"You're so fierce," she teased with a coquettish frown. "Then I simply won't tell you."
Jian Qizhao's heart dissolved into a pool of spring water: "Then what must I do for you to tell me?"
"If you happen upon me again, I shall share it with you."
"Agreed."
He chose not to trouble her further and let her leave.
Upon Jin Huan's return, Ji Yan breathed a quiet sigh of relief. Her beauty was such that no ordinary man could remain unaffected.
She sat next to him, and he tenderly encircled Jin Huan's waist, his eyes brimming with deep affection.
When Lin Zhengxiao saw them return, he quickly approached with a glass of wine, but Jin Huan did not even glance his way.
Shen Jin Huan only showed interest in men who were both present and of high quality.
She could tell at a glance whether a man was unspoiled.
Shen Jin Huan never touched a man who had been tainted by others.
Her spirits were low, primarily because the place was dull. She had hoped for a venue like Paradise Gate where she could dance, but instead found a smoky interior and a deathly quiet exterior, not fun at all.
Ji Yan, noticing her lack of enthusiasm, soon suggested they leave.
"This is boring."
"Then I won't bring you here anymore."
"Agreed."
As she sat in the car, she suddenly noticed a brightly lit, bustling area. A night market, perhaps?
"Ji Yan, Ji Yan, I want to go there!"
"Alright."
Parking here was truly a struggle, but Ji Yan managed to find a spot.
She stepped out of the car.
The man, fearing Jin Huan might wander off, kept a tight grip on her waist.
The crowd was dense, and he used his body to shield her.
Everything smelled delicious, especially the snack foods and fried treats she favored, in stark contrast to the refined main courses that always left her uninterested.
At her request, Ji Yan bought an oversized iron-plate squid.
Seeing the sparkle in her eyes, he knew she relished it!
"Ji Yan, I want that one, go buy it for me!" Jin Huan noticed many girls holding the same drink.
"Alright." Ji Yan took her to get milk tea.
Full sugar, extra ice, with pearls.
After one sip, Jin Huan exclaimed, "Ji Yan, I want more, ten cups!"
Just like last night when she wanted Coke.
Ji Yan chuckled but was exasperated: "You shouldn't have too much, it's bad for your health."
Jin Huan pouted, but she couldn't say that even the strongest poisons had no effect on her.
However, knowing Ji Yan meant well, she wasn't overly willful. Her attention was quickly diverted!
Sugar-roasted chestnuts were delicious!
Clam powder was scrumptious!
Cheese meat sticks!
...
Ying, ying, ying, Jin Huan loved this place!
Those imperial dishes, what delicacies and bird's nests and shark fins, were nowhere near as tasty as these delights, loved it!
It was almost ten o'clock when they got home, and Ji Yan noted that despite how much she had eaten, her stomach wasn't swollen at all, as if nothing had happened...
She was still holding a cup of milk tea and a KFC super-large lobster taco.
If he remembered correctly, this was her sixth cup of milk tea for the evening...
After strolling through the snack street, Jin Huan was in high spirits. She didn't play with her phone when they got home but clung to him, adorably needy.
Ji Yan adored her dependence, and his smile never faded.
He prepared the bathwater, adding a bath bomb they bought while shopping. Not sure which was effective, she had chosen a few good-looking ones.
Tonight's choice was a cute little rainbow, very lovely.
It was Jin Huan's first time using such a thing, pretty! Liked it!
Ji Yan had also set up a tray beside her, placing freshly squeezed watermelon juice, barbecue-flavored chips, tomato-flavored chips, spicy gluten, washed blueberries, and grapes. A diffuser added a final aesthetic touch, looking absolutely beautiful.
"Ji Yan, I like it this way."
"I'll always make it like this for you."
"Alright."
Jin Huan remained in the bath for an hour, only emerging because the snacks were gone; otherwise, she could have soaked for another hour.
Ji Yan came over to dry her hair.
Jin Huan's hair was long, past her waist, likely looking stunning in a period drama film, but it was quite a hassle to blow-dry.
Ji Yan was exceedingly careful and gentle.
"Would you like to go to the amusement park tomorrow?"
"What's an amusement park?"
Unsure how to explain, he let her open a browser to search for it.
Upon entering the search, numerous entries about it appeared.
Jin Huan clicked on a link with a video.
The first scene was a roller coaster, and Jin Huan wanted to experience it!
"I want to play that!"
"Alright."
After drying her hair, he carried her to the couch.
He turned off the lights, leaving only two small hanging night lamps on. The air subtly tinged with tension.
Confronted with Ji Yan's desirous gaze, she hesitated.
Although she initially intended to deceive him of his feelings, and then of him as a person, each time she changed men, it felt like being torn apart anew, painful, his size—she had measured that morning.
Large.
So, Jin Huan wasn't quite ready.
Maybe in some time, it had been decades since she last felt that pain, and she lacked the energy to cope with it now, oof, scared.
"Ji Yan, I'm tired, let's sleep," she opened her arms for a hug.
That was a clear no.
Ji Yan didn't force her, enduring his own discomfort to embrace her.
After all the lights were out.
He held Jin Huan close: "Are you sure you don't want it?"
She swallowed hard, eyes closed, feigning death.
Ji Yan kissed her gently, his palm tenderly cradling her neck, his breath warm.
His voice was low and husky: "Shall I be gentle?"