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Psst! We're moving!
——”Get on. I’ll carry you.”
?!!
At the moment Lin Zhan processed his words, fireworks seemed to explode in her mind.
But even so, she still didn’t want to trouble him.
Lin Zhan: “No need, I can walk over myself, it’s just a short distance…”
Shen Xi: “I already said, you can’t put weight on that foot.”
Lin Zhan: “Then I can try… hopping on one leg?”
Shen Xi: “...”
After saying it, Lin Zhan imagined the scene and found her own suggestion hilarious.
She touched her nose and laughed.
Seeing her hesitation, Shen Xi wasn’t sure how to urge her without making her feel resistant. After a while, he said: “Didn’t you say you’re very light?”
Lin Zhan: “I really am light!”
Shen Xi: “I’m not so sure about that.”
This provocation immediately made Lin Zhan bite.
She frowned, slightly irritated.
Did Shen Xi really think she was heavy??
Lin Zhan immediately shot back: “You’re done for, Shen Xi. Even if you regret it now, you can’t take back your offer to carry me.”
“I’ll climb on and crush you right now.”
For the first time, Shen Xi understood the double meaning behind Lin Zhan’s words. His figure froze momentarily.
But Lin Zhan hadn’t realized it this time—she was entirely preoccupied with the issue of her weight.
Climbing onto Shen Xi’s back, she used her other leg to propel herself up.
Indeed, she was very light.
He began to doubt whether she had been eating properly every day.
Shen Xi supported her thighs but didn’t place his hands directly on them. Instead, he wrapped his arms around her from the outside and clasped his hands in front of him.
The legendary “gentleman’s hold.”
Holding onto his neck, Lin Zhan asked: “What about our bags?”
Shen Xi: “I’ll come back for them later.”
Lin Zhan praised him: “That makes sense. They won’t be stolen if we leave them here. Shen Xi, you’re both elegant and wise.”
Shen Xi: “...”
Lin Zhan continued: “You’re so useful, you can handle anything. Have you always been this capable?”
Though outwardly calm, Shen Xi secretly quirked his lips where she couldn’t see.
“In fact, I have many flaws too.”
Instinctively refuting him, Lin Zhan leaned forward impulsively, nearly pressing against his ear.
“I don’t think so. I think everything about you is great.”
...
…………
The atmosphere suddenly became a little awkward.
Perhaps it was because Lin Zhan had just spoken a sentence that sounded like a love confession.
Or maybe it was the sudden itch and heat at Shen Xi’s ear.
Or perhaps it was...
The position of carrying Lin Zhan on his back was incredibly intimate.
Not knowing what to do, Lin Zhan desperately tried to adjust her body to avoid pressing tightly against Shen Xi’s back.
But it was all in vain.
She silently cursed herself. He was being so kind to carry her, yet she had these thoughts and felt uncomfortable. Lin Zhan, you’re not human—you’re a beast.
Shen Xi also wondered if he had chosen the wrong posture initially.
If he had opted for a princess carry instead...
Forget it, that would’ve been even more absurd.
Each harboring their own thoughts, they walked silently for a stretch.
Lin Zhan’s throat felt dry.
She thought that if she didn’t say something soon, she might suffocate.
What to say…
What could she possibly say right now…
Her mind raced, searching for any topic they could discuss today.
Suddenly, she remembered that a girl from her class had brought some kind of balm earlier, and she and Zheng Yi Mian had dabbed a bit on their wrists.
It had smelled like lavender, as far as she recalled.
Had it evaporated yet?
Thinking this, Lin Zhan moved her wrist slightly.
Shen Xi seemed to notice something only now. His previously dull senses slowly opened, and he caught a faint scent—like lavender.
He’d heard it was very soothing for sleep.
Feeling Shen Xi subtly sniffing, Lin Zhan’s pulse at her wrist began to race uncontrollably.
He was smelling her!
She felt like she had been thrown into boiling water—agonizing, but unable to escape.
What was she going to say earlier? What was it?!
The question “Do you know I applied someone’s balm?” stuck in her throat, swallowed back down, stewing in her mind like boiling water.
Some parts melted away, others were devoured.
Finally, a few words remained, forming a sentence.
Lin Zhan opened her mouth, leaning close to Shen Xi’s ear, but suddenly forgot what she wanted to say.
The remaining sentence in her mind was bold and italicized, constantly tempting her to blurt it out—
She had no choice but to comply.
Leaning closer to Shen Xi’s ear, she abruptly spoke: “Shen Xi, do I smell good?”
Shen Xi: “...”
Twenty seconds passed after she said it before Lin Zhan realized what she had just asked.
—She actually asked Shen Xi if she smelled good?!
Lin Zhan hurriedly justified herself weakly: “No, I meant to ask if you smelled the balm I applied earlier! The one from Jiang Qin—it’s from C City, and such a small box costs only a few dozen yuan. It seems like it’ll last a long time…”
“Mm,” Shen Xi vaguely replied, “We’re almost there.”
Lin Zhan finally relaxed: “That’s good.”
Swinging her legs slightly, Lin Zhan remembered the key point: “I’m not heavy, am I?”
Shen Xi: “...Not particularly.”
Lin Zhan: “Not particularly?! Everyone who has ever carried me says I’m as light as a feather!”
Shen Xi’s brow furrowed: “Who else has carried you?”
Caught in her lie, Lin Zhan wilted: “...No one. But I really am light, aren’t I? During school checkups, I’m always categorized as underweight.”
Shen Xi didn’t respond.
Lin Zhan: “Am I really that heavy?”
Shen Xi: “No, I was lying to you.”
She smiled brightly: “That’s good. I’m not heavy at all; otherwise, how could you walk so fast?”
Seeing how much she cared, Shen Xi asked: “Is it that important to you? You seem so nervous.”
“Of course it’s important,” Lin Zhan pursed her lips and whispered, “If I were heavy, you’d be exhausted.”
Shen Xi paused briefly before replying in a steady voice:
“I’m not tired.”
///
Sun Hong rubbed his hands together, glancing repeatedly into the distance: “Why haven’t they returned yet?”
Zheng Yi Mian: “Didn’t you tell Lin Zhan to seize the opportunity? Maybe they’re doing just that.”
Sun Hong: “Don’t joke around. She’s not that reckless. Besides, it’s already dark. If they delay any longer, it’ll be hard to return to camp, and we might get lost too.”
Zheng Yi Mian: “Maybe something happened. Should we call them?”
Sun Hong: “What if they’re busy right now? Let’s not call. If there’s an issue, they’ll call us.”
Zheng Yi Mian: Busy… how exactly?
Before she could ponder all the possibilities in her mind, she heard Sun Hong shout: “They’re here! They’re here!”
The next second, Sun Hong’s jaw dropped in shock: “Damn, what the hell is this?!”
Everyone’s attention was drawn by Sun Hong’s exclamation, and they all looked up.
In unison, they gasped…
Their usually composed and dignified president…
How did he end up carrying her after just half a day?
Only Zheng Yi Mian noticed something and didn’t dwell too much on gossip. Stepping forward, she asked worriedly:
“Zhan Zhan, what happened to your foot?”
Seeing everyone’s uniformly surprised expressions, Lin Zhan felt a bit embarrassed.
She muttered: “I accidentally twisted it…”
Zheng Yi Mian frowned: “Is it serious?!”
Lin Zhan wasn’t sure, but remembering Shen Xi’s earlier serious expression, she replied: “It might be a bit serious…”
The two girls exchanged information about the injury.
At this point, Zhang Ze also stood up.
He exchanged a glance with Shen Xi.
His gaze conveyed a full “I knew it” sentiment—expected, yet slightly surprising.
He’s adapting to worldly life quite quickly.
///
Everyone surrounded Lin Zhan, offering 360-degree care.
“Are you okay? Should we go to the hospital?”
“Will it heal on its own? Can you walk?”
“How did you sprain it?”
Sun Hong glanced at Lin Zhan, then at Shen Xi beneath her, before asking him:
“How was it? Was she heavy? Should I help carry her for a bit?”
Lin Zhan didn’t mind, thinking that Shen Xi had carried her for so long, and she felt a bit sorry for him now.
She said to Shen Xi: “Yeah, why don’t you let Sun Hong take over?”
Shen Xi shifted slightly to the side and calmly said: “No need.”
Sun Hong, sensing something, stifled a laugh: “As long as you can continue, that’s good. By the way, where are your bag and painting supplies?”
Shen Xi: “First, I’ll take her back. I’ll fetch them later.”
“Alright!” Sun Hong clapped his hands. “Everyone pack up your things. Let’s head back now!”
Everyone whispered among themselves along the way. Lin Zhan could feel their burning curiosity but couldn’t make out the specifics of their conversation.
Shen Xi, however, kept his eyes straight ahead.
Back at the campsite, the group that had gone left earlier in the morning was also waiting for them. Everyone gathered, snacking on sunflower seeds while occasionally glancing over. Some even bit their fingers in shock.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle…
Lin Zhan was used to it. She lowered her head and lifted her leg as much as possible, trying to signal to everyone: it’s really just a sprained ankle, nothing suggestive.
Shen Xi ignored it and turned to Zhang Ze: “Help me set up two chairs.”
Fortunately, they had plenty of foldable chairs prepared.
Zhang Ze set one up, and Shen Xi placed Lin Zhan onto it.
While setting up the second chair, Zhang Ze joked: “What, for me to sit on?”
The moment the chair took shape, Shen Xi snatched it away.
Shen Xi: “For her to prop her foot on.”
Zhang Ze: “...”
Without saying anything, Shen Xi lifted Lin Zhan’s injured leg and placed it on the higher chair.
Lin Zhan: “Do I still need to go to the hospital?”
Shen Xi grunted: “Tomorrow morning when we return.”
///
Everyone returned to their respective spots, but Shen Xi had to go back to retrieve the bags.
Lin Zhan said to Qi Lijie: “Go with Shen Xi. You can carry mine.”
Qi Lijie: “Got it.”
Watching Shen Xi’s retreating figure, Yu Qing couldn’t help but ask: “Where’s Shen Xi going again?”
He just came back from carrying someone, didn’t even rest, and disappeared again?
Sun Hong, who had been engrossed in snacking on sunflower seeds, kindly answered: “To fetch Lin Zhan’s bag.”
Yu Qing sneered and whispered to her friend:
“What a scheming bitch.”
///
Zheng Yi Mian pulled out her phone nearby and began searching for emergency solutions for Lin Zhan.
Zhang Ze stood beside her, watching her search, and said: “Searching for outdoor sprains?”
Zhang Ze continued: “No need to search. With Dr. Shen here, Lin Zhan will be fine.”
Lin Zhan: “Dr.… Shen? Shen Xi?”
Zhang Ze: “Yes. Otherwise, how do you think Shen Xi handled your injury so professionally?”
“Whenever I got hurt hanging out with him, he always quickly found an emergency solution.”
Lin Zhan pondered.
No wonder. So Shen Xi wanted to become a doctor…
Everything clicked together.
Patience, composure, meticulousness, methodicalness.
Lin Zhan thought, he would definitely make an excellent doctor.
///
Not long after, Shen Xi returned.
After stowing away the painting supplies, he checked Lin Zhan’s injury again.
Thankfully, it had been treated in time and hadn’t worsened.
Since everyone was returning tomorrow, there wouldn’t be further risks.
Shen Xi instructed: “Remember to go to the hospital after you get home.”
Lin Zhan nodded: “Mm, thank you for today.”
Shen Xi pressed his lips together, his gaze flickering almost imperceptibly, as if recalling something. After a moment, he said: “It’s nothing.”
After giving a few more reminders, Shen Xi turned and headed toward his tent.
Lin Zhan suddenly remembered they were leaving tomorrow, yet she hadn’t seen a single star tonight.
She felt reluctant.
Reaching out, she grabbed Shen Xi’s hand.
Shen Xi turned back: “What is it?”
Lin Zhan asked: “...Did you forget something?”
Seeing no reaction from him, Lin Zhan pointed upward, a hint of grievance in her voice: “Didn’t we agree to stargaze together?”
Shen Xi: “...”
“You’re not tired?”
After a full day of commotion, he was quite exhausted.
Lin Zhan: “A little, but if I had to choose, I’d rather be tired with you.”
Shen Xi consoled her: “You should rest well tonight and sleep early.”
The rejection in his words was clear, but Lin Zhan was reluctant. Pouting, she said: “Didn’t you promise to watch the stars with me? You even agreed to it.”
Shen Xi: “There will be other chances.”
Lin Zhan: “So we’ll watch them another time?”
Shen Xi: “Mm.”
But Lin Zhan didn’t let go of him: “Your promises aren’t reliable anymore. Let’s write a contract.”
Shen Xi: “...”
Lin Zhan held up her phone: “Forget it, I don’t have paper. Just leave me a voice memo.”
Shen Xi helplessly turned around but complied with her request. Taking the phone from her, he asked: “How should I phrase it?”
After some thought, Lin Zhan said: “Just say that today you owe me one chance to stargaze. As compensation, you must take me stargazing again in the future or fulfill another reasonable request from me.”
Quite clever.
Shen Xi pressed the record button: “I, Shen Xi, on X year X month X day, owe Lin Zhan one opportunity. As compensation, I must take her stargazing in the future or fulfill another reasonable request from her.”
He pressed the red button again, ending the recording.
Shen Xi handed the phone back to her: “Is this enough? Can you rest now?”
Lin Zhan listened to the voice memo and nodded in satisfaction: “Alright, you can go back now.”
Shen Xi took two steps forward, then heard her call out to him again.
Shen Xi: “What now?”
She pinched her thumb and index finger together, forming a simple heart shape, and placed it near her eye.
She blinked her right eye.
“Goodnight!”
///
The next afternoon, everyone set off for home on schedule.
Entering the city, people began getting off at their respective stops.
Shen Xi and Zhang Ze got off first.
Lin Zhan pressed against the window, waving goodbye to Shen Xi.
Her eyes curved into crescent moons, and the small mole under her eye seemed to shimmer like a brilliant speck of light.
Shen Xi nodded slightly, bidding her farewell.
He wondered how she would use that so-called “contract” they made last night.
Hopefully, she wouldn’t do something headache-inducing again.
Zhang Ze noticed Shen Xi lost in thought, silent for a long time, a faint smile lingering on his face—indescribable, inexplicable.
///
After returning home, everyone resumed their normal lives. Those who needed to do homework did homework, those who played games played games, and those who drew painted.
“The vacation’s over; classes resume tomorrow, right?” Ye Qian walked into Shen Xi’s room. “Read a bit, and remember to sleep early.”
Shen Xi leaned against the headboard and responded: “Mm.”
Ye Qian watched her son diligently reading, feeling both comforted and wishing he would go out more often.
This habit came from his father—he only cared about things he liked and ignored everything else.
Like handcraft class—he didn’t like it, so he simply didn’t attend.
But such habits weren’t good in the long run. Life was too monotonous. He needed to get out more, breathe the fresh air, and see the world.
Hopefully, he could change this in the future.
With a sigh, Ye Qian closed his bedroom door.
After finishing a chapter, Shen Xi felt a bit weary.
He closed his eyes to rest for a moment. When he opened them, his phone lit up.
A message had arrived.
He swiped to unlock it.
A voice message.
The background noise was overwhelming—like being in a bustling street filled with laughter and vendors’ shouts.
The voice was faint, almost swallowed by the clamor of the crowd, drowned out amidst the masses.
Turning the volume to maximum, he finally heard her voice.
The girl’s voice was soft and slightly nasal, tinged with confusion and an unexpected catch in her throat.
He had never heard her speak like that before.
She tried to hold back, but failed. Hurriedly, she blurted out her plea, as if throwing out her last lifeline.
“Shen Xi, can I use that reasonable request now?”
Shen Xi glanced at the time—8 PM.
If he went out now…
What would he encounter?
He might run into the peak hours of this city’s nightlife, where every barbecue restaurant was packed with people chatting endlessly until late into the night.
He might bump into elderly couples taking evening strolls or anyone else casually passing by, discussing daily life and laughing loudly.
He might face endless streams of cars, potentially stuck in traffic, honking and cursing.
That was the bustling street where Lin Zhan was.
To go or not to go.
If he went, he’d encounter everything he disliked.
But if he didn’t, Lin Zhan would be left alone.
After brief contemplation, he glanced out the window.
///
The door opened, and Ye Qian, watching TV in the living room, saw her son grab a jacket and step out.
Ye Qian asked: “What’s wrong? Did your clothes get dirty?”
Shen Xi lightly coughed and told his mother: “I need to go out for a bit.”
Ye Qian checked the time and quickly agreed.
Usually, no matter how much she tried, he wouldn’t budge. Now that he voluntarily wanted to go out, Ye Qian was naturally delighted.
“Just make sure to be back and sleep by 11,” she always adopted a laissez-faire approach with her son. “Did Zhang Ze call you?”
As Shen Xi reached the door, he turned the lock and paused briefly.
“Mm.”
The motion-activated lights in the hallway flickered on. Shen Xi pressed the elevator button and called Lin Zhan: “Where are you now? Give me your number.”
Lin Zhan quickly sent her phone number along with her address.
Upon arriving at the dazzling streets, Shen Xi dialed Lin Zhan.
Lin Zhan: “Hello?”
Her voice had returned to normal, sounding fine.
Shen Xi looked ahead—a row of neon lights hung high, with crowds passing beneath them.
“I’m here. Where are you?”
Lin Zhan had already picked a conspicuous spot: “At Yidian Dian. Do you see me?”
When Shen Xi found her, she was staring at her toes, lost in thought.
Standing before her, he frowned and asked: “What are you doing out so late?”
Lin Zhan was momentarily surprised, then lifted her head in delight. But the joy quickly faded as she composed herself and said: “I’m hungry.”
Shen Xi: “...”
Though she appeared fine now, Shen Xi could still see the faint redness in her eyes and a slight nasal tone in her voice.
But he didn’t press further.
If she didn’t want to talk about it, he wouldn’t ask.
It was as if she was just hungry, and he chose to accompany her for a meal.
Shen Xi: “What do you want to eat?”
Lin Zhan hopped off the steps and shook her head: “I don’t know.”
Then she suggested: “Let’s walk and see.”
With that, she shoved her hands into her jacket pockets and walked straight ahead.
Shen Xi followed behind her.
Perhaps thinking of something, after a few steps, Lin Zhan turned around and asked: “Didn’t you bring a jacket? Why are you still holding one?”
Her finger pointed directly at the white short jacket in his hand.
Without showing any emotion, Shen Xi subtly moved his fingers under the jacket and said: “I accidentally grabbed the wrong one when leaving.”
Lin Zhan exclaimed in realization and turned around to continue walking.
She desperately tried to suppress the corners of her mouth but couldn’t stop a smile from spreading.
Tsk, who would believe that? Did he think she was stupid?
She bit her lower lip, feeling the remnants of her earlier distress slowly rising and then being gently blown away.
Ah, Shen Xi truly unraveled her worries.
///
The street was long, and the two walked for a while.
Lin Zhan wandered aimlessly, stopping to look at menus whenever she saw something appealing. If nothing caught her eye, she continued forward.
Shen Xi followed silently behind her.
Because of the oversized jacket, she looked even thinner.
Her hair had grown slightly longer.
Watching her walk briskly, it seemed her ankle injury had mostly healed.
Perhaps sensing his gaze, Lin Zhan tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
A gentle breeze stirred her curtain-like black hair, and through the fluttering strands, her earlobe was faintly visible.
Shen Xi calmed his mind and began observing the city’s night.
It wasn’t as noisy as he had always imagined.
Streetlights cast full silhouettes against passing cars, tree shadows swayed, and road reflections shimmered.
Huge billboards hung on towering skyscrapers, and the faint blue glow from the advertisement lights rested on Lin Zhan’s shoulder.
Suddenly, she turned around, facing him against the layers of lights. Her short hair swayed slightly in the air.
Her face was hidden in a soft shadow.
“Let’s eat this.”
Lin Zhan waved and urged Shen Xi to hurry, then swiftly darted into a shop nearby.
Reaching the entrance, Shen Xi looked up.
She was eating skewers late at night.
After ordering, Lin Zhan turned the menu toward Shen Xi.
“What do you want to eat?”
Shen Xi shook his head and slid the menu back: “I don’t have the habit of eating late-night snacks.”
“Your lifestyle is like an old official,” Lin Zhan pouted. “No late-night snacks, no staying up late, no early romance, no failing grades, no gaming addiction, no extracurricular activities.”
After teasing him, Lin Zhan handed the menu to the server: “Just these, thank you.”
While waiting for the food, Lin Zhan browsed her phone and jotted down store names.
“The dessert shop next to us makes amazing sweets. Then further ahead, their handmade bread is worth buying. Three hundred meters ahead, there’s a milk tea shop across the street…”
Lin Zhan gasped: “I completely forgot to buy milk tea!”
Shen Xi looked at her: “Are you really going to eat all of that?”
Lin Zhan nodded: “Of course! I’ve been starving for hours. It’s your fault for coming so late…”
Once the skewers arrived, Lin Zhan quickly started eating.
After taking a bite, she held the bamboo stick and said: “I feel pressured eating while you just sit there watching me.”
With that, Lin Zhan reached out: “Why don’t you try one…”
Shen Xi’s attitude was firm: “I don’t eat spicy food.”
By now, the spiciness had spread throughout Lin Zhan’s mouth, burning her tongue and numbing her palate.
She didn’t have time to argue with Shen Xi anymore and gulped down a large sip of water.
The spiciness hit hard, and poor Lin Zhan had already eaten several big bites.
Seeing tears welling up in her eyes from the heat, Shen Xi felt awkward sitting there doing nothing. So he took her phone and glanced at the list of foods she had written in her notes.
Exiting the notes app, he saw the guide for this street.
Conveniently, there was a larger bookstore across the road.
He hadn’t bought this month’s Monogatari magazine yet.
Shen Xi stood up: “I’ll go buy a book first.”
Lin Zhan nearly choked on the spice, her throat tightening: “Mm, go ahead.”
///
After buying the magazine, Shen Xi glanced forward and spotted the milk tea shop Lin Zhan had marked.
It was packed, with the line stretching almost across the street.
Shen Xi estimated that buying a cup of milk tea here would conservatively take fifteen minutes.
But the guide had given it a five-star recommendation.
...Besides, there was nothing else to do once he returned.
Shen Xi sighed and joined the end of the line.
There was no better word to describe his actions tonight than bewitched.
He didn’t waste time while waiting, flipping through the magazine.
Ahead, there were students in uniforms. Some recognized him and whispered to their companions, gossiping incessantly.
There were always bold girls.
Someone broke the unspoken rule of admiration and approached Shen Xi, asking: “Hi, the second cup is half off right now. Can we split an order?”
Without looking up, Shen Xi finished reading the last line of the film review column before calmly replying: “Sorry, I’m buying two cups.”
The meaning was clear.
The girl was still somewhat unwilling, surprised to find the person she liked already taken.
But standing beside Shen Xi for a while, he never glanced at her once.
Someone whispered to their companion: “Whoever’s with him must be pretty amazing too.”
Unbeknownst to them, the mysterious heroine they were speculating about had already finished eating and discovered Shen Xi waiting at the shop counter.
Just as their whispers ended, Lin Zhan happened to walk behind Shen Xi, tapping his left shoulder and then standing to his right.
She intended to tease him but accidentally inhaled a gust of wind.
Lin Zhan: “Cough, cough…”
Shen Xi: “...”
The lingering spiciness hadn’t subsided, and Lin Zhan coughed heavily. Shen Xi instinctively patted her back and asked: “Why did you come out? Are you done eating?”
Lin Zhan finally caught her breath: “Of course I’m done. I even waited for you for a bit. Do you know how long you’ve been gone?”
Her tone was like a girlfriend scolding her late-arriving boyfriend.
The girl from earlier was still stunned.
At this moment, Lin Zhan noticed the girl standing in front of Shen Xi, facing him. She asked: “Who’s this…?”
Shen Xi shook his head: “I don’t know her.”
Realizing there was no chance left, the girl politely stepped aside.
When the two of them had stood together earlier… they truly made a pleasing sight.
And seeing their gazes, she knew clearly—they were inseparable.
///
Lin Zhan clasped her hands behind her back and asked Shen Xi: “You bought yourself a drink. What about me?”
Shen Xi looked at her: “...”
The shifting light danced at the corners of her eyes, making her gaze lively and clear.
After receiving no response for a while, Lin Zhan, accustomed to it, pulled out her wallet and prepared to buy her own drink: “Sigh, I’ll just order a green milk tea then…”
Shen Xi: “I ordered already.”
Lin Zhan was surprised: “Yours is yours, mine is mine.”
Pulling out a coin, Lin Zhan asked: “Could it be… you don’t like sharing the same drink as others?”
Seeing her utterly clueless, Shen Xi cut to the chase: “I ordered two green milk teas.”
Lin Zhan, who was about to hand over her money, froze in place for a long time until Shen Xi pulled her to the side of the counter.
Shen Xi: “Don’t block the cashier. Others need to buy too.”
Soon, their two green milk teas were ready.
The server passed them through the window: “Two green milk teas for order 46.”
Lin Zhan touched the cup and lamented: “It’s not iced?”
Shen Xi replied: “You just ate spicy food. You shouldn’t drink cold drinks.”
Lin Zhan: “What’s the point of life without drinking something cold while eating spicy food?”
Shen Xi saw someone waiting to pick up their order and pulled her down the steps: “You’ll find many things more interesting than that in the future.”
Still immersed in the sorrow of lukewarm drinks, Lin Zhan mumbled: “Aside from you, I don’t think anything could be more fun.”
The server behind them suppressed a smile.
Poking through the plastic seal, Lin Zhan took a big sip.
Without ice, the drink tasted exceptionally sweet.
Lin Zhan: “...It’s so sweet.”
Shen Xi also took a sip and nodded in agreement: “It is a bit sweet.”
Lin Zhan threw the plastic straw wrapper into the trash and, thinking of something, turned to Shen Xi with a teasing tone:
“Not as sweet as you.”
///
Next, Lin Zhan went to the dessert shop and bought a cake and a donut.
Shen Xi: “...Eating so many sweets at night will give you cavities.”
Lin Zhan: “It won’t. Don’t curse me.”
Shen Xi shook his head and sighed: “It’s not a curse; it’s science.”
Lin Zhan: “Then what does science tell me I should eat?”
She sounded a little unconvinced.
Shen Xi’s expression was calm, his voice steady: “Science says you should drink a glass of milk and go home early to sleep.”
Lin Zhan, having bought everything she wanted and walked quite a distance with Shen Xi that night, said: “Alright, let’s go back then.”
Before Shen Xi could respond, she preemptively added: “I’ll save these for tomorrow and drink warm milk tonight.”
Shen Xi nodded approvingly.
The two exited the dessert shop and stood by the roadside as Shen Xi hailed a taxi for her.
A blue taxi slowly pulled over.
Lin Zhan opened the rear door, sat inside, and rolled down the window: “I’m off then.”
Shen Xi nodded: “Text me when you get home.”
Lin Zhan waved goodbye: “Okay.”
///
The car drove far away. The driver asked Lin Zhan for her destination.
After giving her address, Lin Zhan sipped her milk and admired the city’s night view.
The car moved slowly, the scenery retreating gradually behind the window, with yellow lights stretching into long trails in her vision.
On such a night, it was easy to feel at peace.
During a red light, the driver casually chatted with her: “Why didn’t your boyfriend get in the car with you? I drove quite far before realizing he was still standing there watching us.”
Lin Zhan was startled and turned to look back.
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