Chapter 680 Valentine's Day
Oliver noticed several couples emerging from the nearby playhouse, most clad in the iconic blue jeans and canvas shoes, the uniform of students.
His gaze returned to Natalie, who he couldn't help but feel also resembled a college student, and he clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction.
"Since I don't pass for a student boyfriend, you can think of yourself as the kiddo I'm chaperoning," said Oliver.
Natalie couldn't help but tilt her head and laugh, "If I'm the kiddo, then what does that make you? My dad? You're not getting any younger."
Oliver was quite conscious of the age topic in front of Natalie.
This time, however, Oliver was not at a loss for words but smiled and motioned Natalie to come closer with a crook of his finger.
"What for?" she asked, approaching him.
Oliver leaned in, deciding the cap was in the way and removed it, then whispered into Natalie's ear in a deep and rich tone, "You could call me 'dad,' but that's for the bedroom."
For a moment, Natalie froze, then as realization dawned, her eyes widened in disbelief, and she tossed her cap at Oliver, her ears turning red, "Oliver! Be a person! Did you learn language just to talk trash?"
In his mind, Oliver reflected that not acting like a decent human being wasn't a new habit for him.
"Natalie, keep it up and we might just make tomorrow's headlines," Oliver signaled Natalie to look around.
Both were already drawing attention due to their height and charismatic presence. Natalie's playful swat at Oliver with her hat appeared to bystanders as young lovers teasing each other.
At that moment, several people were covertly watching them, some with curiosity and others trying to figure out who they might be.
Natalie quickly pulled her baseball cap back on and hurriedly did the same for Oliver, adjusting it carefully before pulling him away to avoid recognition.
She had been careless. They had been out and about for so long without being recognized, and she had momentarily let her guard down.
For Oliver, being spirited away was a new experience.
As he followed the woman leading him, occasionally she would glance back, checking their surroundings. Under the lights, Oliver could see that her skin was fair, and her eyes were clear and bright. Everything about her was perfect in his eyes.
What mattered most was that she was holding his hand at that moment, leading him, as if she would never let go, no matter what the future held.
After they had run for a while and were sure that the people around them were not the same ones who had come out of the Pirates of the Caribbean Theater, Natalie breathed a sigh of relief and then noticed many people, mostly couples, heading in the direction they were going.
Natalie stopped a friendly-looking girl to ask what was happening.
The girl said, "You don't know? Today is the theme park's Valentine's event. All couples can go to the plaza beneath the castle to dance, and later there will be a firework display. Plus, one lucky couple will win a year of free admission."
"Today... is some kind of Valentine's Day?" Natalie was confused. She glanced at Oliver with her eyes filled with a hint of nervousness.
Had she forgotten Valentine's Day? Seeing Oliver equally puzzled, she let out a sigh of relief. If it was forgotten, at least she wasn’t the only one.
“Wow, I didn’t know that it was Valentine’s Day either, but there’s an event today. This theme park has a Valentine’s event every month on the 14th. Just like January 14th is Diary Day, February 14th is the traditional Valentine's Day, March 14th is White Day, May 20th is 'I Love You' Day... If there's a business opportunity, they'll create a celebration," the friendly girl explained.
Natalie had no response. It made sense.
Valentine's Day was just a tool for the park to attract visitors. However, this strategy was successful, as evidenced by the multitude of couples there that day.
Outside the amusement park castle, there was a vast square adorned with colorful lights and balloons, arranged in a dreamy fashion. Music filled the air, notably "A Place Called You," which lent a joyful and romantic ambiance.
"Welcome folks! Our park has prepared some little gifts for you to choose from for the upcoming dance party! Feel free to take one home when you leave," a staff member guided at the entrance.
Gifts lined the entire pathway leading from the square to the left and the right. Convenient tulle skirts that could be quickly tied around the waist were available, transforming any lady who arrived in jeans into a belle of the ball with their beautiful and thoughtful designs.
There were hats reminiscent of old European nobility for both men and women, which couples could wear in pairs, available in various styles; there were also masks, wrist corsages, and floral crowns...
Natalie picked up a black and a white mask, both simple in design with golden patterns on their surfaces.
Truth be told, even in his embroidered shirt, Oliver didn't quite strike one as having the demeanor for a baseball cap. Without his inherent strong presence, the outfit would seem utterly misplaced.
"We'll wear these, so we won't need hats," Natalie suggested, handing the black mask to Oliver then hesitating, swapping it for the white one, and keeping the black for herself.
Oliver's cold features would be too much with a black mask; it might give the impression he was there against his will.
The masks were part of the amusement park’s merchandise, serving as a subtle form of advertising for the park.
"I don't know how to tie this," Oliver admitted, looking at the thin straps of the mask.
"Really, you can't tie a simple knot?" Natalie thought he was just too lazy to bother, so she rolled her eyes and instructed him to lower his head.
Oliver dutifully removed his cap, bending forward slightly. Natalie moved in close to tie his mask, her sweet scent enveloping him, and he couldn't help but smirk slightly.
More couples arrived in a steady stream, some dressed in formal attire, while others wore themed costumes like Lolita, traditional dresses, or JK uniforms, eagerly taking photos with their partners.
The announcer stood next to the fountain and made a few heartfelt wishes for the lovers to last forever, then the general date music shifted to a gentle waltz.
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