Roller Coaster

Ye Chuan didn’t notice Bai Qianshuang’s expression at the moment, because after scanning their tickets and entering the amusement park, he immediately grabbed a park map and began studying it.

Truth be told, Ye Chuan had never been to an amusement park before—he simply never had the means. Back then, even putting food on the table was a struggle, let alone having spare money for something like this.

His first time was practically given to Bai Qianshuang.

"What should we try first?" Ye Chuan scanned the recommended routes on the map before settling his gaze on the roller coaster not too far away.

The train roared past, its passengers screaming at the top of their lungs.

It was the closest attraction, and judging by the long line, it was probably the most thrilling one.

"Let’s go, we’re riding the roller coaster first," Ye Chuan said with a grin.

Bai Qianshuang didn’t seem to have any objections and obediently nodded.

"So many people," Lan Xiaoke muttered as they joined the queue, eyeing the crowd. "This is gonna take at least forty minutes."

"True." But Ye Chuan noticed another line nearby with far fewer people, where a staff member was holding up a sign:

[Fast Pass – 299 per person, skip the wait!]

"Oh, they have a fast pass?" Ye Chuan walked over. "Two, please."

"Scan here," the staff member said cheerfully.

Bai Qianshuang, however, spoke up, "We could just wait in line. It’s fine."

For cultivators, the concept of time was different—even a year or two felt like the blink of an eye, let alone half an hour.

"Nah, time is money," Ye Chuan grinned. "A few hundred bucks? Worth it."

Money was meant to be enjoyed.

Besides, Ye Chuan made twenty grand a day—over eight hundred an hour.

This was nothing.

"What about me?" Lan Xiaoke pointed at herself when she saw Ye Chuan only bought two fast passes, her expression screaming, You’re not ditching me, are you?

"Aren’t you a ghost?" Ye Chuan deadpanned as he and Bai Qianshuang headed for the fast lane.

Lan Xiaoke blinked. "Oh. Right."

Scratching her head, she phased through the railing and reappeared beside them.

The perks of paying extra were undeniable—within less than ten minutes, it was their turn.

Once Ye Chuan and Bai Qianshuang took their seats on the roller coaster, Lan Xiaoke realized she had nowhere to sit. And when the ride started, she probably wouldn’t even be able to keep up with its speed.

Being a ghost had its conveniences, but also its downsides.

She couldn’t enjoy delicious food, and now, she couldn’t even ride a roller coaster… Not that she’d ever tried one before. She’d actually been looking forward to it.

As Ye Chuan and Bai Qianshuang settled in, Lan Xiaoke hovered nearby, her eyes full of envy.

"What are you standing around for? Come here," Ye Chuan said when he noticed her still floating beside them.

"I don’t think I can ride this," Lan Xiaoke poked her fingers together, her voice tinged with disappointment.

"You can. Sit here."

Lan Xiaoke froze for a second before Ye Chuan pulled her onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her—she could feel his spiritual energy anchoring her in place.

"You can do this?!" Her eyes lit up.

Holding her, Ye Chuan found her soft and pleasantly cool to the touch. "Xiaoke, are you… kinda chubby?"

Lan Xiaoke: "?!"

I’m not chubby!

I’m gonna throw a fit!

"Ah, my hand was in the wrong spot. No wonder you felt so plump." Adjusting his grip to her waist, he secured her in place.

Just then, the roller coaster lurched into motion, clanking as it began its slow ascent.

"It’s so slow," Lan Xiaoke mumbled, peeking around from Ye Chuan’s arms. Why did it feel like the ride was barely moving?

"Perhaps it hasn’t fully started yet," Bai Qianshuang suggested.

Finally, the train reached the peak. Lan Xiaoke stared at the near-vertical drop and suddenly realized—

"Wait, this doesn’t seem right—WAAAAAAAAAH!!!"

The plunge sent her screaming loud enough to shatter eardrums, her entire body curling into Ye Chuan’s chest.

The entire ride lasted only a few dozen seconds, but for some, those seconds felt longer than an hour.

By the time the train rolled to a stop, Lan Xiaoke was utterly lifeless, her eyes hollow and numb.

The triple 360-degree loops afterward had sapped every ounce of strength from her.

She looked ready to embrace death.

Again.

"You’re a Qi Condensation expert. How can you not handle a roller coaster?" Ye Chuan lifted her limp body with one arm, her limbs dangling like noodles as she swayed with his movements.

She seemed completely out of it.

Meanwhile, Ye Chuan and Bai Qianshuang were completely unfazed.

Honestly, the speed was nothing compared to sword flight, so neither of them felt anything. The only casualty was Lan Xiaoke.

"Uuuu… bleh…" She dangled in Ye Chuan’s hold, limbs swaying, making strange noises.

"Alright, next one."

Ye Chuan and Bai Qianshuang moved on to other rides—the drop tower, the pendulum swing—but no matter the attraction, Lan Xiaoke ended up suffering the most.

"N-no more… I’m done," Lan Xiaoke whimpered, finally admitting defeat.

"Xiaoke, once your cultivation advances, you’ll soar through the skies. How can you let such a small setback hold you back?" Bai Qianshuang chided. Since Lan Xiaoke was now her junior sister, she felt responsible for guiding her.

"But an amusement park is for fun, not training!" Lan Xiaoke grumbled under her breath.

"Ten more roller coaster rides should do it," Bai Qianshuang concluded, deciding Lan Xiaoke simply lacked experience.

Lan Xiaoke immediately clung to Ye Chuan like a koala. "Ye Chuan, look how mean Qianshuang is! Say something!"

Ye Chuan agreed with Lan Xiaoke.

After all, the point of an amusement park was enjoyment. He turned to Bai Qianshuang. "We’re here to relax today. No need to push Xiaoke so hard."

Bai Qianshuang paused. "I just wanted to help her overcome her fear."

"At this rate, she’ll develop a heart demon instead."

"Exactly, exactly!" Lan Xiaoke nodded vigorously behind him, still clinging like a baby koala. So mean!

Hearing Ye Chuan’s words, Bai Qianshuang relented.

"Let’s take a break." Ye Chuan checked the map again. "We’ll grab something to eat… I heard the burgers here are pretty good."

"Ham… bag?"

"Burger." Though Ye Chuan sometimes wondered if Bai Qianshuang was a bit of a goofball herself.

At the mention of food, Bai Qianshuang perked up immediately. "Let’s go."