In This World, What Will Childhood Sweethearts Encounter So Hard to Guess (Shrug)

Even in the southernmost city of S, as the year's end approaches, the air carries a hint of chill.

It wasn't bitterly cold, but it was enough that a single layer wouldn't suffice. The people living there had all tacitly added a few extra pieces of clothing.

Under the bright streetlights, Lu Ming walked with his hands in his pockets, his mind wandering. His gaze would occasionally drift, stealing furtive glances at the girl beside him, with whom he had just recently started a relationship.

Tian Youyou was wearing a very pretty red lolita dress today. The dress was fluffy, with a soft, billowy skirt, paired with a red shawl and some exquisite accessories that immediately brought the New Year to mind.

She looked incredibly cute.

To match the lolita dress, she had also tied her hair into two little buns on either side of her head with red ribbons, making her look like a maiden from ancient times in a comic book.

She was unbearably adorable.

Lu Ming felt too shy to stare openly. He would sneak a look, then avert his eyes.

His heart was pounding with nervousness, mixed with happiness.

He was happy that Tian Youyou had accepted his confession and agreed to be his girlfriend.

Lu Ming and Tian Youyou had known each other since they were very young. They had grown up together, gone to school together, shared joys and sorrows, and experienced so many things together.

At some point, Lu Ming suddenly began to see Tian Youyou as different.

She seemed to have become prettier almost overnight, always inexplicably drawing his gaze. The light in her eyes, her round face, her adorable little canine teeth—every single part of her was beautiful!

Especially when she smiled; those sweet dimples seemed carved right into his heart.

A few days earlier, right after winter break started, as they were walking home together, perhaps because his suppressed feelings finally erupted, or maybe because his brain short-circuited looking at Tian Youyou's cute face...

Lu Ming's mind went completely blank, and he confessed.

Under Tian Youyou's surprised gaze, Lu Ming endured what felt like the longest few seconds of his life, his heart clenched tight with tension.

When Tian Youyou nodded, lowered her head, and with a blushing face said she liked him too, Lu Ming felt like the happiest person in the world.

They often hung out together.

From childhood until now, the times were more numerous than the leaves on a willow tree.

This was their fourth date since confirming their relationship, and Lu Ming was as nervous as if he had just met her.

His gaze drifted down to Tian Youyou's small, pale hand that looked so soft and pinchable. Lu Ming took a deep breath, silently psyching himself up.

The first three dates, he hadn't done anything.

This time, you should at least hold her hand!

Don't be nervous, don't be nervous.

It's just holding hands. You even slept in the same bed when you were kids. It's just holding hands now.

Don't be nervous, don't be nervous...

Just as Lu Ming was trying to adjust his state, the girl beside him noticed something was off and asked in her soft voice:

"What's wrong?"

"I'm not nervous!"

In his extreme nervousness, the words slipped out before Lu Ming could think, blurting out exactly what was on his mind.

Tian Youyou was amused by his silly demeanor, covering her mouth as she laughed. Her eyes curved into bright crescents, mesmerizing Lu Ming for a moment and making the awkward situation suddenly feel less embarrassing.

But after this little blunder, he felt even less courageous to take Tian Youyou's hand.

Even though it was just holding hands, Lu Ming felt it should be done carefully, needing to find the right moment. You can't just grab it, right?

And he couldn't bear to do anything she wasn't willing to do.

Even though he didn't get to hold her hand, making her laugh and seeing her happy was good enough!

Lu Ming thought to himself, feeling quite satisfied.

The two wandered aimlessly along the street. On the straight lampposts hung strings of bright red lanterns. The strong festive atmosphere filled the streets and alleys; the entire city was welcoming the New Year.

After strolling like this for a while, just as Lu Ming was wondering what to do with Tian Youyou next, he felt a gentle tug on his sleeve from a small hand.

Lu Ming turned to see Tian Youyou looking up at him, her big, bright eyes sparkling with curiosity about the unknown and a hint of nervousness.

"Lu Ming, have you ever been to a bar?"

Tian Youyou asked in her thin, soft voice.

"No, I haven't."

Lu Ming shook his head. He was a model good kid; he hadn't even been to internet cafes much, let alone bars.

"What, do you want to go?"

Lu Ming caught her implication and asked instinctively.

Tian Youyou lightly pursed her pink, moist lips, nodding a bit sheepishly.

"Yeah."

"My classmates go to bars often, but I've never been."

"I've always wanted to see what it's like, but I'm scared to go alone. Will you go with me to take a look?"

Meeting Tian Youyou's pleading, pitiable gaze, a surge of boldness instantly rose in Lu Ming's chest.

What's a bar?

I'd go through fire and water for you!

Without hesitation, Lu Ming nodded in agreement.

Seeing her request accepted, Tian Youyou smiled happily.

Looking at her crescent-moon eyes, Lu Ming felt immensely happy himself.

Entering a nearby well-known bar, the two who had been good kids for nearly twenty years were immediately stunned.

The pounding music, the frenzied atmosphere, the hot dancers with fiery figures and revealing clothes on stage—everything was assaulting their pure worldview.

Especially the thumping music, which felt like it was about to deafen them.

Lu Ming instinctively stopped, his eyes questioning as he looked at Tian Youyou, as if asking if she still wanted to go in and look around.

Tian Youyou frowned, clearly also very unaccustomed to the super noisy environment of the bar.

But before she could answer, a group of people seemed to intentionally or unintentionally squeeze towards them.

Lu Ming noticed this somewhat odd group. In the critical moment, he instinctively grabbed Tian Youyou's hand, pulling her behind him, and stared warily at the crowd.

Perhaps because their intention was seen through, or perhaps they hadn't planned to do anything in the first place, the group brushed past the two. Aside from a few of them giving Tian Youyou extra glances, the two parties had no further interaction.

With the crisis averted, Lu Ming only then realized that today's goal had been achieved without him even noticing.

Shifting his gaze from their tightly clasped hands, Lu Ming looked at Tian Youyou.

Their eyes met. In Tian Youyou's eyes, there was no displeasure; instead, they shimmered with a mix of delight, touched emotion, and shyness.

"...."

"Huh?"

The bar was simply too loud; Lu Ming couldn't hear a word Tian Youyou said.

Tian Youyou helplessly stood on her tiptoes, leaning close to Lu Ming's ear and speaking loudly:

"I'm going to the restroom, then let's get out of here!"