Chapter 19: "Qiao Zhen, Take My Hand"

With so many people in the arena, why was she the only one getting targeted! It had to be because they thought she was weak and easy to bully, so they all singled her out… QWQ

Qiao Zhen quietly made a note of this grievance in her heart.

Meanwhile, the group of boys who had been on the verge of fighting, all tangled up in chaos, suddenly seemed to unite against a common enemy. One after another, they began to chase after Qin Yichi.

A swarm of bumper cars of all colors closed in on him, colliding as if determined to squash him flat.

Qin Yichi lifted his eyelids lazily, half-reclining against the seat, his posture relaxed. With one hand on the steering wheel, he maneuvered swiftly and deftly, slipping out of the encirclement in an instant.

The fringe across his brow fluttered lightly; his nose was straight, his features sharp, half his face hidden in shadow. The corner of his lips curled slightly, wild and unruly, with an air of insolence.

No matter how desperately the others chased, they could never catch him.

The remaining boys crashed into each other with a resounding “bang,” unable to even catch a glimpse of Qin Yichi, and yelled in frustration:

“Hurry, hurry! Let’s team up and hit Chi together! Why are you crashing into me?”

“It’s driving me mad! What’s the point, he’s a professional racer—drives like a slippery eel.”

“Hahaha, I’d like to see who can even touch Chi!”

Qin Yichi handled the car with perfect ease, as if he and the vehicle were one. Despite the childishness of the amusement ride, he exuded a certain careless, roguish charm—unyielding and untamed, effortlessly cool.

Around the arena, countless young women watched, their eyes fixed on his face, whispering to one another:

“Hey, the guy in the red bumper car is so handsome! I’ll try to get his WeChat later~”

“He looks like a student, right? Such a hot college boy, that’s just my type!”

At that moment, Qin Yichi’s car happened to come to a stop right in front of Qiao Zhen.

He looked entirely unconcerned, as though unaware of any danger.

A spark of fighting spirit ignited in Qiao Zhen’s heart.

Biting her lip, she seized the opportunity, stomped on the accelerator, and rammed her car hard into Qin Yichi’s.

“Bang!”

Qin Yichi jolted, seemingly caught off guard by the sneak attack. He turned to look at her, raised his brows, and a smile flickered in his eyes.

Qiao Zhen blinked, not quite understanding.

Why was he smiling so happily after being hit?

Suddenly, everyone in the arena stopped, all eyes focused on the two of them.

“Qiao-mei, you’re amazing!!”

Niu Yifeng was especially dumbfounded, exclaiming, “Holy—! Qiao-mei just scored Chi’s first blood!”

The phrasing was odd, easily leading the mind astray.

Qiao Zhen choked, her mind conjuring up the shadowy, intimate reflections on the window from her previous life…

At that time, Qin Yichi had stood behind her, gently wrapped his arms around her waist, lowered his head to kiss her, coaxing and doting, tenderness in every move:

“Zhenzhen, I really like you…”

“Don’t—” Qiao Zhen looked out the window, biting her lip, her voice barely more than a whisper, “Be gentle.”

“Alright.” The man agreed softly, but…

He was a liar!

That must have been the first time for both of them, right?

Qiao Zhen’s ears burned, her heart pounding uncontrollably.

Inside, a little voice shrieked like a startled marmot: Ah! No! You’re not pure anymore!

Suddenly flustered, she gripped the steering wheel with determination, slammed on the bumper car’s accelerator, and crashed into Qin Yichi’s car with all her might.

She looked as if she meant to send him flying!

Qin Yichi didn’t retaliate. He simply held the steering wheel and let her hit him.

With a “beep,” the fifteen-minute timer ended, all the cars stopped, and the game was over.

Time always flew during these moments of joy. The crowd protested, “Already? It’s over already?!”

Qiao Zhen was far from satisfied. It felt as though only two minutes had passed.

She really, really loved it!

Qin Yichi undid his seatbelt one-handed, swung his long legs out of the car, and strolled over to Qiao Zhen, flashing a lazy smile.

“So, how was it? Did you have fun?”

Qiao Zhen clambered out of the car, looked him in the eye, and mumbled, “It was fun, but… why did you keep targeting me?”

She sounded genuinely confused.

Qin Yichi’s eyes were deep and dark, his gaze falling on her innocent face as he answered with perfect composure, “Because you’re the newbie. Never played bumper cars before—easy to pick on.”

So he really was “bullying” her!

Qiao Zhen thought for a moment, then her eyes curved into a smile. “But I still managed to hit you!”

Qin Yichi shoved one hand in his pocket and walked beside her, his voice low, “Mm. So now we’re even.”

As for why he only targeted Qiao Zhen—

He didn’t really know himself.

After all, at that moment, in his world, he hadn’t noticed anyone else at all…

Once the boys got out of their cars, they were completely energized and eager for more. They decided to try the most thrilling ride in the park—“Soaring Dragon,” the roller coaster.

They queued up for “Soaring Dragon.”

The track stretched nearly to the sky, coiling like a giant serpent.

Standing at its base, Qiao Zhen gazed up at the sky-bound dragon, awestruck. Her heart thudded wildly, a mix of nervousness and anticipation.

“Aaaaah!” A chorus of soul-wrenching screams erupted from those onboard.

The roller coaster not only flipped riders upside down, but jerked violently forward and back at dizzying speed.

Just then, a burly boy staggered off, utterly drained, and promptly vomited into a bag, looking as if his soul had left his body.

Qiao Zhen drew a sharp breath.

A familiar voice drifted into her ear—Qin Yichi asking,

“Are you scared? If you are, we can try this one next door instead.”

She followed his finger to the “Winnie the Pooh Coaster” nearby—a slow, kiddie ride.

Children giggled and played in little yellow honey cars, the ride so slow it rivaled a granny crossing the street with a cane.

Qiao Zhen blinked, clenched her fists, both embarrassed and exasperated. “I’m not a little kid anymore!”

Qin Yichi leaned against the wall, legs crossed, watching her closely, a trace of worry and concern flickering in his eyes.

“First time on a coaster and you’re starting with Soaring Dragon? Are you sure?”

“Yes!” Qiao Zhen hesitated for a long moment, but resolved to go through with it.

She was here, after all, and wanted to try something exciting.

It was something she’d never done or experienced before, and she wanted to see it through, even if the outcome might not be so pleasant.

Soon, it was their group’s turn.

Qin Yichi naturally sat next to Qiao Zhen.

Niu Yifeng took the seat in front, lacing his fingers with Zhang Yu, declaring with dramatic sincerity,

“Best bros! Hand in hand—for life!”

Zhang Yu, long used to his antics, retorted expressionlessly, “You’re disgusting. Don’t tell me you’re secretly in love with me?”

“…Shut up, I’m straight as an arrow, okay?”

The roller coaster’s bell sounded; staff members made one last check of everyone’s seat belts and shoulder bars, ensuring all were secure.

With a hiss, wheels grinding against the tracks, the coaster began its ascent—tilting, climbing slowly, farther and farther from the ground.

The boys grew more excited, waving their arms and howling like monkeys. “Yahooooo—!”

Qiao Zhen couldn’t help but swing her legs slightly, peering down.

The people below were now tiny black dots, like a swarm of ants crawling across the ground.

So high!

Such a different sensation.

She took a deep breath, nerves and adrenaline surging, both thrilled and a little afraid.

Suddenly, Qin Yichi reached over and tapped her index finger, turning to her with casual carelessness.

A faint blush crept up his ear.

“Qiao Zhen, hold my hand.”