Chapter 46: The Movie

The night was perfect for a date.

It was already dark, and as long as they avoided overly bright places, no one would recognize them. Prying eyes and whispered gossip wouldn’t disturb them anymore. The lovers, who had been cautiously navigating their connection, finally found a bit of freedom.

“Can we go back late?” Yin Mengxi asked softly, her light green skirt swaying slightly. “Will the seniors mind?”

He thought for a moment, then glanced down at her and said, “Shall we go back now?”

Ah?

What was this?

She pouted, unwilling to leave. She still cherished this rare moment alone with him. Their intertwined hands gripped tighter, and she shook her head. “...No.”

He smiled, reaching out to ruffle her hair. Only then did she realize he had deliberately asked that question just to see her reluctance.

“Senior...” She was about to throw a small tantrum, lightly hitting him.

This was genuine coquetry, more obvious than ever before. Somewhere along the way, she had started to relax around him, gradually revealing her lively and cheerful side.

And him? He let her hit him once, his smile making her dizzy. Their gazes locked, and the atmosphere between them ignited like wildfire.

“We won’t go back,” his voice tugged at her heart, leaving her mesmerized. “Even if we return, we won’t be able to focus.”

After a pause, he gave her a subtle glance and added, “They won’t be able to focus either.”

Ah.

What did that mean...?

Her face flushed red, happiness and satisfaction swelling within her. She pursed her lips, greedily wanting more. After a moment’s thought, she leaned closer and asked, “...Why?”

A rhetorical question.

The little rabbit seemed to be getting a bit naughty. He felt both flustered and amused but ultimately indulged her, sighing and saying, “Because you’re beautiful. They’ll keep looking at you.”

He was truly mature—restrained when necessary, yet unafraid to be direct when appropriate. His sincere compliments acted as a catalyst for their relationship, and she was already completely satisfied, waving her white flag.

“So...” She felt a bit lightheaded. “...Where are we going now?”

He pondered for a moment, pulling out his phone to check something. A little while later, he looked down and asked her, “Do you want to watch a movie?”

...Of course she did.

Throughout the summer, Yin Mengxi had fantasized countless times about going on a date with Xiao Zhi. The movie theater was one of the most frequent settings in her daydreams. She admired her own foresight, grateful that she had earned some money during the break. Otherwise, both the pretty dress she was wearing and the movie tickets would have been a financial strain, which would have been awkward.

Near the university district, there were always well-developed commercial complexes. They exited through the school’s east gate and took two bus stops to reach the mall. The cinema on the fourth floor was open until midnight. When they arrived at seven-thirty, it was bustling with people. The summer lineup featured plenty of family-friendly films and formulaic Hollywood blockbusters. Xiao Zhi let her choose what to watch. After much deliberation, she picked an artsy romance film, blushing slightly as she pointed and asked, “...Is this okay?”

He didn’t seem to care and simply said, “Sure.” He told her to wait by the ticket counter while he bought the tickets. She shook her head and insisted, “I’ll come with you to get some popcorn and drinks.”

She had rehearsed this scene many times. Even if he said no, she wouldn’t budge. In the end, she got her way. As the server helped pack the popcorn, she overheard the ticket seller ask him, “Two tickets? Would you like the couple seats?”

Her heart skipped a beat, and her palms grew warm. After two or three seconds, she heard him reply, “Yes, thank you.”

The screening wasn’t crowded. Art films rarely attracted large audiences, and lesser-known actors couldn’t boost box office numbers. Only seven or eight people entered the theater with them, scattered across different seats. The couple seats were in the last row—small sofas for two without armrests separating them, offering ample space.

Her face remained flushed, as if she’d had too much to drink. Her heartbeat wasn’t too fast, but it was noticeably different from its usual state. When she sat down beside him, she didn’t dare look into his eyes, keeping her head slightly lowered.

The lights dimmed.

The movie began.

The plot seemed engaging. It opened with the female protagonist catching her best friend and boyfriend cheating on her, followed by a dramatic confrontation. Afterward, disheveled and defeated, she returned home only to run into the male landlord coming to collect rent. Perhaps he was the male lead; they would develop feelings later.

Yin Mengxi wasn’t sure. Though her eyes were fixed on the giant screen, the actors’ lines entered one ear and left through the other. She couldn’t multitask. His presence was overwhelming, occupying all her peripheral vision. She couldn’t focus on anything else.

...He was captivating.

Even without looking directly at him, his allure was undeniable. The flickering lights served as a dazzling backdrop, reflected in his deep eyes. He was a tender story in himself, surpassing any carefully crafted film.

Ah.

...She loved him so much.

Her heart tingled as if electrified, sending waves of numbness through her. That night felt special, intoxicating her with an inexplicable dizziness. This wasn’t good. She decided to do something to dispel this uncontrollable sensation. Eating popcorn seemed like a reasonable choice, but when she reached for it, her hand accidentally brushed against his.

Cool.

Slender.

The electric current surged, and her breathing became uneven. Neither of them moved their hands away from the accidental touch. Gradually, the temperature rose, and both their palms began to sweat.

Her heart thundered, her blood seemingly flowing backward. Yet courage erupted within her, allowing her to turn and look into his eyes. They were indeed stunning, encompassing all light and shadow, but the clearest reflection was hers, perfectly mirrored in the depths of those lake-like eyes.

“And you?”

“Do you love me?”

The movie’s dialogue continued to play meticulously, but the story unfolding on the screen now seemed like mere background to their shared gaze. She suddenly wanted to ask him the same question, but when she tried, she found herself speechless. Perhaps her courage was a one-time thing, enough to make her turn toward him but not enough to voice another question.

Yet it seemed he knew what she was hiding in her heart and wanted to respond. Perhaps he had long noticed her subtle unease, his desire to comfort her building layer upon layer. She felt her fingers being held tightly. Those overwhelmingly captivating eyes drew closer, transparent like gemstones, cascading toward her like a waterfall, leaving her unable to encounter such heart-stopping moments again in her life.

—It was a kiss.

Light as a dream, heavy as reality. At that moment, the world seemed vacuum-sealed, all sound and visuals stripped away. She couldn’t perceive or remember anything. Then gravity suddenly returned, and all attraction centered on him. Like a feather, she was helplessly carried by the current, sinking to the bottom of the lake.

Until he pulled away...

...Their breaths still entwined.

The unripe fruit seemed to ripen in that instant, falling from the lush branches of early spring to midsummer, landing on the ground with a soft thud, splitting open to release its fragrant aroma. She couldn’t settle for just a taste; after the vacuum dissipated, she craved its sweetness. When she tilted her head to kiss him again, she trembled—not out of fear, perhaps, but excitement, pure exhilaration.

He understood, responding honestly. The hand holding hers grew warmer. Perhaps even he didn’t realize how quickly he was falling in love. Darkness provided the perfect cover, and the lack of privacy heightened the thrill. In an unseen corner, they impulsively drew closer, their innocent love burning fiercely, repeatedly scorching each other’s hearts.

I like you.

I really like you.

With the purest, most honest heart between youth and adulthood.

Later?

Of course, they didn’t watch the movie. She stayed nestled against him—the couple seats were a stroke of genius, giving her the chance to remain in his arms. One of his hands rested lightly on her waist, while the other was firmly held by both of hers. She clung to him, occasionally tilting her head to look at him, her adorably pitiful expression like a plea for affection. He couldn’t resist leaning down to kiss her every so often. It was mutual enchantment.

Everything felt too intense, too chaotic. When the movie ended and the lights came on, the thick haze of their intimacy was exposed. Only then did they realize how absurdly, excessively they had behaved in those two hours.

...But they still didn’t want to part.

She remained soft, snuggling against his chest. He, too, was reluctant to let go of the feeling of holding her. They sat in silence until the cleaning staff arrived, forcing them back to reality. She felt him gently kiss her forehead before coaxing her with a tender voice in her ear, “...Let’s go.”

The journey back was still far from normal.

Of course, they had been holding hands when they left school, but now the atmosphere was thicker. Both knew their relationship had fundamentally changed that night. Though neither had prepared for it, when it happened, they accepted it as if it were meant to be.

When they got off the bus and entered the school gate, it was almost ten o’clock. As usual, he walked her back to her dormitory, but this time, parting felt impossibly difficult.

She truly didn’t want to let him go. Her gaze clung to him like fine threads, her fingers secretly hooking onto his. Unfortunately, there were always so many people coming and going beneath her dormitory, preventing her from being as bold as she had been in the dark theater. At most, she could reluctantly ask for a hug.

“Go on up,” he gently encircled her, striving to keep his voice steady. “I’ll come pick you up tomorrow morning.”

She didn’t want to, but still nestled against him and nodded. Even uttering a simple “Mm” felt convoluted and awkward. He chuckled, patting her hair with fingertips exuding extra tenderness.

“Don’t enter this dorm if you haven’t kissed Xiao Zhi...”

It seemed... she could enter now.