Chapter 236: This is the Best Day I’ve Had in a Long Time
Riiiing~
The sound of the morning alarm woke Xia Changyu.
Sunlight streamed in through the curtains, and a warm blanket snugly covered his body. It was one of those mornings where everything felt peaceful.
It had been a few days since he successfully confessed his feelings to the girl he liked, but he still couldn't believe she was now his girlfriend. Every time he thought about it, a silly smile would always appear on his face.
He hadn’t slept much the night before.
Not because he was nervous, okay, maybe a little. But mostly because he kept imagining how today would go.
Yep, he had made plans for his first official date with his girlfriend.
Previously, he'd been busy with moving his office, and Baiyi had been tied up with her thesis. Even though they still saw each other every day, he felt the desire to spend more time together as a couple.
Technically, they could be said to have gone on dates often, but today was different.
This was their first official date. Not as close friends, not as someone chasing after her, but as... a couple.
In the midst of his happy daydreams, his phone suddenly chimed with a message notification, and the name displayed was [Wife].
Ding-dong~
Lin Yibai: "Good morning, did you sleep well last night?"
Just seeing a simple message from his girlfriend already made him smile like a love-struck fool. He replied, "Morning, I couldn't sleep because I was too excited."
"Is that so? Then let's cancel our plans for today since you're tired, your health is important."
Still lying in bed, Xia Changyu’s eyes suddenly snapped wide open. In a panic, he replied, "No, no, no, Baiyi, don’t do that, I’m coming over right now!"
Lin Yibai: "Hey, I was just kidding. You’re so impatient, haha."
Xia Changyu: "Give me 20 minutes, I’ll be there."
He jumped out of bed, brushed his teeth, freshened up, threw on some nice clothes, and rushed straight to her apartment.
When he arrived and parked his car, the moment he stepped out, he saw a beautiful girl waving at him.
She was wearing a pastel blue pleated skirt that fell just above her knees, paired with a white knit sweater that looked soft and cozy, slightly oversized with sleeves that covered part of her hands. The soft color palette gave her a sweet and youthful vibe.
Her long hair flowed freely, dancing beautifully in the morning breeze. Coupled with her cheeks having a natural rosy tint that made her smile even more heart-fluttering.
Lin Yibai walked over with a gentle smile, a small shopping bag in hand, like she’d just left the convenience store. As she reached him, she said softly, "Morning! I had a feeling you'd show up, so I waited here for a little while."
Xia Changyu remained silent for a while. For him, this beautiful morning scene was something to be savored slowly. Then he blurted out without thinking, "You're so beautiful."
The girl quickly turned her face away, cheeks slightly flushed as she crossed her arms tightly over her chest. "I… um… What’s wrong with you? That’s the first thing you say? Forget it! I don’t feel like talking to you. I just cooked stir-fried rice noodles, so I’m going to eat. Hmph!"
Lin Yibai immediately turned and walked away, and Xia Changyu followed quietly behind her. He thought the tsundere reaction from the girl in front of him was absolutely adorable. But he wasn’t teasing her, he was being serious, she really was incredibly charming. Maybe it was just his bias, but to him, she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen in his life.
When they reached the door of her apartment, the girl turned to look at him. Her cheeks flushed a soft pink, and for a moment she seemed hesitant, like she wanted to say something but wasn’t quite sure how.
Then, in a quiet, sweet voice, she said, "Thank you… you’re really handsome too."
Without waiting for his response, she immediately went inside her apartment, leaving him standing there speechless.
Now it was his turn to smile like a fool. If anyone saw him right then, they might’ve thought he’d lost his mind. But there was no need to tease her. He just walked in, and they sat down to enjoy the breakfast Lin Yibai had made.
Once they finished eating, they lingered for a while, letting the food settle. They chatted a bit. He told her about what was going on at his new office, and she shared updates from her classes, just like they always did.
Before they headed out, Lin Yibai looked at him and asked with a curious smile, "So, what’s the plan for today? Where are you taking me?"
Xia Changyu smiled, "You’ll see when we get there."
She raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "That sounds suspicious. You're not taking me somewhere weird, right?"
"Relax," he chuckled, taking her hand and giving it a light squeeze. "We’re going to the amusement park."
They arrived at the local amusement park just before noon. It wasn’t overly crowded, but there was enough of a buzz in the air to feel alive. Kids running around with balloons, the jingling music of a carousel in the distance, and the faint smell of caramel popcorn and grilled snacks drifting through the air.
Xia Changyu opened the gate for her and gave a playful bow. “After you, miss.”
Lin Yibai rolled her eyes but smiled as she walked through. “You’re enjoying this too much.”
“Of course I am. It’s our first official date. I have to be at least a little dramatic.”
They strolled through the park, hand in hand, not rushing to get to any ride. There was no pressure, no hurry. Just the comfort of being together.
"Alright, my dear boyfriend. What’s the game plan? Rides first, food later? Or food now, then we get dizzy?"
"Let’s start with something mild," he suggested.
They ended up on the carousel first, an innocent choice. But as the ride began to turn, Lin Yibai looked over at him, her expression softening.
She said, “I haven’t been on one of these in years…”
Xia Changyu: “Yeah? First time I rode one, I cried the whole time.”
Lin Yibai: “Really?”
Xia Changyu: “Yup. I was four. I thought the horse would take off like a real one.”
She giggled, leaning slightly toward him as they circled around slowly. “You’re still kind of dramatic, huh?”
“Only for you.”
She looked away, clearly flustered but smiling. “Stupid.”
As the carousel slowly came to a stop, Lin Yibai stretched her arms and hopped off her horse with a small grin. "Alright, that was cute. What’s next? Something with a bit more excitement?”
Xia Changyu grinned. “How about the bumper cars? It’s fun, not too scary, and I might finally beat you.”
She raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “You’re dreaming. I’m way better at these than you.”
They made their way over to the bumper car arena, the sounds of engines revving and laughter filling the air. When it was their turn, they climbed into the bright little cars, the electric hum vibrating beneath them.
As the race started, Yibai immediately went on the offensive, bumping his car playfully. “Try to keep up, slowpoke!”
Xia Changyu laughed, dodging and weaving, attempting to hit her back. “Oh, it’s on!”
They circled, bumping gently, laughing harder with every collision. At one point, Changyu managed to block her path, and they bumped cars again, both of them laughing so hard their cheeks hurt.
When the ride ended, they climbed out, breathless and smiling wide.
“Okay, okay, I admit it,” Xia Changyu said, wiping sweat from his forehead. “You’re definitely the bumper car champion.”
“Told you,” She said with a victorious grin. “But you’re pretty fun to crash into.”
He reached out and ruffled her hair, and she swatted his hand playfully.
“What’s next, dear boyfriend?” she asked, looking up at him expectantly.
“Hmm…” he tapped his chin dramatically. “How about we try the haunted house? If you survive that, I’ll get you the biggest cotton candy in the park.”
"Hah, I should be the one saying that. Can you survive?"
They walked hand in hand toward the creaky, spooky entrance, ready for the next adventure.
They approached the haunted house, its creaky wooden facade looming in front of them. The flickering lanterns and eerie music set a spooky mood, but neither of them looked genuinely scared.
Lin Yibai glanced up at Xia Changyu, half-grinning. “So, Mr. Brave, are you ready to hold my hand the whole time?”
Xia Changyu chuckled. "Alright, brave queen, we'll see who screams first later."
They stepped inside, the door creaking shut behind them. The dim lighting, creepy sound effects, and sudden movements of fake ghosts made their hearts race.
At the first jump scare, a skeleton popping out with a sudden clack, Lin Yibai let out a startled squeak and grabbed his arm tightly.
“Hey! That’s cheating! I’m not ready yet!” she whispered, trying to keep her voice steady but failing.
“I’m not the one hiding behind the curtain,” Xia Changyu teased, squeezing her hand gently.
They moved through the winding corridors, sometimes pausing to laugh at the corny effects or to tease each other about who was the bigger scaredy-cat. At one point, a fog machine filled the room, and her eyes widened.
“I can’t see anything!” she said, clutching his shirt.
“Don’t worry,” he said softly. “I’ve got you.”
The warmth of his hand on hers made the eerie atmosphere feel a little less intimidating. By the time they reached the exit, they were both laughing breathlessly.
She said, “Okay, that was actually kind of fun.”
“See? I told you I’d get you cotton candy if you survived,” he said with a smile.
She looked up at him, eyes bright. “Well… then, lead the way.”
Hand in hand, they stepped back into the sunlight, ready to hunt down the biggest, sweetest cotton candy the park had to offer.
They stopped in front of a cotton candy cart and Xia Changyu bought the biggest pink fluff he could find, handing it over like a trophy.
“For the brave girl who survived ghosts.”
She took it with a delighted grin and playfully poked at the cotton candy. “It’s almost too pretty to eat.”
“Almost? Don’t worry, I’ll help.”
They shared the fluffy treat, each taking bites and laughing as stray bits of sugar melted on their fingers and lips.
Nearby, they grabbed cold drinks and sat down on a bench shaded by colorful umbrellas. The warmth of the day softened around them as they enjoyed the quiet moment together.
They sat close together, watching the sky melt into soft shades of pink and orange. The warmth of the day had faded, replaced by the gentle coolness of the evening air.
Xia Changyu looked at her for a moment. The way the sunset light caught in her eyes and the peaceful smile on her face, he knew he’d remember this version of her forever.
“You know,” he whispered, his voice low and a little nervous, “I think this is the best day I’ve had in a long time.”
She smiled softly, her heart fluttering. “Me too.”
There was a quiet pause, just the two of them and the fading light around them.
Slowly, he reached out, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Their eyes met, and in that perfect moment, the world seemed to hold its breath.
Without another word, he leaned in, gently pressing his lips against hers.
The kiss was soft and warm, filled with all the shy excitement and deep affection they had been carrying all day. It wasn’t rushed or desperate. Just a quiet promise between two people who were exactly where they were meant to be.
When they finally pulled apart, Lin Yibai rested her head on his shoulder. They didn't speak again, the silence explained everything.
They stayed like that for a while, wrapped up in each other and the peaceful beauty of the sunset, knowing this was just the beginning of many more perfect days to come.