Chapter 34

Following the GPS directions, Lin Nanzhi arrived at a snack street, only to find that most of the shops were closed, with only a few still open. She picked one that seemed to have more customers and walked in, glancing at the menu on the wall.

“Boss, I’ll have a Yangzhou fried rice.”

“Alright! Have a seat first.”

After ordering, Lin Nanzhi couldn’t help but sigh.

Of all things, Yangzhou fried rice? Didn’t I come all this way just to eat something special?

But since she had already ordered, she had no choice but to eat it.

I should’ve done better research!

She found a seat and sat down, occasionally glancing at the menu while watching the pedestrians outside. Before long, her fried rice arrived. She took a bite—it was neither exceptionally good nor bad, just average. However, the portion was quite generous.

She finished everything on the plate to avoid wasting food, which left her feeling a little too full.

It only cost ten yuan, not too expensive.

Since she had eaten a lot, she decided to take a walk to digest her food. Nearby, she noticed an alley with steps leading up to a large, beautiful tree. Holding up her camera, she snapped a photo and decided to go closer for a better shot.

The tree was massive—several people would be needed to encircle it with their arms.

It stood right by the roadside, with cars passing by, making it an unexpectedly picturesque sight. She crossed the street to take another shot from a different angle, capturing the tree alongside the blue sky, white clouds, and surrounding buildings.

Turning around, she spotted a particularly charming house in the distance and ran over to take a closer look.

Before she realized it, Lin Nanzhi had taken countless photos. As she reviewed them, she felt quite satisfied. When she finally looked up, she noticed the sky had already darkened, the night scenery had emerged, and her stomach was rumbling again.

Almost instinctively, as soon as she felt hungry, she caught the scent of delicious food in the air. Walking about a hundred meters forward, she discovered a bustling food street. The aroma of various dishes filled the air, making her mouth water.

She took a photo of the food street before stepping in. Looking at the countless delicacies, she couldn’t help but swallow.

She bought a little from each stall—just a few bites—so she could sample as many dishes as possible.

Guokui, pan-fried buns, spicy sour noodles, brain tofu, glutinous rice cakes with syrup, Jinbang pork knuckles, sliced beef jerky… everything was delicious. She took pictures as she ate, completely immersed in the joy of the moment.

After eating her fill, she noticed the street was getting even more crowded, so she put on a mask and continued exploring. However, just as she was about to pass by a hotpot restaurant, the rich aroma hit her nose, making her heart sink—she had only eaten to about 70% full.

She sighed, deciding to take a picture of the restaurant’s signboard.

I’ll come back for a proper meal after I’m done sightseeing.

Just as she stepped back to take a better shot, she suddenly felt herself bump into something. At the same time, she accidentally stepped on something, startling herself.

Turning around instinctively, she realized she had bumped into a person.

Not just any person—a ridiculously handsome guy.

His facial features were sharp and well-defined, with a jawline that was absolutely perfect. Every one of his features was striking on its own, but together, they created a balance that was both intense and harmonious.

His face exuded youthfulness, warmth, and charm, radiating an energy that could brighten even the gloomiest of days—like a winter sun that instantly melted away the chill.

And at over 1.8 meters tall, he carried an air of both classic and modern appeal. He could be cool, sweet, handsome, or adorable, all at once.

Most mesmerizing of all were his eyes. When he looked at someone, it was as if he was gazing at his lover—his focus so intense that nothing else seemed to matter.

Lin Nanzhi was instantly dazed.

The guy was also momentarily stunned. Looking down, he saw the girl in his arms, her blue-amber eyes staring at him in a daze.

He smiled politely. “Hi, you stepped on me. Could you let go first? It hurts a little.”

“Ah… oh!”

Lin Nanzhi snapped out of it, quickly stepping away. When she looked down, she saw that she had left a footprint on his clean, white sneakers.

Feeling awkward, she apologized, “Sorry! I didn’t mean to.”

“It’s fine.”

He smiled, and at that moment, Lin Nanzhi thought of a phrase that suited him perfectly—a smile that could topple cities.

His smile was pure and comforting. Just seeing it felt like it could wash away all worries, even if only for a moment.

Seeing her still looking at him, the guy—seemingly used to such reactions—quietly walked past her and entered the hotpot restaurant behind them.

Lin Nanzhi stared at his retreating figure for a long time but ultimately decided not to ask for his contact information. Instead, she quickly snapped a few more photos and slipped away.

Following the GPS again, she soon arrived at the lakeside.

The layered architecture, illuminated by lights, looked absolutely magnificent—like something straight out of the Tang Dynasty. Excitedly, she snapped several photos and even asked a passerby to take some for her.

But she never expected that her luck would be so… terrible.

For the second time in a single day, she stepped on someone’s shoes.

And worse—she stepped on the same person’s shoes.

Looking down at the pair of sneakers, now with symmetrical footprints, she wished she could just dig a hole and bury herself in it.

Feeling both embarrassed and exasperated, she looked up and awkwardly said, “I’m so sorry, little brother. Should I let you step on me to make it even?”

These looked like brand-new sneakers. And basketball shoes, at that!

A guy’s fresh basketball shoes were sacred—you just didn’t step on them!

But as soon as she said it, Lin Nanzhi cringed at herself. She let out an awkward laugh. “Maybe I should just buy you a new pair.”

Before the handsome guy could respond, another man beside him stepped up and casually draped an arm over his shoulder.

With a friendly grin, he said to Lin Nanzhi, “No worries, they’re just shoes. If they get dirty, we can just wash them—no need for that much fuss.”

Noticing the camera around her neck, he then asked, “You’re traveling in the capital?”

Lin Nanzhi nodded.

—-

The handsome guy, seeing her still awkwardly staring at his shoes, seemed to understand that she felt guilty. His gaze landed on a nearby milk tea shop, and he pointed at it.

“No need to buy me new shoes. If you really feel bad, just buy me a milk tea.”

Lin Nanzhi agreed without hesitation, buying a drink for both of them. The three of them then sat in the milk tea shop, chatting casually. She also ordered some snacks and slowly sipped her tea.

“Oh right,” the other guy said, “since this seems like fate, let’s introduce ourselves. I’m Yu Ze, and he’s Wen Jiunian. What’s your name?”

“Lin Nanzhi,” she answered.

As she said it, a thought popped into her head—Wen Jiunian?

That name sounded strangely familiar.

And his face… she had definitely seen it somewhere before.

Forget it, I can’t remember!

“Lin Nanzhi, that’s a nice name. Did you choose it yourself?”

Lin Nanzhi: 【ヘ】

“But your Chinese is really good.”

Oh.

He thought she was a foreigner.

She let out an awkward laugh. “I am Chinese! I’m from the Southern Province. It’d be weird if my Chinese wasn’t good, right?”

Yu Ze: (●—●)

“Oh… my bad! I thought—so are you mixed or from a minority group?”

Yu Ze scratched his head, quickly regaining his composure.

“It’s fine. My mom is Russian,” Lin Nanzhi said casually, taking another sip of milk tea.