The sea breeze of late summer carried a hint of salt as it swept over the shore. Lin Xiaoman stood on a reef, gazing at the distant cruise ship that was about to set sail. On the deck, wearing a crisp white uniform, Lu Chuan stood straight as a pine, methodically directing the crew in their final preparations. Sunlight spilled over him, casting a golden outline around his figure, and in a daze, Lin Xiaoman was reminded of the night she first met him.
It was late autumn two years ago, and Lin Xiaoman was working part-time as a bartender at a small bar. The lighting was dim and the atmosphere intimate. She mechanically mixed drinks while listening to the banter and complaints of the patrons around her. Just then, Lu Chuan walked in. He wore a simple black sweater and jeans, yet he exuded a unique aura, as if he brought his own light, instantly capturing Lin Xiaoman's attention.
He sat down at the bar and ordered a whiskey. As she prepared the drink, Lin Xiaoman stole glances at him. His gaze was deep and gentle, as though it concealed a sea of stars. From that night on, Lu Chuan frequented the bar, always sitting in the same spot and ordering a glass of whiskey. Gradually, they began to talk, and Lin Xiaoman learned that Lu Chuan was a sailor who loved the sea and longed for distant horizons.
Chapter 195