The moment that thought crossed her mind, Su Man’s enthusiasm curdled completely. She even started taking a dislike to the female lead on screen.
What was this — playing the role of a delicate, pure little flower, all doe-eyed and pitiful? Only someone like Li Li would fall for that type.
…Though to be fair, Zhu Shu seemed to have quite a large fanbase.
Come to think of it, it wasn’t just Li Li — a lot of men liked this type.
Ugh, men and their shallow tastes!
Li Li too — shallow!
Su Man’s internal monologue grew relentless, and her attention drifted further and further away. The plot was left eighteen streets behind her; the longer she sat, the more bored she became.
Knowing there was still over an hour to go only made it feel more interminable.
She couldn’t help but think — if she weren’t here with Li Li right now, she’d probably be out eating with Lu Yuwen.
Lu Yuwen always made plans with her. Even on weekdays, he’d find time to take her out for a meal. Today he hadn’t called or sent anything beyond the morning greeting — it had to be because he knew she was seeing a movie with Li Li and didn’t want to interrupt.
Sigh…
She felt like sighing, for no particular reason. She just felt deflated — and strangely hollow inside.
She glanced sideways at Li Li and saw that he was deeply absorbed in the film. As the female lead fell into peril, his expression grew grave along with her.
Su Man pressed her lips together. She didn’t even have the urge to talk to him. She quietly took out her phone and thought about messaging Lu Yuwen.
To her delight, there was an unread message from him!
She opened it immediately.
【Lu: Has the movie started?】
Su Man replied at once:
【Manman: It has. The movie is so boring.】
At the top of the chat window: “The other party is typing…”
Just seeing that line made Su Man feel happier. Her mood lifted. It was as if no matter what kind of frustration, boredom, or distress she found herself sinking into — as long as she reached out to him, he was always willing to respond, and always with patience.
He never found her annoying. Never thought her silly.
Su Man’s eyes brightened as she gazed at her phone screen.
【Lu: What are you watching?】
【Manman: That really popular one right now — the one with Zhu Shu.】
【Manman: Do you know who Zhu Shu is?】
【Lu: I don’t. I’ve never really followed celebrities. Do you like her?】
【Manman: I don’t know her either. Li Li likes her.】
【Manman: He specifically invited me to see a movie, and then chose a film starring his own favorite celebrity. Ha.】
【Manman: I like something with more suspense — like the movie we saw last time.】
【Manman: This is so boring, there’s so long left before it ends.】
Su Man looked at her string of messages and quietly touched her face, feeling like she’d gotten a little… carried away…
She held down the last message, hesitating over whether to unsend it — just then, another message from Lu Yuwen came through:
【Lu: He probably wanted to share something he loves with you. That’s just how kids are — when they get a piece of chocolate they treasure, they want to share it with their closest friend.】
The corner of Su Man’s mouth curved upward slightly.
【Manman: “Kids” — the way you say it makes you sound incredibly old.】
【Lu: Four years older than you. Does that bother you?】
【Manman: Not at all.】
She sent that, and her face went slightly pink. *”Not at all”* — as if she cared about his age that much. It made her sound quite invested.
But it was too late to unsend it; he’d definitely already seen it.
【Lu: That’s a relief.】
【Manman: …………】
【Lu: You’re watching a movie — is it okay to be chatting with me?】
【Manman: It’s fine. The plot is boring anyway.】
【Lu: What are you planning to do after the movie?】
【Manman: Not sure. Probably go home.】
【Lu: I’m out looking at a location for a new branch. Want to come give me your opinion?】
【Manman: Sure~】
【Lu: Great. See you soon.】
Su Man held her phone in both hands, silently looking at those three words: *”See you soon.”*
And in her heart — something sweet stirred.
—