Chapter 983: Friends from Now On, Perhaps

Cai Xiaotang did not let the moment of Li Xiao's distraction pass.

After a pause of barely two seconds, she immediately said with a smile, "I'm joking, you don't need to be so nervous, I'm not that selfish yet."

Li Xiao's gaze flickered for an instant, and he did not speak.

Cai Xiaotang, however, gently pulled her hand away and continued to speak calmly.

"So, you have your own pursuits, and I have the life I want. Since we've already agreed, let's just follow what we decided before. At the very least, after we go back, if we meet again, we can still count as friends."

She forcibly maintained the steadiness in her tone, not wanting Li Xiao to hear any reluctance in her words.

Just then—a small commotion suddenly erupted in the carriages in front of and behind them.

Cai Xiaotang looked up subconsciously and saw that almost everyone had stood up and crowded toward the windows.

It turned out that the Ferris wheel had finally swayed its way to the highest point.

Cai Xiaotang glanced at the brilliant lights outside the window, but she couldn't help the corner of her lips curling into a tiny, bitter arc.

Legend has it that lovers who kiss at the highest point of a Ferris wheel can be together forever...

Then what happens to someone like her who rejects the person she likes at the highest point?

It should mean there's no possibility with Li Xiao for the rest of this life, right?

The surroundings suddenly went quiet.

Li Xiao looked at Cai Xiaotang's profile quietly and sighed helplessly.

Although he had long guessed that he probably wouldn't get any answers, he still couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed.

After a long while—he asked with a final shred of hope: "Then... just as a favor to me, will you come back for the New Year? The old man will definitely be sad if he sees you aren't there. As for the divorce, at the latest, after the New Year, we will..."

"

"Sorry."

Cai Xiaotang's gaze flickered for an instant, and without waiting for him to finish, she still refused him firmly.

"I'm used to being free on my own, I'm really not used to that kind of lively holiday. And even if I don't go back, you definitely have a way to solve it and let the old man have a happy New Year, right?"

By the end, Cai Xiaotang deliberately put on a relaxed smile for Li Xiao and patted his shoulder heavily: "After all, the old man is usually so good to you! And you are so good at coaxing him to be happy! It'll definitely be fine!"

"Hmm..."

Li Xiao could only nod helplessly, then suddenly thought of something and changed the subject: "If I really go back... in the future... will you deliberately avoid me?"

"I..."

Having never thought about this question, Cai Xiaotang was stunned for a moment, and her heart felt a sudden pang of soreness.

Immediately after, she put on that "open-minded" expression again and answered readily: "Of course not, didn't I say it already! We are still friends!"

"One last question."

Li Xiao looked at Cai Xiaotang, his expression incomparably serious. The smile on Cai Xiaotang's face couldn't help but fade a little.

Then she heard him ask: "Are you really not hiding anything from me?"

"No."

Cai Xiaotang answered without hesitation.

Only her left hand, hidden behind her back, clenched tightly.

After a long while—"Okay."

Li Xiao chuckled, said nothing more, and could only press all his emotions back into the bottom of his heart.

It seems she still doesn't want to say it.

Since the wife can't be coaxed back for the time being...

Then he can only find another excuse to stay.

As for the old man...

He can only go back and ask for forgiveness later.

The Ferris wheel slowly descended.

Both of them watched the scenery outside the window quietly, not saying another word.

Until they got off the Ferris wheel, Cai Xiaotang was still somewhat absent-minded.

Li Xiao only said the word "okay" just now, what did it mean?

Did it mean he understood, but wouldn't give up?

Or did it mean he respected her thoughts and would proceed with the divorce directly after going back?

Just as Cai Xiaotang was pondering this, she heard Li Xiao ask: "The parade doesn't seem to be over yet, do you still want to go see it?"

"Sure."

Cai Xiaotang came back to her senses instantly and hurriedly agreed.

Li Xiao also scanned the area, wanting to determine the location of the floats from the direction of the crowd.

However, a familiar figure inadvertently flashed past his eyes.

That person was wearing a wide red-and-white striped outfit, with a red afro wig on their head, and was walking while greeting the people around them—it was exactly the clown who had taken the photo of him and Cai Xiaotang during the day!

Li Xiao's footsteps paused, and he suddenly thought of that photo, his mind stirring slightly.

If that photo really wasn't wanted... it seemed a bit of a pity.

Thinking this, Li Xiao watched as the clown walked past a corner, then quickly glanced at Cai Xiaotang beside him and instantly had an idea.

"Xiao Tang, wait for me here, I'm going to the restroom, I'll be back soon."

As Li Xiao said this, he patted her shoulder lightly and had already walked away quickly.

Soon, he rounded a corner and blocked the clown's path.

"Hello, do you remember me?"

Li Xiao asked straight to the point.

As soon as the words fell, he saw the clown immediately nod his head frantically in joy!

Seeing that he remembered, Li Xiao continued directly: "Is that photo from the daytime still in your hands? I want to buy it; I can add some money."

"Eh? Woo-hoo-hoo!!"

The clown was stunned for a moment, then began to gesture wildly with his hands and feet.

He first pointed to his own pocket, then waved his hands, and then made some movements with unclear meanings.

Li Xiao did not understand, and seeing him like this, a panic suddenly rose in his heart, so he hurriedly asked: "Has the photo already been disposed of? Is there a negative?"

"Mm-mm!!"

Seeing that he did not understand his meaning, the clown also became a bit anxious, simply grabbing his wrist and leading him toward a corner of the wall.

Not until there was no one around paying attention did he let go of Li Xiao and say apologetically: "Sorry, brother, we have a rule that we can't speak while on duty. That photo, your girlfriend already bought it!

Didn't she tell you?"

"Bought it?"

Li Xiao was somewhat surprised.

Then he heard the clown say again: "Yeah, not long after you guys left, she came back alone to find me and bought the photo. Maybe she wanted to give you a surprise! Anyway, the photo is with her, I'm going back to work!"

The clown finally squeezed out a comical smile at Li Xiao and hopped away as he turned to leave.

Li Xiao, however, stood in place and did not move for a long time.

Only the smile at the corners of his lips grew wider and wider.

Cai Xiaotang actually secretly bought the photo?

Could it be that at that time...

Suddenly remembering someone saying they were going to the restroom during the day and then running away in a panic, Li Xiao could not help but chuckle.

It seems that even God thinks they are a pair?

They even used the exact same excuse when leaving!

So...

Did she keep that photo because she wanted to keep a memento for herself?

Cai Xiaotang.

You really cannot hide anything at all.

Since you like it, why must you insist on leaving?