Chapter 27: A Stroll

When Ye Mo saw Lin Jie again, she immediately sensed that something was off.

There was truly something amiss. The boy seemed hesitant, almost timid, pausing to think before speaking, as though lost in thought.

Ye Mo had been preoccupied these past few days, busy buying clothes, coordinating outfits, and hunting for photographers and ideal weather. It had left her utterly exhausted. Thankfully, the weather in Tianbei City had been pleasant—blue skies and fluffy white clouds—perfect for photoshoots.

Last night, she'd nearly pulled an all-nighter to finish her editing work, all so she could call Lin Jie out to play today.

In truth, she hadn't planned to go out today, intending instead to rest. But when Lin Jie mentioned that several girls had invited him out, it infuriated her.

Setting everything else aside, she'd spent tens of thousands on drinks for him. The least he could do was be a little more proactive, but instead, he had the nerve to tell her that girls were asking him out?

Was he trying to show off?

Yet, hearing his foolish voice over the phone dissolved her anger, leaving her only with amusement.

Now, seeing his face, Ye Mo found it impossible to stay mad.

From a young age, she had been the center of attention—beautiful, wealthy, and successful in the online world. She had her pride.

So, Lin Jie's occasional indifference did bother her. But when she thought about their age difference, she decided to be more understanding, to take care of him.

And, truth be told, she couldn't deny she was smitten by Lin Jie's looks—uniquely his own.

"Lin Jie, why do you keep stealing glances at me?"

Did he really think she hadn't noticed?

Please, who was she?

At the very least, she had millions of followers. Even when walking down the street, there were people sneaking photos of her. If she couldn't detect a few stolen glances, she wouldn't be Ye Mo.

Watching Lin Jie's furtive peeks every few steps, Ye Mo was both amused and exasperated.

"Because you're beautiful," Lin Jie said earnestly.

"That's so cheesy," Ye Mo rolled her eyes.

"Cheesy or not, it's the truth," Lin Jie replied.

And indeed, Ye Mo was stunning tonight.

She wore a white camisole that revealed her delicate shoulders and arms, paired with sleek black pants that accentuated her long, slender legs. Topped with a black baseball cap and high-top sneakers, she was every inch the goddess.

Lin Jie had always said she had a face blessed with innate elegance, and the aura of a model. She could casually walk down the street with one hand in her pocket and exude an air of effortless coolness.

He glanced down at himself—a plain black T-shirt and shorts. Not terrible, but standing beside Ye Mo, he might as well be from the countryside.

"Haha, you're looking good too," Ye Mo chuckled.

Though Lin Jie was taller, she somehow always gave off the impression that she stood above him.

He turned his gaze to the street, watching the passersby. For a brief moment, it seemed like everyone was just…ordinary. Nothing special.

But when he looked back at Ye Mo, her goddess-like presence enveloped him once more, leaving him slightly adrift.

It wasn't his problem. It was Ye Mo's.

A woman like her should be draped in luxurious gowns, basking in the glow of the spotlight, not casually walking beside him on an ordinary street.

Tianbei City wasn't bad, by any means. It might not be the capital, but it was a famous destination for influencers. Every summer, the city center was packed with people.

But to Lin Jie, Ye Mo belonged in the grand cities—Shanghai, Kyoto—a goddess among mere mortals.

"What do you think I'll get to eat today, handsome?"

Ye Mo didn't like how Lin Jie kept subtly maintaining a certain distance from her, as though afraid to get too close, as if there was an invisible barrier between them.

Snapping out of his reverie, Lin Jie responded, "What do you feel like eating?"

"I'm easy. I'll let you decide."

"In that case, how about instant noodles?" he teased.

"Instant noodles, huh? I guess that could work. I had some trendy noodles in Hangzhou before, but they were just so-so," Ye Mo said thoughtfully.

Lin Jie blinked in surprise and laughed awkwardly. He hadn't expected her to take him seriously.

"What's so funny?" Ye Mo asked, a bit puzzled.

"I'll take you for barbecue instead."

"Barbecue? It's a bit greasy… but sure, I'll just eat a little and watch you pig out," she teased with a grin.

Lin Jie quickly changed his mind. "Maybe not. I haven't really decided what I want."

"So, what do you usually eat?"

"I just order takeout, whatever's nearby."

"Let's just stroll around then. We'll find a place that looks good," Ye Mo suggested.

Lin Jie nodded. "Alright, let's grab a taxi."

"Oh, speaking of taxis, I really wish I could drive now! If we had our licenses, we wouldn't need to call for one. We could just go wherever we wanted," Ye Mo said excitedly.

Lin Jie nodded again.

"I need to hurry up and get my license! Then I can go on road trips!" Ye Mo beamed, counting on her fingers. "First, I'll head to Shanghai for a bit, then maybe Xiang Province, and finally to the western part of Sichuan… horseback riding and skiing in the northwest wouldn't be bad either."

"That sounds great," Lin Jie said.

"Have you ever thought about going on a trip yourself?" Ye Mo asked.

"Yeah, once I get my license, I'll go on a trip with some friends."

"Oh? Are your friends guys or girls?"

"Guys."

"Won't that get boring on the road?"

Lin Jie gave her a puzzled look, only to see her turn her head away, her expression unreadable.

"Why would it be boring?" he laughed.

Ye Mo hesitated before replying with a playful smile, "Oh, nothing."

At this time, Tianbei City wasn't particularly crowded. There weren't many tourists yet, so Lin Jie and Ye Mo could walk the streets without feeling cramped or overheated.

A gentle evening breeze swept through the streets, brushing past their faces and carrying away the lingering heat of the day.

Lin Jie still couldn't help but steal glances at Ye Mo, while she, in her high spirits, walked with a carefree energy, sometimes even skipping a step or two—completely at odds with her cool, chic appearance.