Revisiting the Old Haunt

Entering the cinema, they sat down in two adjacent seats. After watching a long string of advertisements, Gu Yue finally couldn’t hold back her curiosity and turned to ask:

“Do you know that girl from just now?”

“No, I don’t.”

Lin Yu lied without hesitation.

After a moment’s thought, Lin Yu added,

“Crazy. Don’t bother with her.”

Hearing those familiar words, Gu Yue’s heart skipped a beat.

She glanced toward the entrance of the theater, then turned back to look at Lin Yu, her eyes quietly filled with resentment.

If she remembered correctly, wasn’t that exactly how he described the beautiful lady who drove the supercar last time?

And then those two got all tangled up!

This...

Could it really be...

That possibility was like a red-hot coal in Gu Yue’s mind—just thinking about it made her take a step back and shake her head in denial.

No way!

Lin Yu definitely wasn’t that kind of person!

While Gu Yue was lost in wild thoughts, Lin Yu’s eyes had already fixed on the paper bag she was carrying.

Curious, Lin Yu asked,

“What do you have in there?”

“I saw you carrying it all the way.”

Hearing Lin Yu’s question, Gu Yue quickly snapped out of her daydream.

She glanced at the paper bag by her feet, then cautiously pushed it a little further aside. Turning to Lin Yu, she wore a slightly smug smile and said,

“It’s a secret!”

Lin Yu rolled his eyes and said sarcastically,

“A secret?”

“What’s so secret about it?”

“I’d rather see it myself.”

One moment he was still complaining with disdain, and the next he suddenly leaned forward, stretching his neck to sneak a peek inside the paper bag.

“Ah!”

“Don’t look!”

Gu Yue let out a low warning and quickly bent down, hugging the bag to her chest.

The plan failed; seeing nothing, Lin Yu could only turn back, pretending nothing had happened.

Gu Yue bent down to push the bag even further away and kept a wary eye on Lin Yu. After thinking it over, still not feeling safe, she stuffed the bag under the seat. Only after making sure it was completely out of reach did she sit back up.

With the bag well out of reach, Lin Yu had no choice but to give up and focus on the movie.

Lin Yu was quite satisfied with this animated film.

There were tear-jerking moments as well as some funny bits. Overall, it was pretty good—worthy of the prime Spring Festival slot.

By the time the movie ended, it was already past three in the afternoon.

Perfect timing.

Stepping out of the cinema, Lin Yu looked at Gu Yue, who was clutching the mysterious paper bag like it was precious, and said with some helplessness,

“I can’t exactly snatch it from you, so why do you treasure it so much?”

Gu Yue turned her face away from Lin Yu with a pout, looking as if she didn’t trust this little rascal for a second.

“Now, can we go to that fun place you mentioned?”

Seeing Gu Yue wouldn’t listen (strike that),

Seeing Gu Yue wouldn’t take the hint, Lin Yu had to steer the conversation back on track.

Gu Yue nodded and waved her hand grandly.

“Let’s go!”

Following Gu Yue, they got into a taxi and left the city. After a while, they arrived by the seaside, where Gu Yue finally told the driver to stop.

Paying the fare and getting off the bus, Lin Yu looked at the somewhat familiar seaside sunset scene and thought for a moment before quickly remembering where this was.

Isn't this the same beach where he once brought Gu Yue?

Only now, the shore was covered with frost and cold snow, and the sun hung low and dim, nowhere near the dazzling golden sunsets of summer evenings.

So Gu Yue had been acting all mysterious for a while just to bring him here?

Boring!

Lin Yu rolled his eyes in silent exasperation.

Just then, Gu Yue ran a few steps ahead and stood by the railing. She turned around, opened her arms wide, and stood bathed in the gentle golden sunset, her smile radiant as she asked:

“How is it?”

“Pretty, right?”

In a flash, Lin Yu rolled his eyes back to their normal position and smiled softly from the heart, his voice warm:

“Very beautiful.”

Gu Yue’s smile grew even brighter. She turned back, gazing at the sun’s tender light shimmering on the rippling sea.

Taking advantage of Gu Yue’s turned back, Lin Yu quickly rubbed his eyes.

Damn.

That was too sudden.

His eyes almost cramped!

Gu Yue stood silently by the roadside railing, saying nothing, just quietly watching the sea.

Though he didn’t understand what was so special about a winter sunset, Lin Yu didn’t want to spoil Gu Yue’s mood, so he quietly walked over and stood shoulder to shoulder with her.

You know what?

Honestly?

A winter sunset at the beach really does have its own charm.

It lacked the brilliant golden glow of summer sunshine, but it was gentle—so gentle that you could freely stare at its round, glowing face, and it felt warm on your skin...

Under this winter sun, Lin Yu squinted his eyes and leaned slightly toward Gu Yue...

...

“Don’t even think about sneaking a peek!”

Gu Yue hugged the paper bag to her chest like a mother hen protecting her chick, glaring fiercely at Lin Yu.

Lin Yu pouted in frustration and muttered:

“What’s wrong with just taking a look?”

“So stingy.”

“You’re going to show me anyway, right?”

Gu Yue clutched the paper bag tighter and argued:

“That’s only after a while!”

“Don’t you get the importance of ceremony?”

“The ceremony!”

Lin Yu knew he was in the wrong and didn’t press further. Gu Yue stopped pestering him, switched the bag to her other hand, and continued watching the winter sunset by the sea.

After a while, lost in the view, a happy little smile tugged at the corner of Gu Yue’s lips as she asked:

“Long Ge, do you still remember where this is?”

“Nope.”

Lin Yu propped his forearms on the railing, leaned forward, and shook his head.

The smile on Gu Yue’s face vanished instantly. She spun around sharply and glared at Lin Yu, fuming.

Lin Yu, on the other hand, grinned happily, looking at the sulking Gu Yue and teasing:

“Why don’t you go cry yourself into a scary old witch again so I can really jog my memory?”

Gu Yue’s dark eyes, reflecting the setting sun, widened in realization that she had been tricked. Angry, she snorted and turned her head to continue watching the plump, glowing sun on the horizon, silently declaring she wouldn’t pay any attention to Lin Yu for at least a minute!

But not even ten seconds had passed before she couldn’t hold back anymore. With a deep sense of grievance, she let out a disgruntled hum and complained:

“You’ve got some nerve to say that!”

“That day, you took me out looking like that to eat barbecue—I have no idea how many people laughed at me.”

“So what?” Lin Yu retorted, trying to keep his cool despite the frustration.

“They might laugh, but only for a moment.”

“I was holding back my laughter so hard I almost couldn’t breathe.”

“Water won’t flow to outsiders’ fields, right?”

“Most of it went to me, anyway.”

“It’s fine.”

Gu Yue gritted her teeth, slowly turning her head with a fierce look as if ready to bite, and shouted through clenched teeth:

“Lin!”

“Yu!!!”

Seeing the situation turning ugly, Lin Yu made a quick getaway.

Gu Yue wasn’t foolish either. She bent down, scooped up a handful of snow, and armed herself before lunging toward Lin Yu’s retreating back.