For Xie Qi, the amusement park itself wasn’t all that interesting.
The first time he’d entered one as a kid, he’d indeed found plenty of fun inside, but that was mostly for the novelty. His interest had faded quickly after. If even a child felt that way, adults were even less inclined—though he wouldn’t call it boredom, grown-ups had more entertainment options and less free time. Few saw an amusement park as the best spot to unwind.
Adults who came to amusement parks usually tagged along with lovers, family, or relatives’ kids, mainly for the companionship. Xie Qi had approached it with the same mindset. He had no particular pursuits for the day; whatever they played was entirely up to Wen Jiang.
Some attractions sounded perfect for him on paper but fell flat in reality. The park had a go-kart racing setup, for instance, but how could that compare to taking Wen Jiang for a real spin in a sports car? The simulated shooting games were the same—like child’s play.
Pretending to be thrilled while bored would be obvious to Wen Jiang. Before entering the park, Xie Qi had worried he’d drag his boyfriend down too. But as they wandered, he increasingly felt the place was pretty great.
The rides were the same old unexciting ones, but this was the first time he’d seen “Wen Jiang at an amusement park.”
Xie Qi discovered that, among the various attractions, Wen Jiang relatively preferred the thrilling ones that didn’t require much physical exertion.
Slow-paced rides like the carousel or teacups, which aimed for cozy vibes, didn’t disgust him, but he wouldn’t eagerly suggest them either.
For active ones like outdoor live-fire shooting, boxing matches, or climbing walls, he’d at most ask if Xie Qi wanted to try. A no, and they’d be off the table entirely.
Roller Coasters, pirate ships… the haunted house counted too. Those were Wen Jiang’s favorites.
He’d thought he knew the man pretty well, but spending all day together like this often revealed fresh sides to him.
The park knew how to seize business opportunities too. Some rides sold special couple’s tickets, letting Xie Qi hear Wen Jiang say aloud, “We’ll take the couple’s tickets.” Couple-oriented shops ran interactive games like “Prove you’re a couple to get the freebie.”
Those games knew their limits—mostly hugs, heart gestures together, taking photos for each other. Wen Jiang eyed the shop’s suggested poses like blowing kisses or winking seductively, then went with a deadpan poker face, hands forming a heart over his chest toward Xie Qi.
Xie Qi didn’t get the expected ribbing like “Put some heart into it” or “Act a little!” He stared blankly for a good while before snapping the photo. Then, lightheaded with delight, he opted for instant prints from the clerk, snagging both physical and digital copies.
Wen Jiang silently munched the free mini-cookies for couples, keeping his poker face as he watched Xie Qi set that zero-talent heart photo as his wallpaper.
He considered it, then decided not to tell Xie Qi that a single jab would’ve prompted him to dial up the “sincerity” in his expression.
Wen Jiang had a photo he was quite pleased with too.
On the Roller Coaster, random shots snapped passengers during tunnel passes, steep dives, 360-degree spins in the air, and such. Fresh off the ride, an excited staffer tracked them down, earnestly begging Wen Jiang to let them use his candid shot for promo—on the photo wall by the ticket booth.
“It’s just so unique,” the staffer gushed, barely containing his excitement, practically marveling. “Hard to put into words—I’ve never seen a photo like this! Incredible!”
Xie Qi glanced at Wen Jiang’s reaction. No objections, so he stayed quiet. But once he saw the actual photo, he instantly got what the guy meant.
The man in the shot was strikingly handsome, expression cool and detached. Wind tousled his collar and hair but couldn’t disrupt his elegant, enigmatic aura. Against the backdrop of everyone else screaming without a care for their image, he stood out as refreshingly poised, utterly captivating. It wasn’t a Roller Coaster snap—it was a fashion magazine cover with a killer concept.
Perfect for promo; it’d boost sales by drawing eyes, at least. But how did he pull that off…?
Wen Jiang said nothing, just inwardly nodding along, accepting the praise without reservation.
A top actor managed his image for the “camera” at every moment. A mere Roller Coaster couldn’t shake that.
Acting was pretty magical, huh.
Beyond that, Xie Qi noticed Wen Jiang’s interest in the roadside stalls where you could win prizes—like air rifle target shooting, ring toss, dart balloons.
These games had different standards for Combat System espers versus others. Wen Jiang hit targets eyes-open; Xie Qi had to blindfold for the lowest prizes. The virtual floating targets even moved. In the end, Xie Qi blind-fired five one-handed shots, winning Wen Jiang an “Apple Crab” mascot hug pillow.
Taking off the blindfold and letting Wen Jiang pick whatever he wanted from the prize stall felt damn good. The Apple Crab pillow wasn’t too big. Wen Jiang took it, gave it a light squeeze to test the feel, then stared into its beady eyes for a few seconds. His otherwise expressionless face lit up with obvious joy that Xie Qi could read clear as day.
Xie Qi totally got why some people’s stress relief was spoiling their partner with cash.
Wen Jiang also loved trying novel drinks.
The park sold signature beverages, and every unfamiliar one caught his eye. He browsed the drink stand a bit before picking a three-mini-can blind box set.
They sat on a public bench in the rest area to sample them. The spot was thoughtfully designed—away from the densest crowds, benches spaced far apart, each screened by natural landscaping for a quiet, private vibe.
That drew mostly couples. Xie Qi didn’t drink any himself, just watched Wen Jiang. First can was lucky: tasted like fizzy fruit juice, refreshingly sweet.
The cans were small—plenty for two, or one solo without spoiling dinner. Wen Jiang gazed at the distant scenery, silently sipping under his boyfriend’s gaze. Xie Qi got some inexplicable satisfaction from just staring.
To sample equally, Wen Jiang cracked the second can after the first was half-gone, took a sip. No change in his expression—he just passed it to Xie Qi’s lips. “Wanna try?”
Xie Qi eyed the can inches away, struck by inspiration from classic manga tropes. He swallowed the “No thanks” on his tongue.
Ears tinting red, he leaned down, drank from Wen Jiang’s hand.
The liquid slid down his throat, sweetness blooming in his chest—until the demonic spicy assault hit. He whipped around, coughing violently.
Wen Jiang chuckled softly behind him, patted his back twice, and handed over the rest of the first can to kill the heat.
Karma turned quick, though. The third can looked innocuous, but one sip and Wen Jiang’s gaze went a touch more wooden.
Xie Qi, recovered, asked knowingly, “Hot one?”
Wen Jiang’s numb poker face confirmed: “Yeah.”
Spicy wouldn’t soothe scalding, and the first can was gone. Xie Qi scanned around—no strangers in sight. He wavered two seconds between fetching ice water or… “Then, stick out your tongue?”
Wen Jiang blinked at him, recalling last night’s demo.
Xie Qi’s heartbeat surged. Vowing to be a man of action, he didn’t back down—instead, he took Wen Jiang’s hand.
Wen Jiang lowered his lashes. After one or two seconds, he extended just the tip. The scalded tongue gleamed a bit redder than usual. Xie Qi’s throat bobbed; he leaned in, kissed it, tasting the lingering heat.
Apple-flavored.
This “cool-down” kiss heated up moments later—until the Apple Crab cockblocked them. Wen Jiang raised the pillow, slotting it perfectly between, halting Xie Qi’s advance.
Broad daylight under clear skies—no pushing further.
“……” Xie Qi glared at the pillow’s beady eyes, still craving more, but conceded the logic. He straightened obediently. “Oh.”
They’d lingered enough. Leaving the rest area for the main path, they pondered the next spot when a kid yelled, “Ah! The balloon!”
Wen Jiang looked up. A pink balloon drifted lazily skyward, climbing higher. “Xie Qi.”
Next instant, the airflow shifted. The balloon, defying gravity via invisible wind, drifted back down. A nearby adult snatched the string quick, knelt, and handed it to the boy. “There, hold tight this time.”
That voice sounds familiar…? As realization dawned on Wen Jiang, the man and boy turned. Eyes met; an awkward silence bloomed among them.
Xie Qi’s face darkened instantly.
Oblivious to the vibe, the kid clutched the balloon, pattered forward a few steps, eyed Xie Qi, then ditched him decisively. He turned to Wen Jiang with a bright chirp: “Thanks, big bro!”
“……No need,” Wen Jiang said, still working to boost Xie Qi’s image despite his scary scowl. “This brother’s the one who helped.”
Xie Qi’s expression didn’t budge—clearly ignoring the kid—his thorny glare fixed on the adult opposite.
Lin Xun, who’d come early to entertain his relative’s kid, awkwardly rubbed his nose. Still, he mustered an official smile. “……Fancy running into you two.”
