Xu Xing remained enveloped in disbelief over the discarded tickets, while Kang Chen strode purposefully toward the ticket checkpoint. After walking a short distance, he paused and turned back.
Xu Xing, taken aback, hurried after him, explaining, "Without tickets, we surely won't be allowed in; this isn't an online booking where we can simply scan a QR code. Should I… go check the trash bin?"
Kang Chen regarded her with an expression of bemusement for a few moments before brandishing the two movie tickets before her eyes.
???
Goodness, what a trickster!
After the tickets were checked, Xu Xing hurried to catch up, muttering accusations of his deceit into Kang Chen's ear.
At the entrance of the screening room, Kang Chen suddenly halted, tilting his head to scrutinize her. "With all your chatter, do you want to explain the terms 'social anxiety' and 'boyfriend' now?"
"..."
In an instant, Xu Xing fell silent, as quiet as a stewed chicken.
***
As they entered, the film commenced just in time.
Kang Chen walked directly to their seats, while Xu Xing ducked low, whispering apologies to those she passed.
The opening scene was rather eerie, with darkness enveloping the screen, casting shadows throughout the theater.
Xu Xing repeatedly murmured, "Excuse me, excuse me."
Unexpectedly, a mischievous child stealthily extended a foot into the narrow aisle.
Caught off guard, Xu Xing stumbled forward.
The moment she tripped, before she could process it, Kang Chen turned around just in time—
She fell directly into his arms.
The dim theater illuminated the motes of dust dancing in the beams of light, suspended in the air, motionless.
She caught a faint whiff of bergamot and the lingering sweetness of popcorn, causing her heart to race uncontrollably.
"Ah—!"
No sooner had the moment turned enchanting than Xu Xing's heart nearly stopped at the sudden scream echoing from the screen.
Turning to see a bloodied head rolling across the floor, she gasped, "What on earth… is this an American blockbuster?"
Kang Chen raised an eyebrow, seemingly taken aback as well.
She steadied herself against him and made her way to their seats.
The film had barely begun when a nostalgic flashback tinted with sepia tones appeared, soon shifting to a modern perspective.
Xu Xing watched attentively, occasionally glancing at Kang Chen, who sat with his arms crossed, his gaze on the screen serene and composed.
Two and a half hours later, the action-packed yet somewhat fantastical film concluded, tinged with elements of horror.
Xu Xing looked around the theater, realizing that most of the audience had departed.
As the credits rolled, the remaining patrons rose, collecting their 3D glasses and engaging in animated discussions.
Unable to contain herself, Xu Xing whispered, "That film was terrible! The logic was completely nonsensical; did the screenwriter's brain get devoured by a mummy?"
Kang Chen remained noncommittal.
Xu Xing pressed on, "The protagonist turns to the dark side because her father originally intended for her to inherit the throne, but then he has a son and decides the boy should inherit instead. Is it not ludicrous? The little brother is barely steady on his feet, and with a mere glare in a palace drama, this would have been resolved without such convoluted complications."
Xu Xing found it hard to accept that after accumulating so many points, she ended up watching such a dreadful movie. She contemplated crafting a lengthy essay to elaborate her points, when suddenly her phone vibrated—Li Yuanjun had sent a message.
"I'm staying at my boyfriend's place tonight. Lock the door when you get home."
Staying at that scoundrel's house?
They had known each other for such a short time; how had things escalated so quickly?!
Xu Xing immediately bombarded her with questions, but Li Yuanjun had already gone radio silent, her phone turned off.
"Are you planning to stay at the cinema and demand a refund?"
Xu Xing, lost in her thoughts, was jolted back to reality by Kang Chen's sudden query.
She snapped out of it, glaring at her phone in frustration before tucking it away and catching up with him.
Once in Kang Chen's car, she noticed his indifferent demeanor, slightly drowsy, and sought a topic to discuss. "What did you think of that film?"
"Any additional comment would be a waste of my life."
"..."
Xu Xing wisely fell silent, eager to avoid provoking another discussion about social anxiety and boyfriends.
Outside, the city lights of Star City danced in a ceaseless display, while inside the car, silence reigned. Xu Xing leaned against the window, soon drifting off to sleep.
On the way home, she passed a malfunctioning searchlight that blared incessantly, shining brightly day and night, yet had gone unrepaired for weeks.
As the car turned a corner, the light flickered and roused her from slumber.
She instinctively frowned, rubbing her eyes open slowly.
Recognizing her familiar surroundings, Xu Xing realized she was nearing home. She yawned, feeling more awake.
Aiming to place her phone and keys into her pocket for convenience when opening the door, she rummaged through her bag for her keys but found nothing.
It was utterly perplexing.
Her keys were attached to a large keyring, which included her bus pass.
The bright red bus pass should have been easy to spot, yet despite turning her bag inside out, it remained elusive.
The keys were nowhere to be found.
Xu Xing froze for a few seconds, then began to recall; the last time she had seen her keys was…
Oh! She suddenly remembered!
Near the end of the workday, Teacher Zhou had come to borrow her keys to lock the classroom. She had handed over the entire bunch, instructing him to leave them on the desk when finished, then went to the restroom.
Upon returning, Su Su called her to leave work together, and she had completely forgotten about the keys, simply grabbing her bag and heading out.
"Kang… Kang Chen, I need to tell you something; please don't hit me…" Realizing her oversight, Xu Xing turned to sneak a glance at Kang Chen, her eyes darting as she stammered, "Um… I left my keys at the office, and my best friend isn't home tonight…"
Kang Chen slowed the car, "So?"
Xu Xing fumbled for words, biting her lip, looking pitiful.
***
Kang Chen lost his patience; his tone remained gentle but his words turned slightly harsh. "You can choose to get out now, or give me a different address, and I'll take you there."
Given the imminent threat of being tossed out of the car, Xu Xing blurted out without thinking, "Your house."
Kang Chen: "..."
***
On the drive to the Green Island villa district, Xu Xing rambled incessantly.
First, she justified her choice to stay at his place—it's on the way, it's free, and it makes cooking tomorrow easier.
She then candidly confessed her earlier mistake, thoroughly explaining her role in arranging his boyfriend's subplot.
She wasn't foolish; Kang Chen's silence didn't mean he didn't care!
Absolutely not. :）
If this wasn't clarified, not only would she struggle to sleep over, but he might just drive her back to the villa district and leave her at the foot of the hill to sleep on the road.
Thankfully, the richness of the Chinese language allowed for subtle shifts in wording, completely altering meanings.
Xu Xing believed she was adept in the art of expression, knowing that flattering him was always beneficial. Thus, for every three sentences she spoke, she praised Kang Chen's looks, stature, and temperament once.
After detailing everything with subtle flattery, she stole glances at the man in the driver's seat.
He didn't seem angry.
She felt a flicker of joy.
***
Kang Chen's home was spacious; having cooked there often, Xu Xing was quite familiar. However, aside from her initial visit to see Lu Xiao Ke, she had never ventured upstairs.
Expecting a humble sleeping arrangement on the sofa, she was surprised when Kang Chen gestured for her to follow him upstairs. "Come up."
Xu Xing was taken aback.
Upon reaching the second floor, Kang Chen opened Lu Xiao Ke's door. "You can sleep in Lu Ke's room; there are blankets and pillowcases in the closet. Take what you need."
Peering inside, Xu Xing looked up to sincerely thank him, "Thank you!"
Kang Chen gave a slight nod, saying nothing further.
Watching him enter his study, Xu Xing gleefully retreated into the room.
While she felt assured Kang Chen wouldn't do anything untoward, she still locked the door, wishing to maintain a semblance of modesty.
***
Meanwhile, back in his study, Kang Chen closed the curtains as usual.
On his desk lay the project proposal and graduation photo Xu Xing had handed him earlier.
He picked up the graduation photo, tapping the frame lightly with his fingers.
Through the thin glass, his gaze appeared cold and unfamiliar.
Suddenly, he swiveled in his chair as if intending to toss the photo into the trash.
After a moment's hesitation, he released it, allowing it to remain on the desk.
Shortly thereafter, three emails were sent from his computer.
The first read: "Get me Zheng Yang's contact info by tomorrow morning."
The second stated: "Take care of that store."
An accompanying screenshot followed.
The third was vague, containing only four words: "Accelerate the process."
After successfully sending the emails, Kang Chen lowered his gaze, returning to the graduation photo.
This time, his focus lingered on a youthful, beaming face, his expression softening significantly.
***
In Lu Xiao Ke's room, Xu Xing, feeling fatigued, washed up and collapsed onto the bed, instantly drifting off.
The next morning, the alarm rang early, causing Xu Xing to frown and reluctantly consider getting up.
However, a glance at her phone's date reminded her it was a day off, and she wouldn't have to go to work. She felt as if she had won a lottery worth five million! Elated, she let out a joyful squeal and rolled back under the covers to continue her slumber.
Yet, after merely ten minutes, the persistent sound of notifications from WeChat disrupted her peace. Annoyed, she begrudgingly reached for her phone.
Li Yuanjun: Where did you go last night? Why weren't you home?
Li Yuanjun: I returned by seven; don't try to concoct some story about going out to exercise in the morning!
Li Yuanjun: Even the slippers haven't been moved! You didn't come back at all, did you?!
Why is it that the landlord can flaunt romance while the tenant cannot enjoy a night of passion?
Yawning and unlocking her phone, Xu Xing opened the chat with Li Yuanjun, swiftly typing:
***
"I slept at my sugar daddy's place, hehe."
Send, done!
She set her phone aside, bracing for the next round of messages from Li Yuanjun.
But after a while, no reply came, which struck her as odd. Picking up her phone, she saw:
Teacher Qi Zhen's Group (21)
"I slept at my sugar daddy's place, hehe."
Xu Xing felt dizzy, pressing and holding the message, intending to retract it, but instead, she accidentally hit delete.