The plaza in the middle of the park was a good place to practice riding — wide, flat, and not many people around during the day.

Qin Wenwen's was a girl's bike to begin with — a basket on the front for carrying things, and even pink.

Once Xu Ye had ridden onto the plaza he lowered the seat a little, ran through a few of the basics with Chen Qingqing, and then simply had her get on. He stood alongside with a hand on the handlebars to keep the bike from going over…

"No rush. Pedal slowly. Get a feel for it first."

"Don't be scared. I'm holding it. It won't go over."

"That's it — look ahead, don't let your mind wander, watch your balance."

"Just keep it like that. Don't grip the bars so tight. Loosen up."

"…"

Xu Ye taught her patiently. Chen Qingqing, the one actually learning, wasn't tired yet; he had been holding the bike alongside her for less than half an hour and was already dripping with sweat.

She wasn't a slow learner, though. With Xu Ye there to keep her safe, she soon had some of the knack of it.

After an hour or so of practice she had no real trouble riding in a straight line. It was just the turns — she could still only take them very wide…

"Pay attention now. I'm letting go. Keep your balance."

"What?" Chen Qingqing was still worried.

"Don't be scared. Your feet reach the ground anyway. Just ride slowly." Xu Ye held the back of the seat, and once she was riding steadily he let go.

Drops of sweat the size of beans kept falling from his chin. Xu Ye braced both hands on his knees, watched Chen Qingqing ride slowly away, and finally sighed, laughing.

He dug his phone out of his pocket, recorded a short video of her riding, and sent it straight to the group chat with Jiang Meilin and Chen Hansong in it.

Chen Qingqing had assumed he was still holding on behind her the whole time. It wasn't…