Lu Xi usually didn’t eat too much at night, and Xie Yizhao wasn’t one to overindulge either. The two of them ate leisurely for about an hour before Lu Xi finally set down her chopsticks, leaning back on the sofa with a satisfied look, rubbing her stomach.
“Full?” Xie Yizhao raised an eyebrow at her.
Lu Xi nodded. “Mm, about seventy percent full.”
She had particularly enjoyed the grilled oysters today. Without paying much attention to what Xie Yizhao had just said, she called over the waiter and had the remaining three oysters packed up for Xie Heng.
Xie Yizhao’s gaze paused slightly, but he didn’t say anything, just a hint of helplessness in his expression.
Just now… maybe he had been overthinking. Seeing how content Lu Xi looked, she must have simply found the oysters delicious.
It was him who wasn’t pure-minded enough.
It was all Xie Heng’s fault, filling his head with nonsense. He hadn’t wanted to take it seriously, yet somehow, it had influenced him.
“Is there anything else you’d like to eat?” Xie Yizhao wanted to make up for it. He didn’t want to ruin their rare dinner together.
Lu Xi shook her head.
“Then is there anywhere you’d like to go?” Xie Yizhao thought for a moment. “The cinema? Or maybe shopping?”
At the mention of shopping, Lu Xi’s eyes flickered.
But when she looked at the man in front of her, the light in her eyes quickly dimmed again.
Shopping did sound appealing, but shopping with Xie Yizhao…? She’d rather go with her rebellious son instead. At least she could dress her son up in different styles. Xie Yizhao’s style was too fixed, no fun at all.
After a brief hesitation, she still shook her head.
“How about we just go home? Watch an old movie or take a walk around the neighborhood to digest our food?” Lu Xi suggested with a bright smile.
An old movie…
Xie Yizhao pressed his lips together, discreetly hiding a trace of exasperation in his eyes.
That ‘rebellious son’ had really messed with him. He realized he had developed a conditioned aversion to the word ‘old.’
A stroll in the neighborhood? That sounded like such a dull activity, definitely not something Lu Xi would normally enjoy.
After all, she had rejected his first invitation.
Lu Xi clearly wasn’t interested, she was just accommodating him… this ‘old man’?
Xie Yizhao found it amusing. He stroked his chin, narrowed his eyes slightly, and looked at Lu Xi. “It sounds like you don’t have any particular preferences. How about I decide? I’ll take you somewhere.”
Lu Xi’s eyes lit up with curiosity. “Does it have something to do with my gift?”
She blinked expectantly, leaning forward slightly.
Xie Yizhao’s tone remained casual. “Who knows? Maybe. You’ll find out when we get there.”
Lu Xi looked at him, her expression turning subtly intrigued.
Playing mysterious again…
Tonight, Xie Yizhao was full of surprises.
After paying the bill, they left the restaurant. Lu Xi asked the driver to take the packed food home first, then entrusted herself entirely to Xie Yizhao, letting him take her wherever he pleased.
As the car moved through familiar streets, half an hour passed, yet it still showed no sign of stopping. The surroundings were growing more distant from the city center.
Where exactly were they going?
Lu Xi glanced at Xie Yizhao and joked, “Do I need to close my eyes?”
The man curved his lips slightly, sensing her curiosity. He took her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “We’re almost there.”
Lu Xi had considered many possibilities.
Based on what she knew of Xie Yizhao’s logical, straightforward thinking, a romantic date spot he might come up with would likely be a private movie screening, an exclusive concert, or perhaps an invitation to some high-profile jewelry auction only accessible to VIPs.
She liked all of those options.
But what she hadn’t expected was that when the car finally stopped, she would look up and see a giant Ferris wheel.
At night, the Ferris wheel glowed brilliantly as it slowly rotated, each cabin resembling a tiny illuminated castle.
She was momentarily stunned and turned to Xie Yizhao. “Here? A Ferris wheel?”
Xie Yizhao hummed in acknowledgment, his tone calm as ever. “A friend invested in this amusement park. Apparently, this Ferris wheel is the highlight attraction. The night view is supposed to be spectacular.”
Lu Xi was surprised.
She hadn’t expected someone like Xie Yizhao to think of bringing her to a Ferris wheel. Even she wouldn’t have considered it.
It was too… girlish.
Like something an innocent young girl or a couple in the throes of a fresh romance would visit.
Lu Xi blinked.
Could it be that she and her husband—married for years, with a teenage son already in high school—were now entering a honeymoon phase?
Her mind couldn’t help but wander. Meanwhile, Xie Yizhao had already taken her hand and led her out of the car.
In the night, apart from the Ferris wheel’s bright lights, the rest of the amusement park was dark, illuminated only by the pathway lamps.
Lu Xi suddenly realized something. “Wait… is the park not open at night?”
Xie Yizhao: “It officially opens to the public tomorrow. Tonight, it’s just for us.”
“…”
Lu Xi paused in her steps, an unromantic thought suddenly popping into her head.
So no one had ridden this Ferris wheel before? Was it really safe? She did not want to be a test subject…
Seeing her hesitation, Xie Yizhao immediately understood.
He couldn’t help but chuckle. “Don’t worry. It’s undergone multiple safety tests before being put into use. It’s perfectly safe.”
Lu Xi bit her lip and stubbornly said, “I know that. I wasn’t scared.”
“…”
Xie Yizhao chuckled softly but didn’t expose her.
That bit of pride—Xie Heng had clearly inherited it from her.
Lu Xi ignored whatever was going through Xie Yizhao’s mind. Now that she knew it was safe, she wasn’t just unafraid, she was actually getting excited.
She couldn’t wait to get on and experience it.
Although the place wasn’t officially open tonight, there were dedicated staff members to receive them.
Xie Yizhao got in first, then extended a hand to help Lu Xi into the cabin.
It was Lu Xi’s first time experiencing a Ferris wheel at night. There was no need to wait in line, and the entire Ferris wheel had only the two of them. It felt like a novel experience.
As the Ferris wheel slowly ascended, Lu Xi was surprised to realize that they were right by the river. The view was stunning—just as a ferry passed by, rippling the water into concentric circles.
She wondered which big-shot friend of Xie Yizhao had secured such a prime location. Whoever it was, they must have considerable influence and resources. Business here would surely be booming in the future.
A thought suddenly crossed her mind.
“I wonder if Xie Heng likes places like this. Are there roller coasters? A haunted house? A pendulum ride?” Lu Xi mused. “It must be fun to visit during the day too.”
Xie Yizhao withdrew his gaze from the window and looked at her profile.
There was a tiny brown mole on her ear, so small that one would only notice it upon close inspection. Her eyelashes were remarkably curled from the side, and when she smiled, two delicate dimples appeared at the corners of her lips.
The first time he realized how adorable she was had been on their wedding day—when she, slightly tipsy, had stumbled into his arms in her wedding dress.
The atmosphere tonight was perfect.
He had no intention of bringing up that rebellious son right now.
So, he simply ignored the first half of Lu Xi’s sentence and instead said, “I remember you were afraid of Ferris wheels during the day. Are you afraid of heights?”
Lu Xi was momentarily stunned.
She bit her lip.
Oh no. How did he even remember this little thing about her? Had she ever mentioned it in front of him?
“I’m not really that scared, just a little bit,” she said awkwardly, brushing her hair back.
In truth, she did have a fear of heights—quite a serious one. She wouldn’t dare get on a Ferris wheel during the day; her legs would go weak. Even in shopping malls, those transparent sightseeing elevators made her nervous.
Strangely enough, she had no problem with roller coasters, pendulum rides, or drop towers. It was only the slow ascent and descent that unsettled her.
Xie Yizhao chuckled at her stubborn denial.
“…” Lu Xi was speechless.
What was so funny about being afraid of heights?
She deliberately turned her face away, gazing out the window on her side, deciding to ignore him for the moment. But just then, he leaned over and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.
His breath was warm, brushing against her ear and the back of her neck. It tickled. Her hands instinctively clenched together.
“Are you happy with tonight’s date?” Xie Yizhao asked softly.
Lu Xi’s thoughts wandered. She suddenly recalled those old-school CEO romance novels she had read before.
The classic line from the domineering male lead : “Woman, are you satisfied with what you see?”
She couldn’t hold back and burst out laughing.
Xie Yizhao was momentarily puzzled by her reaction. He pressed his lips together, thinking—he hadn’t said anything funny just now, had he?
Or… was she unhappy with his arrangements tonight?
Fortunately, Lu Xi quickly composed herself. She knew her sense of humor was a bit odd, so she didn’t bother explaining. Instead, she cleverly placed a quick kiss on his cheek and said cheerfully, “I love it. Let’s come again next time.”
Nothing could be a better compliment than that.
Xie Yizhao lowered his gaze at her. Sometimes, he thought she was truly good at coaxing people.
He could easily imagine how attractive she was to men.
If she were dealing with some young, impulsive guy, he’d probably be completely overwhelmed by now. Fortunately, Xie Yizhao was more composed, not the type to rush into things recklessly.
The Ferris wheel continued its slow ascent.
After about five minutes, they reached the highest point.
Lu Xi was obviously still a little nervous. The higher they went, the closer she leaned against him. Xie Yizhao was tall, his broad shoulders making her seem even smaller in comparison.
“It’s alright, don’t be scared,” he reassured her, gently stroking her hair.
Lu Xi looked up at him with an expression of stubborn defiance. “Who… who’s scared? You’re the one who’s scared.”
Xie Yizhao chuckled.
He had been keeping his composure.
For ten whole seconds.
Then, he finally gave in, leaning down to kiss her.
Lu Xi had sensed it coming before he even moved.
After all, wasn’t it an unwritten rule that couples (or, in their case, married couples) kissed on Ferris wheels? Besides, the atmosphere tonight was just too romantic. Even though she was somewhat prepared, she still felt lightheaded during the kiss, a slight dizziness washing over her.
Because she was nervous, she practically put all her weight on him, finding an unexpected sense of security in his arms.
She wasn’t sure how long the kiss lasted.
She only knew that by the time it ended, the Ferris wheel was already descending.
Lu Xi reached up to rub her lips.
It… actually felt quite nice.
The only frustrating thing was that her phone in her pocket kept vibrating, interrupting her focus.
Who was so clueless?
Annoyed, she pulled out her phone to check, but before she could look, Xie Yizhao’s voice rang softly above her.
“Xixi.”
Lu Xi lifted her gaze.
Maybe it was because of the lingering warmth of the kiss, but the sharp lines of his face looked much softer. His gaze had darkened slightly, and his voice carried a deep gentleness, like the night breeze—cool yet tender.
“I know I’m not young anymore,” he said, “but there are still so many things I want to experience with you. So…”
He paused, meeting her eyes. Then, he said, “Please don’t give up on me too soon, alright?”
Lu Xi was stunned.
She felt like she couldn’t quite follow his train of thought.
Not young anymore? Who said that?
Look at his face, his build, he was still in his prime! Handsome, well-proportioned… At the very least, he was more attractive than 90% of men.
She had no idea what his abs looked like under his shirt, but at least he didn’t have a beer belly. That alone was already a win.
Who told him she was going to give up on him?
Who was stirring up trouble in front of Xie Yizhao? If she found out, she would definitely knock that person’s head off!
“How could that be…” Lu Xi opened her mouth, trying to reassure Xie Yizhao, but found herself at a loss for words.
His question was so absurd that even language felt inadequate.
Might as well use actions to explain instead…
As the Ferris wheel neared the ground, Lu Xi decided to take the initiative and return his kiss.
She tilted her face up, gently tugging at Xie Yizhao’s tie. He understood immediately, his gaze darkening as he leaned down to meet her. Lu Xi was just about to close her eyes—
Buzz!
Her phone vibrated again!
Lu Xi was instantly furious. She picked up the phone and glanced at it—first stunned, then amused in exasperation.
It was all WeChat messages.
From the same person.
Blue-Haired Brat : [How’s it going? Are you guys still on your date? How’s my dad doing?]
Blue-Haired Brat : [I’m home now. I already finished all the oysters. Why aren’t you two back yet?]
Blue-Haired Brat : [Why aren’t you replying? Did my Dad make you mad?]
Lu Xi gritted her teeth and typed back furiously:
Me : [Don’t you dare sleep! Wait for me! I’m coming home to whip you with your Dad’s belt!]
This time, Xie Heng had learned his lesson. By the time Lu Xi got home, the butler informed her that Xie Heng had already gone upstairs to sleep.
“Young Master instructed that he will lock his door and that no one should disturb his sleep.”
Lu Xi : “…”
She was both amused and annoyed, deciding to settle the score with the brat tomorrow.
After returning to the bedroom with Xie Yizhao, she hadn’t expected him to calm her emotions in another way.
He took out another gift, a pair of pink diamond earrings.
Lu Xi was in the dressing room, about to change clothes when Xie Yizhao knocked and entered, holding a small jewelry box.
She was puzzled. She hadn’t thought much of it at first, but the moment she opened the box, her eyes lit up.
Heart-shaped pink diamonds, encircled by dazzling smaller diamonds.
It was exactly the color and style she loved!
Lu Xi froze for a moment, then raised an eyebrow at him. “This is also a gift?”
Xie Yizhao responded naturally, “Mm, I wasn’t sure if you’d like the previous one, so this was my backup plan.”
Lu Xi frowned slightly, unsure whether to admire or scold him.
Xie Yizhao, a man so meticulous that he even prepared two gifts for his wife, just in case.
But who cared? Getting two gifts was always a win!
Lu Xi was undoubtedly the biggest winner here. She happily put on the earrings and admired herself in the mirror, tilting her head at different angles.
“They look great. I saw them at an auction and thought they’d suit you perfectly.”
Xie Yizhao reached out and lightly touched the earring.
Whether intentional or not, his fingers brushed against her earlobe. His hands were cool, likely freshly washed, and the touch sent a tiny shiver through Lu Xi.
She pressed her lips together and said softly, “Thank you, I really like them.”
Xie Yizhao had put a lot of thought into tonight’s date.
The only hiccup had been the awkward atmosphere during dinner. Thinking of this, Lu Xi chuckled, “Don’t worry, next time I won’t order oysters. I just realized you don’t like them.”
His eyes flickered, suddenly turning a little enigmatic.
With a faint smile, he said, “It’s not that I don’t like them. It’s just… you seem unaware of the rumored effects of oysters.”
Lu Xi blinked in confusion. “Huh?”
Weren’t oysters just seafood? What effects?
Seeing her clueless expression, Xie Yizhao pinched the bridge of his nose with a sigh.
Apparently finding it a bit awkward himself, he lowered his voice and whispered two words to her.
Lu Xi : !!!
What?!
She really didn’t know!
“I swear, I didn’t mean it! I had no idea!” Lu Xi hurriedly explained, finally understanding why Xie Yizhao had reacted that way earlier. It was mortifying.
“I know.” Xie Yizhao cleared his throat and glanced at her, his tone carrying a natural hint of teasing. “Besides, I don’t need it at all.”
Lu Xi : “…”
She got his meaning loud and clear.
The real problem was that, at this moment, she could feel a strange, subtle tension between them.
It was as if something unseen was ready to ignite, and if they went with the flow, tonight might just take an unexpected turn…
But before anything could happen, a desperate wail rang out from upstairs.
“You’ve got to be kidding me! Why is physics so hard?! Physics and I are sworn enemies!”
Lu Xi licked her lips, noticing that Xie Yizhao’s expression darkened in an instant.
Apparently, their house had poor soundproofing…