Ехtrа Сhаpter 1 - Gift
Аlthоugh аwаrе that the datе оn Baуunye's ID саrd might nоt асtuаlly be hеr real birthday, the straight-аs-аn-arrоw man still еаrnеstlу tyреd "gifts wоmеn likе" into thе Zhihu search bаr, whiсh returnеd tens of thousаnds of answеrs.
After ехtеnsivе dаtа сolleсtiоn, the strаight-аs-аn-arrоw man finаllу decidеd tо buy whаt was said to bе the safest орtiоn: cоsmetics.
First, lipstiсk. Whеn it сamе tо сhооsing а shadе, this tоp studеnt, who rеportеdly sсоrеd ovеr а hundrеd рoints abovе the first-tier university cutоff in the collеge entrаncе еxаm, found himself bewildered. Without research, he never knew that under the single category of "red," there were shades like Mars Red, True Red, Rotten Tomato Red, Maple Leaf Red, New Year Red, Chili Red, not to mention mysterious colors like "Auntie Red" and "Oxblood" that straight men simply didn’t understand.
Diao Zhuo frowned as he browsed lipsticks for a week, finally settling on a shade he thought looked decent.
As for perfume, terms like top notes, middle notes, and base notes left him utterly confused. He simply went to the mall and bought a brand he’d never seen before.
On the eve of her birthday, our Master Ba received a gift of affection from the straight-as-an-arrow man—lipstick and a shimmering meteorite powder.
Master Ba looked troubled, pointing at the shimmering meteorite powder and asking, "What... is this? Candy??"
"No idea," the straight-as-an-arrow man replied. "For your face."
Yes, in the world of straight men, cosmetics are only divided into two categories: "for the face" and "for the lips."
Bayunye then opened the lipstick cap, her expression turning particularly grave—it was Death Barbie Pink, a straight man’s favorite.
"Try it on," Diao Zhuo offered, handing her a mirror.
Bayunye glanced at him, raised an eyebrow, and applied it thickly to her lips. Then, puckering her lips and blinking, she asked, "Do I look good?"
"...Good... looking," Diao Zhuo struggled to say. A straight man would never understand why the color of the lipstick and its effect on the lips could be worlds apart. The ironclad fact proved that even someone as stunning as Master Ba couldn’t easily pull off Death Barbie Pink.
"Oh, by the way, why did you suddenly give me a gift?" Master Ba asked while wiping her lips with a tissue.
"To celebrate you successfully completing this grand loop."
She thought for a moment. "I thought it was a birthday gift."
"No," Diao Zhuo denied quickly. "What do you want for your birthday?"
"Hmm..." Bayunye stroked her chin in thought. "I want to go to the beach with you."
Having spent most of the year inland and on plateaus, it wasn’t strange for her to want to visit the seaside. Diao Zhuo was taken aback for a moment before smiling helplessly. "Let’s go then."
So simple, after all.
【Swimming】
Early in the morning, Bayunye changed into her swimsuit and joyfully dashed into the skyline pool, splashing water everywhere and drenching Diao Zhuo in the process.
Bayunye’s comrades were scattered all over the country, always ready to recommend the best spots. This bay was so delightful after the tide receded that one could forget all worries.
She and Diao Zhuo spent the afternoon catching crabs by the shore yesterday, releasing them all before leaving, but they had a great time nonetheless. The plateau had its beauty, and the coast had its own charm, especially since her travel companion this time suited her tastes perfectly.
Diao Zhuo swam several laps, wiped his face, and leaned against the poolside to rest. The muscular lines of his strong upper body caught the eyes of several passing girls, instantly overshadowing a few delicate young men playing in the pool.
"Wow... look at that guy, his physique is amazing..."
"Pfft, guys who build bodies like that are all gay. Don’t bother looking.""He came with a woman."
"Really? Where?"
Bayunye, lurking underwater like a shark, slowly approached him and suddenly grabbed his calf, pulling him down. He had already spotted her and remained unfazed. As she tugged at him, he took a deep breath and sank, embracing her and kissing her—a move that made her surrender completely. If she didn’t surface for air soon, she’d surely drown!
"You jerk!" Bayunye shook the water off her face, glaring and pointing at him.
"There’s even more jerkish behavior—want to see it?" He tossed her the words as he swam away.
Bayunye dove back underwater with a splash, swimming swiftly after him. Catching up, she blocked his path, treading water as she asked, "How about a race?"
"Again?" Diao Zhuo stopped. "What kind of race?"
"Of course, who swims faster."
"What’s the reward for winning?"
"That expression of yours clearly means you think you’ll definitely win." Bayunye hit the nail on the head. "Last time in Badanjilin, racing to climb the sand dunes in a car, you lost yourself to me."
A faint smile flickered in Diao Zhuo’s eyes. "Even in defeat, there is honor."
Bayunye didn’t dwell on the deeper meaning of his words and asked, "What else do you have left to lose?"
"Let’s race first, then talk."
Bayunye swam with him to one side of the pool. "Breaststroke or freestyle?"
"Butterfly. Whoever finishes three laps first wins."
Butterfly? This man is ruthless! Bayunye asked in surprise, "Who… who learns butterfly stroke for fun? Freestyle is much faster over the same distance."
Diao Zhuo raised his thumb and pointed at himself. "Let me reintroduce myself. I’m Diao Zhuo, a former member of the university swim team, specializing in butterfly stroke. I once won the 200-meter butterfly championship at the National University Games."
So, she was about to race a former national butterfly champion in butterfly stroke?
"Master Ba, are you in?" Diao Zhuo asked.
"I’m in!"
"Should I give you a head start?"
"No need!" That was Master Ba for you—knowing the mountain was full of tigers, she still charged ahead!
Well, the result was naturally a crushing defeat.
"Damn it…" Bayunye gasped for breath, clinging to the edge of the pool like a dying frog.
"Master Ba, what do you plan to lose to me?" Diao Zhuo asked calmly, swimming leisurely around her.
"I’ll treat you to a seafood feast tonight."
He scoffed. "Years of butterfly training are only worth a few hundred bucks of seafood?"
"Make it a thousand." Bayunye said magnanimously.
He still looked unimpressed.
A bet was a bet. After catching her breath, Bayunye lifted her chin. "What do you want?"
Diao Zhuo looked at her, pulling her closer. "From now on, alive, you’re my woman; dead, you’re my ghost."
Bayunye froze, recalling the bet from their last sand dune race—if she won, he’d be hers alive or dead. Now that she’d lost, it seemed the roles had reversed?
As she pondered, Diao Zhuo embraced her, resting his forehead against the tip of her nose in an intimate gesture. In truth, between the two of them, there weren’t so many wins or losses. Two people who were once worlds apart, having overcome hardships together, were simply living out a story of mutual belonging and reunion.
OpenNovel