Chapter 14: So Bad

“…What?”

Xia Zhicha hadn’t even reacted yet—her body moved instinctively, stepping forward.

Behind her, a piercing scream suddenly erupted, like something straight out of a zombie movie, accompanied by the heavy thudding of things slamming into walls.

She didn’t look back, but she could clearly hear the rapid, pounding footsteps behind them, growing louder as they closed in.

The pressure in the darkness was suffocating.

As if something were chasing them.

She reflexively sped up to keep pace with Fu Chiyu.

“You triggered the hidden storyline,” Fu Chiyu explained calmly. “That glance just now—now we have to run all the way out.”

“…Ah.”

Xia Zhicha opened her mouth, only to be immediately cut off by Fu Chiyu’s cool voice: “Don’t apologize. It’s more fun this way.”

There was a light breathiness from running in his voice, and in the darkness, it sounded low and sexy.

“…”

Xia Zhicha obediently shut her mouth.

How did he even know she was about to apologize…?

The haunted house wasn’t large, but the layout was winding. Xia Zhicha nearly bumped into the corners a few times, and Fu Chiyu noticed—slowing down slightly whenever they turned.

The screaming behind them continued, steadily drawing nearer.

Until finally, they pushed open the last door, and daylight spilled in—ending the nightmare.

Jiang Lili and Gao Yuyang were waiting outside. When they saw the two burst out like that, they looked startled. “What the heck? Why are you two running like that?”

Xia Zhicha was winded—she wasn’t in great shape. After Fu Chiyu let go of her wrist, she bent over, hands on her knees, catching her breath.

Fu Chiyu explained briefly to the other two. Jiang Lili let out an “Ohhh,” looking intrigued. “You should’ve said there was a hidden storyline! Dang, now I wanna go again!”

Gao Yuyang laughed and handed her a bottle of water. “Nah, better not—your voice is already hoarse. Pretty sure Fu Chiyu could hear every one of your screams.”

Fu Chiyu raised his eyebrows, not denying it.

“…Ahem.” Jiang Lili cleared her throat, a bit embarrassed. “It wasn’t that scary…”

Xia Zhicha listened to them chat. After resting for a bit, she was back to normal.

“You okay?” Fu Chiyu casually supported her arm, standing next to her, voice light.

“Yeah.” She straightened up and moved her wrist a little.

Suddenly, the image of Fu Chiyu gripping her wrist and running through the darkness flashed through her mind.

She quietly glanced at his hand.

His hands were big. When he held her wrist, it had felt like he could wrap both of her wrists in one hand.

She didn’t know where her thoughts drifted, but she quickly stopped herself.

Why was she… daydreaming nonsense again?

---

After leaving the haunted house, they passed through a shop selling theme park merchandise.

Nothing particularly useful—mostly things for kids.

Jiang Lili had a young relative at home and wanted to pick out some gifts, so she pulled Gao Yuyang along to help choose something a boy would like.

Xia Zhicha could tell Fu Chiyu wasn’t interested in these things at all, so she followed him, planning to head out early.

As they passed a shelf, she suddenly stopped.

Fu Chiyu noticed and followed her gaze. The shelf was full of accessories.

“You like these?” he asked.

Xia Zhicha hesitated, then shook her head and stepped away from the display.

Seeing her reaction, Fu Chiyu asked again, “You really don’t want anything?”

This time she answered with a soft “Mm,” and said, “None of it suits me.”

Fu Chiyu didn’t press further.

Just as they were about to leave the store, Xia Zhicha suddenly said, “Wait here a second.”

Fu Chiyu raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms, waiting.

When she came back out, she was holding a bottle of water.

“I got thirsty,” she explained.

Fu Chiyu let out a lazy hum of acknowledgment and tucked his phone into his pocket.

“Gao Yuyang said Jiang Lili wants to go ride the giant pendulum. He’s going to wait with her. If we’re not interested, we can just do our own thing.”

“Hm?” Xia Zhicha was unscrewing her water bottle, blinking.

“Do you want to go?” Fu Chiyu asked.

Xia Zhicha thought for a moment, then shook her head.

She was still recovering from the roller coaster—definitely not ready for more high-altitude thrills.

“Alright,” Fu Chiyu said. “Then let’s just wander around.”

---

Xia Zhicha didn’t even know how things had ended up like this.

This whole trip was originally Jiang Lili’s idea—she’d just tagged along.

But somehow, she found herself spending most of her time with Fu Chiyu.

Now the other two were gone, and it was just the two of them walking together.

It was early October, still warm. The amusement park was crowded, shoulder to shoulder.

Xia Zhicha held her bottle of cold water to cool down, sneaking glances at the composed and relaxed Fu Chiyu walking beside her.

It felt… strange.

Almost like they were on a date.

She quickly pushed the thought down, turning her head away—afraid he might somehow read her mind.

Fu Chiyu noticed her odd little movement and followed her line of sight. “You want to try this?” he asked.

Xia Zhicha hadn’t even seen what attraction it was. Now she looked carefully and saw—it was a log flume ride.

Not too intense, and looked refreshing.

She nodded without hesitation.

Rain ponchos were sold at the entrance. After buying them, they queued up and ended up seated in the very last row.

The raincoat colors were random—Xia Zhicha got yellow. As she carefully stepped over the water puddles and settled in, Fu Chiyu looked at her and thought…

She looked like a little yellow duck, bouncing along.

He couldn’t help but smile.

The log flume ride had one drop, not very high. When the boat splashed down, a wave of water surged forward—but since they were in the back row, most of it hit the people in front.

Xia Zhicha remembered she had makeup on today, so as soon as the water splashed up, she quickly ducked her head.

Rain ponchos didn’t block much in this kind of ride, but at least her makeup probably didn’t get ruined.

She was just about to lift her head when a hand suddenly landed on the back of her head—Fu Chiyu’s—and gently pressed her back down.

“Don’t lift your head yet, little yellow duck.”

The way she hunched down, head lowered, only made her look even more like a duckling, and Fu Chiyu couldn’t help but use the nickname.

Xia Zhicha obviously noticed it, but before she could respond, another wave of water came crashing down.

When it was over, Fu Chiyu let go of her head.

She slowly sat up and looked at him.

He’d clearly tried to shield her just now—his raincoat hood had been flung back, and he was soaked from head to toe, looking completely drenched.

She had originally wanted to ask why he called her “little yellow duck,” but now… she swallowed the question.

He was like this already, and still didn’t complain…

“Little yellow duck, had fun?”

Water still clung to his lashes, his eyes glinting mischievously as he raised an eyebrow and spoke slowly.

“…”

Xia Zhicha pressed her lips together. Finally, she asked, “Why do you call me little yellow duck?”

Fu Chiyu reached out and took off her rain hood, not answering, just lifting his chin in a playful gesture.

She got it immediately, and her ears slowly turned red.

…This guy was seriously—so bad.

Why did he enjoy giving people nicknames so much?

---

Since it was a water ride, fans were thoughtfully placed at the exit for people to dry off.

Xia Zhicha’s skirt was soaked at the hem, and her hair was wet too. She let it down to dry in front of the fan.

When she turned her head, she happened to see Fu Chiyu nearby—he had lifted the hem of his own T-shirt and was wringing out the water.

The oversized shirt was bunched up, revealing a clean, lean set of abs—slim but defined.

Droplets from the soaked shirt splashed onto the skin and trickled slowly downward along the muscle lines.

Wet. And a little… indecent.

Xia Zhicha’s eyes burned like they’d been scalded. She quickly looked away—but just then, Fu Chiyu looked up and caught her staring.

The girl’s eyes were clear and transparent, impossible to hide anything. Her flustered, panicked expression was written all over her face.

Not to mention, her ears had been flushed pink since earlier.

She looked… far too easy to tease.

Fu Chiyu clicked his tongue lightly against his molars, mischief sparking in his eyes.

He casually averted his gaze and tugged his shirt back down like nothing had happened.

Thinking she hadn’t been noticed, Xia Zhicha let out a quiet breath of relief and bowed her head, drying her skirt with great concentration.

As if trying to fan away all the chaotic thoughts in her head.

Just then, her phone buzzed with a new message.

She pulled it out and unlocked the screen absentmindedly—

Fu Chiyu: [Want to take another look?]
Fu Chiyu: [Or… want to touch it?]