CHAPTER 36: CHAPTER 36: HERE, STEADY NOW

"This is delicious!"

"This is also delicious!"

Ruan Li took a handful of delicacies from the street food market and handed a large portion to Xu Mo.

"Ruannuan, wait a moment..." Xu Mo’s words were cut off as he saw Ruan Li running to the entrance of another food stall.

He slowly followed her, and as he reached the entrance, he saw Ruan Li coming out with her eyes full of joy, holding a newly purchased snack.

Xu Mo naturally took the half-eaten food from her hand.

According to Ruan Li’s reasoning: "Even if I can’t eat anymore, I shouldn’t waste it."

Xu Mo impassively finished the food, thinking silently: it’s still not as good as that honey-glazed chicken tail.

As the time approached eight or nine o’clock, Ruan Li stood at the crossroads, hesitating.

One path led away from the amusement park, while the other led to the romantic night sky attraction.

"Where do you want to go?" Xu Mo asked.

Ruan Li looked up at him, "Do you want to go home?"

"Let’s go, over there." Xu Mo guided her toward the direction of the romantic night sky.

At night, the shadows of the trees swayed, and along this path were many couples, or perhaps spouses, embracing and whispering sweet nothings to each other by the roadside.

Ruan Li walked briskly forward with her head down, the amorous sounds around them making her blush.

It wasn’t until they exited the path that Ruan Li slowed her steps.

She looked up at the sky, admiring the speckles of starlight resembling a stroll-in-the-sky pod, her eyes filled with admiration, "So beautiful."

Xu Mo glanced at her, smiling gently, "Let’s go up there and take a look too."

They entered the stroll-in-the-sky pod, and Ruan Li surveyed the interior. The pod was semi-open, with a simple control interface, surrounded by a circle of sofa chairs, with simple snacks and tea in the middle.

Isn’t this just an aerial candlelight dinner combined with a Ferris wheel?

The pod slowly ascended into the sky, where stars studded the night and a bright moon hung high.

"The wind is picking up, are you cold?" Xu Mo asked, noticing her light attire.

"I’m okay..." Ruan Li rubbed her arms, feeling a bit chilly.

Seeing this, Xu Mo knew she wasn’t being honest and placed his jacket over her shoulders, "Wear this, I’m feeling a bit warm anyway."

Ruan Li grasped the jacket, her neck slightly hot, and looked away at the scenery, "The night sky is beautiful too..."

Xu Mo replied, "This is one of the popular attractions at this amusement park, quite suitable for couples."

The gentle breeze dispelled the warmth on her cheeks, leaving Ruan Li momentarily speechless.

She thought of that kiss... which wasn’t really a kiss, just a game.

She gazed into the distance, in a daze.

Not noticing the complex gaze upon her.

The smart brain on her wrist lit up with a message.

[Staff: Miss Ruan, the recording you requested has been fully sent to you, we look forward to your next visit~]

After the immersive script role-playing game, the staff thoughtfully provided the recording...

She saved the recording and impassively closed the smart brain.

She glanced at Xu Mo from the corner of her eye, his brows always carrying a smile, yet his eyes concealing calmness, quite in line with his fox-like traits.

Xu Mo seemed to sense her gaze, turning to her, "Were you looking at me?"

"No... the people in the pod behind you seemed familiar."

Xu Mo glanced behind, "Neighbors."

He took a few steps forward, standing close, Ruan Li looked up at him, not knowing what he intended.

"With such a guarded look, it makes me a bit sad," he joked.

"I’m not on guard," Ruan Li shook her head in denial.

"Then what is it?" The man’s gaze was intense, seemingly seeking an answer.

Ruan Li blinked.

Suddenly, brilliant fireworks bloomed in clusters, illuminating the entire night sky, coloring the man’s silhouette with a unique filter of colors.

"Look at the fireworks!" Ruan Li exclaimed in surprise, pointing at the magnificent array of colors surrounding them.

Xu Mo smirked, his gaze still on her.

She had evaded him again.

The flying pod flew smoothly through the sky, studded with stars, and the once energetic and spirited Ruan Li fell asleep shortly after boarding the pod.

Xu Mo set the pod to silent flight mode.

In the quiet pod, moonlight streamed in, creating a silver glow, Xu Mo rose and moved to her, crouching down.

In the dim light, he could see her long, raven-like eyelashes, and her hair softly resting on her cheek. Her fair skin had a healthy pink hue, looking serene in slumber.

He raised a hand, gently touching the corner of her lips.

Xu Mo’s eyes deepened, the darkness concealing his expression.

Suddenly, a red mushroom cloud exploded in the distant sky, causing a tremor all around.

The flying pod was affected, its stabilization system disrupted, Xu Mo promptly grabbed the sofa, and pulled Ruan Li, who was sliding down.

"System stability failure, rebooting..."

However, the person in his embrace remained motionless, and if not for the clear sense of her steady breathing, Xu Mo might have thought she had fainted.

The pod tilted at about thirty or forty degrees, and the contents inside had long since scattered during the initial tremor. Xu Mo could only hold onto the sofa with one hand to stabilize himself.

Ruan Li, with her head resting on him, slept soundly, even attempting to turn over for a more comfortable position.

Xu Mo hooked his leg between hers, anchoring her in place.

"Ruan Li, wake up." He raised his voice to rouse her, Ruan Li rubbed her tired eyes, unaware of the situation, "What’s going on? Are we home?"

Gathering her thoughts, she suddenly realized the precarious position they were in, and noticed the chaos inside the flight pod.

"What happened? An earthquake? But we’re in the sky, aren’t we?" Ruan Li’s eyes swept around frantically, trying to find clues.

The distant, expanding red mushroom cloud was like the sole focal point of the night stage.

Ruan Li immediately noticed it, "What’s that?"

Xu Mo lowered his voice, "Possible evolved Fierce Beasts."

"Can you support yourself?" His gaze fell on her weakened limbs.

Ruan Li tried to grasp the sofa, her nails leaving marks on the leather fabric.

Xu Mo instructed her with his eyes, "Try holding onto there."

Ruan Li grabbed the recessed spot, managing to find a firm grip.

"Place your foot on that gap."

Unsuccessful in getting up, she strained her neck to locate the gap. However, in her attempt to find the spot, she accidentally kicked the man several times, failing to place her foot correctly.

Gritting his teeth, Xu Mo suspected her actions were deliberate retaliation, "Stop moving so much, step onto my foot, I’ll lift you up."

Ruan Li made several attempts, successfully transferring her small shoe onto his boot.

He lifted his foot to brace the gap, "Here, steady yourself."

Ruan Li nodded, and as he released his grip, she realized she had overestimated her capability.

With an awkward posture, she clung to the sofa, every fiber in her being straining.

Xu Mo suppressed a smile, controlling himself not to laugh at such an inopportune moment.

"Hold on for a minute, I’ll switch the flying pod to manual mode."