Oko noticed the fleetingly strange expression on Ye Chen's face. She then gently took his hand and asked with tender concern:
"What's wrong?"
"For just a moment there, you looked... really sad."
"You can always talk to me, you know!"
Ye Chen fell silent for a moment. Then, after taking a deep breath, he answered calmly:
"It's nothing more than a slight bout of sentimentality. There's nothing to talk about, but... thank you."
Oko showed her understanding and did not press him further.
"Mm, I understand."
Afterward, Ye Chen gazed out the window at the cityscape blooming with splendor for a while longer. Then he suddenly changed the subject and spoke to Oko.
"Oh, right, Oko."
"Come to think of it."
"I remember you saying a long time ago that part of the reason you fell for me was my appearance, wasn't it?"
Ye Chen's abrupt shift in topic caught Oko completely off guard.
"Huh?"
Her cheeks immediately flushed faintly. Twirling a lock of hair around her finger, she asked back in a soft, somewhat shy voice:
"Oh, you. Why did you suddenly bring that up?"
Without changing expression, Ye Chen said:
"You answer me first."
At that, Oko immediately protested coquettishly:
"Ah, honestly! You suddenly ask something so embarrassing, and you're being so forceful about it too! What on earth is wrong with you?!"
"Fine, fine, I admit it. It's exactly as you said!"
"After all, who doesn't like beautiful things?"
"And besides, don't you feel the same way about me? That answer should satisfy you now, right?"
"So now it's your turn to explain why you suddenly asked!"
After hearing her out, Ye Chen paused briefly before answering in a low voice.
"Hah... It's like this. Last night, I had a strange dream."
Oko raised her brows, and