Chapter 193: If This Doesn’t Count as Falling for Someone, Then What Does?
Lin Yibai tried to take this whole 24-hour “temporary couple” promise as just something fun.
But things didn’t go the way she expected.
She really didn’t think her love rival would have such an amazing body!
Honestly…
As a guy herself, she usually didn’t like going out wearing tank tops, it always felt kind of sloppy. But the truth was, looks and body shape do matter a lot these days.
Otherwise, why would her love rival look so cool wearing it?
Poke~~
Squeeze~~
No one can resist poking or squeezing someone else’s muscles. Lin Yibai even raised her tiny fists.
Just as she was about to punch a little—
Xia Changyu scratched his head and asked, “Huh? What’s up? Why are you raising your fist? What are you trying to do?”
Lin Yibai’s cheeks turned red. She turned her head and said, “N-No! It’s nothing!”
But Xia Changyu was still confused, “Really? But…”
Lin Yibai glared at him, acting tsundere, “Ugh, stop talking! I just wanted to see something—ah no, I mean… Ah whatever, it’s nothing! Don’t ask anymore, okay? From now on I’m not answering any of your questions!”
So… what was she trying to do?
Based on her earlier expressions and the tone she was using, a lightbulb went off in Xia Changyu’s head.
Ohhh~
He got it now.
While waiting for the traffic light to change, Xia Changyu suddenly said, “Were you trying to punch my arm a little?”
But once something like that is said out loud, the moment loses some of its charm.
Xia Changyu kind of regretted it. He should’ve just let her poke, squeeze, or however she wanted!
Wasn’t that what guys work out for? To show their muscles to girls?
When Lin Yibai heard that, her face turned even redder.
She puffed up proudly and said, “Hmph, I wasn’t trying to punch your arm! You just have a nice body, that’s all! It’s not like it’s some big deal!”
Then she said something that sounded way too real, “If you don’t let me punch yours, there are plenty of guys out there with muscles for me to punch.”
Xia Changyu immediately gave in and said, “No no no, I’m sorry! I’m really sorry!”
Lin Yibai asked, “What are you sorry for?”
Xia Changyu replied, “I’m sorry… um…”
Lin Yibai: “Huh?”
Xia Changyu: “Hmm?”
Why did their conversation sound more and more like something real couples would say?
That’s when it hit them, even though they were just pretending to be a couple for 24 hours, this whole vibe felt so natural… like they were truly dating.
What was going on?
Normal friends don’t say things like, “What are you sorry for?” right?
She was starting to feel more like a real girl. Too soft. Too emotional. Too much like she was falling.
Feeling a bit guilty, Lin Yibai sped up her steps and said, “Nothing happened! You didn’t do anything wrong. You’re great… It’s me being weird, thinking your body looks good and that you look kinda handsome.”
The more she talked… The harder it was to keep going.
Ahhhhhhh!
She screamed in her head. ‘What am I even saying?! How could I say something like that?!’
She decided not to think about it anymore.
Let’s just move on.
Xia Changyu, thankfully, was very thoughtful. He didn’t try to push things further or tease her while her heart was racing and her face was red.
He felt that things were just right the way they were.
And even though this was just a “pretend relationship,” not everything could go exactly as planned.
Every little delay on the way meant they were getting further from the cold drink shop he had booked in advance. It was kind of frustrating.
But then again, this was love.
Lin Yibai herself wasn’t sure.
She didn’t know what her love rival had planned behind the scenes, or how much effort had been quietly put in. She just put her hands on her hips and scolded, “What’s the rush? Are you in love, or rushing to a banquet?”
Xia Changyu scratched his head. “I…”
Lin Yibai said, “Love is something you enjoy together, where you slowly start to feel happy, and then take time to enjoy that happiness fully.”
The two of them were standing in an old-style building in an alleyway. How to describe it? In ancient times, it was a place where people listened to music and watched performances. Now, with city tourism booming, it had been renovated and turned into a popular attraction.
On the stage, girls in traditional costumes were performing.
They invited visitors warmly, saying, “Is there anyone who would like to come up and perform? If you get a big round of applause, there’s a mystery prize waiting for you!”
Mystery prize? Lin Yibai couldn’t help but get curious.
After asking around, she found out. If they go on stage to perform, they either get a folding fan that symbolizes a talented scholar or a round fan that symbolizes a graceful lady. And these fans weren’t sold anywhere else, you could only get them by performing on stage.
Her eyes lit up when she heard that.
Xia Changyu raised an eyebrow and asked, “What? Do you want to go up and try?”
Lin Yibai smiled and whispered, “Of course not!”
Xia Changyu asked again, “Then why are you so interested?”
Lin Yibai replied, “It’s just too hot, you know? I want to win the folding fan for you, the one that represents a talented man. You heard them say it’s a special collector’s item, right? It might be meaningful to keep.”
She signed up and he quietly followed her.
Backstage, the girl gave him a look. “Why are you here too? What are you doing?”
Xia Changyu smiled and said, “You’re allowed to win the scholar’s fan for me, but I’m not allowed to win the lady’s fan for you?”
Lin Yibai snorted with a smile. “Hmph, talking big again without even thinking?”
Xia Changyu said, “So?”
Lin Yibai cut him off, “Forget it, let’s just watch how this all plays out!”
You had to admit, this place was very well prepared. There were all kinds of costumes and props ready. Even if you just came to try something new, it was totally worth it.
But to go on stage, you still needed some talent.
Lin Yibai chose a traditional outfit. A white-and-blue hanfu with wide sleeves and a high waist. It showed off her proud figure, paired with an oil-paper umbrella as a prop.
The talent performance was basically singing or dancing.
Lin Yibai was glad she had once met a big sister named Xia Zhilian, who had taught her many dance moves from traditional styles. Back when she was helping her love rival with a historical-themed project, she had gotten really good at this kind of thing.
Now, she truly believed the saying, ‘Learn one skill, and it will help you for life.’
The dance she performed was a mix of traditional and modern art. Under her graceful moves, the song came alive and felt truly special.
This was her first time performing live in front of people, and it was way more powerful than any video posted online.
She looked like a dancer from ancient times. Elegant, noble, and untouchable.
Every graceful turn and move made the audience hold their breath in awe.
As the music came to an end…
Lin Yibai held the umbrella like she was a dancer sailing across a river. Slowly, she stepped off the stage and faded from the crowd’s view.
A moment later, the place burst into loud applause.
Even the host said, “Looks like today’s star performer already has someone in her heart! Let me ask you all, doesn’t she totally deserve the top prize?”
The answer was obvious.
She was beautiful, kind, talented, and graceful. She had everything going for her. People couldn’t take their eyes off her.
But Lin Yibai waved her hand and said, “I’ll wait a bit before accepting the prize.”
Even though she was a girl, she had specifically requested the folding fan that represented a talented scholar. She said she’d take it later.
The host was confused and asked, “What are you waiting for?”
Lin Yibai smiled and didn’t answer. “I’m waiting for someone.”
The first challenge of this “date” has now been given to you. You made a promise, said some big words…
I now have the scholar’s fan. Do you have something meaningful to give me in return?