Zhao Xun was taken aback and looked up:
Why?
Ma Jiaojiao, who had just finished speaking, didn't understand.
…Why?
Oh, are you talking about "strolling around West Lake together"?
Ma Jiaojiao was unusually embarrassed, and she scratched her soft cheeks with her fingers:
"I always felt that you didn't like doing this kind of thing, senior."
Zhao Xun thought for a moment, then nodded: "Indeed."
"So even if I were to invite them, they would probably refuse."
Zhao Xun gave a noncommittal "hmm".
Of course I would refuse.
You can follow the usual approach of the big girl.
Even if she refuses, she will still try to find a way to get him to go out.
Rather, I wish I could reject her so easily.
Zhao Xun glanced upwards and looked at Ma Jiaojiao.
Like him, Ma Jiaojiao also buried her chin and half of her face in the warm knitted scarf.
The hot breath she exhaled condensed into steam, causing her large-framed glasses to fog up slightly.
But...
For Zhao Xun, rejection was simply a habitual defensive tactic.
If the big girl really persisted in pestering him, he might still agree.
Zhao Xun has almost adapted to this rhythm.
From unwillingness to helplessness.
But for Ma Jiaojiao...
Can you be as at ease as Zhao Xun after each rejection?
She can continue to harass people because she's just that shameless.
Or is it that only by gathering up the courage that has been lost can one continue the action?
The weather was sunny by West Lake.
Someone is selling balloons.
Each child takes away a wish from the balloon seller.
"I won't be coming to the lakeside for New Year's Eve next time."
Zhao Xun said casually, "I saw on the news that releasing balloons is actually quite troublesome to clean up."
Ma Jiaojiao nodded and hummed in agreement: "I think so too."
Zhao Xun looked at the balloons floating above the children's heads.
They gripped the string tightly, and the balloon drew closer.
Once you let go, the balloon will sway.
It ascends to a place unknown to anyone, deflates on its own, and finally lands on its own.
Zhao Xun's mouth emerged from under her scarf:
"Prince Bay Park...have you heard of it?"
Ma Jiaojiao had heard of it: "Qing Qian mentioned it."
“…Oh, that was probably what Lao Bei told her,” Zhao Xun said.
Ma Jiaojiao smiled slightly.
"Senior Lu really loves West Lake. Not only you, but even before he met Qingqian, he shared a lot about West Lake with her, which made Qingqian yearn for West Lake even before she came to Jiangnan."
"The tulips at Prince Bay will probably bloom around March," Zhao Xun said.
“I thought it would be April,” Ma Jiaojiao said.
"It should be around mid-March to the end of the month," Zhao Xun said again.
"Eh—really?"
Ma Jiaojiao looked up at the azure sky.
She chatted casually with her senior.
At first, she thought that Senior Zhao Xun had just arrived at West Lake and was talking to her about these things.
But when she got to this point, she felt something was off.
Ma Jiaojiao wasn't a stupid girl; she could still pick up on some hints.
so.
—Senior, let's go together!
Just as Ma Jiaojiao was about to speak, Zhao Xun, who was staring at her, spoke first:
"Would you like to go take a look together later?"
"..."
Ma Jiaojiao's mouth was slightly open as she looked at her senior, her expression one of utter surprise and astonishment.
Huh? ...Ah? ...Hmm? ?
Zhao Xun continued to bury her mouth in her scarf: "If you don't want to go, then forget it."
"I want to go! I'm definitely going! I'll try my best to live healthily until March just for that day!!"
The young girl from Huizhou stood straight, giving a report like a model student.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Xun couldn't help but smile knowingly, then muttered to himself:
"...Don't live for such petty goals."
Ma Jiaojiao's joy was palpable; she made a peace sign.
"People strive for one small goal after another—wow, I really wish we could fast forward to next March… I can’t wait to see the tulips."
Zhao Xun thought for a moment, then took out his phone to search:
"No, it might really be April."
Ma Jiaojiao raised her hand:
"I'm going in March! March is perfect! From the buds just starting to bloom to seeing the mountains and fields covered in flowers!!"
"I'm not fucking that free."
"…hey-hey."
Ma Jiaojiao grinned, her smile bright and cheerful. After thinking for a moment, she asked, "When are you going home, senior?"
"The train leaves tomorrow evening," Zhao Sun said.
"...I see."
Ma Jiaojiao said, "I'll be going back tomorrow evening too."
Winter break has arrived.
But it didn't seem as exciting as expected.
"See you in a month," Zhao Sun said.
Ma Jiaojiao nodded vigorously, then smiled again: "See you in a month~ Don't miss me too much, senior~~"
"Only a ghost would miss you." Zhao Sun rolled her eyes.
Ahead, Mama Ma was calling to the two of them:
"Hey, hurry up, let's take a boat trip on the lake!"
Taking a boat trip on the lake refers to the kind of hand-cranked boat.
It can seat four people in total.
A family of four is just right.
One hundred and fifty yuan per hour.
Zhao Xun found it meaningless.
But he didn't warn Ma's mother not to fall for it.
After all, he can come to West Lake seven or eight times a month, but for others, it's only once in half a lifetime.
A hand-rowed boat is not worth 150 yuan.
But the interest level is high.
"--good."
Ma Jiaojiao jogged over, then turned back: "Senior, hurry up!"
…
Then Zhao Xun experienced what it means to be a socially anxious middle-aged person.
—This refers to social terrorists.
On a hand-cranked boat.
As the boat headed towards the center of the lake, Mama Ma took out her phone, started playing music, and then sang along.
"Ahhh~~ Ahhh~"
"The West Lake is beautiful in March!"
Spring rain is like wine, willows like smoke.
"Those destined to meet will find each other even from a thousand miles away."
"Those destined to be apart can't hold hands even when they're face to face."
"It takes ten years of cultivation to share a boat ride."
"A shared pillow, cultivated over a hundred years"
"Ahhhhh~~ Ahhhhh~~"
Zhao Sun: ...
I want to die.
Is it too late for me to jump into the lake now?
Ma Jiaojiao, you didn't tell me about this!
Ma Jiaojiao: ...
How would I know!
When middle-aged people get into a good mood, they can really get...
That's amazing!
Mr. Ma glanced at the two young people, then at his wife, who was completely captivated by the moment.
He is quick-witted and eloquent.
"…Great."
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