That hit the mark. The amusement park was a mixed bag. This kid wanted to play one thing, that kid wanted another. With different personalities, it was unrealistic to force them to enjoy each other's favorite rides.
Bo Xin frowned slightly. Seeing this, Jiang Yuxu lowered his eyes. He had heard that trafficked children sometimes went missing like that—some from wealthy families, judging by their clothes.
Jiang Yuxu looked up at Ji Yanyi. As soon as he heard about the spring outing, he had packed a huge backpack, wider than himself.
He looked so clueless.
Jiang Yuxu gently tugged at his mother's sleeve. "Take him along."
It was he who had been annoyed by Ji Xingzhi, and now he was the one allowing him to come.
Of course, Bo Xin could see what he was worried about.
She touched his brow with her long finger and gave him a warm smile.
Bo Xiao's car was waiting downstairs. He was wearing a suit, clearly planning to drop them at the amusement park and then go handle his own affairs. Seeing the three come down, he was about to speak when he noticed the brother-in-law bringing up the rear.
Tall figure, carrying the kids' backpacks—one on each shoulder. Without asking, he knew this was definitely his sister's idea.
He pointed at him. "Brother-in-law, when did you get back?"
Ji Xingzhi didn't answer. Bo Xiao realized his gesture might be rude.
"Brother-in-law, how long have you been back?"
Ji Xingzhi put the bags in the trunk. "Not long, just got back."
Then he casually sat in the driver's seat. The key was already in the ignition; they could leave immediately.
This was typical. Bo Xiao always felt inferior in front of his brother-in-law. Probably because his brother-in-law was the kind of son his parents had always dreamed of.
"I'll drive, okay? You go ahead and handle your business."
Bo Xiao was a bit frustrated. Seriously, you're already sitting in the driver's seat, and now you ask if it's okay?!
He hesitated. "But I need the car later to meet a client."
Ji Xingzhi pointed to the bicycle next to him. "You can ride that. It'll make you feel closer to the client."
Moreover, if Bo Xiao didn't have to spend time driving them to the amusement park, he'd have more time, and he could even excuse the bicycle being slow.
Bo Xiao opened his mouth and looked to Bo Xin for help.
Bo Xin was a bit tired. "Just ride the bike. He's injured, you can't be wrestling with him."
One sentence made Bo Xiao feel much better. Instantly, his submission turned into considerate yielding.
Bo Xin got into the passenger seat. Ji Xingzhi glanced at her, but she showed no reaction. However, he knew that only when she was being provocative did her pupils turn extremely dark.
"No problem?"
Back then, Ji Xingzhi's car accident had been caused by a fatigued truck driver that rolled over while turning. He had swerved sharply, and the truck's body had crushed him; the passenger seat was completely destroyed. So the doctors and everyone around him said that surviving was a miracle resulting from his precise handling. So his driving skills were definitely fine.
The key point was that she knew it.
Ji Xingzhi responded indifferently to her malicious intent. "No problem."
—
It was a holiday, so the amusement park was crowded.
Even more people had brought kids.
By then, the country had introduced many entertainment facilities from abroad. The park was in the most advanced city center, so it had everything it should. Though compared to the future, the facilities were much more old-fashioned.
First, they rode the most classic carousel—basically just circling on toy horses. Jiang Yuxu found it a bit boring. Jumping around on the big mountain was more thrilling.
Next was the pirate ship. During the swinging, his expression didn't change at all. Well, his hair got a little messy, and he felt slightly dizzy.
In the end, he concluded, 'I'm not interested in paying to suffer.' But he didn't say it out loud, because the other two were so happy.
He took a sip of water and sat on one end of a bench.
Mom and Yanyi had gone to buy soda, leaving him alone with Ji Xingzhi.
A long bench in the amusement park, the two sat at opposite ends.
The sun rose as usual, its golden light creating a perfect dividing line.
Jiang Yuxu sat in the sunlight, while Ji Xingzhi crossed his legs and leaned against the armrest on the shady side. He turned his head slightly; Jiang Yuxu's face was getting redder under the sun.
Even in early spring, sitting under the strong sun wasn't comfortable.
Ji Xingzhi patted the spot beside him. "Come sit here. It's cooler."
No response, no reaction.
"Only fools suffer out of spite."
Jiang Yuxu took out his bag and put away the thermos. "They'll be back soon. And I don't find this sun that harsh."
Ji Xingzhi frowned. What to do when a child wouldn't listen?
Other parents might spank him, but he had made mistakes, so he intended to treat the child with leniency. However, ever since he got home, he felt that leniency didn't suit him at all.
This kind of uncharacteristic behavior only made no progress in getting closer.
Before Jiang Yuxu could react, his shoulder blade was seized, and he was moved to another spot.