What If I Ended Up Marrying My Enemy? - Chapter 18

Chapter 19: Fireworks

 

“…Why did you suddenly call it that?” Yu Wenxuan asked.

 

His confusion and hesitation didn’t seem fake. Yu Zhixue bit his lip.

 

That reaction wasn’t right. Could it really be the second possibility?

 

“It’s nothing. My brain’s a bit muddled. Do you still want to go in and take a look?”

 

Yu Wenxuan glanced at the bustling crowd inside. “No, too many people.”

 

It wasn’t convenient to walk against the crowd, so they had no choice but to hold hands and follow behind the other students.

 

The surroundings were all familiar—the same school, the same uniforms. Even the conversations of the teenagers sounded exactly like they did when Yu Zhixue was in high school.

 

“Finally! School’s over. Who even invented cram school?!”

 

“Bro, you coming to play ball later?”

 

Yu Wenxuan was dressed very low-key today. Walking among the crowd, he wasn’t particularly noticeable. Yu Zhixue, walking ahead of him, opened a path for him.

 

Looking at his back, Yu Zhixue reached out with his other hand, clasping both hands around his.

 

Yu Wenxuan didn’t stop. It was too noisy around them. He turned his head and silently mouthed, “What’s wrong?”

 

Yu Zhixue also mouthed back, “Walk another 100 meters ahead, then turn right at the corner.”

 

Yu Zhixue originally thought Yu Wenxuan would ask what the place was, but he simply nodded and followed the route he indicated.

 

It was a small alley beside the school, lined with various stalls. Despite its size, it was packed with people. Yu Wenxuan wasn’t surprised that Yu Zhixue knew about a place like this, considering he spent three years in high school here.

 

But…

 

He glanced at his ethereal and aloof expression, then looked again at the slightly messy street, asking, “Did you come here a lot during high school?”

 

Yu Zhixue led him deeper into the alley. “Not really. I just passed by in the car a few times and saw it.”

 

Inside the alley, there were all kinds of food and drink stalls, even an ice cream vendor.

 

Despite the cold weather, the ice cream stall still had a lot of customers—mostly students who had just finished playing basketball.

 

Yu Wenxuan glanced over. Just then, someone tugged at his sleeve.

 

Yu Zhixue lowered his head, his long lashes casting shadows under his eyes. The kitten hair clip on his forehead made his look particularly well-behaved—but as soon as he opened his mouth, that impression vanished.

 

“I want ice cream.”

 

Yu Wenxuan: “…”

 

If he remembered correctly, today’s temperature was 15°C, and he had just recovered from being sick.

 

He kept a straight face, trying to talk his out of it. “No.”

 

Yu Zhixue clasped his hands behind his back, raised his head and stared at him without saying a word, looking stubborn.

 

Yu Wenxuan repeated, “No.”

 

Yu Zhixue continued to stare.

 

Five minutes later, he pointed at the menu and said, “That strawberry cone.”

 

Yu Wenxuan followed his and paid. After receiving the ice cream, he grabbed some napkins to wrap around the cone, making sure it wouldn’t be too cold to hold before handing it to his .

 

In the process, they attracted quite a few curious glances from students and the vendor.

 

The first thing Yu Zhixue did upon receiving the cone was take a big bite—only to be frozen to the point his eyes squinted.

 

Yu Wenxuan, standing beside his , said, “Remember what you promised me. Just half. The rest is mine.”

 

Yu Zhixue nodded with the cone in his mouth. After they left the alley, he handed the cone to him.

 

Yu Wenxuan looked at the barely-eaten cone and said helplessly, “I didn’t mean you had to give it to me now.”

 

Yu Zhixue stepped closer and motioned for him to bend down.

 

Yu Wenxuan saw the intention and leaned down. He whispered into his ear, “It doesn’t taste good.”

 

So he gave it to him.

 

Yu Wenxuan cupped his face in one hand, found a spot he hadn’t bitten, took a bite himself, and said with slight annoyance, “You treating me like a trash can now?”

 

He gently squeezed his cheeks, his soft skin bunching up under his fingers. He looked down into his eyes. “Why are you so bad?”

 

Yu Zhixue couldn’t speak clearly with his cheeks squished and could only blink up at him.

 

After a few seconds of this silent face-off, Yu Wenxuan let go.

 

He knew he was just acting spoiled to avoid a lecture, trying to make him soften.

 

Fine. But—so cute.

 

They continued strolling for a while, browsing and snacking enough to feel full even without a proper meal.

 

Soon, it was afternoon, and more people were gathering in preparation for the evening fireworks show.

 

Street vendors began setting up night market stalls selling trinkets and headbands.

 

Yu Zhixue didn’t seem particularly interested in the shopping itself, more so in spending time with Yu Wenxuan. Occasionally, he glanced at a few stalls but never lingered.

 

One shop had particularly pretty accessories. Yu Wenxuan tugged at his , making her spin around to face him.

 

With more people out now, Yu Zhixue resumed his cool and distant demeanor. His gaze asked what Yu Wenxuan wanted.

 

“Let’s check that one out,” Yu Wenxuan said.

 

From then on, Yu Zhixue became his dress-up doll.

 

Yu Wenxuan started with earrings. He had always thought Yu Zhixue’s face suited delicate accessories. Now, he finally had the chance to test it out.

 

He picked up a long, tasseled red earring and held it up to his ear. Seeing this, Yu Zhixue tucked his hair behind his ear, exposing his pale earlobe.

 

Yu Wenxuan gently pinched his earlobe until it blushed, then clipped the earring on.

 

Once it was secured, Yu Zhixue turned his head.

 

The single red earring wasn’t very flashy, but it swayed slightly with his movements, catching the light just enough to be noticeable.

 

Yu Wenxuan removed the cat hair clip from his head and stepped back to take a look.

 

At this distance, the deep red of the earring against his black hair was especially striking—elegant and seductive. The simple tones of Yu Zhixue’s outfit made it stand out even more.

 

After a few seconds, Yu Wenxuan removed the earring.

 

“Not good?” Yu Zhixue asked.

 

“You look great,” Yu Wenxuan said. “So I want to get you something even prettier.”

 

There would always be better gems at the auction house or even in the Yu family collection—perfect for customizing a more dazzling piece.

 

“I already have a lot. All from you,” Yu Zhixue replied.

 

“Then I’ll just keep giving you more. You can switch them out.”

 

“I don’t even like wearing earrings,” Yu Zhixue reminded him.

 

“Then leave them there or play with them,” Yu Wenxuan replied flatly as he put the earring back.

 

Yu Zhixue was speechless. He started to wonder if Yu Wenxuan really had amnesia. Because the pre-amnesia Yu Wenxuan had once said the exact same thing—lightly kissing his wrist and saying: “I’m not bankrupt. If I have too many, I’ll just throw them around for fun.”

 

Unaware of his inner thoughts, Yu Wenxuan led them to a shop selling hairbands. Coincidentally, he had just seen a tutorial on how to style them that morning.

 

He picked a bright-colored one.

 

Unlike other areas, this section had staff ready to help with hairband styling.

 

Noticing a rare male customer browsing seriously, the shop attendant smiled and asked, “Buying this for your girlfriend? You can try it on. We can help if you’re unsure how to use it.”

 

Yu Wenxuan wrapped the band around his hand twice, then turned slightly to reveal Yu Zhixue behind him. “Do you think it suits him?”

 

Attendant: “!”

 

Boyfriend?!

 

Looking at Yu Zhixue’s well-groomed hair and face, she replied sincerely, “Definitely suits him.”

 

The price wasn’t high. Yu Wenxuan didn’t even try it on—just selected a few and paid.

 

As she packed the items, the staff casually commented, “Your boyfriend seems really calm and steady.”

 

Thinking back to the ice cream incident, Yu Wenxuan said, “Actually, he can be quite fussy and clingy.”

 

The staff blinked at Yu Zhixue’s composed expression but just laughed politely. “I suppose that’s because you love him.”

 

Hence the strong filter.

 

Yu Wenxuan looked at her and said as if stating the obvious, “He’s the one who loves me.”

 

Because he loves me, he lets down all his guards and shows me all his spoiled little habits.

 

The staff was stunned as she watched Yu Wenxuan tie up Yu Zhixue’s hair again—skilled and natural.

 

The two walked off hand in hand. This time, she clearly saw it: when they joined hands, the long-haired one tugged slightly at the other’s palm in silent protest over the long chat.

 

They wandered a bit more before finding a restaurant to have dinner.

 

Autumn night fell quickly. The once ordinary street was now glowing with lights—beautiful but now crowded to the point of chaos.

 

Yu Zhixue absentmindedly touched his new hairband, eyes downcast. When he looked up, he found Yu Wenxuan staring at a mother and her child.

 

Nothing special—except the child was holding a glowing balloon shaped like a cute cartoon dog.

 

Sensing something, Yu Zhixue heard Yu Wenxuan whisper by his ear, “Want me to get you one?”

 

“No,” he refused flatly, saving face. “Those are for kids.”

 

Yu Wenxuan grinned. “Invalid rebuttal. Didn’t you say you’re younger than me? So that makes you a kid to me.”

 

Yu Zhixue’s lashes trembled. Yu Wenxuan continued in a mock-reasonable tone: “Besides, it’ll be easier to find you in the crowd.”

 

…

 

So, two attractive young men showed up at a stall usually only visited by children and parents.

 

Yu Zhixue chose the most plain balloon. He tugged Yu Wenxuan’s hand to indicate his choice.

 

“That one?” Wenxuan asked.

 

He nodded.

 

Yu Wenxuan went to pay. When he returned, the balloon was a very different design from the one Yu Zhixue picked.

 

“Did the vendor grab the wrong one?” he asked.

 

“Nope. I asked for it,” Wenxuan said, wrapping the string around Yu Zhixue’s wrist and tying a loose knot.

 

Yu Zhixue stared at the glowing dog balloon. After confirming no one was watching, he glared.

 

“Too late to be mad. Who made me your trash can earlier?” Yu Wenxuan said calmly. “Disobedient people get dog balloons.”

 

The balloon bounced with every step, drawing attention.

 

Yu Zhixue tried to take it off but was caught.

 

“If you try, just see what happens,” Yu Wenxuan warned mildly.

 

Sighing, Yu Zhixue gave up, tugged the string lower… then whacked the balloon gently against Yu Wenxuan’s head.

 

Feeling the light hit, Wenxuan could guess but didn’t react. He just pulled him closer.

 

Stripped of titles and façades, they looked just like any ordinary couple—holding hands and walking closely through the crowd.

 

Yu Zhixue began talking again. His mood recovered quickly, excitedly pointing out things along the way.

 

Wenxuan kept his head turned, watching him, his hair fluttering in the wind.

 

The street, the lights, and the face of the one he loved. Time seemed to slow in that moment.

 

“The fireworks are starting!!” someone yelled.

 

They followed the crowd and found a perfect spot by the riverside.

 

As the countdown began: “Ten! Nine! Eight…”

 

Yu Zhixue frowned at the noise, about to cover his ears, when Wenxuan leaned close and gently whispered, “Three, two…”

 

The last number was drowned out by the explosion.

 

Fireworks lit up the sky, painting the river and Yu Zhixue’s eyes with dazzling light.

 

He had seen many fireworks before—from cars, through tall glass windows.

 

But this was different.

 

This time, it felt just right.

 

When the show ended and the night returned to calm, Yu Zhixue finally looked away—only to find Wenxuan still staring.

 

A beat passed before he asked, “Was it pretty?”

 

“Beautiful.”

 

Wenxuan stepped back and reached out a hand, the ring on his finger glowing under the night sky. “Then it was worth it. Let’s go home.”

 

Yu Zhixue took his hand.

 

At the same time, Wenxuan spotted a flower vendor nearby. “Wait here for me, alright?”

 

Zhixue nodded. Just then, a girl approached him shyly.

 

“Um… I saw you two earlier and thought you really matched the theme, so I took a photo. Hope that’s okay…”

 

She handed him a picture. “I still have the original, I can delete it if you want.”

 

Yu Zhixue took it and traced a finger across the surface.

 

It was from when the fireworks had just started—his first time realizing how dreamy fireworks could look on someone’s face.

 

In the photo, he was gazing up at the sky like everyone else.

 

But Yu Wenxuan wasn’t.

 

He rested his face on one hand and quietly looked at him instead—watching his eyes light up.

 

Yu Zhixue’s hand froze. After a moment, he asked, “Can I keep this?”

 

“Of course!”

 

…

 

Yu Wenxuan returned with a small bouquet of white roses. Zhixue tucked the photo into his pocket and took the flowers.

 

He smelled them, then suddenly tilted his head and looked up at Yu Wenxuan.

 

Wenxuan had just asked “What’s wrong?” when he was caught in Zhixue’s gaze—and stopped mid-question.

 

The sky was dark, his hair black, and the roses white. Just like the impression most people had of Yu Zhixue.

 

Cold, boring, monochrome.

 

Wenxuan thought: Those people really had no taste.

 

How could Yu Zhixue be cold?

 

His gaze alone was enough to burn.

 

…

 

“You said we matched the theme—what did you mean?” Yu Zhixue asked.

 

“Huh? You didn’t know?” the girl replied, pulling out her phone and flipping through pictures. “The fireworks show was hosted by Yu Corp this year, and there was a theme.”

 

She finally found the flyer, zoomed in, and held it out.

 

The time and location were listed, along with one line in stylized text:

 

“Remember to look toward the one you love.”