Chapter 084 A Pleasant Surprise

Night descended, and neon lights began to glow.
The crowds in Times Square grew thicker.
Jiang Yao walked along the dazzling, neon-lit street, searching for He Yunqing’s figure.
Suddenly, her hand was tugged by a small one.
She looked down to find a little girl with two braids.
The girl carried a small basket of flowers, her mouth wide in a smile that revealed two missing front teeth, beaming cheerfully at Jiang Yao.
“Big sister, this flower is for you.”
With that, the little girl took a champagne rose from her basket and pressed it into Jiang Yao’s hand.
Before Jiang Yao could say anything more, the girl had already skipped away, basket swinging, vanishing into the crowd.
Jiang Yao watched her departing figure, shook her head, and lowered her gaze to inhale the scent of the rose in her hand.
Suddenly, a hand landed on her shoulder.
Jiang Yao was startled. “He—”
She turned, only to find it wasn’t He Yunqing but someone dressed in a Strawberry Bear costume.
The pink outfit enveloped the person completely, their face impossible to discern.
Strawberry Bear pointed at Jiang Yao, then at itself, and made a gesture for a photo.
“You want to take a picture with me?” Jiang Yao asked.
Strawberry Bear nodded.
Recalling how these cartoon performers in scenic areas often asked tourists for photos and then charged a fee, Jiang Yao shook her head, declining politely. “Thank you, but no need.”
But Strawberry Bear wouldn’t give up, taking Jiang Yao’s hand and leading her toward a quieter spot.
“Hey, what are you doing? Hey…”
Dragged along, Jiang Yao found herself before a flight of stone steps.
“I told you, I don’t need a photo.” Jiang Yao frowned, feeling helpless. “Go find someone else.”
Strawberry Bear shook its head vigorously.
“Not for a photo?” Jiang Yao wondered aloud.
Strawberry Bear pointed to the sky.
Brilliant fireworks exploded overhead in an instant.

The dark night sky became a perfect canvas, dazzling colors painting it in radiant hues.
So this was the time for the fireworks show here.
Jiang Yao watched the beautiful display, a smile tugging at her lips against her will.
“So, you wanted to bring me here to see this?” She turned to look at Strawberry Bear.
Strawberry Bear nodded.
“Thank you. Then, let me give this to you.” Jiang Yao glanced at the champagne rose in her hand and tucked it into Strawberry Bear’s pocket.
Strawberry Bear looked at the flower, then at Jiang Yao, rocking its clumsy body happily.
Jiang Yao smiled and sat down on the steps. “Actually, I came here tonight to wait for a friend.”
Strawberry Bear sat beside her, legs sprawled awkwardly forward.
“So, I can only stay for a while, then I have to go find him.” Thinking of He Yunqing, Jiang Yao couldn’t help but smile. “I once watched fireworks with him before.”
Strawberry Bear tilted its head, inviting her to continue.
Jiang Yao leaned back, arms propped on the stone, gazing at the fireworks. “It was New Year’s. We ate hot pot, watched the fireworks, went to see the sunrise, though I fell asleep and missed it all.”
She chuckled at the memory. “But he always felt so far away to me—even when he stood right in front of me, he seemed as distant as the stars in the sky.”
At this, her voice grew faint, tinged with melancholy.
Strawberry Bear gently patted Jiang Yao’s shoulder with its oversized paw.
Jiang Yao turned to look at Strawberry Bear. “Do you have someone you like?”
Strawberry Bear paused, then nodded softly.
Jiang Yao rested her chin in her hand, sighing helplessly. “Now I do, too. If only I didn’t, how much easier things would be.”
She shook herself from her reverie, stood up, and waved goodbye. “Alright, I have to go find my friend now.”
But Strawberry Bear held her hand fast.
“What are you doing?” Jiang Yao frowned. “I said I have to find my friend.”
Strawberry Bear made no move to let go; instead, it pulled her hard, drawing her into its embrace.
Off balance, Jiang Yao fell heavily into Strawberry Bear’s arms. Something felt wrong, and she struggled to break free. “What are you doing? Let me go!”
But with a single arm, Strawberry Bear held her tightly.
Jiang Yao began to panic.
The place was secluded, few people passing by.

“Help! Somebody help!” she shouted, striking at Strawberry Bear.
Suddenly, her mouth was covered.
“Don’t yell, don’t yell, Yao—it’s me!”
Jiang Yao froze. That voice sounded so familiar. Could it be…
Sure enough, the next moment, Strawberry Bear removed its headpiece, revealing He Yunqing’s handsome face.
He tossed his hair, slightly tousled from the costume, and smiled at Jiang Yao. “Yao, it’s me.”
Jiang Yao stared at He Yunqing for two seconds, confirming she wasn’t mistaken, then furrowed her brow. “Why is it you? Why are you dressed like this? Aren’t you still injured? What if your wound bleeds again?”
With that, she began to remove the costume from him.
He Yunqing cooperated fully, letting her take off the outfit and unbutton two buttons of his shirt.
Once she confirmed his wound was fine, Jiang Yao finally breathed a sigh of relief.
“You’re worried about me?” He Yunqing raised an eyebrow, leaned close to her ear, and spoke in a teasingly ambiguous tone.
Jiang Yao glared at him. “Worried? I’m angry! Why are you dressed like this, eavesdropping on me?”
He Yunqing placed one hand behind his back. “I wanted to surprise you, to make you happy. But saying I was eavesdropping? That’s unjust.”
“How is that unjust?”
“From start to finish, did I say a single word?”
Jiang Yao pursed her lips. That was true.
“All the words were yours, spoken to me willingly. I listened openly, so where’s the eavesdropping?” He Yunqing’s voice rose in playful emphasis. “And this flower—you gave it to me yourself, didn’t you?”
Jiang Yao turned away. “You twist everything. I can’t win against you.”
He Yunqing seized her hand in his. “Let’s go!”
Jiang Yao didn’t resist, letting him lead her, swaggering along the square.
To walk hand-in-hand so openly was something almost impossible back home; suddenly, Jiang Yao cherished every moment.
He Yunqing’s fingers were cool, but his palm warm, gently clasping hers. She wished they could walk on like this forever, never letting go…