Chapter 20: The Marks Left by Jojo the Cat

Hold…?

Qiao Zhen turned her head in a daze, her eyelashes quivered lightly.

Gentle sunlight poured over the man's face, golden rays tracing the sharp, refined lines of his profile, making him shine even more brilliantly.

He looked like a deity from a painting, his entire figure gilded in gold.

For a moment, Qiao Zhen felt lost, not thinking much, and simply took Qin Yichi’s hand, intertwining her fingers with his.

His hand was large and warm, the sensation spreading from her fingertips to every cell in her body, tingling and electric.

An overwhelming sense of security.

The same current coursed through Qin Yichi, as if connecting straight to his heart, which now beat wildly.

He held the girl's soft, delicate hand as though grasping a treasure.

The instant their skin touched, sparks ignited.

Qin Yichi’s breathing grew chaotic; he looked up at her, something obscure and turbulent flickering in his eyes.

Their gazes locked.

Qiao Zhen, trying to imitate Niu Yifeng’s tone, ventured,

“Best buddies… hand in hand?”

The pink bubbles that had surrounded them burst at once, leaving a mess in their wake.

“…” Qin Yichi’s mouth twitched.

He truly wanted to strangle Niu Yifeng.

The roller coaster crested its highest point, pausing in midair for three or four seconds, wrenching everyone’s hearts.

Qiao Zhen held her breath, clutching Qin Yichi tightly, as if grasping her lifeline.

Suddenly, a deafening roar filled her ears!

The car plunged downward like a waterfall, then shot skyward like a rocket, picking up speed.

The boys started screaming wildly: “Aaaahhh!”

Qiao Zhen was so startled she forgot to scream, gripping Qin Yichi in silence.

It was really, really fast.

She felt as if she was about to leave this world.

In the face of extreme terror, one can barely utter a scream.

The car spun, rolled, reversed, hung upside down… soaring wildly in every direction, the feeling of weightlessness sweeping over her.

Qiao Zhen felt as though she saw her great-grandmother, eyes peacefully closed.

Every blood cell and nerve seemed stimulated, a rush of exhilaration flooding her heart.

Help… She was sure she was about to fly right out.

She didn’t know how much time passed before the car slowed, and Qiao Zhen cracked her eyes open, cautiously widening them to take in the scenery. The whole world seemed upside down.

Even when it ended, with the safety bar lifted from her shoulders, Qiao Zhen remained frozen in place.

She was still lost in the rush, her soul adrift, unable to return to herself.

“Qiao Zhen.” A familiar male voice reached her, gently pulling her back to reality.

Qin Yichi stepped in front of her, pressed her seatbelt, and helped her out. “How was it?”

Qiao Zhen blinked, took a deep breath, instinctively resting her hand in his, following him step by step.

“It was actually pretty fun.”

Just a little dizzy at the end.

Yes, just a teeny bit…

They walked to an open area, and Qiao Zhen was still adjusting, feeling as though the world spun around her.

Suddenly, her legs gave way, her balance vanished, and she began to fall.

“Uh…”

The pain she expected never came.

Qin Yichi’s arm circled her waist, catching her up into his embrace.

His arms wrapped around her slender waist, preventing her from falling.

Qiao Zhen tumbled unprepared against his chest, his scorching breath enveloping her, seeping into her skin.

Their breaths mingled, heat swirling and spreading.

For two or three seconds, the air was utterly still.

Her woozy mind snapped clear!

Qiao Zhen’s eyes widened; she immediately jumped away from Qin Yichi, retreating three meters.

For a moment, countless gazes landed on her face.

Seven or eight boys stood nearby, staring at the pair, their eyes nearly popping out.

As if silently saying, “WOW~”

A flush bloomed on Qiao Zhen’s cheeks, and she hurriedly explained in a small voice,

“No, I just… my legs went weak, don’t get any ideas.”

Qin Yichi followed her gaze to the group of boys, a warning glint in his eyes.

Instantly, everyone pretended to be busy—heads down, noses scratched, hair fussed with, some even covered their eyes. None dared look directly, whistling and saying,

“The sky’s so green! The moon’s so big!”

“Yeah, yeah, and there are two ducks flying up there~”

“…”

Qin Yichi’s fingertips still held traces of warmth and sensation from before. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he looked at Qiao Zhen, extending his hand.

“Look at your handiwork.”

Qiao Zhen stepped closer, suspiciously peering at his hand.

On the back of Qin Yichi’s hand were—deep marks left by her fingernails, four or five red crescent-shaped imprints, stark and unmistakable.

Qiao Zhen stared in disbelief. “Did I do that?”

Qin Yichi let out a frustrated laugh. “Who else? A kitten?”

Or rather—marks left by Little Qiao Cat.

A wave of guilt washed over Qiao Zhen.

During the roller coaster ride, she had indeed gripped Qin Yichi’s hand tightly, especially during the thrilling moments, digging her nails in all the way.

She hadn’t expected to leave such deep marks!

She pursed her lips, her face full of apology, and gently massaged the back of Qin Yichi’s hand with her pale fingers.

But those red marks sunk deep into the skin would not fade any time soon.

Looking around, Qiao Zhen said, “Let me buy you a milk tea. What flavor do you want?”

Mostly, she really wanted one herself.

Qin Yichi saw right through her; the girl’s eyes were fixed on the milk tea in others’ hands, clearly itching to snatch one.

He lowered his gaze to her soft little hand, chuckling quietly.

“I’m not picky—whatever you’re having.”

Two or three boys followed them to buy milk tea, debating whether to add boba or taro balls.

The “Soaring Flight” roller coaster had souvenir photos available, but it cost fifteen yuan to unlock the high-res group pictures—three in total.

Niu Yifeng blurted, “Come on, seriously? Nowadays, who’d be dumb enough to waste money on that?!”

Zhang Yu couldn’t help but interject, “Stupid Niu, shut up!”

Niu Yifeng put his hands on his hips. “What? Can’t even complain?”

As he spoke, he followed Zhang Yu’s pointing finger.

Qin Yichi, who had just paid, stood there: “…”

Niu Yifeng shivered under his gaze, scratched his head, and stammered, “Ha-ha, Brother Chi, I take back what I said.”

Who would’ve thought that this cool, aloof devil would actually be interested in souvenir photos?!

Qin Yichi ignored him, lowering his head to look at the pictures.

In the photo, the girl’s skin was snowy white, eyes closed, lips pressed together nervously, obediently clutching his hand—so sweet and docile, she looked like a fluffy mochi.

He wanted to take a bite…

Qiao Zhen bought two cups of Four Seasons Milk Tea with coconut jelly and boba, no ice.

Her eyes sparkled, and she eagerly stabbed in a straw, sipping fiercely. The rich, milky aroma filled her mouth.

Delicious.

Her steps became lighter as she walked to Qin Yichi, handed him the milk tea, and said energetically,

“It’s Four Seasons Milk Tea—do you like it?”

Qin Yichi looked down at her, unconsciously curving his lips into a gentle smile. “I like it.”

He had no reason not to.

Qin Yichi slipped in the straw, and, without a word, lightly tapped his milk tea against Qiao Zhen’s.

An intimate milk tea “cheers”—milk tea to milk tea.