Song Shuling was laughing nonstop as Zhong Ruanxing parked the car. She hugged Zhong You out of the car, already familiar with coaxing her eagerly: "We won't go on the rollercoaster, but we can ride the carousel! They're selling cotton candy over there, do you want some?"
Zhong You's expression immediately changed: "I want some!"
Song Shuling happily led her to buy cotton candy, holding her hand.
Since it was the weekend, the amusement park was very crowded. This was the biggest and most well-equipped amusement park in the Jingshi Park area, and also a famous scenic spot for wedding photos. In addition to the recreational facilities, the scenery was also beautiful. Like Disneyland, it featured many mascot characters that were extremely popular.
Every time Zhong You came, she would interact and take pictures with her favorite characters, and today was no exception. As soon as they entered, she clamored to go find the pink cat.
Zhong Ruanxing was experienced with kids. In previous years, she had brought Zhong You here to play by herself and was able to keep the little girl well-behaved. Now there was Song Shuling too, so it was even more relaxing.
The three of them took pictures while waiting in line, and went on all of the rides Zhong You wanted to go on. Even for rides Zhong You couldn't go on, Zhong Ruanxing would ask Song Shuling if she wanted to try them. If so, the three would line up together, and when it was Song Shuling's turn, the other two would wait below and take pictures for her.
Song Shuling had never had so much fun at an amusement park before. For the first time, she realized how enjoyable amusement parks could be.
She went on the thrilling rollercoaster twice and still wanted more. Still excited when she got off, she asked Zhong Ruanxing: "Brother, do you want to try it too? I'll watch Youyou."
Zhong Ruanxing did want to ride it. But wouldn't that be out of character for a CEO going on rollercoasters and such? Just thinking about it seemed too OOC! He could only politely decline with a shake of his head.
After the rides, they went all around the park looking for mascot characters to take pictures with. The characters here weren't as famous as Disney, but still very cute. Even Zhong Ruanxing had bought merchandise before, filling up a whole bay window.
Song Shuling had never taken photos with these characters when coming to amusement parks before. But today, together with Zhong You, she suddenly understood the joy of mascots.
The three of them were all exceptionally good-looking. Standing in line together, they frequently drew the gaze of passersby. When it was their turn, the mascot characters made an exaggerated motion of covering their mouths. Their furry fingers pointed at Zhong Ruanxing, then pointed at themselves, before shyly covering their face.
This made the people around laugh out loud.
Song Shuling also laughed: "Brother, do you want to take a picture too?"
Zhong You pulled at her hand coquettishly: "Brother, brother, let's take one together with Sis Shuling."
Zhong Ruanxing helplessly nodded and handed his phone to a friendly passerby behind them to help take the photo. Zhong You stood in front of the character, while Song Shuling stood on one side and she on the other, capturing the first group photo of the day.
They kept playing until noon, when Zhong Ruanxing finally had a chance to catch his breath and brought Zhong You to her favorite KFC for lunch.
Zhong You swung her legs in her seat: "I want a kids' meal!"
Zhong Ruanxing went to order. Song Shuling was also finally tired and leaned back in her chair to rest. Zhong You suddenly poked her arm and whispered: "Sis Shuling, I'll tell you a secret."
Song Shuling turned her head: "What secret?"
Zhong You mysteriously crooked a finger at her. Song Shuling held back a laugh and lowered her head closer. Zhong You whispered milkily into her ear, "The secret is, my sister isn't my sister, my brother is my sister."
What did that even mean? Song Shuling didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She didn't understand this childish babble at all, and just rubbed Zhong You's little head: "Okay, okay, I got it."
Zhong Ruanxing came back with trays full of food: "Youyou, what are you whispering about again?"
Zhong You immediately pursed her lips tightly, shaking her little face seriously: "Nothing!"
She looked at Song Shuling again, and Zhong You desperately winked at her. Song Shuling struggled not to laugh, and imitated her serious head shake: "Nothing!"
Zhong You nodded heavily, with an expression that said "See, I didn't lie to you."
It made Zhong Ruanxing's heart melt completely.
Ah, both his little sisters were so cute!
After lunch, they continued strolling in the afternoon. Song Shuling had gone completely nuts, wanting to take a photo with every mascot they encountered. While waiting in line, Zhong Ruanxing browsed WeChat Moments, which was completely flooded with her photos with the characters.
Fortunately, the heat wave had passed, and though it was sunny in the afternoon, it wasn't too harsh.
By the time they had checked in with the last character, the three finally sat down on a bench inside the park. Zhong Ruanxing bought them each an ice cream cone, though he resisted the urge to get one for himself to keep up his CEO image.
Luckily, Zhong You had some conscience and held her cone up to him: "Brother, take a bite. Just one bite!"
Zhong Ruanxing finally got to eat ice cream.
Sweet and cool, refreshing.
Sitting beside him, Song Shuling's face was flushed as she looked at the mascots not far away, posing for photos with tourists. She suddenly said, "Brother, I want to work here."
Zhong Ruanxing was wiping Zhong You's dirty mouth. At those words, he turned to look at Song Shuling in surprise: "Here?"
Song Shuling's eyes shone brightly, reflecting the gorgeous sunset clouds in the sky: "Mm! Last time you told me to think carefully about what I want, to find something I like. I've been thinking about this period - what do I actually like?
"From when I was little until now, it seems like I've never had anything I especially liked. My grandma and Fourth Aunt were very good to me, I've never lacked anything. Because it came so easily, I didn't cherish it properly. Sometimes I feel life is so empty, like I can see right through it. I don't have any dreams to chase, or any wishes I want to make come true."
"You told me to think it over carefully, but the more I thought about it recently, the more afraid I became. Because I can't think of anything - anything I like, anything I want to do, anything I'm capable of doing. Until today, I feel like this place is so nice, so happy and fulfilling. Whether it's the mascots or the people taking photos with them, they're all so happy. Brother, I want to be a mascot too. I can play without restraint under the costume, bringing joy to myself and others - that's what I like."
She said this long passage without stopping, as if afraid he would disagree. After finishing, she looked at her brother nervously but expectantly, waiting for his response.
Zhong Ruanxing was silent for a moment before speaking heavily: "This job will be very tiring. The costumes are cute but heavy and hot. Standing there all day long, you could get heat stroke or be injured by tourists crashing into you. It's not as happy as it looks."
"I'm not afraid of hard work," she said softly, not saying anything more.
The evening breeze blew through the treetops, shaking loose some green leaves. The leaf tips were yellowing, already bearing traces of autumn.
Finally, Zhong Ruanxing reached out to rub her somewhat drooping head, smiling as he said, "Alright, go do what you like then. Your brother believes in you."
Song Shuling suddenly lifted her head, disbelief and delight shining in her eyes.
Zhong Ruanxing looked at her gently and encouragingly. Song Shuling's eyes gradually grew wet, but her smile was livelier than ever before.
She was just an ordinary girl, not a genius like her brother. But she was also fortunate to be able to choose work she liked without worrying about living expenses. Most fortunately, she had a brother like this.