4 The Movie Theatre is a Stressful Place

"Two tickets to 'Terminator,' please."

While He Fang bought tickets from the ticket counter, Qin Guanglin wandered to a small counter selling popcorn.

"Two mediums… Oh, no. One large bucket." He thought about getting coke, too, but decided that it would be too much of a handful during the movie.

He Fang, who had bought the tickets, looked at the large bucket of popcorn and then at Qin Guanglin. She raised her brow. "Didn't I say the movie's on me?"

"Haven't you already bought the tickets?" Qin Guanglin picked a piece of popcorn and tossed it into his mouth. That would do. It was fresh, hot, crispy, and sweet. "Do you prefer orange juice or coke?"

"… I want milk tea." He Fang did not choose an option that he gave. She also took a piece of popcorn and ate it. "There's still twenty minutes. Sit and wait here. I'll get milk tea next door."

"Alright." Qin Guanglin looked around. This shabby theatre only had one LCD screen playing promotional video clips. It would be better to go to the one in Shengtian Plaza next time.

Ah… He forgot to tell her he only liked to drink carrot juice. He got up, but He Fang was already gone.

Nevermind. Any drink will do.

Outside the theatre, Mother Qin and Aunt Wang were about to sneak off. But they both saw that girl walk out while their silly boy was still inside.

They looked at one another. What was going on?

They looked again and saw that the girl had already caught sight of them. From afar, she paused for a moment. She then continued walking ahead and into the milk tea store.

The two aunties in their forties heaved a sigh of relief… She was only getting milk tea.

They must teach this silly lad a lesson. How could he allow a girl to get the drinks while he sat inside?

The sneaky pair quietly walked away from the theatre entrance and headed out of the mall.

"Who would have thought your son would sneak a movie with a girl?" Aunt Wang glanced at Mother Qin. "You must be happy. The boy is finally growing up."

Mother Qin looked back thoughtfully. "Did that girl recognize us just now?"

"You know her?" Aunt Wang recalled the girl they just saw and thought she did not look too bad. This boy was lucky.

"I don't." Mother Qin shook her head. "This lad likes to keep things from me. I can make a bet with you. When he gets home tonight, I will ask him about it. For sure, he will not admit it."

"Well, well, well." Aunt Wang looked on with disdain. "It's about privacy. Young people nowadays prioritize privacy. Don't ask blindly. Let them develop first. They'll have to get your approval, eventually."

Mother Qin perked up. "That girl looks not bad at all. This Lin did well."

Aunt Wang smacked her lips and felt a little more disturbed. When can her kid learn a thing or two about dating, too?

—

Qin Guanglin took a pamphlet and read it for a long time. He realized that there were indeed many good movies as of late. If there were no other activities next week, it would be nice to ask her to watch a movie again.

"Here. Your carrot juice." A fair and tender hand reached over from his side. He looked up and saw that He Fang was holding a cup of kumquat lemon juice.

They had some surprising similarities… Perhaps this was the reason the relationship between them can grow so rapidly, right?

"Dear customers, the third cinema needs temporary maintenance because of special reasons. Please proceed to the counter to change the timing or refund your tickets. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused."

Suddenly, there was an announcement at the cinema. Qin Guanglin looked at He Fang. "Which theatre are we?"

"Let me see…" He Fang took out the tickets from her pocket and frowned slightly. "It is number three."

"What a coincidence." Qin Guanglin sighed, then quickly got up and led her towards the counter. "Let's get it changed while there are still few people."

Many people bought tickets to the show, and quite a number have not reacted to the announcement.

"Hello. We'd like to change our tickets for Terminator in Theatre Three. When is the next show?"

"I'm sorry, there are only two 3D theatres at the moment, and the other theatre is full today." The counter staff apologized after checking. "I'm really sorry. Would you like to consider another show?"

Qin Guanglin and He Fang looked at the milk tea and popcorn they already bought. They couldn't possibly refund their tickets.

"Well, I saw just now that this has a high rating. It's funny and lighthearted." Qin Guanglin pointed to a poster beside the counter.

He Fang pondered. "Do you want to watch this?"

"It seems to have the highest rating." Qin Guanglin turned to her. "What do you think?"

"Let's watch it then." She glanced at Qin Guanglin and turned to the counter staff. "Is 'Goodbye, Mr. Loser' still available?"

Picking the two back row seats in the middle, the two quickly waited for the opening with their drinks and popcorn.

They placed the popcorn in the middle. As Qin Guanglin glanced sideways to look at He Fang, he recalled that he used to watch American blockbuster movies with his buddies. This was his first time watching a movie with a girl, so he felt a little nervous in his heart.

He Fang also turned to look at him. "What are you thinking about?"

"Hm… If those two fellas didn't fight, we could have been watching that American blockbuster by now," Qin Guanglin replied casually. While they were waiting for their movie, they overheard the reason for the maintenance work in Theatre Three. It turned out that two people in there broke out into a fight and damaged something.

She pouted. "Yeah. It was all for you…"

Her voice softened into a mumble. Qin Guanglin leaned towards her to try to hear her. "What did you say?"

"I said, let's watch the movie." The pre-movie advertisements ended, and the actual show was about to start. He Fang looked to the front and did not speak again.

To Qin Guanglin's surprise, the movie was better than he expected. The story was very fresh. He stole glances at He Fang's side profile from time to time, and she seemed relaxed that she leaned entirely into her seat.

Unlike those other moviegoers around them, who laughed during the movie, she remained quiet. Qin Guanglin could not see her expression in the dim light.

He took a piece of popcorn and motioned to remind her to eat as well. He Fang reached over and took the popcorn with her mouth.

Qin Guanglin was stunned as he felt the wetness on his fingertips. Before his brain could react, he picked up another piece and put it into his mouth. Then, he looked at his fingers in shock again.

He turned to look at He Fang. She was no longer leaning in her seat. Instead, she was looking at him amusingly.

"You're blushing." He Fang smiled.

Qin Guanglin cocked his head to the side. Was she teasing her?

A petite hand was holding a popcorn, and it was reaching out to him. Qin Guanglin wanted to take it with his hand, but the petite hand dodged him and stubbornly delivered the popcorn right to his mouth.

Swallowing the popcorn in a fluster, Qin Guanglin could confirm that she was teasing him this time.

What about their friendship?!

How could this be allowed?!