บท 43: Operation-Seducing Linfeng: The Date (VIII)

They entered the horror booth before the sun set. Now, the sun already settled and the sky was dark outside. Street lights and lamps from the booths and stalls lit up the surroundings. There were still many people and it looked like the night would be long.

"It's seven in the evening. Do you want to go home now?" Linfeng asked.

Xiong Zhi shook her head.

"Let's eat first, then go to the Ferris Wheel."

They ate until they were full and then went to the long line of the Ferris Wheel.

After one hour of waiting, finally, it was their turn. Sitting together inside the Ferris Wheel, Xiong Zhi's mind was racing.

This move, again, was of course included in Song Xuantin's suggestion.

Song Xuantin said, "Since we are in the amusement park, don't forget to ride the Ferris Wheel. It is the wheel of fate. If you watch romantic movies, dramas, and read novels and comics... That is the place where the two leads usually confess to each other. And if you're lucky, you'll get a kiss! Kyaahh!!"

Then Song Xuantin was immersed in her own world.

Xiong Zhi let out a breath and peeked at Linfeng.

Linfeng was looking outside at the city lights below. He was silent while in his own thoughts.

Did he look like a man who was about to confess his love towards her? Xiong Zhi cringed a bit at that thought. Interacting with Linfeng today, she knew well that the man was heavily guarded and it would take time for him to grow his feelings for her. But she hoped that the seed she planted today was a good, strong, and unbreakable seed. She needed to take care of it well. So for now, let's not water it too much, she decided.

(a/n :,she meant here to not attack on full force like confessing to Linfeng then scaring him off).

Xiong Zhi inched closer to Linfeng, sitting close beside him and looking outside. She watched the beautiful city lights which dotted the horizon densely. They were like stars with different colors against the dark night.

She looked up. The night was clear and the stars were glowing brightly.

What a beautiful sight.

She could not help but ask out loud.

"Which is more beautiful? The sight below or the scenery above?"

Linfeng glanced at Xiong Zhi.

Seeing that she was looking above, he also looked up and stared at the sea of stars.

"Beautiful..." he muttered.

Xiong Zhi shifted her gaze and looked at his beautiful side profile.

Linfeng's eyes reflected the lights of the stars, sparkling. The lines of his nose, chin, jaws, and his sexy throat were stretched out. The lights from the Ferris Wheel casted a glowing sheen on him.

He was like a prince praying under a wishing star.

"Beautiful indeed..." Xiong Zhi muttered.

She asked again. "Which one do you prefer?"

Linfeng turned to her again and really thought hard about it.

"Of course, I like the natural things above, nothing can match how beautiful they are," he said, glancing up the stars, before looking down at the city lights underneath, which shone remarkably beautiful as well.

She remained still, watching him quietly.

"But if every city light below was created by your own hands, seeing how they shimmered brightly in contrast to the dark night, is it not more beautiful than those stars? When you glance up... you want to reach those stars, things that were unreachable. Somehow, when you realized they are things that you can never reach, you will be disappointed, helpless, and defeated. But if you look down and see the things you created shine brightly, does it not make you feel satisfied, accomplished, and proud of yourself? Happiness will sprout in me whenever I think of those," he said truthfully, unwittingly exposing a part of himself. Perhaps because of the atmosphere, he could not help but open up more and say out his honest feelings.

His words were very meaningful.

There were some things you were bound to never get, but you could make your own happiness even without it.

Understanding the hidden message, Xiong Zhi's eyes dimmed at first but it quickly passed.

She knew very well how much Linfeng wanted to fly up high, to set himself free from shackles. She would support him with all her heart. She was just a bit sad because….

First, because of her, he was not able to do it in the past.

Also, in order to do it, he would need to stay distant from her, the source of those shackles.

She fell quiet, thinking of various thoughts.

After her mind was done with its calculation, her eyes were finally filled with determination.

Her eyes sparkled brighter than the stars.

She looked at the city lights below.

"En. I understand how you feel. If these city lights were created by you, I'll happily watch it every night. If I can, I'll help you build more of them and let them never lose their light. Just—" Her eyes turned to Linfeng.

Linfeng was also looking at her, staring at her sparkling eyes while waiting for her words.

"—Just don't stay away from me."

Silence.

The night wind brushed past outside the capsule.

Linfeng's heart began to beat erratically. He could even hear his own heartbeat in his ears.

Her eyes clearly conveyed her feelings.

He wanted to ask, why?

'Why do you spend so much effort in me? Why help me? Don't you understand you will end up hurt? I'm your aide! I should be nothing in your eyes! Why spend this day with me?'

Why... why did his heart feel so full yet sad?

Why was a person's heart so disobedient!

He looked away. He did not want Xiong Zhi to see his wavering eyes and confused gaze.

He knew well, he could not promise her request. There would come a time when he would leave the Xiong family and battle with them for his rights and freedom. Eventually, he would hurt the girl.

Thinking of the future that might happen soon, his heart was squeezing, as if it was rebelling against him. This... this was the reason why he did not want to stay with her today. She was a great distraction. A big hole on the road that if he did not look carefully, he might just fall in.

Now, he was falling. But it must not be allowed! There were still many things that he needed to do.

This. Is. Just. An. Infatuation.

Indeed, infatuation.

It would be gone as time passed. He took a deep breath, composed himself, and reminded himself this.

He looked at Xiong Zhi and smiled.

"Thank you. I appreciate it, Young Miss," he said, not promising anything.

There was an air of deliberate alienation in his eyes again.

Xiong Zhi's eyes dimmed a bit. However, it was quickly gone and her eyes shone brightly again.

She was a stubborn person who, once she made a decision, would follow through her determination no matter what.

'No matter! It is only day one. Part one done. There are still many chances to come!'

She smiled warmly.

"I'm saying it seriously. And it will stand the same in the future, no matter what."

Her smile was so dazzling that Linfeng could not take it anymore. His heart was betraying him again.

Thaddump! Thaddump!

"I—" Thaddump! Thaddump!

Shut up, this crazy heart beat!

"I—"

Ding!

Saved by the bell.

The Ferris Wheel stopped and the door opened. The staff gestured for them to come out.

Linfeng breathed heavily. He was so relieved that sweat dripped down his back. He did not know what to say at that time.

They went out. Xiong Zhi held Linfeng's hands again.

It was almost natural because they have been holding hands for the whole day.

But this time, Linfeng felt it was different. There was a numbing electric current coming from her touch. His mind was focused at their intertwined hands. He could not help but glance at it again and again to find out what was different.

He just felt... so aware. Then, he glanced up at Xiong Zhi's flawless face. Sensing his gaze, she returned his stare with a gentle smile.

Once again, his heart beat rapidly.

...Heavens above... Could he survive the remaining days?