"Let's go in first," Fang Yi reminded gently.
It wasn't that he was in a rush — it was just that Han Ning's beauty was too eye-catching. Everyone passing by couldn't help but glance over. Standing at the entrance like this, it felt like they were being exhibited.
Han Ning noticed the curious stares from nearby pedestrians as well. She nodded slightly and stepped into Xijindu.
As they strolled through the quaint, old-fashioned alleyways, Fang Yi picked up their earlier conversation. "You still haven't answered me. Do you want to date me, or are we going to be buddies?"
"Of course I want to date you."
Han Ning's expression was calm, her tone serene — not a single ripple of emotion could be heard.
Mhm… just her fingers gripping the hem of her dress were trembling slightly.
She was clearly panicking inside but trying her best to act like it was nothing.
What kind of setting was this?
Fang Yi was instantly amused. Unable to resist, he teased, "Are you nervous?"
"Nope!"
Han Ning shook her head, her eyes meeting his with unflinching clarity.
…Except that the hands clutching her skirt tightened even more.
Fang Yi held back a laugh, raising an eyebrow. "Really not nervous?"
"Really!"
"All right then."
But as he looked at her ears — fair and delicate, now tinged with a soft pink — he decided not to push her further. What if she fainted from embarrassment?
Still, for someone with nerves like this, she actually had the guts to ask him out? That alone was pretty impressive.
What's the saying again? Wants to look cool but also needs a helmet.
After a short silence, Han Ning bit her lip and finally asked, "Then… why did you confess to me?"
"Why?" Fang Yi admired the scenery on both sides of the alley. "Because I like you, obviously."
"What do you like about me?"
As soon as the question left her lips, Han Ning felt her brain short-circuit — she could almost hear the thudding of her own heart.
"I like your looks, probably."
Let's be honest: before you really get to know someone's personality, most attractions are based on looks or body type.
Of course, there are exceptions — some people aren't into appearances. They only care if the other person can drive a Ferrari with one hand.
"My looks?"
Seeing her confused expression, Fang Yi clarified, "Oh — I mean, you're really pretty."
"But Zhao Wanqiu is also really pretty," Han Ning pressed on like a curious kitten.
"Is that so? Then I guess I just prefer hiking." Fang Yi shot a quick glance at her chest.
Tsk. Even a simple dress on her looked like a bikini. Talent really couldn't be forced.
Huh?
Hiking?
Han Ning tilted her head slightly, blinking her wide eyes. She thought about it for a while but still couldn't figure out what liking to hike had to do with liking her.
Seeing her adorable, puzzled look, Fang Yi couldn't help himself. He reached out and gently pinched her soft cheek with two fingers.
"Mm!"
Caught off guard, Han Ning let out a soft gasp. She instantly shrank back like a startled deer, her head ducking as she took a few steps away.
Her face was a perfect oval — no extra flesh on her cheeks at all, just smooth and taut skin. Honestly, not the best pinch.
Now, a slightly chubby face with baby fat — that was the real deal.
Back in his past life, his girlfriend had exactly that kind of round face. When she smiled, little dimples formed at the corners of her mouth. He could pinch her cheeks all day without getting tired.
In fact, his cheek-pinching habit had started because of that girlfriend.
Come to think of it, that girl must still be in kindergarten in Jinling right now…
He'd really liked her back then. She was innocent, sweet, and adorably clingy.
Only problem? She loved cosplaying anime girls, and after a while… well, his back paid the price.
Tsk.
Should he look her up when he goes to college in Jinling?
While Fang Yi's mind wandered, Han Ning had finally suppressed her embarrassment.
Just now, for a second, she'd honestly thought she might faint.
"Fang Yi!"
Snapping out of it, Fang Yi turned toward her. "Hmm?"
"Well… next time you want to pinch my face, could you at least give me a heads-up first?" Han Ning said seriously.
"No problem!"
It was a reasonable request — no reason not to agree.
Pleased with his response, Han Ning smiled slightly, her lips lifting gently as she asked, "Fang Yi, where are you planning to go for college?"
"You first."
"I want to go to Tsinghua," she said softly. "But I'm not sure if my scores will be enough."
She was being modest. Throughout her senior year, she had never once dropped out of the top three in her class. Even the school expected her to get into either Tsinghua or Peking University.
As long as she did okay on the college entrance exam, she'd get in easily.
"I'm planning to go to Jinling," Fang Yi replied.
"Oh…"
Han Ning hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Then… will you come to Beijing to visit me?"
"That depends on your performance," he said casually.
Han Ning: ???
"I'm kidding." Seeing her stunned look, Fang Yi laughed and reached out to pinch her cheek again.
Han Ning immediately tightened her grip on her dress, a rosy blush creeping up from her neck. "W-Wait… weren't you supposed to warn me next time?"
"Oh, right. My bad — totally slipped my mind. Let's do it again properly."
Fang Yi cleared his throat, then straightened up and said with mock seriousness, "Miss Han Ning, I would like to kiss your cheek. May I?"
Han Ning wasn't stupid — she understood him loud and clear.
Tilting her head up slightly, her clear eyes twinkled with a mix of shyness and amusement. In a soft, breathy voice, she replied, "You always tease me…"
Oh no.
That feeling… that flutter…
How was he supposed to survive this?
The evening breeze rustled gently, the lights glowing warmly in the deepening dusk. Before they knew it, the two of them had wandered all the way to the lookout point.
From up high, the entire Xijindu below was bathed in glittering light.
After gazing for a while, Fang Yi finally said, "It's getting late. Let's head back."
As the breeze tousled her hair, Han Ning tucked a strand behind her ear and turned to him. "Can we come again tomorrow?"
"Sure."
He wasn't exactly busy. And strolling here in the evening with his girlfriend was… nice.
Hearing his answer, Han Ning's smile bloomed like a flower.
Her smile was completely different from Zhao Wanqiu's — two entirely distinct styles.
Zhao Wanqiu's grin would reveal eight perfectly white teeth, bright and dazzling like the sun.
Han Ning, on the other hand, never showed her teeth when she smiled. Her lips and eyes lifted together, revealing two faint dimples at the corners.