Chapter Thirty-Three: The Cinema

At the Pearl Cinema box office, a long line of moviegoers stretched out, and among them stood Xu Tong and Xiao Lin. Staring at the crowd ahead—at least a hundred people—Xu Tong looked up to the heavens and sighed, "My god, how much longer is this line? Boss Xiao, what time is it?"

Xiao Lin glanced at his wristwatch. "Just past three."

"Oh no, we've been in line for over three hours already. Is this movie really that popular?" Xu Tong complained.

"I haven't even started on you yet. You made me take a cab all the way here just to keep you company in this endless queue for movie tickets. I even paid for lunch. How did I end up with such a troublesome friend?" Xiao Lin glared at Xu Tong, his annoyance evident.

"Hehe, Boss Xiao, but the movie is on someone else’s tab. We're just putting in a little effort, that’s all." Xu Tong grinned sheepishly.

"I haven’t asked—what's gotten into you? Why are you so keen to see a movie, and of all things, a romance? Is that really a guy’s movie?"

"Oh, who cares what movie it is. If it's free, I’d watch even a documentary. Besides, we’re watching with pretty girls. Even if they’re more your type, I can at least feast my eyes." Xu Tong’s smile was lecherous.

"My type, you say?"

"Boss Xiao, are you really that dense or just pretending not to know? It’s obvious to anyone with eyes that the lovely Wang Yuqing likes you."

"Uh, really?" Xiao Lin scratched his nose—a habit whenever he was thinking.

"I can’t with you. Yesterday, I went to see Fatty, and she said she wanted to watch 'You Are the Apple of My Eye.' I suggested we invite you and Wang Yuqing. Fatty called her, but Wang Yuqing didn’t want to come. In the end, only when she heard you’d be there did she agree. Get it now?" Xu Tong looked at Xiao Lin with a gaze full of disdain.

Hearing this, Xiao Lin thought to himself, No way, Wang Yuqing likes me? Scenes from recent days flashed through his mind, and he couldn't help but feel confused.

Twenty minutes later, Xu Tong finally got the tickets. Delighted, he called Tan Linlin, eager to take credit, only to be scolded thoroughly for making her wait since morning. Xu Tong didn’t dare say much, trembling as he urged them to come quickly—not because he wanted to avoid a fight, but because Tan Linlin hadn’t reimbursed him yet; he’d paid out of his own pocket for the tickets.

Not long after, Tan Linlin and Wang Yuqing arrived hand in hand at the entrance to Pearl Cinema, and the four of them met up.

Today, Wang Yuqing wore a bright red jacket, slim cotton trousers, and a vivid red scarf around her neck. She looked like a sprite of fire, radiating charm. Even Xiao Lin was taken aback by her change in style, let alone Xu Tong. Xu Tong swallowed hard, casting a look of pure envy at Xiao Lin—how did this guy get so lucky? Why did Wang Yuqing fancy him? It was enough to drive someone crazy with jealousy!

"Hey, Xu Tong, are you going or not? What are you daydreaming about?" Tan Linlin’s voice snapped him out of his reverie. Xu Tong glanced at her—she was wearing a white jacket that didn’t make her look bulky at all, and her face was lightly made up, making her look quite cute. But compared to Wang Yuqing, she instantly became the ugly duckling.

Xu Tong sighed. "Let’s go. Our seats are in Hall Five, right in the middle. I’ll sit with Fatty, and Wang Yuqing will sit with Boss Xiao." As he spoke, he shot Xiao Lin a look—a silent message of brotherly loyalty.

Xiao Lin glanced at Wang Yuqing, noticing her lowered head, a faint blush on her cheeks, and those barely visible dimples. She looked just like a shy bride, and for a moment, Xiao Lin was lost in thought.

"Why should it be that way? I want to sit with Yuqing," protested Tan Linlin.

Xu Tong, sweating, quickly grabbed her by the arm. "Come on, let’s go buy popcorn. Boss Xiao, Yuqing, you go in first. We’ll join you in a bit."

Watching Xu Tong lead Tan Linlin away, Xiao Lin chuckled to himself—those two really are a good match.

"Xiao Lin, what are you smiling about?" Wang Yuqing asked, puzzled by the amusement on his face. "Is there something on my face?" She reached up, touching her cheeks.

Xiao Lin shared his thoughts with her, and Wang Yuqing giggled in response. In her heart, though, she wondered, What about us? Are we a good match?

"Let’s go in and wait for them. It’s a bit chilly out here." "Mm," she replied, and the two walked into the cinema, chatting and laughing. They found their seats in Hall Five according to the numbers. Before long, Tan Linlin and Xu Tong returned, each carrying two large tubs of popcorn and some drinks.

"Come on, time to share," said Tan Linlin, handing her popcorn to Xiao Lin, while Xu Tong offered his to Wang Yuqing. She thanked him softly, making Xu Tong beam with delight—as if her thanks was sweeter than honey. Xiao Lin thanked Tan Linlin as well, but she shrugged it off. "It’s just popcorn. Buy me two tubs next time and we’re even."

"Uh..." Xiao Lin was momentarily speechless. The other three laughed at his expense.

Suddenly, the lights dimmed and the title appeared on the screen: "You Are the Apple of My Eye." The movie had begun.

The four immediately settled into their seats. Xu Tong sat on the far left, with Tan Linlin beside him, then Wang Yuqing, and finally Xiao Lin.

Though the film started, each of them was lost in their own thoughts.

For Tan Linlin, it was simple—she was finally able to watch the movie she’d been longing to see. Xu Tong, on the other hand, was worrying about how to get reimbursed by her; he’d just paid for the popcorn too, and if Tan Linlin didn’t pay him back, his pocket money for the week would be gone.

Wang Yuqing, meanwhile, was thinking, At last, I get to watch a movie with him! Her heart was simple—a romantic evening meant nothing more than sitting beside the one she liked in a dark theater. She couldn’t help but steal a glance at Xiao Lin.

But Xiao Lin’s mind wandered to memories of watching movies with Ma Yunrou. Suddenly, he felt someone looking at him. Turning his head, he found Wang Yuqing’s bright eyes fixed on him. Their eyes met, and Wang Yuqing quickly turned away, her cheeks flushed, staring intently at the screen.

He chuckled inwardly. Wang Yuqing, could it be you really do like me? Images of Ma Yunrou and Wang Yuqing overlapped in his mind as he compared them.

He knew Wang Yuqing was a good girl, but he wasn’t sure how he felt about her—closer than friends, not quite like family, but not even blue-sky confidants.

On screen, Shen Jiayi was poking Ko Ching-Teng’s back with a pen. Xiao Lin, meanwhile, remained tangled in his own confusion.