"Whoosh! Whoosh!" Waves slapped against the rocks, splashing up feet-high pure white and crystalline sprays. The waves surged towards the shore, gently caressing the fine soft sands, then pulled back reluctantly—over and over, ceaselessly stroking, etching silver lines beneath the sands, as if to frame the vast sea with shimmering silver edgings, making it even more enchanting and beautiful.

By the seaside, in front of the rocks, two figures intertwined, not even the night breeze could drift them apart—so entwined, then entwined some more...

The night quieted down, and the moonlight, like fog woven from a misty silver gauze, cast a solemn and sacred light on the leaves, the armrests of the rattan chairs, and people's faces. It seemed the sea had also fallen asleep, with only the soft whispers of the waves lapping the sandy beach to be heard.

After a while, Qiao Zhi bid farewell to her girlhood and became a true woman. She lay next to Wang Xiaoqiang, where the two rested for a moment beneath the rock.

They whispered sweet nothings for a while. Then they stood up and walked hand in hand on the soft sands of the night beach.

On the golden sands, many colorful shells lay quietly, the soft sand feeling just like a blanket underfoot, utterly comfortable.

Lifting their heads, they gazed out over the sea.

The sea was not a pond calm and still, nor a stream with gentle trickles. The sea is the sea! With a pulse that never ceases, with blood that rushes unfailingly. Only by tumbling within it, by immersing yourself in it, can you feel the sea's mighty vitality.

The sea, vast enough to contain all rivers, overflowing with generosity; the sea, with its rising and falling tides, bubbling with ideals; the sea, with peaks and troughs, exuding proud creations; the sea, with its terrifying waves, testing the limits of life.

Rolling whitecaps came tumbling from the horizon, silvery bright waves chasing each other, growing larger as they neared—getting closer, taller, and louder, like thunderous charges of thousands of horses.

The waves spread out layer by layer into the distance, gradually settling down as if catching their breath. They left behind momentary foam and the musty scent of swaying seaweed.

Suddenly, Qiao Zhi stopped, gazed at the sea, and murmured as if reciting poetry, "The sky and sea fell in love, but their hands could never touch, their love could never continue, and the sky wept. The sea's eyes also became wet. Hence she said: Some boundaries can never be crossed! Just like between us, there's a gulf that can never be bridged..."

"You're too pessimistic, Qiao Zhi... Aren't we together now? Moreover, our union, our love of spirit, it's the union of spirit and flesh..." Wang Xiaoqiang clasped Qiao Zhi's hand, comforting her.

"Little Qiang, ... I won't marry you. Because you have another woman, and that's something I cannot tolerate. So. In the future, we will go our separate ways..." Qiao Zhi said, not without regret.

"Then why did you give yourself to me..." Wang Xiaoqiang stammered in confusion.

"Consider it repayment... for saving a life. Of course, there's also the fact that I love you..." Qiao Zhi tiptoed and kissed Wang Xiaoqiang.

The seawater lapped against the shore as if singing a dirge—

Ah, the sea, the sea, even angels don't know why I'm so enchanted by you. In the future of futures, I will still offer my blessings to you. I yearn for the sea's stern grace and compliance; yearn for the sea's vastness and mystery; yearn for the sea's smooth sailing and turbulent waves! The sea, with its unique charm, draws and calls to me, making my newfound spirit involuntarily fly towards it to worship. The two sat by the sea, Qiao Zhi leaning on Wang Xiaoqiang, and asked, "Little Qiang, did you ever go to the seaside when you were little?"

"No." Wang Xiaoqiang responded, "I was from a poor mountainous village, and I never even left the village when I was a child. However, I saw it once in a primary school textbook... And I longed for it for a long time."

Qiao Zhi smiled and said, "I went to the beach when I was young, but it was at the East Sea... My mother and I played wildly by the seaside... The waves slapped against me as if Mother's hands were caressing me. Then, I felt the sea was completely different from the ones in novels and movies. It was neither fierce nor terrifying. Lying on the beach, it felt like I was in a cradle or in my mother's arms. Stepping into the sea, and as the waves gently crashed onto the beach, stroking the sand so smoothly, it really felt too heartbreaking to tread on. The air here had a salty taste, but taking a breath was refreshing, making me feel happy. Looking at the beautiful scenes where the sea and sky merge, with plenty of colorful specks and the joyful shouts, one's sight and hearing are struck by the festivity. How carefree and relaxed these joyful people were in the embrace of the sea, like Mother Nature herself. At that moment, I gently slapped the wavelets, with the playful water splashing up countless tiny droplets on my face, and it felt so comfortable. The racing wavelets seemed like mischievous children. Barefooted, with pant cuffs rolled up, and bending over, I searched for seashell trails along the beach, not finding a single one for a long while. I wished for a wave to bring all the treasures from the sea for me to choose. Unexpectedly, as if the sea read my thoughts, a strong wave surged in. I searched meticulously, careful not to miss a shell, but ultimately, I saw none and decided to give up."

The water was blue, so was the sky, and where they met became a single line. The sea waves, as if pushed endlessly by an inexhaustible pair of hands, formed wave after wave. But upon reaching us, they became gentler as though respecting us, the visitors from afar; the waves frolicked, like agile immortal fairies, whipping up white foam.

Only, as a child I did not understand the sea's beauty. With Mother's company, I only found it fun and joyful, but I rarely truly appreciated the sea's character. It wasn't until that summer after Mother passed away, with a backpack on my back, I went to the beach in Qingdao intending to collect seashells, that I truly felt the allure of the sea! It was as embracing as Mother's arms, so broad and wide.

"It's a pity that by the time I came to appreciate these things, my mother was no longer with us."

'Ah...' Qiao Zhi sighed softly and added, "But the sea in Qingdao is genuinely nice, I must say. The sea breeze is exceptionally refreshing, coming in waves that sweep away the summer heat, leaving you feeling so comfortable! The golden sands are narrow but they stretch endlessly around the sea, forming an interesting contrast—it's no wonder it's described as a coastline stretching for a thousand miles and sea waves extending for ten thousand miles. Both majestic and spectacular, it evokes an indescribable sense of awe. Touching the golden sands, a warm current flows into my heart—it's truly blissful.

At the limit of my gaze, all I could see was the horizon, where the sky and sea met, where clouds and waves gathered. At that moment, by the sea, there were no complex sounds of squabbling or noise—everyone looked at the ocean with deep affection, even two little boys who had been fighting over trivial matters shed hot tears in the face of the vast sea. Children in silence slept in sweetly scented dreams, while the sky floated with white clouds, and seagulls sang the crisp songs of the ocean—a true embodiment of 'The sea is wide for fish to leap, the sky is vast for birds to fly.' Rushing toward the beach, they splashed pure, sparkling waves.

"Qiao Zhi, you really should become a poet," Wang Xiaoqiang remarked as he heard Qiao Zhi express her feelings with beautiful phrases, he couldn't help but exclaim.

"That was my childhood dream. Next summer, I've decided to pursue it, to become a wandering poet like Haizi, a poet of the distant seasides..." Qiao Zhi spoke like an innocent child.

By then, it was deep into the night; nearby waves surged onto the beach, chasing and frolicking with each other, crashing against the rocks, creating bursts of joyful sound, as if welcoming the arrival of distant guests. Further away, the waves came one after another, row upon row, chasing and surging—a truly beautiful sight.

From a great distance, the sound of the sea roared, and this magnificent, peeling noise made people feel an unbounded beauty and majestic splendor with a sense of musicality.

Qiao Zhi then said, "Little Qiang, it would be wonderful if people could dive into the sea like fish..."

Wang Xiaoqiang was taken aback, "That's a nice thought, but it doesn't seem too difficult, just carry an oxygen tank and down you go." "But then you can't dive deep or go far..." said Qiao Zhi, facing the sea, "The sea is an enigma, a 'grand presence,' a vast unknown and mystery... The sea's pearls and corals, algae and the Aquatic Clan, treasures and sunken ships are things not possessed by the land. The sea is like a precious treasure attracting more and more people who love the ocean..."

"Qiao Zhi, if you really want to go under the sea, I can make it happen for you tomorrow..." Wang Xiaoqiang said earnestly.

"Really?"

"Yes, we'll come back tomorrow. For tonight, let's find a place to sleep." Wang Xiaoqiang saw that Qiao Zhi had just completed her transformation from a girl to a woman and must be very tired, so he thought to let her rest.

Qiao Zhi thought that Wang Xiaoqiang was going to take her to the seabed in the way that involved carrying oxygen tanks, so she happily nodded her head, then followed Wang Xiaoqiang to a hotel in the bay.

After dinner, they went to sleep in the hotel.

Early the next morning.

After waking up and having breakfast, Wang Xiaoqiang took Qiao Zhi out again, and she asked, "Where can we get oxygen tanks?"

"We don't need oxygen tanks," Wang Xiaoqiang said.

"How can we dive without oxygen tanks?" Qiao Zhi asked in confusion.

"You'll know when the time comes. I won't deceive you..." Wang Xiaoqiang replied, then went to the supermarket to buy a large amount of food and water to carry with them.

Then, he took Qiao Zhi back to the seaside.

At that moment, the sun showed a small red face above the sea's surface, a true red, yet without a bright shine. This sun seemed to laboriously rise slowly, step by step, as if it bore a heavy load, until at last, it broke through the clouds and leaped fully out of the sea, looking extremely lovely in its deep red color. In an instant, this deeply red orb suddenly emitted a dazzling light that was painful to the eyes, and the clouds nearby also suddenly glowed.

(To be continued. If you like this work, please come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)

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