Chapter 616 - Suffer a Loss

Chapter 616: Chapter 636 Suffer a LossChu Xiaoyao, being quite thick-skinned, said with a giggle, "Sorry for keeping you all waiting. Let’s hurry out and have some fun now."

Li Yifei could only clear his throat at this point and say, "Ladies, you’re all wearing swimsuits, and it’s giving me quite the eye-strain."

Su Mengxin laughed and said, "Yes, with so many beautiful women surrounding you, you must feel very lucky."

He Fangqing also laughed and said, "You’re all beauties; I can’t possibly compare, so that doesn’t include me."

Xu Yingying immediately said, "Who says so? Sister Fangqing exudes more femininity than any of us could hope to match."

Everyone turned to look at He Fangqing. When it came to looks, He Fangqing was no less attractive than the other women, but her mature charm was something these younger women couldn’t quite compete with. A woman who’d been married had a kind of seductive aura that came from the bones, natural and unforced—something Xu Yingying was starting to develop but still fell short compared to He Fangqing.

Especially Li Yifei, being with He Fangqing provided him with a lot of satisfaction, something Chu Xiaoyao and Su Yiyi couldn’t yet offer him. In a few more years, maybe they could, but for now, they couldn’t compare to He Fangqing.

He Fangqing felt a bit embarrassed by everyone’s attention. She touched her face and said, "What femininity? I’m just an old has-been."

Xu Yingying glanced at Li Yifei and said, "Haven’t you noticed how someone over there looks at you so intently?"

Everyone turned to look at Li Yifei again, making him cough awkwardly. However, he candidly said, "A fair lady is a gentleman’s desire. Fangqing is so beautiful and dressed so seductively; of course, I have to take a few extra glances."

Being praised like this by Li Yifei put He Fangqing in a good mood, but being praised in front of so many people made her feel a bit guilty. After all, she and Li Yifei had that sort of relationship, but recently, since Xu Yingying and Li Yifei got married, she had distanced herself from Li Yifei. Yet, in her heart, she never stopped thinking of Li Yifei. On many lonely nights, she fantasized about being close to Li Yifei, but as a woman older and with a failed marriage, she found it easier to restrain herself.

"Auntie, Auntie, I want to go swimming!" Little Yifei was not interested in these things and became anxious seeing everyone out and not moving. Tugging on Su Yiyi’s hand, she rocked it back and forth.

Xu Yingying quickly said, "Alright, let’s get going so our daughter doesn’t get impatient."

Only then did everyone take the elevator to the top deck, where many people were already swimming.

On the cruise, there was no shortage of handsome men and beautiful women. Seeing a man and a woman together wouldn’t usually draw much attention. However, the arrival of Li Yifei’s group attracted plenty of glances, with Li Yifei standing amidst them like the moon surrounded by stars.

In a sea of green, a splash of red would naturally attract all eyes, but amongst reds, a speck of green was equally striking and captivating.

Being watched made Li Yifei feel somewhat uncomfortable. Though everyone wore swimsuits and there were many beauties to admire, having so many around him made him feel at a disadvantage. So he quickly said, "Let’s go swim!" and was the first to jump into the pool.

The others followed suit, which made Li Yifei feel more at ease. In the water, he wasn’t as conspicuous and didn’t have such a strong sense of losing out.

"Brother-in-law, do you feel like you’re getting the short end of the stick?" Xu Shanshan suddenly came up beside Li Yifei and whispered in his ear.

This sister-in-law truly understood Li Yifei; nothing could escape this mischievous sister-in-law’s notice. Li Yifei didn’t deny it and chuckled, "Yes, you’ve seen right through me."

Xu Shanshan giggled and said, "Of course, anyone could see your eagerness."

"Really? Was I that obvious?"

Xu Shanshan was even more delighted as she said, "Absolutely, you were. How interesting to see your jealous side, brother-in-law!"

Li Yifei chuckled and said, "Now that you know I’m petty, be mindful in the future."

"Okay, in the future, I’ll show off only for you, brother-in-law."

Xu Shanshan’s words were utterly enchanting, and Li Yifei felt a wave of heat surge through his body, even prompting a physiological response.

"Oh dear brother-in-law, having a reaction already?" To make matters worse, Xu Shanshan pinched Li Yifei in the water.

Li Yifei nearly let out a moan of pleasure and quickly pulled Xu Shanshan’s hand away, saying urgently, "My little ancestor, spare me, please. If others see, it’ll be a disaster."

"Giggle, if others see, I’m your wife Xu Yingying; if they see me, I’m your sister-in-law. What’s wrong with talking to you?"

Li Yifei was helpless against Xu Shanshan, but fortunately, she stopped teasing him and swam away with a giggle.

The pool was quite large. Even with so many people there, it wasn’t crowded. After all, most who came to this cruise ship had purposes beyond simple leisure, like business people seeking new connections and partnerships.

This made places like bars even more crowded, allowing Li Yifei and his group to enjoy their space without interruption.

Before long, Zheng Mingrui and Lin Wanqing also arrived, but Mingrui wasn’t clinging to Li Yifei like before. Instead, he hovered around Lin Wanqing.

This was quite normal—brotherly bonds were important, but love was even more so. People living in society prioritize family; after the individual, family is the most central social unit. Thus, spouses and romantic partners are the most crucial.

Some may claim that brotherhood is supreme, willing to go to great lengths for friends, but that’s rare. People with families prioritize their responsibilities. True brotherhood isn’t sacrificing everything but helping without affecting one’s family. With Mingrui’s genuine feelings for Lin Wanqing, Li Yifei wished them well in starting a family, even if it meant seeing Mingrui less. Their brotherhood would remain unchanged.

Two young men swam over to flirt with Su Yiyi and Chu Xiaoyao.

"Hey beautiful, how about we hang out together?"

Chu Xiaoyao looked at both and said, "Go away, I’m not in the mood to play with you."

The two didn’t back down, with one guy saying with a grin, "Hey, beauty, isn’t it more fun to have company here? Plus, swimming isn’t all that exciting; I know a place much more fun. Let’s check it out together."

Chu Xiaoyao rolled her eyes at them and said, "Stop wasting your time; we’re already taken."

"Oh, come on, if you were taken, you’d be with your men, not here alone?"

Chu Xiaoyao huffed, "That’s our business, and we’re not interested in you. Yiyi, let’s go." She grabbed Su Yiyi’s hand and swam toward Li Yifei.

But the two guys didn’t give up and kept following. The pair thought Su Yiyi and Chu Xiaoyao looked young and thus easier to approach, so they came over to flirt.

"Uncle, these two are so annoying," Chu Xiaoyao and Su Yiyi said as they swam up to Li Yifei.

Li Yifei frowned and asked, "What do you want?"

The two young men, just in their early twenties, seeing Li Yifei, smirked awkwardly and said, "Nothing much, just wanted to make friends with the beauties."

Li Yifei, with a stern face, said, "You’re flirting with the wrong gals; move along."

Seeing Li Yifei’s serious look and his sturdy physique, the pair felt intimidated. On a cruise like this, people were generally of high status; they didn’t dare to provoke him. Though dissatisfied, they grumbled and reluctantly left.

Chu Xiaoyao immediately giggled, "Uncle, you’re so cool," and gave Li Yifei’s bottom a pinch underwater.

Li Yifei laughed and said, "Alright, that’s enough flattery—go have fun."

"Got it," Chu Xiaoyao winked at Li Yifei and cheekily ran her hand over his waist.

Su Yiyi was much more well-behaved. If only with Chu Xiaoyao, she might tease Li Yifei a bit, but not in public, especially with Xu Yingying nearby. Even talking to Li Yifei made her nervous, fearing Xu Yingying might get upset. So she swam away quickly but felt happy to have Li Yifei’s protection.

Li Yifei swam over to Xu Yingying and Su Mengxin, who were discussing company matters. Wrapping an arm around Xu Yingying’s waist, he said, "Darling, we’re here to have fun, not talk shop. Mengxin, can’t you let her relax?"

Xu Yingying quickly said, "Nonsense! I just wanted to chat with Mengxin."

Su Mengxin laughed, "Yifei’s right; we’re here to enjoy ourselves. Work can wait." Then she glanced at Li Yifei.

Li Yifei stiffened as a small hand touched his side below the water, evidently not Xu Yingying’s but Su Mengxin’s.