The livestream chat stayed rowdy all night, until the new dawn rose and lit up the entire villa living room through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
When Song Nianxing came downstairs, Shen Siyi was just packing the sandwiches he had prepared into takeaway boxes.
"Morning, Senior Shen." Song Nianxing walked toward Shen Siyi. Seeing the several boxes in his hands, he reached out to help carry them. "What's this? Why did you prepare so much?"
Shen Siyi dodged his hands. "I've got it. This is our lunch-yours, mine, and the camera operator's who'll be following us."
"Oh," Song Nianxing said. "The camera operator will be coming along on our date today, too."
Shen Siyi naturally understood that he was worried the "pervert" might very well be among the camera crew, but he still couldn't resist teasing him. He smiled. "What? You don't even want the camera operator anymore? You only want me?"
Song Nianxing, however, thought he hadn't understood what he meant. He hurriedly nodded, then emphasized it again. "The camera operator is someone else, too... Senior Shen, you know, I... I only trust you now. Just you. Is that okay?"
Hearing that, Shen Siyi drew out a hiss, then said with some regret, "This time, probably... not."
At his answer, Song Nianxing lowered his head, visibly disappointed. "Okay... That's true. We're still filming a show." He murmured, then quickly raised his head again. His eyes shone with hope as he looked at Shen Siyi. "Then... then, Senior Shen, could you please not leave me alone later, no matter what happens?"
Shen Siyi glanced at the dark circles beneath his eyes, clearly traces of a poor night's sleep.
Tsk, his poor Nianxing.
But that's all right. With me following him today, he won't get "scared"~
Narrowing his eyes slightly, Shen Siyi smiled gently again and replied, "I was about to say that to you later. I didn't expect you to say it first."
As he spoke, he held out his free hand. "Since we're both scared, come on. Big friend and little friend, please hold hands properly. That way, neither of us will get left behind."
Song Nianxing paused, then held out his own hand.
"Scared? You're scared too, Senior Shen? Why? Does it have something to do with where we're going on our date today? Where are we going?"
Shen Siyi chuckled and led him toward the entryway.
"You'll find out in a bit?"
The two got into the car, while the livestream chat, unaware of the deeper meaning behind their conversation just now, went a little wild.
[Aaaaah, isn't watching this first thing in the morning a little too luxurious?!!]
[Not luxurious at all. Shipping "Gleaming Starlight" keeps you living the good life. Song Nianxing actually wants a date with just Shen Siyi. Wow, wow, he doesn't even want the camera operator anymore. Then what are we supposed to watch?]
[Hahaha, maybe he wants to do something we're not allowed to watch. Has Song Nianxing suddenly caught on? Why is he so clingy and forward with Shen Siyi today?]
[Maybe it's because of that hug last night. I feel like the nasty comments made him cry, and then Shen Siyi comforted him, so he felt how good Shen Siyi was to him. Does anyone understand how swoonworthy Shen Siyi's "big friend and little friend, hold hands properly" was?! Waaaah, he really is everyone's dream man. He gets it so well, he's so good at this, and he's so gentle. Let me have some of that!]
[Holy shit, holy shit, it's an amusement park!! Song Nianxing said in an interview that he really wanted to go to an amusement park!! This is solid proof that Shen Siyi has a secret crush on Song Nianxing.]
After the car stopped, Song Nianxing couldn't help being stunned by the view outside the window, too.
"This..."
He was somewhat at a loss for words. The moment he turned back, he saw Shen Siyi taking out a black mask, ready to put it on him.
The skin behind his ears quickly warmed where those fingertips had brushed it. Song Nianxing looked at Shen Siyi. The lower half of Shen Siyi's face was now covered as well, leaving only his beautiful, auspicious phoenix eyes exposed. Those eyes blinked twice, then curved into two crescents.
"Come on. Let's escape the world outside together."
He took Song Nianxing's hand again.
They arrived inside the amusement park. Since it was a weekday, there weren't many people, and plenty of rides required no waiting in line.
First, the roller coaster.
Second, the drop tower.
Third, the giant pendulum.
After going on who knew how many rides in a row, Song Nianxing relaxed completely.
Only when he left the ground and drew closer to the sky did he feel free.
He could shout and scream without restraint.
There was only Shen Siyi beside him. No one would curse him or smear him, much less harass him like a pervert.
It was safe. He liked it very much.
"Thank you, Senior Shen."
After finishing another ride, Song Nianxing could no longer hold back his thanks to Shen Siyi.
"I've always really wanted to come to an amusement park. When I was little, I made a promise with... with a friend that we'd come here to play, but we never had the chance. Today, that dream came true, so thank you so much, Senior Shen!"
When he was little, he and Jiang Jingzhe often helped sell raincoats at the amusement park entrance to earn a little money in tips. Seeing so many parents leading their children in and out of the amusement park, their faces full of happiness and joy, they promised that once they had money, they would go inside and have fun, too.
But after they had money, he asked Jiang Jingzhe every year, and Jiang Jingzhe always put him off by saying it was too childish, it wasn't interesting, or he didn't have time.
Once, he finally pestered Jiang Jingzhe into agreeing, only for Jiang Jingzhe to suddenly receive an audition for a role just before they left.
That role was the character that had made Jiang Jingzhe hugely popular this year. That made their trip to the amusement park even more impossible. Their statuses were different, and if they were photographed, it would definitely cause another considerable uproar.
So he hadn't thought about it again.
But he hadn't expected that today, Shen Siyi would fulfill with him the promise that had fallen through with Jiang Jingzhe.
"Then, in that case, I should thank him for not keeping his promise. That let me become your first-the first man to go to an amusement park with you. From now on, when amusement parks come up, you'll think of me first, won't you?"
The two found a place to sit and rest. Shen Siyi propped his chin on one hand as he spoke leisurely.
Song Nianxing paused. Only after looking at Shen Siyi did he realize that Shen Siyi looked unwell enough for it to show even through his mask.
He hurriedly reached out and removed one side of Shen Siyi's mask. Seeing his dismally pale face, even his breath caught. "Senior Shen, you..."
The hand Shen Siyi had been using to prop up his chin slowly closed around Song Nianxing's wrist, and he brought his cheek closer to his palm. "It's okay. I'm just afraid of heights. I'll be fine after resting a little. You haven't answered me yet. So, when amusement parks come up again, will you think of that friend first, or me?"
As he asked, a barely perceptible stubbornness entered his tone.
Hearing him, Song Nianxing was instantly filled with guilt. "You. Of course it'll be you. Let's... let's go back and rest first?"
At his answer, Shen Siyi instantly smiled in satisfaction and nuzzled his hand reassuringly. "It's okay. I'll be fine after resting a little. Besides, my legs are weak right now. I can't walk. If we have to go back, you'll have to carry me on your back."
"Of course. I'll carry you!" Without another word, Song Nianxing made to stand.
Shen Siyi fell silent for a moment. "...I was joking. Could we sit a little longer?"
Catching sight of two figures out of the corner of his eye, his gaze darkened. Then he sighed again, sounding a little pitiful. "No, I still don't feel well. Nianxing, could you sit closer and let me lean on you for a while?"
Song Nianxing pressed his lips together and hesitated for a moment, then nodded and moved his seat much closer to Shen Siyi.
A second after Shen Siyi leaned against his shoulder, a familiar voice reached their ears.
"Senior Shen, Nianxing, it really is you!"
Before you continue