After a few minutes of driving, they finally arrived at Aurora Park. As soon as Lina stepped out of the car, she was captivated by the vibrant sights and sounds around her. It's just as beautiful as the book described! she thought, her eyes wide with wonder as she took in the lush greenery, colorful flowers, and the joyful laughter of families enjoying their day.
Bo Qiang glanced over at her, unable to suppress a smile at her enthusiasm. He turned off the car and said, "Let's go!"
Snapping out of her daze, Lina laughed, a bit embarrassed by her momentary awe. "Okay, let's go!"
As they entered the park, Lina immediately grabbed Bo Qiang's hand and dragged him toward a vendor selling cotton candy shaped like teddy bears. Bo Qiang chuckled at her excitement, thoroughly entertained by how much joy something so simple brought her.
Feeling a slight blush creep onto her cheeks, Lina playfully pouted, "Stop laughing at me, Brother Bo Qiang!"
Bo Qiang found her reaction endearing, and surprisingly, he didn't mind at all that she had called him "brother." It felt oddly comforting.
Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he began walking alongside Lina through the park. He felt a bit out of his element—his life had revolved around work for as long as he could remember. Meanwhile, Lina was looking around with wide eyes, soaking in everything with a childlike wonder that reminded him of a puppy he had as a child, full of unrestrained joy. With a hint of nostalgia, he asked, "So, where do you want to go first, Lina?"
Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she exclaimed, "I want to ride the roller coaster!"
Bo Qiang's heart sank at her enthusiasm. He swallowed hard at the thought; he had a deep-seated fear of heights. But seeing how genuinely excited Lina was, he forced himself to say, "Alright, let's do it."
Without missing a beat, Lina grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the ticket booth, practically bouncing with excitement.
As they stood in line, a little girl nearby noticed the colorful balloon in Lina's hand. "I want a cotton candy like that, Mommy!" she exclaimed, her eyes shining with envy.
The girl's mother looked over and smiled. "We'll get you one later, sweetie. That young man bought it for his girlfriend, so don't be jealous."
Lina and Bo Qiang exchanged amused glances, both chuckling at the misunderstanding, sharing a light moment amidst the hustle and bustle of the park.
At last, they reached the front of the line and boarded the roller coaster. Bo Qiang felt a cold sweat trickle down his back, but he tried to maintain his composure. "Just hold my hand if you feel scared," he said, attempting to sound brave and reassuring.
Lina nodded enthusiastically, but in her excitement, she barely noticed Bo Qiang's growing anxiety. As the ride started and they climbed higher, Lina let out joyful screams of exhilaration, while Bo Qiang felt his face grow paler with each click of the chain. His stomach twisted with dread, and as the ride twisted and turned, he began to panic, the world spinning around him.
Sensing his discomfort, Lina tightened her grip on his hand, trying to offer him some comfort amidst her own exhilaration.
After what felt like an eternity, the ride finally came to a stop. Lina hopped off, practically glowing with excitement, while Bo Qiang remained seated, his face drained of color. She gently guided him to a nearby bench, wiping the sweat from his forehead. Concern etched on her face, she asked, "Why didn't you tell me you were afraid of heights?"
Bo Qiang hesitated, struggling to find his voice, his dignity hanging by a thread. "I didn't want to ruin your fun," he finally managed to say, but the words felt weak.
Seeing how shaken he was, Lina sighed and decided it was best to change the topic. "Alright, I won't ask anymore. Just sit tight; I'll go grab you some water." She released his hand and headed off toward a nearby stand.
As Bo Qiang sat alone on the bench, he felt a strange emptiness in her absence, an unexpected longing that surprised him. Just as quickly, that feeling was overshadowed by the queasiness in his stomach. He rushed to the nearest trash can, and without warning, he vomited. As he leaned over, he thought to himself, I'm never going on a roller coaster again.