Chapter 58

…I have no experience either.

—Zhang Lurang

The summer vacation lasted for two months.

The two of them browsed internship recruitment information online, found several suitable positions, and sent out multiple resumes.

After that, it was a matter of waiting for responses.

Before the interview schedules were confirmed, Zhang Lurang sent Su Zai Zai a message on WeChat:

Do you want to go out and play?

Seeing this, Su Zai Zai set aside the laptop on her lap and happily replied:

Of course I do.

After replying, she thought for a moment and was just about to suggest going to the arcade when she saw another message pop up from Zhang Lurang.

—Then how about an amusement park?

Comparing the two, Su Zai Zai actually preferred the arcade.

But then, she recalled certain memories and decisively swallowed back her words.

—Sure!

The next day, they set off early and boarded the bus heading to the amusement park.

Since the amusement park was near the final stop, Su Zai Zai chose a seat in the last row.

Zhang Lurang quietly followed and sat beside her.

Su Zai Zai took off her baseball cap and, in passing, pulled off his as well.

Then, she rummaged through her backpack, took out her sunscreen, and squeezed a generous amount onto the back of her hand.

She turned to him, hooked an arm around his neck, and pressed him down slightly.

Zhang Lurang obediently cooperated.

At such close proximity, her pupils appeared magnified in his sight. They were a light shade, clear and bright. When her gaze shifted, it was as if tiny stars swirled within them.

Her fingertips carried a slight coolness, and with her gentle movements, it felt especially soothing.

As Su Zai Zai carefully applied sunscreen to his face, she said, “It’s going to be really sunny over there, so we need proper sun protection. I bought non-greasy sunscreen for you, so it shouldn’t feel uncomfortable.”

Zhang Lurang let out a low “Mhm.”

Once she finished with his face, Su Zai Zai squeezed a little more into her palm and began applying it to his neck.

Her movements were light. While he hadn’t felt much when she was applying it to his face, the touch on his neck brought a faint, almost teasing itch.

From bottom to top, her fingers traced over his Adam’s apple—perhaps deliberately, perhaps unintentionally.

Zhang Lurang endured it for a while but eventually couldn’t help tilting his neck backward.

Su Zai Zai blinked innocently. “What’s wrong?”

Zhang Lurang turned his face away, took a deep breath, and slowly said, “That’s enough.”

Su Zai Zai glanced him up and down, then calmly continued, “Your collarbone is exposed too. Let me apply some there.”

The next second, Zhang Lurang pulled up his collar and, after a long pause, stiffly said, “Don’t do this in public.”

Hearing that, Su Zai Zai was momentarily stunned before bursting into laughter.

Zhang Lurang’s face tensed at her laughter, and he shot her a cold look.

Without missing a beat, he pulled his cap back on, lowering it to cover half his face.

Su Zai Zai bent down slightly and peeked through the gap, observing his expression.

Then, she reached in and lightly patted his face, her voice carrying a teasing but soothing tone as she said, “Alright, I won’t do this in public.”

Zhang Lurang: “…”

—

They entered the amusement park.

Su Zai Zai held onto Zhang Lurang’s hand with one hand while using the other to study the park map.

She scanned it carefully. Even when Zhang Lurang asked if she wanted ice cream, she didn’t respond.

Half a minute later, her eyes finally landed on two particular words on the map—Haunted House.

Immediately, Su Zai Zai tugged on his hand and changed directions.

Zhang Lurang paused for a moment before asking, “What do you want to play?”

“Let’s go to the haunted house first!” Then she turned to look at him and added, “And then we’ll do other things.”

Zhang Lurang hesitated before seriously suggesting, “Wouldn’t it be more atmospheric to go at night?”

Su Zai Zai’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“What are you talking about? A haunted house at night? Haunted houses and daylight are the perfect match!”

The corner of Zhang Lurang’s forehead twitched. “…Fine, let’s go.”

The haunted house was located at the edge of the amusement park—a large concrete building with dark gray walls, streaked with patches of moss and smeared with red paint in a jagged, eerie pattern.

From inside, muffled eerie sounds and occasional screams could be heard, adding to the atmosphere.

A long line of visitors stretched in front of the entrance, with small groups being let in at intervals.

Su Zai Zai licked her lips and pulled Zhang Lurang toward the line.

While waiting, she took a water bottle from her backpack, unscrewed the cap, and handed it to him.

Listening to the unsettling noises from inside, Su Zai Zai suddenly felt a little nervous. She lowered her voice and asked, “Are you scared?”

Zhang Lurang held the bottle in one hand, took a sip, and casually shook his head.

Su Zai Zai murmured a soft “Oh,” lowered her head, and seemed lost in thought.

Soon, it was their turn to enter.

Inside, the lighting was dim, and whispers and rustling sounds echoed around them.

Su Zai Zai grabbed his arm and said seriously, “Lurang, don’t be scared.”

Zhang Lurang was about to say “I’m not scared” when she solemnly added, “If you’re scared, just hold onto me.”

He paused for a second before simply pulling her forward.

The “ghosts” inside were all played by actors stationed at various spots, waiting to jump out and startle visitors.

Su Zai Zai nearly screamed multiple times. Each time she turned to look at Zhang Lurang, he remained completely unfazed.

She suddenly remembered her real reason for coming to the haunted house, and all her fear vanished instantly.

After a brief moment of contemplation, she decided to switch tactics.

With that in mind, she suddenly lunged into Zhang Lurang’s arms, clinging onto him as she whined, “Waaah, Lurang, I’m so scared…”

Zhang Lurang: “…”

He stopped in his tracks, lifted her chin slightly, and under the dim lighting, examined her expression.

In her eyes, a glint of mischief sparkled. Her lips curved slightly upward.

She quickly pressed her lips together, reining in the smile on her face.

Zhang Lurang’s lips suddenly curved slightly.

He didn’t move, letting her hug him as she pleased.

After a moment, Su Zai Zai spoke contentedly, “Let’s go.”

Zhang Lurang pulled her hand over, quickly let go, then shifted his hand upward to rest on her shoulder.

After walking a few steps, Su Zai Zai vaguely heard him murmur something.

“Silly.”

She looked over just in time to see the indulgence in his eyes.

—

After leaving the haunted house, Zhang Lurang led Su Zai Zai to the side and bought her an ice cream.

Biting into it, Su Zai Zai asked, “Shall we ride the carousel?”

He glanced at the map and nodded.

She blinked, pushing her luck, “Will you ride it with me?”

“Mm.” He responded lightly.

When they found the carousel, Zhang Lurang held her hand as they queued up.

Licking the ice cream at the corner of her lips, Su Zai Zai thought for a moment before saying, “Last time I came to the amusement park with Jia Jia, she refused to ride with me, saying it was too childish.”

“…”

“I’m telling you, she and her boyfriend have already met each other’s parents.” Speaking of this, Su Zai Zai widened her eyes. “Why haven’t we met yet?”

Zhang Lurang silently took a tissue from his backpack and handed it to her.

“Don’t try to change the subject with actions every time,” Su Zai Zai said seriously.

Seeing that she didn’t take it, Zhang Lurang simply wiped the corner of her lips for her and said softly, “As for my parents, I want to wait a little longer before bringing you to see them. They already know about you—I’ve mentioned you to them.”

After saying this, he thought for a moment and added, “Do you want to meet my uncle first?”

Hearing his first sentence, Su Zai Zai was briefly stunned, then curiously asked, “When did you tell them?”

Zhang Lurang recalled for a moment, then replied seriously, “Last time on a call, they asked me to talk about things here, so I mentioned you.”

It seemed that Su Zai Zai was the only thing worth mentioning.

Su Zai Zai suddenly felt a little nervous and asked in a small voice, “What did they say?”

Zhang Lurang wasn’t entirely sure himself and hesitantly said, “They told me to bring you home so they could meet you.”

A moment of silence.

Su Zai Zai spoke slowly, “Lurang, why don’t you meet my parents first?”

“…”

“Let me see how you handle it.”

“…”

“Give me some experience.”

Zhang Lurang: “…”

—

After lunch, they wandered around to help with digestion.

An hour later, they happened to pass by the roller coaster again.

Su Zai Zai suggested, “How about we ride the roller coaster?”

Zhang Lurang glanced at it—about sixty meters tall.

Running a hand through his hair, he hesitated for once. “Are you sure you’re not scared?”

“Do you not like it?” Su Zai Zai didn’t mind. “We don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”

“No, if you’re not scared, we can go.”

Hearing this, Su Zai Zai grinned and dragged him forward. “Not scared at all.”

The roller coaster was one of the amusement park’s most popular rides.

They waited for about twenty minutes before boarding.

After the staff checked their safety belts, Zhang Lurang still wasn’t reassured and double-checked Su Zai Zai’s.

Su Zai Zai smiled with her eyes curved. “Lurang, aren’t you really good at physics?”

He didn’t answer, simply holding her hand.

Soon, the roller coaster began to move.

The speed gradually increased, climbing from low to high. At the peak, it suddenly plummeted.

The wind roared in their ears, drowning out half of the screams.

Su Zai Zai calmly turned her head, watching Zhang Lurang’s still expressionless face. Finding it amusing, she raised her voice slightly and called out, “Lurang.”

She wasn’t sure if he heard her.

Without thinking much, she was about to continue speaking when—

The roller coaster picked up even more speed, and her body twisted along with the turns.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she obediently shut her mouth.

A minute later, the ride reached the end, gradually slowing down.

Su Zai Zai turned to him and continued the words she hadn’t finished earlier. “Lurang, we’ve now been through life and death together.”

Zhang Lurang silently looked at her.

“So, you should come to my house.”

Just as she finished speaking, the roller coaster came to a stop, and passengers unbuckled their safety belts, letting out sighs of relief.

Zhang Lurang also unfastened his, then, seeing that she wasn’t moving, reached out to help her with hers.

Then, Su Zai Zai tugged him to his feet and continued,

“My dad and mom should at least treat you to a meal to thank you.”