“Sorry about earlier—my roommates were just joking.”
Just as Ji Nian and Ruan Yu sat down in the cinema, Xu An showed up too. He had bought a seat in the same row, just two seats away from them.
His plan was simple—if no one came to sit there once the movie started, he’d move over.
“Mm.” Ruan Yu responded briefly, taking out disposable gloves and handing them to Ji Nian. “Put these on—we’ll be eating popcorn later.”
“Okay.”
It was a newly released animated film. The visuals, character design, and special effects were all top-notch.
Ji Nian and Ruan Yu were completely absorbed, hooked from the very beginning.
Meanwhile, He Weichen dragged an unwilling Xie Qingwang into the theater. “Hurry up—the movie’s already started!”
“How do you know they’re watching this one?” Xie Qingwang asked skeptically. If they got the wrong screening, it’d be a total waste of time.
“Forgot?” He Weichen glanced at him. “My family invested in this cinema.”
Getting that kind of information was easy.
“If she finds out, I’m not taking the blame when you get scolded,” Xie Qingwang said, though his expression had improved slightly.
He Weichen shot him a look. “We haven’t even crossed the river and you’re already tearing down the bridge? Don’t worry—confidentiality is solid. But I’m basically the young boss here, gotta get some perks.”
Ji Nian was focused on the movie when she sensed someone sit down to her right. Thinking it was just a latecomer, she ignored it.
Until that person started fiddling around—and then reached straight into her popcorn bucket.
“You—” She turned her head and met a pair of pitch-black eyes.
Just then, the screen lit up. Ji Nian clearly saw the arrogant brows and eyes of Xie Qingwang—and also saw this jerk casually tossing her popcorn into his mouth.
“What, did your family go bankrupt? The great young master can’t even afford popcorn now—resorting to stealing mine?” she whispered.
Xie Qingwang leaned closer, lowering his voice too. “Even if my family went bankrupt, we could still build ten popcorn factories without a problem.”
What a psycho!
Ruan Yu noticed the movement and turned to look. “Why are they here too?”
“No idea—probably lost their minds,” Ji Nian huffed, angrily stuffing a handful of popcorn into her mouth—only to nearly choke.
Xie Qingwang picked up her drink and held it to her lips. “Why the rush? It’s not like I’m going to fight you for it.”
You literally just did!
Ji Nian glared at him.
“I’ll buy you ten buckets later,” Xie Qingwang said, letting her drink from his hand.
He Weichen watched the whole thing, amusement flickering in his eyes.
He had grown up with Xie Qingwang—he could tell exactly what he was thinking just by looking at him.
On the other side, after confirming no one else would come, Xu An stood up about ten minutes into the movie and moved to sit beside Ruan Yu. “Junior Ruan, this movie really is good.”
Ruan Yu was still distracted, wondering what Xie Qingwang’s deal was. Combined with the loud movie effects, she didn’t hear him at all.
Seeing she didn’t respond, Xu An’s expression stiffened slightly, but he continued, “Junior Ruan, there’s a lecture next Wednesday afternoon by an international professor at our school. Are you going?”
“Huh?” Only then did Ruan Yu notice him. “Senior, why did you come over?”
“I wanted to ask if you’re attending the lecture next Wednesday. The professor is very impressive,” Xu An said with a gentle smile.
Ruan Yu nodded. “I’ll go.”
“Alright, I’ll save you a seat near the front.”
“No need—I’ll sit with Nian Nian.”
Hearing that, Ji Nian leaned over. “Save a seat for what?”
“Next Wednesday’s lecture,” Ruan Yu replied.
Of course they’d attend. Every year, their university invited renowned professors to give talks—listening carefully was very beneficial.
Most importantly, attending lectures could earn academic credits.
“Okay,” Ji Nian responded.
She tried to ignore the person beside her—but someone just wouldn’t behave.
Xie Qingwang reached over again.
Smack! His hand was sharply slapped away.
He raised an eyebrow. “Ji Nian, you’ve got guts now? You dare hit me?”
“You pervert. I should chop your hand off,” Ji Nian shot back without even turning her head.
He Weichen was struggling to hold back laughter. Leaning close to Xie Qingwang, he whispered, “A-Wang, why not just leave? You’re not even interested in her—why stay here and annoy her?”
“None of your business!” Xie Qingwang snapped. “It’s not like she owns the theater—why should I leave? I’m staying right here!”
“Oh~”
For the rest of the movie, he sat properly and didn’t reach over again.
Nearly two hours later, the movie ended. Ji Nian still had more than half her popcorn left—she had been too immersed in the story to eat.
When the lights came on, she glanced sideways—Xie Qingwang was leaning back, asleep.
It reminded her of the past. Whenever she dragged him to watch movies—whether at home or in a cinema—he always fell asleep halfway through.
She had no idea where he got all that sleep from.
“It’s over?” Xie Qingwang opened his eyes, meeting her slightly annoyed gaze. He paused. “Why are you looking at me?”
“I’m looking at someone with zero taste,” Ji Nian rolled her eyes, nudging his shoe with her foot. “Move.”
Unexpectedly, he stretched his legs out deliberately. “Step over.”
When she didn’t move, he provoked her, “Oh right—I forgot. Your legs are too short to step over.”
“Who are you calling short?”
Ji Nian was 166 cm tall, with long legs—nothing about her could be called short.
Back then, this jerk had even praised her in bed, saying her legs were long enough to rest on his shoulders.
“Are you sick?” Ji Nian snapped, choosing to leave from the other side.
She turned sharply, the hem of her white dress brushing against Xie Qingwang’s thigh. As a breeze passed, he seemed to catch a faint trace of her scent—the same one from his dream.
In a corner no one noticed, the tips of the boy’s ears turned red.
“Let’s go, bro,” He Weichen said, seeing him stare blankly. He thought Xie Qingwang felt upset from being ignored. “Look at you—when she used to chase after you, you weren’t happy. Now she ignores you, you’re still not happy.”
“What exactly do you want, Young Master?”
What did he want?
Xie Qingwang didn’t dare think too much—otherwise he’d probably have another “nightmare” tonight.
“Let’s go!”
After leaving the cinema, Ruan Yu checked the time—it wasn’t even 4 p.m. yet. “Going back now?”
Ji Nian hadn’t gone out just to relax in a long time. Since it was still early, there was no harm in staying out longer. “Let’s go—I’ll treat you to the arcade.”
“Okay!”
Just as Xu An was about to ask to join them, He Weichen pressed a hand onto his shoulder. “Student Xu, they’re just two best friends hanging out—why do you keep tagging along? What, you want to be one of the girls too?”
“N-no.” Xu An winced slightly at the pressure on his shoulder. “I was just worried it might not be safe for them to go back late.”
“How considerate,” He Weichen smiled, patting his shoulder. “But with our A-Wang around, you can relax.”
Xu An had nothing else to say and could only leave.
“Qingwang? What a coincidence—you’re here to watch a movie too?”
That voice—Ji Nian would never forget it.
She turned toward the sound.
A girl in a white dress, with delicate features, was walking toward Xie Qingwang with a gentle smile.
The female lead had arrived.
“A-Yu, let’s go quickly,” Ji Nian said. She didn’t want to see the main couple being all sweet together.
As they walked away, she could still hear the girl asking:
“Qingwang, the things you left at the hotel last time are still at my place. Are you free today?”