The final ride of the day was the Ferris wheel. It could seat either two or three people per cabin.

When Gu Xingyi carried Xiao Nainai into the cabin with Xia Xiyao and closed the door behind them, the little one had already fallen asleep in his arms.

After playing all afternoon, and especially after seeing the castle, her energy had completely run out. Now, she was lost in some sweet dream, her face glowing with a gentle smile.

If it weren’t for the upcoming fireworks show, Gu Xingyi and Xia Xiyao would’ve already taken the little one home.

The Ferris wheel slowly rose, and the brightly lit buildings below began to shrink. What Gu Xingyi didn’t know was that this was also Xia Xiyao’s first time visiting an amusement park—and her first time on a Ferris wheel.

Her almond-shaped eyes curiously took in the view outside the cabin, sparkling with wonder.

She gazed out the window, while Gu Xingyi watched her.

Maybe sensing his gaze, her earlobes gradually turned red. She shot him a shy, playful glare.

It was the first time Gu Xingyi had ever seen that kind of expression from her, and it left him a little flustered.

The soft cabin lights shone on her slender face, and Gu Xingyi suddenly found it almost dazzling.

As the Ferris wheel rose higher, he adjusted Xiao Nainai in his arms and glanced out the window again, eyes deep in thought.

Down below, many people were already holding glowsticks and colorful fireworks, waving them around as they looked up to the sky.

And then—

From all corners of the castle, fireworks burst into the sky almost simultaneously, exploding into a brilliant cascade of colors.

In that moment, Gu Xingyi clearly saw a breathtaking smile bloom on Xia Xiyao’s face—a smile that came straight from the heart.

He couldn’t look away.

The Ferris wheel reached its highest point, the fireworks even more vivid now, and Xia Xiyao’s delicate face all the more stunning.

“You don’t have to be afraid like you were before.”

Gu Xingyi spoke softly beneath the sound of fireworks, and Xia Xiyao didn’t catch it.

She turned to him with a puzzled look.

“Hm?”

Gu Xingyi didn’t look at her. He kept his eyes on the radiant sky.

“You’re too gentle. That’s not always a good thing. It makes people take advantage of you.”

“You don’t need to be scared like before. I know. I know you want to sing. I know there are a lot of things you want to do. Just go ahead and do them. Don’t worry—Xiao Nainai has me.”

Xia Xiyao didn’t reply. When Gu Xingyi turned to look at her, he saw two silent streams of tears rolling down her cheeks.

She bit her lip and stared at him unblinkingly. Her eyes were filled with so much hurt and emotion, it felt like she might drown him in them.

Gu Xingyi instantly panicked. He didn’t understand—what had just happened?

“Who are you?”

Xia Xiyao kept her gaze fixed on him. Her almond eyes were misty, her voice clear but quiet—yet it rang so loudly in his heart.

Gu Xingyi was silent.

The air fell into stillness. Even the sound of fireworks seemed to fade. After a long pause, he gave her a gentle smile.

Then he spoke, his voice suddenly a little hoarse.

“I’m Gu Xingyi.”

Xia Xiyao continued looking at him. That soft smile made her heart race, like a little deer fluttering in her chest.

She hadn’t expected that answer. Sniffling, she looked into his clear, shining eyes, and her tears fell even faster.

She hugged her knees to her chest and buried her face, quietly sobbing. Then she began to speak.

“Yeah… you’re Gu Xingyi. Who else could you be…”

“Let me tell you a story. It’s a really cliché one. There once was a little girl in an orphanage. She was very timid, but there was a gege one year older than her who always protected her. One day, she was bullied by some older boys. That gege stood in front of her and didn’t let her get hurt at all.”

“To her, back then, that gege was her whole world. But after that, he disappeared. Years later, when she grew up, she saw him again. And eventually, she married him—just like she always wanted.”

It was a cliché story, but after hearing it, Gu Xingyi was left speechless. He finally understood some things.

Xia Xiyao raised her head, eyes blurred with tears, looking so small and pitiful.

She had finally revealed the secret buried in her heart. No one had ever understood her stubbornness. Everyone said she was being foolish, but only she believed it had been worth it.

But the result had been so painful. She had regretted it countless times—until this new Gu Xingyi appeared.

She had asked who he was, and he said he was Gu Xingyi. And that was enough.

Gu Xingyi lowered his head and gently stroked Xiao Nainai’s hair. The little one stirred and snuggled even closer into his arms. When he looked back at Xia Xiyao again, his eyes were filled with tenderness.

Now, he truly understood how she felt.

Seeing the gentleness and care in his eyes, Xia Xiyao couldn’t hold back any longer. She threw herself into his arms, squeezing into the same spot as Xiao Nainai, sobbing softly.

The little one stirred awake and blinked sleepily, confused to see Mama taking her spot.

She paused for a moment—then giggled and wrapped one arm around Papa, the other around Mama, planting big kisses on both of their cheeks.

Today was the happiest day of Xiao Nainai’s life!

Gu Xingyi looked at the two beauties in his arms and burst out laughing. In that moment, he felt like the ultimate winner in life, with a silly grin on his face.

He patted Xia Xiyao’s back gently and gave Nainai a kiss on the cheek. Watching the dazzling fireworks outside, he felt an incredible lightness in his heart.

Life was finally moving in the right direction. And that was enough.

Though… some plans might need to change now.

The fireworks show slowly ended, and the Ferris wheel began descending.

Xia Xiyao held Xiao Nainai in her arms as she walked ahead. The little one had fallen asleep again—kids only had so much energy, and she’d used it all up today.

Gu Xingyi followed behind, watching her walk briskly. He rubbed his nose in confusion. Ever since they got off the Ferris wheel, she had completely slipped out of his arms and was back to treating him with that cold attitude.

Was that the same woman who had just been sobbing in his arms?? A ghost, maybe???

Xia Xiyao was flustered. Her hands holding Nainai were tense, and her ears and cheeks felt hot.

She’d actually stayed in Gu Xingyi’s arms for so long! She’d even snuggled up to him like some lovestruck schoolgirl! So embarrassing!

Gu Xingyi was definitely secretly laughing at her! She’d seen it—the way he tried to hide that smile when they stepped out of the cabin!

Thinking of that, she walked even faster, like she was power walking in a race.

Gu Xingyi had no idea where all her sudden energy came from. He had to jog just to keep up with her pace.

By the time they reached the amusement park exit and she still hadn’t stopped, he finally had to speak up.

“Hey! Are you planning to walk home or what? Let’s just get a taxi here!”

Xia Xiyao finally halted, standing at the roadside—but she still didn’t look at him.

Now she was certain—that man was totally laughing at her back there!

So annoying! This was beyond embarrassing!