Chapter 136: Chapter 136: Why Are You Here?

"How about this one?"

The headband squeezed the sides of his head as Qin Muye looked at the full-length mirror.

In the mirror, the silver-haired young man in his stylish black outfit had a cool expression, but on his head was a fluffy bunny headband.

The gray bunny ears drooped on either side, completely clashing with his vibe, which only made him look even cuter.

The combination had already attracted the attention of passersby. Qin Muye’s sharp ears picked up someone complimenting how cute he was, and he couldn’t help but scowl.

Qin Muye looked down at the girl choosing a headband beside him and asked, "Are there any others?"

Jiang Qingli said, "But this one is so cute on you."

Qin Muye said, "I hate rabbits."

It was cute, but his predator’s aura really didn’t match the herbivorous little bunny. With a pang of regret, Jiang Qingli took it off for him. "Fine, you can pick one yourself then."

As she spoke, she put on a headband with white ears.

Qin Muye glanced over. "What’s that?"

"A fox," Jiang Qingli said, tilting her head to look at him. "Is it cute?"

Qin Muye froze for a moment, then turned his face away and gave a soft cough.

He didn’t say anything, but the tips of his ears had unknowingly turned red.

Jiang Qingli’s impulse to tease the puppy resurfaced. "Is it not cute? Why are you ignoring me?"

Her voice was quiet, audible only to the two of them, as if they were sharing a little secret.

Qin Muye’s heart felt as if it had been soaked in honey, a soft sweetness spreading everywhere.

His gray-blue eyes darted over to glance at the girl before quickly looking away again.

The young man cleared his throat, then lowered his voice to match hers. "...You’re cute."

Jiang Qingli was satisfied. "Thanks. You’re cute too."

’He’d never met a female who liked calling males ’cute’ as much as she did.’

Qin Muye huffed, but the tips of his ears were burning so hot they felt like they were on fire.

Done teasing her puppy, Jiang Qingli turned her attention to the other merchandise in the store.

Because there were many types of Beastmen in this world, there was also a wide variety of stuffed animals.

Besides the usual fluffy plushies, there were also some more uncommon ones.

After touching a few plushies, Jiang Qingli’s gaze fell on a corner.

A completely black dragon plushie had a round head and a chubby body. It had two small, smooth horns on its head and a pair of sparkling glass-bead eyes, making it look adorably dorky.

Jiang Qingli stared at the plushie, lost in thought.

Suddenly, the headband was lifted from her head.

Jiang Qingli looked up. Qin Muye had taken the fox headband and was now placing one with the black, ring-like spots of a snow leopard’s ears on her head.

He put one on himself, too. Looking at Jiang Qingli, he nodded in satisfaction. "Now this is right."

After putting the white fox headband back, Qin Muye wrapped an arm around Jiang Qingli and headed to the checkout. As they walked out the door, he glanced back.

Behind a shelf, a handsome young man wearing a bunny-ear headband was looking in a mirror, muttering under his breath, "Rabbits are obviously cute. That dog has no taste."

At the checkout counter not far away, plushies of all sizes were piled high.

The cashier bagged the plushies and asked politely, "Hello, sir. Would you like to take these with you now, have them held for you, or have us deliver them?"

"Please deliver them to this address."

An address appeared on the screen in front of him, followed by a gentle voice.

The cashier froze at the words and snapped his head up. Upon seeing the white-haired young man in a face mask, his voice filled with disbelief. "Bai... Baili..."

"Shhh." Baili Jing raised his index finger to his lips, his eyes curving into a smile. "This is a private outing. Please keep it a secret."

The cashier’s eyes lit up as he eagerly agreed, "O-Of course!"

Gazing at his departing figure, the cashier’s heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was leaving afterimages.

’Oh my god,’ he thought. ’He was already handsome enough on screen, but he’s drop-dead gorgeous in person...’

’When Baili Jing announced he was married a while back, the internet was full of naysayers. They claimed his ’white moonlight’ hadn’t looked for him for years and was just toying with him by getting married now, and that he would definitely retire from the screen, get fat, and become a washed-up husband.’

’But looking at him now, he seemed even more handsome after getting married.’

’Besides, the old Baili Jing always had a faint air of loneliness, a kind of brokenness about him. Now, however, he was gentler and more resolute, and when he smiled, his eyes seemed to hold a sea of stars.’

’You could tell at a glance that he was nourished by love.’

The cashier sighed inwardly, not noticing that everything Baili Jing bought had been looked at by the female in red from just a moment ago.

Except for the chubby dragon plushie in the corner.

-

This theme park had been open for decades, but it was frequently renovated, so the equipment was all new and a blast to ride.

The park’s roller coaster was a major attraction. It simulated different scenes all around you, using wind machines and other props to create an immersive experience.

For example, the space-themed ride would place visitors in outer space, lowering the oxygen content in the air to create a sense of hypoxia. At the highest point, it would reduce gravity, making your body feel light enough to float. Then, during the descent, gravity would slam back to normal, sending you plunging downward.

Meteors and shooting stars would brush past you; the effect was almost too realistic.

Jiang Qingli wasn’t actually handling it very well, but the feeling was just too thrilling and fun. She was a little conflicted after getting off, but Qin Muye saw right through her, took her hand, and got back in line.

After riding it three times, Jiang Qingli’s legs were a bit shaky. When she got off, she clung to Qin Muye’s arm, half her body hanging off him.

Qin Muye thoroughly enjoyed the feeling of being needed by her, but he didn’t want her to suffer either. He found a coffee shop so they could rest for a while before doing anything else.

After ordering a fruit tea, Jiang Qingli flopped onto the table, the snow leopard ears on her head swaying gently with the movement.

Qin Muye reached out and flicked one of the fluffy ears. "If you’re afraid of heights, we don’t have to ride the Ferris wheel tonight."

"No way, we have to go!" Jiang Qingli shot upright. "All the guides online recommend watching the fireworks from the Ferris wheel. We can’t miss it!"

Qin Muye looked at her sparkling eyes, his heart accelerating. He couldn’t help but think of the dream he’d had the other night, the one where he and Jiang Qingli were at an amusement park.

In fact, a legend circulated around XN Amusement Park: couples who kiss at the top of the Ferris wheel just as the fireworks bloom will stay together forever.

So, after hearing they were coming to the amusement park, Qin Muye had made his preparations.

Tonight, there wouldn’t be any stinking snakes, wretched cats, fox spirits, or dead rabbits like in his dream...

It would just be the two of them.

The corners of his lips curled up, but a sudden chill spread across his arm.

A passing waiter had accidentally spilled a drink on him and was now bowing and scraping, apologizing profusely. "I’m so sorry, so sorry, I didn’t mean to..."

Qin Muye’s brow furrowed, and he shot the waiter a cold glare.

The manager appeared, also bowing obsequiously. "I’m so sorry, sir. He’s new and clumsy." He pointed into the shop. "We have cleaning supplies in the back. Please, come with us..."

Qin Muye glanced at Jiang Qingli and said, "No need."

"It’s okay, you should go." Jiang Qingli knew how much he had been looking forward to this outing, and he definitely wouldn’t have fun covered in a sticky drink. "I’ll wait for you here."

Qin Muye tapped the table with a bent finger, swept his gaze across a corner of the room, and then followed the staff.

The instant the silver-haired young man turned away, the red dot of a targeting laser silently settled in Jiang Qingli’s hair, searching for the right spot.

Jiang Qingli seemed to sense something. She frowned and turned to look to her side, but a figure stepped in front of her just in time.

It blocked the red dot and her line of sight.

The young man in a waiter’s uniform placed a tray on the table and said with a beaming smile, "Miss, your Baa Baa Poof Poof White Bunny Super Sweet Sparkling Water is ready~ Please enjoy~"

When he finished speaking and got no reply, he looked up in confusion. His eyes widened as if he had just noticed her. "Sis?"

Jiang Qingli was also a little surprised. "Gu Nian, what are you doing here?"