Peach-Orange! – Chapter 288 – The Wind Is Strong, Lean Into My Arms

Time goes back to the morning.

Unlike Fang Ning, who was alone at home feeling lonely, Su Tao felt an immediate sense of relief the moment they stepped outside.

A trip out with just the two of them.

A whole day of dating!

And it was Xiaocheng’s idea!

Ever since she woke up in the hospital with amnesia and gradually recovered enough to walk normally, this was the first time she had actively suggested going out to have fun.

Sure, they had gone shopping during their last hospital outing, but the mood was entirely different now. Xiaocheng’s condition had changed.

The moment they left, Su Tao eagerly shared her plans for the day with Chi Xiaocheng:

“Xiaocheng, first we’ll grab breakfast, then go to the park to soak up some sun and see what fun activities are available. Around noon, we can visit the café Dongfang Yang opened near the school.

“After lunch, we’ll rest a bit. At 2 PM, we’ll head to the hospital for your check-up to confirm your recovery. After that, we can wander around the mall. In the evening, we’ll watch the fireworks show, then catch a movie. There’s a Lunar New Year hit called Cats vs. Godzilla with great reviews.

“What do you think?”

Her itinerary was well-prepared, and Chi Xiaocheng was a little surprised.

During the Spring Festival, there were plenty of high-energy activities, yet Su Tao hadn’t picked any of them.

She had also heard that the city’s western district was hosting a grand Valentine’s Day event in preparation for the upcoming holiday. The entire plaza and nearby malls were packed with couple-themed activities.

There were so many fun options. Chi Xiaocheng had already seen tons of bloggers sharing guides on Xiaohongshu. She had been planning to hint at going there with Tao-Tao in a couple of days.

But this girl’s plans today didn’t even glance at the western plaza.

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Actually, Su Tao did know about the couple’s event.

If they went, interacting more with Xiaocheng might help jog her memories.

But….

Su Tao didn’t dare.

Their relationship had been recovering quickly, but she could sense that Xiaocheng’s feelings didn’t carry much “romantic” weight. It felt more like a normal friendship, a sisterly bond.

If they went, she was afraid Xiaocheng might misunderstand, making things worse.

There was another reason, though….

She was broke.

With no shifts at the café during the holidays, she had tried finding side gigs online, only to get scammed out of 50 yuan. After that, she gave up entirely.

If Dongfang Yang hadn’t given her a 500-yuan New Year’s red envelope yesterday, she might’ve had to rely on Huabei just to buy groceries.

Going to a couples’ event? She couldn’t afford it!

Chi Xiaocheng didn’t understand Su Tao’s thoughts and assumed she had other plans, so she just went along with it. “I’ll follow Sister Tao-Tao’s lead.”

“Great! Let’s get breakfast first.”

Su Tao led them to a nearby breakfast spot. Not too far, and with excellent food. They ordered two bowls of lean pork congee and a basket of soup dumplings.

Considering Chi Xiaocheng’s health, Su Tao also got her a boiled egg.

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Once the food arrived, she took off her gloves. Seeing Chi Xiaocheng rubbing her pink-tipped fingers to warm them, Su Tao silently peeled the egg for her while it was still hot.

After breakfast, as they got up to leave, Su Tao held out her own gloves to Chi Xiaocheng. “Your hands are freezing red, and you didn’t even say anything. Here, wear these.”

Chi Xiaocheng curled her fingers into fists, tucking them into her palms for warmth, and smiled. “It’s fine, Sister Tao-Tao, you keep them. My hands are warm now after the congee.”

“We’re going to be outside all day, though.”

“Then I’ll just keep mine in my pockets?”

“Ugh, give me your hand.” Seeing Chi Xiaocheng being stubborn, Su Tao decisively grabbed her right hand and slipped one glove onto it.

Then, she put the other glove on her own left hand.

Chi Xiaocheng waved her now-bare left hand. “But this one’s still going to get cold~”

That little hand was promptly snatched up by Su Tao, who pulled her closer.

Her ungloved hand was stuffed into the pocket of Su Tao’s down coat, where her slightly larger palm easily enveloped Chi Xiaocheng’s delicate fingers.

Each wore one glove, while their other hands stayed intertwined in the pocket. Endless warmth drove away the chill.

Chi Xiaocheng smirked and deliberately squirmed her hand.

Sure enough, Su Tao immediately clamped down, her voice firm in Chi Xiaocheng’s ear: “My pocket’s warm. Don’t take your hand out.”

Stealing a glance at Su Tao’s expression, Chi Xiaocheng saw the girl’s face tense… while a single finger subtly stroked the back of her hand.

It was both amusing and sweet.

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‘Tao-Tao is so dense.’

‘After all my hints, it took you this long to finally tuck my hand into your pocket. And you’re still so awkward and nervous about it.’

Sighing inwardly, Chi Xiaocheng shivered slightly the moment Su Tao looked over.

Then, somewhat shyly, she scratched Su Tao’s palm. “Um… my hand’s still a little cold. Can you hold it tighter?”

‘Tao-Tao, if you want to hold my hand, you can just be bold about it~’

Like ants communicating through their antennae, Chi Xiaocheng’s hint worked. Su Tao’s grip gradually tightened.

She held on firmly.

As if she never wanted to let go.

Spring was approaching. The thick snow was melting, increasing the humidity in the air, and though temperatures were rising, the cold still lingered.

But right now, Chi Xiaocheng didn’t feel cold at all.

The sunlight on her skin couldn’t compare to the warmth of Su Tao’s hand holding hers.

Following Su Tao’s itinerary, their first stop was the park nearest to Chi Xiaocheng’s home. It was just a leisurely two-kilometer walk that took them over half an hour.

Admission was free during the Spring Festival, and with a student ID, they even got a lollipop.

Walking hand in hand, they soon settled on a patch of grass where several other couples were sitting. Though their hands were linked, there was still a fist’s width of distance between them.

Around them, couples leaned against each other, chatting, laughing, and taking photos. The atmosphere made it a perfect dating spot.

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Nice scenery, and it didn’t cost a thing.

Su Tao’s gaze drifted to a couple sitting on a marble slab further down the lawn. The girl nestled in the boy’s arms, her head resting on his shoulder. When the morning breeze picked up, the boy opened his coat halfway to wrap around her, pulling her closer.

“How nice….”

Su Tao couldn’t help sighing inwardly, then glanced at Xiaocheng beside her.

She was bundled in a thick down coat and a peach-colored scarf.

For the first time, Su Tao wished Chi Xiaocheng had dressed lighter. If she’d just worn a fleece hoodie, Su Tao would’ve had an excuse to pull her into her arms.

But….

Would she have refused?

Su Tao wasn’t entirely sure where they stood after these three days. How did Xiaocheng, now with amnesia, really see her?

But… she had invited her out willingly. She hadn’t resisted having her hand held. Did that mean they’d grown closer than before?

Uncertain.

But… if she didn’t try, even that 50% chance would slip away.

Su Tao turned to Chi Xiaocheng. Without a word, she hooked an arm around her shoulder and yanked her into an embrace.

In an instant, Chi Xiaocheng’s face was buried in the softness of Su Tao’s chest. Dazed, she looked up. “W-What’s wrong?”

Su Tao stared straight ahead, her voice stiff with nerves. “The… the wind’s strong. Lean into me, Xiaocheng. Don’t catch a cold.”