When Bright Moon Encounter the Dark Clouds

Even now, I could remember clearly the ship’s appearance.

The ship was immaculately white and brand new. It had three floors; the first floor was a public area, while the second and third floors were guest rooms with luxurious and comfortable interiors. The ship was called Yunnan Beauty, and it departed from Dali, Yunnan Province for the deep mountain lakes on the twenty-third of June, 2016.

It was a trip that I had always longed for and also a trip that changed my destiny.

Our lives were knitted together on that very ship.

But we almost got split up later on.

My name is Tan Jiao, and I am a web novel author that specializes in romance novels with mystery elements. My pen name is Qi Zhu. Even though I am not very skilled, I have made some money and gained some fame. Since I have plenty of free time, I go traveling whenever I’m not writing novels. However, I always sign up with travel agencies for those easy and worry-free trips. Compared to my other artsy writer friends who like to go hiking, the way I think is quite different.

I still recall the clear skies of that day, with a few white clouds scattered across the blue sky. The ship set out in the morning and sailed into a crystal clear river surrounded by mountains. As this was a newly established route without a high repute and cost, few people signed up and came on this trip.

I stayed in my room all morning, either watching drama while laying on my two-meter-long bed, nestling on the sofa to play games, or enjoying the breeze on the balcony. Peaceful and at ease.

I saw him when I was on the balcony.

I did not want to join the welcoming party held in the first-floor restaurant at noon. First, I did not feel like listening to the tour guide talk about the itinerary and precautions since they were already in the passenger handbook. Secondly, I did not believe I would make any friends on such a short trip.

As such, I leaned on the balcony railing with a half-filled cup of plum wine, sipping it as I basked in the sun.

At this moment, he came out from the room next door.

The light got in my eyes, so I used my hands to shield them as I looked at him.

He looked back at me calmly.

He wore a white T-shirt with a pair of dark, coffee-colored pants. He wore a pair of black casual shoes that contrasted against his white socks. It was said that men that wear white socks were proud men, outwardly cold but deep and passionate inside. He had short trimmed hair. His clearly outlined face and slightly high cheekbones gave him a masculine contour. Conversely, his facial features were delicate.

How attractive.

I subconsciously straightened my back, no longer hunching over the railing like a puddle of mud. I even changed the way I held my wine glass, grasping it elegantly with three fingers.

I knew he was checking me out.

I heard I had a very deceptive appearance, the sweet type. My best friend told me that I have a loli-like appearance but seemed caring like a big sister. Even though I’m already 23, I have not been in a serious relationship. I went on a blind date once, but that was a failure not worth mentioning.

Then he smiled and said, “Hello.”

I replied, “Hi.”

He asked, “Why didn’t you go to the welcoming party?”

I swirled the wine glass in my hand and replied, “I think those welcoming parties are very dull.”

He let out a chuckle and said, “Too bad I took my chance. I surrendered and came out after 10 minutes.”

I could not help but let out a laugh as well. This guy is somewhat interesting.

Laughing as well, his sight fell upon the glass of wine in my hand. “Drinking alone?”

Swirling my cup, I said, “Plum wine, it’s only about 10 percent.” We stood less than two meters apart with only a guardrail between us. Then I asked, “You want some?”

He glanced at me.

His jet-black eyes were extremely charming. They had the calmness of a mature man and also seemingly a hint of the innocence of a boy.