Sorry, please continue.

After entering the narrow garden path, the closeness of the walkway forced the two to move a little closer to each other. Both were wearing short sleeves, and due to their height difference, Meng Qianyu’s right arm occasionally brushed against Su Yang’s left elbow.

Neither of them seemed bothered by the contact, their expressions remaining natural.

"It’s so much darker in here than outside," Meng Qianyu remarked, peering ahead.

Su Yang chuckled. "If it’s too dark for you, we can head back."

"No need, I was just saying. I actually like little gardens like this—the quiet makes me feel at peace."

"Same here," Su Yang agreed.

[Ding! Detecting the host’s pleasant mood. Reward: 600,000.]

The two continued chatting idly as they followed the winding garden path.

Then, suddenly, an indistinct sound reached Su Yang’s ears. Instinctively, he turned his head toward the flowerbed deeper in the garden.

In the dim light, he could just make out two shadowy figures doing… something.

Su Yang’s eyes widened, and he stopped in his tracks.

‘Damn, they’re really going at it. Bold move—hope they don’t get caught on camera.’

Meng Qianyu, oblivious, looked up at him. "Why’d you stop?"

"Uh, nothing. Let’s take the left path instead."

"Why? That leads back out. We haven’t finished exploring yet."

"Alright, let’s keep going then."

‘Sorry, but you brought this on yourselves. Shouldn’t have gotten frisky in public.’

Su Yang kept his thoughts to himself as they continued forward.

But after just a few more steps, the sounds from the flowerbed grew louder.

Meng Qianyu finally heard it too. She paused, then turned toward the source and whispered, "Su Yang, I think there’s a noise up ahead!"

Su Yang played dumb. "Yeah, I hear it too. What is that?"

"I don’t know… maybe a cat?"

"A cat? Uh… could be. Wanna check it out?"

"Sure!" Meng Qianyu crouched slightly and crept forward, calling softly, "Here, kitty, kitty~"

Su Yang followed, struggling not to laugh as they mercilessly closed in on the flowerbed.

But as they got closer, Meng Qianyu realized the sounds weren’t quite right—they didn’t sound like a cat at all. More like… people.

Still crouched, she peered through the gaps in the bushes and caught a glimpse of the figures inside.

Two much larger shadows moving rhythmically, accompanied by unmistakable noises.

Her eyes widened in shock, and before she could stop herself, she let out a loud, "Ah!"

Su Yang froze—he hadn’t expected her to scream. Quickly, he stepped forward and clamped a hand over her mouth from behind.

"Who’s there?!"

A man’s voice, equal parts furious and panicked, rang out from the flowerbed.

Barely holding back laughter, Su Yang grabbed Meng Qianyu’s hand and bolted, the scene reminding him of childhood mischief—knocking on a neighbor’s door and sprinting away.

As they ran, he called back, "Sorry! Don’t mind us—carry on!"

"Goddammit!!!"

Hearing the curses behind them, Su Yang couldn't hold back his laughter any longer.

"Hahaha~~"

Meng Qianyu’s face flushed red all the way to her neck. She lowered her head and quickened her pace to keep up with Su Yang as they ran forward.

"Su Yang!! You... you’re so mean~~"

"Haha, I didn’t want to disturb them, but you were the one who insisted on going that way~"

"I just didn’t hear anything!"

Meng Qianyu suddenly realized, "You... knew all along?"

"Well, not exactly. I wasn’t sure what it was at first."

"Really?"

"Honest, I’m not lying."

"Fine... but isn’t it kind of rude to interrupt them like that?"

Su Yang paused, then chuckled. "Well, there’s nothing we could do. If they dare to do that kind of thing outside at night, they should be prepared for the risk of being seen. But isn’t that exactly the thrill outdoor enthusiasts chase—the unpredictability?"

"Who knows, maybe they enjoyed it even more~"

After running a fair distance, the two finally slowed down.

Catching her breath, Meng Qianyu glanced back nervously. "You don’t think they’ll come after us, do you?"

"If they’ve got the nerve, let them. I’d love to see who they are~"

Still flustered, Meng Qianyu hastily changed the subject. "Let’s not talk about this anymore~"

"Sure, no problem. By the way, is your head still spinning?"

Meng Qianyu rubbed her temple and smiled. "Just a little, but I’m feeling much better."

"Good. Want to keep walking?"

"Let’s go a bit further~"

"Alright."

They continued down the path, but after what had just happened, Meng Qianyu couldn’t shake the image from her mind.

Though she hadn’t seen everything clearly, she’d caught enough of a glimpse.

Remembering the movements, she unconsciously scratched her forehead and stole an awkward glance at Su Yang.

Big mistake. The moment she looked at him, her mind involuntarily conjured up a scene—the same two figures, but now with her and Su Yang’s faces.

"Mmm..."

"What’s wrong?" Su Yang turned to her, hearing the strange noise.

Even in the dim light, he could see the embarrassed expression on Meng Qianyu’s face.

"You okay? Feeling unwell?"

"N-no, I just suddenly feel a bit hot. Probably from running earlier."

"Let’s slow down then. There’s a pavilion up ahead on the slope—want to take a break there?"

"Sure~"

They turned onto a narrow path to the left, climbing about twenty or thirty meters up stone steps until they reached the highest point of the garden.

At the top was a small platform with a pavilion for visitors to rest.

The two sat down side by side inside.

Su Yang grinned. "Didn’t expect to go for a run tonight. Should’ve brought water."

"Yeah~ Who’d have thought we’d run into that kind of... ugh, why am I bringing it up again?"

Su Yang leaned back casually against the wooden railing. "It’s nice and breezy up here. Let’s rest for a bit, then head back~"

"Sounds good~"

Through the pavilion, the dark night sky stretched above them, dotted with countless glittering stars.

Meng Qianyu’s face lit up as she pointed upward. "Su Yang, look—so many stars!"

Su Yang slowly looked up and said, "Mm, so beautiful. Only out here in the suburbs can you see so many stars. The city’s light pollution makes it hard to spot them."

"Yeah, it’s gorgeous~"

The two of them leaned back in their chairs, quietly admiring the starry sky.

"Too bad there aren’t any shooting stars. That would make it perfect~"

Su Yang chuckled. "If you want to see shooting stars, you’ll have to wait for a meteor shower and hike out to the mountains to catch them."

Meng Qianyu nodded wistfully. "I’ve never seen a shooting star in my life. I’d love to witness a meteor shower someday!"

Su Yang thought for a moment. "You’ll get your chance. Just keep an eye on the news. Next time there’s a meteor shower forecast, let me know—I’ll take you to see it."

"Really?" Meng Qianyu’s eyes sparkled as she turned to him.

"Really!"

"Great! I’ll look it up as soon as we get back!"

"Sure~ Let’s head back now, though. It’s time to sleep."

"Okay~"

With that, the two stood up and made their way toward the stairs below the platform.

Meng Qianyu walked ahead, still stealing glances at the sky.

"Stop staring or you’ll trip—"

"Ahh!!"

Before Su Yang could finish his warning, Meng Qianyu’s scream cut through the air.

Her right foot missed a step, twisting awkwardly as she lost her balance and tumbled forward down the stairs.

Seeing this, Su Yang didn’t have time to think. His pupils contracted sharply as he lunged forward from behind her right side.

......