Chapter 122: Watching a Movie

The three of them rode their bikes away from the family compound.

On the way, Yu Xiangnian suddenly came up with an idea, “Cheng Jingmo, let’s go watch a movie!”

She had been here for so long and didn’t even know what a movie theater looked like!

At the end of the square stood a tall gray brick building with a large red five-pointed star at the top; this was the Nancheng Cinema.

The movie was about to start, and the cinema entrance was crowded.

Cheng Jingmo went to park the bikes while Yu Xiangnian took Xiao Jie to buy tickets. The movie showing that night was Youth in the Flames of War.

After the three of them reunited at the entrance, they went into the cinema.

The inside was very dark, and they had to search for their seats in each row for quite a while.

When they finally found their seats, they realized they weren’t great—toward the back and to the side.

Xiao Jie very considerately sat on the aisle seat, giving the middle seat to Yu Xiangnian.

After all, his aunt always had a way of saying things he had never heard before.

Other people’s mothers would tell their kids that they would protect them.

His aunt told him that she was a delicate fairy and he was a little man who needed to protect her!

She was so delicate that even a cabbage worm could scare her!

In this dark place, giving her the middle seat meant he and his uncle could protect her from both sides!

Yu Xiangnian was pleased and praised, “Good job! You have the makings of a gentleman!”

Gentleman?

Another phrase he’d never heard before!

The cinema was already dim, and it was pitch black except for the light from the screen.

The cinema seats were narrow, hard wooden benches, and Yu Xiangnian’s bottom was sore after less than twenty minutes.

Around them, people were eating sunflower seeds, chatting, and giving spoilers…

Yu Xiangnian had already lost interest in the movie!

She glanced at Cheng Jingmo, who was sitting upright and staring straight ahead, seemingly ignoring the people next to him who were saying, “That person wearing the Japanese army coat is a guerrilla!”

Then she looked at Xiao Jie, who was watching intently and with great interest!

Yu Xiangnian’s mind was no longer on the movie and instead focused on Cheng Jingmo.

She quietly reached out and placed her hand on his leg. Cheng Jingmo glanced at her and then back at the screen.

Seeing Cheng Jingmo’s lack of rejection, Yu Xiangnian moved her hand to hold his.

Cheng Jingmo initially did not respond, so Yu Xiangnian pinched his index and middle fingers. After two minutes, Cheng Jingmo opened his palm and enveloped her hand completely.

Yu Xiangnian began to gently press his palm.

Eventually, Cheng Jingmo could not resist and turned his head, whispering, “Aren’t you supposed to be watching the movie?”

Yu Xiangnian leaned closer to his ear and said, “I don’t want to watch it anymore.”

In the dim light, Yu Xiangnian accidentally brushed her lips against Cheng Jingmo’s earlobe.

Yu Xiangnian felt Cheng Jingmo’s body stiffen for a moment, and his hand tightened around hers, making her hand sore.

Yu Xiangnian chuckled.

So, the man’s earlobes are that sensitive!

Moments later, Cheng Jingmo sat back up to watch the movie, but his hand moved, and his fingers intertwined with Yu Xiangnian’s.

Encouraged, Yu Xiangnian became even bolder.

She kept shifting her hand, never stopping.

Eventually, Cheng Jingmo uncontrollably stiffened up.

Just from holding hands!

He was so embarrassed!

He forced himself to focus on the movie, but it seemed like he didn’t understand what was happening!

As soon as the movie ended, Cheng Jingmo released Yu Xiangnian’s hand.

Yu Xiangnian felt her hand was sweaty.

Even though they were married, they had to be so sneaky about holding hands; Yu Xiangnian really wanted to laugh.

The three of them waited until the crowd had thinned out before leaving.

At the bike parking area, they paid a five-cent parking fee.

As Yu Xiangnian casually glanced around, she saw a familiar figure.

“Yu Xiangyang?”

Yu Xiangnian pointed to the figure not far away and said excitedly, “Cheng Jingmo, look, it’s Yu Xiangyang!”

Yu Xiangyang was pushing a bicycle, accompanied by a girl in a red dress who looked quite good from afar.

Cheng Jingmo glanced and said, “No, you must be mistaken.”

“How could that be? Look at him—”

Cheng Jingmo pulled Yu Xiangnian into his arms, “Be careful, you might bump into someone.”

Yu Xiangnian didn’t pay attention to whether she bumped into anyone; she was focused on seeing if it was Yu Xiangyang.

But Cheng Jingmo blocked her view. She stretched her neck to look in that direction, but Cheng Jingmo was so tall that any movement blocked her view completely.

She grabbed Cheng Jingmo’s shoulders, stood on tiptoe, and tilted her head left and right to see.

However, the two figures had already disappeared into the crowd, and her lips accidentally brushed against Cheng Jingmo’s cheek.

“Yu Xiangnian!” Cheng Jingmo said in a deep voice.

Yu Xiangnian said, “It was an accident.”

In her heart, she thought: A kiss is a kiss, what can you do about it?!

When they left the cinema, it was completely dark outside.

Xiao Jie was sitting on the front bar, excitedly discussing the movie with Cheng Jingmo.

Cheng Jingmo only responded with “Mm” and “Ah.”

Xiao Jie asked with confusion, “Uncle, did you not watch the movie properly?”

Cheng Jingmo said seriously, “I was testing if you were paying attention.”

Yu Xiangnian, sitting behind them, chuckled and then poked Cheng Jingmo’s back with her fingertip.

Meaning: So now you’re learning to lie to kids?!

When they got home, it was getting late.

Xiao Jie needed to go to school the next day, so she wanted him to wash up and go to bed.

Yu Xiangnian locked the money Zhao Ruozhu had given her in the drawer.

In the drawer were also two bankbooks, one for family funds and one for her personal savings.

Her personal savings had reached 900 yuan, and in three or four days, when her last batch of manuscripts was sent out, she would have another 100 yuan income. With these 200 yuan, she wouldn’t have to worry about food and clothing for now!

After taking a shower, Yu Xiangnian was used to leaving all the clothes, inside and out, for Cheng Jingmo to wash.

Watching Cheng Jingmo washing clothes outside, Yu Xiangnian thought about buying a washing machine.

The weather was getting colder, and everyone was wearing thicker clothes.

It was necessary to have a washing machine, especially since Cheng Jingmo had to wash so many clothes alone in the cold water!

Cheng Jingmo, washing clothes outside, had been unable to calm down since the movie.

He scrubbed vigorously, making sure every corner of the clothes was thoroughly clean.

There seemed to be a force within him that he couldn’t release.

He even thought about going for a run of a few kilometers to let off some steam!

After finishing the laundry and returning to the bedroom, Yu Xiangnian was sitting at the desk with her hair down, reading a book.

Hearing him come in, Yu Xiangnian walked slowly toward him.

Cheng Jingmo, looking at her, felt inexplicably guilty. He quickly closed the door, stepped back, and leaned against it.

Yu Xiangnian approached him, tilted her face up, and asked, “Cheng Jingmo, do you want to kiss me?”