“…”
Just as the Young Lady clutched her aching head in pain, the Young Man beside her couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
When the pain finally eased, Lin Xinyuan immediately glared over in anger, shooting a fierce look at this guy who was taking pleasure in her misfortune.
Yet she hadn’t realized how she looked at the moment; even when angry, in others’ eyes she was still adorable, which only made others want to tease her even more…
“Xiao Yuan, are you a fool? Not looking where you’re going.” Qin Nanfeng leaned close to Lin Xinyuan’s ear, blowing gently as he spoke, eyes brimming with laughter.
His warm breath brushed against Lin Xinyuan’s earlobe, carrying a faint fragrance, making her heart pound wildly. Her words came out stammering, “I… I didn’t notice…”
She shifted away from Qin Nanfeng a little, flustered, and turned her head back, subconsciously looking up at what was in front of her.
It was only then that she realized what her head had bumped into just now.
A pushcart, overflowing with goods, hung with all kinds of jewelry and handicrafts—it looked like a Ji Nian Pin Stall.
Out of the corner of her eye, Lin Xinyuan noticed that quite a few people nearby were looking at her with strange expressions. Even the lady stall owner was giving her the same look.
Lin Xinyuan’s cheeks were already a bit red, and now they felt even hotter. Unable to bear it, she instinctively edged closer to Qin Nanfeng, trying to use his tall figure to shield herself from strangers’ gazes.
Seeing this, Qin Nanfeng naturally reached out and wrapped his arm around the Young Lady’s soft waist.
Lin Xinyuan froze, her eyes drooping so it was hard to read her emotions. She simply relaxed her body, letting herself rest in that warm embrace…
Seeing how docile she was, Qin Nanfeng chuckled inwardly and nodded at the surrounding people.
Everyone gave a knowing smile, their gazes filled with envy, but most soon looked away.
With all kinds of thoughts in their hearts, the two stood there without moving, as if time had come to a halt.
But the stall owner didn’t seem to mind.
Normally, standing in front of someone’s stall for so long would affect business, but these two were different.
On the contrary, thanks to their good looks, they attracted even more tourists, so the stall owner was quite happy to let them linger.
“They’ve all gone, don’t be afraid.”
“Mm.”
Lin Xinyuan felt a bit reluctant, but since Qin Nanfeng had already said so, she could only leave his embrace and stand upright again.
Looking up, she noticed the stall owner had been watching them all along, smiling.
She awkwardly squeezed out a stiff smile.
“Young Man, Young Lady! It’s not easy to go out and have fun together, why not buy something to remember it by?” The stall owner greeted them enthusiastically. “Don’t worry, everything here is very cheap!”
Qin Nanfeng had planned this all along—otherwise, he wouldn’t have brought Lin Xinyuan here. He turned his head to look at the Young Lady, his eyes asking for her opinion, “Want to pick one?”
“…”
Lin Xinyuan thought it over and agreed.
What the stall owner said made sense—this really was their first time going out to have fun together, and who knew if there’d be another chance in the future…
It would be nice to have a memento; later, they could always remember this experience…
With that thought, she began to choose, her expression seriously focused.
Qin Nanfeng simply watched her quietly, lost in thought…
Looking over the goods on the pushcart, Lin Xinyuan couldn’t find anything that really caught her eye, until she happened to glimpse a splash of red in the corner.
Curious, she took a closer look and discovered it was a Red String Bracelet, looking very much like a pair.
She reached out to take them, and sure enough, just as she guessed—they were bracelets, and a matching set.
Though the stall owner was busy greeting other customers, she still kept an eye on them. Seeing what Lin Xinyuan held, she smiled and said, “Young Lady, you’ve got a good eye! This one carries a wonderful meaning, very fitting for you two. If you wear them together, you’ll have a long, lasting bond!”
“Um…” Lin Xinyuan’s face flushed bright red, and she wanted to retort instinctively. But remembering what Qin Nanfeng had said earlier, she kept quiet.
Clutching the bracelet tightly, she very much wanted to buy it after hearing the stall owner’s words, but worried Qin Nanfeng would overthink it…
She stole a quick glance at him, only to lock eyes by accident. Forcing herself to look calm, she did her best to suppress her embarrassment and nervousness.
But she seemed to forget just how red her cheeks were at this moment.
“Why are you looking at me? If you want it, just buy it,”
Qin Nanfeng feigned puzzlement as he looked at Lin Xinyuan, secretly amused, his eyes wandering shamelessly over her flushed, adorable face. “There are two bracelets, so one for each of us.”
“Ah?”
Lin Xinyuan was a little surprised, a hint of anticipation rising in her heart—she really wanted to hear what this annoying blond would say next.
Seizing the chance while the stall owner was still busy with other customers, Qin Nanfeng explained to the Young Lady with a straight face, “The meaning of ‘long-lasting’ is nice. It suits us—we are good friends, after all.”
Good friends, again…
So, in the end, she’d been thinking too much…
Lin Xinyuan couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed. But if the Red String Bracelet’s meaning really did make their friendship long-lasting, then maybe those feelings she thought were forbidden weren’t so necessary.
But that hardly seemed possible…
She could only cherish what she had now. As for the future… that could wait…
No point thinking too far ahead…
At least for now, this annoying blond belonged to her, right?
Thinking of that, Lin Xinyuan felt much better, her lips curving into a smile. “Mm.”
“Auntie, how much is this?”
The stall owner beamed at them. “Ten yuan! Just scan the payment code over there!”
“Okay, scanning now…”
“Take care, you two!”
After leaving the Ji Nian Pin Stall, the two didn’t plan to linger on Lantern Street much longer. Instead, they decided to head up the city wall for a look.
From what they’d heard earlier, there’d be a fireworks display at nine in the center of Drum City, and the city wall was the best place to watch.
“Xiao Yuan, it looks great on you.”
As they walked, Qin Nanfeng’s eyes lingered on the Young Lady’s hand, made even fairer and more alluring by the Red String Bracelet. Something flickered in his eyes as his tongue pressed lightly against his palate.
“Uh… mm…”
Being suddenly praised by Qin Nanfeng made Lin Xinyuan a little happy, her heart aching sweetly. She bit her lip softly to try and suppress her shyness, hoping it didn’t show on her face.
She held out the other bracelet to him, tentatively asking, “Do you want it?”
Qin Nanfeng’s gaze burned, but he didn’t look at the item in her pale palm. Instead, he looked straight at her.
The Young Lady’s cheeks were rosy; in the orange-yellow lamplight, her face seemed even gentler than usual, no longer carrying that faint shadow of gloom.
Her delicate face was puffed with nerves. Though she couldn’t meet his eyes under his gaze, she stubbornly kept up a pretense of calm, wide almond eyes open and resolute.
That stubbornness was heartbreakingly endearing…
Among the bustling crowd, she alone, dressed in Hanfu, was the most captivating in Qin Nanfeng’s eyes.
With her graceful figure, her hair in an elegant bun, and a light blue long skirt that complemented her perfectly.
Though the world around them was noisy, just looking at her brought a sense of calm.
In Denghuo Lanshan Place, as he suddenly turned to Lin Xinyuan, even the desire and restlessness in Qin Nanfeng’s heart began to subside.
“Of course. If it’s from Xiao Yuan, of course I’ll take it.”
Qin Nanfeng reached out to take it, putting it on his wrist without hesitation. Even his silver watch seemed to pale in comparison…
“Come on, let’s go see the fireworks.”
Qin Nanfeng extended his hand toward the Young Lady. Lin Xinyuan turned her head aside, gently placed her small hand in his, and he held it carefully.
*18…
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