Visa On Arrival Chapter 15

The Romantic Daily Life of Xiao Ci and Xiao Yue

When the coffee was served, Qi Ranyue suddenly leaned in, staring into Xu Xingci’s eyes.

Your eyelashes are so long. She blinked, her own lashes fluttering. Longer than mine.

Xu Xingci leaned back, took a sip of his coffee, and didn’t respond.

Qi Ranyue wasn’t annoyed; she rested her chin on her hand and continued to watch him.

Sunlight from the window spilled in, casting dappled spots of light across her face.

After watching for a while, she reached out, her fingers quietly inching forward across the table—one inch, two inches—until her fingertips finally brushed against Xu Xingci’s sleeve.

Xu Xingci looked down at her hand.

It was fair and slender, with fingernails showing a faint hint of pink.

He didn’t move.

Qi Ranyue grew bolder, pinching his sleeve with two fingers and giving it a gentle tug.

Were you just secretly smiling?

I wasn’t.

I don’t believe you. I saw it. Are you shy?

Xu Xingci looked up.

Qi Ranyue was tilting her head, her eyes sparkling.

He remained silent for two seconds, set down his coffee cup, and reached out to grasp her fingers.

Qi Ranyue was stunned. Before she could react, he had already stood up and was leading her outside by the hand.

Hey, the coffee isn’t finished yet…

We will order more later.

Xu Xingci took long strides, and she had to jog to keep up.

Stepping out of the coffee shop, the sunlight hit them full-on.

Qi Ranyue squinted and suddenly stood on her tiptoes to whisper in his ear.

Are you shy, Brother Xingci?

Xu Xingci’s footsteps faltered, the tips of his ears turning a shade redder.

Brother, why did you pull me out? Qi Ranyue looked up at his face teasingly, her eyes shimmering as she asked the obvious in a coquettish voice.

Xu Xingci’s face flushed instantly. Both embarrassed and flustered, he turned his head away. Don’t call me that.

Qi Ranyue had discovered long ago that as long as she said a few heart-fluttering words, he would turn into a cooked shrimp. Seeing him so shy yet helpless against her, she only had one thought: who could resist this? If she didn’t tease him, who would she tease?

Then how do you want me to call you? Cici? Or Xingxing?

Xu Xingci froze. Then, his entire face turned red at a visible speed, from his cheeks to his neck, and even his ears looked like they were dripping blood. He stood there at a loss, his breathing rapid, not knowing where to look. Whatever you like.

Hee hee.

Qi Ranyue couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

So where are we going now? We didn’t even get to drink our coffee.

Let’s go to Lanna Restaurant. I think you’ll like it. Xu Xingci kept his head down, looking at his phone as if he were checking for a restaurant.

Qi Ranyue was laughing internally. This man had clearly booked Siam Lai—the place she had mentioned once—a week ago, yet now he was pretending to look it up as if it were a spontaneous idea.

Okay!

Xu Xingci looked up, his eyes brightening.

The restaurant’s lighting was a warm, dim yellow. Traditional Northern Thai tapestries hung on the walls, and the air was filled with the scent of lemongrass and coconut milk.

Their seat was a semi-enclosed booth in the corner. Through the sheer curtains, they could see the busy traffic outside, but they were hidden from the view of others.

How did you know about this place? Qi Ranyue asked as she sat down.

It’s just that last time you said you wanted curry crab… Xu Xingci stopped mid-sentence, realizing he had let it slip. He quickly lowered his head to flip through the menu. I… I just saw it randomly.

Qi Ranyue rested her chin on her hand and watched him, not exposing his lie.

The waiter came to take the order.

Steamed lime fish, curry crab, pineapple rice, coconut chicken soup, green curry chicken, green papaya salad, and stir-fried minced pork with basil. That’s all, thank you!

Politeness was a virtue etched into his bones, while a cold exterior was the boundary written on his face.

Yet, such a person would have his ears turn red instantly when teased, his eyes darting away, his breathing becoming erratic, and his words turning into a jumble. Qi Ranyue found this contrast very interesting.

Xu Xingci handed the menu back to the waiter. He toyed with his chopsticks for a bit, then folded his napkin, simply not daring to look at her.

The food arrived.

Wow, you’re so good at ordering! Qi Ranyue looked at the delicacies on the table and offered sincere praise.

The steamed lime fish, made with Thai sea bass, lime, fish sauce, and spices, was tender, and the broth was sour, spicy, and appetizing.

The curry crab was fragrant, smooth, and rich, with plump and delicious meat.

The pineapple rice combined savory curry with the sweet and sour fruitiness of diced pineapple and cashews.

The coconut chicken soup, with its coconut milk base infused with galangal and lemongrass, was smooth and flavorful.

The green chilies in the green curry chicken were sweet within their spiciness, the meat was tender, and the coconut aroma was rich.

The green papaya salad was refreshing, sour, and spicy.

The minced pork stir-fried with chili, garlic, and basil was the perfect accompaniment to rice—savory, fragrant, and spicy.

Try it, is it good? Xu Xingci picked up a piece of crab meat and held it to her lips.

She took a bite and nodded.

Then try this fish too. He began to incessantly pile food into her bowl.

Looking at the small mountain in her bowl.

Qi Ranyue smiled and stretched her leg out under the table, nudging his calf.

He flinched and looked up, his voice incredibly soft. What is it…

Nothing. Qi Ranyue watched him with her chin in her hand.

The warm yellow light dyed the air the color of aged honey. The faint scent of lemongrass lingered like a gentle hand, releasing the cool breeze of the Northern Thai mountains into this noisy city night.

When she looked up, she met Xu Xingci’s gaze, where an entire spring seemed to be melting.

It turned out that the deepest peace in the world was simply someone who felt happy just by looking at her, and a window that happened to shut out the rest of the world.

Coming out of the restaurant, the night wind carried a chill against their faces.

Xu Xingci walked beside her, hands in his pockets, his expression indifferent.

It was as if the person who had been blushing to his neck and piling food into her bowl until his hands were tired wasn’t him at all.

In the elevator, they encountered two girls. One of them took a look and whispered to her friend, He’s so handsome!

By the lakeside in the evening, the wind was light, blowing the water into layers of fine ripples.

Since leaving the restaurant, Xu Xingci had been like this—automatically switching to a do not approach mode whenever people were around.

Qi Ranyue suppressed a laugh and intentionally leaned closer to him.

His body stiffened slightly. He didn’t move away, but he didn’t speak or dare to look at her.

They continued walking along the lake. The sky grew darker, and the pedestrians became fewer. Finding a small path with no one around, he suddenly stopped. Let’s come for a walk every day from now on, okay?

Okay!

Xu Xingci was stunned for a moment, then his whole face turned red again. He stood there awkwardly, not knowing where to look.

They walked a few more steps. He pulled his right hand out of his pocket and let it hang by his side, less than ten centimeters from Qi Ranyue’s hand.

His Adam’s apple bobbed.

Then, he pretended to accidentally brush against the back of her hand.

She didn’t react.

He brushed it again.

This time, she didn’t pull away either.

Slowly and cautiously, his fingers slid into the gaps between Qi Ranyue’s fingers one by one.

What are you doing? Qi Ranyue asked intentionally.

Nothing.

She smiled and didn’t pull her hand away; instead, she gently squeezed Xu Xingci’s hand back.

He froze for a second, then tightened his grip slightly, holding her more firmly.

Your hand… is a bit cold. After a few steps, Xu Xingci suddenly spoke.

Qi Ranyue tilted her head to look at him. Then, Brother, why don’t you warm it up for me?

Xu Xingci was silent for two seconds, then he tucked her hand along with his into his coat pocket.

Qi Ranyue leaned in closer, her head resting lightly against his shoulder.

The two of them walked like that, neither saying a word.

The streetlights merged their shadows together.

Qi Ranyue spoke softly, Did you know? Every time you hold my hand, your ears turn red.

She looked at him and smiled, stopped walking, stood on her tiptoes, and leaned into Xu Xingci’s ear. But I really like it!

The night wind was cool, but the intertwined hands in the pocket were just the right amount of warm.

Later, Xu Xingci asked her, How did you know I wanted to hold your hand secretly?

She said, Because I could hear your heartbeat even through your coat.

He froze, and then his face turned red again, but this time, he didn’t look away from Qi Ranyue’s gaze.

Are you want to kiss me?

Xu Xingci froze in place, his ears so red they looked ready to drip blood. His eyes were wide, he was at a loss, and his mouth opened but no sound came out.

I… I don’t… it’s not… I just…

He was incoherent.

Qi Ranyue tilted her head and continued to watch him.

He couldn’t take being watched like that anymore. Not knowing where to put his eyes, he simply closed them.

…

She finally burst out laughing.

Then, she stood on her tiptoes and lightly pressed her lips against Xu Xingci’s.

Like a dragonfly skimming the water, like willow catkins brushing past.

He snapped his eyes open and stared straight at Qi Ranyue.

She stepped back a bit, still wearing that smiling expression. Now you don’t have to think about it anymore.

He stood there, his face so red it could drip blood, but his eyes were bright, like the shimmering moonlight on the lake.

The next second, he reached out and pulled her into his arms, lowered his head, and kissed her.

This time, it wasn’t a light touch.

In the distance, late-returning birds flapped their wings as they flew by, and the evening breeze blew gently…

In his arms, it was warm.

After a long time, Xu Xingci let her go, his forehead resting against hers, his voice husky:

…Were you doing that on purpose just now?

She blinked. What on purpose?

Asking me that on purpose.

She smiled, her finger poking his still-burning cheek. Take a guess.

He caught Qi Ranyue’s hand and brought it to his lips for a kiss, his voice as soft as melted sugar:

I don’t need to guess.

Why?

Because… Xu Xingci looked at her, his eyes shining. Regardless of whether you were doing it on purpose, I wanted to kiss you.

Qi Ranyue was stunned.

Then her face turned red.

This time it was her turn to be at a loss, not knowing where to look.

Xu Xingci smiled, pulled her back into his arms, and rested his chin on the top of her head, saying softly:

So you can get shy too.