right do you have to lecture me? Do you really think you are my boss? Ye Fei was seething with anger, wanting to slam something on the table, but unfortunately, she had nothing at hand and could only give up in frustration. "I will call right now and have a friend send money over. Let me tell you, I am quitting. I quit! You understand? I quit! I am quitting!" She was exasperated, mixing Chinese and English, repeating it several times.

"Close your eyes, the light is very bright." Chen Jiajun turned on the flashlight and carefully examined her ears, "They are somewhat inflamed, but I don't think they are ruptured. However, to be safe, let's see a doctor tomorrow"

What a wonderful relationship it was, when they appeared before each other, each embodying the other's favorite image. The beginning of their connection was utterly unremarkable; one day, as the library was closing, they descended the stairs from opposite sides and simultaneously arrived at the entrance of the hall. In unison, they asked, "You came too?"