Chapter 31 Part 2

So strange. Too strange. She had never felt anything like this in her life.

She couldn’t read Wei Shuyu, nor could she read herself. Jin Yizhu couldn’t sort out her own feelings. Was it fondness? Fondness for a friend? Or fondness for something more? She couldn’t tell. The only thing she knew was that she wanted to stay by Wei Shuyu’s side.

Why? Why was that?

Jin Yizhu’s mind churned in confusion as Wei Shuyu grabbed her hand and dashed forward heedlessly.

“Let’s ride Dumbo!” Wei Shuyu’s smile blazed bright. “The world’s eighth wonder! Dumbo!”

Jin Yizhu rarely saw Wei Shuyu like this—could even call it the first time. When Wei Shuyu brimmed with thoughts of Dumbo, Jin Yizhu brimmed only with her: laughing wildly, skirt hem flying up. When had she ever been like this? Had she ever had moments like this before?

Did that smile belong only to her? Or did Wei Shuyu flash it to any friend whenever she felt happy?

“Jin Yizhu?” Wei Shuyu stopped in her tracks. “Shall we ride Dumbo first, okay?”

She tilted her face up, even the corners of her eyes tinged slightly red, though it was unclear if it was from the earlier excitement.

Jin Yizhu was momentarily captivated, unable to respond. Wei Shuyu shook her hand lightly, as if afraid she would refuse.

“Okay or not, Jin Yizhu?” Her voice had softened completely. It was so annoying—how could just riding Dumbo produce such a tone?

Then why didn’t you speak to me like this when I gave you gifts? If you like Tokyo Disneyland so much, why didn’t you tell me earlier that you wanted to come?

“Okay,” Jin Yizhu said. “Then you have to sit next to me.”

“Where else would I sit if not next to you?” Wei Shuyu looked at her strangely. “Where do you think I’d sit?”

“Who knows if you’ll suddenly want to sit separately from me.” Jin Yizhu lifted her chin. “So annoying, we have to line up again.”

“Bear with it, it’ll just be a short while. Dumbo doesn’t have fast pass anyway.”

Wei Shuyu gazed at her and, without warning, leaned in close—so close their noses nearly touched, their eyelashes almost brushing together.

“Jin Yizhu, do you want to sit with me that badly?”

She took the bait.

Wei Shuyu looked at the person before her. So cute, hooked so quickly.

“Of course I want to sit with you,” Jin Yizhu turned her head unnaturally. “I came here with you.”

“It doesn’t mean we have to sit together just because we came together.” Wei Shuyu stared at her. “Isn’t there a single rider line?”

How could there be someone so stubborn? How could there be someone so oblivious?

Was this what a straight girl was like? Because she had never imagined herself liking girls, everything felt perfectly natural—just actions between friends, no matter what happened?

So annoying.

How could she make her understand?

“Are you going to the single rider line then?” As soon as Jin Yizhu spoke, she startled herself with the irritation in her voice. “No, you’re not allowed. You have to stay with me.”

It was a perfectly natural demand, natural to the point of being a bit excessive.

Jin Yizhu hesitated only for an instant before immediately casting aside any guilt. It was she who had asked Wei Shuyu to come to Tokyo Disneyland, she who had spent money to keep Wei Shuyu by her side—so Wei Shuyu should stay by her side.

“Who said I was going?” Wei Shuyu muttered. “Of course I’m staying with you.”

As they chatted idly, the line gradually shortened.

It was almost their turn. The staff handed them boarding passes for Dumbo and told them to choose seats.

Jin Yizhu had no preference for the color of the Dumbo elephant, but Wei Shuyu looked left and right before finally selecting the pink one.

Seated on the Dumbo elephant, Jin Yizhu couldn’t help but ask, “Do you like pink the most?”

“We’ve known each other so long, and you still don’t know my favorite color?” Wei Shuyu asked knowingly. “My favorite is clearly blue.”

“Then why do you always pick pink?” Jin Yizhu felt somewhat helpless.

“No idea, just habit, I guess.” Wei Shuyu shrugged. “Everyone tells me pink suits girls better.”

With the music announcing “The eighth wonder of the world! Dumbo!”, the Dumbo elephants slowly rose.

Perhaps because sunset was near, even the wind felt gentle. The sky was exceptionally blue, clouds scattered sparsely, as if deliberately parting to reveal the entire park below.

Jin Yizhu gazed intently at the park when Wei Shuyu shifted sideways, leaning just against her shoulder—whether intentionally or not.

She had worn perfume today, not her usual Hermès Un Jardin Sur Le Nil, but something more mature: Bulgari night jasmine.

A scent that was somewhat seductive, somewhat tempting—even deliberately provocative.

But this oblivious straight girl… no, not oblivious, but keenly aware yet unsure of what she felt—a straight girl with desire for another woman.

Could a straight girl with desire for women still be called straight?

Even if she didn’t realize it herself?

Jin Yizhu glanced down at her, her expression unchanging, and gently leaned closer. She propped her elbow on the edge of the Dumbo elephant, shifting slightly toward her.

That moment was utterly quiet. The wind whispered in their ears, children’s laughter echoed distantly, but it all felt separated by a layer of glass. The entire Tokyo Disneyland seemed close yet far away.

“Jin Yizhu.”

Wei Shuyu gave up pretending and simply leaned into Jin Yizhu’s embrace, looking up at her with a beaming smile.

“What are you thinking? Why aren’t you talking?”

The Dumbo elephants had circled the sky once, but Jin Yizhu didn’t speak, and Wei Shuyu didn’t press for an answer.

She knew exactly what Jin Yizhu was thinking. Like her, Jin Yizhu silently recalled the last time they rode Dumbo. The weather had been clear that day too, but they were mere strangers, each harboring their own thoughts, neither revealing their hearts, just sitting there without moving first.

This time was different.

Whatever those thoughts were, there was now an indescribable undercurrent.

High in the distant sky, their fingertips brushed at first. Wei Shuyu thought to pull back but lacked decisiveness. Jin Yizhu hooked her pinky naturally, as if without thought, yet without intending to let go.

Neither looked at the other, but their fingers slowly intertwined, like finding a steady anchor in the wind.

Wei Shuyu steadied her breathing, trying to keep her rhythm slow, not letting her heartbeat betray her affection.

Even if she felt Jin Yizhu liked her, so what? As long as Jin Yizhu saw herself as a straight girl, nothing that happened would mean more than friendship.

That was straight girl friendship.

Even if they crossed every boundary—as long as that window paper wasn’t pierced, it would forever remain friendship.

Late-night heart-to-hearts, holding hands, pinkies linked, embracing each other’s warmth, envisioning each other in their futures—what of it? Friends could do the same; friendship could be just as profound.

How could she make her know this wasn’t friendship? That she never wanted mere friendship?

Wei Shuyu didn’t know, nor dared to act.

As her sister had said, no woman was beyond her reach, no woman unmoved by her charm. She had that confidence, but what could she do when that woman was a straight girl?

Even if she knew Jin Yizhu liked her, so what?

Should she pierce it? Tell her outright? That would be too arrogant, too cruel.

Emotions glossed over as friendship, excused because they were the same gender—say anything, do anything, no problem.

If she pierced it, she’d be clearly telling Jin Yizhu: You’ve crossed the line into another world.

From then on, you’ll like women. You must set boundaries with the same sex. You know you desire those of the same gender. You know you’re different from others.

Even in the 21st century, you’d become someone different from most, bearing desires you shouldn’t have to endure.

For her selfish desires, was it worth it?

Wei Shuyu didn’t know, but she did know that while she could endure now, true desire was unbearable. One day, she would pull Jin Yizhu into their own paradise, tumbling into the fall.

The Dumbo ride wasn’t long, just a few circles, when the broadcast announced, “The eighth wonder of the world! Dumbo welcomes your visit! Now, our fantastical journey is about to end…”

Yes, the fantastical journey was ending… Wei Shuyu quietly released Jin Yizhu’s hand, but in that instant, Jin Yizhu pulled it back.

“What? Done with Dumbo and you’re running off?” Jin Yizhu asked her.

The Dumbo elephants had landed. Wei Shuyu pursed her lips, then smiled and tugged Jin Yizhu’s hand lightly. “Didn’t you just sneak closer to me?”

“You’re the one who leaned over.” Jin Yizhu raised a brow, her gaze unflinching, even righteous.

Wei Shuyu knew she had initiated it, but admitting it would put her at a disadvantage, wouldn’t it?

“Don’t give me that.” Wei Shuyu laughed and flicked her hand without letting go—instead pulling them tighter. “I didn’t lean over.”

Jin Yizhu merely raised a brow but said nothing.

Wei Shuyu felt a bit relieved, unsure what to make of her own feelings.

Sometimes, she found herself so awkward.

Words she could say directly, she couldn’t. Always roundabout, never straightforward.

She knew it wasn’t good, but she couldn’t change.

If others couldn’t tolerate it, could Jin Yizhu? Even less likely. Jin Yizhu was her sugar mommy, the one who handed her the Black Card from Amex, wanting only to see her smile.

But could she really do it?

Wei Shuyu pushed down her inner turmoil and walked with Jin Yizhu through the park. They weren’t rushing anywhere, just strolling leisurely, as if they’d come only for a walk, not to play.

The speakers in Fantasyland played uplifting music, the plaza bustled with crowds flowing ceaselessly.

“Jin Yizhu, you come to Tokyo Disneyland often, right?” Wei Shuyu asked. “Why do you like it so much?”

“You can forget all your troubles here. Isn’t that why you come too? Tokyo Disneyland is the happiest place on earth.”

Jin Yizhu looked at her in surprise and asked,

“Don’t you have a Shanghai Disney annual pass too?”

“Yeah, I do think that way.” Wei Shuyu smiled lightly. “Tokyo Disneyland’s parade is at night. Shall we eat first?”

She lied.

Tokyo Disneyland the happiest place on earth? She didn’t agree with the slogan.

For Wei Shuyu, Tokyo Disneyland wasn’t about happiness—it was a comforting place.

No matter when she came, the Disney friends smiled at her, the castle bloomed with fireworks—a timeless fairytale land.

In a way, it let one forget all troubles.

“Let’s see the castle first. Sunset’s almost here.”

Jin Yizhu looked at the horizon, then at the castle nearby. She loved the castle and held special interest in all princess stories.

“Wei Shuyu, who’s your favorite princess?”

“Huh?” Wei Shuyu was caught off guard. “I’ve never thought about it.”

“Never? I like the Snow Queen the most. Okay, I know you’re going to tease me for being childish.” Before Wei Shuyu could speak, Jin Yizhu preempted her. “Everyone says only twelve-year-old girls like Elsa.”

“My favorite is Olaf. What did I say?” Wei Shuyu muttered. “His nose is a carrot, after all.”

“You’re not just comforting me, are you?” Jin Yizhu burst out laughing. “To keep me from feeling immature?”

“No, I’m not comforting you.” Wei Shuyu shook her head. “I like Olaf in Frozen, Sadness in Inside Out, the sloth in Zootopia. That’s just how weird I am.”

“What’s weird about that? It’s clearly cute.”

Hearing she wasn’t mocking her, Jin Yizhu relaxed.