After that, aside from Ling Yiming also pestering Xu Chun, nothing else really happened, and the "melon-eating" tasks weren't triggered or unlocked again.
What really made her antsy was that Yan Heng kept an even closer eye on her now, he was far too worried about Zhu Yaya. Before, it was Zhu Yaya who would often go find Yan Heng to cover up her stalking of Xu Chun, but now it seemed somewhat reversed. He insisted on walking Zhu Yaya home every day after school.
Zhu Yaya, who wanted to tail Xu Chun and unlock plotlines: Though a bit touched, this is really not necessary!
What if there's a hidden plot point in the book that happens on Xu Chun's way home and she misses it perfectly?
She could hear the sound of many Grandpa Maos flying away.
Thus, to push the plot forward (for money and lifespan), Zhu Yaya racked her brains and came up with n-number of reasons and excuses, but Yan Heng saw through and shot down every single one.
Zhu Yaya almost coughed up blood.
Finally, she said weakly what she actually wanted: to follow Xu Chun. The moment she said it, she closed her eyes in despair, her brain working overtime to think of how to explain her reasons to Yan Heng next.
Brother Yan, actually I suspect Xu Chun is my long-lost older sister! No, that won't work!
Brother Yan, actually I like Xu Chun! Ugh, gross!
Brother Yan, actually...
Just as Zhu Yaya's brain cells were dying in droves, she heard Yan Heng give an "Mhm."
Zhu Yaya: ?
Not going to ask for a reason?
She looked up at Yan Heng.
The handsome youth's gaze was soft, so tender it made Zhu Yaya's breath catch: "I said, tell me when you truly want to tell me. If you don't want to say, then don't."
Zhu Yaya was silent for a moment, then said, "What if... I never want to tell you in my whole life?"
He gently took the schoolbag from her shoulder and carried it himself: "Then don't tell me." Tell me in the next life.
Zhu Yaya suddenly felt like a heartless girl deceiving an innocent young man! Her heart was filled with guilt.
Zhu Yaya couldn't hide things on her face.
Yan Heng understood just by looking at her expression. He chuckled lightly: "Don't feel guilty. You have no obligation to explain to me, and I have no right to force you to explain. Your not explaining is perfectly legitimate."
Zhu Yaya burst out laughing. Was Yan Heng teasing her with a straight face?
So, Zhu Yaya could follow Xu Chun again. Yan Heng would first take Zhu Yaya to follow Xu Chun to the West District, then see her back to the South District.
Zhu Yaya felt a bit embarrassed: "You really don't have to see me home, it's too much trouble for you."
Yan Heng shook his head: "It's no trouble, I wouldn't be at ease. Besides, I have a part-time job in the South District in the evenings anyway."
Zhu Yaya felt a warmth in her heart and said a few words of concern.
Since she had told Yan Heng, she wasn't as nervous about tailing Xu Chun as before, no longer worried about Yan Heng discovering something.
Now, Xu Chun walked ahead, flanked by the pestering Ling Yiming and Murong Beichen. Zhu Yaya and Yan Heng walked behind them.
She thought Murong Beichen's antics were already outrageous enough, but she never expected Ling Yiming's to be even more so!
Zhu Yaya couldn't hold it in anymore and quietly complained to Yan Heng, who was walking beside her.
Seeing her vivid, lively expressions, Yan Heng's eyes were full of amusement.
On a Friday night, Zhu Yaya turned on the heater in her room, took a blank sheet of paper and a pen, lay on her bed swinging her legs, and idly doodled on the paper.
Someone knocked on her bedroom door.
Zhu Yaya immediately straightened her posture, sat upright on the bed, and looked obediently toward the door: "Come in! The door's unlocked."
It was Zhao Jing knocking.
Seeing her precious daughter blinking her big eyes at her, maternal love instantly overflowed. She walked to the bedside: "My darling Yabao, why aren't you asleep yet?"
Zhu Yaya whined, "It's still super early~"
Her voice was soft and sweet, drawing out each syllable—she was being coquettish with Zhao Jing!
"Get some rest early tonight!" Zhao Jing stroked her head, her whole being incredibly gentle, "Because tomorrow, Mom and Dad are taking you to the new amusement park that opened in the East District."
"Amusement park?" Zhu Yaya's eyes widened.
"Yes! We promised you when you were sick before, but because Mom and Dad got too busy later, we postponed it. This Saturday, our whole family will spend the whole day together."
"Really!" Zhu Yaya was very excited.
In her original world, she had never been to an amusement park with her parents. She also didn't dare go, afraid she'd be too jealous seeing other families having fun together while she was alone.
She never thought the first to take her to an amusement park would be Zhu Jianjun and Zhao Jing from the novel world—the novel-world parents she hadn't really taken to heart at the beginning.
Zhu Yaya felt a complex emotion in her heart, but more than anything, she felt fortunate. Thankfully, she had met parents like Zhu Jianjun and Zhao Jing. No matter what her previous attitude toward them had been, they genuinely cherished her like a treasure.
The next day, Saturday, a rare bit of sunshine appeared. Zhu Yaya put on the new black toggle coat Zhao Jing had bought her, paired it with a white sweater and a pair of ankle boots, and, feeling especially vain, let her hair down, using a curling iron to curl the ends.
When leaving, Zhao Jing also put a wine-red beret on her.
Zhu Jianjun laughed heartily at the door: "Alright, is our family's little princess Yaya ready to depart?"
Zhu Yaya imitated Shen Wandan, lifting her chin in a particularly tsundere manner, and said, "Granted."
The amusement park on Saturday was indeed bustling, packed with people. Many parents had brought their children to play. Zhu Yaya could even hear the cries of infants.
Zhao Jing deliberately linked arms with Zhu Yaya and said, "Yabao, stay close to Mom, okay? Don't get separated."
Today, Zhu Yaya was especially excited. She pushed the novel, the system, the tasks, and everything else to the back of her mind, behaving just like an ordinary girl with no difference—acting coquettishly toward her parents without reservation and playing to her heart's content.
Pirate ship, haunted house, roller coaster...
She played everything she wanted. Throughout, Zhu Jianjun and Zhao Jing stayed with her without a single complaint.
Finally, Zhu Yaya noticed the fatigue on their faces and suggested taking a break.
Zhu Jianjun wiped the sweat from his forehead: "Ah, it's fine, Dad's not tired. Yabao, is there anything else you want to play?"
Zhao Jing also nodded.
Zhu Yaya smiled gently: "I know you're tired. Dad~, Mom~, just rest on this bench for a bit! Besides, I'm hungry. I'll go over there to buy some food and drinks!"
She pointed at the McDonald's across the way. The shop was packed with people, and at the entrance, a big bear mascot was clumsily handing out flyers.
Hearing this, Zhu Jianjun let out a sigh of relief. Noticing Zhu Yaya looking at him, he said awkwardly, "Haha, getting old, not as energetic as you young people."
Zhu Yaya's eyes curved into smiles.
Zhao Jing, who controlled the family finances, agreed and pulled several red-hued Grandpa Maos from her wallet, handing them to Zhu Yaya: "Buy whatever you want to eat."
"Alrighty!"
Zhu Yaya made her way through the crowd, heading toward the McDonald's storefront. As soon as she arrived, she was stopped by a giant bear mascot.
She smiled and took a flyer from the bear's paw. "Thank you! You're working hard!"
The clumsy bear mascot fumbled as it made a heart shape with its arms for her.
