Hearing that she had rejected him for this reason, Chang Yuan didn't know whether to call her considerate or foolish.
Why did she think that he, who knew everything about the future, wouldn't be aware of that kind of outcome?
"I know about that kind of future, which is why I'm doing everything I can to prevent it from happening. Believe me, even if we can't change it in the end, at least we loved each other. At least, at one point, we had a mutual crush like ordinary people.
Not a relationship that ends before it even begins. So, this time, don't reject me, okay?"
Letting go of Elysia's hands, Chang Yuan cupped her face with his hands, his gaze as tender as water.
Elysia seemed to be moved by his words, and her resolve wavered.
Seeing her still unable to make a decision, Chang Yuan leaned in and kissed her.
This time, Chang Yuan's initiative caught Elysia off guard.
Her wide eyes were filled with disbelief.
Just yesterday, Chang Yuan had been timid and hesitant, but now he was so assertive.
However, this time, it wasn't as awkward as yesterday.
After all, some kind soul had shared some "learning materials" with him last night.
Having grown from those materials, Chang Yuan was no longer as inexperienced as before.
Vill-V: This is the last thing I can do for you. Don't let me down!
Elysia could clearly feel the difference from yesterday.
Instinctively, she wanted to resist, but thinking it was Chang Yuan, she let her guard down.
The stars bore witness, countless points of light as the audience. At this moment, it was eternal.
A few minutes later, Chang Yuan let go of Elysia.
This time, there was no trace of shyness in his expression. He simply stared at her.
"Elysia, please answer me. What is your answer? I'm not afraid of parting, because I will do everything in my power to prevent that future from coming."
"...Chang Yuan, but I'm really scared. I'm scared of that day coming. I'm scared I won't be able to bear it, and I'm scared of the tears you'll shed then."
Meeting the eyes of the person she loved most, Elysia's usually playful voice trembled for the first time.
"I've told you, you can always trust me. I won't let that worst outcome happen. If anyone tries to stop me, even you, I'll knock you out."
"...Chang Yuan, you're so selfish now."
"No one is truly selfless. Everything I do is for my own survival, and for you. I don't have some grand wish to save the world.
From beginning to end, it's only been for you. Saving the world can't compare to you."
Mei: So?
Faced with Chang Yuan's string of selfish words, if it were before, Elysia would have lightly scolded him with a smile.
But now, she couldn't speak, nor could she bring herself to.
"...Fine then. Chang Yuan, you'll have to protect me from now on, okay? After all, I don't want that future to come either."
"!!!"
She agreed. Elysia agreed.
Hearing this response, Chang Yuan couldn't contain his excitement.
He immediately hugged Elysia.
This time, it wasn't a nameless, undefined relationship. It was real, mutual love.
"Don't worry, I will. That future will never come to pass."
Holding Elysia, Chang Yuan whispered assurances into her ear.
"Mhm, I trust you the most, Chang Yuan."
As a few tears slipped down, Elysia smiled.
Like the first gentle breeze of spring, like the melting snow after a harsh winter, like the warmth of the rising sun.
Even though Chang Yuan didn't see this smile.
Finally, the Ferris wheel reached the bottom, and the two walked out hand in hand, their relationship having taken a step forward.
This time, the last barrier between them had vanished forever.
"Hmm, it's so late. I can't seem to get a ride. What should we do?"
Once outside the amusement park, Elysia realized she couldn't get a ride on her phone.
"Erm, should we just run back?"
Hearing Chang Yuan's response, Elysia immediately shot him a displeased look.
Blockhead! Chang Yuan, you're such a blockhead!
She had been hinting so obviously, and yet he suggested running back?
But thinking of a girl's modesty, Elysia couldn't bring herself to say it outright and could only hint in various ways.
"Ahem, we have our IDs with us. I guess we'll have to spend the night outside."
"Ah, but we're MANTISes. We should be able to run back in about seven or eight minutes, right?"
Estimating that it took an hour by car to get here, and considering they were MANTISes with physical abilities far beyond ordinary humans, Chang Yuan figured they could run back in seven or eight minutes.
But Elysia was screaming internally.
Idiot, idiot, idiot! How could you say such heartfelt words on the Ferris wheel and then act like such a blockhead here?
Elysia was starting to suspect Chang Yuan was messing with her.
She had been hinting so obviously, practically saying they should get a room.
And yet he gave her this kind of answer.
"But I'm tired from playing all day. How about we stay outside for the night?"
"Why do you keep wanting to—wait, cough, I guess that's fine too."
After being hinted at repeatedly, even someone as dense as Chang Yuan finally caught on.
Suppressing his excitement, he agreed.
Seeing that Chang Yuan had finally understood her hints, Elysia breathed a sigh of relief.
But thinking about what might happen next, she felt both anticipation and a desire to retreat.
But at this point, she couldn't back out.
In the end, the two arrived at a hotel, and with the help of a certain front desk clerk, they became the last guests to check into the final available room.
Entering the room, the two stood in silence.
Finally, Elysia spoke first.
"After playing all day, I'm all sweaty. I'll go take a shower first."
With that, Elysia hurriedly left.
However, neither of them noticed that the hotel they had entered wasn't exactly... normal.
After all, what kind of hotel uses pink lights to decorate its sign?
Chang Yuan, out of habit, glanced toward the glass-walled bathroom, a common subconscious behavior.
But this glance nearly caused his nose to bleed. Fortunately, as a MANTIS, he wouldn't actually suffer such a reaction.