From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent ( Anthea )

Sherman was a genius, with an IQ soaring at 170.

His emotional quotient, however, barely hit 7.

Waiting for him to have an epiphany?

Might as well wait for pigs to fly.

Adah chuckled, "You've got a point there."

Sherman had always been an odd duck since childhood.

While other boys were nursing crushes during their teenage years, Sherman decided to renounce the material world and embarked on a vegan journey.

If it weren't for Karen playing the peacekeeper, he'd probably have turned into a full-time monk by now.

Now, suddenly faced with a girl who made his heart flutter, it was natural for him to miss the mark.

This was a time when he truly needed someone to offer him guidance.

After Karen and Adah left, Anthea and Sherman set off for the beach.

Karen had packed a plethora of beach essentials - enough for four people.

It seemed like the other two had really been pulled away by some urgent matters.

Anthea didn't think much of it. Despite Karen's previous attempts to play matchmaker between her and Sherman, there had been no talk of it for a while. Plus, Sherman was someone who had looked beyond worldly desires. Even if she found Sherman irresistibly attractive.

It was clear he didn't share the sentiment.

As Karen put it, there was no point in viewing Sherman in a romantic light.

Sherman settled into the driver's seat, glancing over at Anthea, "Hop in."

"On my way." Anthea opened the car door and climbed in.

She was still wearing that white bikini.

The act of leaning into the car placed her in Sherman's direct line of sight.

This familiar scene made Sherman hastily avert his gaze, his ears turning a shade of pink.

The bikini left little to the imagination, exposing her waist and legs, and if she leaned forward...

Luckily, there were no other men on the entire island!

To cover his embarrassment, Sherman immediately started the engine and drove off.

Soon, they arrived at the beach.

Anthea opened the trunk, grabbing the tent and the beach umbrella, ready to set up camp.

Sherman took the beach umbrella from her, "Go for a swim. I can handle this."

"You sure?" Anthea raised an eyebrow.

"No problem," Sherman replied.

"Then I won't hold back."

And she didn't. Anthea took a stroll around the beach and, finding a rock, dove gracefully into the sea. Splash-

Her form disappeared into the azure waters, moving as elegantly as a mermaid.

Anthea loved free diving, relishing the sensation of dancing among the fish in the depths.

In her previous life, she could only dream of such freedom, confined to artificial waters. Now faced with th

the

vast@cean, she was determined to

make the most of it. Contene

The only downside was her eight-minute breath-holding limit. If only she could extend it.

Among the colorful fish, Anthea spotted a plump grouper.

She stealthily approached and caught the fish by the gills!

After securing her catch, she surfaced to breathe, planning to bring the fish back to shore.

On the beach, Sherman had finished setting up the tent and beach chairs, now lounging with a book in hand. Just then, footsteps broke the silence.

Sherman opened his eyes to see

Anthea approaching with the fish in hand, "Sherman, look at this grouper. Isn't it plump? Grilled, it would taste amazing! Or even as sashimi..."

"You caught this?" Surprise flickered in Sherman's eyes.

IMS

Catching fish in the deep sea, especially a strong grouper, was no easy feat without professional diving and fishing skills.

Could it be...

It was already dead?

"Yep." Anthea nodded slightly. "Oh, did you bring a bucket? I should keep the fish alive; it's too hot, don't want it going bad."

"I think there's one in the car." Sherman turned to fetch the bucket.

Returning with a bucket, he handed

it to Anthea. She filled it with

seawater and placed the grouper inside. The fish, seemingly lifeless before began to thrash about energetically upon touching the water.