Chapter 59: PAST-SEVENTEEN.
"Hurry up—faster!" Hua Rong yelled, leaning closer as she tapped urgently on Jiang Zemin's shoulder.
Her arms were draped loosely over his shoulders, clutching on just enough to keep her balance as she stood on the back pegs of the old bicycle. Her hair flew behind her like a dark banner, eyes squinting against the wind.
"If you were planning to go, you should've decided earlier!" Jiang Zemin snapped, trying to catch his breath as he pedaled with everything he had. "I don't like these last-minute plans, you know!"
"Stop whining and go faster—or just let me take over!" she shot back, shaking his shoulder in frustration.
"Are you crazy? We'll fall if you keep moving around!" he shouted, gripping the handlebars tighter as they swerved slightly. "Just stay still, will you?"
"Then speed up!" she snapped again, her voice tight with anxiety. The urgency in her tone wasn't for drama—it was real, pulsing beneath her skin like a second heartbeat.
He groaned, pushing the pedals harder. "You're going to owe me big for this."
"You wish. If we're late, you'll owe me."
He couldn't help the short laugh that escaped him, though it came out breathless. "You're already blaming me."
"And I'll keep blaming you until we get there."
The streets blurred around them, the air thick with city noise and the rush of passing bikes. Hua Rong tightened her grip just slightly, leaning her weight forward to balance as they hit a bump.