Chapter 269


    I never knew I could stillugh like a kid, being in my twenties and experiencing the joy of being swung around in circles.


    But after the dizzying fun, I couldn''t stand straight and had no choice but to snuggle up in Ernest''s arms.


    At that moment, I suddenly realized this might be another one of his tricks.


    "You used to love spinning around like this when you were little," Ernest whispered in my ear.


    When I first met Ernest, I was too young to remember anything.


    Now that he mentioned it, I curiously asked, "What else did I like back then?"


    "You loved being lifted high, and you enjoyed riding on my shoulders like you were on a horse," Ernest''s words made my cheeks turn red.


    I pretended not to believe him, "I don''t remember, so you can say whatever you like."


    Ernest didn''t mind and continued, "You also loved ying in the water, jumping around and sshing, getting yourself all wet."


    "Anything else?" I was genuinely interested.


    It''s as if humanse with a design w, not retaining memories before the age of five.


    That period is the most innocent and beautiful time in a person''s life. If everyone could remember their childhood, perhaps it would heal many of the sorrows of adulthood.


    "Yes, you loved listening to stories, fairy tales, but I was terrible at telling them. You used to call me dumb."


    His words made meugh, and he added, "Later on, I read lots of fairy tales, but then I never saw you again to tell them to you."


    "Why couldn''t we see each other again?" His words piqued my childhood curiosity.


    "My sister was born, and she was not well, so I went with my mom to my grandma''s house to help take care of her while my mom worked," Ernest''s voice softened, weighed down by the past.


    I hugged him tighter to shift away from the somber topic, "What else did I get up to as a kid? From what you''re saying, I must have been quite the handful."


    "Yeah, you were like a restless little sprite, mischievous but adorable," Ernest gently rubbed his chin on the top of my head.


    Iughed. "Ernest, hearing you say that, did you fall for me back then?"


    "Yes," he actually admitted.


    "You were just a boy, and I was a little toddler. Don''t you think you were..." I yfully punched him.


    "It was a young boy''s affection,


    purely liking you from the bottom of my heart. Don''t get any weird ideas," Ernest rified. But then he added, "Since then, I''ve never found any girl cuter than you, including Susie."


    My heart skipped a beat. That was such a unique and unparalleled affection.


    "So, is that why you said you wanted to marry me the moment you recognized me?" I teased.


    Ernest paused for two seconds, "That''s part of it."


    "And what''s the other part?" I discovered he was quite the master at keeping me hooked. "Because..." he yed coy.


    I got impatient and looked up at him; due to the height difference, I was met


    founde


    t with his chiseled jawline, which I d surprisingly sexy.


    Good grief even his Adam''s apple looked appealing. It''s like they say,Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    when you fall for someone, evet their quirks seem endearing?


    W


    I pinched him briefly out of my daze, "Because of what?"


    Ernest looked down, our eyes locking, "Also because I want you to take responsibility for me."


    I was momentarily stunned, "What?"


    "You kissed me, stealing my first kiss," Ernest''s words made my cheeks flush.


    I immediately denied, "I don''t believe it. You''re just taking advantage of myck of memory."


    Ernest looked up at the sky, "You kissed me, and I told you girls shouldn''t kiss randomly, especially boys."


    He smirked, perhaps at my childhood naivety. I reached up to pull down his smirk, "Don''tugh."