“Qianyi, you’re here to watch a movie too?” Lin Qianyi heard a somewhat familiar voice.
“Sister!” a little boy ran over and grabbed her hand. Lin Qianyi recognized him—wasn’t this the child who had been stuck that day? Sure enough, she saw Lin Liping walking over with a smile.
“Qianyi, what a coincidence! You’re here to watch a movie too? I brought my little brother to watch as well,” Lin Liping said, smiling from ear to ear.
“Sister, do you remember me?” the little boy asked, holding Lin Qianyi’s hand.
“Of course I do. Make sure you eat carefully from now on, okay?” Lin Qianyi said, patting the boy’s head with a smile.
“Okay, thank you, Sister,” the boy nodded. After seeing the old doctor that day, he had fully recovered. He remembered Lin Qianyi because everyone had said she saved him.
Meng Junchuan came over after buying the movie tickets. Lin Liping blushed as she greeted him. Meng Junchuan noticed the little boy recognized them and nodded.
“Let’s go, the movie is about to start,” Meng Junchuan said, holding two tickets.
“We’ll head off first,” Lin Qianyi said, bidding farewell to Lin Liping and the little boy.
“We’re watching the same movie. Can we go together?” Lin Liping smiled at them.
“Not convenient,” Meng Junchuan said in a curt three words, taking Lin Qianyi with him. He was joking—he and his little girlfriend had finally managed a movie date, and he didn’t need two extra people tagging along. Lin Qianyi smirked quietly.
“Funny coincidence, she’s actually our new colleague at the office,” Lin Qianyi whispered to Meng Junchuan as they walked away.
“Still so immature,” Meng Junchuan frowned. “Forget her. Let’s get some snacks and soda.”
He bought peanuts, sunflower seeds, and two bottles of soda.
“Not bad,” Lin Qianyi teased, watching him.
“It’s my first time; everyone else is used to it,” Meng Junchuan said innocently, not wanting his girlfriend to think he was overly experienced. Lin Qianyi laughed softly.
“Less than ten minutes left. Let’s head to the ticket gate,” Meng Junchuan checked the time.
They walked toward the ticket gate. Lin Liping and the little boy came along as well. Meng Junchuan whispered something to Lin Qianyi, keeping Lin Liping from interrupting their conversation.
At the gate, Meng Junchuan held back the crowd, shielding Lin Qianyi so she wouldn’t get jostled. Beyond the main gate were two smaller doors with black curtains. Staff with flashlights directed the audience to their seats.
They found their seats quickly, and soon the movie began. It was a war film. Meng Junchuan had already seen similar ones in the army, but Lin Qianyi found it fascinating and watched intently. Meng Junchuan, however, wasn’t paying much attention to the movie—he was busy shelling peanuts for Lin Qianyi.
In the dim cinema light, Lin Qianyi’s face was illuminated by the screen, looking breathtaking. Meng Junchuan’s heart raced. Her delicate white hand rested on her lap. His large hand slowly reached toward hers, hesitating. He thought: Last time I just held her; this time, if I touch her hand, will she think I’m overstepping?
But hesitation wasn’t his style. He decided to risk it—if she got mad, she could scold him later. In the darkness, not holding her hand now would make him regret it later.
His hand inched forward, gently touching her hand—no reaction. He moved a little more, still nothing. Finally, he grasped her smooth, delicate hand. The sensation almost intoxicated him. She didn’t react angrily, so he continued holding it.
Lin Qianyi’s face heated up. She had already noticed his small movement. Goodness, handsome guys nowadays were so innocent—she even worried for his hand, hesitant to move it. But when that large hand finally held hers, her heart began to race, and her face flushed. How ironic—she, too, was just as innocent as people in this era.
Two shy, innocent young lovers held hands through the entire movie. Well, Lin Qianyi watched the movie; Meng Junchuan watched her.
When the movie ended, Meng Junchuan shielded Lin Qianyi through the crowd.
“Qianyi,” Lin Liping called out again. Lin Qianyi looked over to see Lin Liping approaching with the little boy.
“Qianyi, come have a meal at my house. My parents want to thank you, right, Mingming?” Lin Liping said, nudging the boy.
“Come to my house, Sister,” Mingming said eagerly.
“Thank you for the invitation, Mingming, but Sister really won’t go,” Lin Qianyi said with a smile. She looked at Lin Liping and added, “You don’t need to invite us anymore; we won’t be going.”
“Then where are you going? Can we come along? Mingming and I are new to this county and don’t know the area well,” Lin Liping pressed, staring at Meng Junchuan.
Lin Qianyi, of course, wasn’t naive—she remained silent and looked at Meng Junchuan.
The young master was getting impatient; who did this girl think she was, always trying to interfere with his date?
“Not convenient,” Meng Junchuan said firmly, three words, no more.
“Hehe, sorry,” Lin Qianyi laughed, glancing at Lin Liping’s pale and greenish face, and waved.
They got in the car, ready to head home.
“Want to buy groceries?” Meng Junchuan asked as he started the car.
“No, I bought everything in advance. Let’s go home,” Lin Qianyi said. Meng Junchuan drove straight back to the factory.
Back home, they prepared lunch together, as usual—Lin Qianyi directed, Meng Junchuan did the cooking. They made braised pork with potatoes, fried hairtail fish, stir-fried vegetables, and egg soup.
Meng Junchuan’s cooking skills were improving rapidly; he was smart and learned quickly.
“Your cooking keeps getting better,” Lin Qianyi praised generously.
“Not bad, considering who taught me,” Meng Junchuan said proudly.
“Hehe,” Lin Qianyi laughed happily.
“Here, drink some soup, don’t burn yourself,” Meng Junchuan said, serving her a cooled bowl of soup.
Lin Qianyi finished her meal and sipped the soup slowly. Meng Junchuan watched her finish, then cleaned up the remaining dishes.