Lemon Soda Candy - 78

Upon learning they were at the arcade, the rest of the group finished their meal and hurried over. A large crowd of them played together inside for over half an hour.

Zhou Anran watched Chen Luobai play the basketball shooting game for a while, then he taught her how to shoot a few hoops herself. By the time it was almost 9 p.m., the group finally left the arcade and ambled toward a nearby bus stop.

The moon was bright and the stars sparse that night, suggesting another sunny day tomorrow.

About halfway there, Zhu Ran suddenly spoke up: "Should we go on a picnic tomorrow? The weather's perfect, and it's been ages since we've hung out properly."

"I'm in! Count me in," Huang Shujie volunteered enthusiastically.

Sheng Xiaowen chimed in, "If you wanted a picnic, why didn't you suggest it earlier? There was a supermarket right by the arcade; we could've bought supplies."

"Don't worry about the supplies, leave it to Chen Luobai. Our young master Chen can arrange it," Zhu Ran said, his gaze drifting toward the two lagging behind at the end of the group. "Besides, he really should treat us, shouldn't he?"

Tang Jianrui nodded in agreement. "True, under these circumstances, it's only right he treats us. Right, Luo-ge?"

Chen Luobai chuckled. "I should, indeed."

He paused, then tilted his head toward the girl beside him, who seemed to be blushing again. "Do you want to go tomorrow?"

Zhou Anran touched her ear.

They had just finished midterms, so a little break was justified. Plus, she realized she hadn't actually gone out to have fun with him before.

"Let's go."

"Alright then. We'll figure out the specifics; where to go, what food to bring, later in a group chat," Zhu Ran said. His eyes then fell on the large bag of plushies in Chen Luobai's hand, which looked utterly incongruous with his usual cool demeanor, and he suddenly burst out laughing. "Oh, right, Zhou Anran, did you know Chen Luobai learned his claw machine skills for a girl?"

Zhou Anran's steps faltered slightly.

Logically, she knew there had to be more to the story, otherwise, Zhu Ran would be helping him keep it secret, not bringing it up himself. But emotionally, for some reason, she couldn't quite suppress a faint, sour twinge.

Just what were the circumstances that had led him to learn claw machine skills for a girl?

Chen Luobai shot Zhu Ran a flat look, then turned his attention back to the girl beside him. "Don't mind him. That girl is only six years old, she's my niece."

Zhou Anran: "…"

Yan Xingxi suddenly piped up, "What a coincidence! Ranran also has a six-year-old niece."

Chen Luobai glanced at Zhou Anran again. "Really? That is a coincidence."

Zhou Anran nodded. "Mm."

"Oh, right, Ranran," Yan Xingxi added, as if suddenly remembering something, "Next time you visit your cousin, remember to check if that supermarket still has those soda candies!"

Zhou Anran: "!"

She had been too embarrassed to tell Yan Xingxi and the others the whole story about the soda candies back then, and she hadn't found the courage to confess it to him just now either. She never expected Yan Xingxi to bring it up so abruptly. Trying to stop her now would be too late and too obvious.

Sure enough, out of the corner of her eye, she saw the boy beside her halt his steps, his gaze seeming to land on her for a moment.

Zhou Anran lowered her head.

"Soda candy?" Chen Luobai paused. "Is it a Japanese brand?"

Yan Xingxi, somewhat surprised, replied, "Yeah, have you had that candy too?"

Chen Luobai glanced at the girl whose head was now bowed even lower, his fingers tightening slightly at his side. "I've had the fortune of tasting two pieces."

Zhang Shuxian and Sheng Xiaowen, curious, joined in.

"What soda candy? Is it good?"

"Did Ranran give you some? How come we never got any?"

"It's super good! It tastes just like soda, with little bubbles that actually pop in your mouth. Ranran only brought me some once," Yan Xingxi recalled. "It was around midterms last semester, I think? I finished it over the weekend and didn't bring any to school. Later, when she went back, the supermarket was sold out. We didn't remember the brand name either, so we couldn't order it online."

Zhang Shuxian looked disappointed. "Now you've made me want to try it too. Ranran, you have to check next time you go."

Zhou Anran forced a nod. "Okay."

As they talked, the group reached the bus stop.

Everyone filed onto the platform. Just as Zhou Anran stepped up to join them, she felt her backpack get tugged again.

She turned around and immediately puffed out her cheeks. "Why are you pulling my rabbit again?"

Chen Luobai let go of her rabbit plushie and took a step closer, his voice low and his expression unreadable. "What else are you hiding from me?"

Zhou Anran: "…"

A pang of guilt shot through her.

"Nothing else."

Chen Luobai: "Really?"

Zhou Anran shook her head. "Really, nothing."

After speaking, she secretly glanced up and saw his jawline was tense again.

She was just wondering how to placate him when the boy's large hand rose and ruffled her hair firmly.

Zhou Anran wrinkled her nose. "You messed up my hair again."

Chen Luobai looked at her, his eyes seeming darker and deeper than usual. "Right now, I want to do more than just mess up your hair."

Zhou Anran blinked. "What else do you want to do?"

Seeing her wary little expression, the corners of his lips quirked up despite himself. "You'd better not ask," he said in a low voice.

Zhou Anran: "…?"

It was probably something not good again.

"Ranran," Yan Anran called out, "The bus is here. Are you two done talking?"

Zhou Anran turned and saw a Number 16 bus that would pass near her home slowly approaching.

She looked up at him again. He seemed to be in a slightly better mood, which eased her mind a little. "I'm heading back now. I'll message you online later," she said softly.

Chen Luobai gave an "Mm" of acknowledgment.

Zhou Anran boarded the bus after Yan Xingxi.

The bus was unusually empty, with only two other passengers in sight. Just as Zhou Anran was about to move further in, a familiar, refreshing scent enveloped her from behind.

Zhou Anran whirled around and saw Chen Luobai had followed her onto the bus.

Surprised and delighted, she asked, "Why did you get on too?"

Chen Luobai: "Why are you suddenly being silly? Of course, to see you home."

Yan Xingxi heard this and glanced back, a slightly disdainful tone in her voice. "Why are you so clingy?"

Perhaps thinking it was because she'd exposed the truth about last semester's basketball game tonight, she pursed her lips. "Whatever, I'll let you have Ranran tonight. I'll sit up front; you two can take the back."

Zhou Anran ended up sitting with him in the first row of double seats at the back.

The bus soon started moving again.

Zhou Anran sat by the window. She turned to look outside, watching the neon lights of the city streets rapidly recede, seeing the handsome profile of the boy reflected in the window, and seeing herself sitting side-by-side with him.

She also saw him looking at her.

The next day, the weather was indeed beautiful.

The sky was clear, and there wasn't a cloud in sight.

The young master surnamed Chen had arranged for a tourist bus. The driver set out early in the morning, following the addresses provided, picking up all ten people from across half the city before carrying them all together to a resort hotel in the suburbs.

They would stay there for one night. They could have a picnic by the waterfall halfway up the mountain at noon and stargaze together in the glass house in the evening.

The journey wasn't short, and it was already 10 a.m. by the time they reached the hotel.

Everyone was in high spirits, excited for this rare outing. After dropping their luggage and taking a brief rest, they decided to head straight to the mountainside for the picnic.

The hotel had already prepared the necessary utensils and ingredients. The boys didn't bother having the staff deliver them; each carrying a case, they all took the shuttle down.

Mid-November wasn't peak tourist season.

The quiet mountainside, silent for so long, suddenly grew lively again that morning.

"Rui Rui, you're stealing food before the tablecloth is even laid properly?!" Huang Shujie suddenly yelled.

Tang Jianrui shot back, "Dammit, I learned from you! Don't think we didn't all see you sneak a piece of meat earlier."

"Where are the ice cubes? The ice cubes?" Zhang Shuxian called out. "I'll mix us some drinks."

Zhou Anran pushed the ice cube tray over. "Here they are."

Zhang Shuxian tossed a bunch of things into a large glass bowl, then called out again, "Where's the Yakult? Someone hand it to me."

Sheng Xiaowen passed the Yakult over.

Bao Kun looked skeptical. "Are you sure this is drinkable?"

"Of course," Zhang Shuxian said with certainty. "It's going to be amazing."

Once the drinks were mixed, everyone got a glass.

Sheng Xiaowen proposed a toast: "Let's make a toast. To all of us getting into our ideal universities!"

"Sure."

"Good idea."

Ten glasses clinked together with a clear, crisp sound.

The voices of the teenagers rang out just as clearly and pleasantly: "To all of us getting into our ideal universities!"

After the toast, their ideal universities would have to wait a bit longer. Everyone bent their heads, starting to search for their favorite foods to eat.

Tang Jianrui picked up a chicken drumstick. After nibbling on it for a moment, he suddenly said, "Isn't it a bit boring just eating like this? Should we have some background music?"

"Or maybe someone should sing?" Huang Shujie suggested.

Bao Kun shook his head vigorously. "Forget it. With you guys' singing skills, better not."

"Who says? Luo-ge sings really well, doesn't he?" Huang Shujie retorted, unconvinced.

Tang Jianrui: "But that's only if Luo-ge is willing to sing. Begging him might not even work."

Zhu Ran lifted his chin. "Usually, begging him might not work, but Zhou Anran is here today, isn't she?"

Zhou Anran: "…?"

Chen Luobai casually grabbed a bag of potato chips and threw it at him, laughing as he scolded, "Cut it out. Don't you know she gets shy easily?"

"We don't need to know how easily she gets shy," Zhu Ran said, catching the chips with a grin. "You knowing is enough."

Shao Zilin clicked his tongue. "Tsk tsk tsk, Luo-ge is so protective. Won't even let us tease her a little."

"Exactly," Tang Jianrui agreed. "Sing us a song, and we'll stop."

"Yeah, 'Sis—' Ahem," Huang Shujie coughed lightly, "Zhou Anran, you haven't heard him sing yet, have you?"

Chen Luobai tilted his head to look at the slightly blushing girl beside him. "Do you want to hear me sing?"

Zhou Anran genuinely hadn't heard him sing before, so she nodded. "I'd like that."

"What do you want to hear?" Chen Luobai asked her.

Zhou Anran didn't know what he could sing. "Anything is fine."

Chen Luobai took out his phone and scrolled for a moment.

Soon, a soothing instrumental accompaniment started, followed by the boy's low, pleasant voice. It was a Cantonese song.

Zhou Anran couldn't understand the lyrics, but sitting right next to Chen Luobai, she could see the lyrics on his phone screen.

"You remain silent, but please speak your sorrows

If reality falls short of hopes, do not be afraid

I will still listen calmly

I will stay by your side,sharing your joys and sorrows in resonance."

The melody of this song wasn't particularly fluctuating, but sung by him in such a low voice, it had a captivating, tell it slowly and patiently quality.

The noisy mountainside fell quiet again.

"And still I say I am fortunate—"

After singing this line, Zhou Anran saw the boy, who had been looking down at the lyrics, suddenly turn his gaze toward her.

The corners of Chen Luobai's lips seemed to curve into a very faint smile.

As their eyes met, Zhou Anran heard him sing the next line—

"You will always surpass others."

The song ended.

Zhou Anran's heartbeat quickened considerably.

Tang Jianrui reached for another chicken drumstick. "I was wrong. This isn't just singing; this is a slaughterhouse for single dogs."

"Exactly," Huang Shujie raised his hand. "I strongly request that Luo-ge be forbidden from singing anymore."

Chen Luobai put his phone away. "Are you all insane? Weren't you the ones begging me to sing?"

"Don't use us as an excuse when you wanted to sing for Zhou Anran," Zhu Ran exposed him.

Zhou Anran: "…?"

Yan Xingxi, unable to stand them teasing her friend any longer, came to the rescue. "How about nobody sings anymore? I'll just play some music for background noise."

The boys didn't object.

"Fine by me."

"The food is the main point anyway."

Yan Xingxi opened a music streaming app.

The first line of a song soon reached everyone's ears.

"If I'm not like the rest of the world, then let me be different."

This song had been played countless times on streets and in alleys, and the school broadcast station had played it countless times in the early mornings or afternoons. Almost everyone knew how to sing it. When the chorus arrived, someone started humming along, and it somehow turned into a group sing-along.

"Me and my stubborn pride

I sing loudly into the wind

This time, going crazy for myself

Just this once, me and my stubborn pride."

The picnic lasted from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.

No one was in a hurry to return to the hotel.

Some gathered together to play doudizhu* over the remaining food, the losers had to stick paper strips on their faces; some went off in pairs to take photos; some went to play by the stream...

(*It is a shedding-type card game where players compete to be the first to empty their hand.) 

 

And two people lay down on a long mat spread over the grass to sunbathe.

The afternoon sun was a bit more intense than the morning's.

After lying there for a while, Zhou Anran felt her face getting a little too warm. She thought about using her hand to block the sun but felt too lazy to move.

As if by some telepathy, a large hand suddenly reached over and shaded her face, casting a small patch of shadow over it.

Chen Luobai's voice sounded very close. "Why did you secretly put those two candies in my desk?"

Zhou Anran looked at the fine lines on his palm and replied softly, "Because you looked so unhappy that day."

"Just because of that?" Chen Luobai asked.

Zhou Anran: "Mm."

Chen Luobai was quiet for a second. "Silly."

Zhou Anran: "…?"

The boy's hand suddenly withdrew, the shadow disappearing from her face. Then, a much larger shadow fell over her. Zhou Anran stared blankly at the boy who was now half-leaning over her. "What are you doing?"

Chen Luobai: "Open your mouth."

Zhou Anran: "…?"

"What are you actually trying to do?"

"Open your mouth first." Chen Luobai paused, then the corners of his lips quirked up again. "It's definitely not to kiss you, anyway. Like I said, I promised Old Gao I wouldn't officially date you before graduation."

Zhou Anran: "!"

Her face instantly flushed bright red, and she couldn't help glaring at him.

Chen Luobai laughed so hard his shoulders shook.

It seemed his mood was always especially good right after teasing her.

"If you don't open your mouth, I really will kiss you."

Zhou Anran: "…!"

She hurriedly parted her lips slightly.

Something was slipped into her mouth.

A slightly sour lemon taste, with tiny bubbles popping in her mouth.

It seemed to be...

That lemon soda candy.

But she didn't have the presence of mind to savor it carefully, because just now, when the boy put the candy in her mouth, his fingertip seemed to have accidentally brushed lightly against her lip.

Zhou Anran's face burned even hotter, and it felt like a bunch of little bubbles were popping in her heart, too.

Chen Luobai chose that moment to lean closer.

Zhou Anran's breath hitched.

The distance closed until Chen Luobai could almost see the fine down on her flushed cheeks. His fingers curled slightly, the lingering sensation of that soft touch from a moment ago still on his fingertips.

The space between them dwindled.

Three inches.

Two inches.

One inch.

Chen Luobai stopped, his Adam's apple bobbing.

His fingers tightened.

Finally, in the last instant, he pulled back abruptly and lay flat again on the long mat.

The sky was vast.

A soft, white cloud drifted slowly past.

Zhou Anran steadied her breathing and heartbeat, then heard the boy's voice again, very close by. Just like that morning during the sports meet, it held a hint of frustration and seemed to be suppressing something.

"Graduate quickly."

Zhou Anran's slightly calmed heartbeat sped up again.

The clouds continued their slow drift across the sky.

The sunlight was dazzling and warm.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Zhu Ran's voice sounded not far away: "Chen Luobai, are you two done talking? Come over to the stream."

Yan Xingxi also called out, "Ranran, come quick! The water here is so clear, and there are lots of fish!"

Chen Luobai turned his head. "Shall we go over?"

Zhou Anran nodded. "Let's go."

After getting up from the grass, Chen Luobai suddenly turned and reached his hand out to her.

Zhou Anran placed her hand in his, and he grasped her wrist.

Together, they ran toward the stream, into the sunlight.

---

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