A Letter from Keanu Reeves

The atmosphere grew somber and somewhat melancholic. After a brief silence, Zhuo Zhixuan deliberately lightened the mood with a joke, “Platonic unrequited love—am I right?”

Chen Wan responded with a quiet chuckle.

Loving Zhao Shengge was his own business. How to love, how much to love—these were decisions solely within his jurisdiction.

This was Chen Wan’s personal “Constitution of Unrequited Love.” He was both the legislator and the enforcer. Within the confines of his own world, he upheld it perfectly, resolutely safeguarding its principles and allowing no one to disrupt them—not even Zhao Shengge himself.

But all of this was only because the person in question was Zhao Shengge. It was for Zhao Shengge that he willingly undertook all of this, bittersweet as it was.

Had it been anyone else, it wouldn’t have been the same.

After supper, everyone took their room keys and dispersed.

The room assignments were random; all were first-class cabins with no real differences in quality.

Chen Wan walked down the carpeted corridor under dim lighting. Even with excellent soundproofing, certain noises seeped out from behind some doors as he passed.

The young masters were wild, and Chen Wan kept his head down, walking quickly. Playing against Zhao Shengge as the dealer was mentally exhausting; he was already feeling drained.

Suddenly, he noticed a figure leaning against the corridor wall.

“Mr. Qin, still awake?” Chen Wan greeted politely.

Qin Zhaoting stood by the window, smiling at him. “It’s a rare trip. Thought I’d enjoy the night sea.”

The night had grown deep. The ship sailed across some distant coordinates in the vast ocean. Outside the window, there was only darkness, with the faint glow of a lighthouse far away and the rhythmic sound of waves crashing.

Chen Wan nodded, intending to excuse himself. However, Qin Zhaoting appeared to want to chat. “And you? Why so late?”

Chen Wan, being naturally considerate, had stayed behind after the others had eaten to confirm the next day’s weather and itinerary with the ship’s captain and steward. Although it wasn’t his responsibility, none of the other young masters seemed like the type to handle such matters. His meticulous nature prompted him to ask a few questions for peace of mind.

He had no interest in chatting with Qin Zhaoting and simply replied, “Just digesting a bit after the meal. Mr. Qin—”

A soft “click” interrupted him. A young man in a white robe emerged from a room at the far end of the hallway. He was strikingly beautiful.

Chen Wan froze momentarily before quickly averting his gaze as though nothing had happened.

While the room keys were random, the ship’s ownership was not. The true owner had their exclusive quarters.

The best room at the bow of the ship had the finest views. While other cabins might have two windows at most, this room offered a panoramic, three-sided ocean view.

Qin Zhaoting studied Chen Wan’s expression, but Chen Wan maintained his usual decorum, conversing naturally and betraying no emotions.

Amusement flickered in Qin Zhaoting’s eyes as he observed him for a moment before saying, “You’re too formal. Just call me Zhaoting, like Tan Youming and the others do. Let’s be friends.”

Chen Wan smiled politely. Just as he was about to respond, the door of the exclusive cabin opened again.

This time, it was the owner himself.

Even in the dead of night, Zhao Shengge was impeccably dressed in a full suit.

Qin Zhaoting had his back to him and asked Chen Wan, “What’s wrong?”

Chen Wan, ever courteous, nodded toward the man behind him. “Mr. Zhao.”

It was only then that Qin Zhaoting seemed to realize Zhao Shengge had appeared. He smiled and said, “You’re still awake? Have you wrapped things up, or have they yet to begin?”

Chen Wan remained composed, his gaze lowered as he minded his own business, refraining from joining the conversation.

Zhao Shengge didn’t answer Qin Zhaoting’s probing question. Instead, his tone turned slightly reproachful. “Chatting outside someone else’s room in the middle of the night—isn’t that a bit impolite?”

“…”

Granted, their voices had been quiet, unlikely to disturb the soundproofed rooms. Moreover, their position in the hallway wasn’t exactly “outside the door” of Zhao Shengge’s exclusive room.

Nonetheless, Chen Wan immediately apologized, “My apologies, Mr. Zhao. We didn’t mean to disturb you.”

Qin Zhaoting: “…”

Chen Wan’s prompt and respectful apology earned him no further rebuke from Zhao Shengge. However, the latter noticed that Chen Wan hadn’t once looked directly at him while speaking. The smile on his face seemed like a practiced mask.

Out of nowhere, Zhao Shengge asked, “Where’s the wine cellar?”

Both Qin Zhaoting and Chen Wan paused, momentarily confused by the question. It almost sounded as if the ship didn’t belong to Zhao Shengge himself.

But Chen Wan answered politely, “On the second floor. Would you like to have a drink?”

Zhao Shengge glanced at him, rubbed his eyes, and replied in a calm, non-complaining tone, “Mm. My sleepiness has been interrupted.”

“…”

Chen Wan had no choice but to apologize again. “I’m terribly sorry. How about I accompany you downstairs to pick a bottle as an apology?”

Zhao Shengge seemed reluctantly agreeable.

“…” Qin Zhaoting was still there, so Chen Wan couldn’t leave him out. “What about you, Mr. Qin? Care to join us for a drink?”

“I already told you to just call me Zhaoting,” Qin Zhaoting interjected, his tone light.

Zhao Shengge glanced at Chen Wan.

Chen Wan smiled and nodded. For someone like him without a strong background, having one more friend was always beneficial.

Zhao Shengge, evidently eager for his drink, didn’t rush them but kept his hands in his pockets, waiting.

Qin Zhaoting held up his room key and smiled ambiguously. “I’ll pass on the drink. There are better things to do tonight than drink.”

“…”

Chen Wan took it in stride and offered a polite farewell. “Then I wish you a pleasant night.”

Zhao Shengge asked, “Can we go now?”

Chen Wan immediately replied, “Of course, Mr. Zhao.”

The wine cellar on the second floor was open 24 hours a day. Fine wines were neatly categorized by vintage and region in display cabinets.

“What would you like to drink, Mr. Zhao?” Chen Wan asked.

Zhao Shengge propped his head up on one hand and tapped the table idly with his fingers. “You pick.” He sounded as though he hadn’t been the one who insisted on coming down for a drink in the middle of the night.

Chen Wan glanced at him, noticing how Zhao Shengge lounged at the bar, looking slightly grumpy, like a lion woken from sleep. His eyelids drooped lazily, giving him an uncharacteristically relaxed and languid appearance.

Chen Wan carefully selected a bottle of Palma Queen, a wine known for being mild and conducive to sleep, and began decanting it for him.

The aroma of the Palma Queen wafted out as Chen Wan swirled it in the decanter, holding it steadily.

He even thoughtfully surrounded the wine glass with a layer of dry ice to enhance its smooth texture.

But Zhao Shengge noticed something off. While Chen Wan remained courteous and attentive, his usual enthusiasm seemed absent. Zhao Shengge, highly observant, could tell.

Noticing this, he said considerately, “If you’re tired, you can head back to rest.”

Chen Wan froze for a moment, puzzled and slightly disappointed. But he wouldn’t overstay his welcome. Smiling, he replied, “Then please enjoy your drink, Mr. Zhao. I’ll take my leave. Let me know if you need anything.”

Zhao Shengge: “…”

Tan Youming, meanwhile, called Zhao Shengge: “I heard you went down for a drink?”

“Buddy,” Zhao Shengge interrupted him in a gentle but warning tone, “I really don’t want to find any unfamiliar living creatures in my room again.”

“…” Tan Youming cried foul. “It wasn’t me!” Having been Zhao Shengge’s companion for years, he knew better than to risk being thrown overboard as shark bait.

Zhao Shengge hung up on him mid-explanation.

Taking a sip of the wine Chen Wan had decanted, Zhao Shengge found that the Palma Queen had already lost its initial charm.

By six in the morning the next day, the Whale Ship No. 17 had already passed through the Jixi Strait, and the scenery opened up magnificently.

Chen Wan rose early, intending to witness the renowned sunrise over Sha Island.

He hadn’t expected someone to be up even earlier.

Zhao Shengge was standing on the deck, the sea breeze ruffling his hair, looking every bit like a brooding model in a maritime fashion shoot.

Chen Wan peeked out his head but quickly pulled back, thinking it might seem deliberate to approach now. But then he realized the action itself was rather undignified.

With a seemingly omnipresent awareness, Zhao Shengge, as though he had eyes in the back of his head, sensed someone attempting to sneak away like a groundhog retreating into its burrow.

Assuming Chen Wan had left, Zhao Shengge returned his gaze to the horizon. In reality, Chen Wan hadn’t gone far—he stood at the end of the corridor inside the ship, peering out through the window to watch the same sunrise as Zhao Shengge.

Chen Wan had always been skilled at self-consolation, even self-entertainment, and a poetic line came to his mind:
“The moon rises over the sea; though far apart, we share this moment.”

The rising sun evoked the same sentiment. This moment of sharing was his to grant unilaterally, needing no approval from the other party, as it caused no disturbance.

Though he and Zhao Shengge stood within reach of each other, there was always a vast chasm between them. Yet to share this fleeting moment, Chen Wan felt it was something worth celebrating and treasuring.

The cruise ship had now entered the heart of the sea. Due to the influence of warm currents, this month was prime for deep-sea fish migrations. Tan Youming excitedly declared that lunch would be an extravagant seafood feast.

The ship was equipped to catch and serve fresh seafood on the spot. Such high-end cruise ships came fully equipped with fishing facilities and all the necessary permits. Guests could even fish themselves and have their catches prepared by the kitchen.

After a night of card games that left everyone exhausted, most of the young masters were still sound asleep well past sunrise. Fishing was clearly out of the question.

The kitchen, however, had started trawling at dawn. Shrimp, crab, shellfish, snails, and deep-sea fish were caught in abundance.

Chen Wan went to check on the fishing deck, even though each guest had already filled out a detailed health form before boarding, including medical history, allergens, and dietary preferences. He still felt it necessary to double-check everything with the kitchen. Out here in the vast ocean, any medical emergencies would be difficult to handle.

After confirming the details with the butler and kitchen staff, Chen Wan took the elevator back to the third floor, intending to shower and change. The deck was covered in live, wriggling sea creatures, and his pant cuffs were damp, carrying a faint fishy scent.

When the elevator doors opened, a group of people stood before him. They greeted Chen Wan, and he returned the courtesy with a smile. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Zhao Shengge. Without drawing attention, Chen Wan subtly shifted half a step to the left, hiding his hand behind his back—he had just been holding a tool to help the deckhands deal with a fifty-pound cod that had leapt out of the net.

As Zhao Shengge stepped out of the elevator, Chen Wan instinctively moved toward Qin Zhaoting’s side, greeting everyone with measured politeness.

The hallway was long and narrow, and as they passed, Chen Wan made a conscious effort to lean toward the wall, creating as much space as possible for Zhao Shengge to walk comfortably. His actions were nothing short of courteous.

Zhao Shengge walked by without a glance, but then, unexpectedly, he turned around and stared at the retreating figure.

Shen Zongnian, noticing his reaction, asked, “What’s the matter?”

With one hand in his pocket, Zhao Shengge fiddled absently with his Cartier lighter and replied, “Nothing.”

Lunch was a lavish affair. People from Haishi had a particular appreciation for seafood, savoring its fresh and natural flavors. The dishes came in various preparations: steamed, blanched, roasted with spices, or served raw. The sauces were simple—just a few drops of soy sauce, sesame oil, or garlic oil to highlight the seafood’s inherent sweetness and tenderness. The meal was satisfying without being overwhelming, leaving a lingering aftertaste.

Everyone ate to their heart’s content—everyone except Zhao Shengge, whose lack of enthusiasm didn’t go unnoticed by Chen Wan.

With a silent sigh, Chen Wan got up and went to the kitchen, requesting that the staff prepare a pot of seafood porridge for Zhao Shengge.