"Two tickets for *Terminator*, thank you," He fang said as she purchased the tickets. Qin Guanglin wandered over to the concession stand, ordering a large popcorn to share. He considered getting drinks but decided against it, knowing a soda might make it hard to focus on the movie.
When He fang returned with the tickets, she looked at the popcorn, then at him, raising her eyebrows. "Didn't you say I could pick the movie?"
"You got the tickets, didn't you?" he replied, grabbing a handful of popcorn. The warm, freshly popped corn was crisp and slightly sweet. "Want a Coke or an orange juice?"
"Milk tea," she replied, plucking a piece of popcorn from the bucket and popping it in her mouth. "We have twenty minutes before it starts—I'll grab it next door. You wait here."
"Sure," he said, nodding as she slipped out of the cinema. Qin Guanglin looked around the small, rather shabby movie theater, with just one LCD screen showing trailers. Mental note: next time, pick the one at Shengtian Plaza.
Outside the cinema, his mother, Ma Qin, and Aunt Wang were watching from a distance, feeling like undercover agents. When they saw He fang step out to buy milk tea, they exchanged relieved glances. But Ma Qin shook her head disapprovingly. "Imagine, she's buying the milk tea while he just sits there."
"Looks like your boy is finally making moves," Aunt Wang teased. "About time he started courting someone!"
Ma Qin smiled, feeling a surge of pride. "The girl's pretty nice too, right?"
Meanwhile, back inside, Qin Guanglin flipped through a pamphlet listing upcoming movies. He found himself musing that, if nothing else came up, he'd like to bring her back to see something else next week. As he was lost in thought, she returned with his carrot juice and her kumquat lemon tea.
"Here, your carrot juice," she said, handing it over. Qin Guanglin took it, noticing how both their tastes were refreshingly unconventional, a detail that gave him a strange sense of warmth.
Suddenly, an announcement rang through the theater: "Attention, guests. Due to a technical issue, Theater 3 is temporarily unavailable. Please proceed to the counter for a reschedule or refund. We apologize for the inconvenience."
Qin Guanglin glanced at He fang. "Which theater are we?"
"Let me check..." She pulled out their tickets, her face dropping. "Number three."
"What are the chances?" he sighed, standing up quickly. "Let's get to the counter and exchange them before the crowd rushes in."
"Sorry," the counter attendant said, after a quick check, "but the other screenings for *Terminator* are sold out today. Would you like to pick another movie?"
With drinks and a giant bucket of popcorn in hand, they weren't eager to leave. Qin Guanglin's eyes drifted to a poster nearby for a comedy. "How about this one? It's got good ratings."
He fang tilted her head thoughtfully. "Alright," she nodded, turning to the attendant. "Can we get tickets for *Charlotte Troubles*?"
They found seats in the back row, settling in with popcorn and drinks, ready for the movie to start. Qin Guanglin glanced sideways at her. It was his first time watching a movie with a girl, and it felt oddly special. Catching her gaze, he quickly straightened up.
"What's on your mind? "She asked.
"Nothing, just that if it weren't for those two troublemakers, we'd be watching an action blockbuster right now." Apparently, Theater 3's issue stemmed from a spat between two other moviegoers, who'd managed to break something during their argument.
She leaned back, mumbling, "At least... You're here." Her voice grew softer, so he leaned in closer to catch her words, but she only said, "Watch the movie."
As the opening scene unfolded, Qin Guanglin found himself enjoying the lighthearted comedy more than expected. At one point, he picked up a piece of popcorn and held it out to her. She leaned forward, catching it directly from his hand with a mischievous bite. The soft touch of her lips against his fingers left him momentarily stunned. Before he could react, she flashed him an innocent smile, as if daring him to blush.
And blush he did. She raised an eyebrow, stifling a laugh. "You're blushing," she teased.
Qin Guanglin tried to recover his composure, but his flushed cheeks gave him away. She playfully picked up another piece of popcorn, lifting it toward his mouth. He instinctively reached for it, but she dodged his hand, determined to feed it to him herself. Reluctantly, he accepted, munching on it as she grinned with satisfaction.
So, was it still just friendship? How could she act like this, stirring up such flustered feelings, and expect him to stay calm?
It seemed he'd have to redefine his understanding of "friendship" if things continued like this.