Chapter 208

Yu Xiangyang said, “Ten yuan!”

Yu Xiangnian scoffed and said, “Yu Xiangyang, since you started dating, you’ve become so stingy!”

Yu Xiangyang asked, “How much do you want?”

Yu Xiangnian pulled her neck away and said, “Can you let go of me first?”

Yu Xiangyang was still holding her by the collar.

Yu Xiangyang released her, anxious, “How much?”

Yu Xiangnian raised an eyebrow and said lightly, “I have money; I just want to watch the movie.”

Yu Xiangyang: “…”

So, her eagerness for money was just a joke!

Yu Xiangyang persisted, “Didn’t you promise to help me?”

Yu Xiangnian remained unfazed, “I am helping you. I need to understand Xia Qingyun better, find out her strengths, and then convince my parents.”

Yu Xiangyang thought about it and finally agreed.

He bought five tickets and returned, and Cheng Jingmo also came back after storing the bikes.

The five of them entered the cinema.

“Niannian, let’s sit together,” Xia Qingyun said enthusiastically.

Yu Xiangnian replied promptly, “Sure.”

Yu Xiangnian and Xia Qingyun sat in the middle, with Yu Xiangyang and Cheng Jingmo on either side, and Xiao Jie on Cheng Jingmo’s other side.

The lights in the theater dimmed, and the movie began.

Yu Xiangnian wasn’t really there to watch the movie; her attention was elsewhere.

She watched as Xia Qingyun and Yu Xiangyang sat neatly in their seats, intently watching the film, and she felt a bit more relaxed.

Yu Xiangnian’s hand quietly reached across the seats to Cheng Jingmo.

Cheng Jingmo was focused on the screen but felt Yu Xiangnian’s hand extending.

He turned his hand and grasped hers, enveloping her small hand in his warm, rough palm.

Yu Xiangyang disliked being the third wheel.

But Cheng Jingmo disliked it too!

He only wanted to be alone with Yu Xiangnian!

Yu Xiangnian played with his hand, and Cheng Jingmo played along, sometimes spreading his hand open, other times gently squeezing her hand.

They were secretly enjoying themselves.

Xia Qingyun glanced down and saw their hands intertwined.

She tilted her head slightly and glanced at Yu Xiangyang.

He was really engrossed in the movie!

He was so focused he didn’t even move!

Fortunately, Yu Xiangyang had his hand resting on the armrest of the chair.

Xia Qingyun deliberately brushed her hand against Yu Xiangyang’s hand. Yu Xiangyang, still watching the screen, didn’t react.

Xia Qingyun pressed a bit more, touching Yu Xiangyang’s hand again.

This time, Yu Xiangyang’s hand reflexively withdrew.

He thought their hands had accidentally touched. He moved his hand back to his lap and continued watching the movie.

Xia Qingyun watched Yu Xiangyang’s reaction with her peripheral vision, her chest rising and falling.

Five minutes later, she nudged Yu Xiangyang’s leg with her knee.

Yu Xiangyang turned his head and met Xia Qingyun’s gaze.

Xia Qingyun tilted her chin toward Cheng Jingmo’s side, and Yu Xiangyang followed her gaze.

He thought: Damn Cheng Jingmo, not paying attention to the movie and sneaking around with these little moves.

If it weren’t for the fact that Xia Qingyun and Yu Xiangnian were between them, he would have gone over and scolded him.

When he pulled his gaze away, he noticed Xia Qingyun’s wrist resting on the armrest, palm up, with fingers slightly spread, as if waiting for something.

Yu Xiangyang felt puzzled.

Xia Qingyun had first shown him Cheng Jingmo and Yu Xiangnian holding hands, and now she was putting her hand in this position.

Was she trying to hold his hand?

Yu Xiangyang looked at Xia Qingyun, who was focused on the movie, seeming not to have any intention of holding his hand.

Yu Xiangyang wondered if he had misunderstood; perhaps Xia Qingyun’s gesture was accidental.

His eyes fell on the slender hand, which felt like countless cat paws scratching at his heart.

At twenty-six years old, he had never held a girl’s hand.

He liked Xia Qingyun and wanted to hold the hand of the girl he liked.

At that moment, Xia Qingyun’s fingers moved slightly, as if inviting him, and Yu Xiangyang’s heart skipped a beat.

He felt conflicted, troubled, and anxious…

He wanted to hold her hand but was afraid of misinterpreting her intentions.

Finally, he gritted his teeth and decided to reach out for Xia Qingyun’s hand.

Even if he misunderstood, Xia Qingyun was understanding enough not to be angry with him.

His palms were sweating, and his heart was pounding in his throat.

Although Yu Xiangnian was playing with Cheng Jingmo, she kept an eye on the two of them with her peripheral vision.

When she saw Xia Qingyun subtly making a move as if inviting Yu Xiangyang to hold her hand, she admired the skill.

Clearly flirting, yet so calm and seemingly innocent.

The next step depended on Yu Xiangyang, the big, clueless guy!

She debated whether to intervene in the hand-holding.

Cheng Jingmo said that a kiss signifies a commitment, so should she intervene with hand-holding?

Perhaps she should intervene, as hand-holding might lead to kissing next time.

She planned to speak to Xia Qingyun when Yu Xiangyang reached out, to startle him.

Yu Xiangyang wiped his sweaty palms on his pants, took a deep breath, held his breath, and shakily extended his hand.

His movements were slow, and his hand trembled slightly.

Yu Xiangnian was both angry and amused.

Was it necessary to make holding hands feel like defusing a bomb?!

Yu Xiangyang, with your demeanor, you’re still in the stage of pulling girls’ pigtails; how can you talk about dating!

Yu Xiangyang’s hand was almost touching Xia Qingyun’s hand when Yu Xiangnian was about to speak.

Suddenly, Yu Xiangyang withdrew his hand.

No! He couldn’t do this!

Cheng Jingmo and Niannian were married!

He was just dating Xia Qingyun, and his parents hadn’t agreed yet. If he couldn’t marry her in the future, wouldn’t he be taking advantage of her?

Yu Xiangyang, if you can’t give her a clear future, don’t tarnish her purity!

After convincing himself, Yu Xiangyang safely withdrew his hand, clasping both hands together on his lap to avoid accidentally touching anyone again.

Xia Qingyun’s hand grew tired from holding out, and she looked at Yu Xiangyang with displeasure.

Yu Xiangyang sat upright, staring intently at the movie.

She pouted in frustration, flipped her palm, and rested it on the armrest.

Yu Xiangnian mentally praised Yu Xiangyang for his firm stance.

The movie finally ended, and the five of them left the cinema.

As before, Cheng Jingmo and Yu Xiangyang each rode a bicycle, carrying Yu Xiangnian, Xiao Jie, and Xia Qingyun, respectively.

When they arrived at the military gate.

Yu Xiangnian said, “Yu Xiangyang, wait a minute, I need to talk to you.”

There was no need to make excuses; with Xia Qingyun’s intelligence, she would know immediately that they had something to discuss.

Yu Xiangyang was somewhat unwilling, as he still wanted to take Xia Qingyun back to her dorm.

Xia Qingyun, understanding as always, said, “I’ll go in first. You two can talk at your own pace.”

Yu Xiangyang reluctantly watched Xia Qingyun’s back until she was out of sight.

He then turned back and asked, “What do you want to say?”

Yu Xiangnian said seriously, “Yu Xiangyang, I need to tell you that chastity is the best dowry for a man!”