We reached a market — though honestly, we had no idea where we were going at first. While discussing places to visit, we decided to just count to twenty and stop wherever we ended up. And that's how we landed here.
Lu parked the car and got out. I was looking around curiously.
"What are you thinking, Qin?" he asked.
"Nothing," I replied with a smile. "It just looks like a completely new place. I've never seen a market like this before."
"Then it's perfect," Lu said. "Even though we chose this place like kids counting from one to twenty, it turns out you picked the right one."
We held hands and walked inside.
One of the first shops we saw was a chocolate store — but not just any chocolate store. They sold chocolates in all kinds of cute and quirky shapes, and they even let customers make their own. Lu and I looked at each other and nodded in excitement.
We decided to make it a challenge: whoever made the most creative chocolate shape would win. After crafting our sweet creations, we handed them over to the shop owner to freeze. We also packed some chocolates for Liang's family, and Lu packed a box for his parents too.
Next, we stopped at a game booth — the kind where you throw rings onto objects and win prizes. We gave it a try and laughed like kids every time we missed.
Then we spotted a pottery shop. I asked the owner if we could try making something ourselves, and he smiled and said yes.
We sat down and began shaping the clay together. But Lu accidentally poured too much water and pushed a little too hard — the clay splashed right onto his face. His whole face was covered in wet mud.
I couldn't hold back my laughter.
"Oh my god, Lu, you look—!" I burst into giggles.
Lu grinned mischievously, grabbed a handful of the muddy clay, and smeared it onto my face.
The shop owner chuckled at us and said, "Young couples like you are so sweet to watch."
---
Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Zhichen was sitting quietly in his room, lost in thought.
Do I like Liang? Is it… love?
He didn't realize how deeply he was thinking until Liang suddenly knocked on the door and walked in.
She tapped his desk playfully. "What are you thinking about?"
Zhichen jolted up, flustered. "No—nothing! What are you doing here?"
Liang smiled mysteriously. "I have a surprise for you. Close your eyes."
"What is it?" he asked, confused.
"Just trust me!" she said.
Before he could argue, she took his hand and gently closed his eyes with her fingers.
Zhichen's heart pounded again — fast, wild, and confusing.