"You were just thinking you were hungry and wanted to find a small restaurant to have a good meal, right?"

Ling Huanwu tiptoed and puffed out her cheeks to tease him.

Even at night, the port city was still as bright as day. The dim streetlights shone on the delicate and playful face of the young woman. Zhou Jiuzhen couldn't help but laugh at her nonsensical behavior. It was the first time he had laughed out loud since his mother passed away.

Ling Huanwu's eyes welled up with tears. The fleeting warmth in his eyes made her heart clench, and all her reason was instantly overwhelmed by the surging emotions.

She jumped up almost instinctively, her steps light as if she were stepping on springs. Before Zhou Jiuzhen could react, she had already joyfully raised her arms and tightly wrapped them around his waist.

Through the thin fabric, she could feel his body stiffen instantly, but she didn't care. She tiptoed and, with a touch of childish recklessness, planted a warm kiss on his taut jaw with a "smack".

"Jiuzhen, you smiled!" Her voice trembled with joy, like a little girl who had discovered a treasure, her eyes shining brightly. "You finally smiled!"

Zhou Jiuzhen shuddered. The soft touch lingering on his chin caused ripples to spread across his long-frozen heart.

He opened his mouth, his Adam's apple bobbing, but in the end he only uttered three words in a low voice, "Crazy Girl."

There was no blame in his voice, but rather a hint of relenting that even he himself didn't realize.

Ling Huanwu ignored what he said, grabbed his wrist and started walking forward like an energetic little sun, "Okay! Big girl, I'll take you to a great place!"

She mysteriously led him all the way to the night market in the port city.

Upon setting foot on that bustling land, Zhou Jiuzhen was stunned by the scene before him.

As the neon lights came on, the street signs shone brightly.

The aroma of various foods wafted through the air, and the shouts of vendors, the clanging of trams, and the laughter of people mingled together, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.

"Eat this first!" Ling Huanwu pulled him to a fish ball stall, held out a bowl of steaming curry fish balls to him, and said, "Try it, it's so bouncy!"

Zhou Jiuzhen hesitated before taking a bite. The rich curry flavor exploded on his tongue, with just the right amount of spiciness. The bouncy and tender fish balls surprised him.

Ling Huanwu watched as his slightly furrowed brows relaxed, and her eyes curved into crescents: "Is it delicious? Try this egg waffle!"

She was like a happy little squirrel, constantly stuffing the snacks she had just bought into his hands.

Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, the bowl of shark's fin soup; sweet and chewy curry fish balls; refreshing and sweet red bean paste; and sesame-coated glutinous rice balls.

Zhou Jiuzhen's hands were soon piled high with all sorts of food. He watched Ling Huanwu eat with relish, and she would occasionally look up at him.

The anticipation in her eyes was like stars, and he found himself eating bite after bite along with her.

After finishing their meal, Ling Huanwu dragged Zhou Jiuzhen to ride the carousel.

The lights flickered, the music was upbeat, and she sat on the little horse in front of him, turning back to smile brightly at him: "Jiuzhen, look! Doesn't it look like we're flying?"

Zhou Jiuzhen sat on the rocking horse behind her, watching her figure rise and fall with the horse. The golden light from the surrounding lamps fell on her hair, coating it with a warm halo.

He rarely had such a relaxed moment, but the girl's happiness was so infectious that his tense lips unconsciously softened a bit.

After getting off the carousel, Ling Huanwu dragged him to see a street performer.

When she watched the magician perform his tricks, she covered her mouth in surprise, and when she turned to look at him, the light in her eyes was brighter than the colorful ball in the magician's hand.

Looking into her bright eyes and listening to her clear laughter, Zhou Jiuzhen felt as if tender buds were quietly sprouting in the place in his heart that had been barren for so long because of his mother's passing.

On the way back, a gentle evening breeze was blowing.

Ling Huanwu yawned slightly as she walked, her face still flushed.

Zhou Jiuzhen stood beside her, remained silent for a while, then suddenly reached out and gently brushed away a small wisp of downy hair clinging to the end of her hair.

Ling Huanwu was stunned for a moment, then looked up at him, her eyes meeting his.

The previous melancholy had vanished, replaced by a gentle starlight.

Her heart skipped a beat, and just as she was about to speak, she heard his deep voice in her ear: "Huanwu, thank you."

Thank you for pulling me out of the long, cold winter.

Looking at her own clear reflection in his eyes, Ling Huanwu suddenly smiled, like a little fox who had stolen honey, and quietly moved closer to him.

night.

The two returned to the hotel.

Standing at the elevator door, facing the elevator that was taking forever to arrive, Zhou Jiuzhen grabbed Ling Huanwu's hand and ran towards the stairs.

"What are you doing? We live on the sixth floor, it's so tiring to climb up, ah..."

Before Ling Huanwu could finish speaking, Zhou Jiuzhen scooped her up in his arms and ran upstairs.

The motion-activated lights in the corridor turned on as they heard hurried footsteps, then went off again behind them.

Zhou Jiuzhen held Ling Huanwu in his arms, his military boots making a dull thud on the steps.

The person in his arms had hair brushing against his neck, carrying a faint scent of shampoo, which added a touch of inexplicable irritation to the burning desire in his chest.

When they reached the sixth floor, Zhou Jiuzhen leaned against the wall, panting. Sweat dripped from his forehead onto Su Wanqing's hand, burning Ling Huanwu's heart.

His face was flushed and his voice was hoarse as he said, "Before Mother passed away, she... instructed us to hurry up and fulfill her wish."

Ling Huanwu didn't speak, but just lowered her head and twisted the hem of her clothes.

He seemed to suddenly remember something, and hurriedly took off his coat, revealing a faded vest underneath. "I'll take a shower first, I'm covered in sweat."

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