Jiang Chen counted the days, treasuring each one more than the last.
The closer the weekend approached, the more flustered she became.
Aunt Zhao called from time to time.
“Miss, are you getting used to campus life? Military training must be tough. Since I’m not by your side, you must take good care of yourself. Make sure to eat well…”
Almost every call consisted of Jiang Chen listening quietly while Aunt Zhao chattered on.
“Today is Friday. I’ve already bought your favorite spare ribs, red shrimp, and sole fish heads, just waiting for you to come home,” Aunt Zhao said happily. “When you’re not home, I lose all motivation to cook.”
At the mention of going home, Jiang Chen’s mood instantly plummeted.
“Miss, since you love sweets, I also prepared to make taro paste mochi for you…”
“Aunt Zhao, I… I have something to do. Let’s talk later.” She hung up the phone with a complicated heart.
Just then, Cao Lin and Zhang Meng pushed the door open and walked in.
“What’s wrong? You don’t look well,” Cao Lin asked curiously. “Who was on the phone?”
“Who else could it be? It must be Jiang Chen’s family,” Zhang Meng shrugged, stating matter-of-factly. “For a young lady like Jiang Chen, her family must be eagerly waiting to bring her home.”
“That’s so nice~~ Why don’t I have the life of a young lady?” Cao Lin said enviously.
“It’s broad daylight; stop daydreaming,” Zhang Meng ‘kindly’ reminded her.
“Hmph!” Surprisingly, Cao Lin didn’t get angry this time. Instead, she leaned in mysteriously close to Jiang Chen’s ear. “We finally have a weekend off. There’s a new horror movie that just came out with really high ratings. Let’s go watch it together.”
“I…”
Before Jiang Chen could finish her sentence, the phone rang again.
Thinking it was Aunt Zhao again, she answered immediately. “Aunt Zhao, what is it?”
There was a brief silence on the other end.
“When are you coming home?”
A familiar, low, hoarse male voice came through the receiver.
Jiang Chen’s hair stood on end.
“I… our dorm planned to go watch a movie together. I want… I want to go,” she stammered, making her ‘request’ to the man.
“No. I want to see you sooner.” The man’s voice was low, carrying a hint of displeasure.
Jiang Chen laughed bitterly in her heart. Of course, he wouldn’t agree.
A brief silence.
“Go ahead.”
“What?” Jiang Chen thought she misheard.
“Don’t come back too late.”
“Thank you, thank you.” Jiang Chen was almost moved to tears of joy.
“The discipline in wealthy families is really strict. Even going out to watch a movie requires reporting,” Cao Lin clicked her tongue repeatedly.
“What do you know? She’s from a prominent family,” Zhang Meng crossed her arms, speaking with worldly wisdom. “Family rules in prominent families are always very strict.”
After training ended, everyone could finally change out of their camouflage uniforms and into their own clothes.
The four of them walked into the movie theater, chatting and laughing.
“I heard this movie is super scary. It even scared someone to death overseas,” Cao Lin said seriously.
“Really? Is it that scary?” Jiang Chen’s face paled a little.
“Hehe, don’t get scared and cry later,” Cao Lin made a funny face and teased with a mischievous smile.
“Alright, stop scaring her,” Big Sister Yang Ying, seeing Jiang Chen’s poor complexion, quickly advised softly.
“Jiang Chen.” A familiar male voice came from above.
“Instructor Du!” Cao Lin stood up excitedly.
It was Du Cheng, with three other boys beside him.
“What a coincidence, running into you guys at the cinema,” Du Cheng said with a smile, taking a seat next to Jiang Chen.
“Do you like horror movies too?” he asked.
“Not really, I’m too scared to watch them. Cao Lin and the others were interested, so I just tagged along,” Jiang Chen replied honestly.
Du Cheng nodded and fell silent.
The movie was indeed as terrifying as Cao Lin had described, with the horror atmosphere dialed up to the max.
Screams from girls—and even boys—echoed through the theater from time to time.
When the female ghost appeared on screen again, Jiang Chen shut her eyes tightly, too scared to look.
Suddenly, something sweet and fragrant, with a hint of strawberry, touched her lips.
Jiang Chen opened her eyes.
It was Du Cheng.
He was holding a fork with a bright, juicy strawberry, offering it to her.
“You…”
“Eating something sweet can help ease fear,” Du Cheng said with a bright smile. As he spoke, he handed a beautifully packaged box to Jiang Chen. “Try it, it’s ROES’s new strawberry box cake.”
“You actually brought cake to watch a movie?!” Jiang Chen looked stunned.
“Well, it’s because your roommate said you were watching a horror film. I was worried you’d be scared…” Du Cheng caught himself, looking annoyed as he lightly tapped his head. “You ask too many questions! Just enjoy the free treat.”
Jiang Chen was speechless, thinking to herself how stubborn yet soft-hearted this guy was.
It was almost ten o’clock when the movie ended.
Jiang Chen began to panic.
She had promised Lu Jin she would be home by nine.
“It’s late, let me walk you back to campus,” Du Cheng said, his eyes fixed on Jiang Chen.
“Yes, please!” Cao Lin nodded eagerly.
“No need, I’m going home. I’ll just take a taxi,” Jiang Chen said, waving her hand.
“Where do you live? It’s so late, I don’t feel comfortable letting you go alone. Let me take you,” Du Cheng said sincerely, his tone earnest.
“Really, it’s fine. I’ll go by myself. Bye, see you on Monday.”
Jiang Chen hurried away, not daring to linger any longer.
She couldn’t let anyone find out her secret.
Especially Du Cheng.
“Du Cheng, please understand. Jiang Chen comes from a wealthy family, and her brother is super strict with her,” Yang Ying explained on her behalf.
Du Cheng watched Jiang Chen’s hurried figure disappear, lost in thought.
Standing at the door, Jiang Chen’s heart pounded like a drum.
Her palms were already damp with sweat.
Just as she hesitated whether to go inside, the door swung open.
A man stood with his arms crossed, wearing a dark black shirt. The tailored fit accentuated his muscular build, and with the top three buttons undone, his collarbone was faintly visible, adding a touch of sensuality and allure.
Lu Jin looked down at the flustered girl.
“Why aren’t you coming in?”
His voice was low and lazy. “Seems like you don’t really miss me.”
Jiang Chen flinched in fear, not daring to look up. Her voice trembled slightly.
“The, the movie was longer than expected, so, so it took some time, that’s why…”
A large hand suddenly pressed against the back of her head, followed by the touch of warm, thin lips.
Their lips met.
The kiss was urgent and fierce, filled with the man’s raw desire.
Jiang Chen was kissed breathless, but she didn’t dare resist.
“Strawberry cream flavor. You ate cake?”
The man narrowed his eyes. “It couldn’t be… bought for you by another man, could it?”