Chapter 30: The Childhood Sweetheart Heiress Wants to Play the Game-Acabei de me preparar para o vestibular, e o sistema de revanche pós-divórcio chegou(Sol intenso de julho)

"Jiang Nian, do you have a girlfriend?"

"Does counting on my fingers count?"

"Get lost!"

Xu Qianqian was so embarrassed she turned angry. "We're at this point already, and you're still acting like a lunatic? Hurry up and think of a solution!"

"Look, the first couple is already French kissing. Holy crap, there's even saliva stringing between them." Jiang Nian was stunned. "In public, and so uninhibited—they must be college students."

As soon as he finished speaking, the two pairs of college students in front turned around to look at him.

*Slap.* Xu Qianqian covered her face with her hand.

"You idiot, I told you to think of a solution, not to provide live commentary."

"My point is... the theater rules say you get a 40% discount for kissing, but it doesn't say it has to be a French kiss." Jiang Nian channeled his inner Detective Conan. "That first couple definitely has some weird fetishes."

"Who asked you about that!" Xu Qianqian was about to explode with rage.

"Think about it from another angle. Just touching lips should be enough, right?" He looked at Xu Qianqian and slowly brought two fingers together to demonstrate. "It just needs to be like this..."

"Ugh!"

They both retched simultaneously, wiping away non-existent drool.

Some things are fine with the lights off or done in private. But doing it in front of the public, especially with people watching—the mere thought made them want to vomit.

"Is this movie even worth watching?" Xu Qianqian asked.

"I second that motion." Jiang Nian raised his hand. "Let's just go back. There's still watermelon in the fridge."

"No way!" Xu Qianqian gritted her teeth and uttered that famous maxim: "We're already here, I've even bought the snacks! We can't just leave now!"

"Fine."

The two exchanged a look and leaned in to discuss the terms.

"No tongue," she demanded.

"No bringing up the past," he countered.

They spoke in unison: "After today, we automatically delete our memories. Whoever brings it up is a puppy."

Having reached a consensus, they stood in line calmly.

Xu Qianqian frowned internally: *He's definitely going to use his tongue and then deny it to the death. I know him too well. I'd rather trust a dog than Jiang Nian.*

*She's definitely going to bring up the past, one hundred percent.* Jiang Nian looked down at the ground, thinking to himself: *Xu Qianqian is such a fickle woman.*

Their eyes met again, and Xu Qianqian took the initiative to speak.

"Forty percent off—that saves over thirty bucks."

"Yeah, that's almost the price of a full ticket. It's basically free," Jiang Nian agreed. "Thirty bucks can buy a lot of snacks. It's like our snacks are on the house."

The two novices seemed to have reached an agreement, both wearing expressions of nonchalant indifference.

Xu Qianqian pursed her lips: *Ha, tested and confirmed immediately. He answered so enthusiastically. He must really want to kiss, the little novice virgin. This guy just wants to use his tongue!*

Jiang Nian looked at the line behind them: *Something is fishy. Xu Qianqian is actually willing to kiss me for thirty bucks; she must have prepared to bring up the past.*

*Since I'm going to get lectured about the past anyway, I might as well use my tongue. At least then I'd break even.*

*He's definitely going to use his tongue, so I'll just bring up the past. I'll threaten him later so he doesn't go around blabbing, and I can even make him do chores for me.*

There was only one couple left in front of them, kissing openly in front of the staff. The guy even seemed to still be savoring it, wiping his mouth.

So fast? Xu Qianqian was stunned!

The psychological preparation she had made was thinner than paper. She had intended to treat it as if she were being licked by a dog. But now that it was actually happening, and in public...

Although the couple's theater was far from the regular crowd, and those behind them were all young couples, the act itself...

Jiang Nian was also panicking, struggling with whether or not to use his tongue. Before he could even think it through, the staff member's vacant gaze landed on them.

Watching Jiang Nian lean in, Xu Qianqian's mind went blank.

...

*Click.* The white lid of the jelly squeeze pack was twisted open. The sound was drowned out by the waves of noise in the cinema. The surrounding light flickered, shifting with the images on the screen.

Jiang Nian tasted the texture of the jelly, thinking to himself that it felt very, very similar.

This National Day blockbuster was a huge hit, with about 60% occupancy. Looking down from above, the entire theater was filled with young couples.

He turned to look at Xu Qianqian next to him. The young girl's eyelashes fluttered slightly, and she ignored his gaze.

"This movie is pretty good, isn't it?"

He started making forced small talk, but the effect was flat. Xu Qianqian sat beside him, staring solemnly at the big screen, her expression focused and serious, as if she had forgotten what just happened.

"About what you just..." Jiang Nian's voice had barely started before it was cut off by a murderous glare from Xu Qianqian.

"So, what do you want to say?" She glared at him.

"Nothing, it's just... it's pretty weird, don't you think?" Jiang Nian leaned in, whispering into her ear, his warm breath coming in waves. "Don't you?"

"No feeling at all. If I had to say, it was like being bitten by a dog..." Xu Qianqian tilted her head, her pupils reflecting the sudden burst of light from the screen.

Jiang Nian was speechless and immediately lost interest in asking.

It was like being halfway through a hanging and suddenly stopping, only to be asked if your neck was itchy, then scratching it before continuing the hanging.

It was fucking abstract.

What kind of description is "being bitten by a dog"? No... sister, you're really something else!

By the time the movie ended, Jiang Nian had lost all interest. He had watched the movie, but it was as if he hadn't; he hadn't remembered a single thing.

The interlude music was nice, though; it was sung by Pei Muchan, an elegant female singer he often listened to.

The post-credits scene ended, and the theater lights suddenly came on. The two walked out with the massive crowd of couples. Checking the time, it was 11:30, and both their phones had received calls.

In this small county town, the streets were basically deserted after ten o'clock. Usually, at this hour, there were very few cars on the road. Due to the National Day holiday, the bustle had extended by an hour.

By the roadside of the shopping mall, the dim streetlights shone through the sparse leaves, casting mottled shadows.

Jiang Nian held onto his electric scooter and called his mother back.

"Yeah, she's right here with me."

After hanging up, he handed the phone to Xu Qianqian. "Here, say something to your grandma."

Xu Qianqian punched him, took the phone, and replied, "Yes, yes, Auntie Li, we'll be back in a moment. Jiang Nian? Oh, no, he didn't go to the internet cafe."

After hanging up, she saw Jiang Nian patting the back seat of his "Little Lamb" electric scooter, still wearing that lazy, slouching look.

"What are you staring at? Get on, time to go home."

"Oh."

The scooter cut through the humid night wind of late summer, moving along the main road of the county.

Jiang Nian rode the bike, feeling somewhat distracted. On second thought, he figured this must count as a failed mission, given that Xu Qianqian didn't seem particularly happy.

He stopped at a traffic light, waiting for the green.

"Xu Qianqian, did you have fun today?" he asked, throwing caution to the wind, not even turning his head.

Xu Qianqian, on the back seat, felt a slight panic upon hearing this, staring at the back of his straight, clean neck.

"Why are you asking that?"

"Nothing, just asking," Jiang Nian said. "Showing concern for a dim-witted friend to improve my moral standing."

"Not happy. What's there to be happy about? I'm not asking you out next time."

*Ding.* The system panel popped up.

[Mission: Complete a pleasant date with Xu Qianqian. Reward: 30,000 RMB (Completed).]