Chapter 18: The Intense Feeling of Being Caught in a Young Love
Jiang Yan, feeling a little excited, tugged on Wen Xia’s sleeve. “Cousin looks so handsome today, like a manga prince.”
Wen Xia: “……”
She glared at Jiang Yan with a look of complaint.
Qin Mo walked over with his long legs, casting a meaningful glance at Wen Xia.
“Cousin, here you go. I wasn’t sure what flavor you liked, so I got the original one.”
Jiang Xu took another milk tea out of the bag and handed it to him, his tone somewhat ingratiating.
Another “cousin.”
Qin Mo’s face darkened gradually, and he spoke in a low voice from his throat, “Thank you, but I don’t like sweet food. We’re about the same age, so just call me Qin Mo.”
Qin Mo?
Jiang Xu found the name somewhat familiar but couldn’t recall where he had heard it. He replied cheerfully, “I’m Jiang Xu.”
“You don’t like sweet food either, just like Wen Xia? If I had known, I would have asked the lady at the counter to put less sugar in it. I’ll treat you again next time, cousin.”
“No need.”
Qin Mo’s gaze fell on the milk tea in Wen Xia’s hand. With his vision of about 5.0, he could make out the label stuck on it: less sugar, more pearls, and coconut jelly.
…
The amusement park was located on the outskirts of the county, and taking a jeep there would cost at least 40 yuan. Wen Xia and Jiang Yan both thought it wasn’t worth it.
Taking the bus only cost 3.50 yuan per person.
After some discussion, they decided to wait for the bus at Ande Station. They waited for five or six minutes before getting on. It was a Saturday, so there were no empty seats, and the bus was packed.
Wen Xia leaned against Qin Mo’s chest, one hand gripping the handle, and she smelled a familiar fragrance of vanilla-scented body wash.
A hand reached over her ear and handed a green fifty to the ticket lady. “Four people.”
Jiang Xu quickly pulled a 100 yuan note from his pocket. “Auntie, don’t take his, take mine instead.”
The ticket lady glanced at him, her tone a bit impatient. “No change for this.”
She then accepted Qin Mo’s 50 yuan. “Which four people?”
Qin Mo pointed, and the ticket lady withdrew her gaze, bending down to tear the ticket and find 36 yuan in change. Wen Xia helped take it and, out of habit, placed it into his pocket.
After they got married, she didn’t like carrying money, always thinking it was a hassle, so Qin Mo was the one who handled the money. She even put her lipstick into his pocket.
She remembered once when he was in a meeting, and when he pulled out his phone, a lipstick had fallen out.
Jiang Xu scratched his head, a bit embarrassed. “I’ll treat you all when we get back.”
The buses now were much worse than they would be in ten years. Every stop and start caused a lot of shaking. Wen Xia struggled a bit as she held the overhead circular handle, occasionally bumping her head into Qin Mo’s chest.
Qin Mo wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “Hold onto my arm.”
Jiang Yan glanced over with envy. “Oh my gosh, I wish I had a cousin who was both handsome and caring.”
After a few stops, they arrived at Central Square Station. Many people got off, and the seats emptied. Wen Xia sat by the window, and Qin Mo sat beside her.
Jiang Yan sat in the row behind them, next to an older lady, while Jiang Xu sat at the very back.
Wen Xia was looking out the window when suddenly her hand was grasped. She turned her head and locked eyes with Qin Mo’s handsome face, her heart racing in that moment.
“Xia Xia, look outside! There’s a pond. It’s so beautiful.” Jiang Yan’s head poked out from the window behind.
Wen Xia was startled, and she turned her body to shield their hands. Then, absent-mindedly, she glanced outside, but the pond had already passed.
“I didn’t see it, Yan Yan. Hurry and sit down, there’ll be inertia when the bus brakes.”
Once Jiang Yan sat back down, Wen Xia reached out her hand, but someone tightened their grip on hers.
He raised the corner of his eye, mouthing the word “wife,” then said, “I’m thirsty.”
“Do you want milk tea?”
Wen Xia caught the eye of the ticket lady, who had glanced over unintentionally. For some reason, she felt an overwhelming sense of being caught in a young love.
“Yes,” Qin Mo nodded.
“Let go, I’ll get it for you.” Wen Xia pulled her hand back, took the milk tea, shook it a few times, then inserted the straw and handed it to him.
Qin Mo took only a small sip before tossing it into the trash bin near the bus door. Wen Xia hadn’t even had the chance to stop him.
“……”
She had known Qin Mo would cause trouble.
Jiang Xu had meant well, and she felt a little guilty. She glanced back, relieved when she saw Jiang Xu asleep with his arms crossed.
She looked over at Jiang Yan, who was also dozing off, leaning against the window.
Worried that Jiang Xu would notice the discarded milk tea when they got off, Wen Xia pulled a few pieces of paper from her pocket and tossed them into the trash bin to cover the milk tea.
Once she’d done all that, she puffed out her cheeks and mumbled softly, “You’ll buy me a milk tea later. And add a double-skin milk, too.”
“Alright.” Qin Mo, feeling mischievous, pinched her cheek.
Soon, Wen Xia began to feel sleepy too. She leaned against Qin Mo’s shoulder, drifting off to sleep.
She didn’t know how long had passed before someone tapped her shoulder. “We’ve arrived.”
The four of them got off the bus. Jiang Yan took a sip of her milk tea and asked, “Xia Xia, where’s your milk tea?”
Wen Xia, feeling guilty, avoided her gaze and quickly changed the subject. “I finished it. Where’s An’an?”
“An’an texted me saying she’s already here. I’ll give her a call.”
Jiang Yan took out her phone and called Liu An’an. “Hey, An’an, we’re at the main entrance. Where are you? There’s a pavilion here selling drinks.”
Not long after, Liu An’an’s excited voice came through the phone, “Xia Xia, Yan Yan!”
Liu An’an was followed by someone—her older brother, Liu Boyi.
She rushed over, jumping up to hug Wen Xia and Jiang Yan, complaining, “If you hadn’t come soon, my legs would’ve gone numb from squatting.”
Wen Xia and Jiang Yan stumbled a bit, with Jiang Yan feeling a choking sensation in her neck. After pushing Liu An’an away, she rubbed her neck and said, “An’an, you really need to lose some weight.”
“I agree,” Wen Xia chuckled and nodded seriously in agreement.
Liu An’an was a bit chubby, but she was very likable.
“Wen Xia! Jiang Yan! That’s it, we’re breaking up for two seconds!” Liu An’an immediately puffed up, looking angry.
Wen Xia and Jiang Yan both laughed and counted together, “1, 2, and the breakup time is up.”
Liu An’an burst into laughter, waving her hand. “I forgive you both.”
“An’an, we’re going to buy some water. Xia Xia, you wait here.”
Jiang Yan grabbed Liu An’an’s arm, and they walked toward a nearby stall to buy drinks. In a low voice, Jiang Yan said, “I told you, Jiang Xu is going to confess to Xia Xia. Why did you bring your brother along?”
“My parents didn’t feel safe with me going out alone, so they made my brother come with me. Don’t worry, I gave him a heads-up on the way, and he promised to cooperate.”
After saying that, Liu An’an turned her head and glanced toward Qin Mo. “Why did handsome cousin come too? How are we going to let Wen Xia and Jiang Xu be alone later?”
“I don’t know. We’ll have to wait and find a chance,” Jiang Yan shook her head.
As the two of them walked and murmured, Wen Xia had a bad feeling.
The entrance ticket to the amusement park was 50 yuan per person, which was considered quite expensive for full access.
Jiang Xu had brought enough money today. He pulled out 300 yuan and handed it to the ticket seller, saying in a generous tone, “Six tickets.”
300 yuan was the equivalent of two weeks’ living expenses.
“Jiang Xu, we agreed to split it evenly,” Jiang Yan quickly pulled out 50 yuan.
Liu An’an also took out a 100 yuan, and Wen Xia was just about to pull out 100 yuan.
At that moment, Qin Mo stepped forward and handed the ticket seller a blue card. The card had the characters “Le Yue” written on it, with the letters “SVIP” beneath. “Qin Mo, phone number 1377…”
Le Yue was the name of the amusement park.
