Friend(GL) 156

Chapter 156: Movie (Extra)

Zhou Tianzui and You Ruxu rested for two days before going to Yuhai, bringing Yu Qiao along. Yu Qiao bought a lot of local specialties. Although they usually sent each other gifts through courier services, Yu Qiao insisted that for her first official visit, proper etiquette was essential. So, Zhou Tianzui carried several bags, following You Ruxu, who offered to help, but Zhou Tianzui said, “It’s okay, they’re not heavy.”

You Ruxu, unable to persuade her, held Yu Qiao’s arm and walked beside Zhou Tianzui. She had become more open and expressive lately, but her inherent reserve hadn’t changed, so while she was more affectionate with her family, she still maintained a polite distance with strangers.

At the entrance of the complex, someone recognized her and greeted her. You Ruxu nodded, politely addressing them as “Auntie” and “Madam.” Zhou Tianzui followed suit, her polite greetings earning her praise from the aunties, who remarked on her good manners, although they didn’t know whose child she was, You Ruxu lowered her head slightly, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. She glanced at Zhou Tianzui, who remained calm and composed, and Yu Qiao, beside them, smiled.

Finally arriving at You Ruxu’s parents’ apartment, You Ruxu called out, “Dad, Mom.”

Zhou Tianzui, who had been addressing them informally along the way, immediately switched to the more formal, “Uncle, Auntie.”

You Ruxu glanced at her, wanting to laugh.

Zhou Tianzui, when no one was looking, poked You Ruxu in the side, and You Ruxu straightened up. Wu Xiulian invited them to sit down, asking You Shu to prepare lunch. During lunch, Wu Xiulian arrived, “Sis,” she said, “Should we take Yu Jie sightseeing this afternoon?”

“Sure,” Wu Xiulian’s mother said, “Several scenic spots are open now, and they’re not too crowded.” It wasn’t a holiday, so the crowds were smaller. Wu Xiulian asked You Ruxu if she wanted to join them, You Ruxu looked at Zhou Tianzui, who said, “Whatever.”

They decided to visit Fengcai Street after lunch, an old street with ancient architecture, a popular filming location for many directors. Zhou Tianzui asked You Ruxu, “Did you come here often before?”

“Not really,” You Ruxu said, “My aunt brought me here a few times.”

Wu Xiulian, who loved exploring new places, had taken You Ruxu there a few times before, but that was many years ago, and the street had changed, there hadn’t been so many food stalls back then, now it was practically a food street, although there were also other shops, it wasn’t very crowded, so they walked slowly, Zhou Tianzui pulled You Ruxu into a shop. Wu Xiulian was about to call out to them, but Wu Xiulian’s mother said, “Let them be, they’ll be back for dinner.”

Wu Xiulian smiled and said, “Okay, then let’s take Yu Jie this way.”

You Ruxu realized they had separated from her mother and aunt and was about to turn back when Zhou Tianzui held her hand and said, “Choose one.”

It was a jewelry store, specializing in jade, rings, bracelets, pendants, and hairpins, You Ruxu saw Zhou Tianzui standing in front of a display of hairpins and said, “Choose one.”

She didn’t know much about jade, just whether something looked good or not, she asked Zhou Tianzui, “Do you like these?”

Zhou Tianzui said, “I think they would suit you.”

You Ruxu looked down. She had never worn a hairpin before, how could they possibly suit her? She was about to shake her head when Zhou Tianzui picked one out and asked the shop owner, “Can we try this on?”

The shop owner, a young woman with dimples, smiled at them, finding them both incredibly beautiful, “Of course, but this hairpin is more suitable for an updo, should I style your hair?”

“No, thank you.” Zhou Tianzui said, “I’ll do it.”

She made You Ruxu sit in front of the mirror, stood behind her, and gently gathered her hair, twisting it into a loose bun, securing it with the hairpin, she wasn’t skilled at elaborate hairstyles, just the simple, everyday kind she wore when she was busy at work, a casual and slightly messy updo that, unexpectedly, looked stunning on You Ruxu.

You Ruxu, with her light makeup, her clear and bright eyes, her hair loosely pinned, Zhou Tianzui hadn’t even used a comb, just her fingers, a touch of elegance You Ruxu didn’t usually have, turned her head slightly, “Does it look good?”

“It looks amazing!” The shop owner exclaimed, “How about I give you the hairpin if you model for me for a day?”

You Ruxu chuckled.

The shop owner, her face flushed, “Half a day is also fine!”

Who wouldn’t be captivated by such beauty!

She had never seen anyone look so elegant with just a simple jade hairpin, and she was so beautiful!

You Ruxu politely declined the offer. The shop owner still gave her a discount. They left the shop, looking for Yu Qiao and Wu Xiulian, Zhou Tianzui said, “They’re probably far away by now, let’s not bother.”

You Ruxu, understanding, “You did that on purpose, didn’t you?”

Zhou Tianzui insisted, “I didn’t.”

You Ruxu smiled, her head lowered slightly, “Then what did you want to do?”

Zhou Tianzui: “Anything?”

You Ruxu paused, “Only outdoors.”

Zhou Tianzui, standing beside her, chuckled softly, the sound sending shivers down You Ruxu’s spine, “Let’s watch a movie,” she heard Zhou Tianzui say.

You Ruxu looked at her, “A movie?”

Zhou Tianzui said, as if suddenly realizing, “Oh, movies are indoors, aren’t they?”

“It’s okay, this one doesn’t count,” You Ruxu said, “I’ll allow it.”

Her playful tone as if she was making a huge sacrifice, making Zhou Tianzui’s heart flutter. She wanted to put her arm around You Ruxu, but with so many people around, she refrained. As she walked ahead, her hand was taken, she turned,

You Ruxu was holding her hand, her expression natural, a smile on her face.

Zhou Tianzui’s eyes softened, unable to resist any longer, she put her arm around You Ruxu’s shoulders, pulling her close, a few curious glances, but You Ruxu and Zhou Tianzui walked on, unfazed.

Reaching the intersection, You Ruxu called Wu Xiulian’s mother, who said they were having afternoon tea. You Ruxu bit her lip, “Mom, Zhou Tianzui and I are going to watch a movie.”

“Okay.” Wu Xiulian’s mother said, “Don’t forget to come home for dinner later.”

You Ruxu agreed and hung up, then asked Zhou Tianzui if she wanted to get some fruit tea, Zhou Tianzui accompanied her, they bought two lemonades, and while choosing a movie, Zhou Tianzui said, “I’ve already chosen one.”

You Ruxu assumed she had done so while You Ruxu was on the phone and didn’t think much of it, following her into a taxi, they drove towards her parents’ neighborhood, You Ruxu tried to recall the cinemas nearby, but she couldn’t, it had been a long time since she watched a movie, it must be a new cinema, she thought, never expecting the taxi to stop in front of a hotel.

“Aren’t we watching a movie?” You Ruxu looked at Zhou Tianzui, holding her lemonade, taking a sip, the sweet and sour taste refreshing, Zhou Tianzui said, “We are.”

“Then why are we back at the hotel?” You Ruxu asked, “Are you changing your clothes?”

Zhou Tianzui said, “Sort of.”

What was “sort of” supposed to mean?

What kind of answer was that?

You Ruxu wanted to ask more, but Zhou Tianzui pulled her into the hotel, the one she and Yu Qiao stayed at when they were in Jindu, it was near her parents’ place, they had initially wanted Yu Qiao and Zhou Tianzui to stay at their home, but Yu Qiao felt it would be an imposition, so they stayed at the hotel instead, and You Ruxu, afraid they wouldn’t be comfortable, hadn’t insisted.

They stayed on the eleventh floor, Yu Qiao in the next room.

You Ruxu followed Zhou Tianzui into her room, waiting for her to change, but Zhou Tianzui just sat on the sofa, playing on her phone. You Ruxu leaned closer, “What time is the movie starting?”

Zhou Tianzui said, “Whenever we want.”

You Ruxu’s brow furrowed slightly, a sudden realization, she stood up abruptly, “You tricked me!”

Zhou Tianzui shrugged, “I didn’t.”

“But you said we were watching a movie.”

Zhou Tianzui, smoothly, “We are.”

You Ruxu, exasperated, “What movie are we watching here?”

Zhou Tianzui, her eyes not even blinking, “An adult movie.”

You Ruxu: “…”

Zhou Tianzui held her wrist, preventing her from leaving, You Ruxu just looked at her, and Zhou Tianzui, taking the hairpin she bought earlier from her bag, pulled You Ruxu onto her lap, her hands gently gathering You Ruxu’s hair, her warm fingers against You Ruxu’s scalp, sending shivers down her spine,

Zhou Tianzui leaned closer and, just as she inserted the hairpin into You Ruxu’s hair, kissed her softly on the lips, the sweet and sour taste of lemon exploding on her tongue, a burst of flavor, a wave of affection washing over You Ruxu.