To Love You Again

Song Xuantin opened her arms wide. With the biggest smile she ever made, she presented the beautiful scenery behind her.

"Tada! We are here! Hehe~" 

Gu Zhen, whose eyes stayed far away from Song Xuantin all this time, unconsciously looked at the view in front of him. 

He suddenly stopped in his steps, stunned at the scenery. 

There were different kinds of colorful pastel flowers scattered on the meadows swaying softly in waves with the mountain breeze. The crystalline lake mirrored the clear sky above very distinctly, as if there was an alternate world right below the lake. He could see butterflies flying freely from time to time. There were squirrels burrowing for food which scampered away after watching them. Small birds peacefully flew to and fro, unafraid of their presence.

This was really a lovely place. A paradise. It truly was worth it, walking almost a kilometer from the lakeside in front of the rest house to this side.

The city man who only saw such beautiful sceneries in pictures was fully impacted by the firsthand view of the beauty of nature.

It was such a moving sight.

"How... how did you find this place?" Gu Zhen asked in wonder as he gazed around at the surroundings with wide eyes.

The girl stiffened.

She could not possibly say it was because of her Operation Plan, could she?

"Uhm... Well, by instinct?" In reality, Song Xuantin already checked F City's landmarks one week before the trip. She repeatedly scouted recommendations of beautiful places to have a romantic date with Gu Zhen with the best ambiance. 

This was the first place on her list. 

"Instinct? I doubt that," Gu Zhen murmured.

Song Xuantin went nearer to him and he ended up looking at her.

Her eyes were shining and she had a bright smile on her face as she stood in front of him. She was so dazzling and blinding that Gu Zhen could not help but step back nervously.

Song Xuantin was surprised seeing him step back. She pouted and harrumphed cutely.

"Give it to me." She extended her hand.

"Give you what?" His heart? He already handed it.

'Dang, why do you keep on thinking of that, Gu Zhen, ah?' Goosebumps rose again.

"The bag." Song Xuantin eyed the bag.

"Oh." 

Gu Zhen handed the bag to Song Xuantin. 

Song Xuantin fished out a blanket from the bag. She laid it over the soft grass. Afterwards, she took out several food boxes. Inside, there were different snacks like sliced fruits, pastries, and sandwiches. She also took out two bottles of orange juice and two bottles of water. 

There were also mosquito repellants and other stuff.

"..." 

Now, Gu Zhen knew why the bag was so heavy.

Finally, Song Xuantin took out the last content of the bag. It was a romance book.

Song Xuantin put it down with a smile and looked up at him lovingly.

She patted the space right beside her. "Now, it's all settled. Gu Zhen, let's have a picnic."

"..." So they went here for a picnic? 

That important 'thing' she was talking about that needed the right place and good ambience was this PICNIC?

Gu Zhen's expectant heart which was still hoping for someone's confession received a huge blow.

So, he just... sold himself for a picnic?

"Why are you still standing up there? Come here." Song Xuantin gestured Gu Zhen to sit again. "Since we walked a long way, I'm already famished. I'm sure you are, too. Let's eat first." 

Gu Zhen followed her blankly.

Song Xuantin handed him the juice and the sandwich like a caring wife.

"After we're done eating, you have to tell me again what you said a while ago," Song Xuantin giggled as she took a bite from the sandwich, her eyes filled with starlights gazing at him.

"..." Gu Zhen.

He really was played! He could bet a hundred bucks that this girl was doing it on purpose! She must be retaliating for his 'scam' earlier.

And she did not even answer back to his earlier confession...

He took a bite on the sandwich but he did not taste its deliciousness. All he tasted was bitterness.

Karma was truly a bitch. 

QAQ

*****

Xiong Zhi and Linfeng stuffed themselves until they both had bloated stomachs. 

Who would have thought that the dishes in that humble and low-key restaurant was so delicious and fulfilling? No wonder foodies paid homage to this place from all over the country. 

With the fact that they were eating with each other's company, they ate more than usual.

To digest the food, the pair oozing with sweetness decided to take a walk silently. They did not need to look for a topic they could discuss. To them, being together was already the biggest gift. Just by walking side by side, with their steps echoing together, the rustle of leaves moving with the wind... It was already a soothing melody for the both of them. 

It was a comfortable silence that they missed for a month.

Suddenly, Xiong Zhi spoke in a low voice.

"Linfeng." 

"Yes?" Linfeng had a smile on his face when he answered. He just had a satisfying meal with his lovely Young Miss, the apple of his heart. How could he not smile?

"Let's play a game."

Linfeng's eyes lit up. Anything his Young Miss wished for was his command.

"Sure. What kind of game do you want to play?"

"Q and A," Xiong Zhi answered directly. 

Linfeng: "..." 

Was that even a game? But since his Young Miss said it was, then it was.

"Alright," he good-naturedly agreed. "Can you please do the honor of setting the rules?"

"Hmm. The Q player will ask a question to player A, while player A answers. If player A can't answer player Q's question, then player A needs to do the punishment that player Q will set before the question. Is it clear?"

Linfeng nodded. That was interesting. His mind already had a line of questions for his Young Miss.

Xiong Zhi's eyes sparkled. This game was actually an excuse to create an ambiguous atmosphere with Linfeng. And then... fufufu.

Source... Page 23, Creating Opportunity. 

The book had been reliable so far, if not for sudden pests popping up. It would certainly work this time!