Chapter 72 – A Day at the Amusement Park

According to reports, the filming of "Starlight at Dawn" has been suspended due to the sudden illness of the male lead, Cheng Yishu.

At the amusement park, as soon as they got off the pirate ship, Ranran clamored to ride the carousel!

So, Aunt Lingzi held Ranran's hand in her left, her shoulder weighed down by a "mommy bag" packed with all sorts of drinks, snacks, and a box of sliced fruit...

She turned to look for the "Wenshu couple," that notoriously affectionate pair, but they were nowhere to be seen.

Ranran furrowed her tiny brows, tugged Lingzi down to her level, stood on tiptoe, and whispered seriously, “Auntie Ling, let’s just play by ourselves. Don’t disturb them, okay?”

Aunt Lingzi was really too tall; unlike Brother Yishu, who would always crouch down to talk to her, Ranran sighed with a hint of exhaustion.

“You little imp!” Lingzi laughed, lowering her head to look at Ranran. “Who told you not to bother them?”

Ranran just smiled slyly, holding tight to Lingzi’s hand, refusing to let go. Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck Lingzi—a rather presumptuous thought.

Ever since she’d met Brother Cheng, he’d sometimes be uncooperative at work, even stone-faced during interviews…but he’d never lied or pretended to be sick to skip work just to go out and have fun!

This little girl was precocious and articulate! As for Lin Xiaowen, she seemed straightforward and guileless. Her looks were that of a delicate beauty, yet compared to Tan Jing’s gentle elegance and intellect, she was really quite ordinary…

If there wasn’t some other reason, why would Brother Cheng be so smitten with her that he’d neglect his work?

Hmm, perhaps she ought to investigate more closely on Brother Cheng’s behalf…

The black fisherman’s hat was stifling under the sun. Clad in black ripped jeans and a black T-shirt, Cheng Yishu felt as if he were being roasted alive…

In contrast, Lin Xiaowen, in her light blue shirt and breezy skirt, looked refreshingly cool. Her left hand was held tightly in Cheng Yishu’s, while her right held an ice cream cone—a picture of sweet, summery contentment.

“Here, have a bite!” she offered.

Around the music fountain, a crowd of young people gathered, enjoying the spray that cooled the air and waiting for the fountain to reach its highest arc with the music’s climax, so they could snap photos with their loved ones.

But these two were simply resting their feet after walking too much.

Most of the rides were off-limits—they were group activities, and with so many people around, there was a risk of being recognized.

On such a hot day, they couldn’t very well wear masks and sunglasses the entire time; that would only attract more attention.

So, for the most part, Cheng Yishu kept the brim of his hat pulled low, speaking in hushed tones, afraid of drawing notice.

Lin Xiaowen’s initial sympathy had grown into genuine concern, especially seeing the sweat trickling down his forehead and temple—she felt guilty.

“I don’t like sweets. I’m not a girl,” Cheng Yishu protested, refusing to break his aloof persona, especially to eat a pink, strawberry-flavored ice cream in public.

Lin Xiaowen pouted in displeasure.

“Just try one bite—it’s really cooling!”

“No,” Cheng Yishu insisted, determined to hold out a bit longer, but it was hard to refuse her when she acted so adorably.

“Really not?” she wheedled.

“No,” he replied, his gaze averted, a hint of a smile on his lips.

“Fine, more for me then… Ahh, it’s delicious!” Lin Xiaowen exaggerated her enjoyment, sneaking glances at him all the while.

By now, the crowd was growing restless. Cheng Yishu looked back at Lin Xiaowen, who was happily eating.

“Is it really that good?”

“Of course!” Lin Xiaowen shot him a sidelong glance and took another big bite, savoring it with exaggerated satisfaction to make him regret his refusal.

“Then…” Cheng Yishu leaned in, his voice low, close to her face. Lin Xiaowen, not catching his words, looked up at him in confusion.

“Hm? What?”

“Then feed me…” he murmured, a mischievous smile playing at his lips as, without warning, he pressed them softly to her sweet, strawberry-flavored, cool lips.

At that very moment, the musical fountain shot up to its highest point…

Under the blazing sun, droplets refracted into a rainbow mist, like countless joyous sprites dancing with the crowd.

The cheers, laughter, and upbeat, romantic music instantly filled everyone’s hearts.

For the first time, Cheng Yishu didn’t mind the flash of cameras, even though he knew he wasn’t the target.

Because he truly wished these sweet moments with Xiaowen could be captured, even if only as bystanders in someone else’s photo.

When the kiss ended, Cheng Yishu habitually bit her lower lip gently before pulling her into his embrace, reluctant to let go.

The sun was so hot, so fierce—so why did he feel an endless coolness when she lay against his chest?

“Do you… feel a bit strange?” Lin Xiaowen’s cheeks were flushed, her voice barely audible.

“What do you mean?” Cheng Yishu chuckled—was this little woman getting shy?

It was the first time he’d done something so bold in public…

Just as he was feeling proud of his newfound romantic flair, Lin Xiaowen added,

“The ice cream… it melted!”

“Huh? Oh…” Cheng Yishu was momentarily confused, then felt the sticky, cold sensation spreading on his lower back, and realized what had happened.

Lin Xiaowen’s melted ice cream had turned into a puddle of pink, and she bit her lip to hold back laughter as she watched Cheng Yishu’s face flush in suppressed annoyance.

“Lin Xiaowen, you owe me a new shirt!”

“You owe me a new ice cream!”

The two of them stared each other down, childish and unyielding.

“Fine!” Cheng Yishu suddenly hugged Lin Xiaowen tighter, gazing into her eyes as he said with a smile,

“I’ll buy you ice cream for a lifetime—but on one condition: you have to feed me ice cream for a lifetime too. Deal?”

“Who…who’s making a deal with you!” Lin Xiaowen’s cheeks burned at his words, though she was secretly delighted.

Cheng Yishu’s lips curved in a gentle smile. “I decide.”

Lin Xiaowen looked back at him, eyes sparkling, and replied with just two words,

“So domineering!”

At last, they chose a ride they could enjoy—the roller coaster!

But Lin Xiaowen was hesitant; she was afraid.

Still, thinking how rare it was for Cheng Yishu to come to an amusement park and that he could only watch wistfully from the sidelines, she felt sorry for him.

So, summoning her courage, she let the staff fasten her safety belt. The man beside her, dressed like a character from The Matrix, gripped her hand tightly, giving her strength.

As the ride started slowly, Lin Xiaowen thought it wasn’t so bad after all. She realized she’d been too nervous, and turned to smile at Cheng Yishu, signaling with her eyes,

‘See? It’s not so bad—I can do this!’

But then—