Chapter 64: A Day at the Amusement Park

It was late when Lin Duo finally returned to her dorm room. Shen Jing’an immediately sprang from her chair, barraging her with questions.

“Where did you two go? What did you eat? And did anything… intimate happen?”

“Oh, come on, can you stop being so nosy?” Lin Duo playfully chided. “It was just a dinner between friends! Now, how about we look at some math? There’s a problem I’m stuck on.”

Lin Duo had no intention of revealing the truth just yet. Given Shen Jing’an’s inquisitive nature, she would undoubtedly pry for every last detail. More importantly, according to the unwritten rules of the girls’ dorm, a secret known by two people would be known by everyone in the building within two days. Every girl Lin Duo knew would then relentlessly question her about the romantic specifics, making any focused studying impossible.

Cai Jingyao, for his part, also honored their agreement. In class, they maintained the distance of friends. Yet, every morning and night, Lin Duo would receive a greeting message from him, filled with such sweet nothings that they invariably brightened her entire day.

After Christmas, New Year’s Day arrived in the blink of an eye. By law, the school would grant a three-day holiday. Ordinarily, Lin Duo would have gone home without a second thought, but with a boyfriend now, things were entirely different.

On the morning of January 1st, Lin Duo slung her backpack over her shoulder, appearing as if she were heading home, but instead took a bus all the way to Wanda Plaza. As expected, Cai Jingyao was already waiting at the bus stop. Seeing Lin Duo alight, he proactively took her small hand.

“I’ve checked,” he said. “There are no classmates we know around here. I’ll hail a taxi, and we can go straight to the amusement park.”

Taking a taxi would certainly be more comfortable than a bus, but Lin Duo felt a slight worry.

“The amusement park is quite a distance from here,” she mused. “Won’t a taxi be too expensive?”

Cai Jingyao’s face retained its gentle smile.

“It might be a little pricey,” he admitted, “but how could I bear to let my beautiful, adorable girlfriend squeeze into a crowded subway?”

Lin Duo’s cheeks flushed faintly once more.

“Then… then it’s up to you!”

Inside the taxi, Lin Duo gazed out the window with curiosity. The streets were bustling, a lively scene typical of a holiday. The driver, a rather talkative man, initiated conversation.

“Judging by you two,” he began, “you must be a student couple, right? Haha, truly a perfect match – a talented man and a beautiful woman. You look so well-suited.”

Lin Duo’s heart swelled with sweetness.

“Uncle, you certainly know how to flatter!”

The driver chuckled heartily.

“Just speaking the truth. By the way, aren’t you a couple? Do whatever you want, no need to be so reserved.”

Both Lin Duo and Cai Jingyao were seated in the back of the taxi. The driver’s words clearly emboldened Cai Jingyao, who leaned close to Lin Duo’s ear and whispered.

“Xiaoduo, you don’t mind if I put my arm around you here, do you?”

Lin Duo didn’t reply, but her crimson cheeks readily betrayed her true feelings.

With that, Cai Jingyao gently pulled the soft girl beside him into his embrace. One hand began to toy with her smooth, silky hair.

“Your hair feels so nice,” he murmured. “And the color is beautiful too. Is it natural?”

Lin Duo had actually permed her hair, but at that moment, she denied it against her true feelings.

“It’s natural! I’ve always liked long hair since I was little; I think girls with long hair look good.”

“Indeed,” Cai Jingyao agreed. “Only such beautiful hair could complement your captivating looks.”

“Ugh… don’t be so mushy…” Lin Duo mumbled.

“What’s wrong? Is there a problem with your boyfriend being affectionate?”

“But not in front of other people!”

The driver heard the conversation from the back perfectly, but he paid it no mind, continuing to drive with a cheerful smile.

****

As a megacity with tens of millions of residents, Nan’an naturally boasted several amusement parks. However, when locals spoke of ‘the amusement park,’ they almost always referred to Sky Paradise. Though it was a relatively new establishment, its vast area and numerous rides made it a firm favorite among visitors.

Cai Jingyao once again covered the cost of the tickets, always adhering to his philosophy that ‘a girlfriend doesn’t need to carry a wallet when out.’ Lin Duo wasn’t stingy by any means, but she knew that a generous boyfriend always earned higher points in her estimation.

Being New Year’s Day, the amusement park was packed with visitors, and long queues snaked around many attractions. Lin Duo had always had a natural fear of thrilling rides like roller coasters, so her eyes quickly settled on the bumper cars.

“Jingyao, let’s go play over there!”

“Alright, alright, whatever you say!”

Most of those playing bumper cars were small children. While Lin Duo wasn’t a child, she was a young woman with a petite figure, so she didn’t look too out of place. Cai Jingyao, however, was a different story. His height, over 1.8 meters, made him seem almost too large for the bumper car, and the other children inside stared at him as if he were an elephant in a zoo.

Lin Duo, for her part, had a blast. Cai Jingyao, however, emerged looking utterly mortified.

“Xiaoduo,” he groaned, “we absolutely cannot come to these kiddie rides again. It’s just… too embarrassing…”

“Hehe, I know!” Lin Duo giggled. “You’re not a child anymore, are you? So, where should we go next?”

“Next place, huh…” Cai Jingyao studied the map on the back of their tickets intently. “How about we go on a haunted house adventure?”

Lin Duo shook her head vigorously.

“No! I don’t even dare to watch horror movies normally!”

“Just consider it accompanying me, alright?” he pleaded. “I’m a coward; I don’t dare do it alone. Besides, look, I swallowed my pride and played bumper cars with you. Can’t you accompany me just this once?”

And so, Lin Duo, feeling a sense of trepidation, boarded the haunted house exploration cart. Each cart had six rows of seats, and naturally, Lin Duo and Cai Jingyao sat next to each other.

Inside the haunted house, it was pitch black and chillingly cold. Eerie lights flickered intermittently, and sharp screams echoed from deeper within. Even though Lin Duo knew these were all staged effects, she couldn’t help but tremble, instinctively leaning against Cai Jingyao.

Suddenly, a light flashed ahead, revealing a grotesque white zombie hanging upside down directly in front of their cart. A chorus of screams erupted inside the vehicle. Lin Duo was utterly terrified, clutching tightly to Cai Jingyao beside her, her small head pressed against his chest, eyes squeezed shut.

After a few seconds, Cai Jingyao’s voice came from beside her.

“It’s alright, the zombie’s gone. You can let go now!”

“No, I won’t! There’s definitely going to be something even scarier in a bit!”

“You… but what’s the point of coming to a haunted house if you’re like this?”

“I don’t care! I’m staying like this until we get out!”

Seeing the young woman act like an ostrich, Cai Jingyao found himself helpless. Yet, he had to admit, this position wasn’t bad at all. The soft touch and fragrant scent of the girl had always been a man’s ultimate spiritual sustenance.

Only after confirming the cart had completely stopped did Lin Duo open her eyes. She slightly distanced herself from Cai Jingyao, still shaken, and patted her chest.

“Phew, it’s all your fault for bringing me to such a terrifying place!”

Cai Jingyao raised his hands in a gesture of surrender.

“Alright, alright, it’s all my fault. You call the shots from now on.”

“Hmph, that’s more like it!” Lin Duo grumbled, then consulted the small map. “Let’s go watch a 4D movie!”

With so many visitors, long queues formed in front of every attraction. While Cai Jingyao’s company kept boredom at bay, Lin Duo’s stamina was ultimately too poor. She soon felt a desire to head home, and so they agreed to make the Ferris wheel their final ride.

The Ferris wheel was tall, and its ascent was slow. Lin Duo rested her chin in her hand, watching the scenery slowly shift outside the window, before suddenly speaking.

“Confess truthfully, have you really never had a girlfriend before? For a handsome guy like you, there must have been plenty of girls secretly crushing on you, right?”

Cai Jingyao pointed a finger skyward.

“I swear to heaven, absolutely not! What about you, Xiaoduo? A beautiful and adorable girl like you, have you never been pursued by other boys before?”

“Pfft, you can rest assured,” Lin Duo chuckled. “My past is a little… unique.”

“Unique? How so?”

“Hmm… about that…” Though Lin Duo genuinely liked Cai Jingyao, she wasn’t ready to reveal her secret so soon. “If you really want to know, I’ll tell you later!”

Cai Jingyao’s face fell.

“What? You’re just teasing me!”

“Relax! As long as you keep liking me and treating me well, I naturally won’t hide anything from you anymore!”

Amidst their casual chat, their enclosed carriage slowly ascended to the highest point. Looking out the window, the city below resembled a delicate miniature model, shimmering with unique hues under the twilight sun.

“Xiaoduo?”

“What is it?”

Lin Duo turned her head, meeting Cai Jingyao’s fervent gaze. He didn’t speak further, instead pressing both hands against the carriage wall behind her, pinning her in a classic ‘kabedon’ pose, his face slowly drawing closer.

In that moment, Lin Duo’s heart hammered frantically. Her small hands restlessly crossed over her chest, her eyes reflecting both apprehension and anticipation. ‘Was my very first kiss, the one I’d waited for my entire life, about to happen like this? What did a kiss even taste like? Was it truly the legendary strawberry flavor? Oh no, I haven’t drunk water in ages; my breath might not be fresh…’

After a complex internal struggle, Lin Duo turned her face away at the last second, allowing his lips to land only on her cheek.

Cai Jingyao’s face immediately registered disappointment and frustration.

“Xiaoduo… why are you so resistant? What are you afraid of?”

Lin Duo spoke weakly.

“Didn’t… didn’t we agree not to have excessive physical contact?”

Unexpectedly, Cai Jingyao slammed his fist forcefully against the carriage wall, making the entire cabin tremble slightly, his voice rising an octave.

“Xiaoduo, we’re not children anymore. How long are you going to be so naive? Have you ever seen a boyfriend and girlfriend who never kiss?”

The sudden change in his demeanor made Lin Duo’s face turn pale.

“You… how could you break your promise? We clearly agreed that day, and it hasn’t even been a week!”

Trapped in such a small carriage, facing a tall, strong boy who was far more powerful than herself, a wave of terror washed over Lin Duo. She curled up like a startled animal, her wide eyes darting nervously around.

Whether Cai Jingyao had calmed himself down or was simply charmed by Lin Duo’s frightened appearance, he quickly returned to normal.

“I’m sorry, Xiaoduo,” he said. “I just spoke out of impulse. I hope you don’t mind.”

Though Cai Jingyao remained a perfect gentleman for the rest of their outing, a faint sense of wariness had settled in Lin Duo’s heart.

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