"What's wrong, Xin Xin?" Wen Xiaoxiao asked, her voice filled with worry.
Shi Xin Xin recounted the events to Wen Xiaoxiao. After a moment of thought, Wen Xiaoxiao replied, "Go back. What are you afraid of?"
Wen Xiaoxiao's words gave Shi Xin Xin a bit of confidence. She hung up and called her agent. The agent was surprised, and the two of them settled on a time to return to the country.
Shi Xin Xin told Yue Ran the outcome. Yue Ran said he wanted to take her somewhere, and they agreed to meet early the next morning.
Shortly after Shi Xin Xin got up, she heard the doorbell. It turned out Yue Ran was already at her door.
Shi Xin Xin opened the door and asked, "Where are we going today? Do we have to go out so early in the morning?"
Yue Ran wanted to keep it a surprise and didn't tell her. They had a simple breakfast at Shi Xin Xin's place before heading out.
When they arrived at their destination, Shi Xin Xin realized Yue Ran had brought her to an amusement park.
The amusement park was bustling. It was the weekend, and there were many children and couples. They blended into the crowd, completely inconspicuous.
Shi Xin Xin asked Yue Ran why he wanted to bring her here. Yue Ran replied, "I just thought if I had a sister, she would definitely want to go to an amusement park with her brother."
Yue Ran grabbed Shi Xin Xin and headed straight for the drop tower. Shi Xin Xin smiled and said, "Let's not. I don't think this is a pre-departure courage test."
Yue Ran suddenly covered Shi Xin Xin's mouth and said, "Don't talk about departure. It's just a temporary separation."
Shi Xin Xin felt a pang of sadness looking at Yue Ran, but he clearly didn't want to give her a chance to be melancholic. He dragged her onto the drop tower. Their screams echoed from the high fall to the ground, and their joyful laughter never ceased.
After getting off the drop tower, Shi Xin Xin felt like her face had been blown askew. Yue Ran, however, pulled her towards the roller coaster. Shi Xin Xin finally understood. This person was simply punishing her for leaving. She suddenly grabbed Yue Ran.
"Yue Ran, you are my dearest brother. I will come back," Shi Xin Xin hugged Yue Ran. Yue Ran was a little flustered. After hearing her words, he hugged Shi Xin Xin tightly.
Then, Yue Ran still pulled Shi Xin Xin onto the roller coaster and said, "Sugar-coated bullets can't defeat me."
Their hair was further dishevelled by the wind. After getting off the roller coaster, Yue Ran bought Shi Xin Xin an ice cream cone. They ate their cones, contemplating whether to go to the haunted house or the carousel.
Yue Ran wanted to go to the haunted house, while Shi Xin Xin expressed her desire to ride the carousel. Yue Ran couldn't refuse Shi Xin Xin, and they ended up going on the carousel. Shi Xin Xin chose a white horse, and Yue Ran picked a red one.
Yue Ran, sitting behind Shi Xin Xin, said, "If you're not happy, remember to come back anytime."
Shi Xin Xin turned her head to look at Yue Ran leaning on the pole. Memories of their time together flashed through her mind. She never thought their relationship would end so quickly. She truly valued this friendship.
Yue Ran couldn't bear to look at Shi Xin Xin's face; it was too captivating. He couldn't meet her eyes calmly. How could love like this fade so easily?
Yue Ran affectionately cursed in his heart, "Silly girl, how could I possibly consider you just a sister so quickly?"
Shi Xin Xin looked at Yue Ran and said, "You are truly the best brother."
Yue Ran looked up and met Shi Xin Xin's ardent gaze. Yue Ran smiled and said, "It's so good to be your brother."
After getting off the carousel, they still went to the haunted house. Shi Xin Xin's and Yue Ran's screams continuously echoed from inside. This haunted house was once ranked among the top ten scariest haunted houses.
Their legs were weak as they stumbled out of the haunted house. They supported each other as they walked to a pond.
Before long, the musical fountain show began at the pond. Shi Xin Xin and Yue Ran sat by the water, watching the spraying fountains. Someone in a mascot costume gave Shi Xin Xin a flower, and both of them were overjoyed.
Shi Xin Xin felt it was the happiest day she had spent abroad. Yue Ran bought her a bottle of juice. They had intended to watch the fireworks display that night, but it suddenly started to drizzle. Yue Ran draped his jacket over Shi Xin Xin's head and said to her, "Heaven is signaling. It says the next time we see fireworks will be perfect."
Shi Xin Xin smiled and replied, "Yue Ran, I definitely will."
Shi Xin Xin turned around and looked at Yue Ran's deeply affectionate and reluctant gaze. She had never seen him like this before. Shi Xin Xin held back tears and smiled.
"I'm just going back home, not to my death. Can't you be a little happier?" Shi Xin Xin's slightly cool fingertips brushed Yue Ran's cheek, attempting to ease his mood.
"If it were a death sentence, I wouldn't let you go..." Yue Ran's lips parted as if to say something, but he remained silent. Shi Xin Xin's gaze at Yue Ran couldn't help but feel a sense of reluctance too.
If he had met Shi Xin Xin earlier, if Shi Xin Xin could forget that man, would she fall in love with him? A faint hint of mockery touched Yue Ran's lips. The word "if" was merely a self-consolation of the powerless.
"Let's go back!" A trace of resignation appeared in Yue Ran's eyes. There were no 'ifs'. Fate loved to play tricks like this. It was fine, though. Even in a different way, he could still love her deeply, only under the title of brother.
"Okay." Shi Xin Xin's heart was still filled with a barely contained excitement. Her heart fluttered slightly; she was about to return to familiar surroundings. She had tried to forget and dilute everything during her long stay in America, but she could never change this person's place in her heart. She had always thought she would return someday, but she never expected it to happen so soon. She hadn't become perfect yet, and perhaps she still wasn't worthy of him.
Yue Ran placed his large hands on Shi Xin Xin's shoulders. His brotherly, caring gaze met hers. He knew her thoughts. Her love for that man was surely no less than his love for her.
"When I finish my current work, I'll come find you. You have to wait for me!" Yue Ran said, as he finally checked the luggage and passport in his assistant Mi Li's hands.
"If anyone bullies you, especially that man, you have to tell me!" His attempt at a lighthearted tone made Shi Xin Xin finally unable to hold back her emotions. Shi Xin Xin let out a choked laugh, and tears streamed down her face.
"I'm serious. You must tell me." Shi Xin Xin was enveloped in a warm embrace, and she sobbed softly, trying her best to calm her emotions.
"Okay, I will." The promise-like reply filled Shi Xin Xin's heart with warmth. She wrapped her arms around Yue Ran's arms and smiled with peace. Here, he was her greatest comfort and harbor.