Meanwhile, on a secluded observation deck on the other side of the cabin, Diana leaned alone against the cold metal railing.
Already feeling frustrated, she only wanted to use the sea breeze to calm her troubled mind, but her gaze was firmly drawn to the two figures at the bow of the ship. Unconsciously, she witnessed the entire process of the two embracing, kissing deeply, and then Hermione's counterattack.
The boy looked at the girl with such earnestness and tenderness.
With just one glance, Diana's eyes suddenly stung, and a strong pang of sadness welled up in her nose. How long ago was it that she, too, had experienced this?
But now, all that beauty will be gone from her.
That gambling addict was also a husband.
Why is it that other women's husbands can give their wives such passionate kisses under a magnificent sunset, while her husband only gives her disappointment, arguments, embarrassment, and fear?
Envy weighed heavily on Diana's heart, causing her sharp, persistent pain.
Watching the figures embracing, so dazzlingly beautiful in the golden-red light, a deeper sorrow welled up in her heart.
But more than anything, it reflects self-deprecation and sorrow about one's own fate.
She just... just wanted a stable home.
Why is it so difficult?
The happiness of others is like the clearest mirror.
The light revealed her loneliness in stark contrast.
Her life was nothing but gloom and despair.
This happiness, which was once within her grasp, is now an unattainable luxury for her.
For a fleeting moment, an absurd thought flashed through her mind: what if she could also meet someone like that...?
Thinking of this, Diana shuddered and hurriedly banished the unrealistic thought.
Now she is David's wife, and no matter how bad he is, they are bound by law and commitment.
She cannot, and should not, think about these things.
Helpless, she silently turned her face away, no longer looking at that scorching tenderness, and lowered her head to quickly dab her eyes with her sleeve, wiping away the uncooperative wetness.
Then, she forced herself to look at the vast sea, pretending to be focused on watching the ocean and the last ray of sunset being swallowed up on the horizon. She dared not, and was too powerless to, take another look at that dazzling happiness that belonged to someone else, a happiness so radiant that it made her jealous.
At the bow of the ship, Draco held Hermione close, watching quietly as the last embers on the horizon sank into the dark blue sea.
As darkness fell, scattered stars appeared in the sky.
"Staying in the room all the time is boring," Draco's voice broke the tranquility of the sea breeze in Hermione's ear, "How about we go check out the cruise ship's library?"
Go to the library? Hermione stirred slightly in Draco's arms, looked up at him with a hint of surprise.
Why would he suggest this place himself, instead of recommending a lively bar, a theater, or the casino we went to before?
"You actually want to go to the library?" Hermione asked in surprise.
"We can't really let Granger get bored to death on a cruise ship. It's not a bad thing to have him stay quiet for a while."
"Let's go then!" Hermione felt a surge of warmth in her heart.
She secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Compared to going to places filled with unfamiliar stares, loud music, and the smell of alcohol, she definitely... preferred to be with him in a quiet, undisturbed place with books.
Even if it's just each of us reading our own books, occasionally glancing up at each other, or exchanging a few whispered words because of something we said...
For her, those times...
It's far more appealing than any kind of excitement.
The cruise ship's library is located in a relatively quiet corner on the upper deck, isolated from the noise of the casino and dance hall.
The two walked side by side into the cruise ship library, both of them making sure to keep their footsteps quiet, as if afraid of disturbing the tranquility.
The library's interior was more spacious and elegant than I had imagined.
Several classic brass chandeliers hang from the high ceiling, emitting a warm, soft light that evenly spreads across the rows of bookshelves that reach the ceiling.
The bookshelves were densely packed with various hardcover books, clearly separated by language and category.
The entire wall facing the porthole is made up of huge floor-to-ceiling windows, with the night sky and the sea as a natural backdrop. The cool sea breeze flows slowly through the deliberately left gaps in the room.
And so, Hermione immediately fell in love with the place.
This is exactly the kind of place she would love: tranquil, filled with books, with a sea view, and far away from the hustle and bustle of the crowds.
However, she didn't immediately pick out a book. Instead, she walked slowly along the bookshelf, her fingers unconsciously brushing against the spines of the books, as if greeting these silent friends.
Draco followed a few steps behind her, his gaze sweeping over the bookshelves and occasionally landing on her profile.
Finally, Hermione stopped in the classic literature section.
Those familiar books and authors were her favorites: Shakespeare, Dickens... Then, her finger stopped on a dark blue cloth-bound copy of Jane Eyre.
Almost without hesitation, she pulled out the book.
The books were quite heavy, and the gold lettering on the covers gleamed warmly under the light. She then casually pulled out a copy of " Collection of Europe Folk Tales," seemingly wanting to change things up.
Holding two books, Hermione walked to a corner by the window, where two large, comfortable dark brown leather armchairs were placed, separated by a low round table.
The sofa faces the floor-to-ceiling window, outside which lies the deep blue night sky and the faint outline of the sea with its white waves.
After settling down on a sofa, Hermione spread Jane Eyre out on her lap, sinking into the soft leather.
I had just turned the first page and read less than two lines when I heard steady footsteps approaching. It was Draco returning.
He was also holding a book in his hand; the cover of the book was simple and elegant, unlike the kind of mass-produced reading materials that were provided on this ship.
That's right, he secretly redeemed this from the system while he was checking what other books were available.
After sitting down on another sofa next to Hermione, Draco pushed one of the thicker books in front of her.
This immediately caught Hermione's attention; she looked away from the pages of her book and focused her gaze on the book that had been pushed towards her.
The cover features three Chinese characters: " Dream of the Red Chamber ".
"... This is a Chinese book!" Hermione exclaimed in surprise.
This luxury cruise ship primarily targets tourists from Europe and America.
Looking around the library, the books were all in Western languages such as English, French, and German, and even the classic Muggle texts were mostly Western literature.
How could a Chinese book appear out of thin air!
But she couldn't resist reaching out and gently touching the delicate cover, looking at Draco curiously, and asking, "Where did you find this? There's no way this could be on this ship."
"Guess." Draco leaned back into the sofa.
"It's that Treasure Chest pocket of yours again, isn't it?" Hermione rolled her eyes at Draco, immediately thinking of his pockets that always produced all sorts of strange and wonderful things, and blurted out.