American comics: I am full of martial virtues and I love to be kind to others.

“My goodness, look at those beaches!” she exclaimed, pointing out the window. “The water is so blue, and the sand is so white!”

Lynn was also awestruck by the beautiful scenery outside the window. From the air, Maui looked like an emerald set in the blue Pacific Ocean, with a winding coastline full of beautiful bays and beaches.

After the plane landed, they were taken to their booked resort. Emily was almost speechless when she saw the hotel's luxurious facilities and the ocean-view suites.

“This is so beautiful,” she said, standing on the balcony gazing at the boundless Pacific Ocean. “I can hardly believe we’re actually here.”

Lynn stood beside her, also moved by the beautiful scenery before them. As the sun set, the sea was dyed golden, and the distant islands looked exceptionally beautiful in the sunset.

“Welcome to Heaven,” he said to Emily.

Emily turned around, tears welling in her eyes. "Thank you, Lynn. Thank you for bringing me here, allowing me to forget those terrible experiences and rediscover the beauty of life."

After nightfall, Lynn and Emily rested briefly in their respective rooms. The fatigue from the long flight and jet lag meant they needed some time to adjust. Lynn changed into a relaxed white linen shirt and dark casual trousers, a style he rarely wore, making him look much younger than his usual formal attire.

Emily changed her clothes as well, choosing a flowing light green dress that fell just to her knees, paired with simple sandals. Her hair was slightly tousled by the sea breeze, but this natural state made her look even more charming.

At eight o'clock, the two met in the living room of the suite and prepared to go downstairs for dinner.

“You look great,” Emily said, looking at Lynn’s casual attire. “I almost didn’t recognize this as the FBI agent who always wore a suit.”

“You too,” Lynn replied sincerely, “this casual style suits you very well.”

They took the elevator down to the first floor of the hotel, where several restaurants of different styles were available. The hotel lobby was decorated in a tropical style, with palm leaves and flowers everywhere, and soft lighting created a warm atmosphere.

"Which restaurant should we go to?" Emily asked, glancing at the information board in the lobby.

Lynn considered the options for a moment. "How about this ocean view restaurant? You can enjoy the sea view while dining, and it mainly serves local seafood."

“That sounds perfect,” Emily said excitedly.

The ocean-view restaurant, located on the west side of the hotel, boasts a floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Although it's nighttime, countless small lights illuminate the restaurant's terrace, creating a romantic atmosphere. The gentle sound of waves, mingled with soft Hawaiian music, makes the entire environment exceptionally tranquil and beautiful.

The waitress was a local middle-aged woman with a healthy bronze tan from the sun and a gentle smile on her face.

“Good evening, welcome to Maui Ocean View Restaurant,” she said in Hawaiian-accented English. “Is this your first time in Hawaii?”

“Yes,” Emily replied, “we just arrived today.”

“Then you’ve come to the right place,” the waiter said warmly. “Our seafood is all caught this morning, absolutely fresh. I recommend you try our signature grilled lobster and Ashe tuna.”

They were seated at a table by the window with a view of the sea. Although it was already dark, the moonlight cast silvery spots on the sea, the distant lighthouse emitted rhythmic beams, and occasionally the lights of yachts could be seen moving across the water.

“The view is stunning,” Emily exclaimed, gazing out the window. “I’ve never dined in such an environment before.”

“Me too,” Lynn admitted. “I’m usually too busy with work to have many opportunities to enjoy time like this.”

The waiter brought the menu and bread. The menu had a wide selection, including various local seafood specialties, tropical fruits, and traditional Hawaiian dishes.

"What would you like to try?" Lynn asked.

Emily studied the menu carefully. "I'm really curious about that Ashley tuna, and this coconut shrimp sounds good too. What about you?"

“I’d like to try the grilled lobster,” Lynn said, “and this Hawaiian-style grilled pork.”

They ordered food, and the waiter recommended a bottle of local white wine to pair with the seafood.

“To celebrate our trip to Hawaii,” Lynn said, raising his glass.

“Let’s celebrate that we can finally really relax,” Emily said, clinking glasses with him.

The effects of alcohol, combined with the relaxed environment, made their conversation more open and in-depth.

“Lynn,” Emily said after taking a sip of her drink, “I’ve been wanting to ask you something. Why did you choose to become an FBI agent? I mean, it’s a dangerous and stressful job.”

Lynn thought for a moment, "It's a long story. I lost my parents when I was young and was adopted by a policeman named George. He was a very good man, and he taught me about justice and responsibility. When I grew up, I wanted to continue his work, protecting innocent people and maintaining social safety."

"You were adopted?" Emily asked in surprise. "I didn't know you had this experience."

“Yes,” Lynn nodded, “but I’m very lucky; George gave me a warm home. He’s retired now and lives in Brooklyn, and I visit him often.”

“That must be incredibly difficult,” Emily said sympathetically, “losing your parents and then adapting to a new family.”

“It was indeed not easy, but it also taught me to cherish things,” Lynn said. “Cherish the people around you, cherish every peaceful day.”

Then their appetizers arrived. The coconut shrimp were golden and crispy, served with sweet chili sauce; the tuna was sliced ​​thinly and served with wasabi and soy sauce, which looked very appetizing.

“It’s so delicious!” Emily exclaimed after taking a bite of the coconut shrimp. “The combination of flavors is wonderful.”

“The tuna was also excellent,” Lynn said. “Very fresh, it melted in my mouth.”

"And what about you?" Lynn asked. "Why did you choose to study biology?"

Emily thought for a moment, "I've been interested in science since I was a child, especially life sciences. I think understanding the mysteries of life is a magical thing. And I hope my research can help humanity, for example, by treating diseases or improving the quality of life."

"But after experiencing those horrific experiments, will you still continue in this field?" Lynn asked worriedly.

Emily paused for a moment. "It would be a lie to say I'm unaffected. Seeing science used to harm innocent people has certainly changed my perspective on this field. But," she said firmly, "that's precisely why I'm determined to persevere. I want to conduct scientific research the right way, to use science to help humanity, not harm it."

“You’re absolutely right,” Lynn praised. “The world needs scientists with a strong sense of ethics like you.” The main courses arrived quickly. The grilled lobster was succulent and served with garlic butter; the Hawaiian roasted pork had a unique tropical spice flavor and was served with grilled pineapple slices, a perfect balance of sweet and savory.

“This meal was a work of art,” Emily said as she ate. “Not only did it taste delicious, but the presentation was also beautiful.”

“Yes,” Lynn agreed, “and dining in this environment feels particularly different.”

As the meal progressed, their conversation became more relaxed. They talked about their hobbies, travel experiences, views on life, and even shared some interesting childhood memories.

“I was terrified of water when I was little,” Emily said with a laugh. “I would cry for ages every time I went to the swimming pool.”

"And now?" Lynn asked curiously.

“I’m much better now. Although my swimming skills are so-so, at least I’m not afraid of water anymore,” Emily said. “Speaking of which, I’m a little nervous about tomorrow’s diving activity.”

"Diving?" Lynn asked. "Are we going diving tomorrow?"

“Oh, I forgot to tell you,” Emily said excitedly, “when I was researching the itinerary, I saw that the hotel offered diving services, including beginner courses. I’ve always wanted to try diving, and I thought this was the perfect opportunity.”

Lynn thought for a moment, "I've dived a few times before, but not in tropical waters like this. That sounds interesting."

“That’s wonderful!” Emily exclaimed happily. “We can explore the underwater world together. I’ve heard that the waters around Maui are full of beautiful coral reefs and tropical fish.”

“But are you sure you’re okay?” Lynn asked with concern. “Diving requires a certain amount of skill and courage.”

“I know there are risks, but I believe it should be safe with professional guidance,” Emily said. “Besides, after experiencing so many dangerous things, I felt it was time to try something new and wonderful.”

“You’re right,” Lynn nodded. “Then let’s go diving tomorrow. I can help you keep an eye on things.”

“Thank you, Lynn,” Emily said gratefully. “With you by my side, I feel fearless.”

These words warmed Lynn's heart. He realized that Emily's trust in him had gone beyond that of ordinary friends.

After the main course, the waiter recommended local specialties for dessert—macadamia nut ice cream and a tropical fruit tart. The desserts were refreshingly sweet, providing a perfect ending to this sumptuous dinner.

"Do we need to prepare for tomorrow's dive?" Emily asked.

“The hotel should provide all the necessary equipment,” Lynn replied, “but we can learn some basic safety information first.”

They decided to visit the hotel's activity center after dinner to learn more about the diving program. The activity center, located on the first floor of the hotel, had dedicated staff responsible for arranging various water activities.

The person on duty was a local man in his thirties named Kai, with tanned skin who looked very healthy and energetic. He told them that the hotel's diving program was taught by professional diving instructors and suitable for tourists of all levels.

“For beginners, we have a special introductory course,” Kai explained. “First, you learn basic skills in the swimming pool, and then you go to the shallow water area for actual diving. An instructor is present throughout, so it's very safe.”

"What qualifications are required?" Emily asked.

“You only need to know basic swimming,” Kai replied. “We’ll provide all the equipment, including wetsuits, masks, snorkels, fins, and so on.”

"How deep can you dive?" Lynn asked.

“For beginners, we usually keep the depth between 10 and 15 meters,” Kai said. “This depth is both safe and allows you to see a lot of beautiful marine life. The waters around Maui have rich coral reefs, and you can often see tropical fish, sea turtles, and if you’re lucky, you might even spot whales.”

“That sounds amazing,” Emily said excitedly. “Can we book a class for tomorrow morning?”

“Of course,” Kai checked the reservation list. “There’s a beginner’s course tomorrow morning at 10 a.m., and there are still spots available. The course lasts about four hours and includes theory, pool practice, and ocean diving.”

They booked a diving lesson for tomorrow on the spot. Kai gave them a booklet with some precautions and advised them to get some rest early tonight to ensure they had enough energy for the next day.

“Also,” Kai cautioned, “don’t drink alcohol within 24 hours before diving, as it will impair your judgment and reaction time.”

“No problem,” Lynn said. “We only had a little bit of alcohol tonight.”

After completing the formalities, they decided to take a walk on the hotel's beach. The beach at night was different from the daytime; the moonlight cast silver streaks on the sea, and the waves gently lapped against the sand, making a rhythmic sound.

“It’s so quiet here,” Emily said as they walked. “It’s such a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of New York.”

“Yes,” Lynn took a deep breath of the sea-salt-scented air, “this tranquility feels like a purification of the soul.”

They walked slowly along the coastline, occasionally stopping to observe the seashells and seaweed washed ashore by the waves. Emily was as excited as a child, bending down every now and then to pick up some unusual seashells.

“Look at this,” she said, holding up a spiral-shaped seashell, “it has such a unique shape.”

“It’s beautiful,” Lynn said. “You can keep it as a souvenir.”

After walking for about half an hour, they sat down to rest in a pavilion on the beach. The pavilion was made of bamboo and had a tropical feel, with comfortable rattan chairs inside.

"What will we see when we go diving tomorrow?" Emily asked expectantly.

“Coral reefs, tropical fish, and maybe sea turtles,” Lynn replied. “I’ve heard that the underwater world in Hawaii is incredibly beautiful, with many creatures you can’t see anywhere else.”

“I’m a little nervous, but mostly excited,” Emily confessed. “This is my first time diving, and it feels like entering a whole new world.”

“You’re always nervous the first time,” Lynn reassured her, “but I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. Being underwater is a special feeling, like floating on another planet.”

"How long have you been diving?" Emily asked curiously.

“Not very long, about five or six years,” Lynn replied, “mainly in the waters off Florida and California. But the waters around Hawaii are clearer and have more marine life.” (End of Chapter)