“I-I’m not…!”
The girl’s brows and eyes were like a painting, her face tinged with embarrassment and annoyance—yet it only made her look even cuter, provoking the urge to tease her.
Her right hand was caught in Qin Nanfeng’s grip, so she could only use her free left hand to try and push away that handsome face leaning in closer.
But she was never that strong to begin with, and now the scent coming from Qin Nanfeng filled her nose, making her legs turn utterly weak, unable to summon any strength at all.
In the end, she could only half-heartedly pound Qin Nanfeng’s chest with her small fists, almost as if she was acting spoiled, her breath growing short…
Qin Nanfeng noticed the girl’s strange behavior, secretly amused. He simply reached out and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her into his embrace.
At this moment, the street was bustling with people passing by, all glancing curiously at the pair. It almost felt like a scene from a historical-meets-modern drama series.
“Let me go, there’s so many people here…”
Lin Xinyuan felt her body grow even softer, her breath in disarray, her gaze darting about, and she could only press her hands against the young man’s chest, trying to put some distance between them.
She felt like her whole life was probably over now…
She realized she might… be starting to like this annoying blondie…
What was she supposed to do…
“So, what Xiaoyuan means is that when there’s no one around, I can hold you as much as I want?”
“I didn’t say that!”
“Oh, then I’ll just hold you for a little while now.”
“You have no shame…”
Lin Xinyuan’s face flushed bright red, anxiety and shyness swirling inside her. Fortunately, since she was nestled in Qin Nanfeng’s arms, his figure blocked her from view, so the passersby couldn’t see.
This guy…
Doesn’t he have any sense of boundaries?
Friends… even best friends… shouldn’t be like this…
But somehow, she just couldn’t bring herself to refuse…
It felt so comfortable… so… nice…
But the moment she thought of other girls, who might have leaned against this annoying blondie’s chest just like her, a trace of silent jealousy took root in her heart…
“Mm.” Qin Nanfeng reached out, utterly unconcerned about the people around, and gently stroked the girl’s little head. He didn’t answer her question at all. “Are you hungry?”
Feeling the touch on her head, Lin Xinyuan’s body tensed up for a moment, then she shrank her head like a startled quail, “Don’t mess around, you’ll mess up my hair!”
“But Xiaoyuan is just too cute, I really can’t help myself.”
As he spoke, Qin Nanfeng’s stroking only grew more enthusiastic.
“DS…”
Lin Xinyuan couldn’t help but let out a soft, comfortable sigh, but quickly realized what she was doing. Biting her lip, she forced herself to restrain, “Disgusting… don’t say to me what you used to say to your ex-girlfriend…”
“I’ve only ever said things like that to you, do you believe me?”
If it weren’t for that teasing smile on the annoying blondie’s face, Lin Xinyuan might have thought he was actually confessing…
She lowered her gaze, secretly mocking her own thoughts inside.
So self-indulgent… if she ever took it seriously, that would really be the end of her…
The girl’s lashes quivered like butterfly wings, finally leaving only an indescribable sense of loss. After a moment of silence, she slowly spoke, “Mm…”
Even though Qin Nanfeng’s past made her wary of trusting him, still… she was willing to believe in him…
“Can we go now? I’m hungry…”
Qin Nanfeng’s caresses almost made Lin Xinyuan lose herself, forgetting they were still in the middle of a crowded street.
A wave of shame surged through Lin Xinyuan, crashing in her heart. She tried to push against Qin Nanfeng’s chest, signaling for him to let her go.
“Alright, shall we check out the Long Street Banquet?”
Unnoticed, night had already fallen. Qin Nanfeng thought it was about time.
The so-called Long Street Banquet was more or less an open-air feast, just set with long tables.
Lin Xinyuan thought for a moment. She didn’t really like lively places, but even less did she want to dampen Qin Nanfeng’s mood.
“Either way… I guess…”
Qin Nanfeng nodded. From Lin Xinyuan’s eyes, he could tell she didn’t like that kind of scene.
Her childhood had made her extremely fearful of crowds…
But he still hoped Lin Xinyuan could stop being so timid.
At least… maybe try to change her a little…
But if she couldn’t change, that was fine too.
No matter what, she’d have him in the future…
With that thought, Qin Nanfeng let go of the hand resting on Lin Xinyuan’s slender waist, but the moment he released her, her legs went so weak she nearly fell.
Qin Nanfeng was quick, catching Lin Xinyuan again. He blinked, “Looks like someone doesn’t really want to leave my embrace, huh?”
“I do not…”
“So, you’re tired from walking? Can’t stand up anymore? Tsk, not very impressive, are you?”
“…Yes.” Faced with Qin Nanfeng’s teasing, Lin Xinyuan could only nod.
She was torn up inside, wanting to cry but having no tears, frustrated by her body’s sensitivity to the annoying blondie, yet also relieved it hadn’t been noticed.
Even though she really didn’t want to admit her own weakness, she didn’t dare refute him either. She couldn’t possibly say that she… that…
…That would be way too much like one of those stories!
Not that it could actually happen…
She’d probably collapse before anything did, and then never dare see Qin Nanfeng again.
“Then I’ll reluctantly let Xiaoyuan hold my hand, how about that.”
Qin Nanfeng held out his palm, grinning freely, “Come on, hold on to me, then you won’t fall!”
The girl stared blankly, looking at that hand—clearly a size bigger than hers, fingers long and strong.
Almost as if bewitched, Lin Xinyuan slowly placed her own hand into his. Framed by his large hand, her own seemed like a child’s.
That big hand closed around hers, their fingers interlacing. The warmth seemed to seep right through her fingerless gloves, burning into her skin.
Lin Xinyuan’s ears turned blazing hot. She just silently lowered her head, letting Qin Nanfeng lead her through the crowd… This is just ridiculous…
Are good friends really supposed to do things like this?
Fingers intertwined… Isn’t that something only couples do…?
Yet she… just couldn’t say no…
Still, it wasn’t so bad, like this…
The Long Street Banquet was lively and full of people, already nearly full even though it had only just started.
Fortunately, the two of them arrived just in time and managed to find seats at the edge.
Qin Nanfeng brought the girl to a spot at the edge of the table. Before long, a server in Hanfu came to take their order.
The young waitress was amazed by the striking pair—especially Lin Xinyuan in Hanfu, who truly looked like a lady from an ancient painting.
The two of them didn’t sit facing each other, but side by side. After ordering, they simply sat and waited quietly.
During that time, Qin Nanfeng replied to some messages from his subordinates on his phone, glancing at Lin Xinyuan from time to time, noticing her expression grow increasingly conflicted.
“What’s wrong? Is something bothering you?”
“These clothes…” Lin Xinyuan looked down at her outfit and tugged at the hem, “What if I get food on it while eating—will we have to pay? And I’m still wearing makeup… Maybe I should go back to the shop and change first…”
She was clearly torn, her expression unwittingly tinged with pain at the thought of it—making a sharp contrast with the elegant ancient style of her clothes.
But Qin Nanfeng rather liked her like this—she looked especially adorable at that moment, a beauty of a different sort.
“No need, since they dare to rent out clothes, they must have thought of this. As long as you don’t damage it, it’ll be fine.”
Qin Nanfeng couldn’t help but laugh—he hadn’t expected her to get hung up over something like this, but it did fit her personality.
Even though he said so, the truth was…
Back when Lin Xinyuan went to change, he’d already paid extra and bought the Hanfu outright, so even if she did mess it up, it wouldn’t matter.
It suited her so well, he wanted to see her wear it for the rest of his life…