We both successfully achieved the target time we had set before the race. Hana's finishing time was 49 minutes, about 2 minutes faster than her personal best. I completed the race in exactly 55 minutes.
"See, I'm not just a good coach, I'm also incredibly insightful!" Hana said triumphantly.87Please respect copyright.PENANAVPa23H3AT4
"Okay, then you definitely deserve a good reward," I laughed. "Let's head to the Inspiration Lake, you can eat as much as you want and I'll treat you!"87Please respect copyright.PENANAS1am4SQzuR
"What?" Hana jumped up excitedly. "Okay, let's go right away! I'm absolutely starving!"
Soon after, we arrived at the Inspiration Lake to eat.87Please respect copyright.PENANAuj7BAd8XtG
However, what we ended up eating were just a few microwavable snacks from a convenience store.
"So 'eat as much as you want' just meant convenience store food," Hana grumbled, pouting.87Please respect copyright.PENANAhI5ESTVRFT
"Don't underestimate these things, they're actually really delicious," I said, stifling a laugh. "And as long as you can eat it, feel free to eat as much as you want."
In the end, the two of us ended up eating over 100 dollars worth of food at the convenience store...
"I'm so full!" Hana said with a "retaliatory" look on her face as we left the store.87Please respect copyright.PENANAw72uI2oWOI
"Okay, okay," I said. "After eating so much, let's rest for a bit and then explore the area."
It was a Sunday, but due to the cold and drizzly weather, there weren't too many visitors. We first rented a bicycle and rode around the jogging trail circling the Lake. Although it was a tandem bike, Hana said she was too tired from the run, so I ended up doing most of the pedalling.
"If you didn't plan to ride, then why did you suggest it in the first place?" I groaned painfully. "My legs are about to fall off!"87Please respect copyright.PENANA0V556f9XAc
"Haha, this is a special training session." Hana said excitedly. "Since your finishing time was about 6 minutes slower than mine, you definitely need to work on it. Come on, pedal faster! I still want to try the pedal boats later!"87Please respect copyright.PENANA0OubWq22S5
"Pedal boats?" I was almost about to lose control of the bike from the shock.
After trying out the pedal boats as well, I was completely exhausted and could barely walk. Luckily, Hana didn't demand that I join her in any more physically demanding activities. Just then, a group of children were playing hide-and-seek, and the tall and athletic Hana enthusiastically joined in with them.
Watching her playing with the children so carefree, I was deeply moved. If I had never met her, I might still have been a depressed person who spent every day alone, constantly overthinking and living in an invisible cage.
"Hey, brother Janny!" Hana's call interrupted my thoughts. "I want to go to the playground over there! There's a really fun splash fountain, let's go together!"87Please respect copyright.PENANAhWp9AlbOcX
"Okay!" I, having rested enough, immediately got up and took her hand, walking towards the splash fountain.
It was not hard to imagine the result of "lovebirds playing in the water" at the splash fountain - we ended up completely soaked.87Please respect copyright.PENANA98pNSih00M
Fortunately, we had brought extra clothes just in case.
After spending the entire afternoon at the Inspiration Lake, as evening approached, the energetic Hana finally ran out of steam. Reluctantly, we left the place together.87Please respect copyright.PENANAZPigDOz8L9
"I'm so tired," Hana said, "Can you carry me on your back?"87Please respect copyright.PENANAPyVUCSa6IY
"What?" I cried, "Do you not think I'll get tired too?"87Please respect copyright.PENANAXzmiuR0kXp
"Please..." Hana pleaded pathetically.87Please respect copyright.PENANALrB3s0i94L
"Alright, but just for a little while," I couldn't resist her.87Please respect copyright.PENANAArGQKJyENu
"Of course! Wake me up in 5 minutes!" Hana said happily.
As a result, I carried her on my back, walking 20 minutes from the Inspiration Lake to the Disneyland Station to take the MTR. After getting off at Tsing Yi, I continued carrying the sleeping Hana in a taxi back to Shatin. After getting off the taxi, I carried her all the way to her home.
When I rang the doorbell, Hana's mother opened the door and saw me carrying Hana, promptly waking her up and saying, "Janny, you must be exhausted!"87Please respect copyright.PENANALz7i6G4kK6
"No...it's fine," I replied with a wry smile.87Please respect copyright.PENANALuGf2lk2gO
"That girl has been like this since she was little," Hana's mother continued, "She gets tired from playing and demands to be carried. It's fortunate that now I have you to share the burden of carrying her."87Please respect copyright.PENANAAyT6TOS1J9
"Aunt, don't worry about it. I'm more than happy to do it," I responded.87Please respect copyright.PENANAaHnMbwm9ue
"Haha, there will be many more opportunities in the future!" Hana's mother laughed, "You must be tired too, go home and rest!"
After saying goodbye to Hana's mother, I slowly walked back home with an extremely sore body. 87Please respect copyright.PENANASGnt5e1nqp
Hours later, I received a message from Hana.87Please respect copyright.PENANAEH8fYMIPiT
"Brother Janny, thank you for carrying me home! I love you^^"
Thinking about it, I sent her this message in return:87Please respect copyright.PENANAHjQ4pITfml
"I love you too. I would be willing to carry you to the ends of the earth for the rest of my life, because you are my happiness."