Chapter 55: Playground
The revolving door swept in the noise and the sweet aroma of popcorn. Chu Yan held Chu Yu's wrist and easily blended into this colorful fairy tale kingdom.
The moment their skin touched, Chu Yan could clearly feel the cool warmth of Chu Yu's wrist. He glanced sideways, his cousin still maintaining his almost rigid seriousness, his white shirt buttoned meticulously just below his Adam's apple, a perfect fit. He formed a dramatic contrast with the coolly dressed crowd around him, laughing and playing freely. The cup of milk tea, now held by those slender, bony fingers, seemed particularly out of place in this childlike playground, yet it possessed a strange, contrasting cuteness that belonged only to Chu Yu.
"Brother Yu," Chu Yan's voice was filled with a smile, with the ending tone slightly raised, like a feather inadvertently scratching the tip of his heart, "Have you observed enough? No matter how rich your theoretical knowledge is, it's better to practice it yourself once." He deliberately moved closer, and his warm breath, with his unique fresh scent, brushed across Chu Yu's sensitive earlobe.
Chu Yu withdrew his gaze from observing the interactions of the couples around him and met Chu Yan's smiling peach blossom eyes, which were close at hand. Those eyes sparkled in the sunlight, with a knowing mischief and a subtle hint of indulgence.
Chu Yu's Adam's apple subconsciously rolled, and he tightened his jawline, trying to maintain his usual composure. However, his slightly rapid breathing betrayed the turmoil stirred within him by this sudden intimacy. He glanced down at the cup of milk tea in his hand, symbolizing a "date standard," then raised his eyes to Chu Yan's lips, which were tinged with a playful smile. Then, he solemnly and steadily placed the straw to Chu Yan's lips.
Chu Yan was stunned at first, then a deep and pleasant laugh erupted from his chest, attracting the curious glances of several young couples around him. He obediently lowered his head slightly, took the straw that belonged to Chu Yu, and took a sip of the cold cheese oolong. The rich aroma of tea mixed with the salty and sweet milk cap slid down his throat. He licked his lips and locked his eyes with Chu Yu: "Well, it's a good practice. But Brother Yu, sharing is mutual." Before he finished speaking, he took a huge, fluffy, pink marshmallow covered with crystal frosting from the sweet-smelling stall next to him, and stuffed it into Chu Yu's hand, which was used to holding a pen to sign documents, without saying a word, "Here, this is yours."
Chu Yu stared at the dreamy, unreal pink cloud in his hand, his brows furrowed slightly, as if facing a huge dilemma. He had never really been fond of such sweet things. He tried, cautiously lowering his head slightly, and took a small, careful bite. Fine strands of sugar instantly clung to the corners of his tightly pursed lips. Combined with his meticulously dressed shirt, serious expression, and the momentary glint of bewilderment in his eyes, the effect was both adorable and devastatingly striking.
The system screamed in Chu Yan's mind, and he typed away on the virtual keyboard. [This is useless. This is useless.]
Chu Yan immediately blocked out the system's chatter and cheerfully led Chu Yu, who was still struggling with the pink marshmallow in her hand, toward the nearest attraction—the carousel. Dreamy lights flickered, and the tinkling music blared like the background music of a fairytale. Without hesitation, Chu Yan pushed Chu Yu, who had a look of "this isn't ergonomic," onto the tallest white unicorn.
"The carousel is one of the top three classic date activities. Its value lies in creating a relaxed, romantic, and childlike atmosphere." Chu Yan, like a dedicated mentor, leaned against the fence, arms folded, and leisurely commented. He looked at Chu Yu, seated on the unicorn, back straight as a javelin, hands neatly grasping the pole. The contrast between her and the screaming, laughing, and excitedly thrashing children around her was stark. Unable to resist, he pulled out his phone and captured this historic moment with pinpoint accuracy—click.
The crisp sound of a shutter immediately caught Chu Yu's attention. His sharp eyes swept over, carrying a silent question and a hint of subtle nervousness.
"Record it," Chu Yan shook his phone with an innocent smile, but a cunning light flashed in his eyes.
The wooden horse slowly started, rising and falling, drawing an eternal circle in the dazzling lights. Amidst the slight, rhythmic jolt, Chu Yu's gaze remained fixed, like a precise navigation system, firmly following the smiling figure outside the fence. Chu Yan's figure drifted closer and farther in the dreamy light and shadow. His unique charm, his composure and mastery of every situation, sent his heart racing more than any formidable business rival or complex merger. He no longer bothered to observe his surroundings; his eyes were focused solely on Chu Yan. The swirling light and shadow fell into his deep, focused gaze, like stars cast into a deep pool, their persistence astonishing.
Those eyes, always calmly scrutinizing and penetrating, now clearly reflected only Chu Yan's figure. The smile on Chu Yan's lips deepened, a hint of playful inquiry and touch. Chu Yu's clumsy yet direct "focus" seemed to be quietly dismantling some of his preconceived defenses in a way he hadn't anticipated. This was more interesting and more genuine than any deliberate teasing or philandering tactics.
After getting off the carousel, Chu Yan naturally reached out and gently wiped away the stubborn, sweet candy stain at the corner of Chu Yu's mouth with his fingertips. The warm touch of his fingertips was like a weak electric current, instantly making Chu Yu's body tense. A blush surged from the base of his ears and quickly spread to his neck, making it particularly eye-catching against the pure white collar of his shirt.
"Next item." Chu Yan seemed not to notice his abnormality, and pointed casually at the roller coaster track in the distance that was winding like a giant steel snake and emitting screams that were tearing through the sky. "Experiencing the feeling of accelerated heartbeats together is a classic way to break through social distance and establish 'revolutionary friendship'. Brother Yu, are you going?" He deliberately used the word "revolutionary friendship" with obvious ridicule.
Chu Yu followed his finger. The towering, twisting track gleamed with a cold, metallic sheen in the sunlight. There was no trace of retreat in his eyes; instead, it aroused a desire for conquest and a competitive spirit. His voice was steady and powerful, carrying a unique aura: "Go!" It was as if the track wasn't an amusement ride, but another commercial high ground to be conquered.
The roller coaster suddenly started up with a deafening mechanical roar. The intense push from the high-speed climb pinned the rider to the seat, followed by a heart-stopping vertical dive. The overwhelming feeling of weightlessness was like an invisible giant hand grabbing the whole body, and the screams around him instantly rose to a piercing level.
During Chu Yu's first near-90-degree dive, his body instinctively tensed, his knuckles turning white from gripping the safety lever. He pursed his lips tightly, saying nothing. Only his face paled slightly under the high speed and air pressure, revealing the extreme stress his body was enduring. As the car plunged into a sharp spiral curve, the powerful centrifugal force threatening to throw him off. Suddenly, a warm, dry hand, with undeniable strength and a strangely soothing feeling, firmly covered the back of his hand, which was gripping the safety lever tightly, with white knuckles.
"If you're scared, screaming out will make you feel better." Chu Yan's voice was still clear amidst the howling wind. With a hint of a smile and a calmness that seemed to penetrate fear, it clearly penetrated Chu Yu's ears, which were filled with the wind and screams. The force in his hand was not strong, but it carried a strange, reassuring power and an unquestionable sense of control.
Chu Yu turned his head, his hair tangled in the fierce wind. He looked at Chu Yan beside him. Despite the equally violent turbulence and shattering wind pressure, he could still smile. His hair was dancing wildly, but his eyes were fixed on him amidst the chaos, with a deep, swirling allure. At that moment, his heart was pounding wildly in his chest, almost trying to break free. This frantic beating seemed to be more than just due to the physical weightlessness and fear. A burning impulse surged in his heart, and Chu Yu, almost instinctively, turned his hand and, with even greater force and a declaration of determination, tightly grasped Chu Yan's hand that was covering the back of his hand. Their fingers were tightly intertwined, conveying a silent, burning response amid the deafening screams and the tearing wind.
The roller coaster slowly drove into the terminal with tremendous inertia, and the mechanical lock made a "click" sound. When the safety lever was released, Chu Yan's hand naturally loosened.
Chu Yu sat on the slightly swaying chair, looking at his suddenly empty hands. His palms seemed to still retain the warmth of the other person's skin, the strength of his grip, and the heart-pounding pulse that had been transmitted from their brief entanglement.
The two tried almost all the projects in the amusement park.
As the night darkened the sky like ink, the amusement park transformed into an even more dazzling city that never sleeps. Myriad lights suddenly illuminated, illuminating the fairytale castle, roller coaster tracks, and carousel with a dazzling, dreamlike brilliance. Chu Yan looked up at the giant Ferris wheel, which slowly turned. Like a diamond-encrusted crown, it stood silently in the center of the park. The transparent cabin at the highest point seemed to hover beneath the galaxy, reflecting the real stars and exuding a tranquil and alluring allure that was captivating.
"A must-do at the end of a date," Chu Yan turned his head, his gaze fixed on Chu Yu beside him. The neon lights of the theme park danced in his eyes, outlining his perfect profile. His smile seemed particularly deep and charming in the hazy night, carrying a hint of elusive meaning and a subtle invitation. "The Ferris wheel. Legend has it that when it reaches its highest point, if you kiss your loved one, they will keep going forever." He deliberately dragged out his words, his gaze blazing into Chu Yu's slightly dilated pupils. "Want to try going up there?"
Chu Yu followed his gaze, looking at the quiet elevator suspended between the starry sky and the lights. It was like a crystal box, isolated from the world, belonging only to the two of them. He remembered his fingers clasped together in the roller coaster's gusts, the lingering warmth in his palms, and his uncontrollable heartbeat. His Adam's apple rolled uncontrollably again. All logical thinking at this moment turned into background noise. He no longer hesitated, and a fiery determination like a desperate struggle ignited in his deep eyes. His voice was low and firm, like the final hammer:
Chu Yan and Chu Yu walked side by side toward the entrance of the Ferris wheel, shimmering with dreamy light. The hem of Chu Yu's white shirt fluttered slightly in the night breeze, the first button of his collar still buttoned, a symbol of a certain defensiveness not yet completely lowered. However, the serious aura surrounding him had faded, and his eyes were no longer the initial rigid observation and cautious study, replaced by a kind of focus and fiery determination.
Chu Yan remained calm, a smile that showed he was in control of the situation. Only in the depths of his deep eyes, reflecting neon lights and starlight, was there a flicker of anticipation and amusement for the story that was about to unfold in the confined space of the "highest point."
The Ferris wheel's massive cabin door slowly closed before them, like a stage curtain falling, completely isolating them from the outside noise. In the small, quiet, slightly private space, the only sounds were the mingling of their breathing and the dazzling city lights beneath them, spreading silently like a vast star map.
The elevator shuddered gently and began its steady, slow ascent. The bustling paradise beneath them gradually shrank, transforming into a flowing sea of light. Above, the deep night and the seemingly tangible twinkling stars spread. They climbed silently and steadily toward the night sky, gently stained by neon lights, toward that "highest point" filled with countless ambiguous legends and unknown possibilities. The air seemed frozen, yet something was silently brewing.
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