Ji Youxi pondered for a moment and agreed, but said they would have to wait until after the group gathering the day after tomorrow to go.
Yang Haoran had previously promised Wei Ming that he would attend the gathering, which was scheduled for the day after tomorrow. His close friends Wei Ming, Han Lili, his childhood friend Zhou Shiwen, Wenting, his girlfriend Ji Youxi, Yaoyao, and Xiao Shaowanβseveral classmatesβwould all be there.
They formed one social circle; he wasn’t very familiar with others in the class.
After finishing their coffee, around 11 a.m., Yang Haoran went to the front counter to settle the bill, then took his girlfriend Ji Youxi’s small hand and strolled along the commercial street.
Perhaps because students were on winter break, the commercial street was filled with young couples. Yet, no matter where they went, Ji Youxi’s stunningly beautiful face and her ethereal, fairy-likeζ°θ΄¨ made her stand out in the crowd, turning Yang Haoran into a focal point by association.
The rate of people turning to look was nearly 100%. Yang Haoran enjoyed it; his mood was exceedingly pleasant. The envious glances from other men immensely satisfied his male vanity.
Taking an incredibly beautiful girlfriend anywhere undoubtedly made a man feel immensely proud.
After finishing their stroll, it was past 2 p.m. Yang Haoran, tired from walking, pulled his girlfriend Ji Youxi into a well-reputed couples’ restaurant to fill their stomachs.
On his wrist, he wore a blue braceletβa gift from his girlfriend, Ji Youxi. It was quite expensive.
During their stroll, Ji Youxi had left briefly, seemingly to buy something, making Yang Haoran wait for half an hour. When she returned, she was carrying an exquisite shopping bag. She handed it to him, instructing him to hold it and not open it prematurely; he was to open it “when the time comes.”
What specific time that would be, Ji Youxi didn’t say, and Yang Haoran didn’t know. But, unable to restrain his curiosity, he stole a glance inside the bag. It contained a tightly sealed, rectangular box.
The box had no patterns or text, so Yang Haoran couldn’t guess what was inside. He speculated it might be a watch, a pendant, or something similar.
After leaving the couples’ restaurant, Yang Haoran took his girlfriend Ji Youxi to the city’s entertainment districtβan arcade, a paradise of boyish joys.
On the way, Yang Haoran told his girlfriend how, as children, he and his childhood friend Shiwen loved going to the arcade to play. However, since they were just kids then and needed an adult to accompany them, and their mothers were often busy, it was always Auntie Shen who took them.
But as Auntie Shen was also a homebody, opportunities to go out were rare. Eventually, he and Shiwen each bought their own “Little Tyrant” [Famicom clones] and mostly played at home.
Yang Haoran cherished those memories; they were wonderful. So, he wanted to take his girlfriend to experience it and share the joys of his childhood.
At the arcade, Yang Haoran and Ji Youxi tried most of the attractions. It was very lively, filled with many game cabinets and various entertainment options.
They played Street Fighter, pitting themselves against each other. At first, Yang Haoran was smug because his girlfriend Ji Youxi had never played before and couldn’t last a single round against himβfar worse than even Shiwen.
Unexpectedly, Ji Youxi picked it up quickly, displaying surprisingly high gaming talent. Relying on her innate skill, she “underhandedly” defeated him once, then decided it was nothing special and lost interest.
Yang Haoran, unwilling to accept thisβhaving played for so many years, he had never suffered such a humiliating defeatβinsisted on playing a few more rounds with his girlfriend, until he himself was actively complaining that it was a trash game not even worth a dog’s time.
Afterward, they tried Contra, fruit machines, Monopoly, Bullfight… as well as basketball toss, motorcycle games, Resident Evil, and so on.
The variety of games now was much richer than during his childhood, Yang Haoran reflected. Ever since he started playing computer games, he had rarely paid attention to arcades.
After all, back then, he neither had a girlfriend nor had he started playing computer games at home; how could he have had the leisure to specifically revisit his childhood?
When they emerged from the arcade, the sunset was gradually fading, and the brilliant evening glow slowly vanished beyond the horizon. After they had dinner, the sky turned completely dark.
The bustling city lit up with colorful neon lights. Yang Haoran and Ji Youxi went to a nearby park for a walk. When tired, they rested on a park bench. The park also had some elderly people dancing square dances and young couples strolling.
Unconsciously, they walked to the riverside on the west side of the park. Under the pitch-black night sky, the river surface resembled a massive piece of black jade inlaid within the city. The opposite shore was lined with tall buildings, glittering with brilliant lights.
Yang Haoran and Ji Youxi stood by the riverside guardrail, enjoying the gentle breeze. Suddenly, Yang Haoran turned to sneak a glance at his girlfriend. Under Ji Youxi’s stunning profile, her straight, long hair cascaded down to her waist like smooth satin. Her left hand rested on the railing as she gazed at the river surface, enveloped in a cool halo, seeming to stand alone in the night.
Yang Haoran stared, mesmerized, his heart pounding. No longer able to restrain his ulterior motives, he placed his hand over her jade-like one resting on the guardrail. When she turned to look at him, Yang Haoran feigned nonchalance and said, “Youxi, let’s not go back tonight. Let’s stay at a hotel.”
He knew his girlfriend Ji Youxi was well aware of the ultimate purpose of today’s date. He didn’t phrase it too euphemistically. The fact that she had accompanied him until now was itself a signal.
This was also something Ji Youxi had promised him.
Ji Youxi’s beautiful eyes stared at him for a few seconds, making Yang Haoran feel his face grow hot, before she finally nodded and said, “Okay!”
That simple answer made Yang Haoran’s heart surge with excitement.
After speaking, Ji Youxi added, “Go and retrieve that bag. You’ll need it tonight.”
At noon, to avoid affecting the rest of their outing, they had checked all their shopping bags at that couples’ restaurant.
As for the restaurant not offering a check service? Money solves all problems.
Yang Haoran was very willing to spend money to ensure they enjoyed themselves.
“Youxi, what’s in that bag?”
As they walked back, Yang Haoran, unable to suppress his curiosity, asked. If his girlfriend hadn’t mentioned it, he might not have thought much of it, but her comment inevitably made his thoughts wander.
They had checked more than one item at the restaurantβthere were things he bought for Ji Youxi, and things she bought for him. Yet, Ji Youxi specifically mentioned that mysterious bag she had given him.
“Guess!” A serene smile appeared on Ji Youxi’s stunning face, making Yang Haoran’s imagination run wild.
Yang Haoran, now having a guess in his mind, didn’t ask further.