Chapter 793: 40: Cannon Fodder in the Real World (40)

"Your question is really strange. What kind of people I like to hang out with doesn’t really have much to do with you. Do you have some other intention towards me?"

Jiang Lai didn’t give him the chance to probe, she pierced through the thin veil directly.

This was something obvious, and she was too lazy to continue pretending to be oblivious with him.

Shi Yubai didn’t seem surprised at Jiang Lai’s straightforwardness at all.

On the contrary, his gaze on her grew even deeper.

"I thought I was already doing a great job holding it back."

Jiang Lai looked into his eyes, composed and calm.

"I’m quite sensitive. When people look at me differently, I can notice quickly.

So, you like me?"

"Yeah."

Shi Yubai’s reply was somewhat cautious.

He cared so much about Jiang Lai’s opinion of him that he became a bit timid, he who had never experienced intense emotional swings would become doubtful and sensitive, cautious and prudent because of her one glance, one action, or one word.

He used to hate this version of himself the most.

But now, he willingly let this emotion dominate him.

He knew he couldn’t escape, so he tried every way to satisfy his inner desire.

"I was thinking of telling you when you start to have feelings for me."

"Aren’t you afraid this day might never come?"

"Afraid, but being afraid is useless."

Jiang Lai raised an eyebrow, turned around and leaned on the railing outside the carousel, and sighed.

"It’s really troublesome."

"Do you think my feelings for you are a trouble?"

Shi Yubai’s fingers tightened.

He had heard this sentence more than once, yet even now, these words still made his heart tighten painfully.

This suffocating feeling of being repeatedly hurt by her was too familiar.

Shi Yubai’s smile deepened.

He stared at Jiang Lai as if staring at a treasure found only after crossing mountains and rivers.

But Jiang Lai tilted her head and looked at him.

"Troublesome indeed, but we can give it a try."

"..."

"I mean, if you really like me, we can try."

"Try?"

Shi Yubai’s heart skipped a beat, he stared at Jiang Lai, afraid that he had misheard.

Jiang Lai repeated herself, her tone leisurely.

"Anyway, nothing else to do, let’s give it a try, and if it doesn’t work out, we can break up, even if married we can separate, I don’t mind."

Shi Yubai seemed unprepared for how readily Jiang Lai agreed, he held his breath, in this moment the world’s noise had nothing to do with him, all he could hear was Jiang Lai’s words.

Very flippant and insincere, yet it was enough to make him flattered.

"Okay."

He slowly walked up to Jiang Lai, gently holding her hand, his eyes reflecting her face.

"Let’s start a relationship, as per your words.

I’ll treat you so well, so well that you’ll never think of leaving me in this lifetime."

Jiang Lai looked at him, but the light in her eyes was faint.

"Mm, let’s consider today our first day of dating.

But are you sure that if I say I want to break up, you would agree?"

Involuntarily, Shi Yubai clenched his teeth, his jawline taut, suppressing a sudden terrifying thought that flashed through his mind, he nodded.

"Okay."

"Alright then, let’s start the date. Do you know how to date? Do you know the process?"

"I don’t know, but I can learn."

"No need, I’ll teach you, I have plenty of experience."

Upon hearing this, the man couldn’t help but chuckle.

"Yeah, you’re experienced, you teach me."

Jiang Lai paused and thoughtfully looked at him.

"I say I’m experienced, and you don’t mind at all?"

"That’s the past, I only care about the present and the future."

"Oh, how generous... then fine, I like being with generous men."

Having said that, Jiang Lai ran over to the clown and asked for a balloon dog.

Shi Yubai stood not far away, watching her, leaning against the railing, silently adjusting his turbulent emotions alone in the shadows.

Jiang Lai took the dog, thanked with a smile, and was just about to leave when the clown suddenly handed her a balloon rose.

"I didn’t ask for this."

"This is your special luck for today, even if you come alone you can love yourself well, also, you’re really pretty."

The clown thought she came alone, found her beautiful, generous and straightforward so he additionally gave her a rose balloon along with a flying kiss.

Seeing his wriggling posture, Jiang Lai couldn’t help but nod with a laugh.

Such a zest for life, working overtime on New Year’s Eve with such energy.

If such a person joined her company’s PR department, it seemed like a good idea to make him a mascot.

"Bro, want to change jobs and be the mascot for our company on my side, short work hours, high salary, think about it?"

Saying so, Jiang Lai handed over a business card.

"Call this number when you decide."

This was the secretary’s business card, Jiang Lai usually didn’t carry her personal cards easily.

The clown’s eyes widened in shock at the content on the card, mouth agape, with that exaggerated makeup, his expression was exceptionally vivid and full, with impeccable control over his expressions.

"Really, thank you so much!"

"Also, thank you for the flower."

After speaking, Jiang Lai turned around, not realizing when Shi Yubai had arrived behind her, smiling as he watched her.

"Do you like roses?"

"They’re alright."

Shi Yubai nodded, naturally taking Jiang Lai’s hand and continued walking deeper into the amusement park.

The night’s festivity continued all the way to the New Year.

During the New Year countdown, everyone looked up, excitedly watching the countdown LED on the tallest building.

That building belonged to Shi Yubai.

He said,

"We can stand on the top of the building and count down with them."

Jiang Lai didn’t even glance at him, continued to look brightly at the numbers on the screen as they changed from nine to three.

The cheers from the crowd noticeably rose, and at the last "one," Jiang Lai’s voice was instantly drowned out by excited screams.

At this moment, completely apart from the crowd, Shi Yubai’s eyes were filled only with Jiang Lai’s fair, beautiful face, her vibrant laughter, enjoying the basic human emotions and desires along with the masses, driven by the atmosphere, celebrating this utterly meaningless holiday.

She liked these things.

So he would accompany her to watch these things.

As the number turned to zero, a couple in front of them immediately embraced in a kiss.

All around, people were shouting their New Year’s wishes, yet at this moment Jiang Lai fell silent.

Shi Yubai squeezed her hand, looking at the couple ahead, he tucked Jiang Lai’s hand into his coat pocket, then bent down.

Jiang Lai didn’t shy away, but also didn’t tiptoe and lift her head like the girl in front.

Shi Yubai left a kiss on her forehead.

"I hope you’ll always belong to me."

His tone was filled with obsession.

His voice was very soft, but Jiang Lai still heard it.