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After becoming true friends, Lu Yunshu’s excuses for going out with Jin Hanshuang were no longer limited to Jin Hanshuang teaching Lu Yunshu how to date.

They were friends—the type of friends who could go shopping, eating, or watching movies whenever they were free.

Lu Yunshu had ten thousand ways to ask a friend out.

Today, they were going to the theaters. A new film had recently received critical acclaim, and people said you had to go watch it in the movies.

Jin Hanshuang had been looking forward to the release date, but she was a little hesitant. Because Lu Yunshu was afraid of the dark.

Sure, the screen might be on during the movie, but Lu Yunshu could still be afraid of the darkness in the seats, right?

But Lu Yunshu said, “It’s okay. As long as you’re next to me, I won’t be scared.”

“Really?” Jin Hanshuang asked.

Lu Yunshu nodded. “Really.”

Jin Hanshuang brightened. “Alright. Let’s go buy popcorn.”

It was time to enter the theater.

Jin Hanshuang handed their tickets to the staff. The staff members confirmed the tickets, and they went inside. As soon as Jin Hanshuang walked into the dark theater, Lu Yunshu shuffled closer to her.

A soft, polite voice fell into her ear: “Hanshuang, can we hold hands?”

Poor little puppy.

Jin Hanshuang didn’t refuse. Without a second thought, she took Lu Yunshu’s hand and said, “Don’t be afraid, jiejie is here.”

“Mm, jiejie is here.” Lu Yunshu mimicked Jin Hanshuang again.

The younger woman was in a good mood.

Lu Yunshu obediently let Jin Hanshuang find their seats, her popcorn in her free hand. As they climbed up the stairs, Lu Yunshu felt Jin Hanshuang squeeze her hand.

Then she heard Jin Hanshuang’s voice in her ear, “Watch your steps.”

Gentle and attentive.

Lu Yunshu seized the opportunity. She gripped Jin Hanshuang’s hand a bit tighter, her palm pressed against the older woman’s.

They sat down. It was just them—no one below, above, or next to them.

Lu Yunshu placed the popcorn in between their seats.

Just then, she heard Jin Hanshuang whisper, “It’s such a shame you can’t bring the person you like to the movies.”

Lu Yunshu asked, “Why not?”

“Because you’re afraid of the dark.” Jin Hanshuang held her cheek and said, “If you’re afraid of the dark, you won’t have the presence of mind to flirt with the person you like.”

The movie theater—a holy land of ambiguity.

When both parties had mutual feelings, the movie theater’s quiet darkness, your partner’s subtle movements, and your own intentional—or unintentional—physical contact can be very intoxicating.

Lu Yunshu was stunned. Then she laughed softly. “I see.”

Jin Hanshuang continued, “But…you should wait until she likes you a little more before inviting her to the movies.”

“And why would I do that?”

“So you can work more of your magic. Your pitiful appearance is only effective if she already likes you.”

“Ah…” Lu Yunshu wore a look of realization. “Then how do I know if she likes me?”

“Use your eyes.” Jin Hanshuang smiled. “You can see if someone likes you.”

Lu Yunshu’ gaze quietly landed on Jin Hanshuang’s face.

The light from the big screen reflected Jin Hanshuang’s eyes. They sparkled brightly, calm and vulnerable like the open sea.

She couldn’t see it—that kind of ‘liking.’

Silently, Lu Yunshu withdrew her gaze.

The movie ended.

It started to rain.

Jin Hanshuang stood at the entrance of the mall, looking up at the overcast sky. The pitter-patter of the rain filled her ears.

She asked the person next to her, “Should we wait for the rain to lighten up? Or do you have somewhere to be?”

Their car was parked outside. She wanted to know if there was a reason they needed to rush through the heavy rain.

Lu Yunshu shook her head. “I’m free.”

She raised her hand and pointed. “I’ll treat you.”

Jin Hanshuang’s gaze followed Lu Yunshu’s finger to a building—a café not far away.

“Ah~ It looks like our President Lu had her eyes on it from the start.”

Lu Yunshu’s lips curved, but she said nothing.

They walked to the café, and Lu Yunshu ordered the drinks. Then they sat by the window, sipping from their cups as they watched the rain pour outside. Droplets splashed against the window, trailing down the glass in winding trails.

It was quiet inside, a silence broken only by the soft rush of wind and rain whenever the door creaked open.

Jin Hanshuang noticed Lu Yunshu wasn’t speaking, so she casually asked, “What are you thinking about?”

Lu Yunshu replied, “I’m praying.”

“Praying?” Jin Hanshuang bit down an amused smile. “What are you praying for?”

“I’m praying for the rain to last a little longer.” Lu Yunshu said solemnly. “So I can stay with you for a bit longer.”

Jin Hanshuang raised her eyebrows. She teased, “Our Yunshu really loves spending time with jiejie, huh? But if you’re always hanging out with jiejie, what about the person you like?”

Lu Yunshu smiled and responded, “Of course, I will spend time with her when I can.”

“Mm~ That’s the right attitude.”

“Yes, it’s the right attitude.”

“You little rascal, why are you mimicking me again?”

“Because you’re cute.”

Jin Hanshuang was stunned into silence.

Lu Yunshu’s gaze had already turned to her. The younger woman’s lips were curved into a smile, her eyes sparkling with happiness.

“Why, is that not allowed?”

A little coy, but also a little smug.

Jin Hanshuang narrowed her eyes. Her fingers reached out to pinch Lu Yunshu’s cheek.

“I really can’t handle you.”

She started laughing.

The rain gradually subsided.

Lu Yunshu opened the umbrella she had just bought from a store, covering both herself and Jin Hanshuang as they walked to her car. She opened the passenger door, tilting the umbrella to shield Jin Hanshuang from the drizzle. She waited for Jin Hanshuang to settle in before closing the umbrella and heading to the driver’s side.

She started the car and pulled out of the parking lot.

Outside, the gentle rain continued to fall, showing no signs of stopping. It didn’t let up even when they arrived at Jin Hanshuang’s neighborhood.

Jin Hanshuang didn’t mind. She turned and reminded Lu Yunshu to drive safely before unbuckling her seatbelt to get out.

“Wait.” Lu Yunshu suddenly grabbed her hand.

“What’s wrong?”

Jin Hanshuang watched as Lu Yunshu stepped out of the car with the umbrella, walked around to her side, and opened the door for her.

Their eyes met.

Lu Yunshu said, “I’ll walk you to your building.”

Jin Hanshuang smiled. “So thoughtful?”

Lu Yunshu replied, “Yes.”

True to her word, Lu Yunshu escorted Jin Hanshuang to the entrance without letting a single drop of rain touch her head.

Seeing Lu Yunshu’s serious demeanor, Jin Hanshuang couldn’t help but say, “You really didn’t have to.”

“I did.” Lu Yunshu’s expression didn’t change. “You might catch a cold if you get wet. I don’t want you to get sick.”

Jin Hanshuang hadn’t expected Lu Yunshu to care so much. She had to admit—someone with Lu Yunshu’s looks saying such thoughtful things—it was something else.

“Alright, alright. Jiejie won’t get sick, don’t worry.” Jin Hanshuang patted her arm. “Take care of yourself too. Don’t catch a cold. Go home early, be safe on the road. See you next time.”

See you next time.

These four simple words carried a hint of magic, making Lu Yunshu’s heart race as she began to look forward to their next meeting.

But her face remained composed, betraying nothing.

Then she noticed it in Jin Hanshuang’s hair.

“Wait, there’s something—”

“What?”

Jin Hanshuang stilled. She watched as Lu Yunshu’s hand reached toward her ear, lightly brushing her hair—a touch so soft it felt like a gentle breeze.

A small white petal appeared between Lu Yunshu’s fingertips.

Many flowers had been scattered by the wind, swirling along the path they had just walked. One must have gotten caught in Jin Hanshuang’s ears.

Lu Yunshu released the delicate petal, letting the wind carry it away. Then, she reached out again, tucking Jin Hanshuang’s loose, wind-blown strands behind her ear.

“Okay, it’s all gone now.”

Their gazes briefly met in the breeze.

Jin Hanshuang curved her eyes, her lips parting to say thank you. But before she could bring the words to her mouth, Lu Yunshu spoke first.

“Hanshuang is so beautiful.”

The sudden compliment caught Jin Hanshuang off guard.

She saw Lu Yunshu smile at her again. It was a smile befitting of a fairy, dazzling and enchanting. Her scalp tingled with a phantom touch.

“See you next time.”

By the time Jin Hanshuang came back to her senses, Lu Yunshu was already walking away under her white umbrella. Her long black hair lifted slightly in the breeze. Beneath the fine rain, she looked stunningly ethereal, like a painting come to life.

“…”

Jin Hanshuang stood rooted in place.

She raised her hand to touch the place where her hair had been brushed, then looked again in the direction Lu Yunshu had gone. She stayed silent for a long time, her emotions churning.

What’s with this kid… Does she need to be taught?

There’s no way she doesn’t realize how good she is, right?

The author (热到昏厥) has something to say:

When she runs into the little puppy Lu, our Jin jiejie’s brain stops working~

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