Chapter 317: The Joy of Dating

They swayed leisurely all the way.

Gu Anran kept yawning, and Wu An said, "We didn't chat much yesterday—why did you go thieving last night?"

"'Hmph.' Gu Anran hit him lightly and said, 'It's all your fault, in the dream...'"

"'A dream?'"

"'Anyway, I didn't sleep well last night.' Gu Anran's eyes flickered a bit."

Wu An felt strange.

It's rather puzzling.

The more he and Gu Anran got acquainted, the less he could understand her train of thought.

It couldn't be because he tossed her around in his dream, could it?

He tactfully let it go.

Gu Anran fell asleep midway.

She was genuinely tired.

Wu An saw her head slowly drooping forward, so he quickly pulled her into his arms, then slightly adjusted his posture, lying half-reclined, letting Gu Anran rest more comfortably.

About an hour later, the bus arrived in the county town, looped around halfway, and reached the People's Hospital.

"'We're here.'"

The two got off.

They registered, queued, and got medicine.

Gu Anran was very familiar with this process; she took several large packets of herbal medicine.

And it wasn't cheap.

I don't know if insurance can cover it; even if it could, it probably wouldn't reimburse much.

Gu Anran grabbed a bag, and just the herbal medicine filled it to the brim.

Leaving the hospital, the two walked along the road toward the park.

The park wasn't very big.

The scenery wasn't anything special.

Actually, there wasn't much to do for fun, but it was considered a well-known dating spot in their county.

Because it's free, it's popular among students and young people who don't have much money.

He had only been there twice; once, Wu Ping and Mei Yueqin took him along, making him a third wheel all day.

Another time, he came with classmates.

This was the first time they actually came on a date.

As they neared the park, they saw a roadside stall selling popsicles, went over, and said, "Let's buy two popsicles to eat while we walk."

"'I'll go buy them.' Gu Anran hurried over."

Watching the back of 'Bu Anran', Wu An couldn't help sighing, thinking the woman he'd found was almost too good.

The heavens were really favoring him.

What great luck had he stumbled upon?

They arrived at the park gate.

There were many stalls—fortune-telling, painting, calligraphy, food and drink—everything you could imagine.

Wu An also found an old man at the gate and left his bag with him.

Perhaps because the weather was hot and it was nearly noon, there weren't many people in the park.

The two strolled around the park and easily found a secluded spot.

Under the willow trees by the riverbank, there happened to be a bench where they could sit and admire the artificial lake.

Wu An opened the water and handed it to Gu Anran, noticing a slight sheen of sweat on her forehead: "Take a sip and rest."

"'Okay.' Gu Anran finished drinking and passed the water back to him."

Wu An hadn't drunk yet; he took a tissue, dampened it slightly with water, and quickly wiped the bench.

Gu Anran was wearing a white dress today; if she got it dirty sitting down, that wouldn't be good.

Gu Anran felt a faint stir in her heart; she hadn't expected Wu An to be so attentive, and his thoughtfulness was quite thorough.

Given that, why did she ask that just now, and why did Wu An avoid answering?

Even the smartest woman can act foolishly in love; Gu Anran was no exception, especially over such a big matter, leaving her anxious and overthinking.

The reason she didn't sleep well last night was partly because of that dream, and partly because she felt uncertain about the future.

The more she thought, the more her mind became tangled.

Looking at Wu An's relaxed expression, Gu Anran sighed inwardly, wondering… did he not intend to define their relationship so soon?

Wu An appeared to be gazing at the distant lake, but his peripheral vision kept watching Gu Anran; noticing her stare fixed on him, her eyes flickering, he let out a faint sigh and felt something was off.

He sensed that Gu Anran had something on her mind.

At first, Gu Anran was clearly happy, as if it started when he was eating noodles...

What happened then?

What did Gu Anran say?

When things go awry, there must be something strange.

Gu Anran rarely behaves like this; she's usually reserved, so showing this indicates she's pondering something significant.

After thinking it over.

He decided… to be direct.

What the hell to guess.

A woman's mind, a needle at the sea bottom—guessing over and over, one grows weary and indifferent; only a wrong guess is deadly.

"Gu Anran, what's wrong?"

"Just say if there's anything."

"I can tell you have something on your mind."

He lifted Gu Anran's chin and locked eyes with her.

Gu Anran blinked, lifted her chin from his palm, sniffed, and said seriously, 'Wu An, what exactly are you thinking?'

???

Wu An was stunned by the question, and... also a little flustered.

What, what am I thinking?

He instinctively touched his pants pocket, a square little bag, wondering if it had been discovered.

It shouldn't be.

He had hidden it so carefully, never taking it out from start to finish!

Seeing Wu An's evasive gaze and silence, Gu Anran added, 'I know your family had you ask me earlier; if you want to date first and not plan to get engaged or married soon, I can accept that.'

Wu An suddenly understood, thinking, 'What's there to hesitate about? I'd love to take you home tonight—why is Gu Anran still worried I don't want to marry early?'

Not wanting to think further, he said, 'Of course, the sooner the better.'

My family and the Elder lady's thoughts are in agreement.

After we return home, we'll pick a date.

He answered seriously.

Gu Anran punched him and said, 'Then I'll have to ask you twice...'

Wu An raised his hand and said, 'First, I didn't ignore you on purpose; I just didn't hear clearly earlier.'

Let's get engaged first.

By year's end I'll have the new Room built, and we'll marry next year.

You can rest assured; I'll use only the best materials for the renovation—non‑polluting, healthy and eco‑friendly, the kind you can move into with just your luggage.

It will have no effect on you or any future children.

Gu Anran rolled her eyes and said impatiently, 'You're thinking too much; who wants to bear your children?'

Wu An held her in his arms and tickled her.

Seeing Gu Anran beg for mercy, it naturally became a beauty in his arms, tender and affectionate, endless.

It was Wu An's hand.

Too dishonest!

That's pretty much the fun of dating.

A moment later, Gu Anran smoothed the wrinkles in her clothes, her pretty face flushed as she kept rolling her eyes.

Gu Anran lost interest, saw there were boats, and ran to pay and rent one.

Wu An didn't stop her either.

It's just a little money, letting Gu Anran spend it as she wishes.

He had already planned it; later there will be plenty of chances for him to spend money.

The two rowed for a while and worked up a sweat.

After leaving the park, it was already 1 p. m.; by the Road side I found a relatively clean restaurant, ordered three dishes and a soup, and after eating, Gu Anran proactively suggested accompanying him to the shipyard.

After leaving the shipyard, we'll definitely make it back home in time.

Wu An also checked the time, thinking there was still plenty of time, so he'd go to the shipyard to look around, then take care of business.