Translator: Dj2203
Editor: Dj2203
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Unlike Lu Huan’s Yan Kingdom, where dates could involve browsing cosmetic shops, watching flower shows, and releasing river lanterns, modern couples’ dates consisted of nothing more than eating, watching movies, and karaoke— utterly boring.
Normally, when her classmates invited Su Xi to do these things, she wasn’t interested, thinking it would be better to stay home and sleep in. But now she realized it wasn’t that the things were boring, but that the people she wanted to hang out with were just too common, like the same old white rice she ate every day. It was one thing to see each other every day at school, but to have to go out with them during the holidays was hardly exciting.
But doing something with someone you like makes a completely different feeling.
Su Xi pulled Lu Huan to the mall, but they stopped in front of the escalator.
Although Lu Huan had spent half a year studying modern civilization, he still didn’t have enough time. He only glanced at the things inside the building and hadn’t studied in detail the escalator that could carry people slowly upwards.
He couldn’t help but step on it with one foot, and after a few seconds, he stepped on it with the other foot as well.
He raised an eyebrow, showing great interest in the kinetic energy of the escalator.
Su Xi found him adorable just looking at him, and found it fascinating and interesting to watch.
And how could he possibly feel bored? He only regretted that there wasn’t enough time, because he would have to go back to work in Yan State and wouldn’t be able to go to school with her.
Perhaps because it was a weekday, the mall wasn’t too crowded, but wherever the two went, saleswomen and customers couldn’t help but look at Lu Huan and Su Xi. They stood out from the crowd; the boy was tall and handsome, the girl fair-skinned and lovely, and together they were incredibly eye-catching. Although the boy’s long hair under his baseball cap seemed a bit out of place, for some reason, the girl standing next to him, with her eyes crinkling, strangely neutralized that awkwardness.
They went up the escalator and walked side by side toward a Nai Xue[1]‘s tea shop.
Su Xi wanted Lu Huan, who came from ancient times, to also try the modern food from her place, the most famous of which was, of course, all kinds of delicious milk tea.
The couple walking in front of them also looked like they were from school, but they were much more affectionate, even wearing matching hoodies. Lu Huan raised his hand to adjust the brim of his hood, stared at the two people’s clothes— one large and one small— for a while, then glanced at Su Xi, a look of doubt flashing in his eyes. “Is this even possible?”
After all, in the Yan state, men’s and women’s clothing were clearly distinguished, and men and women never wore the same clothes, one large and one small.
Su Xi was amused by his inquisitive gaze and couldn’t help but move closer to him. Then she turned her head away and pretended to be nonchalant as she hugged his arm.
After confirming their relationship, holding hands and hugging should have been natural things, but perhaps because they were both inexperienced, their first time doing so felt like everything was in slow motion.
In that instant, the smells in the air, the shops passing by, and the clothes they were wearing all became a vivid memory.
“…” Lu Huan struggled to walk normally again after a moment of awkwardness.
His heart was pounding in his chest and ears. Just now at home, Su Xi suddenly rushed up and hugged him. It was only a short hug, but it took him all this time to calm down. And now, Su Xi was holding his arms with both hands like a koala hugging bamboo. Maybe, probably— it would be a long time.
Lu Huan’s long, slender fingers hung at his sides, as he nervously clenched and unclenched them. While the trembling and joy rushed to the top of his head with his blood, like an electric shock.
But he coughed, trying his best to appear natural.
His limbs, which were usually perfectly balanced and capable of riding horses and leading troops, as well as drawing longbows, were suddenly not cooperating well, and he was not walking very smoothly.
And… the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but turn up.
Su Xi was also a little nervous, after all, it was in public. However, because the Ninth Prince beside her was too formal wherein he clearly wanted to get closer to her, almost to the point of madness, but he kept holding back. If she didn’t take the initiative, when would she be able to hold hands like other couples?
She had no experience either, but even though she was all bark and no bite, she had to pretend to be very skilled.
So she hugged Lu Huan’s arm even tighter.
Lu Huan’s arm was pinched and it hurt a little, but his dark eyes were very bright, and his heart was as sunny as a clear day.
The two of them, their ears turning red, tried their best to act naturally as they walked into the milk tea shop.
Su Xi pointed to several signature drinks and, referring to the pictures, explained to Lu Huan, “This is tapioca pearls, this is coconut jelly, and this is milk foam. These are all things that can be added to milk tea. Milk tea isn’t entirely just milk and tea; you can think of it as a drink with a rather unique seasoning method. What would you like to drink? There are many pictures on this menu; take a look.”
Lu Huan looked at her: “What would you like to drink?”
Without hesitation, Su Xi replied, “Domineering Cheese Strawberry.” This was the only drink she never tired of.
Lu Huan turned to the waiter and said, “Two Domineering Cheese Strawberry drinks, one low-sugar and no ice, and the other as you like, thank you.”
Su Xi couldn’t help but chuckle. Having been in this world for so long, he had even learned how to order milk tea.
The two waiters were both men. They looked up at him and were somewhat surprised by his height of about 1.85 meters. Actually, this height was not unusual. After all, with good nutrition in modern times, there were plenty of tall boys.
But perhaps it was because the boy on the other side the counter, wearing a black hoodie and a baseball cap, had an exceptionally upright back and an indescribable air of a general riding a horse with a bow and a long sword, that he seemed exceptionally tall. And although his expression was gentle and his eyes were smiling, his mere presence exuded an invisible sense of oppression.
The two waiters handed the receipt to Su Xi. Before she could even react, Lu Huan pulled Su Xi to sit down in a corner.
Since there weren’t many people, the two cups of cheese strawberry milk tea were ready quickly.
Lu Huan went and got it.
“This is a straw,” Su Xi patiently taught him.
Even though Lu Huan had never seen these details before, he understood them immediately upon first seeing them. With his long, slender, fair fingers with distinct knuckles, he removed the white paper cover from the straw in front of Su Xi, deftly inserted it into the low-sugar, ice-free cheese and strawberry drink, and then handed it to her, exclaiming, “Technology changes lives.”
Su Xi lazily rested her chin on her hand and looked at him: “Ah.”
Lu Huan held it to her lips.
Su Xi took a sip, her eyes crinkling with a smile.
Although Su Xi was the one being served so attentively, Lu Huan looked even happier and more energetic than her, as if he couldn’t wait to rush to the counter and buy another thousand cups, putting straws into each one for her.
“Hurry up and drink it,” Su Xi urged him, holding out her own glass.
Lu Huan then took a sip.
Su Xi looked at him expectantly and asked, “How did it go?”
“It’s my first time trying it. It’s a bit sweet, but not very fruity,” Lu Huan commented. “However, I really like it.”
Su Xi said happily, “I guess you can’t drink anymore. Next time you come, I’ll take you to try other flavors. Also, we have a lot of delicious food and drinks here, as well as hot pot, barbecue, sushi, and buffets— you’ve never tried any of them, have you? You can try them all.”
These were all novelties to Lu Huan, but he had never had much desire for gourmet food, so he remained calm when he heard them. He simply enjoyed doing things with Su Xi, whatever they might be.
Su Xi herself was getting a little hungry just talking about it. She noticed Lu Huan staring at her with a bright smile, and she wiped her mouth a little shyly.
Su Xi used to scoff at people saying that being in love makes everything, no matter how small, joyful. But now she realized it’s true.
Buying a cup of milk tea at the mall and sitting down to drink it was originally just an ordinary thing, but because she did it with Lu Huan, even the most ordinary thing made her feel very happy.
It was as if a wild cat had taken up residence in her heart. When she looked at Lu Huan, it would scratch her heart with its tail, making her heart itch. At other times, it would lazily lie in a puddle, giving her a sense of satisfaction every minute and every second.
After finishing her milk tea, Su Xi originally planned to watch a movie, but seeing that there weren’t any good movies showing today, she cancelled the plan. Anyway, she figured she could still drag Lu Huan over from that world when a good movie came out.
So the two of them took a walk back.
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[1] Nai Xue (also known as Nayuki) is a popular premium Chinese tea and bakery brand famous for inventing cheese-capped fresh fruit teas and premium milk teas.
