Trapped in Paradise

Chapter 21: 021. Hiss~

Entering the amusement park, Ning Chu had already lost the initial excitement.

His expression was gloomy, following closely behind Wen Yang and Wang Jie, head down, eyes fixed anxiously on the two ahead.

“A ticket costs a few bucks, not too expensive,” Wang Jie glanced around at the prices of various attractions. “The cheapest carousel is only ten bucks.”

“What do you guys want to play? I’m not really interested.”

Wen Yang didn’t answer Wang Jie’s question; he occasionally turned back, worriedly glancing at Ning Chu behind them, not understanding why, in just a few minutes, his previously lively friend on the bus had turned into this withdrawn state.

“I’m going to the restroom…”

Before he could finish, Ning Chu suddenly looked up: “I’ll go too!”

He hurriedly followed Wen Yang, casting wary glances around him filled with unease.

He had never imagined that after leaving his familiar friends, being in a strange world would feel like this… It was like getting lost in a bustling mall as a child, feeling utterly helpless and terrified.

But back then, his mother would be anxiously searching for him, while now, his mother had long passed away. He didn’t even know what this world’s mother looked like.

“Then I’ll go buy a grilled sausage to eat,” Wang Jie was already captivated by the grilled sausages not far away.

Ning Chu followed Wen Yang to the nearby public restroom.

He didn’t actually need to go that badly; he originally wanted to wait outside. But when he saw Wen Yang’s figure disappear, a wave of panic surged within him, compelling him to hurry into the restroom.

As soon as he entered and turned around, he bumped right into Wen Yang.

Rubbing his forehead and stepping back, Ning Chu finally looked up and let out a light sigh of relief.

“What’s wrong with you now?” Wen Yang scrutinized Ning Chu’s cautious demeanor, frowning, “Why the sudden change?”

“A bit… shy?”

Ning Chu knew he was overreacting, but when he thought about it, being overly cautious in this strange little imperial world seemed completely justified.

Recalling the malicious gazes he felt during his solitude, he deeply sensed this world’s hostility.

Perhaps the people here were generally normal, but who knows if a tentacle monster would suddenly pop up from a corner and do unspeakable things to him?

The novels he wrote were stitched-together monstrosities, and classic plot points with magical girls and tentacle monsters were certainly included.

“Shy?” Wen Yang was taken aback, staring into Ning Chu’s big, timid eyes, he sighed with resignation, “I never noticed before.”

“Um…”

Ning Chu hadn’t thought he would be such a fragile person.

Feeling somewhat disappointed, he lowered his head and sluggishly followed Wen Yang into the men’s toilet.

The cramped space surprisingly provided him with a modicum of safety. Standing by the door, he fiddled with his phone, his mind swirling with messy thoughts.

Even if he really could navigate through the predetermined crises in the plot, how could he live peacefully in such a chaotic world?

Not to mention the perverts mentioned in the books; what if his child ended up with natural curls and dark skin?

His thought process suddenly took a strange turn: Hey? I wonder what kind of assets Wen Yang, the male lead in this imperial narrative, really has…

Ning Chu raised his head, curiosity momentarily getting the better of him.

He tiptoed over to Wen Yang, pretending to need to pee, but stretched his neck, peering down under Wen Yang.

Hiss~

Oh wow! So big! So scary!

He had never seen such a grotesque monster in this life or the last!

Can normal girls really handle this?!

“What are you doing?” Wen Yang jumped a bit, his face uncontrollably flushing at Ning Chu’s innocent, admiring gaze.

Ning Chu feigned nonchalance and looked away: “Nothing, just looking.”

Surely the female supporting characters in the book must be gifted, otherwise, how could they endure it?!

So I… I’m also a supporting character… Am I gifted too?

Thinking back to his own little insect, he was left with nothing but envy for Wen Yang.

“Wow, so impressive…”

Wen Yang’s expression was starting to crack; after leaving the restroom with an odd expression, his eyes kept wandering back to Ning Chu.

This guy is so weird!

If other men saw him and used curious ogling gazes filled with awe, he might not feel so embarrassed, but facing the boyish Ning Chu made him feel an inexplicable guilt as if he had corrupted a child.

“Took so long in the restroom?”

Returning to the previous spot, Wang Jie handed a grilled sausage to the two: “I’ve already eaten one, waited for you guys forever.”

“Thanks.” Ning Chu took the sausage and took a bite, asking, “Shall we wander around first?”

“I just checked the amusement park map; there’s a pool here too, and the entry fee isn’t expensive. How about we go swimming?” Wang Jie suggested.

Wen Yang had no opinions, but Ning Chu furrowed his brow and shook his head.

Although he still considered himself a man, he could not ignore his development up front; he couldn’t just strip down like other guys and jump in wearing only underwear.

“I didn’t prepare this time; never mind,” he quickly found an excuse, “If I go in, I won’t have clothes to change into.”

“Fair enough.”

“Let’s look around then.”

The three of them strolled around the amusement park, playing little to no rides while accumulating more and more snacks in hand.

Ning Chu held a fried egg burger in one hand and a tower of chips in the other. With plenty of high-calorie food intake, dopamine was being released in abundance, slowly dissolving the tension from the unfamiliar environment.

“Goldfish scooping!”

He suddenly spotted the goldfish scooping game in a corner, eyes sparkling: “I’ve never played that before!”

“It’s not expensive, just right to scoop a few to keep in the dorm,” Ning Chu turned to Wen Yang, “What do you think?”

Aside from the goldfish scooping, that area was basically filled with balloon popping, fishing, ring toss games, providing him with a cheap entertainment option.

Compared to those large attractions costing dozens, these little games were definitely a good deal.

“No objections,” Wen Yang looked at the ring toss game, chuckling, “I can bankrupt the stall owner with my tossing skills.”

“Really?”

Ning Chu immediately forgot about the goldfish game.

“What do you want? I’ll toss for you.”

He got excited, standing on tiptoe to search the ring toss booth for interesting little prizes: “How about that plush toy?”

“You like that?”

“My desk is empty; I just want to get some toys to display nicely.”

After buying a few rings from the owner, Wen Yang came to the designated white line. Right hand holding a ring, he carefully observed the distance, controlled the strength and angle of his throw, and gently tossed the ring, but it landed in empty space.

Ning Chu immediately let out a boo: “Come on, you can do better!”

“I haven’t played in a while; I’ve lost my touch.”

“Put some effort into it!”

Wen Yang shot a glance at Ning Chu; the guy’s eager and hopeful expression was thoroughly exasperating.

Under the dual stimulation of anticipation and annoyance, he felt a flurry of excitement: “This time, I’ll definitely get it!”

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