Forced into a romantic relationship

Han Zhou might not be able to understand Wang Lengqiu nine years later, but he could see what the young Wang Lengqiu was thinking at this moment.

The confusion was genuine; the other person was seriously considering the significance of the question.

The concern was genuine; the other party was clearly worried about his mental state.

"Pretend I didn't ask," he sighed.

Yi Xia is right when she says that often, not answering is itself an answer. Xiao Wang Leng Qiu's question instead of answering clearly means that she does not know the answer.

"Okay." Xiao Wang Leng Qiu nodded.

At noon, the sunlight slanted through the uneven eaves, casting dappled shadows on the bluestone path.

Wild chrysanthemums bloom sparsely in the corner, their pale yellow color stubbornly vibrant. Occasionally, a withered leaf is swept by the wind, and the sound of the leaf rustling along the ground can be heard.

"Besides the Ferris wheel, are there any other rides you'd like to do? Or any other places you'd like to go?"

"do not know."

"Then you'll do as I say?"

"it is good."

"..."

The two strolled hand in hand through the alley, chatting casually. Xiao Wang Leng Qiu was not a talkative person, so Han Zhou did most of the talking while she listened.

Having returned to Lincheng nine years ago, Han Zhou's attention was mostly drawn to his surroundings. Xiao Wang Leng Qiu didn't know what was so interesting about it, but she still followed him around looking around.

The old locust tree's branches were crooked and sprawling, with a few half-yellow leaves hanging from the tips. When the wind stirred them, they trembled gently but did not fall.

At the entrance of the alley, the wooden door of a house was half-open, and a string of dried chili peppers hung on the lintel, their red color faded, swaying slightly in the wind.

The fragrance of unknown flowers drifted from afar, mingling with the warm scent of dried cotton quilts, floating in the dry air before being dispersed by a cool breeze.

A few withered grasses sprouted from the cracks in the brick wall, pointing obliquely towards the pale sky, which was high and clear, without a single cloud.

Time seems to have slowed down again.

"The weather is really nice today, isn't it?"

Seeing Xiao Wang Leng Qiu staring blankly at the sky in a daze, Han Zhou suddenly smiled and spoke up, pulling the girl's thoughts back from the slow passage of time. She nodded gently.

"Ah."

"You should go out more when the weather is nice. Don't become a homebody in the future."

"What does 'homebody' mean?" Xiao Wang Leng Qiu tilted her head.

"A girl who stays at home all day and never goes anywhere."

Han Zhou pretended to be serious and said, "You're already so thin. If you don't exercise more, it will easily affect your health."

He was indeed somewhat worried about the girl's health.

"I see."

Xiao Wang Leng Qiu seemed to have taken it to heart, nodding to indicate that she understood. After hesitating for a moment, she suddenly asked, "Brother Han Zhou, what did you mean by that question just now?"

Which question are you referring to?

"It's the one with the leaves."

"Didn't I say I'd pretend I didn't ask?" Han Zhou said with a wry smile.

"Yes... thank you, then I won't ask anymore."

"Words spoken are like water spilled; once you've asked, there's no going back. Of course, the same applies to me."

Han Zhou shook his head and chuckled, "But I don't know what the point of this question is either. Just think of it as a riddle a friend gave me." "Do you have any other friends?" Xiao Wang Leng Qiu asked.

"Um, do I look like I have really bad interpersonal relationships...?"

"I mean human friends."

Xiao Wang Leng Qiu quietly tightened her grip on the large hand in hers. "You said I was the first person you saw after you landed, didn't you?"

Her tone was no different from usual, and Han Zhou did not notice anything unusual. He pretended to be helpless and said, "You are indeed the first person I met after landing, but didn't you refuse to be friends with me? Well, have you changed your mind now?"

"No."

Xiao Wang Leng Qiu shook her head as before, "I don't want to be friends with you."

Despite saying that, her hands unconsciously clenched tighter.

This wasn't the first time Han Zhou had dealt with such stubborn people, so he suppressed a laugh, pretended not to hear, and changed the subject, saying, "You saw it too, it didn't take me more than a few days to become friends with Uncle Zhong's family, so it's not surprising that I have a few human friends, right?"

"Well, not surprising."

Hearing this answer, Xiao Wang Leng Qiu felt much more relaxed, and the pressure on her hands also decreased.

She didn't continue asking the mystery about the leaves, but fell silent, as if she were pondering other questions.

After leaving the alley, the two finally turned from the leaf-strewn alley into the street. Looking at the cars coming and going on the road, Han Zhou subconsciously tightened his grip on Xiao Wang Leng Qiu's hand. Just as he was about to take out his phone to call a taxi, he suddenly remembered that his phone was now no better than a brick, so he had no choice but to wave for a taxi.

However, this area was remote, and he and Xiao Wang Leng Qiu waited for ten minutes without seeing a single taxi.

Han Zhou felt embarrassed. Not long ago, he had confidently promised to follow his arrangements, but now he couldn't even hail a taxi. This really damaged his image as an omnipotent stick figure.

"Why don't we walk over there?" Just then, Xiao Wang Lengqiu suddenly said.

Han Zhou was taken aback: "It might be a bit far to walk there, probably about half an hour."

"It's alright, the weather is so nice today, we should take a walk," Xiao Wang Lengqiu said, mimicking his tone from not long ago.

Han Zhou laughed: "Walking is fine too, consider it exercise. But I don't mind, aren't you afraid of getting tired?"

"It takes me more than half an hour to walk to school," Xiao Wang Lengqiu said earnestly.

"Alright then... but there's something I need to clarify beforehand."

"what's up?"

"I'm not sure where the amusement park is. If we get lost, we'll have to take a taxi again. Don't blame me then."

Han Zhou coughed lightly. He only knew where the amusement park would be nine years from now, but his memories of Lincheng nine years ago were quite limited. Who knew where the amusement park would be now?

"It's okay." Xiao Wang Leng Qiu took his hand.

"Why do you seem quite happy? Do you really enjoy walking?" Han Zhou asked in surprise.

"Ah."

Xiao Wang Lengqiu made a nasal sound, it was unclear whether he was responding to one question or answering two questions at the same time.

The two walked along the street, Han Zhou still looking around with curiosity, marveling at the changes of the times. An outsider might really think he was a newly arrived alien.

Xiao Wang Leng Qiu's attention was mainly focused on him. She would only briefly look away when she passed by the clothing store, but her gaze was not on the clothes inside the store, but on the mannequins standing outside.

Occasionally, she would tiptoe slightly, as if comparing her height to the model, or perhaps comparing something else entirely.

The autumn wind swept by silently, as if slowly pushing time forward.

After walking for an unknown amount of time, the two passed a school. (End of Chapter)