Chapter 3: He Was Very Tall

After taking a shower, Gu Yao lay on the bed for a while longer, choosing not to leave the room again.

In fact, selecting this cruise had been somewhat of a misjudgment. Upon boarding, she realized that most of the passengers were middle-aged or elderly, and the entertainment options catered exclusively to that demographic, making things rather dull.

Yet, even with nothing to do but stare out the window, her mood remained pleasant.

The deep blue, boundless ocean stretched out before her—vast and intoxicating.

She dozed off lightly and, upon waking, saw that a light rain was falling outside, streaking the glass with slanting droplets.

The sky had already begun to darken.

Turning over, she pulled the thin blanket over herself, then pressed her fingers to her brow and glanced at her phone.

It was just past six o’clock. Normally, it shouldn’t be so dark this early; the rain must be the cause.

Too lazy to go out for dinner, she turned onto her side and drifted back to sleep. In the haziness, the sound of rain softened, faint music and drumbeats reached her ears, tapping rhythmically.

Lying with eyes closed, she tried to pinpoint the source—it was coming from the balcony side. The glass door did little to block the noise. Downstairs in the main hall, there was likely a song and dance performance playing old tunes favored by middle-aged patrons.

After a while, the music grew tiresome. Gu Yao sat up, slipped into a long dress, and before stepping out, crossed her arms over her chest and touched her shoulder.

It was a bit chilly; most of the clothes she’d brought were sleeveless.

She rummaged through her suitcase, pulled out a large silk scarf, and draped it over her shoulders.

Most people were gathered in the second-floor hall to watch the show, swaying in pairs or small groups to the music.

Intent on finding a quiet spot, Gu Yao slowly descended the stairs and walked to a corner of the deck.

The music faded into a muffled hum, distant and subdued.

Waves washed softly against the ship, the rain had lessened to a fine drizzle. Darkness enveloped the surroundings, leaving only the endless deep blue of the sea in her sight.

She took a deep breath, leaning sideways against the railing, and reached into her bag for a small silver lighter. Tossing it gently in her hand a couple of times, she frowned and set it aside.

Turning to face the ocean, she stared for a long moment, lost in thought.

She hardly moved during this time. The sea breeze billowed her Bohemian-style strapless dress, making her appear ethereal, yet she stood straight and resolute, not fragile.

Having grown accustomed to the city's noisy bustle, this moment of tranquility felt precious. Gu Yao stood for a long while, closing her eyes slightly, as if sinking into the blue depths of the ocean, her soul at a rare peace.

A gust of wind swept by, snatching the scarf from her shoulders.

Reluctantly opening her eyes, she regretted the sudden disturbance to her calm. Shaking her head, she used her phone’s light to look around and saw the scarf caught on a railing not far off.

She reached inside, trying to grab it but failed. Standing on tiptoe, she leaned out beyond the railing, just within reach.

Her arm stretched out perfectly, nearly grasping the scarf when a soft voice behind her asked, “What are you doing?”

Startled, she turned to see a man’s silhouette emerging slowly from behind the stairs, shrouded in the night.

“How long have you been here?” she asked, peering past him. The staircase created a blind spot behind, perfect for concealment.

“Before you,” he replied.

“Oh.” Gu Yao nodded, not pressing further.

There was always an order to things—since he arrived before her, there was no reason to think he had been hiding to spy on her.

“Then why did you stop me, Mr. Su Yu?” she inquired.

He looked at her, half his face obscured in shadow, his voice low and even: “No need to pick that up. Just leave it there.”

He took a few steps forward, and the faint scent of cologne—just like in the afternoon—reached her.

“Why not?” she leaned on the railing, lifting her chin to ask again.

Perhaps because they stood close, she now noticed just how tall he was. Even at nearly 1.7 meters, she still had to look up to meet his eyes.

The height difference sparked an inexplicable irritation. She straightened her back and raised her chin, as if to meet him eye to eye.

But in the next instant, she felt her body lifted off the ground.

“What are you doing?” The suddenness made her let out a small cry.

He held her suspended above the railing. With just a little force, he could easily toss her half over the edge, dangling her precariously above the sea.

Biting her lip, Gu Yao glared fiercely at the man now level with her, silent but gripping the railing tightly with both hands.

His large hand clasped her waist firmly and steadily, seeming somewhat pleased with her attitude. He smiled faintly: “Because it’s dangerous—just like this.”

So, after all, he was demonstrating the danger firsthand?

Gritting her teeth, she said, “No one would lift someone up and throw them out like you just did.”

Suddenly, his hand tightened, lifting her higher until the damp scent of sea spray pressed against her lower back, as if she might be plunged into the waves at any moment.

“Put me down!” The helplessness and constant peril were unbearable. Gu Yao’s voice dropped low, filled with frustration.

“There are people with ill intentions who might wait for you to lean over, then gently push you out, sending you into the sea—and walk away.”

Only then did the man lower his arms and set her firmly on solid ground, stepping back to look her straight in the eye.

“Do you know,” he said solemnly, “that the sea is the perfect place to remove someone without a trace? Once a body is cast into the water, the chances of recovery are almost zero. Don’t go near the railing lightly, and never linger alone in secluded spots.”

His tone was grave. After speaking, he turned and walked away without hesitation.

Still a bit unsteady on her feet, Gu Yao took a few steps and caught up to him.

“Hey, are you just walking off like that? What you did was inexplicable—you owe me an apology!”

Perhaps genuinely angry, her tone turned icy, and her entire presence grew colder.

But the man paid no heed, glancing at her as he turned.

“Children are curious. When they come into contact with dangerous things, how do adults teach them?”

“What do you mean?” Sensing a deeper implication, Gu Yao’s anger flared further.

“They should be brought openly to the dangerous object, allowed to touch it, to experience it personally. When they feel pain or fear, it leaves a deep impression—so they won’t repeat the mistake.”

He spoke slowly, one hand in his pocket.

“You…” Gu Yao opened her mouth but was at a loss for words. For the first time in her life, she was speechless. After a moment, she raised a brow and smiled faintly.

“And you? Hiding in the shadows like that—only a dark-hearted person imagines darkness in others. You know so much about killing at sea—have you done it yourself?”

Having said this, she instantly regretted it, clenching her fist inwardly. She was usually calm and composed; moments like this, when her emotions got the better of her, were rare.

Her words, of course, lacked careful thought and came off as somewhat biased.

The man, however, did not get angry. The distant light from the hall illuminated his face, revealing sharp, defined features, a strong brow, and a jawline both smooth and fierce.

With a snap, he lit a cigarette, fingers slender and curved as he brought it to his lips and inhaled.

“You actually know in your heart how ridiculous your words were just now. So why say them? Just to win an argument for the moment.”

Gu Yao looked at him but said nothing.

Suddenly, a rustling sound came. The man named Su Yu reached down and unclipped a walkie-talkie from his waist. A hurried voice spoke inside it, but interference made the words unclear, so Gu Yao couldn’t catch them.

“That patient from earlier has suddenly fallen into a coma again. The situation is critical,” Su Yu explained briefly, then turned naturally. “Let’s go.”

“Why should I come? Don’t forget, I’m only a tourist here, with no obligation to get involved,” Gu Yao challenged.

“Because you still carry the faith of a doctor inside you,” Su Yu said casually, returning the walkie-talkie.

“Faith of a doctor? What’s that? I don’t have it—I’m a selfish person,” she said expressionlessly. She then pulled a hair tie from her wrist, swiftly tied her hair into a ponytail, and strode ahead.

After two steps, she stopped, turned curiously, and raised her chin.

“What are you waiting for? Hurry up and take me to see the patient.”