"What do you want to do first?" Li Caiyi asked the man with curiosity. This might be her first time going out with a man other than her family, after all.
The man pondered for a bit before he shook his head. "I have no idea what kind of date course would be preferable. I have never done this before."
"Seriously? You never go on a date even once?!" Li Caiyi's eyes widened in astonishment. No matter how you look at it, this man looked the same age as her, or at least a few years older. Even a person as dull as Li Caiyi had ever gone on a date before, so how can women leave this fine man alone?
"I have always been busy, so I never had a chance to. I'd appreciate it if you could recommend good places."
"Even if you said that…." Li Caiyi felt troubled. Even if she had gone on dates with her ex-husband before, mostly it was out of obligation. It always ended quickly, too. So Li Caiyi was as clueless as him.
However, since she was the one who suggested this, she couldn't find it in her to refuse. "Then, do you want to go to the amusement park?"
The man nodded obediently. She had prepared a few sentences to convince him, but it seemed that was unnecessary. He behaved so well; it made her feel like she was bringing her son to play, not a man to date.
Li Caiyi brushed off the awkward thought, then slowly intertwined her fingers with his. The man jolted in surprise.
"What? We are going on a date. Then, isn't it normal for us to hold hands?"
"Y-yeah, that's right," the man replied hoarsely. His cheeks reddened a bit, and his palm became more sweaty as time passed. Li Caiyi tried her best not to smile in amusement. She thought that the man's response was adorable.
They stopped a taxi since the amusement park was pretty far from where they were. They were sitting in the backseat when Li Caiyi realized something. "Say, we have made plans, but I just remembered I haven't asked for your name yet."
"I see."
Li Caiyi waited for a bit, but the man didn't show any intention of speaking further. "Did you perhaps not want to tell me your name? Then it would be best if you had said so. I won't pry if that makes you uncomfortable."
The man cast his gaze down while muttering a name. "Shen Qiang."
"Nice to meet you, Shen Qiang. I'm Li Caiyi."
After that, Shen Qiang said nothing else and only gazed outside the window with a melancholic expression. He seemed to have something on his mind. Li Caiyi had promised not to pry, so she kept her mouth shut throughout the trip.
When they arrived at the amusement park, Shen Qiang bought two tickets. Li Caiyi wanted to pay for her ticket, but he refused. She didn't insist anymore but promised to treat him to a meal later.
"What do you want to try first?" Li Caiyi asked him as she looked down at the map of the park. There were lots of attractions she recognized here. It's been a while since the last time she went here, so she couldn't help but feel a little excited.
"I don't know. You choose for me."
"Seriously, didn't we agree to do this together? Put some spirit in it, will you?" Li Caiyi reprimanded him with no anger in her tone. If she remembered how this was their last chance to have fun, she couldn't blame him for being unenthusiastic, but a date would be meaningless if she were the only one who had fun!
For as long as she can remember, she has always lived to please others. The number of times when she had some time for herself was very few. Now, when she finally decided to leave everything behind and do as she pleased, she still had to consider other people's feelings. What kind of curse was this?
Li Caiyi grabbed Shen Qiang's hand and pulled him forward. "If you aren't going to say anything, then you'd better not complain to me later if this date wasn't to your liking!"
The man's pupils widened, then a soft smile appeared on his face. "Yes. I'll do as you said."
Li Caiyi traced her memories back and tried several attractions she had never tried before.
Li Chunhua has always been frail since she was a little, so as the older sister, Li Caiyi had to be sensible and accompany her to ride attractions she could go to. Even if Li Caiyi preferred haunted houses over dollhouses or Vikings than a merry-go-round, Li Caiyi couldn't say selfish things, or Li Chunhua would feel bad about it and cry. When Li Chunhua cried, everyone would blame her for being small-minded and not generous enough.
'Fuck that. I will go on thrilling rides this time!'
They went to the haunted house, Viking, roller coaster, and many else. Li Caiyi spent the most fulfilling times in ages with Shen Qiang. Although he mostly stayed quiet, he was still better company than a person who kept looking at his phone anxiously during a date.
'Tsk. Why did I think of that man again? It must be because I'm with another man right now. Yeah, that must be it.'
Li Caiyi kicked away every unnecessary thought and played more energetically.
Time passed quickly when you enjoyed it. In the blink of an eye, the sky darkened.
"It's getting late. Should we go to some other place?"
"So soon?" The man asked her back.
Li Caiyi was a bit surprised but later raised the corner of her mouth in a teasing smirk. Using her elbow, she lightly nudged him. "What? Did someone want to play some more?"
Shen Qiang protected his arm from her nudge and said, "No. You look like you're having so much fun. I thought you would like it if we played some more."
Shen Qiang's nonchalant reply wiped the smirk off her face. She looked up at him dumbly.
Li Caiyi truly didn't understand this man. They had agreed to do this together, yet he followed her obediently and indulged in her every whim. He had no preferences. He never expressed his opinion, nor did he show any dissatisfaction, so she couldn't tell if he was happy or not.
She felt terrible that she was the only one who enjoyed this, so she didn't plan to stay for long. Who would have known Shen Qiang could see right through her easily?
His thoughtfulness touched Li Caiyi. No one ever paid attention to her so much like this. Usually, nobody would bother to ask if she was uncomfortable or not, so her favorable opinion of him had increased considerably.
She smiled softly as she took his big hand in hers. "Nah, let's go to some other places. There were lots of other things I wanted to do with you."