"Alright, I get it, but why are you hugging me even tighter now?" Chuyun grumbled inwardly at Lin Waner, utterly speechless.
He wisely dropped the topic. Pushing further would only make her cling harder.
After another short walk...
Lin Waner leaned close to Chuyun’s ear, curious. "Xiao Yun, how was your day with that super cute girl?"
"Han Youwei? She’s so clumsy—needs me to teach her everything. She’s been driving me crazy all day. Honestly exhausting." Just mentioning it gave Chuyun a headache.
"Oh? But that sounds kinda cute too." Lin Waner blinked in surprise. "Don’t guys like you love clumsy, adorable girls? Do you like her, Xiao Yun?"
Here it came. Chuyun’s instincts flared at those words. He wouldn’t fall for such a trap question anymore.
He instantly professed his loyalty, earnest. "I’m different. I only like gentle, caring girls—like you, Wan’er-jie."
"Xiao Yun, you’re getting smoother. But I love it." Lin Waner whispered softly near his ear again.
*A clumsy girl like that poses zero threat, no matter how cute. Better to ignore her. If Xiao Yun has no female friends, he might grow suspicious. My tracks are clean, but exposure risks linger,* Lin Waner thought.
"Wan’er-jie, stop breathing in my ear—it tickles!" Chuyun protested against the itch.
"Hehe, got it! Giddy up, Xiao Yun!" Lin Waner clamped her legs around his hips and pointed ahead with slender fingers, giggling.
"Wan’er-jie, am I your horse now?" Chuyun shot her a deadpan look but quickened his pace anyway.
...
"Wan’er-jie, huff... I can’t... no energy left. Rest, please." Chuyun’s face flushed red from carrying her so long. His legs trembled weakly.
Lin Waner studied him for seconds, then pointed playfully toward the park corner. "Fine, useless Xiao Yun. Park’s right there—rest up."
Chuyun pushed on for minutes until they reached the bench. He squatted, gently set her down, then collapsed beside her, gasping for breath.
Lin Waner deadpanned at his sprawled form. "Xiao Yun, really? I’m not heavy."
"Wan’er-jie, easy for you to say. I’m weak, and I’ve carried you forever. Surviving this far is a miracle," Chuyun panted, rolling his eyes.
"Oh? Hmm..." Lin Waner tilted her head. "If you carry me home, I’ll give you a special reward, Xiao Yun!"
"Reward? What kind?" Fatigue vanished at the word. No one craved Lin Waner’s surprises more than him.
"Nope, nope—secret!" She pulled a water bottle from her backpack. "Thirsty, Xiao Yun? I’ve got unopened water."
"Yeah, a bit. Thanks, Wan’er-jie." Chuyun gulped it down.
Halfway, he paused. This "plain" water had flavor—a faint strawberry hint. "Wan’er-jie, why does this taste like strawberry?"
A blush spread across Lin Waner’s delicate face. "I made it myself. Took lots of effort. Tasty?"
*Well, it was meticulously prepared, in a way.*
"Of course it’s good—you made it!" Chuyun praised, nodding at the bottle.
He kept drinking. Had he glanced at Lin Waner, he’d have seen her fair cheeks flushed sickly red. But his eyes stayed glued to the bottle.
"Phew... empty. Here, Wan’er-jie." He handed back the drained bottle.
Lin Waner tucked it away, smiling. "Hehe, if you like it, I’ll make you one daily!"
"Yeah, I do. Thanks, Wan’er-jie." Chuyun smacked his lips, savoring the addictive strawberry scent.
"Wan’er-jie, let’s go—it’s getting late." Strength returned; he squatted before the bench. "Hop on."
"Mm-hmm..." Chuyun carried her toward Huahai Community.
...
Spotting the stone gate engraved with "Huahai Community" in bold script, Chuyun sighed in relief.
Lin Waner patted his head. "Wow, Xiao Yun—you’re amazing! Almost home!"
"Ten more minutes, I think." He trudged onward.
Lin Waner watched him carry her. "Xiao Yun, you haven’t visited in ages. Remember where I live?"
"Sure. Villa No. 22."
"Mm! Right around that corner." She pointed with a slender finger.
...
"Here! Put me down, Xiao Yun." At the iron gate, Lin Waner patted his back.
Chuyun squatted.
Once down, he stared eagerly at her, waiting for the mysterious reward.
"Done at last. Wan’er-jie—what’s the reward?"
"Hmm... it’s..."
