Love Bet - Chapter 3 - Establishing a Relationship

The colossal Ferris wheel turned slowly overhead, while roller coasters and corsair rides whizzed by, carrying waves of screams with them.

Qiao Shuqi stood frozen at the entrance of the aristocratic amusement park-a place she had seen countless times in magazines. The towering Ferris wheel loomed above, majestic and sacred, like the heart of the entire park.

“Come on!” Mo Tianchen chuckled as he noticed Qiao Shuqi standing there like a clueless child. Grabbing her hand, he gently pulled her forward.

“Wait… are you really going inside?” Qiao Shuqi hesitated, wincing internally at the thought of the astronomical cost of the entrance ticket she had read about in magazines.

“This young master’s first date with you-surely you’re not planning to say no, are you?” Mo Tianchen’s brow furrowed slightly as he looked at her reluctance.

“I… um… well…” Qiao Shuqi was conflicted. Would this count as spending his money? She had literally just sworn to herself she wouldn’t do that.

“It’s my family’s park. Don’t worry, there’s no entrance fee. It’s free, so not going would be a waste.” Sensing her hesitation, Mo Tianchen sighed and revealed the reassuring fact.

“This is your family’s park too? Your family is really…” Really outrageous, Qiao Shuqi thought to herself, recalling the thousand-yuan ticket price. Without another word, she grabbed Mo Tianchen and dashed toward the gates. This was her first time ever visiting a place like this, and it looked so lively!

“So since this is your family’s park, everything we play is free, right? I want to go on that one…” Without hesitation, Qiao Shuqi pointed directly at the towering Ferris wheel in the distance. She had admired this city’s largest and most iconic Ferris wheel as a picturesque sight in magazines for the longest time. Now standing at its base with the chance to ride it, she wasn’t going to miss out.

“We’ll save that for last. For now, let me take you to try something else first.” A hint of excitement flashed in Mo Tianchen’s eyes as he grabbed Qiao Shuqi’s hand and steered her toward the corsair ride.

“Hey, hey! Slow down! Just because your legs are longer doesn’t mean you can run so fast!” Completely caught off guard, Qiao Shuqi was swiftly dragged along.

The amusement park was alive with non-stop waves of excited screams. Soon, Qiao Shuqi found herself swept up in the energy, shouting and laughing along. Roller coasters, the corsair, bumper cars, the octopus ride… They spent the entire afternoon trying every attraction the park had to offer.

As the sun began to set in the horizon, Qiao Shuqi slumped over with an ice cream cup in her hand, absentmindedly taking small bites. Today had undoubtedly been the most fun she’d had in years, perhaps even in her entire life. She was so worn out she could barely lift her feet to take another step.

Turning his head to glance at the sun that had just set behind the mountains, Mo Tianchen’s lips curled into a faint smile. He took Qiao Shuqi’s hand and led her toward the center of the amusement park.

“Hey, where are we going now?” Qiao Shuqi looked up at him, puzzled. The sky was growing dark, and she figured it was about time to head back to school.

“Taking you to fulfill your last wish,” Mo Tianchen said with a grin, quickening his pace toward the Ferris wheel in the distance. Reaching the entrance, he ushered her into one of the glass cabins before stepping in himself. The massive Ferris wheel began to turn slowly under the warm glow of dusk. As they ascended, the city below and the mountains in the distance gradually came into view. Excited, Qiao Shuqi pressed herself against the window, a bright smile lighting up her face.

“Wow, this is my first time on a Ferris wheel. It’s so beautiful…” she murmured in awe. Mo Tianchen chuckled softly behind her, his gaze drifting toward the cabin as it neared the highest point. The curve of his thin lips hinted at something even more spectacular that was about to unfold.

As the Ferris wheel rotated higher and higher, darkness had already blanketed the sky. The city below was draped in a vast sheet of black, as if shrouded by an enormous curtain. Gazing out at the surrounding darkness, Qiao Shuqi’s excitement began to wane. Resting her head against the window, she let out a small sigh.

When the cabin reached the very top of the Ferris wheel, the entire amusement park suddenly lit up in unison. Following that, the streets of the city and the skyscrapers began to glow as lights blinked on simultaneously. Each glass cabin on the massive Ferris wheel radiated a warm, golden light. In the distance, the mountains sparkled with starlike glimmers. Qiao Shuqi’s eyes widened in astonishment as she found herself fully immersed in a sea of lights.

“What do you think? Do you like it?” Mo Tianchen’s lips curved into a smile, his voice full of amusement and satisfaction.

“It’s incredible,” she replied enthusiastically, turning to him. “Mo Tianchen, how did you pull this off? Don’t tell me your family controls all the lights in the city too.”

“Of course not,” he chuckled. “I just timed the Ferris wheel rotation to sync with when the lights would come on.” He added with a teasing grin, “But who knows? In a few years, I might just be able to control the entire city’s lights.”

Qiao Shuqi rolled her eyes but refrained from snapping back. Instead, she tilted her head to gaze at the star-studded sky above, muttering to herself.

“This is the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen. So this is what romance feels like.” Hearing her words, Mo Tianchen placed a firm hand on her shoulder, gently turned her to face him, and locked eyes with her.

“Romantic, huh?” he asked in a low voice.

“Yeah, it’s amazing,” she said softly, a hint of wonder in her tone.

Mo Tianchen smiled faintly before leaning closer to her. His lips touched hers lightly at first but quickly deepened the kiss. Silently and with precision, he parted her lips and teased her soft tongue, savoring the cool, milky sweetness of the lingering ice cream flavor. The taste only drew him in further, his hands wrapping tightly around her slender waist as he prolonged the moment.

Amidst the sea of glowing lights, at the pinnacle of the enormous Ferris wheel, the two figures held closely together appeared impossibly warm against the night.

Qiao Shuqi’s face turned bright red. She had no idea how to kiss, and every single time, Mo Tianchen caught her off guard. Her heart would pound wildly in her chest, and she’d instinctively hold her breath as if she forgot how to breathe entirely. When he noticed she was on the verge of suffocation, Mo Tianchen reluctantly released her. Watching her gasp for air, her cheeks flushed, he chuckled softly. Somewhere deep in his heart, an unfamiliar tenderness slowly began to take root.

Looking at her clumsy, flustered demeanor, he thought to himself, Maybe… maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to really be with her.

“Qiao Shuqi, I’ve made up my mind. It’s you. How about we stop playing around and make this real?” he said, his tone light but his gaze unwavering.

Still catching her breath, Qiao Shuqi froze mid-inhale and turned to look at him in disbelief.

“Real?” she asked cautiously.

“Mm-hmm,” Mo Tianchen affirmed with a slight tilt of his brow. “Let’s date for real-with our hearts. What do you say?” Though his words were casual, his eyes revealed his sincerity.

“This…” Qiao Shuqi hesitated. A “real” relationship? Wasn’t that a lifelong commitment? Did this mean he might just stay by her side forever? Chewing on her lower lip, she lowered her gaze to the glittering lights at her feet. He was romantic, fun, undeniably handsome, and yes, even if his kisses always came as sudden “attacks” that left her breathless, he wasn’t quite as obnoxious as she imagined him to be. He was… unexpectedly genuine.

“Alright, it’s decided then!” Mo Tianchen declared, cutting off her inner turmoil with his usual impatience. “From now on, you, Qiao Shuqi, are officially my girlfriend-forever!” Not waiting for her response, Mo Tianchen made the decision for both of them. After all, in his opinion, the best solution to her endless indecision was to simply push her forward.

Blinking in stunned silence, Qiao Shuqi opened her mouth to protest, but before she could get a word out, the Ferris wheel ride completed its cycle. Without giving her a chance to dwell on her thoughts any further, Mo Tianchen grabbed her hand and effortlessly hopped out of the glass cabin. Qiao Shuqi glanced at his sharp profile, pursed her lips, and swallowed back whatever rebuttal she’d been about to voice.

In the days that followed, Qiao Shuqi truly began to see herself-she really was just a simple village girl lost in the big city. Mo Tianchen treated her surprisingly well and often took her out to eat, on road trips, to the movies. For someone like Qiao Shuqi, who had lived a sheltered and relatively uneventful life, these experiences became unforgettable firsts.

Her first kiss.

Her first trip to an amusement park.

Her first movie in a theater.

Her first time at a karaoke bar.

One evening, she even found herself pulling on Mo Tianchen’s sleeve, begging him to take her to a bar-a place she’d always been curious about but never dared to enter alone. Every new experience he gave her taught her one thing: college life wasn’t limited to studying in the library or napping in the dormitory to get through the years. There was so much more to see and do.

And bit by bit, her world grew wider, brighter, and a lot more exciting.

“Ding ding… ding ding…” The crisp ringtone of the cell phone broke the peaceful silence of the early winter morning without warning. It’s always cold and sleepy in the morning, and nobody wants to get up early. The persistent ringtone kept repeating, as Qiao Shuqi, still half asleep, frowned and pulled the blanket over her head, continuing to doze off.

“Qiao Shuqi, answer the phone!” Zhou Xiaoyu, lying on the other bed, was clearly losing her patience. She threw off her blanket and yelled with her eyes still closed.

Groggily, Qiao Shuqi fumbled for her phone and pressed the answer button.

“Qiao Shuqi, you have 20 minutes to get dressed and come downstairs,” came the familiar, authoritative voice she had been hearing for a year now.

“What’s the matter, Mo Tianchen? Are you sick? Disturbing others’ sleep so early in the morning…” Qiao Shuqi, still with her eyes closed, shouted into the phone, clearly annoyed by the abrupt disruption of her dream.

“Cut the chatter. 20 minutes. If I don’t see you, I’m coming up to drag you out myself! The countdown starts now…” As soon as the voice stopped, Qiao Shuqi immediately sprang to her eyes wide open, hung up the phone, and ran to the balcony. She looked out to see the entire academy covered in pure white. Below the dormitory, in the empty snow-covered ground, was a silver sports car with Mo Tianchen leaning against it, clad in a black trench coat, resembling a melancholic noble prince.

Reluctantly, Qiao Shuqi grabbed her phone to check the time, quickly pulled clothes from the wardrobe, got dressed, washed her face, brushed her teeth, and finally put on the white trench coat he had given her, and rushed downstairs.

She remembered the last time Mo Tianchen had threatened her for the same reason. She had ignored him and continued to sleep under her blanket, but 20 minutes later, Young Master Mo had stormed up in a fury. Not only did she end up miserably tidied up by him, but also the entire dormitory’s crowd of his admirers unreservedly shot her envious and jealous glances for days. No way was she going to let that tragedy repeat itself!

Reaching the ground floor, Qiao Shuqi was already out of breath. Ignoring Mo Tianchen’s icy expression, she pulled his crossed arms, checked her watch, and patted her chest, catching her breath.

“Just in time, 30 seconds to spare…”

“Hmph!” Mo Tianchen snorted, ignoring her, walked around the car hood, and entered the driver’s seat. Qiao Shuqi secretly stuck out her tongue, shivered in the thick snow, and thought to herself, no wonder he was upset. If she had to stand in this cold snow for 20 minutes, she definitely wouldn’t agree to it either.

Sliding into the car, Qiao Shuqi was immediately enveloped by a wave of warmth. Still, she couldn’t help but feel a bit annoyed-if the car was this warm and cozy, why on earth had Mo Tianchen insisted on standing outside in the freezing cold, waiting for her? She tried to puzzle it out for a while, but eventually gave up. With a lazy yawn, she leaned back into the plush seat and decided to take a quick nap.

Over the past year or so of being together, Qiao Shuqi had come to realize that Mo Tianchen, the so-called “Young Master Mo” and the campus heartthrob, had his childish moments as well. For example, if she ever chatted a bit too long with a male classmate and forgot to pay enough attention to him, he’d spend the entire day keeping her by his side, moody and distant, giving her the cold shoulder. At first, Qiao Shuqi would respond with bright smiles, profuse apologies, and all sorts of sworn promises to placate him. But as time went on, she figured out how to handle his temperament. These days, she’d simply trail obediently behind him without a fuss, knowing full well he’d eventually cool off on his own when he couldn’t hold out any longer.

The car eventually pulled into a neighborhood filled with luxurious villas on the outskirts of the city. Even though she was full of questions, Mo Tianchen didn’t say a word. He quietly stepped out of the car, opened her door, and pulled her to her feet before leading her toward an open space. Overhead, the faint flutter of snowflakes began to fill the air once more.

Mo Tianchen finally brought Qiao Shuqi to a stop in front of a white villa. She blinked, confused at first, but as she took in the sight in front of her, her breath caught in her throat. Her eyes grew wide, her mouth fell open-and in that moment, an indescribable warmth began to spread through her chest.

There, in the pristine expanse of white snow in front of the villa, lay an enormous heart-shaped design made of vibrant red rose petals. Just below the heart, the words “Happy Birthday” had been carefully spelled out with the same rich, crimson petals. Against the pure white backdrop of the snow, the rose petals were stunningly bright, vivid, and full of life.

Qiao Shuqi’s eyes instantly welled up with hot tears. In all her years-more than a decade, really-she’d never celebrated her birthday. In fact, she had all but forgotten the significance of this day. Yet here he was, Mo Tianchen, silently orchestrating such a brilliant and heartwarming gesture for her.

“Happy Birthday!” Mo Tianchen said cheerfully. His large hands came to rest gently on her shoulders, steadying her as she blinked away tears. With one thumb, he swept away a tear that escaped down the corner of her eye. Then, the corner of his mouth pulled up into his signature smirk. “What are you crying for?”

“Mo Tianchen…” Qiao Shuqi choked out, her voice thick with emotion. Without thinking, she took a step forward and threw her arms tightly around him, burying her face into the soft fabric of his trench coat. His familiar scent surrounded her, filling her lungs and settling deep within her heart, leaving an unexpected sense of comfort. Feeling her body tremble slightly, Mo Tianchen instinctively wrapped his own arms around her, pulling her even closer. Standing in the middle of the snowy field, surrounded by brilliant red petals, his face lit up with a joyful, radiant smile. Above them, snow continued to fall quietly, softly.

“Mo Tianchen… thank you!” she murmured, her voice muffled against his firm shoulder. She sniffled once, her warm breath brushing against his neck, and then lifted her still-red eyes to meet his. But before fully straightening, she couldn’t help but rub her reddened, tear-stained face against his shoulder one last time before finally stepping back, standing upright.

Glancing up, she noticed an ornate clock on the villa’s roof-it was just past eight in the morning. Her gaze shifted back down to the rose petals scattered on the ground. They still looked so fresh, as though they’d only been picked moments ago. The realization hit her hard: just how early had Mo Tianchen gotten up-or perhaps stayed up-just to arrange all of this? Her eyes brimmed with tears again as she instinctively clenched her fists tightly at her sides. She bit her lip, trying to quell the waves of emotion threatening to overwhelm her once more.

“You… you’ve been arranging all of this since before dawn?” Qiao Shuqi sniffled, her voice trembling as tears brimmed in her large, watery eyes. She looked up at Mo Tianchen with an expression of disbelief.

“It’s nothing. I don’t sleep much, unlike you, lazy pig!” Mo Tianchen chuckled lightly, reaching out to tap her forehead. But Qiao Shuqi, with her sharp eyes, quickly noticed the scratches covering the hand that touched her. Without a second thought, she grabbed his hand to examine it, then took his other hand as well. Both were riddled with cuts, his fingers bearing countless scrapes and wounds. The sight of his injured hands stung her heart, spreading a wave of pain through her chest. Words evaded her as she lowered her head, her tears falling uncontrollably, one by one, landing warm and soft in Mo Tianchen’s palm.

“Alright, don’t be such a crybaby!” he said, his tone softening. “Today is your birthday; you’re not allowed to cry endlessly. These are just minor scratches from picking flower petals. They’re shallow-it’s really nothing.” Gently, Mo Tianchen wiped away her tears, wrapping her icy hands in his warm ones as he led her into the villa. The cozy warmth of the house enveloped her immediately, shielding her from the bitter chill outside. Removing his coat, he draped it over a chair before ushering Qiao Shuqi toward the staircase.

“Now, little birthday star, it’s time for you to catch up on some sleep. I have a surprise to prepare for you,” he said, his voice carrying a playful confidence. “Young Master Mo promises it’ll be a birthday you’ll never forget-and you’ll be spending it with me!” Flashing her his signature bright smile, he gave her a small push into the bedroom upstairs and toward the plush, soft bed. Before she could protest, he wagged a stern finger at her. “No peeking downstairs!” he added with a mock-serious tone. Then, with a smooth spin, he turned and strode out of the room, closing the door behind him.

Qiao Shuqi was speechless, but after a moment of reflection, she decided not to interfere with his plans. After all, if the young master was hell-bent on doing things his way, who was she to stop him? She sat on the comfortable bed, swaying her legs slightly, marveling at how soft and springy it was-so much nicer than her dormitory bed. Looking out the window, she watched large, fluffy snowflakes continue to fall, blanketing everything in white. With a contented sigh, she rubbed her eyes, slid back onto the bed, and positioned herself in the coziest way possible to take another nap.

When she awoke again, it was already three in the afternoon. The snow outside hadn’t relented but continued to fall steadily. Inside, however, the warmth from the heating system filled the house, making it almost too comfortable. Qiao Shuqi climbed out of bed in just her wool sweater, rubbed the last traces of sleep from her eyes, and made her way downstairs.

A mouthwatering aroma wafted through the entire hall on the first floor, immediately grabbing her attention. Her stomach growled loudly, breaking the silence and reminding her she hadn’t eaten all day. Perking up her ears, she could faintly hear noises coming from the kitchen. Swallowing her saliva, she slowed her steps, cautiously approaching the kitchen like a curious cat drawn by an irresistible scent. Whatever Mo Tianchen had been working on all this time, the so-called “surprise,” the smell in the hall was far too tempting. And honestly, Qiao Shuqi couldn’t wait any longer!

Just as Qiao Shuqi cautiously tiptoed to the kitchen door, it unexpectedly swung open from the inside. Mo Tianchen stood there, wearing a light gray wool sweater on top, black wool pants below, and an apron tied snugly around his waist. His mature yet effortlessly attractive features radiated a warm, domestic vibe that was both surprising and… incredibly appealing. Seeing Qiao Shuqi rooted at the door, staring at him like a smitten fool, Mo Tianchen’s brows furrowed slightly. Without a word, he reached out, pulled her away from the door, and seated her firmly at the dining table.

“Sit here and behave. No peeking!” he ordered with a hint of exasperation as he pressed her down into the chair.

“But I’m hungry…” Qiao Shuqi tilted her head up, gazing at him pitifully, her eyes wide and pleading. Since this morning, she hadn’t had so much as a sip of water. She couldn’t help but think, “He’s been playing mysterious chef all day-doesn’t he care that the star of this little event is starving here?”

Mo Tianchen rolled his eyes at her exaggerated dramatics but didn’t say much. “Wait here,” he muttered before turning back into the kitchen. A few minutes later, he returned, carrying two steaming, fragrant bowls of soup. He placed one in front of her and the other at his own spot across the table before sitting down.

“Wow, what kind of soup is this?” Qiao Shuqi asked eagerly, the smell immediately sparking her appetite.

“Mo’s Rice Porridge,” Mo Tianchen declared with a slight smirk, raising one eyebrow before lowering his head and taking a sip.

Hearing that name, Qiao Shuqi couldn’t help but pause for a moment, savoring the sound of it. Mo’s Rice Porridge?

What she didn’t know was the story behind the bowl in front of her. Once, when she had caught a nasty cold, she had spent several days huddled under her blankets in the dormitory, refusing to eat anything. At first, Mo Tianchen had scoured the city for any kind of light, simple porridge that might tempt her. But no matter what he brought, she simply stared at the food with a dejected expression, barely taking a bite. Frustrated yet determined, Mo Tianchen had stayed up all night studying recipes, practicing until he finally perfected the creamy, fragrant bowl of rice porridge she now craved. The very next morning, he brought it to her dormitory, where the aroma alone stirred her appetite. She ended up eating two whole bowls in one sitting. From that moment on, whenever she fell ill, Mo Tianchen would personally make the porridge to coax her into eating.

As he sipped his own porridge, the memory played out in his mind, and a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. Thinking back to those moments, he felt a rare sense of warmth, though his pride had always kept him from revealing the truth. Even now, Qiao Shuqi still hadn’t pieced together that her beloved “mystery porridge” had always been made by him.

“I want another bowl!” Qiao Shuqi’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts. She had already polished off her porridge, leaving behind an empty bowl, which she now pushed toward him expectantly. Her face was lit up with satisfaction, and her tone carried the confidence of someone who knew she’d get her way.

Mo Tianchen chuckled softly under his breath, his lips quirking up ever so slightly. Without saying a word, he stood, picked up her empty bowl, and walked back into the kitchen. As always, despite his indifferent expression, he started preparing her refill.

“Hmm… This flavor feels so familiar…” Qiao Shuqi murmured as she devoured the first bowl of rice porridge so quickly it was as if she hadn’t eaten in days. By the time she started her second bowl, she slowed down, spooning it carefully as she tried to pinpoint the reason behind that sense of familiarity.

“Oh! I remember now!” she suddenly exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with the realization. “Every time I caught a cold or got sick, you always brought me this porridge!” Memories flooded her mind all at once-the gentle warmth of the porridge had been her only comfort when she was under the weather and couldn’t stomach anything else. Now, sitting before her was yet another steaming bowl of the same porridge, and from the faint aroma still wafting from the kitchen… it clicked.

“So it turns out… this rice porridge was made by you…” Slowly, she raised her head to look at Mo Tianchen. His face, however, remained calm and composed, as though her discovery hadn’t fazed him. The sight of his feigned indifference, paired with his usual reserved demeanor, made Qiao Shuqi burst out laughing. “No wonder I’ve asked you so many times where you bought that rice porridge, and every single time you just gave me that cold look and refused to say anything! Of course, you wouldn’t tell me. With that big, inflated ego of Young Master Mo, there’s no way you’d admit you made it yourself.”

Her laughter rang out, bright and carefree. “Hah! Mo Tianchen, even you have moments like this…” she teased, unable to resist poking a little fun at him.

But before she could carry on, Mo Tianchen’s face darkened. Without a word, he reached out and snatched the bowl of porridge directly from in front of her.

“You’re heartless. Dare to laugh at me?” he said, his tone low and full of mock reproach. “No more porridge for you-you’re banned. Don’t drink it.”

Seeing the bowl taken from her, Qiao Shuqi panicked instantly. “Hey, hey! Don’t be like that! My bad, I was wrong, I didn’t mean it!” She stopped laughing and quickly softened her tone. “You’re amazing, Young Master Mo! The best! Don’t do this to me-I’m starving!” Desperate, she leaned forward, sliding the bowl back toward herself while cautiously watching him for any sudden movements. Once the bowl was safely back in front of her, she wasted no time, hurriedly drinking the porridge as quickly as possible, determined not to give him another chance to confiscate it.

Mo Tianchen stood there with a cold expression, his lips pressed into a thin line. He said nothing as he straightened up and carried his own empty bowl into the kitchen. The sharp “bang” of the closing kitchen door said it all-he was silently telling her to mind her own business, finish eating, and, most importantly, stay out of the kitchen.

Qiao Shuqi puffed up her cheeks in defiance and shot a playful, exaggerated face at the tightly shut door to express her dissatisfaction. Then, with an impish grin, she turned back to her bowl and leisurely continued enjoying her porridge at her own pace.