Canal

Suzhou was a bustling city known for its stone bridges and classically beautiful gardens. Shen Shu wanted to explore everything the city had to offer. Her parents gave them a tour of the pavilion before they took a stroll down the sidewalk by the canal.

On the way, the four of them went to visit shops and landmarks, and they eventually wound up on a boat going down Tongli.

Shen Shu saw the city come into full view down the path, and it was just like how her parents had described it from their brief calls.

Her mother slathered sunscreen on her hands and attempted to put it on Shen Shu's face. Shen Shu glowered. She did not like how her parents still treated her like a child. She wasn't one anymore.

Niko remained neutral the entire time. He only spoke when he was spoken to. Shen Shu occasionally saw him grin, but it directed her mother.

The tour director grasped a flower during the tour as he spoke about Suzhou being the Venice of the East and offered it to her. Shen Shu smiled at him and muttered a "thanks." She noticed Niko's eyes narrow slightly, but it flashed as quickly as it had gone—as if he hadn't made that expression at all.

"Let's take a family photo!" her enthusiastic mother suggested.

Shen Shu scooted towards the middle of the boat and sat behind her parents. She began to pose for a picture when her mother said, "Shen Chi. Sit closer to Shen Shu. You are far from us."

Niko obliged. He sat next to her, closing in the gap at a safe distance. The tour guide snapped the photo. Shen Shu looked at the photo and loved it. She realized she never had many photos with Niko. He wore a subtle smile in the picture. She saved two copies of the photo, cropping the other photo of just her and Niko.

Niko glanced at her sideways, seeming to have noticed. He then took the phone from her hand suddenly and lifted it with the front camera.

He was taking a selfie with her!

Shen Shu flushed, but she grinned for the picture, hoping her blush didn't show. Niko snapped a picture of the two of them, a token of memory.

"They're getting along! How sweet," she heard her mother comment. Niko returned the phone in her hand. "Very sweet," he answered, looking at her. Shen Shu knew he had a different meaning, words unspoken but understood by her. She hid a flush.

When it was over, the tour guide helped her get off the boat. He then called after Shen Shu when she was about to leave, "Wait, Miss—"

Shen Shu turned around to face him. The tour guide appeared to be flushed and nervous. Shen Shu hoped he was not going to ask her out. She didn't have the heart to reject anyone. Which was probably how she ended up with many flings in her past. She agreed to go out with anyone who liked her. She never went after what she wanted.

"Would you like to join me for a drink this evening?" he asked.

Shen Shu chuckled awkwardly. "I'm sorry. I am spending a vacation with my family. I don't want to interrupt that."

"It'd just be for an hour—" the man tried getting closer to her.

Niko swatted the man's hand away. His eyes flashed with anger. "Leave her the fuck alone."

The tour guide backed away slightly. "Let the lady speak for herself."

"She did?" Niko responded sinisterly. "Or can you not comprehend a thing she said? She doesn't want to go out with you."

The tour guide glanced back at Shen Shu. She gave him a slight nod to tell him Niko was right. The man scoffed and walked away. Niko watched him leave until his silhouette disappeared.

Niko's eyes didn't leave him until Shen Shu pulled on his arm. "We should go. People are watching." Niko glanced around them. Her parents watched what happened alongside some bystanders, too.

"Are you okay, hun?" her mother asked, wrapping her arms around her. "It's a good thing your brother stepped in."

"I'm fine," Shen Shu responded, but she hadn't stopped looking at Niko. He didn't meet her eye. "Let's go out for dinner before we head back."

Her mother smiled. "Sounds like a plan."

Shen Shu made up most of the conversation during the dinner. At the restaurant, Niko had been silent—withdrawn—the entire time. She desperately wanted to get into his head, to bring him back. But she couldn't do that here.

"I'm feeling unwell," she lied to her family.

Her mother's expression flashed with worry. "We should get back to rest."

Shen Shu nodded. "I'd appreciate that, thank you."

They all headed back to the waterfront house they were staying at by the pavilion.

"Do you want some soup?" her mother questioned inside.

"No. Some medicine and water will do," Shen Shu responded, suggesting she'd get it herself.

Her mother smiled warmly. "All right. Have a good night."

"Good night, mother," she said.

Shen Shu watched as her parents walked away, leaving her and Niko behind. She turned to face him.

"How ill do you feel?" he questioned.

Shen Shu grinned. "I was never sick."

Niko shook his head, fighting back an amused grin.

Shen Shu began to walk ahead as Niko followed her, not saying a word. When she went to her guest room, Niko stepped in behind, locking the door. He didn't say anything or make a move. He only watched her, threading his fingers between her hair.

Niko put a hand to her shoulder and then dropped it to her waist. Shen Shu's breath hitched.

"Why were you silent today?" she questioned.

Niko sighed. "My mind was elsewhere. There was a lot to think about."

Like how Niko could never be publically affectionate with her, like how he could scare off men that pursued her but never explain why.

Shen Shu tiptoed on her feet and pressed a light kiss to his cheek.

"We should sneak out tonight," Niko suggested.

Shen Shu's eyes widened. "Right now?"

Niko nodded. "They won't notice we're gone."

Shen Shu smiled mischievously at him before she bolted to her window, climbing out onto the first-level balcony.