<h4>Chapter 1453: I Want to Go Home</h4>


    The young woman’sughter filled the air. It was a light-hearted trill expressing the simple joy of having fun with a person she liked.


    “Do you want to join in on the fun too?” Yin Zhihan asked, sporting a grin.


    Lu Ning hastened a bashful denial, “No…”


    “Aww, it looks like fun! Let’s have some fun. Come on; I’ll carry you.” Yin Zhihan bent down low, offering his back to Lu Ning. “Your Highness, your loyal steed has arrived.”


    Lu Ning chewed on her lips, unsure how to react. Should she y along? Would others think her actions overly presumptuous? In an instant, Lu Ning felt like she was besieged by a thousand thoughts and wavering emotions such that her head was issuing thick plumes of steam from the effort topute them all; It was made worse staring at Zhihan’s awaiting back. With slow, hesitant steps, Lu Ning mbered onto Zhihan’s back, feeling the full weight of her mortification pressing down against her shoulders.


    A young woman noticed them as they walked towards the participants of the race. “Are the both of you participating in the race? Quick, quick! At this rate, you’ll both be left in the dust. Hmm. Then again, you might still have a chance with how tall and well built your boyfriend is. I’m sure he’s got exceptional stamina! Maybe he can overtake him and get first ce.”


    Boyfriend…


    Why was everyone so set on the notion that Zhihan was her boyfriend?!


    Although exasperating, Lu Ning did find the sentiment rather sweet, and she nursed it dearly against her bosom. This time, she did not refute him. Instead, she slowly leaned into Zhihan’s shoulder. Yin Zhihan piggybacked Lu Ning, wrapping his arms around her legs to support her weight. “Hold on tight; I’m going to run.”


    Yin Zhihan carried her on his back and ran like the wind.


    Lu Ning twined her arms around Zhihan’s neck, anchoring herself in ce. Despite ate start, Zhihan swiftly left theirpetition in the dust. It brought about an incredible sense of exhration that Lu Ning could not stifle her giggles. Who knew she would have so much fun riding on the Zhihan Express! “Zhihan,e on, we’re almost there, we’re almost at the finish line!”


    With a final push, the duo shed past the finish line, obtaining First ce.


    Thepetition organiser presented Lu Ning with a pink teddy bear as a prize for taking First ce.”Wow! That was the best race I’ve seen in years! Your boyfriend is a fantastic athlete. Congrattions!”


    Lu Ning hugged the bear in her arms and spun around to meet Yin Zhihan’s eyes. It was apparent from a simple nce that she was over the moon.


    Yin Zhihan beamed happily. Even though he had seen Lu Ning smile more than a dozen times in the past, he never tired of seeing her features light up or the way her body glowed with delight. It was like a drug – one he could not get enough of. Stroking her hair affectionately, he said, “Let’s go.”


    Lu Ning acquiesced, proffering her dainty little hand for him to hold.


    Yin Zhihan took hold of it and squeezed the soft flesh of her palm against his own.


    Lu Ning did not dare to look up. The whole experience had been a novelty, and she needed some time to sort out her emotions. As they departed, Lu Ning caught snippets of conversation from among herpetitors, several of whom wereining. “Sighs… You were so close. Had it been anyone else, I’m sure you would have taken First ce. Look,” the young woman pointed in their direction, “I doubt anyone, but star athlete, could have beaten them. There’s no way any of our boyfriendse close to matching his physique.”


    A young man overheard thedies gossiping and spoke up, attempting to preserve some dignity for himself. “If that’s the case, the both of you should look at his girlfriend! She’s as delicate as a sylph. What about you?”


    Listening to their quarrel, Lu Ning hid a smile behind her newly one trophy. Only when she was sure they would not hear her did she burst outughing.


    …


    The two of them yed on the beach for the whole day. They had dinner at the farmhouse winery. After dinner, the two of them walked out hand in hand.


    “Where are we going now?” Yin Zhihan raised his eyebrows and looked at Lu Ning.


    Lu Ning’s heart skipped a beat. “It’s dark now. I think we should be going home.”


    “Shall we go home, then?”


    “Why should we?”


    Yin Zhihan’s lips quirked teasingly. “There are still plenty of things we can do; plenty of interesting activities we can… engage in.”


    What activities could they engage in at this hour?


    Though she was curious, Lu Ning feared the answer he would give. She might have been young and somewhat naive, but she was still a grown woman. There were things only adults engaged in under the veil of night.


    “I want to go home…” Lu Ning insisted with a red face.


    “Alright.” Yin Zhihan released her hand.


    Lu Ning went to the side of the car and tried to open the passenger seat door. However, the door would not budge. Furrowing her brows, she sent Zhihan a withering look. He had one hand in his trousers’ pocket and the other holding a bunch of keys. He returned her look with a cheeky smile and upturned brows.


    He did not move to help her. Instead, he stood where he was enjoying what must have been a good show on her part.


    Lu Ning tried her best to open the door, but the door stubbornly remained shut no matter how much strength she applied. Meanwhile, Zhihan continued with that silly look on his face.


    She felt her face burn in more ways than one. Stomping on the ground in frustration, she rounded on Yin Zhihan with a snarl.”What’s so funny? I don’t see you helping at all!”