Gu Ningzi propped her chin on her hand and thought seriously for a moment before saying, “Watch a movie.”
Chi Nuan’s heart skipped a beat. “…Oh.”
A nearly 100-second red light loomed ahead. Chi Nuan opened the ticketing app and swiped through movie listings. She asked Gu Ningzi, “What type do you want to see?”
Gu Ningzi said, “Anything. You pick.”
Chi Nuan grinned happily, bit her lip to hold it back, glanced at the red light timer, and kept browsing. “This new modern xianxia romance seems pretty good. The male lead is non-human, and the reviews all say it’s super romantic…”
Gu Ningzi showed a subtle “I knew it” expression. “Oh.”
Chi Nuan frowned. “…But the showtimes are bad—the next one’s in two hours. Let me check others.”
Gu Ningzi: “…”
There weren’t many new releases, and they had to consider timing. As the light was about to turn green, Chi Nuan tapped a movie poster and asked Gu Ningzi, “Horror okay? This one’s showtimes fit best.”
Gu Ningzi suddenly locked eyes with a woman crying blood tears on the poster and slowly squeezed out two words: “…Sure.”
They arrived at the theater within half an hour, redeemed their combo tickets for popcorn and drinks, and entered the screening hall after ticket check.
The movie had already started. On the big screen, the camera shook as a woman in a white dress ran frantically through the night, her rapid panting echoing in every corner.
They found their seats. Chi Nuan asked Gu Ningzi, “Drink now?”
Gu Ningzi: “No.”
A moment later, Chi Nuan offered the popcorn to Gu Ningzi’s side. “This is pretty good—sweet but not cloying. Want some?”
Gu Ningzi stared at the screen. “No.”
Seeing how seriously Gu Ningzi watched, Chi Nuan stopped bothering her and quietly watched too.
This was nice… Their last time at the movies had been Seizing the Dragon six years ago.
…
In a creepy, rundown old house, a young man and woman huddled together in fear, all four eyes fixed on the stairwell corner. Strange “click, click” sounds came from the speakers, growing louder as their terror skyrocketed.
The next shot cut abruptly to a pair of bloody severed feet.
The guy in the row ahead suddenly hugged his girlfriend tight, straining to keep his voice steady. “What the hell? This is too scary!!”
His girlfriend said calmly, “It’s just a female ghost.”
In the darkness, Gu Ningzi found Chi Nuan’s hand and clasped it.
The plot pushed forward. The couple got separated while fleeing. The woman, trembling, hid in a broken jar. The “click, click” started again. She clamped her hand over her mouth, desperate not to make a sound, terrified of being found by the ghost.
The ghost’s bloodshot eyes slowly turned and fixed on the jar.
The atmosphere froze, silence all around. Something rolled into the jar’s hole with a gurgle. The woman inside looked closely—
“AHHH!!!!” The guy in front jumped from his seat. “I’m out, can’t watch!”
His girlfriend laughed. “Keep yelling and your high-cold persona will totally collapse! Movies are fake, acted by actors. See that ghost’s lip color? Totally like my Yang Shulin ‘eats kids’ shade, right?”
The guy inhaled sharply. “Don’t remind me! I can never kiss you again!!”
Chi Nuan overheard and stifled a laugh when her shoulder suddenly sank—Gu Ningzi buried her face there.
Chi Nuan turned her head: “…”
“Don’t move.” Gu Ningzi whispered. “…Let me rest a bit.”
For the rest of the movie, the guy ditched his girlfriend and fled, while Gu Ningzi rested on Chi Nuan’s shoulder the whole time.
The sound effects were excessively terrifying. Chi Nuan shifted slightly, lifted her other hand, and gently covered Gu Ningzi’s ears.
When the movie ended, they flowed out with the crowd into the brightly lit mall. Under the glaring lights, Gu Ningzi’s face looked a bit pale.
Chi Nuan felt annoyed with herself. Gu Ningzi was so busy with few entertainments, and she’d ruined this rare movie outing. If there was a next time, she’d absolutely never pick horror.
…Deep down, she found this Gu Ningzi—who was scared but stubbornly held her high-cold persona—extremely! Extremely! Adorable…
Heading to the escalator from the theater, they got handed flyers along the way: restaurant ads, kids’ playground annual passes. Chi Nuan spotted a promo for a small outdoor amusement park opening outside the mall.
“…Gu Ningzi, wanna check it out?” Chi Nuan held up the flyer to Gu Ningzi’s eyes and asked with a smile.
…
The sunset glow, golden like coins, sprinkled over the carousel area. Amid cheerful, lively music, the carousel started turning.
Chi Nuan and Gu Ningzi stood at the outer railing, watching the pink horses spin with the rhythm. A gentle breeze lifted Gu Ningzi’s hair strands. Her expression finally relaxed, lips curving up in the light—prettier than any star.
Chi Nuan watched her, entranced.
I want to see you smile like this, Gu Ningzi. You don’t know how much I love you.
At the appointed dinner time, Chi Nuan dropped Gu Ningzi off at the restaurant. As the elevator rose, her phone rang. Chi Nuan flipped the screen—Secretary Yang had created a three-person chat group.
Yang Yang Yang: “Hey, I can’t hold it in anymore. Swear to keep it secret—do you guys know why President Gu called me in this morning?”
He Zhen: “Confidentiality? Spill.”
Yang Yang Yang: “She asked me! Where to go on dates with boyfriends!! What do people do on dates!!!”
He Zhen: “…Huh?”
Yang Yang Yang: “I’ve been racking my brain all day, imagining all sorts. Tell me quick—is our President Gu in love or what???”
He Zhen: “I swear no…”
Chi Nuan: “So Secretary Yang, how do you usually date your boyfriend?”
Yang Yang Yang: “Lots of ways, but first choice is usually movies. That’s where I met my boyfriend!”
Chi Nuan coughed out a laugh at the screen. Gu Ningzi turned back, and Chi Nuan casually pocketed her phone.
