Chapter 3, Paradise (Part 2)

monkey bar

... ...

He chuckled lightly and said, "Did you bring this upon yourself? Is anyone forcing you?"

Ye Fei took off her shoes at the bottom of the steps and walked in barefoot. Her footsteps were very light, and the people in the room were completely focused on the computer screen. An old song was playing from the speakers, sounding like a tune from the 1980s, just having faded out, now replayed again. The lyrics were not complicated, and a few lines could be faintly heard:

Yesterday, after I returned from diving, he asked me to bring you to the clinic. However, you disappeared somewhere, and by the time I came back, everyone here had already left work

Chen Jiajun had already turned to leave, but upon hearing her question, his steps faltered, and his tone was icy, as if he were a stranger.

Oh, yes, the advance payment... it's still recorded on my account. Let's pay him back together later. He is so stingy.

Chloe patiently explained, "Otherwise, the first stage of the regulator, you see, this most precise metal part, will get water inside. If not handled properly, it will not function normally in the future"

After lunch, under the direction of the boss, Ye Fei wiped all the windows and glass doors of the diving shop, making them instantly bright and clean. Around three or four o'clock, two speedboats returned one after another, and the terrace of the shop became lively. Wan Peng, not knowing what mistake he had made, was harshly reprimanded by Scarface. He lowered his head, responding meekly, not daring to argue a single word

Chen Jiajun smiled slightly, "Are you afraid of me?"

She nodded repeatedly and said, "ok, ok." After eating until her stomach was round, she paid for the meal with the only local currency she had left, receiving two coins in return

"What is so outrageous about that?" Chen Jiajun scoffed with a smile, "Such things are commonplace on the island."

"What can bring a person to their demise is emptiness," he said slowly and deliberately. "Busyness is your remedy for healing."

Ye Fei quietly asked Chloe: "Do you know his age?"

Chloe widened her eyes and raised the wallet in her hand, "Before we set off, K.C. said he would cover the expenses. Didn't he tell you that?"

You and I are connected at heart and hand, lamenting the loss that will not return, the most wonderful moments of my life

Scar still wore a cold expression, yet did not utter a single complaint. He drove the pickup truck from the dive shop, taking Chloe and Ye Fei with him, crossing half the island to the clinic in town. It turned out that Chen Jiajun's arrangements were meticulous and thoughtful. The physician at the clinic spoke little English, so Scar had to translate. However, when it came to describing symptoms and specialized terminology, Ye Fei's English was insufficient, requiring Chloe to communicate with her to confirm and find the precise terms before relaying them. The physician's diagnosis was otitis media. Fortunately, although there were signs of pus, the eardrum was not perforated. He prescribed some anti-inflammatory medication and ear drops for Ye Fei, advising her to maintain ear canal hygiene and to have regular check-ups.

With half of her heart set at ease, Ye Fei felt a bit guilty as she asked Chloe in a low voice how much the consultation and medication fees would amount to when it was time to settle the bill

Ye Fei thought that, even out of courtesy, she should thank her boss. Upon returning to the store, a group of students who had gone to practice in the shallow sea in the afternoon had just returned. Paul had followed the other coaches in the store to conduct a review course and was back in the store, filled with excitement. "It has been many years since I last went into the sea, and it is still so captivating, yet I have already become an old man. I really missed out on such a wonderful time for so long"

"Sit down!" Chen Jiajun pointed to the chair beside him, "All you know is drinking."

Ye Fei glared at him: "If you scold me after finishing it, I can't imagine what you would say if you couldn't finish it"

Ye Fei did not respond and continued, "However, I know that you actually helped me. They are right, you are quite nice."

The song has a lively rhythm, yet the lyrics convey a sense of melancholy. Ye Fei stood outside, momentarily unsure whether she should remind Chen Jiajun of her presence. After a few minutes, hearing the sound of a chair being moved, he furrowed his brows and walked out, holding a cup of instant noodles in one hand and a can of beer in the other. "Are you done eating?" he asked in a cold tone.

Chen Jiajun curled his lips, half in disdain and half in grievance, mumbling: "Because I am already beautiful enough."

"That's how Scar is; many students have been scolded to tears by him. Look at Wan Peng, he's already pouting," Chloe laughed cheerfully. "Scar thinks Wan Peng's personality is too gentle, but as a dive leader, one must be able to lead their team rather than being led by others. Moreover, one must understand their customers and maintain control of the situation at all times." She pointed to the water bucket, "It wasn't a big deal just now; two divers were disassembling their equipment without covering the dust caps and were about to throw the regulators back for cleaning. Wan Peng should have kept an eye on them."

Ye Fei recalled how she had dozed off at the table yesterday morning, and Chen Jiajun had not woken her up but had gone to buy lunch for himself instead. This suggests that he is not particularly difficult to get along with

I have looked at his table. I am not very sure, perhaps 72, perhaps 74

He tapped on the glass door and said, "Then remember to lock the door. If I see you at the monkey bar, watch out for your ears"

She gathered her courage and said seriously: "Mr. Chen, I believe you may have some misunderstandings about me. I have already seen Jasmine today; she is a very good girl. I do not intend to entangle myself with Songxi, nor do I wish to drink; I simply want to chat and talk with everyone. I am not the frivolous person you imagine; a couple of days ago, I was in a bad mood and had too much to drink, which led to some inappropriate behavior... I am not the frivolous person you imagine; a couple of days ago, I was in a bad mood and had too much to drink, which led to some inappropriate behavior..."

Ha, yes, Plego, this is your island life. However, I did not come here for pleasure, I..." Ye Fei recalled her original intention for coming to the island, her eyes grew warm, and her vision became blurred.

... ...

As I look back now, the summer stretches long and endless; if I could have my way, I would wish to remain there, in the most wonderful moments of my life

Hmm? He frowned and turned to look over.

Chen Jiajun cast a glance at her, expressing complete distrust. Chloe nodded, "Alright, I will go call Scar, and you can consider it as saving Wan Peng."

I have been very obedient, the store has been cleaned, and I have finished studying the materials. Now, can I go over there?

Ye Fei, feeling indignant, said, "Why are you allowed to go? You can drink to the point of being half-drunk and still run off to the beach to smoke?"

In the dive shop, people came and went, and Chen Jiajun was always busy. Customers left, and then colleagues from nearby dive shops came in to borrow a few diving textbooks and chat for a while; friends departed, and employees went over to discuss recent issues. Ye Fei couldn't find an opportunity to thank him. By the time the sun set and she felt hungry, she followed Jasmine's recommendation and ran to a roadside stall to eat a bowl of rice noodles. The broth was delicious, and the owner surprisingly fished out two chicken feet from the pot, looking at Ye Fei with an inquiring gaze, asking: "ok ?"

Most of the time each day you are in the store, boss, you are so cool, could you smile a bit more

Chen Jiajun frowned, "Is this how you express your gratitude to others?"

Paul tore a piece of paper and wrote his email address to Ye Fei: "Every day I see you working and studying earnestly, I believe that in the future you will definitely become a great diver. If by then you still remember this old friend of yours and are willing to share your experiences from around the world with me, please remember to write to me"

"In the evening, everyone went out to eat, and I intended to come back and call you," Chloe explained. "However, K.C. pulled everyone along, saying, 'You are in a bad mood, and even if you go, you won't eat anything, and by evening, you'll be hungry.'" She mimicked Chen Jiajun's tone and coldly said, "'Let her be hungrier, and she won't hold a grudge against food anymore.'"

I have finished reading, but there are still some parts I do not understand

He said: "ss."

Ye Fei could not understand their language and quietly asked Chloe, "Are they okay?"

I, I only hope..." Ye Fei turned her head away, fiercely wiping her eyes, leaving her hand damp. I only hope that there is a moment when I can forget the sweet past and the other party's merciless abandonment

There is a point. She nodded honestly

I know that you are feeling down," Chen Jiajun said slowly as he sat down in front of her. "So tell me, after you drink, do you feel happier the next day? Oh, not exactly happy, more like a headache. " He pointed to his own head, "Aside from feeling like it's about to explode, what else do you gain?"

I have probably finished reading it.

When returning to the dive shop, everyone had already dispersed. Wenka was also about to leave, wiping the sweat from his forehead, and asked in the local language: "Have you eaten?"

"There are only so many things to eat on the island; after a few years, one gets tired of it. It's time for a change of taste." Chen Jiajun threw away the trash and said, "Once you finish eating, continue reading your book."

Well, that is correct. He expressed satisfaction with this answer, "so that you won't be disobedient"

"That is..." Ye Fei let out a light hum, "I stayed up late and saw two o'clock yesterday"

If you wish to learn, you can work at the dive shop for a period of time in exchange for tuition. I know many people do this. Paul smiled, "Having attractive staff in the shop to attract business is always better."

Ye Fei sniffed, inhaling the scent of beer in the air, and curled her lips, "You still blame me, not knowing who the real drunkard is..."

last forever

He remained expressionless, "You should thank the thief who stole the motorcycle"

那些是我生命中最美好的日子

Alright, there isn't much anyway. I will pay with his money first, as for how you two will settle the accounts, you can discuss it among yourselves. Chloe smiled, K.C. is relatively strict, but he is not stingy. In fact, he cares about you quite a bit

"You haven't looked closely enough; take some time to read it a couple more times." Chen Jiajun inquired about a few points she did not understand and commented, "However, even so, you have read it quite quickly."

I have not learned to dive, and my ears are inflamed, so I have not been able to go into the water recently. Ye Fei repeatedly waved her hands, saying, "Moreover, the tuition is not cheap, and I am truly broke.

Ye Fei's eyes were still filled with tears as she forced a smile and said, "So, I still have to thank you, right?"

No, I still have to thank you," she said sincerely, "even though it seems petty, always speaking harshly, and constantly nitpicking...

Those were the best days of my life

She wouldn't understand what was being said. Chen Jiajun walked over and said to Chloe, "Once you are done with your tasks, I will need to trouble you and Scar to take this troublesome fellow to the clinic."

"Not very kind..." The scarred man, who had hardly spoken, suddenly interjected, "He is too kind."

Who told you to study in the middle of the night? Don't you think it will disturb your roommate?

Chen Jiajun expressed dissatisfaction, saying, "Having finished watching means having finished watching, not having finished means not having finished, what does 'approximately' mean?"

"Troublemaker" raised his head, "I can go by myself."

I am the boss!" Chen Jiajun frowned and glanced at them, "Did you consult me about this?"

"Well, with the last bit of change, I bought a bowl of chicken feet rice noodles," Ye Fei replied. "Why are you eating just this?"

He is a wise person," Chloe remarked, "and very kind

Paul also encouraged her: "Come with us tomorrow, they will take me to a simple diving spot to get accustomed, you won't lose to me, will you?"

Wenka pointed to the inner room, "Oh, no. The boss is still here"

Everyone laughed together

"Alright, let me test you." He casually asked several questions, including the changes in water pressure, the differences in hearing and vision compared to land, the names of various equipment, and the handling of conditions during the diving process, among others. Ye Fei answered each question one by one, and although she was not very clear on some details, her answers were generally correct.

Where to go

I think this idea is quite good. " Chloe said, putting her arm around Ye Fei's shoulder, "Yes, we need beautiful and friendly employees.

Ye Fei understood the respiratory regulator, but she could not be said to fully comprehend it, and could only respond with a simple "oh".

Oh?

He let out a "humph," stood up, and said, "Flattery won't help; it won't reduce your workload." He turned around and went back into the inner room, bringing out a stack of forms and several folders. "Finish organizing all of these today, in the correct order, and place them in the corresponding folders. Also, have you finished the textbook? What about the fish species chart? Or do you still just drool when you pick it up?"

"No... I am sitting on the terrace." Ye Fei rolled up her sleeve, "I have been bitten by many mosquitoes."

These are a few words that Ye Fei has mastered, and she replied: "I have eaten." Indeed, people regard food as their primary necessity, a principle that holds true everywhere. She glanced at the silent dive shop and asked, "My textbooks are still inside; the shop hasn't closed, has it?"

是的，我会在那里

I truly admire that at such an advanced age, one can still pursue what they desire to do

Ye Fei said angrily, "This person is like a fox!"

yver

Chloe smiled, "Diving in calm seas is quite easy. You can give it a try the next time you come."