Fu Hannan had never been a fan of watching movies in theaters. If he ever decided to indulge in a film, it had to be in a private screening or in the comfort of his home theater. He simply could not fathom why so many young girls found joy in such crowded places.
As he scanned the room, he noticed that it was filled with couples—pairs cuddling together in intimate clusters, lost in their own worlds of affection. Gu Yining had chosen a horror film for their outing, much to his surprise.
She had never been one for romantic comedies or love stories. For her, the thrill of horror films—complete with their intense fight scenes and gory violence—was what she sought. That rush of adrenaline was addictive.
Fu Hannan settled into his seat, his long legs encased in tailored slacks, leaning back comfortably. He held a bucket of popcorn in one hand, while his soda rested neatly in the cup holder next to him.
Gu Yining couldn't help but glance back at him occasionally throughout the film. Even in this thrilling environment, he remained as composed as ever, like an immovable ice mountain, his expression as stoic as a statue. No matter how tense the horror scenes became, he displayed no emotion. Not even when the screen erupted with shocking images did his face change; he was as impassive as a robot.
When the most terrifying scene unfolded—blood-soaked claws seemingly bursting forth from the screen—the audience erupted in screams. Women in the seats around them clung to their boyfriends for comfort, burying their faces in their partners' shoulders.
At that moment, the atmosphere was electric, and the men around her thrived on the adrenaline, wrapping their arms around their frightened girlfriends and whispering soothing reassurances. "Don't be scared, sweetheart. It's all just a movie. I'm here for you," one of them cooed.
Listening to this display of affection made Gu Yining shiver. The girlfriend clinging desperately to her boyfriend, tears in her eyes, wailed, "I'm so scared! It's all your fault for bringing me to this horror film!" Her words were punctuated by sobs that echoed through the theater.
Gu Yining felt a pang of contemplation. Was her reaction too un-feminine? Should she not follow the lead of those around her? With that thought in mind, she spun around and, with wide-open arms, prepared to leap into Fu Hannan's embrace.
However, he was quick to react. He raised a hand and gently pressed it against her forehead, holding her back. "Stop pretending you're scared. You're not," he stated flatly.
How could someone like Gu Yining, so strong-willed and fierce, be frightened by such a mediocre horror movie? His words felt like a cold wind, striking her down and leaving her feeling exposed and vulnerable.
Folding her arms in annoyance, she sulked in her seat. "Ugh, typical straight guy! So frustrating!" she grumbled under her breath, fuming at his indifference.
Fu Hannan merely pursed his lips, choosing silence over further conversation.
Once the film ended, Gu Yining left the screening room with a frown plastered on her face. Would she ever bring Fu Hannan to the cinema again? Absolutely not. This outing felt more like a self-inflicted humiliation than anything enjoyable.
As they exited the theater, they passed a row of claw machines, brightly lit and beckoning with colorful stuffed animals. Fu Hannan halted, pulling her to a stop by her wrist. "Let me try to win you something. Most girls love these," he offered, recalling the tips Li Feng had given him about dating. He remembered how girls adored plush toys and ice cream, so this seemed like a good opportunity.
Gu Yining looked skeptically at the claw machines filled with plush toys, her brow furrowing in disapproval. She wasn't an average girl; she had never been fond of the typical princess-themed items. Yet, since Fu Hannan had taken the initiative, she didn't want to miss this chance.
"Go ahead! If you win it, I'll take it!" she encouraged, excitement bubbling in her chest as she stood by the machine, anticipation dancing in her eyes.
"I'll go get some tokens," Fu Hannan replied, standing up to procure the currency needed for the game.
He returned shortly, armed with a hundred tokens. Gu Yining's eyes widened in delight; she imagined that a successful businessman like Fu Hannan would win her an armful of plush toys—so many that she wouldn't know how to carry them all home.
Leaning against the glass door, she held her breath, watching intently as Fu Hannan inserted three tokens into the machine and prepared for his first attempt at winning her a prize.