Chapter 18: Outing

Shun Lee sprinted toward the EastSea City gate, his breath quick and his heart pounding. His thoughts raced faster than his feet. 'I'm late, I'm late! She's going to kill me!'

As he approached the meeting spot, he slowed down, his eyes immediately locking onto Gu Yue. She was standing beneath the archway, arms crossed and foot tapping lightly against the pavement. Her outfit was simple but elegant—a pale blue blouse paired with a flowing white skirt that fluttered in the morning breeze. The sun kissed her skin, giving her a soft glow. For a brief moment, Shun Lee forgot about his tardiness.

Gu Yue's sharp voice quickly brought him back to reality. "You're late."

Shun Lee chuckled awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. "Yeah… sorry about that. I got caught up with my roommates and lost track of time."

Gu Yue's gaze narrowed slightly, but before she could retort, Shun Lee quickly added, "By the way, you look amazing today."

Her posture relaxed a fraction, though she kept her expression neutral. "Hmph. At least you have good taste. So, where are we going now?"

Shun Lee hesitated, glancing around as he racked his brain for ideas. "Uh… how about we start by walking around the town? We can grab a bite to eat, then head to the park afterward."

Gu Yue nodded. "Fine. But try not to get distracted and make me wait again."

Shun Lee grinned sheepishly. "I'll do my best."

As they walked through the lively streets of EastSea City, the aroma of fresh-baked bread and sizzling street food wafted through the air. Vendors called out to passersby, and children's laughter filled the atmosphere. Shun Lee and Gu Yue strolled side by side, occasionally brushing shoulders, though neither mentioned it.

"So," Gu Yue began, glancing at him, "how does it feel to finally be out of the nurse's office?"

Shun Lee let out a laugh. "Like I've been freed from prison. You have no idea how boring it is to wake up one day and it's already been three days straight."

Gu Yue smirked. "Maybe if you didn't get yourself injured, you wouldn't have to be bored."

"Touché," Shun Lee said, chuckling. "But in my defense, it's not like I enjoy getting hurt."

Their banter continued until they passed by an arcade. The vibrant lights and the cacophony of sound caught Shun Lee's attention immediately. He slowed to a stop, his eyes wide with childlike wonder as he took in the flashing screens and cheering players.

"What is it?" Gu Yue asked, following his gaze.

The dazzling lights of an arcade caught his eye. A kaleidoscope of neon colors flickered against the glass, reflecting the rows of game machines inside. From the open door, the faint sound of game music and the excited cheers of players spilled out, tugging at Shun Lee's heart like an old friend calling his name.

'An arcade!' he thought, his pulse quickening. It wasn't just any arcade; it was like the ones he had loved in his past life, where he spent countless hours losing himself in games, perfecting his skills, and chasing high scores. The sight stirred a rush of nostalgia and longing within him.

Unconsciously, Shun Lee took a small step forward, his gaze fixed on the flashing lights.

Gu Yue noticed Shun Lee excitement immediately. She tilted her head and followed his line of sight. "You want to go in, don't you?"

Her question snapped him out of his trance. Shun Lee turned to her, his expression quickly shifting to an awkward smile. "What? No, no, it's fine. We should keep going."

Gu Yue raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "You're a terrible liar. You've been staring at it for the past couple minutes."

Shun Lee scratched the back of his head, his eyes darting back to the arcade. "Well… it does look fun. But, you know, we have other plans."

His words were light, but his heart felt heavy. The truth was, he wanted to go more than anything. But the coins jingling faintly in his pocket were all he had left for the month. Even buying lunch would already stretch his budget.

'I can't waste money on games,' he thought, forcing himself to look away. 'It's not worth it. Besides, what kind of guy drags his date to an arcade he can't even afford to enjoy properly?'

Gu Yue observed him closely, her sharp eyes catching the subtle disappointment in his expression. "Are you sure?" she asked, her voice softer now. "If you want to go, we can."

Shun Lee felt a pang of gratitude for her consideration but shook his head firmly. "No, it's okay. Let's save it for another time."

There was a brief pause as Gu Yue studied him, her gaze unwavering. Then, with a slight shrug, she said, "Your choice."

Her tone was indifferent, but Shun Lee couldn't help but feel that her words carried a weight he couldn't quite place.

As they walked past the arcade, he cast one last glance at the glowing lights. Next time, he promised himself. 'I'll bring her here next time, and I'll make sure we can both enjoy it properly.'

Shun Lee let out a small sigh and turned his attention back to Gu Yue, determined not to dwell on what he couldn't have. Instead, he focused on the small smile tugging at her lips, her calm presence somehow easing the disappointment he felt. As long as she's enjoying herself, that's what matter.

The restaurant was a cozy little spot tucked away on one of EastSea City's bustling streets. It has a warm, inviting atmosphere which was complemented by the dim lighting and the gentle hum of soft music playing in the background. Shun Lee followed Gu Yue to their table, trying not to gawk at the polished furniture and the well-dressed people who chatted in hushed tones around them. It was the kind of place that screamed expensive, and it instantly made him feel out of place.

Once they were seated, a waiter handed them thick, leather-bound menus. Shun Lee opened his, and his eyes nearly popped out of his head as he scanned the prices. The numbers were staggering, far beyond anything he'd ever imagined spending on a single meal.

Gu Yue, however, seemed completely unfazed as she casually flipped through her menu. "So," she began, glancing up at him, "how was your recovery? Did you at least get to watch any of the matches during the class promotion event?"

Shun Lee shook his head with a small smile. "How can I? When I'm asleep for 3 days. So, how'd it go? I heard you guys wiped the floor with the other classes."

Gu Yue leaned back slightly, her expression as composed as ever. "It wasn't worth mentioning," she replied, her voice calm yet tinged with confidence. "We easily won every match."

Her nonchalant attitude made Shun Lee chuckle. "Well, of course, you'd say that. You're probably the strongest one on the team."

Gu Yue tilted her head slightly, a ghost of a smile playing on her lips. "That's not entirely true. Everyone had their part to play. Even Xie Xie managed to be useful for once."

Shun Lee raised an eyebrow. "Even Xie Xie? That's harsh. What happened?"

Gu Yue's eyes glimmered with amusement. "Class 3 had triplet students with martial souls resembling eagles. They could fly, which gave them an advantage in the air. Tang Wulin decided that the best strategy was to throw Xie Xie up into the air to counter them."

Shun Lee burst out laughing, his hand slapping the table lightly. "Wait, hold on. He threw Xie Xie? Like… literally? Poor guy can't catch a break, can he?"

Gu Yue's lips curved upward, the faintest chuckle escaping her. "It worked, though. Xie Xie managed to distract them long enough for the rest of us to attack. But I don't think he'll ever forgiven Wulin for it yet."

"Honestly, I'm surprised Xie Xie didn't quit right there and then," Shun Lee said, still laughing. "He's like the official test dummy of your group."

Gu Yue nodded slightly, her eyes twinkling. "Maybe. But it's also why he keeps improving. He's resilient, even if he complains too much."

Their banter was interrupted by the waiter, who returned to take their orders. Gu Yue spoke first, effortlessly listing off several of the more expensive dishes without even glancing at the prices. Shun Lee's jaw tightened as he stared at the menu, his heart sinking.

"Are you ready to order?" the waiter asked politely, his pen poised over a notepad.

"Uh, yeah," Shun Lee said, forcing a smile. "I'll just have the noodles."

Gu Yue glanced at him, her sharp eyes catching the subtle shift in his demeanor. "What's wrong?" she asked quietly, her tone neutral but probing.

Shun Lee quickly shook his head, waving off her concern. "Nothing. Just… I'm not that hungry."

She didn't press him further, but the way her gaze lingered on him made him feel like she didn't believe him.

'Why is everything so expensive here?' he thought, his palms beginning to sweat. His fingers trailed down to the cheapest item on the menu—a plain bowl of noodles. Even that was far pricier than what he was used to spending.

As the waiter left, their conversation resumed. Gu Yue described the other matches in more detail, painting a vivid picture of each opponent's tactics and how her team countered them. Shun Lee listened intently, genuinely enjoying her recounting of the battles, especially the parts involving Tang Wulin's unorthodox strategies.

"Sounds like it was a blast," Shun Lee said, leaning back in his chair. "Too bad I missed it. Maybe next time, I can actually watch the fight."

Gu Yue smirked slightly. "Well, there's nothing to watch if all it takes is a single move."

Eventually, their food arrived, and they dug in, the conversation never faltering. The food was delicious, rich in flavor and satisfying. Shun Lee didn't have much to say as he ate, focusing on the meal in front of him, savoring the taste, though he couldn't help but glance at Gu Yue from time to time. She seemed so at ease, her calm composure making the meal feel even more pleasant.

Halfway through, Gu Yue put her chopsticks down and looked at Shun Lee with an almost content expression. "I'm full," she said, leaning back in her chair. "You can have the rest."

Shun Lee's eyes lit up immediately, his face brightening in an almost childlike manner. "Really?" he asked, unable to hide the excitement in his voice. "Thanks, Gu Yue!"

Her lips curled upward at his reaction, though she didn't smile too widely. "It's just food," she said with a slight shrug.

Shun Lee's face softened, grateful for her kindness. He quickly finished the rest of the food, savoring each bite as if it were the most precious thing in the world. The act of sharing the meal made him feel a little less awkward about the earlier discomfort. Gu Yue didn't seem to care about the money, and she wasn't treating him differently because of it. That simple gesture of offering him the rest of the food made him feel... valued, in a way that he hadn't realized he needed.

The conversation picked up again as they neared the end of their meal. They joked about Xie Xie's luck, Tang Wulin's ridiculous plans, and even some of the quirks of their classmates. Shun Lee felt at ease, his earlier worries about the cost of the meal temporarily forgotten.

But reality came crashing back when Gu Yue excused herself to use the restroom. Shun Lee sat back, staring at the empty dishes on the table.

I should pay for this, he thought, reaching for his pocket. He knew it would probably wipe out most of what he had left, but the evening had been worth it. The laughter, the stories, and the easy camaraderie they shared—it was a rare moment he wanted to hold onto.

Just as he approached the counter, the waiter stopped him with a polite smile. "No need, sir. The young lady has already taken care of the bill."

Shun Lee froze. "She… what?"

"Yes," the waiter confirmed. "She paid before she left the table."

For a moment, Shun Lee didn't know how to react. A mix of gratitude and embarrassment welled up inside him. He slowly returned to his seat, shaking his head in disbelief.

When Gu Yue returned, she glanced at him as if nothing had happened. "Ready to go?"

Shun Lee stood, grinning despite himself. "Yeah. Let's go."

As they walked out of the restaurant, he couldn't help but glance at her out of the corner of his eye. She noticed, he realized. She knew I couldn't afford it.

His heart felt a little lighter as they headed toward the park. Maybe she's not as cold as she pretends to be.

The EastSea Park was a haven of tranquility. Towering trees provided ample shade, their leaves rustling gently in the breeze. A narrow path wound through the park, leading to a secluded clearing by a small lake.

"This spot should do," Shun Lee said, setting down his guitar case and stretching his arms.

Gu Yue glanced around, her eyes lingering on the shimmering lake. "Not bad."

As they settled down, Gu Yue's gaze shifted to the guitar Shun Lee was carrying. "You've been lugging that thing around all day. Do you even know how to play it?"

Shun Lee looked at her, feigning offense. "Of course I do! What kind of question is that?"

Gu Yue's lips curled into a teasing smile. "Prove it. Unless you're all talk."

"Alright," Shun Lee said, narrowing his eyes. "Watch and learn."

He unzipped the case, carefully pulling out the guitar. After a moment of tuning, he strummed a few chords, the notes flowing effortlessly.

"What do you think?" he asked, glancing up at her.

"It's decent," Gu Yue said, though the hint of a smile betrayed her amusement. "But can you sing?"

Shun Lee smirked. "You doubt me too much. Let me show you what I've got."

He closed his eyes, recalling a song from his past life. As he began to sing "Photograph" by Ed Sheeran, his voice was smooth and heartfelt, carrying the melody with a natural ease.

Gu Yue sat silently, her gaze fixed on him. The way the sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled patterns on his face, made the moment feel almost surreal.

When the song ended, Shun Lee opened his eyes to find Gu Yue staring at him, her expression unreadable.

"What's wrong?" he teased. "Guess my voice seemes to take you in a another world?"

Gu Yue blinked, her composure returning. "Dream on," she said, though her tone was softer than usual. "Do you know any other songs?"

Shun Lee grinned before he shrugged. "Plenty. I don't wanna sing."

Shun Lee paused for a moment before a teasing smile appears in his face. "Unless if you agree to let me rest on your lap afterward."

Gu Yue's eyes narrowed, her voice dropping into a cold tone. "You're pushing your luck."

"Hey, I was joking!" Shun Lee said quickly, raising his hands in surrender.

"Fine," she said, her lips twitching into a small smile. "Sing first. We'll see about the rest later."

For the next hour, Shun Lee sang song after song, his voice weaving through the tranquil air. Gu Yue listened intently, her usual sharpness giving way to an almost serene demeanor.

When he finally stopped, Shun Lee stretched and let out a dramatic sigh. "I'm done. No more singing. My throat needs a break."

Gu Yue frowned slightly, the disappointment in her eyes barely hidden. "Alright. Rest, then."

Shun Lee didn't bother to respond and drank some water hidden in his guitar bag where he usually stores some inside for emergency drink and was about to lay down in the tree.

"Come Here."

Gu Yue immediately called out his attention and surprised him by patting her lap, gesturing for him to lie down.

"Wait, what?" Shun Lee said, taken aback. "Y'know, I was kidding about that so don't take it seriously."

Gu Yue fixed him with an impatient look. "I'm not going to say it again. Just come here."

Shun Lee hesitated, unsure of how to react. But under her unwavering gaze, he relented, slowly lying down with his head in her lap.

"This is… weird," he muttered, his cheeks was burning with a tinge red in his ears.

Gu Yue didn't reply, her fingers gently brushing through his hair. The soothing motion, combined with the warmth of her lap, made Shun Lee's eyelids grow heavy. The sunlight filtering through the trees and the soft rustling of leaves added to the peaceful atmosphere.

Before he knew it, he drifted off to sleep.

Gu Yue glanced down at him, a small, unguarded smile is gracing on her lips. Her voice was barely a whisper as she muttered, "This isn't so bad after all."

The tranquility of the moment lingered, as the bond between them growing stronger in the quiet solace in the EastSea Park.