Chapter 35: Unexpected Encounters and Calculated Charms

She felt as though she were suffocating.

Because a soft, yielding mass was pressed tightly against her chest.

It was a sensation of warm fragrance and soft jade, clinging intimately.

This was an experience she, as a man, had never known before.

And the monster that had just descended from the heavens had merely gone through the motions, vanishing without a trace.

The air, in that moment, solidified.

Hua Mu’ai could distinctly feel the curves and weight of the other person’s body.

“Quickly, get off me, Miss…” Her cheeks burned crimson, the heat rushing to her earlobes.

“Hiss…” Xia Xingyan let out a faint gasp, a flush also spreading across her delicate face, “I think I twisted my ankle.”

Hua Mu’ai sensed that the girl not only showed no inclination to rise, but instead tightened her arms, embracing her even more closely.

The girl’s body pressed against hers, and through the thin fabric, she could even discern the other’s rapid heartbeat.

Hua Mu’ai, both mortified and irate, attempted to push the person off her, but the strength of this body was inferior to the other’s. In her struggles, she only succeeded in creating a friction between their closely aligned bodies.

“Why are you holding me?!”

“I’m scared…” Xia Xingyan buried her face in Hua Mu’ai’s neck, her voice muffled, “Holding you tight… I won’t be scared anymore, isn’t that okay?”

Her tone even carried a hint of playful coquetry.

Hua Mu’ai was truly on the verge of giving in.

“Get off me this instant, Miss!”

Hua Mu’ai suddenly rolled over, exerting all her might to fling Xia Xingyan off her.

“Are you out of your mind? Why do you keep holding onto me!” she demanded, her voice thick with shame and indignation.

“Sorry, I was too afraid.”

“I genuinely want to believe what you’re saying, but could you please stop being so expressionless?” Hua Mu’ai was nearing her breaking point.

Hearing this, Xia Xingyan thoughtfully considered for a moment, then diligently tried to contort her features.

Thus, a strikingly beautiful, mournful face was born.

“Is this the expression you wanted?”

“…”

Hua Mu’ai was utterly dumbfounded.

She then reconsidered; Xia Xingyan had always maintained this poker face. Even she, a grown man (in her previous perspective), had been startled earlier, so it seemed plausible for a girl to be frightened.

Moreover, witnessing Xia Xingyan’s earnest attempt to appear ugly, yet still looking undeniably adorable, more than half of her anger dissipated.

Perhaps she truly wasn’t lying; perhaps her method of expressing fear was merely unconventional?

“Fine,” Hua Mu’ai placed her hands on her hips, “This Miss is magnanimous, so I’ll forgive you this once.”

****

The two finally emerged from the haunted house.

The dazzling sunlight streamed down, and Hua Mu’ai let out a long, profound sigh, experiencing a sensation akin to rebirth.

Just as she was about to turn and address Xia Xingyan, she discovered the space beside her utterly vacant.

Where was she?

Xia Xingyan, who had been clinging to her moments ago, had simply vanished without a sound.

“Senior!”

“Captain!”

Not far off, the calls of Lin Xiaolu and Gu Qianqian reached them.

The two jogged over to Hua Mu’ai, and upon seeing her disheveled hair and disordered clothes, they both froze in astonishment.

“Senior, what’s wrong? Why is your face so red?” Lin Xiaolu inquired with concern.

This time, Lin Xiaolu had traversed the haunted house almost entirely with her ears covered, pressed tightly against Gu Qianqian. Aside from the initial fright of being forcibly grouped by the ‘patients,’ the latter half hadn’t inflicted much psychological trauma.

“No way, Captain,” Gu Qianqian leaned in with a mischievous grin, “You weren’t actually scared, were you?”

“Nonsense!” Hua Mu’ai bristled instantly, “How could this Miss possibly be scared by such things!”

While stubbornly denying it, she guiltily turned around and strode purposefully forward.

If she didn’t leave now, she feared she wouldn’t be able to maintain her composure.

****

Not far from the haunted house exit, a black sedan idled.

Xia Xingyan pulled open the car door and gracefully slid inside, the blush on her face still not entirely faded.

She lightly touched the star earring on her earlobe, and a flicker of blue light passed.

“You performed exceptionally well just now; the gains from this occasion far surpassed my expectations.” she stated calmly.

“You are too generous with your praise, Miss; it is merely our duty.” Uncle Chen’s voice resonated through the car’s communicator.

From the initial compulsory grouping to the final unsettling encounter with the strange person, everything had unfolded precisely according to her predictions and meticulous arrangements.

“Miss, we have already ascertained their next destination: the Tian Lanxing Drop Tower.” Uncle Chen inquired, “Shall we proceed with further arrangements?”

Xia Xingyan reclined in the seat, her fingers idly caressing her lips, where the warmth of the other’s neck seemed to linger still.

“No need,” she uttered slowly, “A series of continuous encounters would cease to be coincidental and become overtly deliberate.”

“When one fishes, the line must not be drawn too taut.”

She closed her eyes, savoring the memory of that adorable face, flushed with both shyness and indignation.

****

As night descended, the city lights began to illuminate the surroundings.

Golden Island’s evenings pulsed with even greater vibrancy than its days.

After finishing dinner, Gu Qianqian, brimming with boundless energy, enthusiastically pulled the other two towards one of the island’s most celebrated landmarks.

“Wow, look, everyone!”

Gu Qianqian excitedly pointed towards the colossal Ferris wheel ahead, adorned with countless blue neon lights that resembled a starry ring, and began her eager explanation.

“This is the Star Wish Ferris Wheel. It stands eighty-seven meters tall, making it the third highest Ferris wheel in the entire world. Legend has it that couples who share a kiss at its apex will receive blessings from the stars!”

Hua Mu’ai, idly sucking on a lollipop, scoffed at such ‘little girl’s romantic drama’.

Lin Xiaolu, on the other hand, was utterly captivated, asking softly, “Really?”

“Of course!”

Just then, within the black sedan, Uncle Chen’s communicator chimed once more.

“Miss, they are currently at the Star Wish Ferris Wheel.”

In the back seat, Xia Xingyan’s hand, poised to turn a book page, stilled.

A Ferris wheel…

At its highest point, gazing down upon the island’s nocturnal panorama with her idol.

This very scene, she had often conjured in her mind.

The remaining six days stretched long; there was no immediate urgency.

However, an opportunity like this might not present itself again. So, perhaps seeing her one more time today wouldn’t truly matter, would it?

She ultimately couldn’t resist, closing her book.

“Make the arrangements.”

“Yes, Miss.”

****

The trio stood in a lengthy queue, their turn almost upon them.

A young man in a work uniform hurried over, his face etched with apologies.

“Excuse me, ladies, but our cabins are designed to seat a maximum of two people. You may need to separate.”

Gu Qianqian voiced her displeasure, “How can that be? I distinctly recall seeing videos online where four people could sit!”

“Ah, it’s like this,” the young man scratched his head, “We’re currently running a special ‘Couples Theme’ event, so we’ve temporarily adjusted the rules. We are truly sorry for any inconvenience this may cause!”

“What kind of ridiculous regulation is that?” Gu Qianqian grumbled.

“It’s perfectly fine if we split up,” Hua Mu’ai stated, unconcerned, “You go with Xiaolu.”

She was, in fact, rather keen to keep some distance from these two youngsters; it would offer a great deal more peace and quiet.

Yet, just as she prepared to step into the empty cabin, another figure moved more swiftly, settling inside before her.

Then, that person turned their head, and a cool, exquisitely beautiful face appeared directly before her.

Hua Mu’ai’s steps faltered.

Xia Xingyan! It was her again!

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