I've already said this isn't a life simulator!

"To say that Xiwang is a blockhead... that's not quite right. Anyone can hear his affection for Eden in his words. But to say he's not a blockhead... he's just sitting here without taking any initiative, without making any progress. He's like a block of wood... no, a stone! He doesn't move at all. I can't say anything to him. It's really annoying."

"Haha...maybe this is how those two kids get along. Who knows, they might do some intimate things when we can't see them?"

"Hmph... If that were the case, it would be more like it."

"It seems... you quite like that boy, Xiwang?"

"...It's alright. After all, Eden likes him a lot, and he can stand with Eden, which is the most precious thing."

Eden's father crossed his arms, glanced to the side, pursed his lips, and said with a hint of helplessness.

"To be honest, I can hardly imagine Eden with other people anymore, nor can I imagine Xiwang with other people... No, I can still imagine that."

Eden's father became somewhat gritted-teeth again.

"Has that brat been attracting girls again lately...? I think it's that model named Sakura, right? That brat's just sitting there trying to seduce girls, huh? I'd better not catch him in the act..."

"Why are you angry... They'll handle it themselves, and... maybe Eden has already talked to her?"

Gently taking her husband's hand, Mother Eden smiled softly.

“When I was discussing this with Eden just now, it seemed like she knew about it? And… maybe this trip arrangement is a sign that Eden herself wants to take the initiative? After all… she deliberately arranged a room for two people.”

"Hmph... If you let the girl take the initiative, that guy is just like that, a stone... no, even more wooden than a stone!"

"Look at you, you've made yourself so angry... Come on, let's leave the rest to the children."

Dragging her husband along, Mother Eden walked away with a smile.

"I found a quiet place to play earlier, shall we go check it out? Come to think of it, it's been a long time since we played together, how about we reminisce a bit?"

"……Um."

Leave your worries behind for now and enjoy this private time together.

…………

………………

"Mom and Dad are getting a little anxious..."

Eden discreetly put away the "little umbrella" in his hand, and then said with a hint of helplessness.

"This is also a way for them to show they care about you."

"It should be us."

Eden slightly corrected Xiwang's statement.

"Yes, it's us~"

Xi Wang did not hesitate and repeated Eden's words.

"But what did Dad say to you? He seemed a little angry."

"Uncle? He... um... just asked if we had any particularly close interactions, but then he seemed a little angry, saying I was a blockhead, or even a stone... Do I look like that?"

"To be honest, a little bit."

"How come even Eden thinks so... The fans say so, the uncles and aunts say so, and now even you say so. I'll be sad, you know?"

They stopped at the lakeside cottage where the two of them lived, and Xi Wang looked unhappy.

"I need a hug as an apology."

"Hmph~"

Eden hummed a few times with amusement, and then, as if he had expected it, he reached out and hugged Xi Wang, gently blowing a breath into his ear. He then released Xi Wang and laughed happily at his slightly embarrassed appearance, with a hint of a successful scheme.

"Well……"

"Are you angry? Well..."

Eden leaned forward slightly and whispered softly in his ear.

"Want to do it again?"

After saying that, she nuzzled his cheek again, then quickly stepped back and winked mischievously.

"But...we'll have to wait until later, okay?"

Eden opened the door and walked in, passing through the living room and reaching the fence of the cottage, leaving Xiwang with only his back to her.

"...It feels like I've been played."

Xi Wang tilted his head thoughtfully, but he didn't seem to mind much. He simply entered the small house, examining its interior and furnishings, exploring the place... After all, this was where he and Eden would be staying for the next couple of days.

"Ha ha……"

Turning slightly to the side, one could see Xi Wang exploring the house with great interest. Eden chuckled softly but did not disturb him... He simply stood by the railing, looking at the lake not far away.

Under the cover of night, the silver moon and stars are reflected on the lake, making one feel as if they are in a sea of ​​stars. The oars gently stir up ripples, disrupting the quiet and beautiful scenery... Only at this moment can one realize that this is a lake, not a mirror reflecting the stars.

Shifting your gaze slightly, you can see a small boat on the lake, with a few dim lights on it for illumination, and you can faintly hear the cheerful laughter of a bell.

Eden could see Sakura playing on the lake with her younger sister, and Sakura seemed to sense it too, looking at her from afar.

"Shh..."

Eden placed his index finger lightly on his lips, closed one eye slightly, and gestured to Sakura in a slightly cute manner not to disturb them now... Then he politely waved his hand to bid them farewell.

Sakura understood, but simply waved politely and continued rowing, gradually moving towards the dock with the playful Rin.

Sakura wouldn't go looking for Xi Wang now, making a fool of herself... At this point, Xi Wang would definitely choose Eden without hesitation, she's not that stupid... Besides, she still has plenty of time to spend with Xi Wang in the future, no rush.

"...Sister, what secret code did you and Sister Eden exchange just now?"

Once the small boat carrying the two of them had moved far away from Eden's hut, Bell asked with some curiosity.

"...Rin, what are you saying?"

"Because my sister seemed to be laughing very happily just now, as if she had thought of something good."

“Is there…?”

Sakura subconsciously touched the corner of her mouth and realized that it was indeed turning up.

"Ugh, and the laughter was... disgusting...it hurts!"

"Nonsense."

Sakura tapped Ling's head lightly, then hesitated for a moment before letting go of the oars and leaving the boat to rest in the lake. She then took out a guitar from under her feet.

"Oh, is big sister going to sing? I was wondering why there was this on the boat, turns out it's big sister's..."

"I just learned a little bit and wanted to give it a try... After all, I spend all day around them and I'm influenced by what they do, so I wanted to give it a shot."

Sakura said casually, then awkwardly tried to play the melody from her memory.

"It's okay, big sister. Even if you play terribly, I'll still support you~ Ah, but big sister's musical taste... is it really okay to just play it like that?"

"It's not what you think."

Sakura glared at Rin. Although she knew her musical taste was somewhat "unique," she didn't have to say it so directly... Sakura wouldn't deliberately play those tunes in public.

Right now, she just wants to... learn a little more about them, get closer to them, and learn a few tricks. It's not a big deal, is it?

So Sakura tried playing some simple tunes, and after getting used to them for a while, she started playing the melodies she had memorized.

???~

Gently, tenderly, like a cherry blossom slowly unfolding.

In the distance, Eden leaned against the railing, watching the small boat shimmering with light, and could faintly hear Sakura's unpolished melody and singing.

"...So beautiful~"

Eden smiled and softly praised.

Chapter Thirty-Two: Time Is Enough for You to Love (5107)

"Hmph~? Hmph~?"

It was the light and cheerful humming of Xiwang and Eden.

In their lakeside cabin, the two of them prepared what they would need later, occasionally taking a small snack from the table and popping it into their mouths... This was a specialty snack of the tourist town, which looked a bit like a small cookie topped with cream and special jam. Its unique sweetness was mixed with a hint of saltiness, and the wonderful taste lingered on the tip of the tongue, leaving a lasting impression.

Hmm? If you were to ask what the two of them were preparing... well, it's a barbecue, of course! It's a must-do activity when you're at the lake!

While these kinds of activities are usually more lively with more people, sometimes just two people together... can have a different kind of fun, can't it?

Skillfully lighting the charcoal fire, placing the skewers on the iron rack amidst laughter, brushing them with sauce and oil, listening to the sound of hot oil dripping onto the charcoal, the smoke rising and carrying an enticing aroma, making one's mouth water and causing one to swallow from time to time to relieve the ever-tempering craving.

Even knowing that eating too much barbecue will likely affect singing, I still can't help but stop whenever I sit in front of the grill and smell that unique aroma. My mind is filled with thoughts like, "Is it okay to eat a little bit?" By the time I realize it, I find myself already eating the skewers. I can only scold myself for being "disobedient" a few seconds ago, while leaving my troubles and regrets to myself a few seconds later.

Take Eden as an example...

"Oh no... If you get fat, you'll have to take responsibility, Xiwang."

Eden tried her best to maintain an elegant eating posture while complaining, but as she said this, she happily ate the meat skewers, and then fell into distress a few seconds after finishing.

"Eden won't get fat~ How could a beautiful girl get fat?"

"Xiwang... what have you been looking at online...?"

"Hmm? Isn't that wrong?"

"Maintaining your figure is tough... You better take responsibility for it, damn it."

"Then I won't give you any?"

"Never!"

Eden puffed out his cheeks slightly and said somewhat angrily.

"Mine, all mine..."

"If you eat it all, you'll really get fat... If Miss Fidel finds out, you'll get a scolding, you know?"

“I will take control of it myself, and when Miss Fidel asks, I will say that you did it all.”

“That’s really too much…”

Xi Wang smiled helplessly, but did not object.

After enjoying a delicious meal, the two sat quietly on their respective recliners, gazing at the stars in the sky and listening to the soft crackling of the charcoal fire gradually dying down.