The ethereal blue sky was clear and cloudless, the sea calm and still.

A gust of sea breeze blew past, dissipating the thin mist, and as far as the eye could see, a silver and black cruise ship stood majestically on the water’s surface, with fine specks of golden light sprinkled upon it, as if bathing the vessel in a flowing radiance.

It was a grand and impressive sight that deeply moved those who beheld it.

As the people disembarked from their cars and caught sight of the cool cruise ship, the faces of the young and wealthy were filled with excitement.

Ye Jiuliang glanced over, uninterested and merely feeling hungry.

She reached into her pocket for a lollipop and was just about to peel off the wrapper when a large hand snatched it away.

"Eat after breakfast," Li Mochan said, pinching her cheek and pocketing the lollipop.

Ye Jiuliang pouted and buried her face into his solid chest.

The elder gentlemen led the way at the front, while others followed behind discussing the cruise ship.

Mingchong let his gaze linger on Ye Jiuliang and the others at the rear and deliberately slowed his pace.

"Good morning, President Ming," Feng Yi greeted with a beaming smile.

Mingchong nodded, "Good morning."

"President Ming, thanks for yesterday," Ye Jiuliang said, looking towards Mingchong with a faint smile on her lips.

Mingchong paused, "Hm?"

Ye Jiuliang reminded him, "The surveillance."

Realizing what she meant, Mingchong came to sudden understanding and shook his head with a laugh, "I merely mentioned it in passing, no thanks needed."

As he spoke, his gaze suddenly fell upon the injury on her forehead, "What happened to your forehead?"

Embarrassment flickered through Ye Jiuliang’s eyes, "I accidentally bumped into something."

Hearing this, Mingchong felt slightly relieved.

Once on board the cruise ship, the interior décor shone with opulence and grandeur.

The first floor housed a dining room, where a buffet breakfast was already prepared, combining the best of Eastern and Western cuisine.

Ye Jiuliang chose a seat by the window, where the warm sun beamed through the glass, casting a serene and lovely glow on her exquisite features.

Even sitting quietly there, she was the center of attention.

"May I sit here?"

A gentle voice sounded from across the table, and as Ye Jiuliang lifted her eyelids, she saw Mingchong’s smiling face.

"As you like," she replied with a light smile.

With permission granted, the smile in Mingchong’s eyes deepened. He set down his tray, pulled out a chair, and sat.

He lifted his coffee for a sip, then looked across at her with a grin, "May I call you by your name?"

Ye Jiuliang nodded. She felt that Mingchong bore no ill will toward her, and she didn’t dislike him.

"Jiuliang," Mingchong called tentatively, his lips curving into an even broader smile.

"I’ve heard you’re studying at Beisen, what’s your major?"

"Finance," she said.

Mingchong asked, "Did you choose it yourself? Are you really interested in finance?"

Ye Jiuliang answered, "I just picked it randomly."

The conversation was heading towards a dead end.

Mingchong changed the subject, "Do you have any hobbies? Like playing the piano, maybe?"

"I don’t like the piano," Ye Jiuliang averted her gaze from him, turning to look out at the azure sea through the window.

Mingchong was momentarily taken aback; the girl seemed to have a strong dislike for the piano.

At that moment, Li Mochan and Feng Yi returned together.

"President Ming is here too," Feng Yi said, pulling out a chair to sit beside Mingchong.

"So much food?" Ye Jiuliang was a bit surprised at the breakfast spread her companion placed on the table.

Li Mochan reached out and ruffled her hair, "What would you like to eat?"

"This one." Ye Jiuliang took a bowl of seafood porridge.

Li Mochan placed a spoon in her bowl, his voice low and deep, "Slow down, it’s hot."

Ye Jiuliang nodded with a smile, bending her brows and eyes as she lowered her head to drink the porridge.

Li Mochan picked up an egg and tapped it on the table, peeling off the shell with his cold, jade-like hands at a leisurely pace.

After peeling, he held the egg out in front of Ye Jiuliang, "Want some?"

Ye Jiuliang bit into it out of habit, and then continued eating her porridge.

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Li Mochan ate the rest of the egg.

"..."

For a moment, the atmosphere in the dining room solidified.

Isn’t Mr. Li supposed to be a germophobe?

Did they wake up in the wrong mode this morning?

Feng Yi, sensing everyone’s reaction, held back his laughter, tapping his fingertip on the table.

"Could you two be mindful of others, everyone is having breakfast."

Watching their sickeningly sweet behavior, it’s almost like they’re being force-fed dog food.

"What about us?" Ye Jiuliang raised her head, her delicate face the picture of innocence as she chewed on a crab roe bun with her chopsticks.

Li Mochan gave him a glance, "Drink your coffee."

Then, he reached for the half bowl of porridge Ye Jiuliang had left, and started eating directly with her used spoon.

This scene had played out countless times at Mo Garden, the two of them already used to it. But outsiders were witnessing it for the first time and were a mix of shock and horror.

Especially for these men, no matter how much they doted on a woman, it was absolutely impossible for them to eat her leftovers.

Mingchong watched Li Mochan’s action, his lips curling into a satisfied arc.

A true liking for someone can be seen in such meticulous gestures.

If it weren’t for a love deep in his heart, how could such an unapproachable man constantly hold someone so dear and pamper her?

The little girl has truly good taste, much better than her mother’s.

A touch of helplessness and nostalgia flickered in Mingchong’s eyes.

Ye Jiuliang caught the unintentional sadness he revealed, and gave him a subtle glance, feeling an unusual emotion surge within her.

Suddenly, the sound of the ship’s horn rang out. The cruise ship sailed over the water, rippling waves in circles.

After breakfast, everyone went their separate ways, touring around the cruise ship.

The second floor was almost like a small club with all sorts of high-end facilities available.

"This weather is perfect for jet skiing." Ye Jiuliang leaned on the railing, looking at the azure sea with a trace of regret in her eyes.

"If you want to, we’ll do it next time." Li Mochan rested his chin on her shoulder, his magnetic voice low and deep.

"Do you know how to?" Ye Jiuliang asked teasingly.

Li Mochan playfully bit her earlobe, "Underestimating me, huh?"

"Who dares to underestimate Mr. Li? You excel in both literature and martial arts. How else could you attract so many young ladies?" Ye Jiuliang gave him an elbow, her tone casual and teasing.

Li Mochan’s lips curved slightly, "That’s not what you said in your sleep talking last night."

Ye Jiuliang turned around, her back to the sea, "I wasn’t sleep talking, don’t slander me."

"How could I not?" Li Mochan said earnestly.

"You did," Ye Jiuliang looked at him leisurely, "Alright then, tell me, what did I say in my sleep?"

She was curious to hear what nonsense he could come up with.

Li Mochan leaned in close to her ear, his voice low and rich with a hint of laughter, "You said you liked Li Mochan the most."

Ye Jiuliang gritted her teeth, a sharp glint passing through her eyes.

She hooked her arm around his neck and aimed a playful bite at his neck,