Chapter 110: Amusement Park

The amusement park, crowned by Xiluo’s couples as the top date destination, lived up to its reputation. 

Sprawling across a vast expanse, its architecture was nothing short of breathtaking—unique designs and vibrant colors that dazzled the eye, sparking wonder at every turn.

Near the entrance, a kaleidoscope of a carousel spun lazily, its multicolored horses prancing beneath a cerulean sky. 

Behind it, a colossal Ferris wheel turned with graceful deliberation, its silhouette a vision of fairy-tale enchantment.

Shi Pengpeng couldn’t resist pulling out her phone and thrusting it toward Yan Jing. 

She said, “Bro, take a picture of me.”

Her hometown, a modest city straddling the line between urban and rural, had nothing to boast of but a small play area attached to a mall. 

This was her first time in a park of such grandeur. 

After days spent tangled in the world of demons and spirits, this vibrant, human place felt like a balm to her soul.

“Alright.” Yan Jing took the phone, his mood lifting in sync with hers.

He’d never been in a relationship before, so when he thought he was “dating” Shi Pengpeng, he’d scoured the internet for date strategies, only to realize it was all a misunderstanding. 

Now, at last, those efforts were paying off.

He’d worried she might find the park too childish, given her peculiar hobbies. 

But seeing her bubbling with excitement, he relaxed, mentally awarding a few extra points to his company’s operations team. 

Their big data had nailed it—the recommended date guide was spot-on.

Yan Jing snapped several photos of her against various backdrops, just as she requested.

“Bro, done yet?” Shi Pengpeng, limited to a handful of poses, was already out of ideas.

“Almost…” Yan Jing started to nod, then paused. 

“Hold on.”

He pulled out his own phone, took a couple more shots, and finally said, “Now we’re good.”

Shi Pengpeng jogged back, eagerly grabbing her phone. 

“Let me see!”

Yan Jing stood beside her, watching as she scrolled through the photos, a strange nervous flutter in his chest—like waiting for exam results, though he’d never once been anxious about actual tests.

Shi Pengpeng’s eyes widened. 

“Bro, I didn’t expect you to be this good at taking photos!”

She’d braced herself for a gallery of blurry shots or ones that made her look like a dwarf—typical “straight guy” photography, according to the internet. 

But Yan Jing’s photos were surprisingly solid. 

Nothing groundbreaking, but the composition hit the golden ratio, her proportions were flattering, and he cleverly avoided stray tourists, capturing the park’s architecture in full glory.

Seeing her approval, Yan Jing felt a quiet surge of pride, though his face remained nonchalant. 

“As long as you like them.”

He didn’t mention the crash course he’d taken in photography. 

While researching date tips, he’d stumbled across countless complaints from girls about their boyfriends’ terrible photo skills—hours spent getting ready, only to end up with out-of-focus, poorly framed shots. 

Determined not to disappoint, he’d studied basic composition principles. 

It hadn’t taken long, and it clearly paid off.

Shi Pengpeng, pleased with the photos, politely asked, “Bro, want me to take some of you?”

“Definitely.” Yan Jing didn’t hesitate.

“Then I’ll—” she began.

“No need.” He shook his head.

Shi Pengpeng: “…..” 

Was he doubting her skills?

But Yan Jing scanned the area, quickly spotting a park staff member nearby. 

He strode over and called out, “Excuse me, could you take a few couple photos for me and my girlfriend?”

Shi Pengpeng froze, caught off guard.

He’d clearly prepared for this date down to the smallest detail. 

The ease of his planning was almost comical, but it warmed her heart. 

She could picture him poring over date strategies, his anticipation as palpable as her own. 

A man who usually dealt with reports worth millions or billions, yet here he was, patiently researching something as trivial as this.

She stepped closer to him.

Noticing her approach, Yan Jing’s heart skipped, though he kept his expression cool, casually taking her hand as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“Sir, your pose is a bit stiff,” the staff member said. 

“Try adjusting a little.”

Yan Jing’s brow twitched. 

Nosy much?

“You could hug your girlfriend,” the employee suggested. 

“It’ll create a better vibe.”

Yan Jing’s eyes lit up. 

Now that’s more like it. 

He thought : ‘ Find this worker’s ID number and leave a five-star review.’

The staff, clearly experienced at photographing guests, guided them through a few popular couple poses. 

The results were impressive.

Yan Jing, thoroughly satisfied, picked a photo of Shi Pengpeng leaning into his arms and set it as his phone’s lock screen.

Watching his swift decision, Shi Pengpeng smiled softly. 

Catching his expectant glance, she quietly selected a couple photo and replaced her own lock screen.

Yan Jing’s lips curved slightly, his tone as breezy as ever. 

“You think these shots turned out pretty well, don’t you?”

“Yeah,” Shi Pengpeng said with a grin. 

“Being with you feels… really good.”

Her words sent Yan Jing, the master strategist, into a five-minute haze of bliss.

When he snapped out of it, Shi Pengpeng had chosen their next activity, pointing ahead. 

“Bro, want to try that one?”

Yan Jing followed her gaze to a whimsical, spinning teacup ride, painted in a riot of colors. 

“Sure, it looks cute.”

“Huh?” Shi Pengpeng tilted her head. 

“You think the drop tower is cute?”

Yan Jing froze, looking again. 

Behind the teacups loomed a towering behemoth, piercing the clouds—the park’s infamous drop tower.

His heart sank.

It was a bustling weekend, the park teeming with visitors. 

The drop tower, a star attraction, had a line stretching beyond sight. 

Thankfully, Yan Jing’s VIP tickets let them bypass the wait, whisking them through the exclusive entrance.

As the previous group staggered off, pale and wobbly, a girl clung to her boyfriend, sobbing. 

“I’m not lying! I swear I saw someone jump off! It was terrifying!”

“It’s okay, don’t be scared,” her boyfriend soothed, patting her back. 

“You were probably just nervous and imagined it. Look, everyone’s fine.”

The girl glanced around, reassured by the absence of any gruesome scene and the staff’s calm efficiency. 

“Was it really just my imagination?”

“Maybe you got dizzy from the long wait,” her boyfriend said, guiding her away. 

“Let’s get you an ice cream.”

Passing them, Shi Pengpeng shot Yan Jing a look. 

“Bro, sounds pretty thrilling.”

It scared someone into hallucinations.

Yan Jing, unfazed, shrugged. 

“I’m not worried.”

Shi Pengpeng smirked, knowing he was telling the truth. 

Ghosts and darkness spooked him, but the physical world? 

That he could handle.

Minutes later, the ride began, their seats climbing slowly. 

A hand reached over, brushing hers before boldly interlocking their fingers, gripping tightly.

“?” Shi Pengpeng turned, puzzled.

“Bro…?”

Yan Jing’s expression was all business. 

“I’m your boyfriend. What’s wrong with holding your hand?”

She stifled a laugh. 

Newly dating, she kept forgetting they were a couple now.

At the peak, over a hundred meters up, the world below shrank to a vibrant miniature—the park’s colors, the bustling city, the winding Luo River, and the distant hills of Chuirong Mountain, all laid out like a painting.

Nearby, riders grew tense, some squealing, “I want off! Let me down!”

Yan Jing’s heart stirred, not from the height. 

He’d stood with Shi Pengpeng atop Xiangshi Mountain in Biannan, gazing at grander, more daunting sights. 

That day, he’d faced his feelings, admitting his deep, enduring love for her. 

Now, they were finally together, no pretenses.

“Pengpeng…” he began, emotions swelling, ready to say something heartfelt.

“Hey!” a sharp voice interrupted. 

“No hand-holding, you sappy couple!”

Yan Jing turned, bewildered. 

Beside him, unnoticed until now, was a plump young man dressed like a clown—checkered suit, colorful wig, red nose, clinging to the safety bar of Yan Jing’s seat, glaring at their clasped hands.

Most people would’ve screamed. 

Yan Jing, unimpressed, scoffed. 

“Mind your own business.”

The clown, caught off guard by his calm, twisted his face and hissed, “I hate couples! No lovey-dovey stuff in front of me, or you’ll regret it!”

Shi Pengpeng raised an eyebrow. 

“Oh? How bad could it be?”

The clown faltered. 

Why were these two so unfazed?

Fuming, he glanced between them, then growled, “I’ll show you!” 

With that, he let go of the bar and leapt off.

Shi Pengpeng and Yan Jing stared, dumbfounded.

“…?”