"There was no engagement at all. We were at most set up on a blind date by our parents. It was just that I fell in love with you at first sight, and that's why I've been relentlessly pursuing you," Xiao Feng said with a hint of rogue in his tone, no longer fearing anything.
"An engagement, of course, requires the agreement of both parties. Otherwise, how can it be called an engagement?"
"So, we weren't officially together before. Even if I refused, there would be no consequences requiring responsibility, right?" Tang Tang asked.
In principle, Xiao Feng should have answered "That's right," but he felt it was somehow inappropriate to tell her so directly.
His eyes twinkled as he immediately said, "You can't say that. Both our families have status and prestige. What the elders say is known to many people around. If you go back on your word now, there might be some trouble for a while."
Since it was something he'd just made up, Xiao Feng wasn't sure what else to say, but he wanted to make the situation sound more serious. He absolutely wouldn't accept Tang Tang backtracking now.
To avoid arousing Tang Tang's suspicion, Xiao Feng quickly changed the subject, "Why are the people in Dali so strange? They don't have much money but live so happily."
"You underestimate them," Tang Tang said, feigning maturity. "Look how developed their tourism industry is. How much money do these homestays make? They earn money while relaxing at home, so of course, they're happy."
"Oh, but it looks like they work hard to maintain these waters," Xiao Feng admitted that he wasn't a master conversationalist, always struggling to find the right topics, engaging in a desultory chat with Tang Tang.
From environmental protection, they moved on to Dali's snacks and various beautiful legends. He talked about everything he could think of, yet neither of them showed any intention of returning to the homestay.
Now, even if Tang Tang brought up the engagement again, Xiao Feng wouldn't be flustered. After all, she had agreed, and he was already holding her hand. If it were a bit colder, he could even embrace her. What was there to worry about?
If she tried to go back on her word now, he wouldn't agree. Tang Tang, on the other hand, showed no signs of fatigue from the long journey. She was always eager to explore new environments.
She wondered when Xiao Feng became so knowledgeable about Dali. She had always thought of him as an ordinary chairman who worked in an office, just signing documents. But here, it seemed he knew everything she asked, like a walking encyclopedia.
Night had fallen, and the sea breeze grew more boisterous. Xiao Feng reluctantly pulled Tang Tang back to the homestay. Their rooms were still separate, and he wouldn't see her lovely smiling face once they returned.
Now that their relationship was confirmed, he should be relaxed, but it wasn't as he had imagined. Instead, he constantly wanted to look at her, hold her, and have her nestle in his arms.
Tang Tang, for some reason, seemed energetic outside, but upon returning to the homestay, she suddenly felt exhausted. Perhaps it was the warmth indoors that caused her nerves to relax all at once, or maybe it was simply late, and she felt a sense of fatigue.
When they returned to their rooms, she simply bid Xiao Feng goodnight and went back to hers, showing no lingering attachment, appearing somewhat carefree.
Watching her so briskly depart, Xiao Feng worried that she might forget their agreement to become his girlfriend by morning.
Because of this thought, Xiao Feng didn't sleep well for the entire week. A part of him was immersed in the joy of Tang Tang agreeing to be his girlfriend, while another part was filled with worry. Tang Tang hadn't drunk anything, but her dazed state upon returning to her room at night made him anxious.
The next day, he woke up very early, despite having experienced a long journey and spending half the night in the sea breeze, just like Tang Tang.
However, with something more important on his mind, he got up early. He knocked on her door, and his best friend, still sleepy, came to the door. "Who is it?" she asked, still half-asleep, upon hearing the knock.
She got up immediately, her mind not yet catching up with what had happened yesterday. The moment she opened the door, she saw Xiao Feng standing there.
Xiao Feng was about to say something, but as he took a clear look at her, he immediately closed the door with a "bang." Before Xiao Feng could even utter his first word, he was shut out, leaving him utterly bewildered.
Had his fears come true? Had Tang Tang really forgotten what she had promised him yesterday? He became anxious, unsure of what to do.
Should he knock again or not? As he was panicking, the door opened again, and the Tang Tang before him had transformed. Her messy hair was now neatly tied back, and her pajamas were properly worn, not askew.
Xiao Feng was still marveling at what magic Tang Tang had used to change so quickly when she asked, "Where are we going to play today?"
Xiao Feng was stunned. He had only intended to call Tang Tang for breakfast. They had agreed to do their own things before they left. Even though Tang Tang had agreed to be his girlfriend last night, he still wasn't sure if she would go sight-seeing with him, especially since she was such a free-spirited girl.
"Um, we, let's go to the glass walkway."
"Okay!" Tang Tang jumped up happily. After breakfast, they went to the attraction together. On the glass walkway, Xiao Feng was trembling with fear, while Tang Tang acted as if nothing were wrong, hopping and skipping around. Watching her movements, Xiao Feng's legs felt weak with fright.
Tang Tang initially thought he was afraid of heights and wanted to tease him a bit. But suddenly, she remembered that on the plane, Xiao Feng had sat by the window, gazing outside for an even longer time than she had. How could he be afraid of heights?
She slowly walked towards Xiao Feng. "Are you competing with Leonardo DiCaprio for the Best Actor Oscar?"
Seeing that his trick had been exposed, Xiao Feng laughed sheepishly and returned to his normal state. "I was just trying to add some fun for you."
It was then that Tang Tang realized how much fun she had just had. For the rest of the trip, Tang Tang had no worries and completely followed Xiao Feng's arrangements to explore Dali.
When it was time for meals, Xiao Feng knew which snacks were the most filling. When the weather was too hot, Xiao Feng knew where the hot springs were less crowded and had a beautiful environment. In the evening, when they wanted supper, Xiao Feng knew where the most characteristic Dali barbecue could be found, where they could taste Dali's famous pickled meat.