Besides, their purpose wasn’t to rush, but to share in the beauty of the lake and sky:

The early winter breeze carried a slight coolness from the lake across their cheeks. The broad grey-blue lake shimmered under the grey sky, while the reeds by the shore whispered in the wind. A few water birds casually glided over the lake’s surface, and occasionally, a small boat rowing in the center of the lake broke the water’s calm.

The bicycle moved steadily along, with a rhythmical pedaling that wasn’t too hurried or too slow. The subtle sound of wheels pressing on the ground intertwined with the sounds of wind, water, and the occasional bird call, as if time itself was slowing down.

Lin Li’s left hand briefly left the handle, covering Chen Yu Ying’s hands clasped in front of him, lightly patting them.

Nothing special.

Just felt like patting.

Chen Yu Ying clasped her arms tighter, softly resting her cheek against his warm back.

The wind played with her hair, a few soft strands teasingly slipped into his collar, causing a ticklish sensation, as she felt her breath, her heartbeat, her wholehearted closeness and reliance.

"I wish it could be like this forever," Lin Li said, grinning, slightly turning his face to let the wind carry his heartfelt words to the girl’s ear.

"Hmm." Emotions are always mutual; Chen Yu Ying embraced him tighter and tighter, responding with a satisfied nasal murmur.

"Right? Downhill roads don’t even need pedaling, really saving energy. If it could always be downhill, that’d be perfect." Lin Li nodded along with a serious air.

"Eh?"

Chen Yu Ying: "(•́へ•́╬)?"

Wait a minute.

Is her boyfriend’s heartfelt sentiment about enjoying the downhill rather than her company?

"..."

"..."

"Baby, why aren’t you saying anything? Don’t you like the downhill road?" Lin Li’s voice arrived mischievously as Chen Yu Ying fell silent behind him.

Chen Yu Ying slightly straightened up, bumping her forehead against Lin Li’s back. She tried to act angry, but her voice inevitably carried a hint of amusement: "Ruining the atmosphere again!"

"Hahaha——"

Lin Li hummed a cheerful, off-tune melody, continuing to leisurely ride.

Ahead, a toddler of about three or four wobbled on a little tricycle. Perhaps finding straight lines too boring, suddenly veered into Lin Li’s path without warning.

"Careful."

Though enjoying the moment, Lin Li remained vigilant, promptly squeezing the brake, the bicycle slowed down and steadily came to a halt.

Due to inertia, the soft body of Chen Yu Ying bumped gently into his back.

Soft, soft.

Soft things should be mentioned twice.

The child’s parents hurried to apologize, then guided him onto the nearby sidewalk.

"It’s getting a bit warm, could you help me with my jacket?" Lin Li said.

"Okay." Chen Yu Ying took the jacket he handed over, hugging it in her arms.

Lin Li put his feet back on the pedals, wheels turning once more.

The wind seemed to grow ever so lighter.

Naughty Lin Li’s real intention had changed, his gaze began casually sweeping the road ahead.

Found an excuse.

Lin Li suddenly squeezed the brakes again, this time with a slightly urgent short stop.

The arms tightly wrapped around his waist suddenly constricted, Chen Yu Ying uncontrollably bumped into his back once more.

Once Chen Yu Ying regained her posture, she curiously peeked forward: "What’s the issue this time?"

This time, there wasn’t a bicycle changing lanes, just a couple walking their dog and their docile Golden Retriever, still quite a distance away, moving steadily.

"I thought the dog was going to run into the middle."

Lin Li looked straight ahead, his feet still on the brakes:

"Oh, turns out it was a false alarm. Let’s go."

Chen Yu Ying suspiciously murmured "Mm."

Lin Li’s mouth curved into a smile, pity the pedestrians were few, not enough.

But no worries, not long after, Lin Li stepped on the brakes a third time.

What a shame, Chen Yu Ying was prepared this time, the impact was much softer, making a big matter small.

No worries, at least she didn’t make the small matter disappear.

Chen Yu Ying lightly snorted, not exclaiming, she tightened her grip slightly around a certain pervert’s waist as a protest.

Then she leaned forward, a slightly annoyed voice came through: "This time there’s not even a person on the road, what’s the misunderstanding?"

"Not a misunderstanding, but little lives." Lin Li pointed to the ground.

Several ants were lining up in a thin black line, diligently transporting food scraps much larger than themselves.

"Whew—good thing I braked, or else it would’ve caused harm, Amitabha Buddha, goodness——"

"You’d actually stop for ants?"

"That’s life! I’m a spirit forest man! I’m a western admirer!"

"Next time, just ride over them, no stopping allowed." Chen Yu Ying playfully hummed, "Drive."

"Wow, that’s bad?" Lin Li began pedaling again. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"No worse than you, pervert!" One of her arms left his waist, quickly pinching Lin Li’s side through the clothes, the effect wasn’t strong, then promptly returned to position, firmly hugging him, pressing her body tightly.

Staying attached would eliminate unexpected bumps, Chen Yu Ying thought she was a genius.

Feeling the grip around his waist and the warm softness against his back, Lin Li also thought Chen Yu Ying was a genius.

"Alright, not stopping anymore." Lin Li laughed innocently, "But you’re not allowed to let go, if you do I won’t have played enough suddenly."

"Can you put your jacket on then?"

"No, I’m really hot."

"You’re not sweating." Chen Yu Ying touched Lin Li’s forehead, then slipped her hand inside his collar to touch the spine area, promptly exposing him.

"That’s because a close heart feels cooler naturally; your heart and mine together cool me down, putting on my jacket would ruin it all."

"A perverted explanation, pervert."

"Uh lately I’ve missed summer, spring or fall would work."

"No reminiscing, summer I won’t give you a chance, I’ll keep... I’ll keep a distance where you can’t have such thoughts." "Distance" didn’t slip out, Chen Yu Ying chuckled.

"Hehe, opportunities are for the prepared, I’ll set traps for you to fall into them, I’ll become the universe’s super ultimate ferocious dragon pervert, you’ll be done."

"But I’m not that dim, I won’t fall for it."

"I’m class rank one, you’re class rank five, I’m smarter, you’ll fall for it."

"I’ll tell Aunt Wu."

"I’m not afraid."

"I’ll tell my mom."

"I’m, I’m not afraid."

"I’ll tell my dad."

"Sorry."

"Coward."

"Woman, you’re provoking me, playing with fire."

"There’s a lake here, I’m not afraid of fire."

"Then I’ll have Bao Wei come and drink it dry; you’ll be afraid."

"If he could actually drink it dry, I honestly would be frightened."

"..."

Their voices gradually faded as they moved farther away.

The wind billowed the boy’s thin shirt, the girl’s hair danced lightly in the breeze.

The sun was shining just right, the breeze gentle, their leisurely ride around the lake, with aimless and casual banter, exuded the unique fragrance of youthful romance.