Chapter 165: Lin Xi, Get Your Priorities Straight

Lin Xi wore an expression that was difficult to describe.

A twenty percent discount for couples was indeed attractive.

But she did not think it would attract Qin Yu.

That little bit of money was practically insignificant to him.

So hearing him say it aloud struck her as rather absurd.

Holding the roses, Lin Xi came downstairs from the second floor and asked instinctively, “Are we going back to the hospital now?”

Qin Yu descended the steps ahead of her, then moved to one side to wait.

Only after that did he walk out with her. “It’s still early. If you feel like looking around, we can.”

Everything had happened too suddenly, and Qin Yu had made no arrangements at all.

It was only a little after seven in the evening.

Their meal had lasted an hour and a half, though they had not spoken much throughout. The atmosphere was mostly to blame. He had been afraid Lin Xi would not be able to handle it, so he had barely spoken to her during dinner.

“I…” Lin Xi was hesitating over how to bring up going to the movies when the restaurant manager suddenly approached and blocked their path.

“Good evening.” After briefly introducing himself, the manager launched into a string of meaningless pleasantries, then pulled out two movie tickets and handed them over. “These are part of our current promotion. We randomly select lucky customers and give them tickets to the cinema next door.”

“If you have time tonight, you’re welcome to take them and enjoy the film. It’s a romance that premiered yesterday.”

“…”

At the mention of a romance, Lin Xi raised an eyebrow.

Wasn’t it supposed to be a comedy?

Could someone please explain how the comedy had turned into a romance?

The refusal was already on the tip of her tongue when Qin Yu reached out first and took the tickets from the manager.

“Thank you.”

Lin Xi: “…”

“Third Brother, are we going to see a movie?” Once they had left the restaurant, Lin Xi asked tentatively, “I’ve heard that these romantic art films are usually rather dull.”

“You’re probably not interested. How about…”

“I’m not interested.” Qin Yu held the tickets and walked toward the cinema next door on his own.

Lin Xi hurried after him, only to hear the rest of his sentence.

“I never said we were going to watch the movie.”

“Then what are we doing?”

The answer had already reached Qin Yu’s lips, but he changed it at the last second.

“Taking a break, and waiting for the others.”

—

The screening was forty minutes away, so the two of them found seats and waited.

“I’m going to the restroom.” Lin Xi came up with an excuse.

She stood, and Qin Yu’s gaze followed her.

“Are you sure you’ll come back?”

“…”

Lin Xi was rendered speechless. After a long moment, she said, “I’ll come back. I don’t have anything else important to do tonight.”

Qin Yu continued to watch her without letting up.

After hesitating, Lin Xi left her bag behind. “Third Brother, keep an eye on my bag.”

That might help put his mind at ease.

“Go ahead.” Sure enough, Qin Yu relented.

Lin Xi did not actually go to the restroom. Halfway there, she turned a corner and walked to a secluded spot beyond Qin Yu’s sight, then called Cheng Si.

When the phone began to ring, Cheng Si hurriedly silenced it.

“Answer it.” Bai Xu folded his arms, taking obvious pleasure in the situation. “Why aren’t you answering? The person here to settle the score has arrived.”

Cheng Si: “…”

After clearing his throat, Cheng Si crouched down and tried to make himself as inconspicuous as possible before pressing the answer button.

“Hello, little sister. What made you call me? Aren’t you out having dinner right now?”

“You have the nerve to ask.” Lin Xi drew a deep breath and did her best to keep her voice calm. “Why didn’t you tell me from the beginning that you’d booked a restaurant for couples?”

“What? A lovers’ restaurant? I had no idea.” At a time like this, playing dumb was the best strategy.

His acting was so clumsy that, merely from hearing those two sentences, Lin Xi could practically picture the exaggerated expression on his face.

“Fine. What about the movie tickets? A comedy—even a romantic comedy—I could have accepted tonight. But why on earth did you choose some melodramatic art film?”

That was something Cheng Si really could not argue his way out of.

“I looked at the movies currently showing. Apart from horror films, this was the only option. I watched the trailer for you. It’s not that melodramatic.”

“It’s supposed to be quite beautiful, and the online reviews are pretty good. A lot of couples say they cried watching it.”

Lin Xi: “…”

“We couldn’t exactly send you two to watch a horror movie. You may be brave, but what if it left Third Brother traumatized?”

Cheng Si delivered this nonsense with utter seriousness.

Rubbing her temples, Lin Xi tried to calm herself.

“Tell me the truth. Do you have anything else planned after this?”

Cheng Si: “No.”

“You’re sure?”

“Of course I’m sure. It’s just an ordinary movie. Treat it like a comedy and the result will be the same.”

“Besides, the movie isn’t the important part. Who cares what’s playing? As long as the atmosphere is there, that’s enough.”

“Lin Xi, get your priorities straight!”

The wording was crude, but the logic was sound.

Bai Xu had to agree with that.

A server approached from the side. “Your coffees.”

“…”

Hearing the voice, Lin Xi asked curiously, “Who are you having coffee with?”

Who went out for coffee this late at night?

“A friend. Cough—we’re discussing a business deal.”

Cheng Si covered the receiver and edged farther away.

“Does Third Brother suspect anything?”

“Not so far. He doesn’t seem suspicious of me.”

“Good, good. Keep following the plan. Oh, right—you two should try to talk a little.”

“Hmm?” Lin Xi did not understand.

Afraid he might let something slip, Cheng Si hurriedly found a plausible excuse.

“I heard it from someone at the restaurant. Apparently, the atmosphere during dinner was rather tense.”

He had not expected there to be a review session afterward. Lin Xi hesitated before replying, “That’s because you tricked me. I wasn’t mentally prepared.”

“You’re prepared for the movie this time, aren’t you?”

“And don’t say anything about changing the film. You two finished dinner far too quickly—half an hour earlier than I expected.”

“That’s perfect. The screening doesn’t start for a while, so you have plenty of time to build things up.”

“Interact with each other. Remember, you have to interact!”

Lin Xi answered, “…I know.”

When Lin Xi returned, her gaze swept across the café on the cinema’s first floor.

A possibility flashed through her mind, but after thinking it over, she decided Cheng Si probably was not that bored.

Only after she had left did Cheng Si emerge.

Bai Xu had not moved from his seat the entire time. He had been sitting with his back to Lin Xi, looking utterly relaxed.

Seeing how at ease he was, Cheng Si slapped him on the shoulder. “Must be nice for you. Aren’t you afraid she’ll actually come over?”

“Why would I be afraid?” Bai Xu had nothing to fear. “If she catches us, I’ll just say you dragged me here.”

Cheng Si: “…”

Of course. You’re the shameless one here.

The two of them waited until it was time to enter, then followed after confirming that Qin Yu and Lin Xi had gone inside.

Their seats were behind Qin Yu and Lin Xi.

But at the entrance to the screening hall, Bai Xu suddenly realized there was a problem.

“Come on. What are you standing there for?” Cheng Si turned around.

Bai Xu asked, “How exactly do you plan to get inside?”

“?”

“Do you think they’re blind? They’ll obviously see us.”

“…”