Chapter 77: Chapter 77

Upon returning to the hotel, the first thing Primrose did was slump onto the large bed, sighing continuously.

"If I had known that going out would make me this tired, I wouldn't have invited everyone for a cruise."

After a few hours on the cruise ship and a lunch break earlier, Primrose's energy had been depleted, leaving her too tired to even sit up. Joel smiled, gently using a makeup remover pad to clean Primrose's face and remove her makeup carefully, then affectionately wiping her nose with a tissue.

"Alright, stop complaining. Change your clothes and take a nap. We'll go for a beach walk this afternoon."

"If you're really exhausted, I don't mind helping you change clothes."

Joel raised an eyebrow and winked mischievously, successfully making Primrose slightly flustered as she sat up, rushing to the bathroom with her clothes. She quickly changed into a comfortable set of pajamas and once again lay down on the bed, feeling the softness of the mattress and blankets.

"Can I sleep at the hotel this afternoon? Suddenly, I don't find the idea of going to the beach fun anymore."

Primrose loved the fun but got tired easily. Indeed, this morning's outing had drained her. Joel also changed into pajamas and lay down next to Primrose, gently coaxing her.

"It's okay. If you're tired, I'll carry you."

Primrose's eyes lit up quickly, seeming quite pleased with this answer. She murmured that Joel shouldn't change his mind, then finally closed her eyes contentedly and drifted off to sleep. Perhaps Primrose was genuinely exhausted because she fell asleep quickly, her eyes closed and her eyelashes resting on her tranquil and beautiful face.

In the afternoon, Primrose and Joel woke up on time, changed clothes, and then Joel waited for Primrose to finish getting ready before heading to the beach. City A was a famous coastal city, so besides cruising to admire the pristine seascape, going for a swim was also a good option.

As the two of them stepped out, Nancy and Brian were also ready. By chance, both Nancy and Primrose were wearing pale pink cropped tops and denim shorts, both stylish and not overly revealing. Seeing each other's styles, they enthusiastically linked arms and walked ahead, leaving Joel and Brian trailing behind.

"Finally, we're the ones being left behind."

Brian shrugged somewhat helplessly, and Joel's lips curved into a slight smile. Both of them shared a knowing glance and accepted the situation. This vacation trip of four close friends was turning out to be more like the outing of the best friends, Nancy and Primrose, while Joel and Brian were merely accompanying attachments.

Upon reaching the beach, Primrose and Nancy excitedly ran ahead and quickly changed into their bikinis, then held hands and went for a swim. Joel and Brian were not too keen on this, so they sat sipping coconut water at a nearby drink stand, simultaneously looking after the belongings of the two girls ahead.

Primrose and Nancy seemed to be thoroughly enjoying swimming, as their faces were full of joy. They occasionally chatted and laughed heartily while floating on the water. Under the warm afternoon sun shining on the sea, their smiles were even more radiant and especially captivating to onlookers.

After swimming for a while, Primrose and Nancy turned to splash water at each other, their bodies still wet. They laughed as they glided on the water's surface, creating a charming scene. Although both of them were quickly becoming soaked, they continued to play around and occasionally dunk themselves underwater. Joel sat on the shore, sipping cool coconut water and keeping an eye on Primrose's figure above the water, always making sure she was safe.

Brian was no different from Joel; he gazed at Nancy underwater with a gentle and affectionate look, his lips slightly curving every time Nancy's eyes crinkled in a delightful smile.

After swimming, when Primrose and Nancy were tired, they walked out of the water together, drank the coconut water that Joel and Brian had prepared, and then changed back into their original clothes. They both put on the same outfits they wore earlier – pale pink cropped tops and stylish jeans – making them look like a pair of close friends even from a distance.

"The sun is setting. Would you like to take a beach stroll, Primrose?"

Joel tilted his head and looked at Primrose, his gaze soft and his magnetic voice full of allure. For a few seconds of eye contact, Primrose felt a little flustered, her heart stirred by unfamiliar and nameless emotions. She nodded and gave a soft "hm" to hide her excitement, then pretended to look at Nancy.

"Do you want to come too? We'll walk along the beach and watch the sunset."

Nancy shook her head, her mischievous gaze alternating between Primrose and Joel before she playfully teased them.

"No, I don't want to spoil your romantic scenery. Go and enjoy a warm and intimate moment with your husband, Primrose. I'll enjoy sweet moments with my boyfriend now."

Before Primrose and Joel could say anything else, Nancy had already grabbed Brian's hand and ran ahead, leaving them behind. Joel also gently took Primrose's hand and started walking in the opposite direction, their steps leaving imprints in the sand.

The gentle sea breeze brushed over Primrose's face, tousling her soft hair and causing her to tidily secure it. In the soft afternoon sunlight, her delicate features became more charming, and the light illuminated her as if she emerged from within the radiance. Joel attentively looked at Primrose, his gaze also filled with tenderness.

The two of them walked silently, side by side, not saying a word. It wasn't until Primrose lost herself in the waves and the serene nature ahead that she heard a deep and magnetic voice beside her.

"Sweetie, why aren't you saying anything? Didn't you say earlier that you wanted me to carry you for a beach stroll?"

Joel's lips brushed against the sensitive curve of Primrose's earlobe as he spoke, causing her to shiver and gaze at him in a dazed manner. Joel chuckled softly, leaning down and turning his back to Primrose before speaking again.

"Come up here, sweetie."

Primrose looked at Joel's broad back and was dazed for a moment before obediently allowing him to carry her. This intimate gesture had clearly shortened the distance between them; she could distinctly feel Joel's warm body temperature and the familiar scent of his cologne.

Joel's firm hands and the distinct joints of his bones supporting Primrose's back made her feel a strange heat spreading through her flesh, the warmth reaching even the tips of her blushing ears. With each confident step, Joel took their intertwined figures on the sand seemed harmonious.

It was as if, at first glance, one could tell they were a married couple. No words were needed; Primrose's heart had been in turmoil for a while now.

"Am I too heavy?"

Since Joel had started carrying Primrose, he had steadily moved forward, covering quite a distance. Although Primrose was thoroughly enjoying this sensation, she was afraid Joel might get tired, so she hesitantly asked. She noticed Joel's arm around her back tightening slightly, his deep voice becoming slightly huskier and more alluring than ever.

"Of course, you are heavy."

Admitting this to the girl was a crime. Primrose bit her lip in a somewhat sulky manner. She wasn't exactly heavy; she was considered a delicate and beautiful girl within the company, and hearing this comment was a bit disheartening. She wished she hadn't asked Joel now.

"Why did you ask me why I answered like that?"

Joel sensed Primrose's silence and could imagine her pouting in annoyance. His tone contained a mixture of laughter and the sound of the gentle sea breeze brushing against the calm shore, carrying a tingling sensation to Primrose's ears. Primrose pursed her lips, ignoring him.

Why else? Wasn't it because Joel had called her fat? What other reason could there be that sounded more reasonable?

"You are my precious treasure and also my life. Carrying your entire life on my shoulders, how could it not be heavy?"

Joel continued to move slowly towards the sunrise ahead, leaving behind the enduring ripples in Primrose's heart. They flowed like waves, crashing into the soft realm of her heart, causing it to melt along with them.

Joel expressed the sweetest sentiments not only through actions but also through words.