Chapter 8: Peaceful Week-end

6:30 am...

Yawns*... Zoe yawned as she stretched out from bed

Shen Zi was sitting on the bed and gazing at the window. She knew something was wrong with him and was willing to help him. "Hello! You did not sleep well tonight. Can I make you some coffee?" Zoe said worried about Shen

"No, I just want to send that guy to thrash." he replied grinning

"We will find a solution! And who said there was no way to end this!?" She said 

What Amy said had a double meaning. The first one was to destroy him and the second meant to end this love for him and his constant appearing in her thoughts. 

"I first have to lure him into my trap and he wall fall inside it blindly." She thought acquainted'

She gazed and saw how they were being cute and wished a morning wake up like this more often. "Will we follow this.... cute routine, every day!?" she thought 

"It's a series of steps. Every day, there is connection creating and confidence rising. It's those little things that will lead to his fall. In the front, I will be his friend but on the back, I will stab him to death." she thought with an evil smirk

"I have confidence in you!" he said still having sadness

He's not first of all a serious case. he went on. He was very angry and undressed to take a bath. "I hope he doesn't bully you, does he?" he asked curiously yet seriously

"No, don't worry. He does not bully me." She affirmed calmly. He held her hands and gazed firmly at her. 

"Anything you do, I will be by your side, I will help you." 

She blushed and felt a rush of emotions. "This is the set flag for a kissing scene. Will he kiss me?" He slowly approached his lips and closed his eyes then, Zoe abruptly pushed him and changed the subject. 

She winked nervously and tried to seem happy. "It's Saturday, we can go to the zoo and see some animals?" She panicked and turned her face away from Shen."I'm not yet ready! In my original life, I was so shy of men I could die from it. How will do now that I'm married?"

"It is great and can help you clear out your mind! What do you think?" she said approaching him and smiling sweetly

"Since when do you love animals?" he asked sadly from his kiss rejection

"Style can change sometimes."

...

Botanic Zoo.

Shen drove the car and they stopped at the parking lot. Shen Zi came out of the car and opened the door for his wife as a gentleman does. 

"Welcome to the botanic Zoo!" the ticket man gently greeted

"Can I have your tickets, please?" They handed each a ticket at the same time. "Here they are!" 

"Thank you for choosing the botanic zoo." The ticket man told as he opened the door for them

Inside the zoo, there was a wholesome palace dedicated to animals. It looked like a fantasy. Cages and all animals from the world were inside. There were also food and candy stands. It was like an amusement park.

Zoe was curious about the places and the animals. She saw a stand of cotton candy and felt so excited to eat it, She quickly picked Shen's arm. 

"I want cotton candy!"

Wait for me! he said rushing to the nearby stand with cotton candy and hotdogs

he took out some money from his pocket and made the order, "Please two cotton candies and hot dogs too." He came back to Zoe with two hotdogs and two cotton candies. "I don't usually eat this! It will ruin my regime." She panicked

Shen sighed almost wishing to kick her. 

"Yet, I'm the one who urged him but just for today, I will take off from the good habits." Zoe thought slowly taking the snacks from Shen's hands

"Thanks!" she said happily. Shen nodded and replied, "Let's each take one." 

They walked off peacefully admiring the animals. Families and couples came to visit as well as singles. It was such a joyful time and in most cases, people enjoyed going out for a walk or an activity early as Shen and Zoe did. 

They searched for the pandas as they finished eating. While walking they saw a cage with a panel indicating that they were pandas inside.

"Look the pandas are so cute. They come from the Bright Green Bamboo grove in Yixing and it's surnamed the "Sea of bamboo"."

"You're actually right." He said

Where's my phone? she asked nervously 

In the zoo, a lion jumped out, followed by a zoo guard who was keeping him away from eating or harming anyone.

"A lion there!" Someone pointed

They turned to peek and saw a huge lion roaming in liberty. Zoe rushed to the man who was taking care of the lion. "Please, Sir. Can I take a selfie with the lion?" He nodded but gave a warning against the lion. 

"Yes you can, but not too close, he did not eat this morning."

"Uh-oh. F*** how can they live a hungry lion in liberty?"

"Kind Lion be gentle okay? Doing just a selfie." She approached gently the giant beast under Shen's view

Good boy! Minutage to 1, 2, 3...

"Roars*..."

She screamed and runned away holding Shen's soft hand in daze. "Ah! The photo has been taken. Shen Zi, let's go." He blushed at the sight of her holding him but kept laughing in his heart.

He laughed softly showing her a picture of how she had a funny face. "Look at you! You were scared." She grinned and teased him.  

"I will keep this photo preciously with me!" he said softly. Zoe defended herself and didn't stayed arm crossed, "Won't you be the same if a huge lion roared beside your ears?"

"I'm strong." he replied confidently

"If you say so." she replied looking away. He patted Zoe on the shoulder as he peeked at the cute picture on his phone

"Don't be angry, it is so funny."

Aquamarine exploration...

In the Aquamarine the aquariums were large and regrouped a great number of fishes. They all had specific names on electronic tablets which didn't confused the visitors and quench their curiousity. 

"Fishes! These are the most gentle fishes in the world." Zoe said as she touched the glass wall separating the aquatic world from the terrestrial one

"Here are the most beautiful!" Shen Zi pointed. He held her waist and whispered in her ears,  "The rarest ones!"

"Ha Ha!" she laughed clinging to his muscular chest

In the zoo, there were all varieties of animals from around the world. Both Shen Zi and Zoe aren't afraid of animals.  A very big exception is Zoe, who is scared of hungry lions in liberty.

...

"Thank you for this wonderful day! And also for bringing the car." He nodded, "You're welcome! Don't I merit a hug!?" he gently asked, blushing away. Without hesitating she hugged him tightly. "Tomorrow, I will go to work but get back earlier."  

"I had a peaceful weekend! Mwah... "she kissed her hubby 

Shen couldn't help but hold her and hug her too trying to avoid kissing her. He urged for a kiss but waited patiently for the right moment. He blushed and smiled at her as they went back to the parking where the car was patiently waiting for their arrival.