Chapter 35 Sunset, His Romance

Not long after, the setting sun hung in the sky like an enormous golden orb, gradually sinking lower. The horizon was softly tinged with layers of gold and crimson. Night was falling.

Qin Yichi unwrapped the earphone case, connected it to Bluetooth, and handed it to Qiao Zhen with casual indifference. "Want to listen to some music?"

"Yes!" Qiao Zhen adored music. She nodded eagerly, taking one earbud and placing it in her left ear.

Qin Yichi slipped the other into his right ear and lazily asked what she wanted to hear.

Qiao Zhen quietly leaned closer, almost nestling against him, and randomly selected a song from the chart.

"Call YOU Tonight."

The next moment, a light and joyful prelude rang out, slipping through their eardrums and striking the deepest, softest corners of the heart, stirring gentle ripples. It felt like spring returning to barren trees, or warm sunlight in winter.

—"The stars must be aligned tonight."
—"I believe this has to have a meaning."

As the music's beautiful melody drifted through her, Qiao Zhen felt completely at ease. Time seemed to freeze; the whole world was reduced to just the two of them, amidst a sea of wildflowers, quietly admiring the sunset.

She gazed up at the sky, her eyes widening, lips unconsciously curling into a gentle smile, breathing contentedly.

So this was the "secret" Qin Yichi had mentioned, a secret shared only with her.

Qiao Zhen's heart leapt with joy, though she herself couldn't say why. It seemed that every moment spent beside Qin Yichi was lovely and comforting...

The horizon blazed with magnificent orange-red, clouds streaked in dazzling colors, radiating a profound romance.

The setting sun became a poem, the evening glow a painting, and the sky itself turned fervent.

"It's so beautiful."

All these splendid sights reflected in Qiao Zhen's eyes. Her face lit up with excitement, unwilling even to blink as she lifted her phone to take photos, determined to record this moment.

Qin Yichi leaned back, his gaze unconsciously drawn to her.

The girl smiled sincerely, revealing two charming dimples, her eyes sparkling bright and clear, like a flower about to bloom.

A golden butterfly fluttered down, landing briefly on Qiao Zhen's shoulder before flying off into the distance.

Even the butterflies and the sunset seemed to favor her.

Qin Yichi felt his heart stir, as if some feeling was rapidly spreading, making his whole body burn.

His gaze was intense, voice deep: "Yes, it's very beautiful."

The gentle, brilliant light enveloped them both, steeping everything in romance.

Without realizing it, Qiao Zhen leaned against Qin Yichi's shoulder, not even aware of her own action. She simply felt comfortable and safe.

As if leaning against a giant pillow...

Qin Yichi suddenly tensed, his blood freezing, body rigid.

The next second, Qiao Zhen snapped awake, as if electrified, instantly straightening her back and sitting upright.

She! How! Did she end up leaning against Qin Yichi again?!

Beside her, the man seemed to chuckle softly, laughter vibrating gently from his chest:

"Why not lean on me?"

Qiao Zhen didn't dare turn around. Her ears slowly flushed with the color of the sunset. Pointing at the motorcycle not far off, she half-joked, "If I lean on you… won't your girlfriend get jealous?"

After she spoke, Qiao Zhen felt that her remark sounded a bit too coy. She tried to appear calm, but inwardly, her mind was a frenzy of embarrassment.

She wanted to cover her face.

Unexpectedly, the next moment, Qin Yichi leaned in, his shoulder gently nudging her sleeve, lips curling into a faint smile.

"Then I'll lean on you."

Though he said "lean," it was little more than a gentle touch.

And his tone was almost playful.

Qiao Zhen stared, dazed, needing a long moment to accept this reality, murmuring softly, "Mm..."

The sunset was breathtaking, as if someone had shattered the sun and painted the layered clouds with vivid orange and red.

Qiao Zhen gradually forgot her earlier embarrassment, raising her phone to carefully take photos, gazing at the sky with shining eyes.

Unaware that beside her, another pair of eyes watched her with burning sincerity.

—"In this place at this time."
—"And I feel safe when I look in your eyes."
—"I feel like I know you from another life."

Music played in their ears, its gentle melody accompanying the sun as it sank below the horizon, the grand romance drawing to a close.

Night was coming.

Everything felt like a splendid, ephemeral dream, destined to be buried in the river of time.

Yet thankfully—

Qiao Zhen looked down at the dozens of photos she'd taken, some even happened to capture Qin Yichi's hand.

She couldn't help but smile.

Thankfully, she had recorded all these beautiful sights. They would forever be preserved, frozen in this moment...

After watching the sunset with Qin Yichi, they arrived at the private room just as seven o'clock struck.

The boys had been waiting for ages, lurking at the door, ready to spring.

As soon as Qin Yichi entered, a loud "bang" sounded, and countless colorful streamers exploded above his head.

Joyful voices spilled out: "Oh ho ho ho! A warm welcome to our birthday boy!"

"Brother Chi~ Happy birthday~"

"Hahaha, bet you didn't expect it—today we ambushed you!"

Qin Yichi: "..." Actually, he had guessed it long ago.

Just then, a green streamer happened to hang from Qin Yichi's head, as if fate were hinting at something.

The room erupted in laughter.

Qiao Zhen followed behind him, staring at the bit of green above his head, blinking.

After a moment, she couldn't resist rising on tiptoe, reaching up to remove the green streamer, tidying up his tousled hair in passing.

A small tuft stuck up.

Perhaps… it was from when she'd jumped onto Qin Yichi in panic earlier and grabbed his hair, leaving it in this mess.

Thinking of that awkward moment, Qiao Zhen's heart inexplicably sped up.

The boys began to shower Qin Yichi with gifts—limited edition hoodies, baseball caps, keyboards, Lego sets… all thrust into his face.

"Thank you." Qin Yichi looked at them earnestly, deeply remembering these gifts and their kindness.

Meeting this group of carefree friends, he felt truly moved.

It was his good fortune.

"Wait!" Niu Yifeng suddenly shouted, instantly drawing everyone's attention.

He craned his neck, leaned in, and gently pinched the scarf around Qin Yichi's neck:

"This scarf is nice, looks cool, feels good. Where did you get it, Brother Chi? Three, two, one, drop the link!"

At the mention of "scarf," Qiao Zhen immediately looked up, her face taut, fingers unconsciously tightening.

Her lashes trembled, her whole heart leaping into her throat.

Beside her, Zhang Yu chuckled, teasing, "He looks cool, so whatever he wears is cool. Even if you get the same one, you won't pull it off the same way~"

Niu Yifeng, exasperated: "I'm just asking!"

Qin Yichi gently brushed Niu Yifeng’s hand away from the scarf, his voice alluring, drawing out the syllables:

"This scarf is—"

Everyone pricked up their ears, almost pressing in.

Qiao Zhen held her breath for a second.

What is it!

Hurry up and say it!

Her heart was suspended high in the air, filled with anticipation, nervousness, unease—a jumble of emotions invading every drop of her blood.

Suddenly, Qin Yichi seemed to sense something, turning to meet Qiao Zhen's gaze.

His eyes burned, the dark irises reflecting the entire fiery sunset, intense and dazzling, imbued with irresistible allure.

Qiao Zhen was momentarily dazed.

The man's lips slowly curled, as if making a casual joke, yet more as if he was earnestly responding to her through that joke:

"This scarf is a global exclusive, a priceless treasure."