Chapter 86: The Thrill of the Motorcycle

"Then I suppose this is where we say goodbye," Song Hui said with a cheerful smile as she stood at the entrance of the wonton shop, looking at Mu Jinghuai.

"Are you in a hurry to go home?" Mu Jinghuai asked.

"Why? Is there something else you want to do?" Song Hui replied, a bit curious. In truth, as long as Mu Jinghuai’s request wasn’t too unreasonable, she usually agreed—perhaps out of guilt, or because of the cherished bond they’d shared since childhood.

"Would you like to go for a ride?" Mu Jinghuai rubbed his nose a little awkwardly, quickly adding, "Not the kind of ride Fu Chen takes in his supercar—on a motorcycle."

A gleam flickered in Song Hui’s eyes. She had always been drawn to exciting adventures. She often saw motorcycle races on TV—the winding tracks, the riders nearly brushing the ground as they sped by. The suggestion was deeply tempting.

But then, almost unconsciously, she remembered that she was pregnant. She shouldn’t be doing anything too risky.

She hesitated. "It’s so cold tonight. Maybe… let’s not."

But Mu Jinghuai had already caught the spark of longing that flashed across her face. Without hesitation, he took off his down jacket and draped it over her shoulders, winking playfully.

"Now you won’t be cold."

The jacket was still warm from his body, and under the bright lights, Mu Jinghuai stood there in just a thin sweater. His hair was a bit tousled, his handsome features distinct and impossible to look away from. His smile was warm, radiant as sunlight.

Song Hui hurriedly returned the jacket, her voice tinged with reproach. "If you do this, I really won’t go. What if you catch a cold?"

Mu Jinghuai’s face lit up. "So, does that mean you’ve agreed?"

"Yes," Song Hui replied, her eyes curving into a crescent as she looked at him, a pure and simple smile blossoming on her lips.

———

Mu Jinghuai hailed a cab and took Song Hui to the foot of Mount Qishan in the southern part of the city. There, a small motorcycle shop stood quietly. According to Mu Jinghuai, this was a popular spot for motorcycle races, and plenty of people came here just to enjoy the ride.

There was also a restaurant called Hong Kong Island halfway up the mountain.

"Jing, you’re here!" As Mu Jinghuai entered the shop, a middle-aged man greeted him enthusiastically. "And who’s this? Your girlfriend? I’ve never seen you bring a girl here before."

Song Hui was about to clarify, but Mu Jinghuai beat her to it. "Not my girlfriend yet. I’m pursuing her."

The words made Song Hui blush with embarrassment. She forced a smile and began to look around the shop.

The front room was filled with motorcycle parts and repair tools. In the back, rows of motorcycles lined up—some retro, some modern. Song Hui couldn’t recognize the brands, but she could tell which ones looked appealing.

The owner tossed a set of keys to Mu Jinghuai. "I’ve tuned up your bike. Have a good ride." He shot a meaningful glance at Song Hui and then discreetly withdrew to the front room.

Song Hui hadn’t noticed their exchange; her attention was entirely on a bright red motorcycle. The vivid paint, accented with black stripes, made it stand out boldly—sleek and impressive.

She patted the seat. "Is this safe?"

Mu Jinghuai picked up a helmet and put it on. "Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you’re safe." He reached for a pink helmet with cat ears and tried to hand it to her.

"I’ll do it myself," Song Hui said, refusing his help.

Click.

Without giving her a chance to protest, Mu Jinghuai fastened the helmet on her head and flipped up the visor. "Once you’re on my bike, you have to listen to me."

Song Hui tapped him on the head through the hard shell of her helmet. "No respect for your elders."

There was a backdoor to the shop, and as the rolling shutter opened, Mu Jinghuai wheeled the motorcycle out with Song Hui following. He swung a long leg over the bike and patted the seat behind him.

"Hop on," he called out, his voice muffled by the helmet.

Song Hui took a deep breath. This was her first time on a motorcycle, and the thought of winding mountain roads made her a little anxious. But she trusted Mu Jinghuai. After a mental pep talk, she climbed on.

She gripped the metal handles on either side of the seat, but Mu Jinghuai glanced back, a sly idea forming.

He hunched forward and twisted the throttle. Caught off guard by the sudden acceleration, Song Hui’s body jerked backward. Then, in the oldest trick in the book, Mu Jinghuai braked sharply.

Song Hui lurched forward, pressing tightly against Mu Jinghuai’s back, instinctively wrapping her arms around his waist.

"Are you trying to kill me?" she exclaimed, not realizing his true intent. She thought he was just playing pranks on her, just as he had when they were kids.

Mu Jinghuai laughed heartily, saying nothing. Song Hui, now genuinely a bit frightened, held him tightly.

The ride soon steadied. Song Hui felt the wind roaring past her ears, her padded jacket billowing with the force. She glanced to the side and was awestruck by the scene unfolding below.

A crescent moon hung in the dark sky, stars glittering like diamonds across the heavens. Silver light drenched the land of South City. Dazzling lights and neon flickered and danced, their reflections rippling in the wind—dreamlike and mesmerizing.

Emboldened, Song Hui flipped open her visor, letting the wind rush over her until it nearly took her breath away. The air was crisp and pure, and she felt as if all her worries were being carried off by the wind, scattered into the night.

"This feels amazing!" Song Hui shouted at the top of her lungs, releasing emotions she’d kept bottled up for far too long.

After winding along the mountain road, they finally reached the summit.

The view before Song Hui was indescribable. Overcome with excitement, she ran to the edge, gripped the railing, and shouted out toward the city below, "Let everything in the past be gone!"

Mu Jinghuai watched her, his heart aching a little. He knew Song Hui must have been carrying far more pressure than he could imagine. Letting her vent was a good thing.

He walked quietly over to her and wrapped his jacket around her shoulders, pulling her into his embrace.

Startled, Song Hui quickly pulled away, tidied her hair, and lowered her head. "Jinghuai, please don’t."

Mu Jinghuai hadn’t expected such a strong reaction. Awkward and unsure, he spoke for the first time with such directness.

"I was just afraid you’d be cold. Don’t misunderstand."

Seeing the discomfort in Mu Jinghuai’s expression, Song Hui felt guilty, wondering if her reaction had been too harsh. She hurried to explain, "I didn’t misunderstand. Jinghuai, you know how I feel about you."

Mu Jinghuai’s hands clenched into fists at his sides. With quiet resolve, he said, "But I don’t want you to keep seeing me as your little brother."

"I’ve already grown up!" His voice rose, powerless and pleading as he cried out to Song Hui.