Xia Siyu’s eyes widened: "Didn’t you say you never believed in these rumors?"

Although this guy could always come up with many anecdotes, quite a few of which were intentionally mood-killing, he usually told these as nothing more than trivia. He never took them seriously.

Bo Yan smiled: "There’s no harm in occasionally going with the local customs."

Xia Siyu covered her cheeks: "Actually, you just want to take advantage of me, right?"

Bo Yan nodded: "If you want to put it that way, sure."

"Hey!" Xia Siyu always had to be number one, even in teasing. She immediately lunged forward, pinning Bo Yan down. Although they had the gondola to themselves, except for the gondolier at the bow, her sudden move made the whole boat sway.

The gondolier was startled and quickly tried to maintain balance. Bo Yan reached out to support her back, and once the boat stabilized, he whispered in her ear: "Too much movement, be careful not to capsize."

Though it was a reprimand, his deep voice and the fact that it was whispered in her ear made it sound like he was teasing her back.

Xia Siyu was a woman of action. Seeing her adversary was cunning, she charged more boldly, yanking off Bo Yan’s mask and kissing him hard.

The ripples at the front of the gondola widened slightly. But after the recent wobble, the gondolier didn’t consider this minor disturbance and continued to row in a steady rhythm. When the boat reached an open space and the sounds of tourists on the shore rose, they finally parted gently.

Even though they stopped kissing, Xia Siyu still refused to get up and didn’t want to wear the mask.

Bo Yan, with no other choice, took a mask and personally put it on her, then put on his own. He patted her back: "Get up. There are many people watching outside."

Indeed, Venice’s waterways aren’t that wide. It’s rather improper for Xia Siyu to lie on him like this.

Even in romantic Italy, her actions attracted quite a bit of attention.

Xia Siyu softly grumbled: "You carry me up."

Bo Yan sighed. Though he sighed, there was a hint of satisfaction in his tone: "What a delicate lady."

He wrapped one arm around her and propped up his body with the other, lifting both of their weights. Xia Siyu remained draped against him like a limp noodle.

She actually had become more pampered by Bo Yan. Even though she could handle things herself when alone, once she got home and saw Bo Yan, she naturally became reliant. She knew this, and Bo Yan did too. But neither of them wanted to change it; in fact, they were both pleased with it.

If she didn’t consider him family, a lover, a confidant, she wouldn’t be so willful.

Xia Siyu grunted again, as if in protest, or like a proud cat flicking its tail in response. She continued leaning against him, and Bo Yan didn’t stop her. The two sat in the boat as the oar stirred the water, the canoe gliding through the streets and alleys of Venice.

Venice seemed to remain unchanged, as it had been for centuries. The same scenery, the same throngs of tourists, the same hustle and bustle. Walking in such a place, the swaying wooden boat carried the two passengers along, as if life itself had slowed down by half a beat.

But even at a slower pace, there’s always an endpoint.

The boat Bo Yan hired was theirs from morning till evening, with the gondolier instructed to wander through Venice as much as possible. When they disembarked at night, Xia Siyu looked back at the departing gondolier’s silhouette, with the fading sunlight casting its glow, and sighed: "It’s beautiful."

Bo Yan turned to see Xia Siyu, who had been swaying all day. Although she looked slightly weary, her expression was gentle as she nodded: "Mm."

Even though dinner was supposed to be lavish and the meal that night noticeably more extravagant than the previous nights, Xia Siyu seemed to lack her usual energy.

Previously, Xia Siyu had been conflicted about whether she should like him so much, so much that she seemed to lose herself. But after being apart for months and seeing him again, she only wanted to tuck him into her pocket and take him away, completely forgetting about losing herself.

Right now, she genuinely liked him a lot, so she’d keep liking him. If a day ever came when her feelings faded, she believed she could let go gracefully. But that was something for the future, a possibility that might never happen. At least, her current happiness was genuine. She also liked this "her" who was so fond of him.

Bo Yan thought she was just tired from wandering all day, and didn’t think much more about it. The place where they had dinner was not far from St. Mark’s Basilica, and they could walk home.

But that night, Xia Siyu seemed unusually clingy, reluctant to walk properly, always leaning against him as if she had no bones.

Bo Yan finally suggested: "How about I carry you?"

Xia Siyu’s eyes immediately brightened: "Sure!"

She jumped up quickly, moving so lightly she didn’t seem tired at all. Bo Yan staggered a bit under her jump, but ultimately carried her steadily. As soon as Xia Siyu settled in, she nestled her head against his shoulder, blowing on the hair at the back of his neck through her mask.

Although Bo Yan had teased her about her weight before, Xia Siyu had really worked hard while filming these past few months. After all, it was an action movie, requiring rigorous training every day.

Even though Xia Siyu hired a Chinese chef at Bo Yan’s request to make her meals every day, she hadn’t gained weight due to the high level of physical activity.

Outsiders might only see her flaunting beauty and arrogance but not witness her astonishing dedication on set. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Actually, he didn’t need to explain anything; anyone who watched her movies could feel it. She might still be somewhat awkward in her acting, not yet very polished or spot-on. But with every film, she’s improving, and she hasn’t stopped her upward journey even now.

The streetlights gradually lit up as Bo Yan walked, carrying Xia Siyu slowly. Xia Siyu tilted her head, playing with his hair behind his ear with her fingertips. She suddenly spoke: "When we have time again, let’s go boating together."

When you like someone, you want to revisit a place that makes you comfortable with them.

Actually, it’s not that she was deeply attached to Venice; she just wanted to be with Bo Yan.

Bo Yan didn’t know all the twists and turns in her heart. He smiled and nodded: "Okay."

Xia Siyu laughed: "Agreeing so quickly? What if next time I make you do the hard work and row the boat?"

Bo Yan also laughed: "That’s fine. As long as I’m with you, it’s all good."