The next morning, Bai Ziyuan got up early and stood in front of her wardrobe, carefully deciding what to wear. Ranran had invited her out. Rounding up, that basically meant they were going on a date! Of course she had to maintain a perfect image in front of her date, right?
Little did she know, in Gu Qianran's eyes, Bai Ziyuan's image had already completely collapsed. No matter what Bai Ziyuan wore, Gu Qianran only had one thought: cute, want to cuddle.
After two whole hours, the little girl finally picked out an outfit she was satisfied with and happily went downstairs. She greeted her parents, pushed open the door, and was greeted by a familiar sight: a beautiful girl in a black trench coat leaning casually against the wall, smiling at her. Beside her stood a shared bicycle. At Gu Qianran's suggestion, this type of shared bike came with a back seat.
"Ranran!" Bai Ziyuan exclaimed as she threw herself into Gu Qianran's arms, taking in the cool, familiar fragrance that clung to her. Gu Qianran hugged her back, secretly making a note: she really likes being close to me.
"Get on," Gu Qianran said with a charming smile as she mounted the little red bicycle. Bai Ziyuan's face flushed. This was way too romantic! Ranran really knew how to make her heart flutter… Why did someone so amazing have to be so straight-laced?
"Ranran, why'd you come all the way here on a bike to pick me up?" Bai Ziyuan asked, her voice drifting off into the wind as she wrapped her arms around Gu Qianran's waist.
Gu Qianran chuckled. "Of course it's because…" She rubbed her nose awkwardly. "Because I'm broke. Taking a cab is too expensive. And I didn't feel comfortable letting you come alone, so I figured I'd use this as a chance to test out the quality of a project I invested in."
Her teasing tone made Bai Ziyuan's heart feel warm and sweet. Ranran really cared about her, even if she had to come up with a clumsy excuse.
Ranran was so adorably tsundere.
Feeling genuinely broke, Gu Qianran glanced back and saw Bai Ziyuan lost in her own blissful thoughts again, which she found oddly baffling. Then a soft, sweet voice came from behind: "Ranran, you're the best. I love you the most." Her words were soft as sugar, her tone meltingly sweet.
For some reason, Gu Qianran's ears turned red and her breathing quickened. Feeling flustered, she pedaled faster. The rushing wind cooled the heat on her ears, and Gu Qianran silently made another note: being with her always makes me blush.
Their plans for the day were simple: shopping at the mall, followed by dinner and a movie. Gu Qianran didn't really know how young girls liked to spend their time. It was still warm in the late autumn, and she didn't want to be outside in the sun, so she went with this foolproof plan. Shopping seemed perfect. Bai Ziyuan didn't strike her as someone who liked buying lots of things anyway, so it would be a relaxing day together.
Still, she couldn't shake the odd feeling she got when she glanced at the mall's website: www.yuehuiba.com
.
Hand in hand, Bai Ziyuan led Gu Qianran through the mall, beaming with excitement. She bought herself a cup of milk tea and sipped it happily.
Double the treats, double the joy. Bai Ziyuan felt like today might just be the happiest day of her life. She was spending the day alone with the girl she liked!
Until they turned a corner and ran into Ji Tang and Bai Zilu.
The four of them froze, staring at each other. Bai Ziyuan glared at Bai Zilu, her eyes practically shooting flames. Why on earth had her dumb sister brought her crush along to ruin her date?! What was the punishment again for beating someone up in public…?
Bai Zilu, embarrassed, hurried to change the topic. "Since we've run into each other, why don't we walk around together?" Gu Qianran was sure to refuse! She had worked so hard to drag Ji Tang out, and now of all times, they had to bump into these two! She didn't want this either!
But to her surprise, Ji Tang and Gu Qianran both nodded. Their thinking was simple: since they'd met, why wouldn't they hang out together?
The reality was…
Gu Qianran thought: If there's some girly problem, Ji Tang can help out.Ji Tang thought: If Bai Zilu wants to buy something, she can get Gu Qianran to share the burden.
The Bai sisters exchanged a look, each seeing a glimmer of killing intent in the other's eyes. Then, in perfect unspoken agreement, they both turned slightly accusatory gazes on their companions: You two decided this without asking us? Who's supposed to have the final say here?
Well, the result was obvious: their opinions didn't matter.
Bai Ziyuan's carefully planned date for two had turned into a group outing of four. She was sulky and full of grievance, practically pouting the entire time.
Gu Qianran quickly noticed Bai Ziyuan's unhappiness and asked with concern, "Little cutie, what's wrong? Are you hungry?"
Bai Ziyuan gave a weak nod. But hungry? No, she was practically full just from the blinding presence of the third and fourth wheels. All she wanted now was to get away from them.
She pointed at a Sichuan restaurant and said with a challenging tone, "Ranran, let's eat here!"
No one in their family could handle spicy food well. If she suggested this, surely her dumb sister wouldn't follow. That way she'd get some time alone with Ranran!
Feeling incredibly clever, Bai Ziyuan instantly perked up.
Bai Ziyuan: I'm cured!
Sure enough, Bai Zilu hesitated at the sight of the Sichuan restaurant. Ji Tang tilted her head toward her. "You can't eat spicy food?"
Bai Zilu nodded. But she was curious. Her silly little sister couldn't handle spice either, so why was she suddenly acting like she could? Was this the power of love?
Her respect for Bai Ziyuan went up a notch, and she decided to help her little sister out. Ji Tang seemed to understand as well and led Bai Zilu to a light-flavored restaurant. Bai Zilu was so swept up in the unexpected sweetness of the gesture that she forgot about her sister entirely.
Bai Zilu: Heh, figure it out yourself, girl.
Meanwhile, Bai Ziyuan followed Gu Qianran into a Sichuan hot pot place, feeling triumphant. She was a genius!
But when they sat down, reality hit her. The bubbling broth in the large copper pot was bright red with chili oil, steam filling the air and making diners' faces flush. Just looking at it made her throat tighten.
Not great with spicy food, Bai Ziyuan swallowed hard. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.
Once they were seated, Gu Qianran handed her the menu. "Order what you'd like, little cutie."
Bai Ziyuan looked at the options, each one marked with at least two chili peppers, and instantly regretted everything. She slowly placed her order, dragging it out like she was enduring some kind of torture.
She passed the menu back to Gu Qianran, sitting next to her instead of across from her without even realizing it—probably just wanting to be closer.
Gu Qianran added a few more dishes before handing the menu to the waiter. While they waited for their food, neither of them spoke, choosing instead to quietly watch each other. By the time Gu Qianran snapped out of her daze, she had already rinsed both their sets of utensils without thinking.
"Thank you, Ranran." Bai Ziyuan's face was flushed. Maybe it was just the steam from the hot pot, but it made her look especially soft and pretty.
"It's nothing." Gu Qianran gently patted her head out of habit.
Mental notes: instinctively takes care of her; enjoys being affectionate with her.
The waiter brought over a large copper pot. Giant chili peppers floated boldly on the surface of the red broth. Bai Ziyuan felt like she might suffocate just looking at it.
Gu Qianran didn't seem fazed and happily dunked some meat into the bubbling pot. Seeing Gu Qianran so unfazed gave Bai Ziyuan courage.
She picked up a large slice of lamb and dipped it into what she thought was sesame paste—wait, where was the sesame paste? Why was it sesame oil?!
Tears welled up in her eyes. She bit the bullet and stuffed the meat in her mouth anyway. The spice hit her instantly, making tears stream down her cheeks, but she stubbornly swallowed every bite.
Too spicy. Never again…
A napkin dabbed gently at the corner of her lips. Gu Qianran softly wiped away the broth, then called the waiter to bring over sesame paste and a bowl of cold water.
"Little cutie, in Sichuan and Chongqing, they dip hot pot in sesame oil. If you don't like it, you should tell me." Gu Qianran's heart ached a little. This silly girl was literally crying from the spice but still trying to act tough.
Bai Ziyuan watched as Gu Qianran fished out a piece of meat, dipped it in cold water, and placed it on her plate. "Here, eat this. It won't be spicy now." Her voice was full of gentle indulgence.
Bai Ziyuan grinned so widely her eyes disappeared into crescents. Her Ranran was so sweet to her. How could she not fall even harder for her?
She got up to refill their water, her mind already drifting to the next part of their date. Online forums said that couples often used horror movies as an excuse to get closer, to hold each other in fear.
As she was daydreaming, she wasn't paying attention and bumped into someone. When she looked up, her smile immediately dropped.
Tch, Li Junyao. Why was he everywhere? So annoying.
But she had been the one who ran into him, so she forced herself to apologize politely. Li Junyao gave her a gentlemanly smile and extended an invitation. "Miss, would you like to join me for lunch?"
He thought he was being suave, but in Bai Ziyuan's eyes, he was nothing more than a sticky piece of candy she couldn't shake off. She had already apologized. Why was he still lingering?
Her tone turned cold. "No. I already have plans."
Li Junyao had been tailing her all morning, waiting for this chance. He wasn't about to let it go so easily. Smiling warmly, he reached for Bai Ziyuan's delicate hand. "Then, Miss, would you…"
Before he could finish, Bai Ziyuan stepped back defensively and declared loudly enough for the surrounding diners to hear, "Li Junyao, this is sexual harassment. That's illegal!"
Her words weren't shouted, but they carried just enough weight for everyone nearby to turn and stare. By the time Bai Ziyuan walked back to Gu Qianran, not even glancing back, Li Junyao was still frozen in place.
A shadow of gloom passed over his face. This woman had embarrassed him publicly… Bai Ziyuan! Just wait!
Gu Qianran had noticed Li Junyao entering the restaurant long ago. At first, when Bai Ziyuan had bumped into him, she was worried. But when she saw her little kitten scratch him so fiercely and leave him humiliated, her worry turned into pride.
A kitten showing its claws, and doing some damage too.
She shook off the odd metaphor and went back to spoiling her kitten with more delicious food.
As for Li Junyao's miserable retreat, neither of them gave him a second glance. Male lead? Who cared? They were still hungry.
After all, eating came first!