Li Ming gave him a long look. "You know, it’s not too late to wave one of the staff members over and tell them you need to get out because you’re sick. Even if sister Yao ridicules you for that, it’s better than the other outcome."
Duan Zhi Hao once again shook his head though. "It’s not about that. I get a bit nervous before because I’m thinking about it but it will be alright as soon as we start. It’s only the image in my head that does this to me. Anyway, I looked at the roller coaster before and there isn’t a single looping. That would have had me worried but I’ll be able to take this much."
Li Ming nodded but didn’t insist further. He had asked more than once so he didn’t want to dwell on the topic even longer. Since Duan Zhi Hao was still willing to stick this out, then he’d just have to deal with the aftermath if things really went wrong. If not, well, even better.
A moment later, everyone had been seated. The staff members stepped back and then, off they went. The wheels seemed to creak and the wind rushed past them, making Duan Zhi Hao’s stomach drop but he held on.
Li Ming faced the front, not wanting to put any pressure on him but he still kept an eye out to the side to check how Duan Zhi Hao was doing. Actually, while he looked somewhat pale, it was indeed just as he had said: After the roller coaster started, it wasn’t as bad. After a moment, it even seemed like he enjoyed it, laughing like everyone else.
The ride wasn’t long. After just a couple of minutes, they reached the end, and the roller coaster came to a somewhat abrupt stop.
Duan Zhi Hao groaned and made a face. Leaning slightly closer to Li Ming, he couldn’t help but complain. "You know, roller coasters are a bit like being on the plane: the start and the end are always the worst parts."
Li Ming turned to look at him and nodded. "Well, I’ve never been on a plane but I can imagine it being similar. Anyway, it’s good you really made it through without trouble."
By now, Duan Zhi Hao’s face had gone back to its normal color, and when they finally got off, he didn’t even seem unsteady on his feet. Or, well, maybe he did but it was just a little bit, definitely not as bad as expected.
Li Ming still put an arm around his shoulder just in case it’d hit him a moment later and then waited for Yao Ai who needed a moment longer. Currently, she was in the process of exchanging numbers with the girl she had been sitting next to.
"It’s astounding how fast she is able to strike up a friendship."
Duan Zhi Hao glanced over as well and then couldn’t help but laugh. "Well, the three of us didn’t know each other two weeks ago and here we are, visiting a theme park together. I’d say sister Yao isn’t the only one with that kind of talent."
Li Ming gave a hum, even though he wasn’t quite sure if that was comparable. But then, it also couldn’t be said how good of a friend that girl would be to Yao Ai. He did hope that they would have a lot of fun together though. Yao Ai really seemed like she missed having her friends from before around. "Well, no matter what or why, she seems happy. I guess it really was the right call to come here."
The two of them waited until Yao Ai was finally rushing over, once again beaming.
"We should go again immediately!"
Duan Zhi Hao raised his brows and then looked to the queue at the entrance to the roller coaster that didn’t seem much different compared to when they had lined up the first time around. "I feel like that’s roughly ten minutes of waiting for every minute you actually spend on this thing. You sure that’s worth it? Maybe it would be better to go and do something else instead."
Yao Ai pursed her lips but looking over to the queue, she did have to say that Duan Zhi Hao seemed to be right. With so many people, it would indeed take a long time until they managed to make it to the front again. She really wasn’t sure if she was up to that. "Well, alright. You win! Then let’s go look for another one! I bet they have more than one in the theme park. We definitely have to take the next one."
Duan Zhi Hao could only smile wryly but seeing as he had managed to make it through this one quite alright, he didn’t see a problem with it.
Li Ming glanced at him and then gave a hum. "Sounds good. Let’s not take anything with loopings though. There is so much that can go wrong with those, I’d say let’s not take the risk."
Duan Zhi Hao gave him a sideways glance, but inwardly, he felt thankful. When it was Li Ming saying this, Yao Ai definitely wouldn’t make an argument out of it and just accept it. If it had been him, then things might be different. Well, he probably deserved that considering how he had usually been arguing with her. This really was a lesson he should keep in mind for the future.
Yao Ai indeed just nodded straightforwardly and then patted Li Ming’s arm. "Don’t worry about it, brother Li! If you’re uncomfortable with it, we definitely won’t do it. In the worst case, you can just wait that round out."
At that, Duan Zhi Hao’s lips twitched. Somehow, this really made it seem as if he still have to get onto that’s torture machine even after Li Ming had brought up such a convenient excuse for him. Well, he’d think about that when the time came.
The three of them set off, but they didn’t manage to make it for. Because apparently, while Duan Zhi Hao had managed to make it off the roller coaster just fine, not every one of the passengers in their round had been this lucky. And when Li Ming spotted the person who hadn’t, he couldn’t help but stop dead in his tracks.
