33: ride the roller coaster

"Brother Jiang, look over there! A roller coaster!"

Zhang Xueya looked like she had discovered a new continent, pointing at the towering track in the distance, jumping up and down with excitement, her eyes sparkling with eagerness.

Jiang Yuan looked in the direction she was pointing.

It was a massive steel behemoth, its track winding and undulating, not only reaching astonishing heights but also featuring several dizzying corkscrews and inversions.

The carriages whizzed past, carrying the screams of the tourists, tearing through the sky.

"That one is called 'Pterodactyl Dive,' and it's considered the most thrilling treasure of the park."

Jiang Yuan glanced at the guide map, then turned to Liu Zhuoyun beside him, "Zhuoyun, want to challenge it?"

Liu Zhuoyun looked up at the rapidly plunging train, her pupils slightly constricted, a hint of instinctive hesitation flashing in her eyes.

But quickly, that hesitation was replaced by an urge to try it.

She turned to look at Jiang Yuan, nodded softly, a barely noticeable curve forming at the corner of her lips.

"Alright, Brother Jiang."

Although her voice was soft, it carried a rare resolve.

"Wow! If even Sister Yun dares to go, then we absolutely have to rush!"

Zhang Xueya and Song Qinghan cheered, grabbing Shen Lingke and running toward the roller coaster entrance, afraid their courage would dissipate if they were a moment late.

Upon reaching the entrance of "Pterodactyl Dive," the long queue still stretched endlessly.

But for the group holding VIP passes, this was no problem at all.

Guided by the staff, they once again enjoyed the pleasure of "cutting the line" and walked straight to the ticket gate.

On the platform, the massive Pterodactyl-shaped carriages quietly awaited the challengers.

Song Qinghan and Zhang Xueya excitedly grabbed the front row, with Shen Lingke right behind them.

"Zhuoyun, let's sit here."

Jiang Yuan pointed to a spot in the middle row, where the view was open and it was relatively less bumpy.

Liu Zhuoyun nodded obediently and sat down next to Jiang Yuan.

When the heavy safety harness slowly dropped, firmly securing their bodies to the seats, the inescapable feeling of tension instantly struck.

Instinctively, she gripped Jiang Yuan's arm tightly, her fingertips turning slightly white from the force, feeling cold to the touch.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here."

Jiang Yuan sensed her nervousness, gently patted the back of her hand, and the warmth of his palm continuously flowed to her.

Liu Zhuoyun looked up at him, and the panic in her clear eyes seemed to have settled slightly.

The roller coaster slowly started, accompanied by the clanking of the chain, and began its ascent toward the highest point.

As the height steadily increased, the scenery on the ground became as tiny as building blocks, and the full panorama of the Dinosaur Kingdom unfolded beneath their feet.

The sound of the wind gradually grew sharper in their ears.

"Ah—it's so high! I regret this!"

Song Qinghan and Zhang Xueya in the front row had already begun screaming in anticipation.

When the carriage climbed to the very top and hovered at the critical point before the plunge, Liu Zhuoyun nervously closed her eyes, her slender body trembling slightly.

Jiang Yuan turned his head to look at her, a gentle smile curving his lips.

"Open your eyes and look, the view is beautiful."

He whispered into her ear, his voice low and certain.

Liu Zhuoyun's eyelashes fluttered, and she hesitantly opened her eyes just a slit.

At that moment, the sky was vast and clear, and the city, mountains, and sea were all visible, a breathtakingly magnificent sight.

However, before she even had time to marvel—

"Rumble!"

The carriage suddenly dropped, plunging vertically like an arrow shot from a bow!

"Ah—!!!"

Screams instantly erupted, the wind howled past their ears like knives, and everything in sight dissolved into blurred streams of light.

The intense feeling of weightlessness made her heart feel like it was lodged in her throat, followed immediately by rapid twists and corkscrews, her body flung into the air by immense centrifugal force, then harshly pulled back.

Liu Zhuoyun first let out a short scream, then instinctively buried her head into Jiang Yuan's chest, her hands desperately clutching the hem of his clothes.

Jiang Yuan steadily held her with one arm, a hint of enjoyment in his smile despite the roaring wind.

This level of excitement was mere child's play compared to his enhanced physical attributes.

After an unknown period, the carriage finally slowed down after a series of madness, coming to a stop at the platform.

The roaring in their ears subsided, leaving only the gasps and excited laughter of people who had survived a great ordeal.

Liu Zhuoyun lifted her head from Jiang Yuan's embrace.

Her small face was flushed from the adrenaline rush, and her hair was slightly messy, but her eyes were astonishingly bright, sparkling with unprecedented radiance.

"Brother Jiang... that was, so thrilling!"

She panted heavily; although her voice was slightly hoarse, it carried uncontrollable excitement.

Immediately, a brilliant smile bloomed on her face.

That smile lacked the usual shyness and introversion, pure like summer sunshine.

Seeing her completely released and natural, a great sense of satisfaction welled up in Jiang Yuan's heart.

In this moment, she was vibrant, lively, and incredibly beautiful.

After getting off the roller coaster, their legs were still a little weak, but the exhilaration of having pushed their limits was addictive.

"Brother Jiang! Let's go take a picture over there!"

Song Qinghan pointed to a nearby photo spot featuring a huge simulated dinosaur, excitedly suggesting, "That background has a Triceratops and palm trees, it will definitely make a great shot!"

Jiang Yuan readily agreed.

He naturally took Liu Zhuoyun's hand and walked to the lush, green photo area.

The blush on Liu Zhuoyun's cheeks had not yet faded, but her previous shyness was gone, replaced by a relaxed demeanor following the fun.

"Come on, look at the camera!"

Song Qinghan held the camera, directing them like a professional Photographer, "Brother Jiang, put your hand on her shoulder! Sister Yun, smile a little sweeter!"

Jiang Yuan casually placed one hand on Liu Zhuoyun's shoulder, while Liu Zhuoyun playfully flashed a V-sign and tilted her head slightly toward him.

"Click!"

The shutter froze, capturing their brilliant smiles.

"One more! Get a little closer, we need that sweet feeling!"

Song Qinghan continued to egg them on.

Jiang Yuan took the opportunity to put his arm around Liu Zhuoyun's waist. They leaned their heads together, smiling at the camera with exceptional synergy.

In that moment, the surrounding noise seemed to fade into the background, leaving only the two of them at the center of the world.

After the photos were taken, Jiang Yuan looked at the playback on the camera, the corners of his mouth lifting.

The Liu Zhuoyun in the photo had a genuine and passionate smile—a look he had never seen before.

This beauty struck him deep in his heart.

After taking photos, the group strolled into a small venue inside the Dinosaur Kingdom—the "Dinosaur Baby Home."

This place specialized in feeding smaller, docile herbivorous simulated dinosaurs, focusing on healing and interactive experiences.

The small dinosaur models were made lifelike, emitting soft, milky "squeaks" and blinking their large eyes at the visitors.

Jiang Yuan bought two servings of dinosaur food and handed one to Liu Zhuoyun.

"Here, try this. They don't look like they bite."

Liu Zhuoyun took the feed, her eyes sparkling with gentle light.

"They're so cute."

She carefully extended her hand, spreading the dinosaur food on her palm.

A small simulated Brachiosaurus reached out its long neck, its warm, soft rubber lips gently pecking the food from her palm.

That ticklish sensation made Liu Zhuoyun unable to stop giggling.

The laughter was clear and pleasant, like a mountain spring.

Jiang Yuan stood nearby, quietly watching the scene.

The young woman's profile was gentle, her gaze focused and affectionate, as if she were engaging in a cross-temporal dialogue with these ancient creatures.

The purity and kindness originating from her heart were materialized at this moment.

He quietly took out his phone, adjusted the angle, and snapped several photos of her feeding them.

In the photos, the lighting was perfect, and the young woman and the small dinosaur formed a beautiful and therapeutic picture, mesmerizingly lovely.