Spoiled for choice

"Ah... the day after tomorrow? Yes, I'm free every day." Though she didn't know why Lin Yu was asking, she still answered seriously.

"It's just... uh... my friend told me about a really popular attraction lately, and I thought, since I haven't taken you out in a while, we could go together this time..." Lin Yu gestured wildly as he explained, his hands almost leaving afterimages.

"Um, Lin Yu, slow down. There's no rush." Firefly didn't understand why Lin Yu had come back from his outing so nervous.

"Sorry, sorry. I'm a little nervous." Lin Yu scratched his head and gave an awkward smile.

Even though he'd decided to do it, actually doing it still made him nervous.

"It's fine. You said the day after tomorrow, right? Sure. I've been cooped up at home lately anyway, and I'm getting a little bored."

"Great! Then we'll go together!" Lin Yu readily agreed, cheering himself on inwardly. The first step's done. Good job, Lin Yu!

"Oh, right. Where are we going?" Firefly asked curiously. She was rather curious about what place could get Lin Yu so excited that he couldn't wait to take her there.

"That's a secret for now. You'll know when we get there." Lin Yu didn't tell her where they were going. He wanted to keep a little mystery so there would be a surprise when the time came.

"All right..." Though she was curious, there was nothing she could do if Lin Yu wouldn't tell her. She could only wait until the day after tomorrow.

Once they had settled things, Firefly went to the kitchen to start making dinner, while Lin Yu sat down in the living room, opened his computer, and quietly began preparing his plan.

Waiting always felt endless. The day after inviting Firefly out, Lin Yu rode his bike to a nearby mall as soon as he finished work. Tomorrow was an important day, after all, so he wanted to spruce himself up. Of course, he also needed to prepare a gift!

A gift was essential! Who confessed without preparing a gift? Those were Wang Haonan's exact words.

Though Lin Yu had his doubts, after thinking it over, he figured he could get a gift. Come to think of it, apart from the pajamas he'd given her before, he'd never given Firefly a proper gift.

Walking into the mall, he was dazzled by the sheer variety of goods, and his indecisiveness kicked in.

So he decided to... call in backup!

He opened his phone and messaged Lin Yuyou directly. Her high school allowed students to bring phones to school, but they weren't allowed to use them in class. Still, knowing Lin Yuyou, she was probably...

Not long after he sent the message, a reply arrived. Little sister: [What's up, big brother? Why the sudden message?]

Big brother: [Are you in class?]

[Yeah, English. It's so boring ། - _ - །]

Just as he'd expected, but he wouldn't lecture her this time. He needed her help, after all.

[Let me ask you something. What do girls usually like?]

The reply came quickly. [Oh~ Are you buying something for Sister Firefly? („ಡωಡ„)]

[Don't worry about that. Just tell me.]

[Tch~ So cold. But since you've asked so sincerely, big brother, I suppose I'll reluctantly tell you~]

[Actually, you don't need to be picky when you're giving Sister Firefly something. A gift is just a token of your feelings. It's the thought that counts. If she likes you, she'll like whatever you give her. If she doesn't, nothing you give her will help.]

A long while after she sent that message, Lin Yu finally replied. [Okay, got it. Also, I'm not confessing, and it's not for Firefly!]

Lin Yuyou nearly laughed aloud at the message. Holding back her laughter, she replied, [OK, OK, I know it's not. ( ￣ ▽￣)]

Xu Ning, who was keeping watch for her, saw Lin Yuyou clutching her stomach with her head buried and her body shaking. Thinking she was unwell, she asked, "Yuyou! What's wrong? Are you feeling sick?!"

"I'm fine, I'm fine. I'm just so happy~" Happy didn't begin to cover it. She was laughing so hard she could barely breathe.

Xu Ning: "Huh? What's got you laughing so happily?"

"Phew~" Lin Yuyou caught her breath and said, "I'm happy because I'm about to get a sister-in-law."

Xu Ning: "Huh? A sister-in-law?"

Meanwhile, Lin Yu put away his phone and sighed softly. He understood what his little sister meant, but that still didn't solve the question of what to choose!

Lin Yu walked through the mall in frustration. Just then, a voice reached his ears. "Come take a look! Get three photos taken at our studio and get one extra free! Take five and get two free! Ten photos are half price!"

"Photos..." Seeing the photo studio, Lin Yu sank deep into thought, then suddenly saw the light. "That's it! I know what to prepare!"

On the day of their date-uh... outing-Lin Yu got up early, went out for a haircut, and changed into an outfit in a different style from his usual clothes.

He was now in the bathroom, looking in the mirror and fiddling with his new hairstyle. To be honest, this was his first time trying a different hairstyle, and he was a little worried. Will Firefly think it looks ugly...?

Just then, a sleepy-eyed Firefly walked into the bathroom and saw Lin Yu inside. She stared for a moment before her eyes widened.

"G-good morning, Firefly~" Lin Yu greeted her a little awkwardly.

"Mm... morning..." Firefly responded somewhat blankly.

Lin Yu said, "Um, you go ahead. I'll leave!"

With that, Lin Yu hurried out of the bathroom, completely failing to notice the faint blush on Firefly's cheeks as she stood rooted to the spot.

After he left, Firefly pressed both hands to her burning cheeks, looking a little flustered. Aah~ That gave me such a fright~

It wasn't that Lin Yu had actually frightened her. Seeing him looking so handsome first thing in the morning had made her heart skip a beat.

Before, Lin Yu's bangs had been fairly long, often half covering his eyes and giving him a melancholy air. Now that he'd changed his hairstyle, those bright, dark eyes were no longer hidden, and he looked much sunnier and more handsome.

Firefly, oh, Firefly, how can your resolve be so weak? You almost broke your vow!

You meant to keep these feelings buried in your heart forever, but you almost couldn't hold back!

"Phew~ I'd better be more careful from now on. But..." As she spoke, Firefly crept guiltily to the doorway and poked her head out to look into the living room. Lin Yu was standing there with his head lowered, using his phone, seemingly chatting with someone.

Firefly took out her phone and snapped a photo of his profile while he wasn't looking, then immediately ran back into the bathroom.

Looking at the photo she'd taken, Firefly's eyes curved and the corners of her mouth lifted. There's nothing wrong with getting myself a little treat, right?

After washing up, she returned to her room to change. Since she was going out with Lin Yu today, she took extra care choosing her clothes. But no matter how she looked, she only had those few outfits, and she still couldn't decide what to wear after all that time.

She glanced at the time and was startled, hurriedly rummaging through her wardrobe. She hadn't expected choosing clothes to take half an hour. It wouldn't be good to keep Lin Yu waiting too long!

Yet no matter how she searched, she couldn't find anything suitable. Then she noticed a shopping bag in the corner. Looking at it, she finally remembered that she'd bought it while out with Yuyou a few days ago. The clothes had been so expensive that she hadn't had the heart to take them out for everyday wear, but now was the perfect time!

She took out the clothes, held them up, and spread them out for a look. I wonder if Lin Yu will like this outfit?