After playing the coin pusher, Xu Xiuwen took Xiao Youran to play the claw machine.
In the middle of the arcade, there were two small claw machines.
While they were playing other games earlier, Xu Xiuwen had noticed Xiao Youran glancing over at these machines multiple times and figured out that she wanted to try her luck at them.
Xu Xiuwen checked the number of game tokens they had left—there were plenty, more than enough to win a stuffed toy.
So, he led Xiao Youran over to the claw machine.
Since they had plenty of tokens, there was no pressure if they didn't win right away.
Xu Xiuwen handed the controls over to Xiao Youran, letting her take the first turn.
Xiao Youran was excited, her face lighting up as she said, "Sure, sure!" and eagerly started her claw machine journey.
She wasn't the type to be overly cautious, so she played rather casually.
She tried ten times in a row, each time almost getting the toy but falling just short.
Unwilling to give up, Xiao Youran tried another dozen times, but still, she had no success.
With only two tokens left, Xiao Youran finally calmed down.
She turned to Xu Xiuwen and said, "Sorry, Xiao Xu, I can't win anything."
Xu Xiuwen gave her a light smile and replied, "There's no need to apologize."
"But I wasted all the tokens. We're out of coins now."
"We can always buy more, and besides—" Xu Xiuwen paused, teasing her.
"Besides what?" Xiao Youran asked, just as he had expected.
"Besides, two tokens might be all we need. Let me take over now."
Xu Xiuwen took the remaining two tokens from Xiao Youran and inserted one into the machine.
He grabbed the joystick and carefully moved the claw.
Before long, the claw was positioned over a Winnie the Pooh plush toy.
Xiao Youran watched nervously, but Xu Xiuwen seemed relaxed.
He gently pressed the button, and the claw descended.
Under both of their gazes, the claw accurately gripped the Winnie the Pooh.
As the claw retracted, it shook slightly but held onto the toy securely.
The claw returned to the drop zone, and finally, the plush toy fell into the prize chute.
"Wow! You got it!" Xiao Youran exclaimed excitedly.
Xu Xiuwen smiled faintly, bent down to pick up the toy, and handed it to Xiao Youran.
She quickly took it, a wide smile spreading across her face.
After her excitement settled, Xiao Youran asked, "Xiao Xu, how did you manage to get it on your first try?"
Xu Xiuwen replied mysteriously, "That's a secret."
"Can't you tell me?"
"Nope, if I tell you, it won't work anymore."
"Alright."
Xiao Youran felt a bit disappointed but didn't press further.
Xu Xiuwen thought to himself: These machines are usually set by the owners to only allow a win after a certain number of tokens have been spent.
Xiao Youran had already used up so many tokens, it was bound to work this time.
He just got lucky.
If he tried again, it probably wouldn't work.
"Are you done playing? Shall we go?"
"Sure," Xiao Youran responded, holding the stuffed toy in one hand and wrapping her other arm around Xu Xiuwen's.
They left the arcade and went to a supermarket.
Xu Xiuwen bought a lot of things, including fresh groceries and some daily necessities.
By the time they came out, their hands were full of shopping bags and plastic bags, making it clear that they couldn't continue shopping.
Xu Xiuwen and Xiao Youran loaded everything into the car.
After checking the time, Xu Xiuwen turned to Xiao Youran and said, "Shall we go get something to eat?"
"Sure, sure!"
Xu Xiuwen chuckled, "Why do you always say 'sure' to everything I suggest?"
"No matter what we do, I'm happy as long as I'm with you."
Xu Xiuwen ruffled Xiao Youran's hair with a fond smile.
"Alright then, let's go eat."
There was a well-known restaurant on the shopping street.
When Xu Xiuwen and Xiao Youran arrived, they found that it was nearly full, with only one small, secluded corner table for two still available.
Most of the couples dining in the restaurant avoided this spot, preferring more central locations, but Xu Xiuwen and Xiao Youran appreciated the quiet and chose the table with pleasure.
This restaurant was considered quite famous locally in Langya.
The decor and layout of the restaurant were very exquisite.
Fresh greenery was scattered throughout the restaurant, creating a pleasant atmosphere.
The restaurant mainly catered to couples.
Since it was located on the shopping street, many of the customers were couples out for a day of shopping.
Whenever Xu Xiuwen and Xiao Youran went out together, he always took her preferences into account, usually handing her the menu to order.
Xiao Youran naturally took the menu and began to select dishes.
Xu Xiuwen expected her to choose the dishes she liked, as she usually did.
But this time was different.
Perhaps after their experience in Tianyun Mountain Town, Xiao Youran had grown a lot.
She had noticed how Cheng Lu was very considerate of others' tastes when ordering, and realized her own shortcomings.
She was trying to change.
Xu Xiuwen could tell from the dishes she chose that she was considering his preferences, and he smiled softly.
Xiao Youran could be willful at times, but deep down, she was a very gentle girl, someone who considered others and reflected on her own actions.
Xu Xiuwen didn't say anything, just smiled and added two more dishes to the order.
They were dishes she loved.
Of course, Xiao Youran noticed.
She couldn't help but smile and said, "Xiao Xu, now we've ordered too much food."
"It's okay, wasting a little now and then won't hurt anyone."
"Oh."
The food arrived quickly.
After the dishes were served, Xu Xiuwen ate very little, focusing mainly on serving food to Xiao Youran, feeding her with his chopsticks.
Xiao Youran was overjoyed, laughing so much she couldn't stop.
She happily accepted every bite he offered, not turning anything down.
But soon, she was full.
When Xu Xiuwen tried to feed her again, she shook her head and said, "Xiao Xu, you should eat too. I think I'm full."
"Okay."
Xu Xiuwen then began to eat his own meal.
Xiao Youran put down her chopsticks, rested her elbows on the table, cupped her chin in her hands, and tilted her head, watching Xu Xiuwen eat with a look of pure happiness.
She felt that there was no moment more blissful than this.
"Why are you staring at me like that?" Xu Xiuwen asked when he looked up and noticed her expression.
"You're eating so deliciously, it's making me want to eat again."
"Then have some more."
Xiao Youran shook her head.
Xu Xiuwen hesitated for a moment before realizing what she meant, then he picked up a particularly well-presented piece of meat and brought it to her mouth.
Only then did Xiao Youran open her mouth and take a bite.
After finishing the meat, she couldn't help but say, "Xiao Xu, I really want to marry you."
Xu Xiuwen almost choked.
He turned to look at Xiao Youran. "Is that something you should be saying? You're still so young, and you're already thinking about marriage?"
Xiao Youran responded seriously, "But I really want to."
Xu Xiuwen put down his chopsticks and asked, "Why do you suddenly want to marry me?"
"If we're married, I won't have to worry about someone else taking you away. Xiao Xu, I really, really like you. I don't want to be apart from you for even a moment."
Xiao Youran's eyes sparkled with emotion, filled with the deep affection of a young girl.
Xu Xiuwen hesitated for a moment before saying, "Alright, after you graduate, we'll get married."
"Really?" Xiao Youran's eyes lit up with joy.
"Yes." Xu Xiuwen nodded seriously.
"What about Cheng Lu?"
Without hesitation, Xu Xiuwen replied, "I'll marry her too."
"Xiao Xu!" Xiao Youran pouted, "Can't you just break up with her?"
Xu Xiuwen didn't answer her but instead changed the subject. "You're willing to marry me, but is your mom willing?"
Xiao Youran was stunned for a moment and instinctively asked, "You want to marry my mom too?"
Xu Xiuwen was speechless.
He sighed, rubbing his forehead. "What nonsense are you talking about? I mean, you agree to marry me, but does your mom agree to let you marry me? What do you mean I want to marry your mom? Do you even hear yourself? Does that sound like something a normal person would say?"
Xiao Youran realized she had misspoken.
She smiled awkwardly, then quickly said, "My mom will definitely support me."
She paused for a moment.
"Xiao Xu, my mom actually likes you a lot. Whenever we talk, she often tells me to take good care of you."
"Oh, I see. Well, thank Auntie for me."
"Hehe, Xiao Xu, my mom likes you, and Auntie Ning likes me too. We'll be so happy when we get married."
"Mm-hmm. After you graduate, if you want to get married, we will."
Hearing Xu Xiuwen's promise, Xiao Youran was overjoyed.
But she still felt a bit uneasy. "Xiao Xu, you really will marry me, right?"
"Don't you trust me?"
"It's not that, I'm just worried."
Xu Xiuwen thought for a moment and suddenly remembered the game token he had left in his pocket.
"Hold out your hand," he suddenly said to Xiao Youran.
Xiao Youran didn't understand why, but she obediently stretched out her hand.
Xu Xiuwen smiled as he took out the game token and placed it in her palm.
"This is a wishing coin. No matter what your wish is, I will fulfill it. After you graduate, if you want to get married, just take out this wishing coin. No matter where I am or what I'm doing, I'll come back right away to marry you. Now, are you at ease?"
Xiao Youran looked at the game token in her hand—or rather, the wishing coin.
Her eyes instantly welled up with tears.
"Xiao Xu~" she called out softly, then threw herself into Xu Xiuwen's arms like a little bird returning to its nest.
It took a long time for Xiao Youran to calm down from the emotion she felt.
She looked at the wishing coin in her hand, grinning from ear to ear.
Seeing this, Xu Xiuwen reminded her, "Be careful not to lose that wishing coin. If you lose it and we can't get married, you can't blame me."
Xiao Youran nodded vigorously, "Don't worry, I'll take good care of this wishing coin."
Xu Xiuwen nodded, then continued eating.
Xiao Youran also carefully placed the wishing coin into her bag.
"Xiao Xu, did you say the same thing to Cheng Lu?" Xiao Youran asked tentatively.
"What do you think?"
"I... I don't know."
"Of course not."
"Really? She doesn't have a wishing coin either?"
"Nope."
"Hehe."
Xiao Youran immediately felt that she had gained the upper hand in her competition with Cheng Lu.
After dinner, just before paying the bill, the restaurant owner offered a couple's free meal game.
The game was simple: it was a dart-throwing game.
A dartboard was hung on the wall, with sections labeled with discounts, half-price, and free meal options.
Each couple had one dart, and wherever the dart landed, they would receive the corresponding reward.
The biggest prize, of course, was the free meal.
The free meal section on the dartboard was tiny, barely three centimeters wide.
The best anyone had managed before was an 80% discount.
Even so, those who hit the 80% mark still felt like they had gotten a great deal.
Xu Xiuwen and Xiao Youran also took a turn at the dart game.
Xu Xiuwen rarely played darts, and his first throw only earned them a 90% discount.
Now it was Xiao Youran's turn to take the second shot.
She was very nervous, repeatedly asking, "Xiao Xu, I don't know how to throw! What should I do?"
Xu Xiuwen reassured her, "It's okay, it's just a little game. Even if you don't hit the target, we won't lose anything."
Hearing Xu Xiuwen's comforting words, Xiao Youran gradually calmed down.
She stood behind the line, holding the dart, carefully gauging the force.
The next second, she threw the dart.
"Wow! Xiao Xu, I hit it!"
When the dart landed squarely on the free meal section, Xiao Youran jumped up in excitement.
She was both thrilled and overjoyed.
Xu Xiuwen was also surprised by the result.
It was Xiao Youran's first time throwing a dart, and she managed to hit the free meal section.
He couldn't help but laugh.
The other couples around them were all envious of Xiao Youran.
Some of the boys who were paying the bill, after seeing Xiao Youran's angelic face, were even more envious of Xu Xiuwen.
Having such a beautiful girlfriend was one thing, but having such good luck was another.
The restaurant owner was also surprised, but he wasn't stingy.
He immediately offered his congratulations and promised that their meal tonight was on the house.
As they left the restaurant, Xiao Youran was still bubbling with happiness.
She proudly said to Xu Xiuwen, "Xiao Xu, I'm amazing, right? Hehe."
"Amazing. Thanks to your luck, I got to enjoy a free dinner."
Xiao Youran clung to Xu Xiuwen's arm, pressing her cheek against it.
She felt like this afternoon was so wonderful it almost seemed like a dream.
By evening, the commercial street in Langya City had transformed from what it was in the afternoon.
Brilliant lights decorated the entire long street.
Xiao Youran held onto Xu Xiuwen's arm as they strolled along the street together.
She was so happy that she felt like she could faint.
Since middle school, she had dreamed of walking openly down the street with Xu Xiuwen.
Now that dream had finally come true.
At this moment, she no longer saw Xu Xiuwen as just her childhood friend.
He was now her boyfriend, her future husband, her pillar of support.
Her cheeks were flushed, making her even more beautiful.
Passersby couldn't help but glance at them as they walked by.
Xiao Youran felt a little shy, but even more so, she felt sweet and content.
Xu Xiuwen also found the atmosphere incredibly pleasant.
As they walked down the street, it was mostly Xiao Youran who did the talking, and she mostly spoke about their childhood.
Xu Xiuwen was drawn into memories of the past by her words.
Those wonderful memories of their youth, which had seemed so distant to Xu Xiuwen, suddenly felt very vivid, as if they had just happened yesterday.
As he thought about all the moments he had spent with Xiao Youran in the past, Xu Xiuwen couldn't help but hold her a little tighter.
Before they knew it, they were back near the car.
Xu Xiuwen snapped out of his reverie.
He turned to Xiao Youran and said gently, "It's getting late. Let's go home."
"Okay. I'll listen to you." Xiao Youran replied with a sweet smile.
They drove back to the neighborhood.
Xu Xiuwen first took Xiao Youran home, then drove back to his own place.
When he got home, Ning Wanqiu still wasn't there.
The house was unusually quiet.
Xu Xiuwen stored the fresh groceries in the fridge, then sat down at his computer.
He figured he could use this free moment to write and prepare for his new book.
Xu Xiuwen wrote with great enthusiasm.
When he finally took a break, he even popped into his readers' chat group for a bit of conversation.
His sudden appearance caused quite a stir among the readers.
Xu Xiuwen was taken aback by their exaggerated reactions.
The question that came up the most was, "When will your new book be released?"
Xu Xiuwen replied, "I'm currently building up a backlog of chapters. The new book will be released soon. I hope you'll all support it when the time comes."