Daniel originally wanted to suggest going to a KTV to sing, but felt that a quiet girl like Ellie probably wouldn't like such a noisy place.
After much thought, he was unsure where to go.
Ellie was still holding half a bucket of unfinished popcorn in her arms. William, seeing her obediently holding the popcorn, said, "If you're not going to eat it, just throw it away."
"It's still edible; throwing it away would be a waste."
William glanced at her, the little prude was quite thrifty with food.
Daniel said, "William, where do we go now? Shall we go for a meal?"
"Are you hungry?"
Ellie shook her head; they had just finished eating a little after three, and she wasn't hungry at all.
Daniel said, "William, I'm not hungry either."
Despite claiming not to be hungry, as soon as Daniel smelled the fragrance of the Xiaoxianrou Baked Meat Pies ahead, he couldn't move. He enthusiastically recommended to the group, "These are really delicious; I want you all to try them."
Hao Ming exposed him, saying, "Just admit you want to eat them."
"Big head, don't talk nonsense. I'm not the one who wants to eat," Daniel said, then turned to Ellie and William, "William, Ellie, they're really tasty, have a taste."
"Have a taste, William."
"Have a taste, Ellie."
In the end, all four walked away, each holding a pie.
The old street was bustling with activity at night.
There were flower sellers, snack vendors, toy shops, nail art services, phone screen protector applicators... all sorts of businesses.
Daniel saw a shooting gallery ahead and said, "William, William, let's play over there."
William took the popcorn and unfinished milk tea from her hands, glanced at the pie in her hand, and said, "It's getting cold."
Ellie then began to eat in small bites. The vendor thoughtfully provided a bag for her to put the popcorn in.
Daniel played for twenty dollars, firing 20 shots and hitting 6 balloons.
The stall owner gave him a small keychain as a prize.
Hao Ming said, "You're really useless, Daniel."
"Screw you, big head. Come on, show us what you can do."
Hao Ming took the gun from him, and missed the first shot.
Daniel sneered, "Oh, who was it that just called me useless? Missed the first shot, even worse than me."
Hao Ming glanced at him.
In the end, Hao Ming hit seven targets.
Daniel said, "Don't gloat. You only hit one more than me."
Hao Ming replied, "That still makes me better than you."
"Pfft, you're nothing to brag about, just one more than me. You're like a pig nosing through a curtain, all mouth."
Listening to their banter, Ellie couldn't help but laugh, her apricot eyes curving with mirth.
William said, "Want to give it a try?"
Ellie was taken aback, then replied, "I don't know how to play."
"It's okay, just give it a shot."
Ellie placed the half-eaten pie on the side table and took the gun handed to her by William.
William had somehow moved behind her, his large hand grasping her arm, saying, "Hold it like this."
Ellie was enveloped by his crisp aura, and then heard him say, "Aim here, give it a try."
After William finished speaking, he let go of her.
Ellie mimicked the movements he had just taught her, then pulled the trigger, and the balloon burst.
She glanced over to see the teenager smiling at her.
Daniel said, "Ellie's the real deal, hit the first shot."
After his praise, Ellie missed the second shot.
In the end, Ellie only missed the second shot.
Daniel couldn't help but comment, "Ellie learns really fast, like a sharpshooter, hitting every shot."
Ellie's ears turned a light red, and she said, "Thank you."
The vendor gave her a plush bear in the end. Ellie held the bear and thanked the boss.
The boss said with a smile, "Little sister, your boyfriend is quite the teacher."
Hearing this, Ellie's ears turned even redder, and she said, "He's not my boyfriend."
The boss looked at their clothes, which looked like a couple's outfit, and said, "Not a couple, then siblings?"
Before Ellie could respond, William spoke up, "Let's go, sister." His eyes still held a smile.
The boss laughed, "Haha," then said, "You siblings have a great relationship."
Daniel was grinning uncontrollably behind them.
After walking a bit, Ellie said, "I'm not your sister."
"Alright, you're not a sister," William chuckled. He glanced at his phone and said, "It's getting late, let me take you home."
Ellie, holding the bear, said, "Okay."
Daniel suddenly said, "Ellie, we haven't exchanged contact information yet. Let's add each other on Instagram."
Speaking of exchanging contact information, Ellie searched her pockets for a while and suddenly realized her phone was missing.
William smiled, took out her phone from his pocket, and handed it to her, saying, "I took your phone earlier and forgot to give it back."
Ellie then remembered that William had taken her phone earlier when he wouldn't let her pay.
William watched as she brought up the QR code for Daniel to scan.
Hao Ming said, "I'll add you too."
Daniel felt a chill down his spine for some reason, feeling that William's gaze was a bit cold.
It must have been his imagination.
William loved him.
William glanced at the bear in Ellie's arms and said, "Do you want to take a taxi, or shall I take you home?"
"Take me?"
Daniel said, "William came on his motorcycle. William's motorcycle is so cool. I really want to ride it."
A few minutes later, Ellie stood in front of William's motorcycle.
William looked at Ellie and said, "Do you want to ride it?"
Ellie nodded earnestly.
William glanced at Daniel and Hao Ming behind him and said, "I'll take her home. You two go ahead."
"Alright, William. Bye, William. Bye, Ellie."
"Bye."
Ellie waved to the two as well.
Before she could speak, William put the helmet on her head. He lowered his head to make sure the helmet was on securely. Ellie looked up at him, observing his curved lips and smooth jawline before averting her gaze.
William secured her helmet, gently patted it, and said, "It's safer with a helmet on."
Ellie noticed he only had one helmet and said, "What about you?"
William chuckled, "I'll be fine." He then straddled the motorcycle, glanced at Ellie, and said, "Can you get on?"
Ellie, holding her things, got on the motorcycle and tugged at his clothes.
William looked back at her, hung her items on the handlebars, and said, "Hold on tight if you're scared."
Ellie nodded seriously.
From her perspective, she could see the teenager's flying hair, unrestrained and exuberant, as if this was the true self of youth.