Endless Fall

Lin Jiao did not need to hide her relationship anymore. She went to the parking lot with the other colleagues and got into Pei Zhi’s car.

She adjusted her seat. “Because of you, two colleagues added me on WeChat today.”

“Why didn’t you refuse?”

“They use work as an excuse. I can’t refuse.”

Ever since they were seen interacting intimately on Tuesday, many colleagues swarmed over to add her on Wechat.

“Does it bother you?” Pei Zhi leaned over and put on his seatbelt.

“Not really.” She took a bottle of juice out of the glove compartment. “They don’t talk to me often.”

“If anyone harrasses you, tell me. I’ll get Qu Shao to handle it.”

“How do you plan to handle it?”

“It depends.” Pei Zhi stepped on the accelerator and left Sheng Heng’s parking lot. “If it’s not too serious, I’ll just warn them.”

“What if it’s serious?”

“Fire.” He glanced at the GPS and drove towards the road on the right. “Sheng Heng doesn’t need employees who can’t behave themselves.”

Lin Jiao chuckled. “Don’t worry. They’re nice people.”

“I hope so.” Pei Zhi lit a cigarette while waiting for the traffic light. “Jiaojiao, are you hungry?”

“I’m not hungry.”

“Then let’s eat when we get to Changning?”

Lin Jiao tightened the bottle cap. “Alright.” She played a relaxing song and leaned against the back of the seat to take a nap.

The afterglow of the sunset faded on the way, and the sound of the music accompanied them to Changning.

The old street in the ancient town was unique. On both sides of the street, there were lush trees. LED lights hung between the trees, and together with the light from the street lamps, they decorated the not-so-wide road.

As they walked along the stone road, many vendors selling accessories and snacks on both sides shouted to attract tourists in different ways.

Lin Jiao stopped in front of a takoyaki stall.

She looked at the octopus balls and her stomach let out a soft growl. “Boss, how many are there in one serving?”

“Six.”

“Then I want two servings.”

“Please wait a moment.” The boss placed the octopus balls in a paper box and spread it with bonito flakes and salad dressing. “Twenty in total.”

Pei Zhi paid for it with his phone.

He took one serving from Lin Jiao and put one octopus ball into his mouth with a bamboo fork.

Their overly outstanding appearance attracted the attention of many tourists. Occasionally, they would hear people say that they were a good match.

Lin Jiao was so focused on eating that she did not notice the gazes of others. Before long, she stopped at a stall.

“Pei Zhi, I want to eat this.” She pointed at the squid skewers on the griddle, her eyes bright and her mouth watering.

“How many skewers do you want?”

“Ten skewers. Five for each of us.”

Pei Zhi picked ten skewers of squid and handed them to the boss. While asking for the price, he did not forget to ask the boss to put less chili.

Receiving the gaze of the hungry cat beside him, he whispered into her ear, “You still have three days of your period. You can’t eat too spicy food.”

Lin Jiao pursed her lips. “Alright.”

Pei Zhi held the squid skewers in the lunch box and fed the hungry cat.

They bought cold noodles and fried potatoes. They sat at the wooden table behind the skewers stall and ate slowly.

“Which do you think is the best?” Lin Jiao wiped the red oil from her lips and took a few sips of milk tea.

“Squid skewers. How about you?”

“The same.” She chewed on the pearls. “Shall we buy a few more skewers when we go back?”

“Sure.” Pei Zhi’s gaze landed on her lips and he couldn’t help but peck it. “There is oil.”

“Why are you kissing me when there’s oil?”

“I’m helping you wipe it clean.”

Lin Jiao glared at him. “Liar.” She threw away the empty milk teacup and walked forward alone.

However, before she could take two steps, he placed his warm palm on the back of her hand and interlocked his fingers with hers.

She suppressed the smile on her face and leaned closer to his arm. Accompanied by the evening breeze, they walked to the end of the street.

At the end of the street was a river. In the empty space on the bank, two or three tourists were gathered and studying the Sky Lantern.

“Jiaojiao.” Pei Zhi held her hand and led her to the stall. “How many lanterns do you want?”

“One. I want to release it with you.”

“Alright.” He took a pen from the stall owner and handed it to her. “Write your wish.”

Lin Jiao opened the packaging of the Sky Lantern and carefully unfolded it before placing it on the chair.

She wrote a line of words that put Pei Zhi almost immediately on cloud nine.

“Pei Zhi, Lin Jiao, forever.”

...

“Let’s go over there.” She returned the pen to the stall owner and walked to the right with the Sky Lantern.

He took out the lighter from his pocket and lit the candle to let it burn for a while. “Jiaojiao, hold the top with both hands.”

Lin Jiao did as she was told. “Can I release it now?”

Pei Zhi saw the faint candlelight reflected in the depths of her eyes. He hugged her waist from behind and kissed her face.

“Yes.” He gestured for Lin Jiao to let go.

The gradually rising Sky Lantern carried their wish and took off from the ground.

They watched as the lantern flew higher into the sky, embellishing the dark night with a warm light.

Lin Jiao, who was sitting in the passenger seat, was driven to the hotel booked by Pei Zhi with a bag of squid skewers.

After checking in at the front desk, they took a room card to the top and found the room they would be staying in.

With a beep, Pei Zhi inserted the room card into the slot and pressed the light switch.

He closed the door and stood in front of the sofa to take off his black coat. He sat down with Lin Jiao. “Is the squid cold?”

...

“Not yet.”

“Then eat first before taking a shower.”

Lin Jiao picked up the first squid skewer and leaned into his arms to look around at the furnishings in the suite.

At this moment, she realized that there was only one bedroom in the suite. “Pei Zhi, why didn’t you book a two-bedroom room?”

“Don’t you want to sleep in the same room as me?”

“We’re not a couple…”

Pei Zhi interrupted, “But we’re more than a couple.” He rested his chin on her shoulder. “Don’t worry, I won’t do anything to you.”