The ship sailed through the sea, like a bird gliding across the sky. The sky gradually darkened with twilight as Gu Yan finished dinner in his room and sat by the window, admiring the night view of the ocean through the seaside window.
The man quietly sat in the chair behind him, lost in his thoughts. To observe him more closely, Gu Yan did not arrange for him to have a separate room but specifically chose this suite with two beds. During their time sailing at sea, they shared meals and accommodations, and Gu Yan was determined to uncover some clues about this man.
Gu Yan understood the principle of taking things step by step, so he did not rush to ask questions. Instead, he planned to build a good relationship with him, knowing that there would be plenty of opportunities along the way. The man was compliant; no matter how Gu Yan arranged things, he accepted them. Even if Gu Yan ignored him, he would quietly stay by the side, making an effort to minimize his presence.
This quiet little mute was quite suitable as a confidant, especially when Gu Yan rambled on about trivial matters; he would listen attentively with a focused expression. Although it was unclear whether the man truly absorbed what was said, at least Gu Yan's desire to confide was greatly satisfied.
Most of the time, their interactions were like this—quiet, peaceful, and comfortable. Gu Yan rested his hand on the windowsill, supporting his head as he gazed outside the cabin.
"The stars are so bright tonight. There are many Albatrosses," he remarked.
"These birds are like that; they prefer to roam at night. In such vast oceans, where do they rest? Perhaps they can only stay on the surface of the sea? I remember hearing that they can sleep while flying; what strange creatures."
"When I was studying abroad, I heard many bizarre legends. One said that Albatrosses are the souls of sailors who died at sea; they are buried in the deep ocean and cannot escape even in spirit, transforming into these all-white birds. Therefore, sailors hold them in great reverence, thinking that perhaps one of them is their companion..."
"Well, they do look quite beautiful," Gu Yan mused.
It seemed as though he was talking to himself or perhaps conversing with another person in the room, even though he was the only one speaking all along. Just as he was about to continue his story, he suddenly felt a broad and solid chest behind him. Two hands appeared on either side of him on the windowsill, enclosing him completely.
In his peripheral vision, a strand of golden hair danced in the wind. Gu Yan turned his head and saw that familiar face.
However, the man did not look at Gu Yan; instead, he directed his gaze out towards the sky. Although it was already late at night, the shimmering sea and brilliant stars made it far from dark.
It seemed that Gu Yan's words had caught his attention; feeling inspired, he came to the window to see those birds that Gu Yan had described as "quite beautiful." The tall figure felt somewhat imposing to Gu Yan; he shifted uncomfortably but found himself firmly held by those hands. Although their position was particularly intimate, the man made no further movements, so Gu Yan simply gave up struggling.
In this position, he continued to recount fragmented memories and tales about the deep sea. In a realm of blue skies and seas, only the whispers of flying birds could be heard outside as Gu Yan's voice mingled with the night air, reaching both their ears. Those old myths seemed to take on an even more mysterious hue.
From their time together over these days, Gu Yan discovered many points of suspicion surrounding this man. Judging by his appearance and demeanor, he seemed like a pampered young master from a wealthy family; his hands looked fair and perfect, showing no signs of having done any manual labor. Yet this man could not write and seemed unfamiliar with social niceties.
Since they were already at sea, Gu Yan no longer had to worry about being monitored. The ship was filled with mostly new faces, allowing him to move freely.
However, the problem was that the man never let Gu Yan out of his sight. No matter where Gu Yan went, that silent figure always followed closely behind him. The two men, inseparable and possessing equally striking appearances, attracted attention. While it made it easier for others to observe him, it also brought Gu Yan a lot of trouble. To avoid the gaze of a large crowd, he eventually gave up going out and simply stayed in his room reading.
Fortunately, the suite on the ship was well-equipped, and there were many different types of books on the shelf. Gu Yan picked a travelogue and began to read it with great interest. The books on the ship were thematically appropriate, all related to the ocean. For instance, this book was written by an experienced Navigator from a century ago, detailing many strange encounters and treasures he found along his journey, as well as stories of outsmarting pirates. Rather than a mere travelogue, it felt more like an artistically crafted story, but it was equally engaging, showcasing that the author was indeed an adventurer who had traveled extensively.
This helped pass the afternoon for Gu Yan until the Waiter arrived to deliver dinner, prompting him to reluctantly stop turning pages. While he was reading, the man seemed to have disappeared, so there was no response to the knocking at the door. Gu Yan had no choice but to interrupt his reading, stand up, and walk around the desk to open the door. He pushed in the cart containing their dinner and noticed that the bathroom light was on as he passed by. The frosted glass door appeared misty, leading him to guess that the man must be taking a shower.
With that thought in mind, Gu Yan continued flipping through the travelogue. After a while, the sound of water from the bathroom gradually ceased, followed by footsteps approaching. When Gu Yan looked up, he saw that the man had finished showering and was stepping out of the bathroom.
The July weather was somewhat hot, so everyone wore thin clothing. The man had just bathed; moisture still clung to his body and naturally dampened the thin fabric. His facial features appeared particularly defined, with small droplets of water dotting his face. His lips looked moist under the misty ambiance. His hair was still wet and dripping slightly as water trickled down his elegant neck into his clothing, causing it to cling tightly to his chest. The white fabric left little to the imagination, clearly outlining his two points and beautifully defined abdominal muscles.
Gu Yan gazed at him with a hint of astonishment in his eyes but feigned nonchalance as he teased, "If you were a woman, I might just pursue you. If we had known each other before, we could have been lovers."
Upon hearing Gu Yan's words, the man's expression darkened slightly before Gu Yan saw him walking towards him.
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