The Only Choice - 44

"What?! You're telling me Guan Yuanbai confessed to you?!"

The next day, on the sports field, Xu Xiaoqian's face was alight with excitement.

Zhou Fanfan covered her mouth. "Keep your voice down!"

"I knew it! I knew he really liked you! Qiqi, Liuliu, and I all thought so, you were the only one who didn't believe it." Xu Xiaoqian buzzed with curiosity. "So, when did he do it? How did he say it?!"

"Not long ago. That day… he was a bit drunk and just… invited me to be in a relationship with him. At first, I thought he was just drunk and wouldn't remember, but who knew the next day he said he was sober and meant it."

Xu Xiaoqian stifled a laugh. "Invited you to be in a relationship? That's quite the direct approach. What did you say in the end?"

Zhou Fanfan said, "I didn't say much. He's giving me time to think about it, said he won't rush me."

Xu Xiaoqian nodded approvingly. "My son is still very considerate. So, what do you think?"

"Of course I need to think about it… It's just all so sudden. I always thought we were just in a mutually helpful relationship."

"Do you like him?"

Zhou Fanfan paused. "Well, of course I like him."

"I don't mean that kind of 'like.' Let's set aside the fact that he's Yiyi's brother, set aside the halo we've put around him. What do you think of him, as a person?"

"He's great…" Zhou Fanfan stopped walking, her ears feeling warm. "I know what you mean. Actually, I think… I probably do like him. I get these strange feelings around him a lot. I get nervous, flustered… Maybe that's what they call heart-fluttering? He said he feels that for me too."

Xu Xiaoqian: "Well, there you have it!"

Zhou Fanfan was thoughtful for a moment. "But how long do you think that kind of heart-fluttering lasts?"

"…"

Xu Xiaoqian had known Zhou Fanfan for a long time. She knew exactly what she was like, especially when it came to matters of the heart.

Zhou Fanfan was a completely immersive fangirl. All her passion was poured into ‘strangers’. In her world, romantic love held very little weight, and she had zero interest in dating.

Furthermore, Xu Xiaoqian knew about Zhou Fanfan's family background. She'd told her about her parents' divorce, and how she felt love was too fleeting; even if it started with fiery passion, it would eventually fade into silence.

She used to think Zhou Fanfan was too dismissive and pessimistic about love, and had tried to change her perspective. But now, her own views on love had crumbled—what right did she have to advise anyone?

So now, Xu Xiaoqian understood why Zhou Fanfan, despite feeling that flutter, was hesitating to move forward.

She was afraid that what she had with Guan Yuanbai would also fade away too easily.

"I think Mr. Guan is the serious type," Xu Xiaoqian said. "Song Li told me his family has been pushing him to go on blind dates and set him up with lots of people, but nothing ever worked out. Until you came along. So, he must be the type who takes relationships seriously. It wouldn't just disappear easily."

Zhou Fanfan: "Really…"

Xu Xiaoqian: "I think so. But then again, maybe it's also because he still has Yiyi's halo for me. Anyway, it makes me feel he's a good man."

Zhou Fanfan shot her a look. "You just said to think about it without all those halos!"

"Ahem… okay, fine. Then I think you should get to know him a bit more? Before, you were together as 'friends.' From now on, you can experience what it's like to be with him as someone who potentially likes him back."

Zhou Fanfan frowned slightly, sounding on the verge of collapse. "I'm nervous… Ever since the confession, I get nervous every time I see him."

"Don't be nervous. You need to be a bit more poised about this, okay? You've at least been in a few relationships before." No sooner had she said this than Xu Xiaoqian added, "Ah, forget it. Those 'relationships' of yours were practically nonexistent."

"…"

—

Zhou Fanfan felt she really did need to act more composed. She was the one who'd been confessed to, so why was she so flustered!

So, when Guan Yuanbai asked her out on Friday to attend an opening party at a resort villa over the weekend, she ‘calmly’ agreed.

She had been staying at the university dorm lately, so on Saturday, Guan Yuanbai came to pick her up from campus.

Song Li arrived first. Quite a few people were going to this opening party, and Song Li was one of them; he was bringing Xu Xiaoqian along.

Xu Xiaoqian and Song Li were already deep in the throes of their relationship. These past couple of days in the dorm, Zhou Fanfan had constantly seen Xu Xiaoqian on the phone with him.

Xu Xiaoqian said she and Song Li weren't that serious, it was more physical.

But even so, Zhou Fanfan felt the smiles on her face during those calls weren't fake.

"Fanfan, I won't invite you into our car, Yuanbai is right behind us," Song Li said, holding the car door open for Xu Xiaoqian.

Zhou Fanfan said, "Oh. You guys go ahead, I won't disturb you."

Song Li gave a faint, meaningful smile. "That's the spirit. Wait here nicely, he'll be here soon."

Zhou Fanfan just 'oh'-ed again, clearly not really wanting to engage with him.

Once in the car, Xu Xiaoqian said, "Fanfan absolutely despises you now."

"Tsk… Last time we hung out, she was perfectly friendly to me."

Xu Xiaoqian: "That was before you got together with me."

Song Li reached out and stroked the back of her neck, grinning boldly. "Seems I've moved in on her precious best friend, and she's not happy about it. Ah, she should rest assured, I'll definitely love you with all my might."

The corner of Xu Xiaoqian's mouth quirked up slightly. "Is that so?"

"Of course." Song Li glanced at her sideways, his tone dropping. "Haven't I always given it my all?"

Xu Xiaoqian's smile faltered, and she hit him playfully. "What are you talking about!"

"Hey, hey, I'm driving, don't mess around, baby."

"Then talk properly."

Song Li grabbed her hand and kissed it. "Okay, okay, got it."

Song Li's car turned the corner and disappeared. Zhou Fanfan waited a little longer, and soon saw Guan Yuanbai's car.

After she got in, the car didn't move off immediately. Guan Yuanbai handed her a bag. "You didn't eat breakfast, right?"

Zhou Fanfan's nerves were still humming faintly. "...Slept in, didn't have time."

"Good timing, then. Eat this on the way."

Zhou Fanfan nodded and opened the paper bag. Inside was a sandwich, milk, and a small pot of pudding—her favorite.

Her lips curved into a slight smile, which she quickly suppressed. "Thanks."

"It'll take over an hour to get there. You can rest after you finish eating. I'll wake you when we arrive."

Zhou Fanfan said, "Is that resort in Xiping? Isn't there an amusement park nearby?"

"Mn. Have you been?"

"Not to the resort, but I went to that amusement park with friends a few years ago. The resort wasn't finished then."

"It was completed early last year. It's only officially opening next month due to some equipment issues. This party is partly for the opening, partly to get everyone's feedback."

Zhou Fanfan unwrapped the sandwich and took a bite. "Did you invest in it?"

"Mn, I put in some money. Song Li is the main person in charge."

"Oh."

They chatted briefly. The temperature in the car was comfortable, warm and cozy. Combined with the soft music, Zhou Fanfan really did start feeling drowsy after finishing her breakfast. Eventually, she couldn't fight it and closed her eyes.

She didn't know how much time had passed when someone started tapping on her window.

The sound jolted her awake. Her eyes flew open, and she saw Song Li outside the window.

Song Li made a gesture for her to roll the window down. She complied.

"What are you guys doing? We saw you park ages ago. Xiaoqian and I have already had a look around inside, and you're still sitting here," Song Li said, looking in at them.

Zhou Fanfan was still groggy. "We've been parked a long time? I was asleep."

"So you were in the car… sleeping."

The way Song Li said it was loaded with implication. Zhou Fanfan glared at him. "I got up too early! I was tired and fell asleep. What are you thinking!"

"Didn't think anything! Fanfan, you're so snappy with me these days."

Zhou Fanfan gave a light humph. "Am I?"

"You are." Song Li said. "Ah, but I get it. Don't worry, I'll definitely treat Xiaoqian well."

Zhou Fanfan muttered, "You'd better."

"Alright, you go on in. We'll be right there," Guan Yuanbai said.

Song Li: "Hurry up, then. We're waiting to eat."

"Mn."

Song Li walked off. Zhou Fanfan unbuckled her seatbelt and glanced at Guan Yuanbai. "Why didn't you wake me earlier?"

Guan Yuanbai looked at her face, flushed from sleep.

He chuckled softly. "You were sleeping so soundly, I let you rest a bit longer."

Zhou Fanfan checked the time. She'd slept for at least half an hour after they'd parked. She immediately felt apologetic. "Sorry about that. Let's get going."

"No rush. We're here to relax, after all. Let's take it easy."

"Mn…"

—

They got out of the car and walked a short distance to a large, garden-villa style resort property.

There were many standalone villas within this resort. Song Li had arranged for the party to be held in this one. When they entered, the chef had just finished preparing the meal.

Quite a few people had indeed come. After taking her seat, Zhou Fanfan saw many familiar faces—Yan Chenghuai, Qi Chengyan, they were all there.

Since the formal party was in the evening, lunch was just a proper meal.

After eating, everyone went off to do their own thing. The resort was massive, with all sorts of facilities: a golf course, shooting range, skate park, stables… you name it.

Song Li, sticking with Xu Xiaoqian, naturally asked her what she wanted to do. Xu Xiaoqian thought for a moment and said she wanted to go to the amusement park.

Although the amusement park was nearby, it wasn't part of the resort. It seemed a bit odd to come all the way here and then go out to play elsewhere.

But Song Li was currently in a phase where he'd grant almost any of Xu Xiaoqian's requests. If his girlfriend wanted to go to the amusement park, he'd naturally take her.

"Fanfan, come with us," Xu Xiaoqian said.

Zhou Fanfan: "You two should go alone, I don't—"

"Of course not just you. Mr. Guan can come too."

Song Li readily agreed: "Yes, yes, yes. It's more fun with two couples. Let's not hang with the solo attendees."

Zhou Fanfan actually did want to hang out with Xu Xiaoqian, but a place like an amusement park… Guan Yuanbai probably wasn't interested, right?

She glanced back at Guan Yuanbai, who was looking at her. "Do you want to go? If you do, we'll go."

"Do you want to go?"

Guan Yuanbai smiled. "I'll go wherever you go. It's up to you."

"Oi, oi, oi, what's with this? Suddenly flaunting your affection?" Song Li made a face like he'd bitten into a lemon.

Under the gaze of the three, Zhou Fanfan felt a little shy and stammered, "Then, then let's go to the amusement park."

Xu Xiaoqian: "Yay!"

—

It only took about fifteen minutes to drive from the resort to the amusement park. When Zhou Fanfan had come a few years ago, she'd gone wild on all the thrill rides. But having aged a few years, she wasn't so keen on those anymore and just wanted to quietly ride the carousel.

So, once inside the park, Xu Xiaoqian dragged Song Li ahead, charging from ride to ride, while she and Guan Yuanbai ambled along behind.

When Xu Xiaoqian and Song Li went on the roller coaster, she took Guan Yuanbai on the gentle, undulating Dumbo ride.

"Are you scared of the thrilling ones?" The Dumbo ride went up and down slowly. The cars ahead and behind were mostly filled with parents and young children.

Guan Yuanbai sat with Zhou Fanfan, not feeling awkward at all. Sometimes he felt like he was babysitting.

Zhou Fanfan said, "No, I'm not scared. I just think playing on those is kind of torturous now. This is fun too, isn't it?"

Guan Yuanbai quite agreed. "It is."

Zhou Fanfan pulled the lever, and their elephant rose higher. The wind blew against her face, and her mood relaxed considerably. "Besides, when you're older, those intense rides really aren't suitable anymore."

Guan Yuanbai paused and turned to look at her. "Are you worried about me?"

Zhou Fanfan was confused. "Huh?"

"Are you saying I'm too old for those rides?"

Under his increasingly dangerous gaze, Zhou Fanfan shook her head like a rattle-drum. "I wasn't talking about you! You're not old at all! You're only seven years older than me!"

Guan Yuanbai: "…"

That didn't help.

—

A little while later, the Dumbo ride slowly came to a stop. They got off and went to wait for Song Li and Xu Xiaoqian at the roller coaster exit.

Once the four were reunited, they continued on.

"Is that a haunted house? Wanna go?" Song Li pointed to a building not far away and asked Xu Xiaoqian.

Xu Xiaoqian frowned. "I'm scared. No."

Song Li, who had just taken her on so many thrilling rides without a peep of fear from her, immediately perked up. "I'm here, what's there to be scared of? Just hide in my arms."

Xu Xiaoqian pinched him. Song Li grinned mischievously.

"It's not scary inside," Zhou Fanfan said.

Xu Xiaoqian: "Really?"

Zhou Fanfan nodded. "I've been here before. It's just some fake ghosts, some of the props are actually pretty funny. It really wasn't scary back then."

Xu Xiaoqian knew Zhou Fanfan hated horror movies because she was easily scared. If even she said it wasn't scary, then this haunted house must be a complete dud. She immediately said, "Then let's go check it out."

Song Li lost interest. "Not scary? Then forget it, sounds boring."

Xu Xiaoqian: "What do you mean forget it? Let's go, it's right there."

Zhou Fanfan had no objections either, so the four of them got in line and entered the haunted house.

Zhou Fanfan swore that when she came with her classmates before, this haunted house was low-quality, with cheesy, dumb props.

What she didn't expect was that it was… different now.

This difference was apparent the moment she stepped inside.

Thud.

The door closed behind them.

The atmosphere was chilly, the background music eerie.

Zhou Fanfan immediately felt wary, but thought maybe it had just been upgraded a little. So she kept going with the group.

Xu Xiaoqian, striding ahead confidently and unaware, also thought it would be as Zhou Fanfan described: full of mannequins, not scary at all. However, after walking a short way, something grabbed her arm! She turned her head and saw a female ghost with a face full of bloody gashes!

"AHHHHHHHHH— FANFAN!!!!"

Zhou Fanfan was just behind her. In the dim, eerie light, she saw the ghost clearly too.

She sucked in a sharp breath and instantly froze on the spot.

Xu Xiaoqian, jolted, scrambled back and hid beside Zhou Fanfan. "Not scary?! Where is it not scary?! AHHHHH! She looks real!!! I saw her smile!"

Song Li immediately came over and pulled Xu Xiaoqian into his arms. "Come to me, come to me. Your boyfriend is right here, why are you latching onto another girl."

Xu Xiaoqian: "This is hardly the time for that!"

Song Li soothed her. "Don't be scared, I'll lead the way. Just don't look."

"You're not scared?"

"I'm a grown man, what's there to be scared of? Just hide in my arms."

"Then… warn me if a ghost pops out…"

"Sure thing!"

The two of them moved forward again. Guan Yuanbai glanced back at Zhou Fanfan. At first, he didn't realize something was wrong. "Shall we go?"

Zhou Fanfan's feet felt like lead. "It… wasn't like this before."

Hearing the tremor in her voice, Guan Yuanbai bent his head slightly and finally noticed her expression of utter dismay. "Are you scared?"

Zhou Fanfan forced herself to sound brave. "I-I'm not really scared, it's just… too dark. I'm afraid of the dark."

Guan Yuanbai understood. He held his arm out in front of her. "Then hold onto my arm. Don't worry, I won't let you fall."

Zhou Fanfan kind of wanted to turn back, but they'd already come a fair way, and the door behind them was shut. Plus, Xu Xiaoqian was still calling for her from ahead, and Guan Yuanbai was looking at her.

Backing out now would be so embarrassing…

Maybe the haunted house was only slightly upgraded, maybe it wasn't that bad after all.

Zhou Fanfan reached out and grabbed hold of Guan Yuanbai's sleeve. "Okay…"

They walked side by side, moving forward.

But the further they went, the more Zhou Fanfan realized something was very wrong. This wasn't a slight upgrade! It was a complete overhaul!!!

Where were all those stupid mannequins? Why were they all replaced by live actors??!

"AHHH!!!"

"Holy crap!"

Up ahead, Song Li and Xu Xiaoqian's screams echoed.

Zhou Fanfan broke out in a cold sweat and simply shut her eyes.

"You lead me! I don't want to see anymore!" she said.

Only then did Guan Yuanbai realize Zhou Fanfan was genuinely terrified. She hadn't screamed before, so he thought she was fine, just afraid of the dark.

Clearly, that wasn't the case.

Guan Yuanbai felt both amused and a pang of sympathy. "Okay, close your eyes. Follow me."

"Mm! Mm!"

The next stretch was cold and drafty. Several times, she felt someone brushing past her!

"G-Guan Yuanbai?"

"Mn?"

"Was there a ghost just now?"

"Mn. A headless ghost. Carrying its head in its hands. Looked like a real person. Not sure how they managed that."

Zhou Fanfan: "???"

Oh… Grandma, I want to go home!!!!

A moment later, Guan Yuanbai said, "No ghosts now, but the path is pretty dark. Hold on tight."

Hearing there were no ghosts, Zhou Fanfan relaxed slightly and cracked her eyes open a sliver. However, she couldn't see a thing.

Guan Yuanbai was being polite. It wasn't just 'pretty dark', it was pitch black!

"Why can't I see anything?"

Guan Yuanbai: "Eyes open?"

"Mn…"

"This section is meant to be navigated in the dark."

"Okay."

Zhou Fanfan pressed close to him, clutching his arm tightly.

The sounds of Xu Xiaoqian and Song Li faded into the distance; she had no idea how far ahead they were. In this environment, Zhou Fanfan grew even more tense.

Suddenly, something grabbed her pant leg.

Zhou Fanfan shrieked and immediately scrambled closer to Guan Yuanbai, pushing him back a couple of steps before he steadied her. "What's wrong?"

Zhou Fanfan wanted to say something had touched her foot, but just as she opened her mouth, her pant leg was grabbed again, a very distinct sensation of fingers brushing past.

"AHHHHH, A HAND! A HAND!"

Zhou Fanfan suddenly went crazy, pressing herself against Guan Yuanbai. He was startled by her reaction, but since he couldn't see what was on the ground, he simply wrapped his arms around her to shield her, preventing the 'ghost' from touching her again.

However, the 'ghost' seemed determined to target Zhou Fanfan. A moment later, it touched her calf again.

Accompanied by a chilling draft, Zhou Fanfan felt an icy coldness on her leg.

"Stop touching me! Stop it!"

The ‘ghost’, equipped with night vision goggles, was aiming for exactly this effect. It deliberately avoided the unfazed Guan Yuanbai and went straight for Zhou Fanfan.

"Give me back my leg… give it back…" a sinister voice rasped from the ground.

Hearing this, Zhou Fanfan's hair stood on end. In her panic, she kept burrowing into Guan Yuanbai's embrace, not even realizing she was pushing him back against the wall.

That icy cold hand kept brushing against her foot. Zhou Fanfan couldn't escape it, scared out of her wits. In her fright, she suddenly jumped up.

Guan Yuanbai, being jostled by her, had intended to coax her to stand behind him so he could lead her out.

Who would have thought the person in his arms would suddenly leap up, her arms clinging tightly around his neck and shoulders, sticking to him like glue.

Guan Yuanbai froze for a second, but instinctively held her steady.

Meanwhile, the terrified Zhou Fanfan, without thinking, wrapped her legs around his waist.

Guan Yuanbai's breath hitched. He stiffened. "…"

The voice on the ground continued its eerie taunt. "You can't escape… give me back my leg…"

"AHHHHH!" Zhou Fanfan clung even tighter, squirming and trying to climb higher.

A wave of heat shot to Guan Yuanbai's ears, spreading through his veins, setting his whole body on fire.

"Zhou Fanfan…"

"AHHHH—!"

She completely ignored him.

Guan Yuanbai took a long, deep breath, then leaned close to her ear, raising his voice slightly. "Then shall I carry you out?"

The proximity finally jolted Zhou Fanfan back to her senses.

She froze for a moment, suddenly realizing what she was doing. Her face instantly burned bright red, and she scrambled down from his arms. "N-no need to carry me!"

But she was the one who had jumped into his arms just now…

Extremely flustered, she hurriedly added, "S-sorry!! I can walk!"

Despite her words, given the environment, she didn't dare actually move, just stood rooted beside Guan Yuanbai in the dark.

Guan Yuanbai finally relaxed a little. "Then I'll lead you out."

"Mn…"

Zhou Fanfan was still nervous, afraid the thing on the ground would crawl over again. She stayed pressed close to Guan Yuanbai, stumbling along, unable to find her bearings.

"Hold my hand."

"Huh?"

"Here."

In the darkness, a hand grasped hers. It was a hand she was somewhat familiar with, warm and dry.

He had taken her hand, pulling her slightly in front of him, his other hand resting on her shoulder, shielding her from behind.

"Close your eyes."

His low voice echoed slightly in the narrow passage.

Zhou Fanfan's heart trembled. "Okay…"

---

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