Let's Order Takeout

"What are you talking about?"

Meeting after such a long time, Lin Yu certainly didn't want this date to turn into a miserable hell.

He suppressed the bitterness in his heart, raised his hands to cup Tang Manman's delicate face, and coaxed her like a child:

"I've never once thought you were being unreasonable."

"You're the sweetest."

Obviously, Tang Manman couldn't do what Lin Yu did—pulling herself out of a sad mood, wringing it out, and hanging it up to dry in such a short time.

She rested her petite face securely in Lin Yu's warm palms. Her eyes were red, and she sniffled softly, again and again.

She looked incredibly pitiful.

"Stop crying."

"You won't look pretty if you keep crying."

"Come on."

"Hey, pretty girl."

"Give your man a smile."

Lin Yu curved his lips into a slightly wicked smile, teasing Tang Manman.

Tang Manman's condition didn't improve.

Instead, the corners of her mouth sank even further.

It was as if she were building fortifications, preparing to resist some kind of impact.

"Then how about I give you a smile?"

Just like always, Lin Yu grinned, tossing out this joke he had been telling for years, one that was even a bit cliché by now.

And just like always, Tang Manman burst into a 'pfft' of laughter, her defenses instantly crumbling.

In truth, Tang Manman had heard this joke countless times over the years.

But miraculously, she hadn't developed the slightest bit of immunity to it.

Lin Yu felt like she was a little puppy who would easily trip over her own paws while running on flat ground, a puppy who hadn't even learned how to hold a grudge yet.

If you gave it a kick, it would run away whimpering in sorrow.

But if you waved at it and smiled.

It would instantly forget how painful and cruel that kick had been.

It would turn around, wagging the tip of its stubby, chubby tail, and trot happily back to you with unsteady steps.

She was almost too easy to coax.

Lin Yu opened his arms and gently pulled Tang Manman into his embrace in the chilly winter air.

At the same time, he couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

It was a good thing a girl like Tang Manman had met him.

If she had met someone else, with her temperament, who knew how badly she would have been bullied...

...

As he thought about it, Lin Yu smacked his lips. Suddenly, his cheeks grew hot, and he experienced a rare moment of deep embarrassment.

Emmmmm...

Actually, thinking about it, Tang Manman hadn't exactly lived a carefree and comfortable life by his side either.

He smacked his lips again.

Lin Yu felt a complex mix of emotions.

Whatever.

Let it be.

Lin Yu's heart quickly settled into a state of acceptance.

Marry a rooster, follow the rooster; marry a dog, follow the dog.

Tang Manman, since your eyesight was poor enough to fall for a guy like me, just honestly stick with me and endure it!

It's too late for regrets now!

Tang Manman was gently held by Lin Yu.

She didn't struggle like other girls might, throwing a spoiled tantrum, nor did she try to break free just to save face after crying.

She simply raised her arms, hugged Lin Yu tightly in return, and stayed peacefully in his embrace.

Burying her face in the crook of his neck, she sniffled softly and obediently.

In the countless days and nights before stepping onto the high-speed train, Tang Manman's life had been far less pleasant than she had claimed to Lin Yu over the phone.

Based on her past experiences, she could never stop her imagination from running wild.

She felt like Lin Yu was a kite that had flown above the clouds.

Even though she held the string tying him down.

She couldn't see his silhouette through the cloud cover.

She was always afraid that the string in her hand might suddenly snap one day, and the kite hidden in the clouds would silently fly away, leaving her foolishly clutching the string, completely unaware.

Just like during her freshman and sophomore years of college.

Living in such fear.

Countless little voices had unknowingly spawned in Tang Manman's mind.

Some wept in sorrow, some wallowed in self-pity, some were gentle and considerate, and some were clear-headed and wise.

There were also a few hot-tempered ones, constantly clamoring to tie Lin Yu up again, and this time, never let him go.

It was fine when she was busy during the day.

But whenever it was the dead of night and she had nothing to do.

These little figures would jump out one after another and brawl inside her mind.

Tang Manman lived amidst their arguments.

Playing the role of the punching bag, just as usual.

Only when these little figures suddenly came to their senses and unanimously pointed their fingers at her, would she shrink her shoulders, pick up her phone, and make a probing text that seemed as casual as a passing breeze.

This time, she seized the opportunity.

Under their urging, Tang Manman acted first and reported later, coming all the way here.

And saw that bad guy once again.

They raised their fists, clamoring for Tang Manman to teach this guy a lesson.

But it was as if Tang Manman could no longer hear their voices. She nestled obediently in Lin Yu's embrace, a honey-sweet smile curving her lips.

The two hugged for quite a while at the bustling exit of the high-speed rail station.

The passing pedestrians and travelers looked at them, feeling a bit sour in their hearts.

Hey, hey, hey!

In a place like a train station, where separations outnumber reunions.

Is it really appropriate for you two to be hugging so affectionately?

And another thing!

Isn't your pairing a bit off?

Beauty and the Beast?

What?

The beauty is a beauty, but the beast isn't a beast?

Ah.

It's all the same.

This guy has the face of a scumbag who would flirt with someone else's girlfriend; he might as well be a beast!

Damn it!

It feels like he's even worse than a beast!

After a long embrace, Lin Yu was the first to let go. Looking at her adorable, tear-stained face, he smiled and asked:

"Have you eaten?"

Tang Manman shook her head.

"Let's go."

"I'll take you to eat something delicious!"

Lin Yu took Tang Manman's hand, turning around with the intention of taking her to a few famous restaurants in City N.

Lin Yu turned around so quickly that he didn't notice the change in Tang Manman's expression.

On her small face, tinted with a rosy blush, a hint of reluctance was very obvious.

It seemed she didn't want to waste time on such useless things.

Rushing over this time.

She had assigned herself a mission!

???

Feeling a gentle tug on his hand, Lin Yu stopped in his tracks and turned to look at Tang Manman in confusion.

"What's wrong?"

Lin Yu asked instinctively.

"L-let's just order takeout..."

Tang Manman suddenly blurted out this rather strange sentence in a quiet voice.

Order takeout?

What takeout?

For a moment, Lin Yu felt like King Louis XVI—completely losing his head in confusion.

Ordering takeout was an option you only considered when you were cooped up at home and didn't want to move, or when you had something urgent to attend to.

They were already outside.

There were restaurants everywhere.

And there was nothing urgent going on.

Why would you order takeout?

Lin Yu's face was full of doubt. It wasn't until he saw Tang Manman's peach-blossom eyes—hiding shyness yet alluring like a hook—that he suddenly realized something was up.

His mouth twitched.

Lin Yu smacked his lips, finally nodding as he said:

"Alright."

"Let's get takeout then."