Chapter 197: Don’t Be My Simp, Because Loving Me Shouldn’t Make You Feel Small
Some people only see the planned parts of a date and feel like there’s no surprise at all.
But for others… Like Lin Yibai, for example?
If we try to understand each other’s hearts, isn’t that effort from Xia Changyu worth something?
If he didn’t truly like her, who would go out in the hot summer and check every spot of the date in advance, just to make sure nothing goes wrong?
So instead of blaming him, Lin Yibai gently brushed her hair aside, enjoyed the massage on her legs, let out a long sigh, and said, “Actually, I should be the one thanking you.”
Xia Changyu was surprised and confused, “Huh? What did you say?”
Lin Yibai continued relaxing, enjoying this peaceful moment. She thought, if only there were a pillow too, that would be perfect. Casually, she said to the guy she once saw as a love rival.
“I’m someone who has never really... well, I mean, I guess I’ve never been in a real relationship. You’re the first person who made me feel that being in love can actually be really nice. I think I’m starting to enjoy it.”
Xia Changyu quickly asked, “Isn’t that a good thing? And if you’re willing, then maybe we can—”
Before he could finish, Lin Yibai interrupted him, “See? That’s exactly where you’re sneaky.”
Xia Changyu blinked: “Huh?”
Lin Yibai took a deep breath and continued in a calm voice.
“You’re letting me enjoy it first, letting me feel how nice it is to be liked and cared for... So that I won’t be able to leave you later, right?”
Xia Changyu spread his hands and shrugged. “But if you’re okay with it, we could keep going like this, forever, just like now!”
Lin Yibai pulled back her legs, changed her position, and rested her head on his lap. Was she really getting cozy drunk on a handsome guy’s lap?
Then she closed her eyes as if in thought. A moment later, her brows furrowed tightly.
Then she opened her eyes, looking relaxed, and said quietly,
“There’s no such thing as forever. Love comes with both responsibility and rights. No one can just want the good parts and avoid the hard ones. Like right now, you’re being so kind to me. But if I just enjoy it and give nothing back, Wouldn’t that make you my simp?”
Simp.
A heavy word.
And this was exactly what Lin Yibai was worried about.
No matter how she thought about it, “Guy best friend,” “close male friend”? Come on, let’s not kid ourselves. Even she couldn’t convince herself with those weak excuses.
Can’t figure it out? Then let her keep thinking for now!
Xia Changyu wasn’t in a rush anymore. Because he knew, if she was thinking this hard, it already meant her heart was beginning to waver.
That evening, the two of them went to the riverside. There was a legal BBQ area where you could either grill the food yourself or ask the staff to help.
Xia Changyu came over carrying a big pile of BBQ meat and vegetables. At that time, Lin Yibai was watching the river waves with the breeze blowing. She had changed into a new dress she bought earlier while shopping.
Because it was windy by the river, she also wore a thin shawl. The wind gently lifted it, making her look calm and beautiful.
Seeing him carrying so many bags, she pouted playfully.
“That’s way too much! We can’t finish it all, you’re wasting money! If I were your girlfriend, would I really look like the kind of girl who spends money like crazy?”
Xia Changyu grinned and said, “I was actually thinking of getting even more food!”
Lin Yibai quickly stopped him, “Let’s finish grilling what we have first, okay?”
Xia Changyu nodded. “Alright.”
The BBQ area was really nice. They had all kinds of sauces and seasonings ready to use.
Lin Yibai never skipped her favorite BBQ dish, grilled eggplant.
First, grill the whole eggplant, then cut it open. Add garlic sauce, spices, and a bit of chili pepper. Soon, the smell spread everywhere, so delicious.
There were also corn, grilled chicken legs, steamed buns, oysters, sausages, and cucumbers. And of course, there was beer too.
“Psssh—” They both opened their cans of beer.
Lin Yibai didn’t set any strict rules or conditions like, ‘You have to do this or that before drinking.’
She just drank, because if it’s something you can enjoy, why not enjoy it?
“Cheers!”
“Cheers~ (￣v￣)~”
Beer from eastern china always tastes really nice.
The two of them sat there together, enjoying the river breeze, not even bothering to check on the food that was almost burning on the grill.
Sometimes, Lin Yibai would wonder, ‘If love could be this easy and comfortable, wouldn’t it be great if the two of them were really a couple?’
But as soon as that thought came up, she pushed it away. Because real love is never that perfect.
Most of the time, it’s about everyday life, money, oil, salt, sauce, tea... Lots of little annoying things. And sometimes... being broke?
While sipping on her wheat beer, Lin Yibai asked, “So? What’s next? It hasn’t even been 12 hours yet, less than half the day’s gone!”
Just like drinking, there’s always a second round after the first.
Xia Changyu’s little plan, where he quietly made all the arrangements by himself, had already been seen through by the girl in front of him. He had no choice but to shrug and admit it all honestly.
“Later, there’s a movie at 8 p.m., then karaoke at 11. After midnight, we’ll go up the mountain to watch the stars. If we still have energy, we can go to the night market for some late-night snacks. And by then it’ll almost be morning, so we’ll have breakfast. Then I want to fall asleep holding onto this perfect memory.”
Wow. He really used every minute to the fullest.
And he clearly put in a lot of effort. Whether it was the movie at 8 or the karaoke at 11, both are hard to book. And in Fucheng, there’s only one great place to see the stars, you have to book it at least two weeks in advance.
He had done so much. But what about her? What had she done for him?
Was it just because she was the one being chased?
No... Not “being chased.” They were temporary lovers.
Did that really make it okay to just sit back and enjoy everything?
The river wind rippled gently. Lin Yibai tucked her hair behind her ear out of habit. After a while, she finally said, “How about... if it’s okay with you... Can you cancel those bookings?”
Xia Changyu was shocked, “Why? Did I do something that made you unhappy? If it’s my fault, I’ll say sorry!”
His confused face turned into a worried one. Then he looked serious and anxious.
This sudden change really startled Lin Yibai. She had only said that based on her own feelings, and now his reaction made her heart ache a little.
She quickly waved her hands to stop him.
After hesitating and thinking hard about how to say it. She still felt like no words were quite right. So in the end, she spoke more directly.
“No, no, it’s not that you did anything wrong. But... can we not act like this? Even if we’re just temporary lovers, you’re still supposed to be in a relationship with me! You really don’t need to lower yourself in front of me.”
Xia Changyu scratched his head, “Uhh... what?”
Lin Yibai pressed her palms together and bit her red lips. She continued, “If being in love with me makes you feel like you have to act so small and degrade yourself. Then I think that would really break my heart.”
Xia Changyu: “But... I just—”
“Shh.” Lin Yibai made a “quiet” gesture and gently said, “You’ve already given me so many surprises and gifts. I’m really happy. So I’ve also prepared a gift for you. Later, let’s watch the fireworks I got you, okay? They were expensive, but it will be worth it!”
She’d said it before, Xia Changyu’s love was too perfect to be real, like a story written without hardship. But real relationships, the kind most people live through, are far more complicated.
Maybe love was never meant to be perfect. Maybe it’s meant to teach us how to endure, how to give, and how to grow with less. It’s about to stay even when things aren’t easy, to make room for each other’s flaws, and being a safe place for each other.
Even giving a gift to her “annoying love rival”, wait, not a rival anymore?
So let’s say she gives her temporary boyfriend, even just something small, had cost her a lot, and it really hurts.
Love has always been a pricey affair. That one firework? It cost a few hundred! It made her heart ache!
But still…
She secretly looked at his handsome face.
If it was him... maybe it was okay.
Her wallet said no, but her heart said yes.