Acting Silly Together is Better Than Being Awkward Alone

Taking a photo together by the main entrance had set a nice tone, and somehow, Xia Fu and Fang Jingcheng grew a little closer after that. Later, as Xia Fu posed with various flowers, she started to feel more at ease.

However, Xia Fu’s plant knowledge was limited to the usual roses, lilies, and tulips from flower shops. After seeing the famous Rose Garden, she had no more specific destinations in mind. This allowed the day’s activities to drift back to Fang Jingcheng’s expertise.

Pointing to an unmarked green patch on the map, Fang Jingcheng traced a circle with his finger, adding a bit of mystery. “I know a place that’s interesting. It hasn’t officially opened yet, but it’s just as scenic as these popular spots. Want to check it out?”

“Sure, just let me drink a bit of water first.”

With all the amazing places he’d been to, Xia Fu trusted his taste without a second thought. It was just too bad her body wasn’t fully prepared for another round of exploring. Though the botanical garden sprawled across a vast area, she felt like they’d only seen a couple of small gardens. Still, the walk seemed to have equaled several laps around the school track.

As soon as they finished taking photos, Xia Fu collapsed onto the nearest wooden bench, sipping cold water from her thermos. She looked dazed, and her legs felt as heavy as if they’d been filled with lead. Moving even one step more felt impossible—she practically wished she could bury herself in the ground right there, root down, and stay still.

But she’d come all this way! No way was she going to give up before making her ticket’s worth!

She encouraged herself inwardly while also being considerate of her boyfriend by handing him the thermos. “Want a drink? Finish this last bit, and I’ll refill it for the road before we set off.”

Taking the thermos, Fang Jingcheng looked down at the beads of sweat rolling slowly down her forehead, showing concern. “Are you sure you don’t want to rest a bit longer?”

Once, twice, thrice—it’s always harder to keep going after resting.

Xia Fu looked up at the clear sky and decisively said, “Let’s go, let’s go. It’ll be even hotter once the sun gets higher.”

Is she that excited about the new place?

Seeing her determination, Fang Jingcheng didn’t insist on resting longer. He tilted the thermos back, drinking the last few drops. But when Xia Fu moved to take the thermos back, he caught her wrist.

“I’ve got it,” he said, standing up and patting the metal handle of his suitcase. “There’s still a bit of walking ahead, so I’ll push you along from here.”

The suitcase, a sleek, black box nearly half as tall as she was, looked sturdy and glossy, like some high-end leather. She’d seen travelers sitting on their suitcases at stations before—kids even pretending to ride on them like horses.

But knowing how meticulous Fang Jingcheng was with his things, his luxurious items always valued more for social worth than practical use, Xia Fu couldn’t help but be skeptical. “Are you sure it won’t get damaged?”

“It won’t. This case is meant to carry equipment, so it’s reinforced to be shockproof. Even the model photos show people standing on it. Besides, you’re far more precious than this box.”

“Come on, come on—don’t hesitate, or it’ll really get too hot. You can rest again when we reach our spot.”

Fang Jingcheng coaxed her, even sitting on the case himself as a demo to show it could take the weight. Since Xia Fu was wearing a skirt, he even layered his T-shirt over the case, leaving himself in a fitted base layer tee.

And thus, twenty-something Xia Fu finally got to experience the childish joy of being placed in a shopping cart and pushed around a supermarket.

Clack, clack.

It was ridiculous yet amusing.

Xia Fu looked at her dangling feet, feeling both curious and bemused. She was the type to keep her eyes forward in life, recalling how, as a kid, her parents would tell her, “Look, there are kids out there who have it worse. If you don’t have something, it’s not the end of the world.” She’d always thought experiences passed as life moved on. Who’d have thought they’d sometimes come back in another form?

She couldn’t help sneaking a glance at her “chauffeur,” Fang Jingcheng.

“Aren’t you tired?”

He was right behind her, so she couldn’t see his face but could hear his quiet hums as he absentmindedly hummed a tune. His wristwatch caught the sunlight, reflecting sharp, bright glints, and the muscles in his forearms were flexed, showing defined curves full of latent power.

“It’s pretty fun, actually. When I go out on weekends, I often see old ladies pushing strollers. You’d think it’s their grandkids inside, but it turns out to be a fluffy Pomeranian.”

“Thinking about it now, it’s kind of like that.”

Kids were cute, but obviously, a dog was better.

A casual remark, but he accidentally caught Xia Fu’s round, curious gaze, making him unexpectedly cheerful. But the person getting called a dog probably didn’t share his amusement.

The petite passenger began to stir. “No way, put me down. I want to walk the big dog!”

Fang Jingcheng, having fun, played both sides: “But it’d be super embarrassing for a guy my size to sit on a suitcase. Besides, you couldn’t push me if you tried!”

“I’ve been working out, you know? Let me try—I want to show you my progress!”

Eager to prove herself, Xia Fu shook the case so much that Fang Jingcheng almost lost his grip.

“No, no, stop wiggling—careful, you’ll fall!” Flustered, he held her shoulders firmly and, in the end, reluctantly let her give it a go on the final stretch.

But at six-foot-three, Fang Jingcheng’s frame weighed more than bones alone; he had a solid build with muscles, making moving him feel like moving a mountain. Xia Fu concentrated and managed to push only a bit at a time, until Fang Jingcheng ditched his “cool guy” stance and discreetly dug his feet in, using his legs as makeshift brakes to give her a little artificial boost.

It was flat ground all around, yet they hadn’t even reached a downhill section.

Puzzled, Xia Fu looked down and spotted him “rowing in place” with his legs. Her furrowed brows softened, and she couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

He’d worked up to this for a while, so when he got caught, his tone was full of playful grievance. “What’s this? We’re supposed to be playing together, and you’re laughing at me?”

“Sorry, sorry. I was just planning to give you a break and let you rest. Here, want a treat?” Xia Fu handed him a chocolate bar she’d had ready for a while.

“Wow, so considerate!” First a walk, now a snack!

“No, really! I picked out this new flavor just for you. Oh, and hey—have we arrived?”

She’d only meant to distract him, but when she really looked out, the sight ahead made Xia Fu stop in her tracks, unable to argue.

Under the brilliant blue sky, a sea of pink flowers stretched on and on, delicate and pure, like a faint blush on a girl’s nail. The pink bled into the horizon, blending earth and sky. Among the blossoms were tiny white petals, like snowflakes from spring, swaying on slender green stems in the gentle breeze. It was hard to tell if they were flowers or fluttering butterflies gracing the field.

Fang Jingcheng’s surprise worked as intended. He watched Xia Fu’s amazed expression with satisfaction, explaining, “I got lost here in the spring, back when it was just a patch of weeds behind a fence. You couldn’t tell what it’d bloom into, so I asked the gardener watering the area and made sure we could see it before it opened. Isn’t it beautiful?”

With his charming looks, Fang Jingcheng easily got the answers he wanted, gaining an advantage as always. Since “Moonlight Blossom Field” wouldn’t open for another week, a small bit of money had given them a private flower-viewing experience.

“If you’re tired, you can sit here and take pictures. I brought a blanket we can spread on the flower path so we won’t crush the flowers or worry about dirt.”

The soft blanket spread over the green path, perfectly fitting the garden’s scenery. Though it was just the width of a regular yoga mat, it felt a bit cramped when shared. For instance—

Xia Fu lay in the center of the blanket while Fang Jingcheng knelt at the edge, adjusting his camera settings with one hand while brushing stray flower petals from her hair with the other. “Here, reach out your hand like this.”

The flower bed was dewy from its morning watering, and cool, damp air rose from the dark soil, adding a fresh chill to the air. While the surrounding flowers and Fang Jingcheng’s tall figure shaded her from the sun, Xia Fu’s cheeks still felt hot.

She knew he was focused when he took photos, but interacting this closely was a first.

He stood with his back to the sun, the summer light coloring his fair skin a gentle pink. His profile had a golden glow, and his silver hair shone as if haloed with light. But kneeling over her, his body suspended, there was an undeniable suggestion in this scene that Xia Fu found hard to ignore as she stared at his face, shadowed but striking—

Those pressed lips, that defined nose, and those deep eyes framed by long lashes.

He was just so beautiful.

It felt like the clear sky had quietly come down and nestled into this flower field, making her want to close her fingers around him and pull him closer.

They took more photos today than ever before. Eventually, though, boredom settled in, and Xia Fu couldn’t resist chatting. “You’re taking these so seriously. Are you planning to enter a contest?”

Fang Jingcheng shook his head. “Nope, I changed my mind. It’s too beautiful—I’m keeping all of them for myself.”

“…You’re really photogenic too. Can I take a picture of you?”

Gently brushing his camera aside, she finally got a clear view of Fang Jingcheng’s handsome face.

Sometimes, she didn’t want to be the only one sitting there, hoping for him to approach. She wanted to reach out, do something herself.

Looping her arms around his neck, she traced her fingers to his waist, slipping them under his shirt to touch his skin, slightly damp with sweat. A move she’d picked up from self-defense class suddenly felt more playful here with him.

And on her first try, she hit the jackpot.

Fang Jingcheng was muscular, but this one small area on his lower back was surprisingly sensitive. The unexpected touch made him let out a muffled sound, his body sinking down instinctively, allowing her to take control.

Flower stems brushed against his back, rustling as they moved.

Their roles suddenly reversed, Xia Fu pressed him down onto the blanket, sitting over his waist as she clicked the shutter.

It felt different to be the one taking pictures for once. His handsome face could be a perfect portrait from any angle, and the subtle expressions of surprise and affection were captured perfectly.

“This is unfair, sneaking up on me…”

To save herself effort, Xia Fu stayed seated on him, her thighs pressing his shirt up slightly, her smooth skin brushing his sides. Teenage boys were more sensitive to this kind of warmth, and Fang Jingcheng could feel the heat spreading throughout his body.

Unable to resist, he raised a hand to touch her face.

But she switched the camera from photo mode to video, pecked his hand, and sprang up, eluding his grasp as she began recording a playful clip.

“Hey! Not fair! No kisses and you’re ditching me? Wait for me!”

“Nope, come and get it yourself!”

Through the lens, Xia Fu gave him a mischievous smile, running a few steps away to turn their game into a chase.

While watching Fang Jingcheng’s youthful, lively face in their little chase, she thought:

No wonder he’d want to preserve roses in crystal. Art lasts far longer than people. Even if time fades these moments, the camera would capture them all—memories uniquely hers.