Chapter 48

Chapter 48

Lu Tingchao: "..."

Lu Tingchao sat dazed in the chair for a moment, then blinked seriously and looked at Fei Xiuqi: "Um, could you call me that again?"

Fei Xiuqi: "?"

Fei Xiuqi snapped coldly: "What?"

Lu Tingchao seemed a bit embarrassed, tapping his phone, then picking up his fork to tap his plate, before asking hesitantly, yet hopefully: "No one's ever called me 'little mama' before... Could you say it a few more times?"

Fei Xiuqi: "..."

Fei Xiuqi froze.

After a long pause.

He stood up coldly, touched but resolute: "Dream on. You'll find everything in your dreams."

Impeccably dressed, Fei Xiuqi appeared even more statuesque as he turned to leave.

Lu Tingchao had to jump down from the barstool again. The panda ears on the hood of his hooded onesie swayed as he ran: "Hey, wait a minute! If you won’t say it, then forget it. But can’t you really take me away? I..."

"Alright."

Fei Xiuqi suddenly turned and stopped.

Lu Tingchao couldn’t stop in time and crashed hard into Fei Xiuqi’s solid chest. The pain made his nose sting, and tears welled up.

But fortunately, Fei Xiuqi’s words acted like a painkiller, staunching Lu Tingchao’s tears.

"Really?"

The unshed tears still clung to the corners of Lu Tingchao’s eyes, making him look pitiful and helpless. His youthful face appeared innocent and harmless, even more fragile than a high school student. "You’ll really take me away?"

And it was this face, this appearance, that had charmed one man after another into going to extremes for him.

Every inch of this ancestral home bore Fei Yuncheng’s name, a chronicle of his rise to success. The nearly seven-meter-high atrium glittered, with every lamp luxurious and expensive.

Fei Xiuqi narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at the teary-eyed man opposite him, then reached out and gently wiped away Lu Tingchao’s tears: "Mhm."

Fei Xiuqi said: "I’ll take you away."

Fei Xiuqi: "Go get dressed."

Fei Xiuqi: "Look pretty."

Lu Tingchao looked up at Fei Xiuqi with pleading eyes, seeming a bit confused: "What do you mean by ‘pretty’?"

Fei Xiuqi seemed to be thinking about how to answer. After a pause, he leaned down and kissed Lu Tingchao’s forehead: "Never mind, it’s fine."

Fei Xiuqi said: "Chao Chao is already very pretty."

Lu Tingchao: "..."

Lu Tingchao wasn’t entirely satisfied with Fei Xiuqi calling him "pretty," but after some thought, he felt he had to bow to circumstances. So he bit his tongue and swallowed his pride, then said very obediently: "Then I’ll wear the color you like."

Lu Tingchao: "What color do you like?"

Fei Xiuqi’s expression softened: "When we first met on the variety show, didn’t Chao Chao read my bio?"

Lu Tingchao: "..."

Not really.

Lu Tingchao, with a face full of utter sincerity and no hint of guilt, gently took Fei Xiuqi’s hand: "Well... I thought maybe after all this time, you might have started liking other colors."

This was a bad child, corrupt through and through.

Fei Xiuqi lowered his eyes and gently brushed aside Lu Tingchao’s slightly overgrown bangs that were falling into his eyes: "No, I haven’t, BB."

Fei Xiuqi took Lu Tingchao’s hand, held his fingertips, and rubbed them: "Lu Tingchao, I’m a very steadfast person. My preferences haven’t changed at all since I was young."

Fei Xiuqi leaned close to Lu Tingchao’s ear, whispered lightly, and slowly asked: "So Chao Chao must know what color I like, right?"

Lu Tingchao: "..."

After he got out of here, he was definitely going to dump Fei Xiuqi right away!

"...Of course I know!"

Lu Tingchao cursed the bad man in front of him a million times in his heart, then put on a beaming smile: "Then wait for me, okay? I’ll just go upstairs for a moment and be right back."

Fortunately, the internet was plenty fast nowadays. At worst, he could just look up the profile again once he went upstairs.

Lu Tingchao hurriedly shook off Fei Xiuqi’s grip on his hand, his bright and dazzling eyes darting around. He turned and lightly sprinted barefoot up the stairs, then waved to Fei Xiuqi from the stair railing: "Wait for me just a moment!"

The heavy, antique light of the Italian chandelier at the staircase corner shone on Lu Tingchao’s lively, woodland-creature vitality.

For a moment, it seemed as though this deathly quiet mansion where Fei Xiuqi had grown up came briefly to life.

"Chao Chao."

Fei Xiuqi suddenly said.

Lu Tingchao turned back: "Huh?"

Fei Xiuqi: "I like navy blue, lake blue."

Lu Tingchao: "Ah..."

Fei Xiuqi said: "Wear the color I like, okay?"

Lu Tingchao: "!!!"

What a break, getting the answer just like that!

"No problem!"

Lu Tingchao immediately nodded vigorously, bobbing like a toy drum, affirming Fei Xiuqi’s suggestion. "I just found a lake-blue jacket yesterday. I’ll be down in a flash."

Having unexpectedly received the right answer, Lu Tingchao’s simple delight was written all over his face. His bare feet silently tread across the overly thick wool carpet before he disappeared around the corner at the other end of the hallway.

Fei Xiuqi remained standing.

Moments later.

The house manager, Kim, materialized from some shadowy corner like a ghost long-inhabiting this old mansion, setting a glass of green juice in front of Fei Xiuqi.

"Master."

Kim gently raised his hand, placing a straw into Fei Xiuqi's juice. "I heard your conversation with Mr. Xiaolu just now."

Kim's tone was also soft: "At Boss Devin's request and as a routine admonition from your butler, I advise you to drop any idea of eloping as soon as possible."

"This is Hong Kong."

Kim placed a lemon blossom on the rim of the tall glass in front of Fei Xiuqi. "This is Devin's city."

The room fell into silence.

In this vast old mansion, it seemed that aside from Kim, the other servants were like tools, as if mute and deaf, incapable of making any sound.

Fei Xiuqi looked at the glass before him and, after a long while, chuckled softly: "Kim, from what perspective are you advising me with these words?"

Kim's hand paused on the lemon blossom: "From the perspective of a subordinate of Devin's."

"Oh..."

Fei Xiuqi sounded disappointed, but mostly mocking, "I thought you were going to advise me as Polina's ex-boyfriend, or as my brother-in-law."

Kim's body went rigid, and after a moment, he forced a faint smile: "Young Master Fei, you must be joking."

Fei Xiuqi, however, effortlessly reached out and plucked the lemon blossom Kim had just placed.

"Too bad."

Fei Xiuqi said, "If you had advised me as my brother-in-law, I might have actually listened. But you chose to speak as a servant and butler instead."

Fei Xiuqi pushed the glass away: "Then I can only say to you, sorry, but get lost, coward."

*

Even though it was a beautiful day, the villa still felt overly empty and silent.

Lu Tingchao always felt it was probably because this villa was far too old-fashioned.

In Lu Tingchao's upbringing, he believed that everything in this world had its own shelf life. Once that date passed, no matter how passionate or expensive something once was, it would gradually depreciate and eventually become ordinary and mediocre.

Perhaps like this villa.

Or perhaps like many kinds of emotions.

Lu Tingchao had always considered himself a very, very responsible person when it came to emotions. He never messed around with relationships, always ending one before starting another—

But he always found it easy to fall for someone in certain moments.

Like Zhuang Ji from his youth.

Or like Mo Lingnan, who had once been his entire support in a single moment.

Or like Fei Xiuqi, waiting for him at the end of the shaded path in this dimly lit old mansion.

Lu Tingchao ran all the way and tumbled into Fei Xiuqi's embrace, letting the man hold him completely. He then lifted his face from the hug: "Fei Xiuqi, when will you run away with me?"

Fei Xiuqi reached out to smooth Lu Tingchao's hair, his tone gentle: "Whenever Chao Chao wants to leave."

"We have to leave quickly!"

Lu Tingchao's tone was serious. "Fei Yuncheng told me before he left that he'd be back soon, at the latest. Though something's holding him up now, once he returns, it'll be hard for us to leave."

Lu Tingchao obediently wrapped his arms around Fei Xiuqi: "I don't want to stay in Hong Kong anymore. Let's leave quickly. We can go pick up Doudou now and catch a flight, okay?"

Fei Xiuqi looked down at Lu Tingchao, neither agreeing nor refusing.

This was the first time in so long that Lu Tingchao had obediently stayed in his arms—

There had been so many times before when he watched Zhuang Ji take Lu Tingchao away, and then Mo Lingnan take Lu Tingchao away.

"It's alright, Chao Chao."

Fei Xiuqi said softly, "We have plenty of time today. There's no need to rush."

Lu Tingchao didn't understand: "Why isn't it urgent? Once your father returns, he definitely won't let me go! He's so harsh!"

Lu Tingchao's voice grew softer as he spoke, shrinking into Fei Xiuqi's embrace, clearly a bit sulky: "I'm actually a little scared of your dad..."

Fei Xiuqi laughed: "What are you scared of?"

Fei Xiuqi wrapped an arm around Lu Tingchao's waist and used his other hand to button Lu Tingchao's shirt: "Chao Chao, he already spoils you enough. He's never been harsh with you."

"I feel like, in your dad's eyes, human lives mean nothing."

Lu Tingchao obediently let Fei Xiuqi button his clothes, clinging to him like a soft little animal, murmuring quietly, "But human lives are precious."

Fei Xiuqi paused: "...What?"

Lu Tingchao, without much thought, obediently repeated: "I think every person's life is very precious. We only have this one life."

Lu Tingchao tugged at Fei Xiuqi's clothes, seeming ready to debate: "So I think, from this perspective, everyone should be equal."

Fei Xiuqi: "..."

Fei Xiuqi had seriously studied philosophy at an American university and had been dragged by club friends to participate in many debates about human rights and the equality of life.

But no matter what, Fei Xiuqi never expected to hear such words from Lu Tingchao's mouth.

From a young master who had never received a proper education, grew up in chaos, was spoiled rotten, knew nothing about hard work or basic necessities, and lived a life of luxury.

Fei Xiuqi remained silent for a long time before bending down slightly to ask again: "Then what does Chao Chao think equality means?"

Lu Tingchao probably didn't expect Fei Xiuqi to ask him specifically. He looked a bit confused and shook his head: "Haven't thought about it. I don't know."

Fei Xiuqi: "..."

Lu Tingchao rarely paid attention to others' emotions—after all, his self-centered nature meant he didn't need to care about others. But at this moment—perhaps because he truly needed Fei Xiuqi's help, or perhaps due to a sudden burst of inspiration—

Lu Tingchao said: "I think it means rich people should share their money with the poor, at least so the poor can survive."

After a moment's thought, he added: "At the very least, everyone should have the chance to live."

Fei Xiuqi: "..."

This was truly a utopian ideal.

Coming from this young master who understood nothing and had been raised in luxury.

Deep down, he was actually quite wicked, trampling on anyone's feelings at will. Seduction and manipulation formed the core of his emotional values—fundamentally rotten to the bone.

And yet, he also seemed to possess some goodness.

These good qualities were hidden beneath his flawed exterior, only becoming faintly discernible through continuous scrutiny, and only in certain extremely rare moments.

Fei Xiuqi suddenly asked, "So Su Ningyu really upset you, huh?"

Lu Tingchao: "..."

The flickering light in Lu Tingchao's eyes seemed to fade almost instantly. He let out a soft "ah," then opened his mouth again: "I don’t know... once someone dies, they can’t come back..."

Lu Tingchao: "I just think..."

Fei Xiuqi: "What?"

Pressed by the question, Lu Tingchao got flustered. Unfortunately, his limited vocabulary and brainpower left him unable to articulate a proper response. After a long pause, he finally got defensive and snapped in embarrassment and anger, "Why do you keep asking me this? Do you look down on underachievers?"

Fei Xiuqi: "..."

No doubt about it—he was a total underachiever.

Fei Xiuqi finally saw that it was pointless to argue with Lu Tingchao about this. He shook his head and took Lu Tingchao’s hand. "Never mind, let’s go."

*

Even though it wasn’t rush hour anymore, the streets of Hong Kong were still bustling.

Perhaps it was the city’s inherent congestion that made its streets seem perpetually busy, no matter the time.

In this compact metropolis, everyone living here competed for limited resources, limited space, and even limited air.

"Is this the way to pick up Lu Doudou?"

Lu Tingchao sat in the passenger seat of Fei Xiuqi’s car. "But I kinda want to give Su Zhen some extra cash..."

Fei Xiuqi: "..."

The person beside him seemed to have a perpetually jumpy way of thinking—a hallmark of the underachiever mindset, where one sentence never quite connected to the next, making it nearly impossible to predict what he would say.

The revving engine of the fiery red Bugatti sports car blared along the street beside the pedestrian walkway, drawing lots of looks from passersby.

"There are snacks in there to eat."

Fei Xiuqi found that he had somehow adapted to Lu Tingchao’s disjointed way of speaking. "I suggest you never tell Su Zhen about Su Ningyu."

Lu Tingchao: "Huh? Why?"

Fei Xiuqi: "Because the world is a massive information bubble, especially in Hong Kong."

Lu Tingchao: "?"

"That private hospital where Su Ningyu was—Devin bankrolled its construction entirely. No information he wants kept secret gets out of that hospital’s database, not a word or a second sooner."

Fei Xiuqi rolled up the car window. "I heard A Zhi is really impressed with Su Zhen, so naturally, he wouldn’t want Su Zhen to resent Devin because of Su Ningyu. What do you think?"

Lu Tingchao: "..."

"But Su Ningyu is his own brother..."

Lu Tingchao clearly couldn’t quite get it. "Won’t Su Zhen be curious about where his brother went?"

Fei Xiuqi: "He went back to the mainland, returned to school, or cut ties because he didn’t like Hong Kong. They didn’t grow up together anyway."

Fei Xiuqi: "Often, no news is good news. Don’t you think?"

Lu Tingchao: "..."

Glumly, Lu Tingchao pulled a bag of chips from Fei Xiuqi’s car compartment, tore it open, and took a few bites. "I don’t think so."

Fei Xiuqi turned to look at him.

Lu Tingchao seemed to still be thinking. After a couple of seconds, he shook his head again. "Ah, forget it, I don’t know. I haven’t had many choices in my life anyway."

The flashy sports car finally passed the busiest commercial street and turned right onto a tree-lined road.

The crowds gradually began to thin out here.

Fei Xiuqi suddenly realized he had never heard Lu Tingchao talk about his life and grew curious. "Why haven’t you had many choices?"

"Because I’m just not good enough."

Lu Tingchao answered with surprising honesty.

Crunching noisily on chips, he replied with a vacant expression, "Actually, I’ve always been the least capable among the kids in my generation. My grandfather originally wanted my parents to take over the family business, but I guess I was too incompetent, so he never handed over control."

"Like, my uncles’ and relatives’ kids could all do math and read by age one, but all I could do at one was suck my thumb... or so I’ve heard."

Lu Tingchao was famously thick-skinned, and even now, recalling this didn’t seem to embarrass him. "Anyway, my parents didn’t like me much. Later, when they were handling overseas business, something happened, and Grandpa took over raising me."

Fei Xiuqi nodded. "I’ve heard of your grandfather. He’s quite a well-known entrepreneur."

"Ah..."

Lu Tingchao wasn’t entirely sure how well-known his grandfather was in Hong Kong. "Anyway, Grandpa is amazing in my eyes—the best. But I’ve always been bad at studying, and Grandpa was always afraid the Lu family would collapse under me, so he brought in Zhuang Ji... basically to have Zhuang Ji help me in the future and told me to listen to him."

Lu Tingchao finished the last chip and let out a long sigh. "But before the Lu family could actually fall apart because of me, something happened. After that, Zhuang Ji has been taking care of me."

Fei Xiuqi: "Mm-hmm."

Lu Tingchao clapped his hands, scattering chip crumbs all over the car. He leaned over to look, then licked his fingers without a hint of guilt. "I’ll get it cleaned for you. I’ll pay for the car wash."

Fei Xiuqi: "No need."

Lu Tingchao didn’t insist. "Oh, okay. You clean it yourself, then."

Fei Xiuqi: "..."

After a moment of silence, Fei Xiuqi asked, "What about Mo Lingnan?"

Lu Tingchao: "What?"

Fei Xiuqi: "Do you like Zhuang Ji more or Mo Lingnan more?"

Lu Tingchao turned to him curiously. "Why aren’t you asking if I like Zhuang Ji, Mo Lingnan, or you more?"

Fei Xiuqi: "Because you’re in my car, so you’d definitely say you like me the most."

Lu Tingchao: "..."

Lu Tingchao’s expression told Fei Xiuqi he was absolutely right.

Lu Tingchao was exactly that kind of person—always swaying with the wind, forgetting loyalty for gain, never seeming to have strong opinions, yet always skilled at choosing the side most beneficial to himself.

Fei Xiuqi gradually slowed down and asked again, "So, Zhuang Ji or Mo Lingnan—which one do you prefer?"

Lu Tingchao hung his head in silence.

After a while.

He said dryly, "You probably don't know."

Lu Tingchao looked at Fei Xiuqi: "Right now, I like you best."

Fei Xiuqi: "..."

The roar from the Bugatti's rear wing came to an abrupt halt.

Fei Xiuqi stepped on the brake, bringing the car to a perfect stop, then pushed open the door and tossed the keys to the parking attendant beside him: "Chao Chao, get out."

"Huh...?"

Lu Tingchao leaned his head out to look outside, said in confusion, "Aren't we going to pick up Lu Doudou? This is... an amusement park?"

The large sign and exclusive English logo displayed the name of the place.

Though it wasn't the most widely known entrance from the advertisements, the familiar characters and symbols inside quickly told Lu Tingchao exactly where they were.

Lu Tingchao really wanted to stay seated in the car, but curiosity and anticipation urged him to get out.

"Aren't we... going to pick up Doudou first?"

Lu Tingchao bit his lip, secretly suppressing his excitement, and asked Fei Xiuqi.

"There's still time, we can make it."

Fei Xiuqi took Lu Tingchao's hand and slipped a character mask over his head, "Cover your face, otherwise you'll be recognized once we go in and won't be able to enjoy anything."

Lu Tingchao: "Oh, okay!"

Lu Tingchao obediently let Fei Xiuqi adjust his character mask and followed him onto the park's shuttle, curiously looking around the whole way. When they turned a corner, he excitedly tugged at the hand of the person beside him: "Hey, you know what, Fei Xiuqi? The last time I came here was to celebrate Zhuang Ji being the city's top scorer in the gaokao!"

Fei Xiuqi looked down at Lu Tingchao's hand holding his: "Zhuang Ji?"

"Yeah."

Lu Tingchao seemed to be slowly recalling, "Surprising, isn't it? Back then, I thought he would go into engineering or do his experiments, since his family was in that field, but he didn't end up doing it."

Fei Xiuqi: "Why?"

Lu Tingchao: "Not sure, I never asked him. But he does manage some of his family's business, I guess. He's always busy anyway."

Lu Tingchao started complaining: "I really don't like how busy he is, that's why our relationship fell apart."

Fei Xiuqi held Lu Tingchao's hand and didn't argue: "So what do you usually do at home then?"

"Just spend money."

Lu Tingchao said with utter self-assurance, "Back then, I was so unpopular. Zhuang Ji worked 30 days a month because there are only 30 days in a month, but I worked at most two days a month... and those two days were only because I barely managed to pull some strings."

Lu Tingchao sounded a bit dejected: "Like that variety show where I met you—they only brought me in because no one else would go, and they needed to fill the spot."

Fei Xiuqi recalled the variety show where he first met Lu Tingchao.

Times had changed.

Now, looking back, Fei Xiuqi actually thought—if only he hadn't gone to the mainland, hadn't gone to that variety show—

Maybe then.

He wouldn't have met Lu Tingchao, wouldn't have encountered such a... wicked and careless, decadent and extravagant person, a flower cultivated with money and the smell of money, excessively gaudy.

The distinctive music of the amusement park wafted from nearby.

The private vehicle carrying only Fei Xiuqi and Lu Tingchao toured through the entire amusement park. Like the express lanes found in every theme park, this vehicle also weaved through the dedicated pathways.

It passed through crowds that, even on a weekday, were bustling and lively.

It went by one thrilling and exciting ride after another.

Fei Xiuqi held Lu Tingchao's hand, their character masks hiding their faces and expressions. Aside from the screams from the highest plunge of the roller coaster—

No one could tell that this was the hottest CP in the entertainment industry at the moment.

The parade of float cars began not far away.

Lu Tingchao had always been the type who loved to have fun, and especially in an amusement park, once unleashed, he couldn't suppress his joy, radiating happiness.

As soon as the latest roller coaster came to a stop.

Lu Tingchao pulled Fei Xiuqi to go see his favorite character parade nearby, but after just a few steps, they were stopped by a few young girls dressed in Lolita-style dresses.

The girls were very polite, but their eyes held a burning enthusiasm that seemed capable of scorching everything. They cautiously surrounded Fei Xiuqi and Lu Tingchao and asked, "...Excuse me... are you Baba and Mama?"

Fei Xiuqi: "..."

Lu Tingchao looked even more confused, and after a moment, he responded with even greater surprise and wariness: "Huh...?"

"Sorry, sorry!"

Another girl quickly explained, "That's our affectionate shipping nickname for the CP, a term of endearment! Please don't misunderstand!"

The girl was so nervous her face turned red: "Are you 'Chaochao and Qi'? Sorry if this is rude, but your voices on the roller coaster just now sounded exactly like Chaochao's..."

Lu Tingchao: "..."

Even now, Lu Tingchao hadn't quite come to terms with the fact that he was famous.

He had been unpopular for so long, so much so that he didn't have a single engagement in a month. But when his CP with Fei Xiuqi exploded in popularity, it brought tens of thousands of CP fans, along with many solo fans.

In this era of thriving fan culture, although their fanbase had rapidly risen to number one on the CP charts, for various reasons—Lu Tingchao still hadn't gotten any of the opportunities typically brought by being a new entertainment industry sensation.

The most Lu Tingchao had experienced was the enthusiasm of fans at the airport, but beyond that, he was still absent from various award ceremonies.

—Until today, when he was recognized even while wearing a character mask.

Lu Tingchao was a bit dazed, and out of instinct, he took a step back and hid behind Fei Xiuqi.

The girls across from them immediately screamed: "It really is Chaochao, aaaah—that move of hiding behind someone!! That's Chaochao's characteristic move!!"

Right after, another girl suddenly pulled out her phone from somewhere: "Mama, the one next to you must be Baba!! Aaaah, this confirms it, it's so real!!! Baba and Mama, be happy together, wishing you a lasting relationship, please give us autographs, aaaah—"

There weren't actually many girls who had gathered.

But with that scream, everyone nearby immediately looked toward them.

Then, as if drawn by some magnetic force, the crowd surged relentlessly toward them without pause.

Lu Tingchao just stood there bewildered at first, but soon he found himself getting more and more crowded by the throng around him.

The crowd, gradually descending into chaos and losing their senses, seemed unconcerned about maintaining any distance from those in front. Countless people holding up their phones swarmed around, encircling him completely.

"Chao Chao, could you take off the mascot mask? I really want to snap a pic of your beautiful face—"

"Chao Chao, are you here with your hubby? So sweet!"

"Chao Chao, look over here and smile—"

Finally.

As countless people continued to press forward, just as Lu Tingchao seemed to feel someone reaching out to touch his clothes and even attempting to reach further in—

Fei Xiuqi pulled him into a protective embrace.

A jacket belonging to Fei Xiuqi draped over his head from above, completely blocking out all light from Lu Tingchao’s view but also shielding him from all prying eyes.

Lu Tingchao heard Fei Xiuqi’s voice: "Excuse us, please make way. We need to leave with staff assistance. Thank you, thank you very much."

The crowd continued to push and shove.

But Lu Tingchao felt the warmth and strength of Fei Xiuqi’s hand holding his.

Their vehicle was no longer the sightseeing car from earlier but a very private executive van.

Soon.

The amusement park's head of operations also boarded the car at the next corner, offering a specially prepared small gift as apology and apologizing profusely: "Sorry, we didn’t expect this situation to occur. The two of you have been extremely popular lately, and we failed to provide a good experience for you. We deeply apologize."

The manager continued: "We will later issue a more formal apology to both of you. However, after discussing this incident, we also very much hope to have an opportunity to collaborate with you. I wonder…"

Fei Xiuqi said: "Can we talk about this another time?"

Fei Xiuqi’s voice was gentle and steady: "The thing is, Chao Chao has been pretty shaken up, so I don’t think now is the best time to talk. Perhaps we can discuss it later."

"Of course, of course!"

The manager, well-versed in the art of language, naturally understood that Fei Xiuqi’s words indicated there was still room for discussion and immediately said, "How about this: the amusement park’s newest facility hasn’t been officially opened to the public yet. If you two are willing, you could be the first riders to try it."

The manager added: "Of course, this is also a project perfectly suited for couples to experience together."

Lu Tingchao, still looking pale, peeked out halfway from behind Fei Xiuqi: "...What project?"

The manager: "It’s a Ferris wheel."

The amusement park’s senior executive clearly had high expectations and praise for this new project: "Once this project opens, it will become the tallest Ferris wheel in the world. From the top, you can not only overlook the entire cityscape but also gaze out at Victoria Harbour in the distance."

"At the same time, the Ferris wheel features telescopes and a dining experience. Our Ferris wheel is designed to bless all couples with lasting love."

The manager said with a smile, "I’d like to extend this blessing to both of you as well, wishing you a lifetime of happiness and enduring love."

Lu Tingchao: "Ah..."

Fei Xiuqi, however, reached for Lu Tingchao’s hand: "Alright, then I’ll thank you in advance for your blessing."

*

Lu Tingchao had always felt that he didn’t have a romantic bone in his body.

He realized this from a young age—

For example, when suitors splurged exorbitant amounts to buy flowers from Paris, France—a full 999 roses—delivered punctually to the school gate.

Lu Tingchao only found it a hassle to haul away.

He would have preferred a hefty, high-carat gem instead.

So later, when the two got married, Zhuang Ji actually gave Lu Tingchao a gemstone with an impressively high carat weight.

Not a ring.

Because the shape of a ring couldn’t accommodate such a large carat weight, Zhuang Ji had to hire a specialized designer to custom-make a bracelet for Lu Tingchao.

The bracelet was adorned with priceless diamonds.

It was like the rumor that once circulated: Zhuang Ji bought out all the expensive diamonds and sapphires available in stores and auction houses within a week to create a wedding gift for his beloved.

Lu Tingchao was deeply moved and adored it.

In the early days of his marriage to Zhuang Ji, he wore the bracelet on his wrist every day.

Later, he developed muscle strain.

Because it was really heavy.

Lu Tingchao: "..."

And so.

As the Ferris wheel rose to its highest point and romantic, dazzling fireworks burst into the sky.

Lu Tingchao suddenly remembered that bracelet, which he had tossed into the safe at home and forgotten until now.

Oh... no, perhaps it shouldn’t be called home anymore.

It should be called Zhuang Ji’s home now.

Hong Kong’s night breeze felt different from North City’s too.

The night wind in North City always made one suddenly clear-headed, while Hong Kong’s nights always made one succumb to indulgence.

Fei Xiuqi asked him: "Chao Chao, what are you thinking about?"

Lu Tingchao answered honestly: "Thinking... it’s so high."

Fei Xiuqi: "..."

Fei Xiuqi suddenly burst into loud laughter.

Since the area hadn’t been opened to the public yet, there was none of the noise from the outer parts of the amusement park.

Because of this, Fei Xiuqi’s laughter seemed especially clear and deafening, like laughter from the depths of his heart, or like an abandonment after great effort.

Lu Tingchao turned his head curiously to look at him: "...Your sense of humor is really low."

"Chao Chao."

Fei Xiuqi suddenly turned around and embraced Lu Tingchao.

It was the oldest, most primal embrace—the kind made with both arms.

"I never really understood why—why I liked you so much," Fei Xiuqi said.

His voice seemed to be right beside Lu Tingchao’s ear; he could even hear Fei Xiuqi’s heartbeat.

To escape Gangcheng, Lu Tingchao puckered his lips and decided to endure it: "Why?"

Fei Xiuqi replied, "Because you’re truly adorable. More adorable than anyone else in this world."

Lu Tingchao: "..."

Lu Tingchao’s voice sounded muffled against Fei Xiuqi’s chest: "I think I’m adorable too. You have good taste, hmm,"

The last firework shot into the night sky, briefly brilliant before returning to silence.

Fei Xiuqi released Lu Tingchao and left a soft kiss on his forehead: "So, Lu Tingchao, I love you."

Lu Tingchao: "Ah..."

Lu Tingchao hesitated, pausing for a moment: "I also..."

But Fei Xiuqi interrupted him: "Let's go, Chao Chao. We should go down now."

The time it took for the Ferris wheel to descend from its highest point to the lowest was exactly ninety-nine minutes and ninety-nine seconds.

*

Perhaps to affirm every moment of love, a small fixed clock was even installed inside the Ferris wheel, featuring the amusement park’s unique design, its hands ticking away.

Sure enough, at the very last second, it halted silently.

The cabin door opened.

Fei Xiuqi stood up and stepped out, then reached in with an outstretched hand: "Come, Chao Chao."

Lu Tingchao reached out his hand as well, letting Fei Xiuqi lead him out of the cabin—

The night breeze was gentle.

The sound of cars approaching was gentle.

The instant Lu Tingchao followed Fei Xiuqi out of the Ferris wheel cabin and stepped outdoors—

It felt both as if they had just arrived and as if they had been waiting for a long time.

Five identical black Rolls-Royces were lined up in a row, the gleaming emblems at the front of each car seeming to foretell an impending storm in the night wind.

Lu Tingchao froze, then went rigid.

Almost instinctively, he shrank back behind Fei Xiuqi, his voice trembling: "Fei... Fei Xiuqi, I..."

Lu Tingchao’s remaining words were cut off as a car door swung open silently.

A Zhi got out of the passenger seat of the second car.

Under the soft yellow lights of the amusement park,

the glance A Zhi cast toward Lu Tingchao was almost merciful and pitying—a brief look in their direction.

Just one glance, and then he walked around the car,

opening the rear door of the third vehicle.

The distinctive rear door of the Rolls-Royce swung open—

A man dressed in British tweed stepped out, surrounded by bodyguards front and back, descending with a breathtaking slowness.

He was not exactly a young man.

But when he stood at the center of the crowd, he effortlessly commanded attention.

His features were chiseled and classically sharp, giving his face a strong, mature masculinity.

Yet the gaze he turned toward Lu Tingchao was warm and gentle.

The night wind carried the man’s voice, even tinged with a coaxing, almost addictive allure—

—“Chao Chao, after you’ve had your fun, it’s time to come home.”

But it sent a shiver down Lu Tingchao’s spine.

Lu Tingchao almost immediately reached out, clutching Fei Xiuqi’s sleeve like a small animal, his pleading eyes beautiful, captivating, and heart-breakingly pitiful: "You... you said... you’d take me away... you promised to take me away..."

But Fei Xiuqi, with a