The two of them called for a ride using an app.
Jiang Ran got in first and watched Su Wanqing follow her, murmuring, “Su Wanqing, are we taking a car there?”
“Yeah, the bus is too slow. We can just take a car. Why? Do you get motion sickness?”
“No, it just feels a bit sudden. Alright, let’s go.”
Jiang Ran sat in the car and watched the receding scenery through the window.
Her eyes were clouded with confusion, and she felt an indescribable emotion.
She turned her gaze back to Su Wanqing, who was busy scrolling on her phone.
“Will it take too long? I still have to buy groceries tonight.”
“Groceries? What are you buying groceries for?”
Su Wanqing was a bit dazed, unsure of what Jiang Ran was planning this time.
Jiang Ran simply nodded.
“Because I need to eat dinner. If I don’t buy food, I won’t know what to eat.”
Jiang Ran bit her lip, the slight flush of intoxication on her cheeks not yet faded.
She was still thinking about what had happened in the classroom.
Ever since that incident, Jiang Ran’s mind had been a mess.
She never really understood what Tao Xixue wanted from her.
‘Is it really that fun to torment me, or is she after something else?’
Jiang Ran thought for a long time but couldn’t come up with an answer.
She eventually figured that Tao Xixue just found it interesting and was seeking revenge.
‘If that’s the case, she’s actually quite detestable.’
By the time she finished her thoughts, they had reached their destination.
“Let’s get out,” Su Wanqing hummed.
The two of them exited the car.
Jiang Ran walked in front while Su Wanqing spoke from behind her.
“Jiang Ran, I remember this area wasn’t very developed before. Now there are so many people. It developed so fast.”
Su Wanqing moved to the front.
Jiang Ran followed behind, impressed but a bit lost.
She didn’t really understand urban development, but she nodded anyway.
“Is that so?”
“You don’t go window-shopping much, do you? This place used to be quite famous. I heard they even developed an Integrated Building with plenty of places to have fun. That’s where we’re going today. If there’s anything you want to play, just tell me, okay?”
Su Wanqing adjusted her bag.
She was carrying a pink shoulder bag today.
They entered the lobby of the Integrated Building, which was quite crowded.
“Jiang Ran, let me hold your hand. I don’t mean anything else by it, it’s just that there are a lot of people here. It’d be trouble if I lost you.”
“Ah… okay.”
Jiang Ran had intended to refuse, but thinking about how other people had treated her, she felt Su Wanqing was much more civilized.
She shouldn’t pick on such an honest person.
And so, the two of them walked side by side, hand in hand.
Seeing that Jiang Ran actually let her hold her hand, Su Wanqing’s heart began to race.
She hadn’t expected it, and the feeling was indescribable.
Jiang Ran looked at Su Wanqing, whose emotions were clearly fluctuating, and felt a bit confused.
She was just letting her hold her hand; was there something wrong with that?
Kindheartedly, she asked, “Su Wanqing, are you feeling unwell? I see you’re shaking constantly.”
“Am… am I?”
Su Wanqing was stunned.
She hadn’t even realized her body was trembling; she was just incredibly excited.
She waved her hand dismissively.
“It’s nothing. I’m just a bit excited. But you, Jiang Ran — I see you’re not as shy as I thought you’d be.”
‘It’s because you’re by my side. I just won’t look at anyone else.’
Su Wanqing was startled, and her face instantly turned red.
“I see. If… if that’s the case, then just looking at me is enough.”
Su Wanqing spoke absentmindedly, her cheeks hot enough to boil an egg.
It was a wonderful feeling.
The further they walked, the heavier Su Wanqing’s steps felt.
She still couldn’t believe Jiang Ran was this close to her.
Jiang Ran’s hand was so soft, and she smelled so good.
Having such a beautiful girl walking beside her was a treat for the eyes.
“Is there anything you want to eat? There’s still a bit of a distance to walk. Wait here, I’ll go buy some popcorn.”
Su Wanqing ran to a popcorn stand near the cinema entrance.
Many people were selling butter popcorn, and there was even a station for extra syrup.
Su Wanqing wasn’t a fan of sweet popcorn, but she bought a small bucket of the sweet variety and added extra syrup.
If Jiang Ran liked it, she could have it all.
When she returned, Jiang Ran was waiting exactly where she had left her.
“The popcorn is here.”
Su Wanqing walked up to Jiang Ran with the popcorn basket and handed it to her.
Noticing Jiang Ran staring at something, she realized there was a Capybara Hat in a display case nearby.
‘You like that kind of thing?’
Su Wanqing was a bit dazed.
She thought Jiang Ran would like something more interesting, but it was just a Capybara Hat.
“I just thought it looked interesting. I don’t really want to buy it.”
Jiang Ran looked away.
She did find it intriguing, but before she could finish her sentence, Su Wanqing had already swiped her card and grabbed the hat.
“It’s just a hat. Here.”
Su Wanqing placed the Capybara Hat on Jiang Ran’s head.
The combination had a strangely humorous charm to it.
“You’re just giving it to me?”
“Of course. What, do you want a formal presentation ceremony? If you like it, just take it.”
Jiang Ran turned around and examined herself in a mirror.
Her black hair was covered by the gray Capybara Hat, which featured the iconic capybara expression on top.
Combined with Jiang Ran’s usual lazy expression, she actually looked quite a bit like a capybara.
The synergy was perfect.
Su Wanqing looked at Jiang Ran’s new look and thought she was incredibly cute.
“It suits you quite well. Come on, let’s go to the second floor. We’re almost there.”
Su Wanqing cleared her throat, forcing herself to calm down.
Her excitement was palpable, as if inspiration might burst from her chest at any moment.
She walked ahead, the lights reflecting in her eyes like an idol on stage.
They arrived at the second floor.
Compared to the first floor, there were many more trinkets, arcade machines, claw machines, and even a MaiMai machine.
Jiang Ran’s gaze drifted over the arcade machines.
She preferred arcades to claw machines, but given her current identity as a girl, she had to suppress her inner thoughts and struggle to keep up with Su Wanqing.
“Jiang Ran, hurry up! There’s something fun over here!”