Chapter 70 - 67: I’m Too Embarrassed to Play

Chapter 70: Chapter 67: I’m Too Embarrassed to Play

Blushing, Jiang Wanyi walked away without looking back.

She was clearly shy, not even daring to glance at Chen Yuan.

Holding their purchases, they picked out a few more packs of diapers before checking out and leaving the baby store.

"Let’s put this stuff in the car first, then we can go get something to eat."

"Mm-hmm."

After stashing their things in the car, the two of them headed back into the mall.

"We still have to go back and feed the baby, so let’s just grab a quick bite today," Chen Yuan said.

"Yeah, otherwise my mom will say I’m just messing around when I get home," Jiang Wanyi said with a sigh of resignation.

"Let’s head downstairs, then. There’s more street food there."

"You decide."

The two of them went down to the basement level. It was similar to the mall near Jiang Wanyi’s house, a floor dedicated to food, drinks, and entertainment.

This one had even more entertainment options, though. The food was mostly fast food and other quick bites. The decor was a riot of color, giving it an almost cyberpunk vibe.

The moment they got there, the sound of upbeat music and excited screams caught their attention.

The sounds were coming from an indoor bumper car rink, filled with young people.

Seeing Jiang Wanyi staring intently, Chen Yuan said:

"Want to give it a try?"

"Huh?"

Jiang Wanyi looked at Chen Yuan, surprised. "I’m too old for this. It’s so embarrassing."

"Are you kidding? You look way younger than any of those girls," Chen Yuan said.

"Besides, didn’t we say we were here to relax? This is the perfect way to unwind. We can eat after we’re done."

"No, no way..."

Jiang Wanyi quickly waved her hands in refusal, but she was tempted. It was only her age that made her feel too embarrassed to go.

"If I go, everyone will laugh at me. They’ll say, ’Look at that lady, she’s way too old to be playing with this stuff.’"

Chen Yuan thought about it. Her concern wasn’t entirely baseless.

Because some people really are just jerks.

"I have an idea."

"What is it?" Jiang Wanyi’s curiosity was piqued, and she looked at Chen Yuan.

"Once we get in there, just call me your big brother. Then anyone watching will think you’re younger than me."

She gave Chen Yuan a flirtatious eye-roll, covering her mouth as she laughed. "You’re so shameless, always looking for a way to take advantage of me. Only you could come up with something like that."

"Let’s go. If anyone dares laugh at you, I’ll go sort them out."

Without giving Jiang Wanyi a chance to object, Chen Yuan grabbed her hand and pulled her along.

Letting him pull her along, a happy blush spread across her cheeks.

’It’s not just Mili he’s protecting. It seems he’s protecting me, too.’

Chen Yuan went to buy the tickets. The price was about the same as at University City, 20 yuan each.

After buying the tickets, he turned and saw Jiang Wanyi watching the young men and women inside, her eyes glued to the scene.

She seemed genuinely interested.

"Looks fun, doesn’t it?"

"It does..." Jiang Wanyi leaned in and whispered, "But I still think it’s a little embarrassing. I’m a grown woman."

"What’s so embarrassing? You need to relax. You can’t be so uptight just because you’re a mother. You’re still young."

Jiang Wanyi was, in fact, a bit strait-laced, but it wasn’t because of motherhood. It was due to her profession.

In the classroom, she had to maintain a certain level of seriousness. If she wasn’t strict, her students wouldn’t pay attention. Over time, it had become a habit.

"Fine, I’ll go with you. At least I’m with you and not by myself."

Jiang Wanyi leaned in conspiratorially and whispered:

"See that car with Pig Hero on it?"

"Yeah? What about it?"

"I was watching for a bit. That one seems more responsive. Let’s get that one."

"You got it. I’ll be in charge of grabbing the car, you just be in charge of looking elegant."

Chen Yuan hadn’t expected her to pay attention to such details. It seemed she was really letting go of that strait-laced demeanor.

"I’ll be elegant just for today. The rest of the time, I’m like a madwoman."

"A beautiful madwoman, then."

"Hmph."

Soon, a bell rang, signaling the end of the previous round.

Chen Yuan was the first one onto the rink, and he found the car Jiang Wanyi had pointed out.

"Over here, hurry!"

She snuck a peek at the other people.

Everyone else playing was a young man or woman around Chen Yuan’s age. Compared to them, she felt old.

This made Jiang Wanyi a little self-conscious. Head down, she took small, quick steps over to Chen Yuan’s side.

Lifting her skirt slightly, she climbed into the car.

Since she was already there, she decided to just go with it. Jiang Wanyi decided not to overthink it.

"Do you know how to drive this thing?"

"Hey now, I passed my driver’s test. Don’t underestimate me. Hold on tight, I’m gonna show you how to drift."

"Mm-hmm."

The bell rang, and the round began.

The controls were simple: just a pedal on the floor and a steering wheel. A dog could drive this thing. There was no skill involved.

"Whoa—"

They hadn’t been driving for more than a few seconds when a guy next to them crashed into their car.

The guy’s driving was worse than a dog’s, but Chen Yuan felt like thanking him anyway.

That one bump sent Jiang Wanyi tumbling right into his arms.

The soft impact made Chen Yuan jolt. The car swerved off course and crashed into someone else.

Jiang Wanyi’s hand shot out and grabbed Chen Yuan’s arm, which now served as her personal seatbelt.

"And here you were, bragging about your amazing driving skills. Look at you now, crashing already."

"My bad, my bad..."

’This prize is all mine...’

’Hit me again!’

Chen Yuan’s driving skills were actually decent, and he got the car going pretty fast.

He’d wait for the perfect moment to ram into another car, sending Jiang Wanyi into fits of shrieking.

He caught a glimpse of her expression out of the corner of his eye. She was so caught up in the fun that she’d completely forgotten about their physical contact, and was thoroughly enjoying herself.

’What’s the point of going fast? The real fun is in the collisions.’

Happy times always fly by. Ten minutes later, the bell rang again.

"Still haven’t had enough? Want to go for another round?"