It was practically naming names.

"Why did Cheng Si suddenly send you on a business trip?"

Cheng Si was well aware of Lin Xi's personal circumstances. Logically speaking, Cheng Si would not have made such a decision.

Qin Yu's gaze lingered on Lin Xi. "To negotiate a partnership?"

"Not really." That might be part of the process, but it was still full of uncertainty.

"It's a smart technology conference. Practically every well-known company, both domestic and international, will be exhibiting this time. As for domestic companies, Huasheng, Dili, and FK have all confirmed their attendance. Feiyun will naturally be going as well."

"My task this mission is quite heavy; I'm leading the team and taking charge of everything. The company is pretty busy all around right now, so they temporarily asked me to step in and handle it."

Talking about work made Lin Xi open up like a chatterbox. From initial shyness and awkwardness, she completely relaxed and enthusiastically introduced the upcoming exhibition to Qin Yu.

"This time, what Feiyun is exhibiting is..."

Suddenly, Lin Xi's voice trailed off.

The lights in the screening hall had long been extinguished, and the only source of light was the giant screen ahead. As the footage played, the light flickered across the two of them, alternating between brightness and shadow.

Qin Yu glanced sideways at her, saying nothing the entire time, simply listening quietly as she introduced the details. His dark eyes were clear and bright, and the light reflected in them remained steady, never wavering as it rested upon her. Upon closer inspection, a trace of a smile was mixed within them. It was very faint, but because they were sitting so close, Lin Xi saw it with perfect clarity.

He looked almost gratified. The gaze that was usually indifferent gradually deepened with amusement as she spoke.

Her heart suddenly took a hit, feeling much like the ancient, weathered bronze bell in a quiet temple being struck.

The force wasn't heavy by any means, but for some reason, the moment the chime reverberated against her heart, the organ couldn't resist a violent tremor.

The words lingering on the tip of her tongue suddenly stuck.

—

In the back row, Cheng Si took a sip of his coffee. "The atmosphere feels a bit different now, doesn't it? Feels like they're about to kiss in the next second."

"..." Bai Xu turned his head and shot him a sinister look. "Can you just shut up?"

Finding Bai Xu rather inexplicable, Cheng Si glared right back. "Am I bothering you by watching the movie?"

Bai Xu turned his gaze back to scan the giant screen, immediately catching sight of the male and female leads kissing.

"..."

Speechless, he asked, "Did you even come here to watch the movie?"

Rolling his eyes, Cheng Si retorted, "If I kept staring at those two instead, I'd get arrested as a creep!"

With that, his gaze drifted intentionally or unintentionally past the two people sitting a few rows ahead. The nonchalant expression on his face was instantly replaced by utter astonishment.

"What on earth is going on?!"

What had he missed?!

"How are these two still talking? I saw them talking fifteen minutes ago, and they're still not stopping?"

"They stopped." Bai Xu crossed his arms. "See, they aren't talking right now."

Sitting slightly closer, Bai Xu could clearly see that Lin Xi was no longer speaking.

The two of them were simply sitting in silent eye contact.

Yet the atmosphere seemed even more subtle than when they were chatting just moments before.

It carried an indescribable feeling.

It was... remarkably fitting for the movie.

Just like any other couple.

In the front row, Lin Xi was the first to break eye contact, hurriedly grabbing a handful of popcorn and stuffing it into her mouth in an attempt to distract herself.

And to take the edge off the awkward atmosphere.

Halfway through the film, the plot reached its major turning point. The murmurs of conversation between other couples could be faintly heard throughout the screening hall; the girls seemed deeply infected by the emotional turmoil of the plot and began to sob quietly, while the boys flusteredly scrambled to comfort them.

Lin Xi hadn't paid any attention to the plot just now, and compared to the emotional fluctuations of everyone else, her own inner world remained completely undisturbed.

She had no idea what was actually happening.

She raised her head to watch intently for two full minutes before slowly piecing it together.

The deeply in-love protagonists had been forced apart due to various circumstances, with one traveling far away while the other remained behind in the same place.

"..." Lin Xi quietly chewed a couple of pieces of popcorn. Whatever the case, eating was always the right choice.

Naturally, Bai Xu in the back had also noticed the storyline and couldn't help asking Cheng Si, "Did you write this script?"

Cheng Si asked with a deadpan expression, "Do I look like a person with that kind of skill?"

"Did you not check the trailer before coming? What kind of movie did you pick?" Wasn't this throwing subtle shade? It was practically pointing fingers and naming names.

It would be a miracle if Lin Xi could sit through this.

"I didn't." Cheng Si honestly hadn't watched the trailer. "But everyone online said it was filmed well, and besides, this is the only romance film out recently. What do you expect me to do?"

"Besides, a romance film is supposed to have twists and turns. Aren't separations and reunions pretty normal these days? If everything went smoothly all the time, what would be the point of watching it?"

Cheng Si was quite satisfied with this plot. "The internet said it's a happy ending."

No matter how heartbreaking the process was, as long as the ending was good, it didn't matter.

"This is a disguised hint as well. Lin Xi will definitely be moved after watching it."

Bai Xu: "Heh."

—

Lin Xi didn't even need to watch the second half of the movie to guess what would happen.

The protagonists would reunite, sparks would fly like dry tinder meeting fire, followed instantly by the mending of a broken mirror.

The segment at the end depicting the protagonists' wedding was very warm, and the couples in the audience hugged each other, openly kissing.

There were two such pairs directly ahead of Lin Xi.

Whenever she looked up at the screen, her peripheral vision would inadvertently catch glimpses of them.

Left with no other choice, Lin Xi lowered her head and continued eating her popcorn.

She was immensely grateful to Qin Yu right now; if he hadn't bought this bucket of popcorn, she wouldn't have known what to do to make herself appear adequately composed.

Every single movement of hers was captured by Qin Yu, and her hurried, evasive actions were far too obvious.

Flustered, and constantly munching on food, she looked like a startled little hamster.

It wasn't until the movie ended and the theater lights blazed on that Lin Xi let out a sigh of relief, feeling as though a heavy burden had been lifted.

Bai Xu and Cheng Si had slipped out a step ahead of the lights turning on, and Lin Xi had been too absorbed in eating to notice them.

Qin Yu, however, had spared them a couple of extra glances.

Because she had drunk fruit juice, Lin Xi headed to the restroom upon leaving the screening hall.

Qin Yu waited for her on the first floor of the cinema.

Two figures in a corner were attempting to sneak away when Qin Yu's gaze sharpened. "Stop right there."

The women's restroom still had a line, and knowing Lin Xi would take a little longer to come out, Qin Yu strode toward the two of them.

At the end of the hallway, Qin Yu delivered a light kick to Cheng Si.

It didn't hurt—he hadn't used any force at all—yet Cheng Si still let out a yelp. "Hey, Third Brother, what are you doing?"

"When did the two of you arrive?"

With his hands tucked into his pockets, Qin Yu asked with a straight face.

Still not daring to tell the truth, Cheng Si replied, "Right when the movie started. It's, you know, a coincidence."

Whether it was a coincidence or not, Qin Yu was well aware.

He lowered his voice. "Are you sure it wasn't during dinner?"

Cheng Si: "..."

Bai Xu turned his head, silently gazing off to the side with the detached air of someone who had completely checked out of the situation.

"No, we weren't," Cheng Si still attempted to struggle.

"The table right by the stairs on the first floor of the restaurant."

"Third Brother recognized us back then?" Cheng Si was dumbfounded.

"No," Qin Yu said. "But judging by your reaction right now, I'm guessing I guessed right."