46: Chapter 46 So Sweet

Chen Fan didn't dodge; amidst Lin Xi's exclamation, he pulled her into his arms.

The faint fragrance emanating from the young girl immediately lingered at the tip of his nose.

Chen Fan looked down at the young girl in his arms.

Her delicate face was right before him; her eyelashes were trembling slightly, her cheeks flushed with a faint pink, and her lips were pressed into a line, as if she were nervous, yet also expectant.

The distance between them was so close that they could feel each other's breath.

Lin Xi slowly raised her head, meeting his gaze.

The air was silent for a few seconds.

Chen Fan slowly lowered his head.

Lin Xi's eyelashes fluttered gently, like the wings of a startled butterfly, but she did not pull away.

The distance grew ever closer.

Close enough to see his own reflection in her eyes, close enough to feel the warmth of her breath, close enough to see her gently purse her lips.

Chen Fan paused for a moment, looking into her eyes.

Lin Xi didn't speak, merely closing her eyes slowly.

Chen Fan no longer hesitated and leaned down to kiss her.

The young girl's lips were soft and warm, carrying a hint of strawberry—it must have been the taste of the milk tea from just moments ago.

At first, they were just lightly pressed together, feeling each other's warmth. Lin Xi's body stiffened for an instant, her hand gripping his hem tightening and then relaxing.

Chen Fan was not in a hurry, simply kissing her gently like that.

Time seemed to have frozen.

The surroundings were very quiet, with only the rustling of wind through the leaves and the occasional sound of car horns in the distance.

Lin Xi slowly relaxed, her previously stiff body becoming soft, and her hand, which had been clutching his hem, wrapped around his waist at some point.

It was unknown how much time had passed before Chen Fan slowly pulled away.

Lin Xi opened her eyes, her gaze still somewhat hazy; her cheeks were as red as a ripe apple, and her lips were even more flushed than before.

She looked at Chen Fan, as if she hadn't yet come back to her senses.

Chen Fan looked at her, the corners of his mouth slowly curling up.

"So sweet," he said.

Lin Xi was stunned for a moment: "What?"

"I said," Chen Fan looked at her tender, pink lips, enunciating each word: "So~ sweet~."

Lin Xi's face turned even redder, and she reached out to hit him.

"Chen Fan—!"

Chen Fan laughed and dodged, pulling her back into his arms.

Lin Xi struggled twice but couldn't break free, finally having to bury her face in his chest, saying in a muffled voice: "...You're so annoying."

Chen Fan looked down at her; the person in his arms was soft, not the kind of thin body that felt bony—it was that just-right figure, neither fat nor thin, very comfortable to hold, carrying the unique softness and warmth of a young girl.

"Still not letting me go? Someone might see us later."

"Let them see. We're in a normal dating relationship; what's there to be afraid of?" Although he said that, Chen Fan still released Lin Xi. If Lin Xi's dad happened to see Lin Xi in his arms, he might just hit Chen Fan with an RKO on the spot.

Lin Xi stepped back from his arms, lowering her head to smooth out her rumpled skirt, then raised her hand to tuck back her hair, pretending nothing had happened.

But her bright red ears betrayed her.

Chen Fan stood by and watched, the corners of his mouth still curled up.

"Let's go," Lin Xi said after tidying herself up, looking up at him. "Let's... let's go shopping."

"Alright."

The two walked side by side toward the entrance of the residential complex.

As they were walking, Lin Xi suddenly asked: "What are you planning to do during this time~"

"I signed up for the driver's license test today; I'll get my license first."

"Getting a driver's license so early?"

"Yeah, mainly because I want to buy a car in a while, so I need to have a license."

Upon hearing Chen Fan talk about buying a car, Lin Xi suddenly fell silent.

"What's wrong?" Chen Fan looked at her.

"Compared to you, I feel like a child right now. You're already buying a car, and I'm still just thinking about going out to play."

Chen Fan was stunned for a moment, then laughed.

He reached out and ruffled her hair.

"Don't overthink it."

Chen Fan looked at her and said seriously: "Everyone has unique qualities. In my eyes, you have a gentle personality, a kind heart, and a beautiful appearance; you're the kind of girl you couldn't find even if you searched with a lantern."

Lin Xi was stunned for a moment, a blush slowly creeping onto her cheeks: "Am I really as good as you say?"

"Really. It's just that you haven't discovered it yourself. Now that you've become my girlfriend, I don't know how many people are envious, jealous, and hateful toward me."

"It's not as exaggerated as you say," Lin Xi said coquettishly, though she couldn't help but let the corners of her mouth curl up.

"Alright, let's go."

"Mm~"

After leaving the residential complex, he took Lin Xi for a stroll, arriving at the largest shopping mall in the county.

The first floor of the mall was for cosmetics and jewelry counters, the lights dazzlingly bright.

The second floor sold clothes.

The two went straight to the third floor.

There was an arcade on the third floor, with several claw machines placed at the entrance, and the sounds of "bang bang bang" from basketball shooting games and electronic music from the game machines wafted out.

Lin Xi's eyes lit up.

"Want to play?" Chen Fan asked.

"Mm." Lin Xi nodded. "I want to catch a doll."

Chen Fan exchanged a pile of game tokens, handed them to Lin Xi, and stood in front of the claw machine, seriously studying the angles.

Chen Fan walked to the counter and took out his wallet: "Exchange fifty yuan for tokens."

The staff member handed over a small basket of game tokens, which rattled. Chen Fan took them and turned to hand them to Lin Xi.

Lin Xi took the small basket, her eyes sparkling, and pulled Chen Fan toward the claw machines.

"That rabbit looks good!" She pointed to the machine at the very end.

The two walked over. Inside the transparent glass cabinet, a row of stuffed toys was squeezed together—rabbits, little bears, and the like, as well as a Hello Kitty with a tilted head.

Lin Xi inserted two tokens, operated the joystick, and aimed at the bear-shaped doll.

The claw descended and grabbed it—but just as it rose halfway, it dropped.

"Ah..." Lin Xi was a little disappointed.

"Try again," Chen Fan said from the side.

Lin Xi inserted two more tokens.

It dropped again.

She inserted more.

It still dropped.

Lin Xi pursed her lips, turned to look at Chen Fan, her eyes filled with anticipation: "You do it~"

"Alright~" Chen Fan inserted two game tokens and began to catch.

He wasn't familiar with this stuff either; whether in his previous life or this one, it was his first time playing it, so he was actually worse than Lin Xi.

Lin Xi watched from the side, even more nervous than he was.

"A little to the left... more to the left... yes, yes, yes..."

"It dropped..."

"It's okay, it's okay, try again."

The basket of game tokens gradually hit the bottom.

However, perhaps his luck was better; when the last two tokens were used up, he finally managed to catch the bear doll.

"Chen Fan, you're amazing~" Lin Xi couldn't help but cheer.

Chen Fan picked up the bear and handed it to her, "Still want to play?"

"No, I'm hungry~" Lin Xi shook her head.

"Then let's go eat~"

"Okay, my treat." Lin Xi looked up at him, her eyes bright.

Chen Fan was stunned for a moment: "Your treat?"

"What, not allowed?" Lin Xi tilted her head. "Although I'm not as rich as you, I can still afford to treat my boyfriend to a meal."

Chen Fan laughed: "Alright, then it's your treat."

The two walked out, Lin Xi holding the bear in one hand and secretly holding Chen Fan's finger with the other.

...

After eating, the two strolled for a while longer, and it wasn't until past 8 o'clock in the evening that they headed back home.

After returning to the residential complex, Chen Fan walked Lin Xi to the downstairs, and just as he was about to leave, he was pulled back by Lin Xi.

He turned back, and before he could react, Lin Xi had already stood on tiptoe and lightly pressed a kiss to his cheek.

It was very light, like a dragonfly skimming the water.

"Bye-bye."

Before Chen Fan could react, she trotted into the building.

Chen Fan stood where he was, touched the cheek that had been kissed, and was stunned for two seconds.

Then he laughed.

This feeling—it's really good.