Chapter 60: Take It Slow

"I... I'm good now..."

Zhang Suxin said in a low voice again.

Lu Anzhi understood what she meant. He gave a soft acknowledgment and gently set Zhang Suxin down.

Zhang Suxin released her arms from around Lu Anzhi's neck, suddenly feeling a lingering sense of loss.

"Again, do it again!"

For some reason, Qianqian found it immensely entertaining to watch her father carry her mother. She tugged at Zhang Suxin, trying to pull her back onto Lu Anzhi's back.

Lu Anzhi scooped Qianqian up into his arms with one swift motion and said, "Be a good girl, Qianqian. Let's do it another time, alright? If Daddy carries Mommy, I won't be able to hold you."

Qianqian pointed at Zhang Suxin and said, "Daddy carry Mommy."

Lu Anzhi asked, "Then don't you want Daddy to hold you?"

Qianqian thought about it and answered, "I do."

Lu Anzhi continued, "Then why are you still asking Daddy to carry Mommy?"

"Mmh~"

This sound of agreement was drawn out in a tone full of reluctance. The little one buried her head against Lu Anzhi's shoulder and stayed completely still, seemingly determined to occupy this "high ground" and refuse to come down.

Lu Anzhi couldn't help but chuckle. He turned back to Zhang Suxin and said, "Let's go."

Zhang Suxin suddenly felt a bit disgruntled. Why did Lu Anzhi look so utterly calm? What on earth was she agonizing over by herself?!

Yet she could hardly say anything. After all, everything that had just transpired was entirely the product of her own overthinking; how could she possibly voice that to anyone?

She looked at Qianqian, who had her head tilted against Lu Anzhi's shoulder, peering mischievously at her, and pressed her lips together.

"Hehe!"

Qianqian suddenly flashed a grin at her, as if declaring victory.

Only then did Zhang Suxin break into an involuntary smile, reaching out to lightly flick the tip of Qianqian's little nose.

"What's wrong?"

Lu Anzhi asked suddenly.

Zhang Suxin's heart skipped a beat, and she hastily replied, "Nothing... nothing at all..."

Lu Anzhi said, "I noticed your mood seemed a bit off. Was it because of just now?"

"Uh..."

Zhang Suxin's heart suddenly fluttered with panic, mortified by the terrifying thought that Lu Anzhi might have misunderstood her intentions. She blurted out, "No... not at all... it's just... it's just..." But the words died on her lips, impossible to articulate.

Lu Anzhi walked quietly beside her with Qianqian in his arms, in no rush to pressure her into speaking.

After struggling internally for a long while, Zhang Suxin finally seemed to muster all her courage and said, "I... I didn't mean anything else just now. It's just that... it just felt... too fast..."

"Mmm."

Lu Anzhi nodded.

As if burning her bridges, Zhang Suxin gritted her teeth and blurted out, "Even though... even though we already have Qianqian, in truth, we really only just got to know each other.

"With Qianqian here, I certainly won't go looking for anyone else. Although it sounds a bit selfish, I don't want you to... to look for anyone else either.

"Don't misunderstand, I'm not saying this because of you; I'm considering it for Qianqian's sake. It might sound a bit selfish, but as a mother, whenever I consider matters concerning my child, I always fall into this habit. I hope you can forgive me. Of course, I'm just thinking about it; I won't make any demands of you."

The more she spoke, the more fluent her words became, losing their previous hesitation.

Listening quietly, Lu Anzhi simply nodded and uttered a single "Mmm." Given the intensity of Zhang Suxin's emotions, he felt it best not to interrupt or disturb her train of thought. He could wait until she finished speaking before responding.

Zhang Suxin continued, "Just now... just when you lifted me onto your back, making you put me down wasn't because I wanted to... wasn't because I wanted to... reject you. On one hand, it felt too fast, but on the other, I was terrified you'd think I was too easy... I used to be in the entertainment industry, and I know how most people view it. It really is chaotic in there, but I never swam with the current. Back then... three years ago... you should know this too... I took the bedsheet away..."

Having finally spoken her mind in one breath, Zhang Suxin released the burden she had been carrying in her heart. Although her words had been somewhat disjointed, the core message was clear enough. She figured Lu Anzhi would be able to understand.

How would he react, she wondered?

A renewed sense of apprehension fluttered in her chest.

Lu Anzhi burst into laughter and said, "I was wondering why the bedsheet was missing back then, and why the hotel even made me pay for it. Besides, today was just Qianqian acting on a whim, not the two of us. What on earth are you letting your imagination run wild for?"

Qianqian blinked her innocent, wide eyes, raised her hand, and cheered, "Qianqian won!"

"Pfft..."

Zhang Suxin couldn't help but laugh, casting a sidelong, reproachful glance at Lu Anzhi. Yet within that look, her emotions were inevitably complex—partly relieved, partly resentful.

Lu Anzhi said, "I understand what you mean. Don't worry, I actually feel the exact same way you do. The moment you explained it, I understood your perspective.

"Come to think of it, our current situation is indeed rather awkward. When ordinary men and women sit together in a teahouse discussing the prospect of marriage and children, they still feel things are moving too fast.

"We never even dated, yet we had Qianqian. It was only because of her that we came to know each other and gradually grew close. Our situation is unlike anyone else's, which is why it's always felt a bit unnatural..."

"Mmm."

Zhang Suxin nodded, waiting for him to go on.

Lu Anzhi continued, "I won't say much else, and I'm not even sure how to phrase it. How about we pretend we're just like those people sitting in a teahouse going on a blind date?"

Zhang Suxin's heart gave a heavy thud, then seemed to skip a beat. For a moment, her mind went blank, leaving her floating in a daze, unable to reply.

"How about it?"

Lu Anzhi asked again.

"Ah... oh, alright."

Coming back to her senses in a flurry of panic, Zhang Suxin hurriedly nodded.

With a smile, Lu Anzhi went along with the formality and said, "Very well, then from this moment on, we are officially on a blind date. My name is Lu Anzhi."

A faint blush crept across Zhang Suxin's cheeks, but she still managed to say, "My name is Zhang Suxin."

Wading into the conversation once more, Qianqian chimed in, "Qianqian's name is Qianqian!"

Both Lu Anzhi and Zhang Suxin looked at Qianqian simultaneously and burst into laughter. Lu Anzhi asked, "Then what is Qianqian's full name?"

Pronouncing each word with careful deliberation, Qianqian announced, "Zhang! Qian! Qian!" With every single syllable, she gave her little head a firm nod.

Lu Anzhi and Zhang Suxin laughed again.

Zhang Suxin said, "Later on, if everything goes well, we can go and change Qianqian's last name so she shares yours."

Lu Anzhi chuckled. "Listen to you, already bringing up things so far in the future. We've only just started our blind date; talking about what last name the child should have right now is way too early."

Zhang Suxin's face grew even redder. She turned her head away and murmured, "Mmm."

Lu Anzhi added, "Besides, what difference does a child's last name make? She already knows her name is Zhang Qianqian, why bother changing it? If you want a child with my last name, we can just have another one later."

At that, Zhang Suxin's face turned completely crimson. She shot him another sideways glance and scolded, "Shameless!"

Only then did Lu Anzhi realize he had indeed been too forward. He had gotten carried away while chatting pleasantly, which he really shouldn't have done. Seeing that Zhang Suxin didn't actually seem angry, he let out a sigh of relief.

"Lu Anzhi."

Zhang Suxin suddenly called out in a soft voice.

Hearing her, Lu Anzhi asked, "Hmm? What is it?"

Keeping her face turned away in the opposite direction from Lu Anzhi, she said, "When we've spent more time slowly getting to know each other, and we reach that stage... will you carry me here again?"

Lu Anzhi was momentarily stunned.

Zhang Suxin pressed on, "Will you?"

A gentle smile bloomed on Lu Anzhi's face as he answered, "I will."