Two days later, Lin Wan was finally discharged from the hospital.
Although her back still needed careful care and she couldn’t engage in strenuous exercise, her daily life was no longer a problem.
***
On the day of their date, Lin Wan woke up early.
She fiddled in front of her wardrobe for a whole hour, trying on countless outfits,
and finally chose a lively dress with a light outer layer to carefully cover the faint scars still visible on her back.
She also styled her hair into an exquisite ponytail, her blue strands falling smoothly over her right shoulder, and applied light makeup to give her a healthier complexion.
Standing before the mirror, she nervously looked left and right, her palms slightly sweaty.
At last, when the appointed time arrived, Lin Wan took a deep breath, as if preparing to go into battle, and walked up to Lu Yuan’s apartment door.
She raised her hand, hesitated for a moment, then gently knocked.
The door opened quickly.
Lu Yuan was already standing there, seemingly well-prepared.
She wore a simple white shirt and a black pleated skirt, her usual casual style, but when she saw the clearly well-dressed Lin Wan, her gaze paused slightly.
The Lin Wan before her had shed the fierceness of battle and the fragility of illness,
like a flower blooming toward the morning sun, fresh and bright, carrying a rare hint of the childish innocence and hopeful expectation belonging to a girl her age.
“You… changed your hairstyle?” Lu Yuan said.
“Mm.” Lin Wan replied softly, a little embarrassed. “… Have you been waiting long?”
Lu Yuan withdrew her gaze and shook her head. “No, I just got ready. Let’s go.”
“Um… Lu Yuan, do I look… strange like this?” Lin Wan couldn’t help but ask quietly as they headed to the elevator, her voice tinged with anxiety.
Upon hearing this, Lu Yuan looked her over seriously again, then answered honestly, “Not strange. Very pretty.”
Such a simple and straightforward compliment made Lin Wan’s cheeks flush even more.
Great, she didn’t dislike it.
The elevator descended slowly, and Lin Wan’s eyes kept stealing glances at Lu Yuan beside her.
When Captain Su Li had gone on a business trip before, Lin Wan had already planned in the “Operation Capture Lu Yuan” to take Lu Yuan to an amusement park, where they would watch the fireworks at night.
She had dreamed since childhood of seeing fireworks at that park, but the years had passed by without it happening—over ten years.
Lin Wan had even planned to watch the fireworks shoulder to shoulder with Lu Yuan, how romantic that would be.
Unfortunately, the plan was never realized; Lu Yuan wasn’t in Tongmen back then, and due to her father’s situation, Lin Wan didn’t dare to go to the amusement park.
But it didn’t matter now… whether the plan came true or not, it was fine.
Having Lu Yuan by her side was enough.
She would just follow Lu Yuan’s lead.
***
The afternoon sun shone gently over the amusement park, surrounded by the laughter of children and cheerful music.
“Wow… The Magical Girls from the Aftercare Division are really amazing. It’s only been two days, but there’s no sign of battle damage left at all.”
Lu Yuan said sincerely.
“Yeah, with all the fighting in the city, if it weren’t for the Aftercare Division, the city would be full of scars…” Lin Wan answered.
She walked quietly beside Lu Yuan, not as lively as usual, even a little silent.
Lu Yuan noticed her mood but didn’t press, only slowed her pace.
***
“What do you want to play?” Lu Yuan asked.
Lin Wan shook her head and forced a smile. “I… I’m fine with anything. I’ll follow you.”
Lu Yuan looked at her and didn’t pick any thrilling rides, instead pointing to a nearby artificial lake with sightseeing boats.
“How about a boat ride? You can relax and enjoy the scenery.”
Lin Wan nodded. “Okay.”
The boat slowly moved along the calm waterway, flanked by carefully trimmed plants and fairy-tale decorations.
A gentle breeze brushed her face, momentarily cutting off the outside noise.
Lin Wan hugged her knees, staring absentmindedly at the ripples on the water.
“Still thinking about what happened before?” Lu Yuan sat opposite her and asked softly.
Lin Wan was silent for a moment before whispering, “A little… And this place reminds me of some things from my childhood.”
She didn’t elaborate, but Lu Yuan understood what she meant.
“It’s all in the past.” Lu Yuan’s voice was steady. “The you now is no longer the helpless girl from before.”
Lin Wan looked up and met Lu Yuan’s gaze.
She had never seen Lu Yuan wear this expression before—her smile was soft yet firm, giving off a sense of security.
***
After that, everything Lu Yuan did carried a silent thoughtfulness.
She took Lin Wan to a quiet DIY craft shop where they made a small blue ceramic cup together,
and then brought her to watch a play. In the dark audience, no one noticed Lin Wan’s shifting emotions.
Lin Wan went along with all of Lu Yuan’s plans without particular excitement, but the tension in her nerves gradually eased in Lu Yuan’s quiet company.
***
For dinner, Lu Yuan didn’t choose a lively restaurant but found a table on a relatively quiet outdoor terrace where they could see the amusement park’s night view.
The food was simple but delicious.
After dinner,
“Thank you for today, Lu Yuan.” Lin Wan said softly. “I know you wanted to make me happy.”
But… the long childhood shadows couldn’t be resolved in a day. She was grateful for everything Lu Yuan had done, but still…
Lu Yuan glanced at the time, then suddenly grabbed Lin Wan’s hand.
“Huh?” Lin Wan was forced to jog alongside Lu Yuan.
“Come with me, the fireworks are about to start.” Lu Yuan said.
Lin Wan knew the amusement park had fireworks at night, that was part of her previous plan.
But where was Lu Yuan taking her? Wasn’t the fireworks viewing spot supposed to be inside the amusement park?
“I know a place with a great view,” Lu Yuan said, seeing Lin Wan’s confusion.
They hurried along together.
***
Lu Yuan led Lin Wan to a quiet, open hilltop, where it was just the two of them, a blanket spread on the ground.
Lin Wan immediately recognized it wasn’t originally there on the grass—it was obviously placed by Lu Yuan beforehand.
“This is for you…”
“Shh…” Lu Yuan put a finger to her lips, cutting off Lin Wan’s words.
“The fireworks are about to start.”
When the first burst of fireworks exploded loudly in the night sky, lighting up the entire park, Lin Wan looked up.
This was the fireworks she had dreamed of for over ten years… from childhood until now.
The show proceeded as scheduled, dazzling and magnificent.
But somehow… it didn’t look as beautiful as she had imagined.
Lin Wan suddenly felt a little ridiculous—she had bound herself for so many years just for this one fireworks display.
***
Just as the show was nearing its end and everyone thought it was over…
Suddenly, all the fireworks paused, and the night sky turned completely clear.
Then, several enormous blue fireworks shot up simultaneously and burst high above.
Lin Wan was stunned.
The blue fireworks formed words:
“Lin Wan, be happy every day.”
These unexpected words appeared boldly in the park’s night sky,
and everyone watching gasped in surprise and envy.
“Who is Lin Wan? That’s so lucky!”
Lin Wan was completely dumbfounded. She suddenly covered her mouth, her eyes wide in disbelief as she looked at Lu Yuan beside her.
Lu Yuan tilted her head slightly, the fireworks’ glow flickering across her face.
She brushed some hair behind her ear and smiled at Lin Wan.
***
“When did you…?” Lin Wan’s voice choked.
“I just paid off the amusement park director,” Lu Yuan smiled.
“You were saving up to buy a car!” Lin Wan punched Lu Yuan’s chest. “That was a waste of money!”
“Eh~ The money’s already spent, so just enjoy it~” Lu Yuan laughed, turning her gaze back to the night sky.
Lin Wan finally couldn’t hold back her tears anymore. She wiped them furiously, trying not to look too messy.
“Thank you… Lu Yuan. Thank you…”
Lin Wan never imagined that one day, the night sky of her dream amusement park would light up just for her.
But even so, she couldn’t focus on the fireworks Lu Yuan had prepared because she couldn’t take her eyes off Lu Yuan’s profile.
***
“Sorry… Lu Yuan.”
The sound of her pounding heart was so loud, it drowned out even the fireworks.
The fireworks ended, and everything returned to silence.
Lu Yuan stared at the night sky, as if lingering in the afterglow of the show.
“Hey, I want to say…” Lin Wan suddenly spoke up. “Lu Yuan, you…”
Hearing Lin Wan call out, Lu Yuan turned around curiously.
“What’s… uh!”
Suddenly, Lu Yuan felt something bump into her.
Like a puppy greeting its owner after waiting at the door for a long time, Lin Wan suddenly threw herself into Lu Yuan’s arms.
Lu Yuan’s vision turned a deep blue, seeing nothing but Lin Wan’s eyes.
Lin Wan held Lu Yuan’s hand, pressing it gently onto the grass, and threw herself into a desperate kiss.
Unlike the light kiss at Lu Yuan’s house before, this one was deep, and Lin Wan could even feel the softness behind Lu Yuan’s teeth.
No one knew how long it lasted—maybe an instant, maybe forever—before Lin Wan slowly pulled away.
“Mm.”
Lu Yuan instinctively raised a hand to cover her burning lips, cheeks flushed deeply, and her usually cold eyes shimmered with tears, full of confusion as she stared blankly at Lin Wan.
Lin Wan’s face was also deeply red, her chest rising and falling slightly, but seeing Lu Yuan’s rare dazed expression, she couldn’t help but laugh like a mischievous kitten who had just succeeded in stealing a treat, tilting her head proudly:
She was the first girl to confess her feelings to Lu Yuan, and Lin Wan wouldn’t allow anyone else to capture Lu Yuan’s heart before her.
“Hehe.”
“Now, your first kiss… belongs to me.”