The sea breeze carries the salty and wet breath, flowing over Wen Xici's fingertips resting on the railing, and also over Qiao Xi's wind-blown hair.
This is the tenth time they have watched the sea together, and it is also the tenth time that the sound of the tide comes from the distant sea level, layer by layer, gently lapping at the rocks on the shore, like someone's heartbeat that has been hidden for a long time, and finally dares to slowly reveal it.
Qiao Xi looked at the surging waves and counted softly: "Once, twice, three times..."
When he counted to the tenth sound, his wrist was suddenly gently clasped. Wen Xici turned sideways, her eyes falling on her cheeks that were slightly reddened by the sea breeze. The smell of cedar mixed with the sea breeze gently enveloped her whole body.
"Qiao Xi," his voice was particularly gentle due to the sound of tide, "I have been secretly watching you for the first nine times of tide."
Qiao Xi's heart skipped a beat, and she looked up and looked into his deep eyes, which contained moonlight, ocean waves, and all her appearance.
"The first time I heard the tide, I was wondering how someone could look at the sea so seriously."
"The fifth wave, I was thinking, it would be great if I could always stand by your side."
"The ninth tide sounds, I'm thinking, I seem to never be able to leave you again."
The sound of the tenth tide came just in time, drowning the fine pebbles on the shore and Qiao Xi's rapid breathing.
Wen Xici lowered his head, his forehead gently pressed against hers, and his voice was as soft as the murmur of the waves:
"And the tenth tide, I want to tell you."
"Qiao Xi, I love you."
The sound of the tide receded, then surged back again, repeating for him the words hidden on the sea surface ten times over and over again.
