Sitting far from Chen Jingyun and Fu Wang, there was Hong Bao looking away. His eyes were lowered and his lips were in a permanent line. He was far less reactive, but he was still jealous of Chen Jingyun.
He did his best to hide it- no, suppress that feeling. He didn't need to add one more thing on the list he lacks. Money, friends, and a life.
He tried his best to control his feelings, but it all seeped out, the green poisonous monster within him.
The more he looked at Chen Jingyun, the more his brain was contaminated as he insulted her. Even though it was irrational and she hadn't done anything to spite him, she was high on the list of people he hated to see.
Taking his glasses off, Hong Bao sighed as he wondered when this would end.
-
It was Saturday. Ice Skating Day.
One would think Chen JIngyun told Li Minghao in advance what her plans were going to be, but reality proved otherwise.
Chen Jingyun never told Li Minghao where she was going.
She only told him she wanted to go out, saying she wanted to go to the mall and buy a few things. Li Minghao being the unsuspecting gentleman that has never gone shopping with a woman, agreed to her plans.
In fact, even if she had taken a few hours on a shopping spree, he wouldn't mind. He was never one to get bored and wait around. He would always have a backup plan.
However, nothing in his life, not even his grandfather's training, would ever prepare him for the true event he was going to.
Ice skating.
"You don't know how to skate?" Chen Jingyun was shocked.
She had already gone and paid for their skates and time on the ring, and now he was telling her didn't know how to skate?
No no, she wasn't judging him! It is just...
She never expected the dark lord to not know how to do something. Since day one he was so reliable and experienced that she assumed he would know how to skate too.
But he didn't!
And now she had a waddling giant obstructing the entrance to the skating ring and refusing to enter it. Nonetheless, he still looked quite calm.
"This floor is way more stable than the other one."
"Oh, come on!" Chen Jingyun laughed. "Everyone starts some way. Besides, you already wore the boots."
"I can take them off." Li Minghao was quick to point out. In fact, his eyes showed a flash of determination.
"Nonono, just try it. I will teach you!" Chen JIngyun quickly held him back.
Behind Li Minghao, a little girl with pigtails and chubby cheeks got fed up.
"Big brother, can you move?" The little girl cutely puffed her cheeks and put her hands on her hips.
Looking back at the tiny person, Li Minghao gave the little girl an apologetic smile and moved to the side.
"Sure, sorry for holding you back."
Since Li Minghao was a very handsome guy, the little girl's once angry feelings faded away. He little jaw even dropped a little.
However, she did her best to act normal. She strutted past him and got into the skating ring with her. She skated with ease and quite naturally.
"Big Brother, it is just ice. The worst thing that can happen is that you fall." The little girl smiled before skating away.
Looking back at the dark lord, Chen Jingyun was all smiles.
"What the little girl said is true. The worst thing that can happen is that you fall. Besides, you've got me, an expert, and you sir, are a talented young man. It is only a matter of time before you get goo at this."
Letting him go, Chen Jingyun instead opened her palm towards him. Inviting him instead of dragging him forcefully to ring.
"So? Will you come and try or will you stay forever a guy that doesn't know how to skate?" She smiled kindly yet never losing that playful spark in her.
Li Minghao only stared at her hand stretched out towards him. He still didn't want to go in that ice and make a fool out of himself. He would rather rent an ice skating ring and learn it by himself. But alas, it was already too late, and even though he hated to admit, the words in his mind that convinced him to put on the skates and head out to the ring still remained in his head.
"We don't run away from challenges. We overcome them." Those were the words his mother would say.
Taking her hand, Li Minghao finally stepped into the ring.