Song Qiuyu didn’t want to remove her makeup only to redo it later, so she simply changed back into her common clothes, keeping her makeup intact.
Taking advantage of the lunch break, she brought Jiang Xiao to the nearby zoo.
With every step she took, the pain in her twisted left foot throbbed faintly, but it was still within a tolerable range, so she didn’t pay it much mind.
The zoo wasn’t too far away, only about a ten-minute walk.
“Jiang Xiao, look! It’s a meditating panda!” Song Qiuyu pointed excitedly at the panda sitting cross-legged by the stream, looking quite enthusiastic as she spoke.
Jiang Xiao nodded slightly, lifted his phone, and took a photo of the panda. After snapping the picture, he unconsciously glanced sideways at Song Qiuyu.
At that moment, Song Qiuyu was gripping the railing with both hands, her delicate face wearing a playful yet obedient smile.
It was even brighter and more dazzling than the midday sun.
Even without a skirt or fake chest, she still looked every bit a girl.
“Do you like pandas too?”
“Yeah!” Song Qiuyu lied without hesitation. In a situation like this, she had to say she liked them; otherwise, how could she explain her excitement? Besides, she genuinely did like pandas.
Jiang Xiao looked back at the photo on his phone.
He had asked Shen Xi the same question before, remembering her answer — everyone liked pandas because they were just that adorable!
“She likes them a lot too.”
Jiang Xiao spoke without realizing it.
“She?”
Song Qiuyu instinctively asked.
“Yeah, her.”
Jiang Xiao didn’t seem to want to say more. Changing angles, he took several more photos of the panda.
Song Qiuyu couldn’t help but be moved.
It was too obvious—Haki Xiao was definitely thinking of Shen Xi again.
Taking these photos was probably just to send them all together to Shen Xi in the afternoon.
She didn’t stop him, choosing instead to join in.
So, she opened her phone’s camera, carefully found a good angle, and smiled, “Jiang Xiao, don’t move! I’m going to take a photo of you with the panda!”
Jiang Xiao paused his photo-taking motion, looking back at her with surprise.
Their eyes met for a moment, and with a click, she snapped the photo.
“I told you not to move.”
Song Qiuyu looked at the photo with a hint of disdain.
Jiang Xiao walked over to see the photo she had taken. His eyes widened slightly, clearly impressed.
“Really well done.”
“Song Qiuyu, let me take a photo of you with the panda too.” Jiang Xiao was eager to try.
“Okay!”
Song Qiuyu was momentarily stunned, then laughed as she ran over to find a good angle, looking toward the panda.
Jiang Xiao’s sudden enthusiasm to take a photo of her with the panda was unusual—it had to mean bringing him to the zoo was indeed worthwhile.
Next, she planned to take him to see the other animals.
Just as she was thinking this, she had already stepped into Jiang Xiao’s camera frame.
Looking at Song Qiuyu through the lens, Jiang Xiao furrowed his brows.
These were things that should have been done with Shen Xi, yet perhaps his mind wasn’t quite clear, so he had instinctively said it to Song Qiuyu…
What was wrong with him…
Still, it was good that Song Qiuyu was happy—after all, last night, he had done such beastly things to her…
He needed to atone for what happened yesterday.
With a click, Jiang Xiao pressed the shutter.
He captured the smile on Song Qiuyu’s face, though unfortunately, his photography skills were far inferior to hers.
But even with his poor technique, Song Qiuyu still looked very beautiful—the foundation was just there.
Staring at the photo of Song Qiuyu’s radiant smile, Jiang Xiao was momentarily dazed.
“Let me see!”
Song Qiuyu ran back.
Jiang Xiao snapped back to reality and moved the phone closer to her, giving her easier access to the screen and keeping a respectful distance.
After seeing the photo, Song Qiuyu looked up at Jiang Xiao twice and encouraged him, “Don’t worry, you’ll get better with practice.”
Then, she noticed an elderly couple nearby taking photos of each other with the panda.
Because she glanced their way, she accidentally met eyes with the old lady.
“Young lady, can you do us a favor?” The kind old lady waved at her, smiling.
“Hm?”
Song Qiuyu blinked.
“Be careful. If they ask us to help take a photo and then say they want to help us take one, don’t agree to hand over your phone.”
Jiang Xiao stopped her.
“Watch out for scams.”
Hearing this, Song Qiuyu laughed. So this guy actually had a strong sense of fraud prevention? Tsk tsk. It was a pity he was so cautious but hadn’t caught on to the roommate’s tricks.
Still… why would the old man and old lady want to help her and Jiang Xiao take photos?
And really, could the elderly couple outrun them?
Hmm…
You never know—maybe the old couple were disguised pickpockets?
When they approached, the old lady indeed wanted them to help take a photo together.
Song Qiuyu didn’t hesitate. She took the old lady’s phone and carefully found a good angle to take a nice photo of the elderly couple.
Seeing their affectionate display, she stole a glance at Jiang Xiao.
She knew she could never have such happiness, but Jiang Xiao still had a chance. Someday, he might grow old with the girl he liked—living together till their hair turned gray, surrounded by grandchildren.
Like with Sang Tian, for example.
Thinking of this, she pictured an old Jiang Xiao, even toothless, and the smile on her lips deepened.
After taking the photo, the elderly couple was very pleased.
The old man laughed heartily, “Young lady, you came to the zoo with your boyfriend, right? How about we take a photo of you two too, as thanks?”
The old lady agreed.
“No, no, we’re not a couple. We’re just friends, roommates, brothers! I’m a guy!” Song Qiuyu smiled awkwardly and shook her head, realizing Jiang Xiao had hit the mark.
It turned out to be a misunderstanding—they thought they were a couple and wanted to take a photo for them…
She scratched the back of her neck awkwardly.
“?”
The elderly couple stared wide-eyed at Song Qiuyu, thoroughly surprised.
“Child, don’t take advantage of us old folks with your poor eyesight!”
The old lady said.
Jiang Xiao glanced indifferently at Song Qiuyu’s still-on makeup. He had warned her before that some people might believe her, but with makeup this pretty, nobody would doubt it now.
“Sigh, whatever, dear. If the young lady isn’t willing, then forget it,” said the old man. “Young people these days.”
Seeing this, the elderly couple didn’t press the issue and said their goodbyes before moving on.
Song Qiuyu watched them leave with a complicated expression.
Then she scratched her head and coughed twice. “Sorry, Jiang Xiao, I got you misunderstood again.”
“It’s okay.”
Jiang Xiao thought for a moment. “Besides, being misunderstood isn’t all bad. It keeps a lot of people from coming up to us asking for our contact info. Our eyes get some peace.”
Huh?
You could look at it that way?
Song Qiuyu’s eyes brightened instantly.
Her heavy guilt lightened somewhat.
But then she thought better of it—what if the misunderstanding kept away the right person?
She didn’t voice this thought, knowing it would just remind Jiang Xiao of Shen Xi.
Jiang Xiao also looked up toward the elderly couple’s departing figures, hand in hand.
How nice.
Even if it was just pretend, at least this scene looked incredibly enviable.
“Jiang Xiao, what’s wrong?”
Noticing Jiang Xiao’s sudden gloominess, Song Qiuyu’s heart tightened, and she grew nervous.