Following the human navigator’s directions, I drove straight to the amusement park gates.

Spotting Xia Tong smiling and nodding at me, I didn’t pause to marvel. I told her to stay in the car while I marched to the ticket booth.

You could book tickets online—just scan your ID at entry—but this stubborn girl refused to tell me our destination, insisting on a "surprise."

Turns out…

It was all shock, no delight. Luckily, I’d grown used to Xia Tong’s antics. Anyone else would’ve snapped.

"You’re *sure* about this place? Feels weird for Valentine’s Day…"

I swung the car door open, pulling Xia Tong out like a knight rescuing a princess.

Wherever she could lean on me, Xia Tong never lifted a finger herself.

My male pride, carefully "fed" by her, had swollen to the point I almost believed she’d crumble without me.

"So where *should* we go?"

Xia Tong obediently let me lead her toward the queue.

The park entrance teemed with people—a dense, shifting sea.

Among this crowd, Xia Tong was a blooming rose. A few reckless bees inevitably buzzed near, hoping to steal nectar.

I tightened my grip, pulling her closer against my chest, shielding her with my body.

But in my vigilance, I missed the faint *chill* in her voice as she pressed her question.

"Just… shopping and dinner?"

Wasn’t that the default date script?

Walk with her through stores, buy what she liked (and pay for it), then find a fancy restaurant for candlelit dinner. Gifts under moonlight, perfect ambiance…

"Why aren’t you satisfied?!"

Her nails dug sharply into my palm—pain flaring like a bee sting.

"*Hss—*" I hissed. What had I said wrong?

"I don’t care! Just being with you makes me happy!" she huffed. "But shopping and eating? If *you* hate it, should I force you?"

Ah. She’d actually considered *my* feelings this time. No wonder she was annoyed.

I rarely shopped—groceries online, everything else delivered. But disliking something didn’t mean I couldn’t endure it.

How many guys *truly* loved shopping? We all just tagged along for our girlfriends.

"Who cares what I do? With you, I’d do anything!"

I’d never found shopping with Xia Tong painful.

Truthfully, if she went out alone, I’d probably tag along anyway. My chest felt hollow without her.

Every second with her—playfully unpredictable—was pure delight.

"Exactly! If we’re happy doing anything together, why not the amusement park?"

To outsiders, our exchange might sound saccharine. To me, it was heartwarming.

Xia Tong seemed mischievous, but she could switch to gentle caretaker in an instant—attentive to the smallest detail.

"Besides," she added, shattering my tender moment, "your idea’s so *basic*. I refuse to be that cliché."

*Give my feelings back! Right now!* I nearly screamed internally.

"Yours isn’t exactly unique either—look at all these couples!"

I gestured defensively. S City’s first theme park drew crowds daily—some even flew in just to see it.

Today, Valentine’s Day *and* weekend, the crowd had exploded.

Couples like us? A dime a dozen.

"So they’re all smart—just like me!" Xia Tong twisted my words with stubborn logic.

"Never met anyone so shameless. What’s first?" I tweaked her nose, dropping the argument.

*Her* ideas were innovative; *mine* were boring. Double standards. Just wait till tonight—I’d show her bitter melon soup wouldn’t cool *this* fire. Real extinguishers were needed.

"Amusement parks mean…"

Xia Tong ignored my nickname for her. New here, we fumbled like tourists, tracing the park map in our guidebook.

"One rule: nothing over three meters tall. Spare me the humiliation in front of all these people."

Roller coasters. Pirate ships. Just *thinking* about them made my knees wobble.

If I’d known we’d come here, I’d have skipped breakfast. What if she dragged me onto one?

Losing face with Xia Tong didn’t matter—we were past that.

But vomiting in front of strangers? Unforgivable for a grown man.

"Oh? What if I *insist* on riding them?"

Xia Tong looked up, eyes sharp, clearly "eager" for my answer.

Another trap.

Only one right reply existed.

"What choice do I have? If you want to go, I’ll go with you."

I couldn’t refuse her. Not even the words would form.

If she asked for stars, I’d find a ladder.

Her father had placed her hand in mine personally. Now, I spoiled her twice as hard.

"Good answer." Xia Tong beamed, guiding my finger across the map.

Her fingertip hovered over roller coaster icons—my heart lurched each time.

Seven zones. How long could she possibly deliberate? Was she teasing me?

"...How about here?"

Her finger landed on *Whimsy Gardens* and *Enchanted Castle*.

"These… are for kids."

Embarrassment flickered across my face. Even the carousel icon confirmed it.

At my age, prancing among toddlers felt absurd.

"No? Then *this* it is!"

She jabbed my finger onto a roller coaster icon—clearly the zone’s star attraction.

Would I survive it?

"Actually," I backtracked fast, squeezing her slender hand and tracing circles on her palm, "I’ve got a youthful soul. Teddy bears are… great."

*Idiot.* She’d given me an out. I was here for *her*, not thrills.

Besides, tonight held more important plans—that little box had been jabbing my ribs all day.

"Glad you like it. Let’s go?"

Xia Tong tucked the guidebook into her bag, then hung it around my neck. She held out her hand, waiting for me to take it.

"Let’s go! All day, just for you!"

I adjusted the bag, then laced my fingers tightly through hers, striding toward our destination with gusto.

………………

………………

………………

Coffee Cups: OK!

Bumper Cars: OK!

Carousel: OK!

Watching the map’s icons fade, I sighed. Three minutes of fun, thirty minutes of queueing—no exaggeration.

"Next? How about the haunted house?"

As a grown man, I’d just ridden a carousel surrounded by shrieking kids and nursery tunes—a permanent black mark on my dignity.

Xia Tong had laughed until her stomach hurt, snapping photos of my pained expressions.

I needed redemption. Something *manly*. The haunted house was my only hope here.

No matter how brave she acted, Xia Tong was still a girl.

Ghosts, demons—I’d shield her, reclaiming my shattered pride.

"No. I’m hungry…"

Xia Tong shook her head, rejecting my plan.

What happened? She’d been grinning minutes ago.

Had she seen through my scheme? Denying me even this chance?

"Isn’t it too early?"

One last attempt to lure her toward ghosts.

It wasn’t even noon—the park’s peak hour. Leaving now felt wasteful.

"You drank *all* the bitter melon congee *I* made. I haven’t eaten. Of course I’m starving."

She poked my stomach, eyes wide and pitiful.

"You’re the victim now?"

I pinched her nose gently. *I* was the one force-fed bitter melon soup!

Who decided to cook that on Valentine’s morning anyway?

Just stay in bed like a good girl and wait for me to cook for you. Why pull these weird stunts and force me to drink so much? Now every burp tastes bitter...

"What do you want to eat? There aren’t many options here. Should we eat out instead?"

Amusement parks always overcharge—but money solves most problems now. Supporting Xia Tong isn’t an issue anymore.

It’s just the choices are so boring. Even my home cooking beats this. Same old fast food, over and over!

"Eating out’s too much trouble. Fine... burgers then."

Xia Tong was clearly starving. She barely glanced at the menu before dragging me off.

"You’ll get fat!"

I’d expected her to pick something fancy. Instead, she chose the most common and convenient option.

I didn’t mind, but after all this time together, I rarely saw her eat high-calorie junk.

Back in school, it was different—walking everywhere kept her active, and she didn’t care much.

Now that we mostly stay home together, she’s obsessed with her weight. Weighing herself every morning and night.

"The busiest spot’s over there. We’re here anyway—why worry?"

Xia Tong shot me a look. She acted carefree, but it wasn’t that simple.

Lately, she dragged me jogging whenever free. I’d gotten to know every grandpa and grandma in our neighborhood. Even picked up a few square dance moves.

She claimed it was for my health—to prevent stiffness. But I think...

She just wanted a partner to diet with. Someone to keep her accountable!

After this meal, we’d be running tonight. At least ten laps.

"Grab a seat first. I’ll be right back!"

I patted Xia Tong’s back. Let her sit while I handled the queue. Real man’s work.

It wasn’t even lunch hour yet, but lines snaked everywhere. I couldn’t imagine the crowd later...

Maybe Xia Tong was smart to eat early.

"One Set A combo. Sundae, fries, chicken bites..."

I kept my order simple—no thinking required.

But for Xia Tong? Extra care.

She hated messy foods. I stuck to finger snacks—easy for her to handle.

"Hold on. What’s this?"

My eyes caught a strange fry at the counter’s edge.

It looked normal, but speckled with green dots. Some new variety?

"Our new wasabi-flavored fries. Try them?"

Damn it.

Getting old. Can’t keep up. First bitter melon congee, now wasabi fries. Dark cuisine everywhere!

"Uh... give me one order."

No idea why I did it. Maybe damn curiosity. I’d ordered a "dark cuisine" dish.

Never tried wasabi fries before...

"Eat up."

I set Xia Tong’s tray before her. Mine? The burger was flattened from carrying it underneath.

Didn’t matter. Hers looked perfect. Mine just needed to be edible.

"Feels like I haven’t had these since I was a kid..."

Xia Tong held a fry up, studying it like it held childhood memories. Over a single fry?!

And why did she pick this seat? Against the wall would’ve been better.

Every eye nearby kept drifting to her face.

Hating how strangers stared at my girlfriend.

"Enough already. When I cook steaks, do you feed the fries to a ‘pig’?"

I snapped her out of nostalgia—and saved her from their stares. Not your girlfriend, losers. Show some manners!

What childhood memories?

You eat every side dish I make. Including those potato sticks. Or are they called fries now?

"Shut up and open your mouth!"

I’d caught her lie. Her cheeks flushed. She glared, thrusting a fry at me.

Ah—

She was flustered. No point arguing. I opened wide.

Let her stuff my mouth.

Only downside? The guys nearby stared even harder.

Probably wondering how a plain guy like me landed someone as pretty as Xia Tong.

"Pfft... HAHAHA!"

But instead of food, I got her loud laughter.

"I said open your mouth—not beg for food. So eager?"

She laughed harder, collapsing over the table.

"No! Stop! My stomach hurts!"

Was my embarrassment that funny? If I let her win, where’s my dignity as head of the household?

"Tongtong... open up!"

Now I knew why I’d ordered wasabi fries. Fate had other plans. Not my fault!

"Ew. Using my leftovers? So unoriginal."

Xia Tong wiped tears, unimpressed.

Early on, we’d tried cute nicknames. They died fast—too cringey to say.

Good thing she only noticed the nickname. Not that my fries were different...

"I’m not petty. Hurry up—my arm’s getting tired!"

I pushed the fry closer, nearly touching her lips.

My eyes stayed sincere. She had to see I meant to feed her. Not trick her.

"Fine, fine. For you."

She opened her mouth obediently, looking adorably submissive. The onlookers froze again.

"Good?"

I wiped my hands, grinning as her expression shifted from delight to gloom.

Too many eyes watching. She couldn’t spit it out. Swallowed with tears welling up. Then glared at me like I’d wronged her.

"Liar. You *are* petty!"