After finishing lunch, the group headed straight to the hotel.
After settling their luggage in the hotel, everyone gathered in the hotel lobby to discuss where to go first.
Shen City, being a first-tier city, had a prosperous economy and a large population, with countless places to eat, drink, and have fun.
The group debated back and forth but eventually decided to visit the Da Xia Gu first.
Da Xia Gu, located in the eastern part of Shen City, was a comprehensive ecological amusement park.
It offered many themed attractions, enough to satisfy the diverse interests of the group.
By the time they took a taxi there, it was already one in the afternoon. Qu Yanning shared a car with Chu Zhou, Zhang Ren, and Flower Luo.
However, this time, Flower Luo was much quieter, sitting silently by the car door, engrossed in her phone without even looking up.
The driver stopped at the entrance of Da Xia Gu. Zhang Ren went to buy the tickets while everyone joked and laughed, holding their tickets as they entered the park.
The weekend brought many visitors, and the air was filled with the noisy sounds of laughter and play.
Once inside, the group discussed their plans. Since there were many of them and everyone wanted to try different attractions, they agreed to split up and meet again when leaving the park.
Qu Yanning’s group of four stayed together, while Flower Luo glanced around and pulled another girl to join their group.
Because Qu Yanning had the cat with him, they avoided the more thrilling rides and decided to stroll around the ecological park instead.
Xie Qi, still in his bag, was restless and dissatisfied, occasionally poking his head out to look around.
Qu Yanning gently reached in to soothe him by stroking his fur, reassuring him, “Just a little longer, it’ll be okay.”
Xie Qi let out a reluctant gulp and reluctantly retreated back into the bag, only his wide, round eyes and sharp ears peeking out.
The ecological park in Da Xia Gu was vast. At the entrance stood two rows of tall trees, and further inside were various themed botanical gardens.
The air in the ecological park was fresh, and even the sky seemed bluer than usual. The group walked at a leisurely pace.
Flower Luo excitedly pulled the other girl along, snapping photos as if everything around them was brand new and fascinating.
She would beam with joy even at a particularly vibrant flower, taking pictures enthusiastically.
Chu Zhou and Zhang Ren followed silently behind. Chu Zhou pretended to check his phone, deliberately lowering his head to avoid giving Zhang Ren any opening to speak.
But Zhang Ren seemed prepared. As they passed a large tree, he suddenly grabbed Chu Zhou’s wrist and pulled him behind the tree.
The angle between the tree and the wall created a small nook, partially shielding their figures.
“What are you doing?” Chu Zhou frowned and tried to pry his fingers off.
Zhang Ren lowered his head and looked at him intently. Standing almost a head taller, his presence was imposing.
He withdrew his hand from his pocket, nervously clasping his fingers together, and earnestly said, “Chu Zhou, I like you.”
Chu Zhou looked up at him, his expression tinged with a strange irony.
After staring at Zhang Ren for a moment, Chu Zhou suddenly smiled. He reached up to undo his collar, tilted his neck back, exposing his slightly prominent Adam’s apple.
“Look closely. If you can’t accept it, why force yourself?”
Zhang Ren was stunned, unsure of what Chu Zhou meant. Gently, he moved Chu Zhou’s hand away and carefully buttoned up his collar.
“Since I chose to be honest with you, I prepared myself thoroughly. You don’t have to emphasize that.”
Chu Zhou glared at him. “Prepared? What do you need to prepare?”
Zhang Ren smiled faintly and said, “Naturally, I’ve prepared to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Chu Zhou: “…” When did this quiet guy unlock an Emotion Skill?
“Be with me. I’ll treat you well,” Zhang Ren looked at him and added after a moment, “We can also take care of Aunt Zhuang and the little ones together.”
Chu Zhou: “…”
Seeing no response, Zhang Ren’s palms became sweaty. He stood straighter, his voice slightly hoarse, barely audible, “Why won’t you say anything?”
Chu Zhou averted his gaze and looked behind Zhang Ren.
His thoughts were chaotic — moments recalling Zhang Ren’s warm and reliable back when he carried him up the mountain, moments recalling Zhang Ren’s decisive departure from Yisheng Province when he learned Chu Zhou was a man.
He blinked, his voice light and drifting, “Why should I trust you?” How do I know you won’t leave without a word again?
Zhang Ren held Chu Zhou’s hand against his chest, the damp sweat transferring warmth between their palms.
“I’ve settled family matters. I’ve also consulted Aunt Zhuang’s opinion. As long as you agree, we can get married immediately. All my assets, including myself, belong to you.”
His tone was resolute, his eyes shining like a spark that ignited Chu Zhou’s heart. Chu Zhou pulled his hand back, voice slightly trembling, “When did you say all this?”
“After you returned to Shen City, I stayed behind in Yisheng Province just to handle these matters,” Zhang Ren smiled bitterly. “You know I’m the only heir in the family. If I want to be with you openly, I have to first resolve family issues.”
“Didn’t you stay behind to avoid me after learning I was a man?” Chu Zhou was taken aback.
Zhang Ren was stunned. “Avoid you?”
He laughed and glanced at Chu Zhou apologetically. “Sorry, I should have told you clearly.”
When he suddenly realized Chu Zhou was a man, though surprised, he liked Chu Zhou as a person.
Regardless of gender, his feelings wouldn’t change. But as the only heir, his father and grandfather were expecting grandchildren.
He knew if he chose to be with Chu Zhou, family matters would be difficult.
That’s why they returned to Shen City first, and he stayed behind to prepare his family mentally.
After convincing his father and grandfather, he hurried back to Shen City and confessed his feelings to Chu Zhou.
He hadn’t expected Chu Zhou to misunderstand so deeply.
“It’s my fault,” Zhang Ren smiled at him. “So, now… will you?”
The man’s handsome face was deep and shining. Chu Zhou couldn’t bear the pressure and looked away.
“Then I’ll give you a chance.”
Zhang Ren’s smile grew brighter. He bent slightly and gently hugged Chu Zhou, pressing a feather-like kiss on his head. “Once you say yes, there’s no turning back. I’ll spend a lifetime making it up to you.”
Chu Zhou closed his eyes softly and leaned into his embrace.
Qu Yanning quietly stepped back. After walking a while, he realized Chu Zhou and Zhang Ren were gone and hurried back to look for them, unexpectedly stumbling upon the live scene.
He couldn’t make a sound, and slipping away might expose him, so he stood frozen, awkwardly watching the entire scene unfold.
Xie Qi in the bag squinted his eyes at the two embracing people, his black pupils narrowing into slits. His expression was unreadable.
Qu Yanning stepped onto the road, relieved and ready to leave, when Flower Luo suddenly called out, “Qu Yanning, what are you doing here?”
The two separated behind the tree and looked over.
Qu Yanning: “…”
He instinctively scooped up the bag with a ready-to-run posture. “Uh… I didn’t see anything.”
Flower Luo and the other girl came over, asking Qu Yanning what he was doing here and if he had seen the Guild Leader and Guild Leader’s Wife.
Qu Yanning’s face flushed red, repeatedly begging them not to say more.
Zhang Ren and Chu Zhou stepped out from behind the tree. Flower Luo and the girl immediately fell silent, their eyes flickering with ambiguous glances between the two.
Zhang Ren shot them a glance, utterly unembarrassed, and held Chu Zhou’s hand as they walked forward. “What are you all standing around for?”
Qu Yanning reacted quickly, awkwardly smiling, “Let’s go, there’s a rest pavilion not far ahead. We can rest there for a bit.”
Flower Luo and the girl nodded repeatedly, and the group silently followed Zhang Ren and Chu Zhou.
The rest pavilion in the ecological park was large, built in a corridor style weaving through thick woods and flower beds.
Finding a quiet spot, Qu Yanning saw no one around and carefully took the cat out.
Xie Qi stretched his limbs and rubbed against Qu Yanning’s chin before jumping down and leisurely patrolling the territory like a proud guardian, tail held high.
The spot they sat was bordered by a grassy field on the left and flowers on the right. Above them, the trellis was entwined with unknown vines, creating a beautiful but shaded view.
Qu Yanning leaned against a pillar, his gaze fixed on the playful cat among the flowers.
Having stayed in the bag too long, Xie Qi now wanted to run and stretch his limbs but feared worrying Qu Yanning.