Chapter 104: Feels a Bit Irresponsible
“The timing’s just right. Let’s go!”
After picking up the tickets from the self-service machine, Lin Muqing walked over to her best friend with two movie tickets in hand and said that with a smile. Their timing was perfect, just as they finished collecting their tickets, the staff started checking them for their showing.
“Mm.”
He nodded lightly, then turned and began walking in the opposite direction with Lin Muqing.
“Wait, the ticket check is over there.”
“I know.”
Lin Muqing looked in the direction her best friend was going, then glanced back at the entrance for ticket checks. She tugged on his sleeve to remind him, but instead of stopping, he grabbed her hand and led her the other way.
“You want to buy something?”
Looking ahead in the direction they were walking, Lin Muqing noticed they were heading toward the snack counter and popcorn machines inside the theater. She had thought about buying some popcorn earlier, but when she checked the prices on her phone, she was shocked.
Still, she wasn’t that stingy. She ended up buying two cups of soda anyway. Spending a little money for her best friend was no big deal. So now, in her hands, she had the movie tickets and one cup of soda; the other cup was with her best friend.
“I want some popcorn.”
With a slight smile, Ye Ziming turned to look at Lin Muqing and said seriously.
When they were getting the soda earlier, he had noticed her glancing at the popcorn machine and quietly licking her lips. And just now, when he said the word "popcorn," she did the same thing again without thinking.
Looking at the prices, Ye Ziming squinted slightly. He figured out why Lin Muqing had hesitated.
“Emmm… I’ll just buy it myself.”
Lin Muqing was a little confused about why her best friend suddenly wanted popcorn. But she didn’t think too much about it. Since she was the one treating him to a movie, letting him pay now felt a bit wrong.
She pulled her hand out of his and, with a small wince, reached into her bag to get her phone.
But to her surprise, as soon as she took out her phone, Ye Ziming gently placed his hand on her head.
“It’s okay. I’ll get it.”
He smiled and patted her head softly. Before she could even respond, he turned to the worker at the counter and ordered a popcorn.
Just the fact that this little penny-pincher was willing to offer to buy it was enough for Ye Ziming. He didn’t want her to actually pay.
“This doesn’t feel right…”
On one hand, she felt bad about making her friend spend money. On the other, she also felt bad about her own wallet. Lin Muqing stood there, clearly unsure what to do.
“What’s the big deal?”
Ye Ziming turned to her and asked calmly.
There wasn’t really anything wrong with what he said, and his expression was completely normal. So after thinking for a moment, Lin Muqing didn’t say anything else and just accepted it.
After a little while, the worker came back and handed Ye Ziming a big bucket.
Inside was not only popcorn but also some shrimp chips. It looked like a good amount, with nice colors and a delicious smell.
“You take this, I’ll take that.”
He turned around, took the soda from Lin Muqing, and handed her the big bucket of snacks instead.
“Huh? Oh… okay!”
Lin Muqing blinked at his smooth move, then almost laughed. Wow, that was a slick move, she thought.
Her eyes lit up as she licked her lips again, then couldn’t resist picking up a shrimp chip and popping it in her mouth.
“Tastes good?”
“Mm-hmm!”
She nodded hard, then looked up at her best friend again. Her eyes sparkled like a sky full of stars.
Seeing her like that, Ye Ziming’s eyes softened, and his smile grew even warmer.
“Want to try one?”
Lin Muqing held up a shrimp stick and tried to offer it to her good friend.
“Sure.”
He didn’t hesitate at all and nodded right away.
Since Ye Ziming’s hands were full, Lin Muqing had to bring the shrimp stick to his mouth, basically feeding him.
What neither of them noticed was that the young male staff member at the counter had already become a 100,000-watt light bulb. He wanted to say something, but watching the way the two were interacting, he was completely speechless after being “force-fed” so much sweetness.
“Ahem… you two are a couple, right?”
Finally finding the right moment, just as the two were about to stop talking and head to the ticket gate, the staff member quickly called them back. He asked the question, but didn’t wait for an answer, because it was obvious they were wearing matching couple outfits.
“Here’s the thing, our cinema is having a special event right now. Couples who make a purchase can take this and go to the photo booth to enjoy a half-price discount…”
As he spoke, the staff member handed them a coupon and explained in great detail what was great about the photo booth.
“Uh, I think—”
“Thank you.”
Lin Muqing was about to say no out of instinct, but Ye Ziming was faster, he took the coupon right away.
“Let’s go, the movie’s starting.”
He smiled a little, put the coupon in his pocket, then turned and led Lin Muqing toward the ticket gate.
As she followed along, Lin Muqing glanced at his pocket. She felt like her good friend might actually be interested in that photo booth.
But what really stuck with her was that moment when the staff member asked if they were a couple. She had instinctively wanted to explain their relationship.
While they were going inside the cinema, she thought about it and realized that might’ve been a bit irresponsible.
She had clearly promised to be his pretend girlfriend, but looking back, it seemed like she hadn’t really done her part.
Since she already agreed, she should take it seriously. So in her heart, Lin Muqing made a decision.
Next time, if something like this happens again, she won’t hesitate. She’ll boldly “admit” that they’re a couple. That’s right, that’s what she’ll do.
“What are you thinking about?”
Sitting in the theater, Ye Ziming noticed Lin Muqing looking down, as if she was deep in thought.
He wanted to ask her about it, but before he could, she looked up again and made a little “cheer up” gesture to herself. Seeing that, Ye Ziming felt both a bit awkward and amused. He was really curious, just what was going on in that little head of hers?
He figured at least half of it was ‘cute stuff.’
“Nothing really. The movie’s about to start, let’s just watch it.”
She put on her 3D glasses, turned to her good friend with a smile, and then looked back at the screen.
As all this happened, the lights in the cinema slowly dimmed, and images began to appear on the big screen.
The movie officially began.