Chapter 59: Too Fast

Chapter 59: Too Fast

Zhang Suxin didn’t know why she had asked Lu Anzhi to take a walk with her, but she was certain it wasn’t because of Qianqian.

From the very beginning, she felt hazy and distracted; everything she did and thought seemed guided by some strange, inexplicable force.

Yet, regardless, she had spoken, and Lu Anzhi had agreed. Between them, little Qianqian strolled along the street, and the atmosphere wasn’t awkward at all—instead, it felt warm and comforting.

Like Zhang Suxin, Lu Anzhi held Qianqian’s warm little hand, feeling the same gentle comfort.

The woman, whose relationship with Lu Anzhi was inexplicably close, slowly paced forward beside him, her steps unconsciously matching his.

Qianqian’s tiny legs moved at a rapid pace, very different from Zhang Suxin’s and Lu Anzhi’s. But walking between the two adults, her quick, restless steps were like a playful, touching melody, making their footsteps sound even more harmonious and soft.

They passed a row of tea pavilions near the shopping district and overheard a conversation under a sunshade:

“I’m not young anymore, and my family is urging me to go on blind dates. Honestly, I’m a bit anxious too. If I get married, I want to have children soon. Would you accept that?”

“I have no objections. As long as the person is right, and life together over daily necessities is manageable, everything else can be worked out.”

“Good… So, what do you think of me?”

“Uh… I think you’re quite nice, and I’d like to keep getting to know you. How about you? What do you think of me?”

“Well… of course, you’re good too. If I didn’t think so, why would I say all this? …Isn’t this conversation moving a bit fast?”

“Not at all. I think it’s quite normal to be upfront from the start. It’s better to be clear early on so no one wastes time if it doesn’t work out.”

“Mm.”

The young couple smiled at each other.

Lu Anzhi and Zhang Suxin passed by, hearing this exchange, and both felt an inexplicable sensation.

Fast? Slow?

Zhang Suxin’s mind stirred with thoughts.

If this was considered fast, then what was their own situation?

They seemed like newly acquainted strangers with only a preliminary understanding of each other, yet they already shared a child and were involved in each other’s lives.

She fretted over song choices, and Lu Anzhi presented new songs, accompanying her to meet friends and clients.

When Lu Anzhi was busy opening a bookstore, she brought Qianqian and visited his shop daily, helping to tidy up and sell books. Soon, she would help him choose and buy a car.

Not to mention, they cared for Qianqian together…

Everything unfolded so naturally, their boundaries gradually blurring without notice, yet simultaneously remaining distinctly clear.

She was the child’s mother; Lu Anzhi, the father. Both restrained themselves, maintaining the barest line between them.

What was this line based on?

Reason and respect, perhaps?

No matter what the child’s father thought, she herself felt this way.

She had a premonition that this line would soon disappear.

At first, when the feeling first surfaced in her heart, it startled and unsettled her; now, she had slowly accepted it.

After all, with Qianqian in the picture, she couldn’t seek another partner. And from their time together, he seemed quite decent…

She resolved to let things flow naturally.

Zhang Suxin thought so in her heart and glanced at Lu Anzhi.

Unexpectedly, Lu Anzhi was looking at her too, which startled her into quickly turning her head away, avoiding his gaze.

Lu Anzhi couldn’t help but smile.

Let it flow naturally, he thought.

“Slow down! Run slower!”

“Then you get down!”

“No!”

“Then hold on tight!”

“Ah!”

The playful voices of a young couple ahead suddenly broke Lu Anzhi and Zhang Suxin’s reverie.

They, along with little Qianqian, instinctively turned toward the sound. A pair of college-aged lovers were laughing and teasing each other.

The young man carried the woman on his back, running briskly across the plaza in the shopping district, making the girl clutch his neck tightly. Their joy was infectious, filling the atmosphere with warmth.

Little Qianqian caught the mood.

“Daddy carry.”

The little one suddenly stopped and looked up at Lu Anzhi.

Lu Anzhi crouched down, raising his hands slightly, ready to let her climb onto his back. Smiling, he said, “Climb on slowly, be careful not to fall.”

But unexpectedly, Qianqian had no intention of climbing behind Lu Anzhi. Instead, she twisted around, pulled Zhang Suxin’s hand, and looked up at her, saying, “Mommy come.”

Zhang Suxin: “…”

Lu Anzhi: “…”

Neither expected Qianqian to do this. They exchanged a glance, then each quickly averted their eyes at the same time.

Zhang Suxin coaxed, “Qianqian, be good. Let Daddy carry you, okay?”

Yet Qianqian suddenly turned her gaze back toward the young couple who had already run ahead.

The young man was still carrying the girl, his stamina incredible as he sped along.

“Daddy carry Mommy.”

After watching them, Qianqian said again.

So the little one thought her parents could imitate the affectionate actions of that couple?

Zhang Suxin sighed helplessly. She didn’t know if it was Qianqian pulling her steps or her own feet moving, but she found herself walking around to Lu Anzhi’s back alongside Qianqian.

Lu Anzhi was momentarily stunned but then bent slightly, adjusting his back to a height suitable for Zhang Suxin.

Under Qianqian’s innocent gaze, Zhang Suxin placed her hands on Lu Anzhi’s back.

Lu Anzhi felt the warmth of those hands, even hotter than Qianqian’s.

His muscles involuntarily tensed as Zhang Suxin pressed her body closer. Every muscle and nerve tightened instantly.

Was it nervousness? Or worry about not supporting her properly and causing her to fall?

Even Lu Anzhi couldn’t say.

A strand of hair brushed across his shoulder and tickled his cheek. He caught the scent of fragrant shampoo.

He sensed Zhang Suxin’s breath quickening, and from that hurried breathing, he seemed to hear the pounding of her heart.

“Okay… okay now…”

Seeing Lu Anzhi hesitate, Zhang Suxin softly reminded him.

Her voice was tender and faint, so close to his ear that without it, he wouldn’t have heard.

“Uh… oh…”

Feeling Zhang Suxin’s warmth and weight fully pressed against his back, Lu Anzhi straightened his waist and extended his legs.

Suddenly, Zhang Suxin’s feet lifted off the ground. Having never been carried like this since she grew up, she felt unsteady and fearful. Her arms instinctively wrapped around Lu Anzhi’s chest tightly, almost strangling him.

Lu Anzhi hurriedly hooked his hands around her legs, steadying her.

Only then did Zhang Suxin feel secure and slightly loosen her grip. Embarrassed, she bit her lower lip.

“Clap clap clap…”

Qianqian, who had orchestrated this scene by mimicking others, clapped happily.

(End of chapter)