The Last Wish List

"Today's morning weather in Haizhu City is clear, with possible light rain and clouds in the evening..."

"Gurgle—" The sound of a boiling kettle echoed through the morning apartment.

Ye Shuang poured himself a cup of coffee and carried it to his desk, where he began typing away at his keyboard.

"..." Though still a bit drowsy, he had prepared breakfast early since he had plans to go out later. As for lunch—he no longer had to worry about Yu You going hungry.

She had learned to buy groceries, cook, and even order takeout, a far cry from the girl who used to just cling to instant noodles in a daze.

"Tap tap tap." His fingers danced skillfully across the keyboard. Perhaps due to the recent start of the school semester, his novel had barely any readers lately.

Well, everyone’s busy. That’s good, everyone’s busy.

Ye Shuang sat at his desk, wearing the expression of an empty-nester.

It was eerily quiet—no chapter comments, let alone free virtual gifts.

Well, everyone’s busy... that’s good...

...

After updating his novel and changing into something simple and comfortable, Ye Shuang drove out.

Parking at the agreed destination—the amusement park they’d visited before—he spotted the girl waiting for him. She wore a plain white dress, looking quiet and refined, with a small four-petal flower hairpin clipped to her bangs.

[Character: An Shiyu

Congenital heart disease, currently in good condition.]

Good condition?

Ye Shuang paused mid-step, momentarily stunned.

"Oh? What are you staring at?" An Shiyu noticed his dumbfounded gaze and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, revealing a delicate earlobe.

The warm sunlight made her tilted-head, puzzled expression seem lively and adorable—nothing like the pale, frail girl from a few days ago.

"How’s... your health?" Ye Shuang asked.

"Great. I’m already undergoing treatment. Should be fully recovered soon," An Shiyu replied softly.

Ye Shuang visibly relaxed. "So that’s how it is... That’s wonderful."

So the last item on the wish list had meant this.

Seems Grandpa An Shi had found a solution after all.

"What, were you hoping I’d die?" An Shiyu scrunched her nose in mock disdain. "Such a pessimistic adult."

"Not at all. I’m really happy—this is great news," Ye Shuang said earnestly, meeting her gaze.

An Shiyu: "..."

She looked away silently, turning her attention elsewhere.

"Come on, play with me."

"Sure." Ye Shuang smiled and followed.

The amusement park had reverted to its original state after the Pokémon collaboration event ended. Still, the rides were impressive—especially the roller coaster, which made Ye Shuang’s feet tingle just looking at it.

"What first?" Ye Shuang asked.

"Bumper cars," An Shiyu pointed toward the nearby attraction.

Ye Shuang chuckled. "Such a kid."

"The real ones work too. Wanna try bumper cars on Phoenix Mountain?" An Shiyu deadpanned, her eyes blank. "My Mini Cooper is itching for action."

"Follow traffic laws," Ye Shuang retorted, unable to imagine her tiny "chopped pepper fishhead" car surviving a real-life demolition derby.

As they queued, An Shiyu swayed like a boneless creature before suddenly leaning back against Ye Shuang’s chest.

Feeling her featherlight weight, he wondered just how much she weighed now: "..."

An Shiyu tilted her head up, eyes gleaming with amusement.

"Gotta say, a middle-aged man’s soft, pudgy belly makes a decent pillow."

"I’m not that old, am I?" Ye Shuang felt an imaginary arrow pierce his heart.

"Get up!" He karate-chopped the top of her head lightly.

Thunk!

The girl rubbed her head. "Tch. Stingy."

Their turn arrived. While Ye Shuang was still asking whether they’d share a car or take separate ones, An Shiyu had already plopped into a single-seater.

Ye Shuang settled into his own.

Honestly, he hadn’t played bumper cars since elementary school field trips.

Beep—

With the starting music, all cars powered up. Before Ye Shuang could even steer, a jolt from behind sent him lurching forward.

"Pathetic," came An Shiyu’s merciless taunt from behind.

"Oh, just you wait."

Ye Shuang cranked the wheel hard, but the bumper car’s sluggish response made his racing-driver maneuvers utterly futile. By the time he turned around, An Shiyu had already put distance between them—yet somehow, her car handled with unnatural agility as she spun and charged back.

"Secret Technique: Ninja Fish Strike!"

Clang! Clang! Ye Shuang was rammed repeatedly.

He began questioning whether he’d aged poorly or if the car was just ancient.

Seriously, is this thing about to fall apart?

"Ugh, my back..."

When the ride ended, Ye Shuang stood up gingerly, massaging his sore lower back. Who knew bumper cars could be such a workout?

"Uncle, past your prime?" An Shiyu teased, seemingly shocked by his lackluster performance.

"Who’s past their prime?! Next ride!"

...

"Behold, the roller coaster," An Shiyu pointed at the towering structure, where screams periodically pierced the air.

Ye Shuang: "..."

His mortal enemy.

"Alright, let’s do this." He adopted the demeanor of a man marching to his execution.

On the ride, Ye Shuang squeezed his eyes shut, mentally replaying his life. Beside him, An Shiyu seemed entertained—though when the coaster plunged, her hair flew back, revealing a surprisingly high hairline.

Noticing his gaze, she pinched his stomach hard.

"Ow!"

Post-rollercoaster, Ye Shuang was mostly fine—just a few bruises on his abdomen. An Shiyu, meanwhile, clutched her bangs, shooting him a dark look.

After a short break, they stopped at a vending machine.

Ye Shuang paid, only for the drink to get stuck at the drop slot. "Huh, jammed."

"Terrible design," An Shiyu muttered.

"We should call staff to fix—" Before he could finish, BANG!—An Shiyu in her white dress delivered a spinning kick to the machine.

"Here, fixed." She retrieved the drink.

Ye Shuang: "..."

Beep beep beep— The adjacent machine suddenly blared an alarm.

"Run!" An Shiyu grabbed his hand and bolted.

"Wait, shouldn’t we pay for—"

...