Chapter 42: CH 42

After the dinner, the four of them went back to their respective homes. Huo Xiang drove Bai Zhen Zhen back to Xiangju Hotel.

Just as the car arrived at the hotel entrance, Bai Zhen Zhen looked out of the car window and noticed someone filming at hotel entrance with exaggerated gestures, pointing towards the restaurant on the third floor.

“Did the restaurant become a tourist spot because of you and Bai Meng Ru?” Bai Zhen Zhen joked.

Speak of the devil, Huo Xiang’s phone happened to ring at this moment. The screen displayed that special note. Who else could it be other than Bai Meng Ru?

“Why is she still calling you? Isn’t she afraid it will be recorded again?” Bai Zhen Zhen sneered.

Huo Xiang shrugged. His phone happened to be connected to the car’s speakers via bluetooth, thus he accepted the call.

Bai Meng Ru’s voice resounded throughout the car.

“Brother Huo Xiang, you’re finally willing to answer my call…” Bai Meng Ru’s voice was full of tears.

Bai Zhen Zhen asked Huo Xiang with a look: She called you, but you didn’t answer?

Huo Xiang used a similar look to answer Bai Zhen Zhen: If you weren’t here, I wouldn’t have answered.

“What do you want? If it’s regarding last night’s dinner, you’re fully aware of what happened. I don’t have anything to say to you.” Huo Xiang said mercilessly.

Bai Meng Ru quickly admitted her mistake: “Brother Huo Xiang, I was wrong last night. I shouldn’t have done that… But the company forced me to do so, and they swore to me that it wouldn’t create any trouble for you. They just wanted to generate popularity for me. I initially rejected them, but ultimately, I signed a contract with them, thus I had to cooperate with their publicity plan. I didn’t know it would turn out like this…”

Bai Zhen Zhen heard Bai Meng Ru’s tone. Though it was just as hypocritical as before, it did sound like she was truly begging him. Previously, Bai Meng Ru used to use the informal word for “you” to speak to Huo Xiang in order to get close to him. Now, she had learnt and was using honorifics.

“Brother Huo Xiang, according to my company’s arrangement, an hour after that news was released, I would personally make an appearance to clarify it. My clarification interview was already recorded, but there wasn’t sufficient time to release it… If you don’t believe me, I can take a screenshot for you…”

“I don’t need it, and I don’t want to know who planned this. I believe you and your company have already received the lawyer letter, right? If there’s any issues, you can speak with my lawyer directly. If you call me again, I can only say that things will turn uglier than you expected.”

Huo Xiang was about to hang up on Bai Meng Ru, when she suddenly shouted hysterically —

“Young Master Huo!”

Huo Xiang almost turned the steering wheel in shock.

“Young Master Huo, if I tell you the truth about my sister, will you be willing to forgive me?” Bai Meng Ru spat out word by word.

Bai Zhen Zhen, who was enjoying the show from the side, was extremely curious about what kind of performance Bai Meng Ru was about to give, and hurriedly nodded at Huo Xiang, signaling him to continue listening.

Huo Xiang could only ask cooperatively: “What else do you want to say?”

“Young Master Huo… Actually, when my sister was in the hospital, she deliberately approached you for your wealth…” Bai Meng Ru said.

“Oh? Why do you say so?”

“In fact, a month ago, my sister saw an old article in a newspaper about your grandfather looking for his family. Your name was reported, as well as your grandfather’s photo. At that time, she brought it up to me, saying that your name was very unique, and that it would be nice if she could meet you.”

“Afterwards, when she met you in the hospital, she realised that you looked very similar to your grandfather. After getting to know your name, she immediately recognised your identity. Following that, she tried all means to get close to you, including tricking you into marrying her. It was all part of her plan… She even gloated to me about how great she was, to have you wrapped around her little finger.”

“Young Master Huo, if it wasn’t for my dad’s adamant refusal to let my sister continue deceiving you, she would never have agreed to divorce you, and would definitely lay her hands on your family’s wealth!”

Huo Xiang couldn’t help but laugh: “So, I should be thanking your dad?”

Bai Meng Ru continued: “Young Master Huo, in fact, you’ve really misunderstood my dad. The reason he opposed your marriage was because he saw through my sister’s plan. My dad is such a kind and righteous person, how could he let his daughter do such things? In desperation, he made up an excuse to create a fuss during that family dinner. It seemed unreasonable, but it was out of his good heart…”

This shocking gift of “twisting the truth” was something that even Bai Zhen Zhen had never expected. To have come up with such a method of proving her innocence, it was a pity that Bai Meng Ru didn’t become an author!!

“Leaving the matter about your father aside, let’s talk about your sister first. You said your sister recognised me based on my appearance and a name? My grandfather spent over twenty years looking for me and publishing multiple articles. How did no one else recognise me?” Huo Xiang questioned.

Bai Meng Ru hesitated for a moment, and couldn’t think of a good explanation. She could only gloss over it: “Young Master Huo, I swear that what I said is all true. Because Zhen Zhen is my sister, though I knew about what she was doing to you, I couldn’t bear to expose her due to our relationship. But now, I can only use this truth to show you my sincerity, in hopes that you will forgive me…”

Bai Zhen Zhen held her forehead helplessly after hearing Bai Meng Ru’s completely untenable lines.

The level of the vicious supporting females in this novel was just too poor. She really couldn’t understand how “innocent and kind” the original owner had to be, to have been bullied by them.

“Bai Meng Ru, what are you swearing on?” Bai Zhen Zhen couldn’t resist asking.

There was a sudden silence on the other end of the phone.

“You’ve already been abandoned by your backer. Your reputation is ruined, your career is hopeless, and your family is impoverished. What exactly are you swearing on?” Bai Zhen Zhen sneered, “Don’t tell me you’re swearing on your conscience or character. You’ve never had any of those.”

The screen still showed that the call was “Connected”, but Bai Meng Ru was obviously too shocked to speak.

Bai Zhen Zhen also couldn’t be bothered wasting more words on her, simply spitting out: “Bai Meng Ru, I advise you to live your life well!”

After that, she hung up.

****

The car happened to be driving into the underground carpark. After hanging up, the surroundings became quiet.

Bai Zhen Zhen shook her head and breathed a sigh of relief, remarking emotionally: “What sins have I committed, to have met such a stepsister?”

Bai Zhen Zhen was actually saying that line for the original owner to hear.

Huo Xiang sighed along with her — No wonder the “Saving the female lead” system would appear. The female lead was indeed miserable, having such people as family.

“Zhen Zhen, it’s alright. In the future, you will be the Huo family’s grand daughter-in-law and have nothing to do with the Bai family.” Huo Xiang comforted.

Bai Zhen Zhen smiled: “Bai Meng Ru’s surname was originally not Bai, so I won’t calculate scores with her. I merely find it ironic occasionally when I think about it. Rather than my blood-related family, it turns out that the people who care about me the most is the people who have no blood relations to me at all. Just think of my father, and compare him to your grandfather. It’s a stark contrast.”

“What do you mean by ‘my grandfather’?! My grandfather is your grandfather!” Huo Xiang frowned, “Bai Zhen Zhen, if Grandfather heard you say that, he would be hurt.”

Bai Zhen Zhen knew that she had misspoke, and hurriedly made a “hush” gesture, shutting her mouth obediently.

“Alright, let’s not talk about these unhappy things.” Huo Xiang organised his thoughts, suddenly asking Bai Zhen Zhen seriously, “Zhen Zhen, didn’t I ask you previously whether you had any wishes that you really wanted to fulfill? You haven’t given me an answer. Have you thought of anything that you can tell me?”

“Why did you bring this up all of a sudden?” Bai Zhen Zhen was puzzled.

“Aren’t we going to have our wedding soon? Before that, I want to fulfill your wish, or accompany you to do something you really want to do.” Huo Xiang said, “However, I can only accompany you for a day. After tomorrow, I will devote myself to preparing for the wedding, and won’t have that much time to accompany you.”

“Isn’t it just a wedding? There will be more opportunities in the future, so I’m not in a rush.” Bai Zhen Zhen replied.

Besides, she wanted to strike while the iron was hot, making Bai Meng Ru take action and revealing herself earlier.

“This is a gift I plan to give you before our wedding! If I do it after the wedding, the meaning will change!” Huo Xiang parked the car nicely and turned towards Bai Zhen Zhen, sincerity shining through his eyes.

He had contemplated the entire night and day, before finally sorting out his thoughts.

Last night, Bai Zhen Zhen confessed to him and agreed to be his girlfriend. Bai Zhen Zhen herself was also overjoyed, and her happiness points increased by twenty points for the first time. According to his calculations, the happiness points would only increase on their wedding day.

In other words, no matter how long he delayed his stay in this world, he would only last until the wedding day.

However, he had been rewarded a resurrection chance during one of his previous missions. He had decided that the moment Bai Zhen Zhen’s happiness points reached a hundred, he would immediately use the resurrection chance.

Huo Xiang had confirmed it with the system. The moment the resurrection chance was used, he could choose to directly cancel the current side mission, or to revert the accumulated happiness points to before the latest change. This way, he could at least give Bai Zhen Zhen a complete and happy wedding.

As for how he would control the happiness points in the future, Huo Xiang hadn’t thought that far yet. He was also worried that there would be uncontrollable factors that would affect it, thus he decided to fulfill Bai Zhen Zhen’s wishes beforehand, so as to leave beautiful memories for each other.

If he ever had to leave one day, at least he would have done something big for her, and it would have nothing to do with his missions.

“How? Have you thought of anything?” Huo Xiang asked Bai Zhen Zhen.

Bai Zhen Zhen unfastened her seat belt and stretched while replying: “Why don’t you accompany me to the amusement park? It’s a Saturday tomorrow, so I don’t have to work. We can play for a whole day!”

“Amusement park?” Huo Xiang frowned, “Is your wish so simple?”

Bai Zhen Zhen suddenly leaned in close to him, her eyes curved as she smiled: “I already have you, so anything we do together will make me happy.”

This was the first time that Bai Zhen Zhen had said such tender words to Huo Xiang.

If Bai Zhen Zhen’s system could also detect the other party’s happiness points, at this moment, Huo Xiang’s happiness points would have increased by at least fifty points.

“Zhen Zhen, you’re too good to me.” Huo Xiang looked slightly sad, but also moved.

“In what way am I good? You’ve been taking care of me since the start. I just casually say something nice, and you’re already moved?” Bai Zhen Zhen smiled.

Huo Xiang affirmed: “No, you’re good to me. Since the time you agreed to be with me, everything you say and do is enough to move me.”

At this point in time, the atmosphere was just right. Bai Zhen Zhen closed her eyes gently: “Don’t speak, just kiss me.”

Huo Xiang gulped and said hesitantly: “… The smell of durian is too strong. How about we go back and wash first before…”

“Bye!!” Bai Zhen Zhen flung the door open and stormed out, slamming the door shut behind her.

****

At night, Bai Zhen Zhen and Huo Xiang continued to sleep in separate rooms.

Before sleeping, Bai Zhen Zhen told Huo Xiang through gritted teeth — Initially, I wanted to let you share my bed. Though I wouldn’t let you do anything, but we are still a couple now. It’s good enough to innocently chat in the same bed. But in view of your earlier disdain for me in the car, I’ve decided to — Give! You! The cold shoulder!

Towards this, Huo Xiang expressed his utter regrets, almost drowning his pillow in tears.

On the inside, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief — Based on the love-addled brain of the female lead, if certain interactions occurred after sharing a bed, wouldn’t her happiness points go straight through the roof?!

Extremely dangerous!

The next day, the two of them drove to a large amusement park in the suburbs, bought a full-day pass, and began their fun-filled day.

Though it was an outdated amusement park, it was unknown whether the author gave full play to his imagination or whether the novel didn’t involve this part at all, allowing the system to automatically base the amusement park off Disney World. Either way, the amusement park was similar to the one she had seen on TV, and even had more novelties.

Looking at Bai Zhen Zhen’s excitement, Huo Xiang was puzzled: “Zhen Zhen, have you never been to an amusement park?”

“Is that strange?” Bai Zhen Zhen asked, “My family is poor, how could my dad bring us to such places? Afterwards, the money I earned went into supporting the family. Sigh, thinking about it, my life was rather sad…”

In truth, Bai Zhen Zhen grew up in a small town. Before going to university, she had never been to a big city, and naturally had never been to such a big amusement park.

Bai Zhen Zhen glanced at Huo Xiang doubtfully, asking: “From the way you speak, it seems like you’ve been to one before? You’re an orphan, yet your life experiences are very rich!”

“Haha.” Huo Xiang laughed guiltily, “When I worked to earn my school fees, I just… happened to work in similar places.”

Bai Zhen Zhen didn’t pay too much attention to the topic. Her attention was caught by the A3 size map of the amusement park.

“Here! The rollercoaster!” She pointed towards one of the attractions, before tugging on Huo Xiang’s arm in excitement, “Let’s go, we’ll ride this first!”

Huo Xiang choked: “Are you serious? We’ve only just arrived. Do you really want to start off with something so stimulating?!”

“I’ve never ridden on one before. I’ve only seen others ride it on TV, and it looked like it was really fun!” Bai Zhen Zhen was still very excited, “Why? You’re still young; you wouldn’t have any heart problems, right?”

“No… I don’t.” Huo Xiang answered honestly, “I’m just a little, a tiny bit… scared.”

“You’re scared of a simple rollercoaster?! Are you still a man!” Bai Zhen Zhen looked down on him.

“Whether or not I’m a man is not tested using a rollercoaster…” Huo Xiang pouted.

Bai Zhen Zhen pulled his arm, smiling: “To be my man, you need to firstly be tested through the rollercoaster!”

While speaking, she was already pulling Huo Xiang forward.

Huo Xiang, who was being dragged against his will, had an expression of hopelessness — Indeed, it wasn’t just a simple wish!! He was too careless!!

****

What happened subsequently proved that Huo Xiang did indeed think of it too simply.

Just for the rollercoaster ride alone, Bai Zhen Zhen patiently queued up for it three times. Huo Xiang was also forced to accompany her three times.

The third time he got off the rollercoaster, Huo Xiang was completely unable to walk upright.

Although he didn’t have any heart problems and wasn’t afraid of heights, he really didn’t want to experience such “extreme sports”!!

Bai Zhen Zhen was still full of vigor, her finger pointing out this and that attractions on the map.

“The next one — Bungee! Jumping!”

Huo Xiang: “…..”

After experiencing all the thrilling attractions at least once, Bai Zhen Zhen finally calmed down and sat in the rest area with Huo Xiang, drinking some beverages.

Huo Xiang directly drank two bottles of Coca Cola to suppress his shock, before addressing Bai Zhen Zhen: “After this experience, you should be aware of how much I truly love you. I’ve been to the amusement park twice in my life, but I’ve never ridden any of the attractions we went to today. At most, the most thrilling attraction I ever visited was the bumper cars.”

“Tsk, you were just a worker earning his school fees. Of course they would only let you ride on the bumper cars.” Bai Zhen Zhen pretended to be disdainful.

Huo Xiang whined: “You actually dared to look down on me.”

Bai Zhen Zhen suddenly rested her head on Huo Xiang’s shoulder, warmly saying: “I don’t look down on you. You’re the best Xiang Xiang in the world.”

Huo Xiang’s heart was once again struck.

— Wasn’t it just a rollercoaster?! He could still ride it another ten times!!!

“What shall we ride next?” Huo Xiang regained his masculinity and took the initiative to ask Bai Zhen Zhen.

Bai Zhen Zhen hugged his arm and looked up at him: “Why don’t we play some indoor activities?”

“…That sounds good.” Huo Xiang gratefully expressed his true feelings.

Bai Zhen Zhen was amused by Huo Xiang’s expression. She stood up while holding on to his arm.

Huo Xiang was a head taller than her. She stood on tiptoes, helping Huo Xiang to fix his mask before running her fingers through his bangs to adjust it.

“You’re handsome now.” Bai Zhen Zhen said with satisfaction.

Huo Xiang held Bai Zhen Zhen’s hand with a brilliant smile on his face and walked towards the Star Trek exhibition.

****

Bai Zhen Zhen and Huo Xiang spent the entire day riding and visiting almost all the attractions in the amusement park. Seeing the sun about to set, the street lamps in the amusement park began to flicker on.

“Let’s go grab some dinner.” Huo Xiang’s fingers were interlocked with Bai Zhen Zhen’s, holding on throughout the entire day, “What do you feel like eating tonight?”

“The hamburger we had for lunch wasn’t very good. Let’s eat some Chinese cuisine for dinner.” Bai Zhen Zhen said, “We can just have some dishes with rice, as long as there is rice.”

“Alright.” Huo Xiang gazed at her tenderly.

The two of them walked hand in hand to the dining area. They had barely walked a few steps when they happened to see a huge teddy bear, currently taking off its head.

It was probably time to clock out, and the teddy bear was getting ready to go home.

“Oh, we’ve walked around so many times, yet we’ve never met this bear!” Bai Zhen Zhen sighed, slightly regretful.

Huo Xiang released her hand and quickly walked over to briefly speak with the staff in the teddy bear costume. After that, he gestured Bai Zhen Zhen over.

“Zhen Zhen, stand here. I’ll take a picture for you.” Huo Xiang said.

Bai Zhen Zhen looked at the staff: “But isn’t he clocking off work…”

“No problem. It’s just a photo; it won’t take up too much time.” The little brother wearing the teddy bear costume was very friendly, even suggesting to Huo Xiang, “Handsome, why don’t you take a picture together with your girlfriend? I’ll ask a colleague to help us the picture!”

“That’s great!” Huo Xiang was elated, but he didn’t forget to emphasize, “But she’s not my girlfriend; she’s my wife.”

“Haha!” The staff was tickled by how serious Huo Xiang was.

“1, 2, 3 — Cheese!”

With the familiar countdown, the picture of the two of them and the teddy bear was saved to both their phones.

After thanking the “teddy bear”, the two of them continued along their way.

Bai Zhen Zhen kept zooming in and out of this photo of the two of them. She couldn’t stop admiring it.

“Isn’t it just a photo? We have a lot of selfies together, but I’ve never seen you so excited over it.”

“I just like this teddy bear!” Bai Zhen Zhen exclaimed happily, “And also like you beside me.”

Huo Xiang was at a loss for words.

He completely could not say “no” to this kind of Bai Zhen Zhen.

Bai Zhen Zhen suddenly had a thought, asking: “Seeing how you made the effort to accompany me to play today, I’ll give you a trump card — If you ever make me angry one day, you just have to dress up as a teddy bear and amuse me. If you manage to make me laugh, then I won’t be angry with you any more.”

“How could I make you angry? I can’t wait to love you and dote on you!” Huo Xiang responded without hesitation.

At the same time, he gave himself a thumbs up — What a so-called trump card, it was clearly a trap question! Fortunately, he had quick wits. His answer was absolutely perfect!

Bai Zhen Zhen put it another way: “If I make you angry one day, I will also dress up as a teddy bear. That way, you will know that I’m trying to appease you.”

“Why will you make me angry?” Huo Xiang pouted, “What you’re saying will never happen.”

“Ok then.” Bai Zhen Zhen put away her phone, hugging Huo Xiang’s arm with both hands, “Then let’s continue being lovey dovey for the rest of our lives, never making each other angry!”

“Agreed!” Huo Xiang responded strongly.

Bai Zhen Zhen raised her head to look at the sky and exclaimed in surprise: “Wow, the stars are so bright tonight!”

Huo Xiang also raised his head and saw the entire night sky filled with twinkling stars. The joy in his heart overflowed uncontrollably.

“Zhen Zhen.”

“Yes?”

Bai Zhen Zhen had just turned around to look at him, when she felt a warm and gentle touch on her lips.

Her large round eyes blinked lightly. Huo Xiang’s gently closed eyes was magnified in her eyes, and she could even distinctly see each eyelash.

— System: “Ding~ Female lead happiness points +10.”

———————–

[Small scene]

At the amusement park, Huo Xiang climbed out of the rollercoaster with trembling legs.

Bai Zhen Zhen: That’s all you’ve got? Isn’t it just a ride? Let’s go again!

Many days later, Bai Zhen Zhen climbed out of the bed with trembling legs.

Huo Xiang: That’s all you’ve got? Isn’t it just a ride? Let’s go again!

———————–

T/N: Sorry for the late chapter. I was feeling unwell yesterday, and went to see a doctor this morning. To make up for it, I will do double releases this coming weekend (i.e. 4 chapters this weekend)