The Most Random System-Chapter 617 - 336: Love and Abstraction, Both Require Courage to Move Forward
The curtain of the fortune-telling house was lifted by the night wind and then fell back down. The solitary owner of the house stood outside, admiring the distant fireworks show, with the "Lovers" tarot card in her hand slowly curling under her fingers' pressure.
"The symbol of joy, the Tarot card is upright, accompanied by the 'Nine of Cups' and the 'Star'. The peach blossom luck in the destiny palace is activated—'Guard the heart to turn auspicious', at this very moment, 'It's suitable for pouring out one's heart'. Hmm, it seems he should have been successful in his confession."
The owner murmured softly.
Passersby who happened to overhear were stunned.
So this is a confession with fireworks, huh? But that's not important right now. The important thing is, what did that Tarot Master just mutter?!
Where did this lead me, is this still tarot reading? 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎
"Hello, can I have you read my Tarot?" Yet, the passerby felt that a blend of East and West mysticism was something they couldn't resist trying.
...
By the river.
Under the night, fireworks were as magnificent as dreams cascading from the Milky Way.
The night breeze swept by, shaking the brilliant colors accumulated in the sky, turning them into a reverse flow of starry rain.
At this moment, their eyes held only each other; the world revolved around them.
Lin Li, holding the bouquet of flowers, continued with his words while smiling:
"Let's fall in love, what do you think?"
"And for how long should we date, then?" Chen Yu Ying, holding the little ball that still glowed red, gazed at Lin Li with a soft voice.
"I'm not greedy; just until 'tomorrow' is fine." Lin Li, ever the agreeable one, replied.
"Is that so, then let me think about it."
Chen Yu Ying had no intention of asking what happens 'the day after tomorrow,' instead, she turned away, looking at the fireworks and drone performance put on especially for her, pretending to hesitate and ponder.
"Stop thinking about it, hurry up, class president. This bouquet is heavy, and I don't want to hold it anymore; just agree quickly."
Lin Li, returning to his typical bratty nature, extended the bouquet forward, his impatient tone rather dispiriting.
But because it was Lin Li, it wasn't dispiriting at all.
"Heh—" Chen Yu Ying pressing a fist to her lips, as if to hide her laughter, took a step forward, closing the short distance between them to almost nothing, and accepted the bouquet from Lin Li, holding it to her chest.
The girl nodded, providing the answer they both knew well:
"Alright, let's have a date then."
As these words entered his ears, Lin Li licked his lips, then bit his lower lip with his upper teeth, telling himself he had to restrain himself. But ultimately, he transformed into the grinning Dragon King.
Even though he knew he would succeed, even though he had prepared himself countless times, when the moment truly came, when the words of agreement reached his ears, the joy was utterly uncontrollable.
Anyone who wouldn't smile at this could be diagnosed with depression.
"Can you say it again? I didn't hear you clearly just now." Lin Li asked.
"I said—" Chen Yu Ying, who was so natural and composed in her initial response, suddenly raised the bouquet, half-covering her face, her voice a little softer:
"...I agree to date you."
"..."
"Lin Li," perhaps feeling this wasn't enough to express her feelings, the girl's voice flowed under the symphony of fireworks from beneath the bouquet: "I like you."
A voice that would make one's heart flutter even after hearing it ten thousand times.
"I see," Lin Li said with a smile: "Then, Ying Bao, I like you."
Finally, he could openly call her Ying Bao just like Ding Sihan and Qu Wanqiu. Hooray.
"I said it first, though. Why don't you say 'I like you too'?" Chen Yu Ying lifted her head, hearing this with a puzzled look.
"Because my liking you doesn't rely on you liking me back; I've always liked you. Even if your answer was 'I don't like you', I would still 'like you'." Lin Li's voice was gentle.
Chen Yu Ying turned to look at the fireworks, not wanting Lin Li to see her blushing face.
The sweetness inside her spread through her body like blood, touching every organ, leaving her hands and feet tingling and weak.
Her heart was racing, her mind was on fire, and the world was a dizzy blur.
Lin Li moved next to Chen Yu Ying, and together, they watched the grand fireworks.
"Are you happy?" Chen Yu Ying, having calmed some of her excitement, felt something was missing. She turned to Lin Li and asked.
"What?"
"Happy about successfully confessing." Chen Yu Ying's eyes sparkled.
"Hmm, about 95% happy, I guess."
Lin Li turned sideways to Chen Yu Ying, and while talking, he placed one hand behind his head.
Just like last weekend.
How could Chen Yu Ying not understand what this meant, and besides, this was what she wanted in the first place. She took a step forward, leaned her body forward, and rested her face on Lin Li's chest, the leaves and branches of the bouquet rustling between their clothes.
This time, no need to 'run away' like last time.
It didn't matter who was watching.
No, not quite. Perhaps her father shouldn't see this; Chen Yu Ying was afraid he might get a heart attack at his young age.
But things like fathers could be considered unimportant for now and pushed aside from her mind.
Chen Yu Ying closed her eyes.
Under the cool fabric, her heart thudded; was it beating for her?
As Chen Yu Ying leaned against him, Lin Li's hand behind his head was now itching to move. It wouldn't miss the chance like last time, fearing she might flee. It started to slide down instantly.
When his palm touched the loose strands of Chen Yu Ying's hair, it paused. The warm strands felt like a stream flowing through his fingers. Curling his fingers subconsciously unwound, and they glided along the curve of her nape toward her shoulder.
Chen Yu Ying pressed her forehead against Lin Li's collarbone. The collar brushed against her chin, sparking a fine itch.
