Asking Out (2)

Han Ganxing tried to segue the conversation into asking her out and... was quite unsuccessful.

Attempt #1:

"Here, you remember this flower?"

"Of course, it's the first flower you gave me. I adored this one the most in the flower garden."

"Speaking of flower gardens..."

"Ah, that reminds me, my father made me a garden in the backyard! Here, come look!"

"..."

Attempt #2:

"Do you like those kinds of frilly dresses?"

"Hmm? They're kind of a hassle, to be honest. I can't be flexible or fast in this."

"Well, how about..."

"My father always makes me wear these kinds of dresses in banquets. I know you like them though, heehee!"

"..."

Attempt #3:

"Did you hear about the newly opened restaurant just around the street?"

"!" Han Ganxing took the opportunity. "Why don't we go and try their food..."

"I already did, it doesn't taste as good as the food in the restaurant opposite."

"...Er, then why don't we go there instead...?"

"Are you hungry? Let me call the maids here to prepare food."

"..."

Han Ganxing's politeness was starting to fade out, what with all her interruptions. Who knew if she was doing it deliberately or something?!

Dark streaks appeared on his forehead as Shi Wenyang led him to the dining room, pulling him on his wrist.

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to him, Shi Wenyang had a blush on her face.

After arriving at the table, Shi Wenyang sat down. Han Ganxing strategically placed himself on the position facing her.

A couple of maids brought in some food, the scent alluring to the hungry Han Ganxing. Even then, he did not sway or forget his original intention.

Shi Wenyang noticed that Han Ganxing hadn't touched his food, even as she finished up hers. She gulped before talking, "Ganxing..."

"Hm, what?" Han Ganxing was this close to taking a bite. Luckily for him, Shi Wenyang had intercepted.

"I've noticed earlier that you kept talking about places outside."

Han Ganxing froze.

"Could it be that you... want to hang out in the town?"

"..." Han Ganxing could not bring himself to respond. With his intentions laid out bare like this, even if he had a face thicker than beastskin, he would still feel ashamed.

"Well, I know it can be stifling sometimes, to stay in the mansion. So we should hang outside, right?"

"Ahem." Han Ganxing took a deep breath. "I- I don't want to hang... out. I want to, er, go out with you."

After that, he quickly turned away, not daring to look at Shi Wenyang's reaction. Most likely, she was about to laugh.

"..."

Han Ganxing didn't expect silence. He looked back and saw a face covered in a red tint, staring blankly at him.

Shi Wenyang shook her head, bringing herself back to reality. "Um, what's the difference?"

"I, I don't know. I'm taking you out, as a man, I think, not as a friend." Han Ganxing forced himself to utter these words.

Another bout of silence roared through the atmosphere. This time, they stared at each other, unblinking.

Inside Shi Wenyang's mind, her thoughts were in utter disarray. 'First the flower, and now this? Why is he being so proactive...'

Her breathing quickened as she composed herself on the outside. "Okay then, let's go."

Han Ganxing's eyes lit up. He grabbed Shi Wenyang's hand without thinking and dragged her out the mansion!

.....

In the town.

A pair of youths attracted attention from passersby. The boy was dressed exquisitely, while the girl was breathtakingly beautiful.

Following far behind them were the guards of both Shi Wenyang and Han Ganxing.

"Are you sure you won't lose track of them? We're too far!"

"I have no choice, the clan head told me specifically to observe them from afar."

"My boss also told me that before I went with his son. Is there some special circumstance?"

"I, I heard some rumors spreading in the mansion. They said that... the clan head and the Han family head came to an agreement!"

"An agreement? About what?"

Looking left and right, the guard whispered, "Engagement..."

The two other guards sucked in a deep breath. They seemed to be engrossed in the gossip. So much so, in fact, that they lost track of the two they were supposed to guard silently...

Meanwhile, Han Ganxing pulled Shi Wenyang towards the flower garden. They walked all the way there since it wasn't far at all.

"We're here." Han Ganxing had an excited smile on his face.

Shi Wenyang, on the other hand, stayed silent. It didn't sit well with him. "Hello? Wenwen, are you there?"

"Um, your hand, uh..."

It was only then that Han Ganxing noticed: he was holding her hand the whole time.

However, embarrassed as he may be, he didn't budge. Repressing the shyness inside him, he spoke, "Why, you want me to let go?"

His face was turned away, mostly because he wouldn't be able to speak confident words like these face to face. Even now, his body was heating up.

Shi Wenyang glanced at his hand, and a smile formed on her face. "No, I like it."

'Ahhhhh!' Han Ganxing bit his lip to prevent himself from screaming. He was having a serious crush now, a serious crush on his childhood friend...

"Ahem, well then, let's go."