Chapter 11: A Perfect Date

Li Huangxuan comforted Lin Ximeng for a long time. Only after she finally fell asleep did he turn off the lights and leave her room.

As he passed through the living room, he couldn’t help letting out a heavy sigh.

He admitted to himself—he was a little jealous.

There was actually a man who could make a girl like Mengmeng miss him so much it broke her heart.

Why didn’t he know how to cherish her?

Lying in bed, Li Huangxuan once again found it hard to fall asleep.

“I have to go, no matter what!”

Lin Ximeng’s words kept echoing in his ears.

If she was destined to leave in a little over twenty days, then he shouldn’t allow himself to get too emotionally involved, lest he fall deeper and deeper, unable to pull himself out.

What if he missed his chance with Xu Wanqing because of Lin Ximeng? In the end, it would all be for nothing.

A smart man should always calculate the opportunity cost—yes, even in love.

But honestly, he had never been one of the smart ones.

The next few days passed uneventfully.

Li Huangxuan went to work as usual, engaging in daily mental battles with his idiotic supervisor.

He’d occasionally chat with Xu Wanqing—just small talk, nothing too warm or cold.

After work, whenever he returned home, Lin Ximeng always had a delicious dinner waiting.

She would excitedly tell him about the places she’d visited and share tons of photos.

He updated his novel with two chapters a day and got a few scattered comments in return.

But his most loyal reader was still “Leonid Meteor Shower,” who never missed a day—and always sent a small free gift without fail.

Then came Friday.

Li Huangxuan decided he couldn’t just sit and wait anymore. He had to make a move.

If he didn’t act soon, Xu Wanqing might get scooped up by some other guy.

After all, there’s only one piece of meat—but a whole pack of wolves.

At lunch, Li Huangxuan deliberately sat next to Xu Wanqing and casually scrolled through his phone, pretending to be surprised.

“Oh wow! This movie I’ve been waiting for is finally out. Wanqing, do you like this kind of film?”

Xu Wanqing glanced at his phone and smiled. “Looks pretty good. I like the theme and the cast.”

Li Huangxuan had done his homework—he’d picked an artsy romance film tailored exactly to Xu Wanqing’s taste.

There was no way she wouldn’t like it.

“Since it’s the weekend tomorrow and we don’t have to get up early, how about we go see it after work?” he asked, trying to sound natural and not too intentional.

Xu Wanqing tilted her head and thought for a moment, then nodded. “Sure.”

Li Huangxuan kept his cool. “Great, I’ll book the tickets now.”

He intentionally chose the 8:30 p.m. showtime.

That way, they could grab dinner and wander around the mall beforehand—no rush. And if all went well, he could walk her home after the movie.

Hopefully, it would help advance their relationship.

After finalizing everything, Li Huangxuan texted Lin Ximeng:

“Company dinner tonight, I won’t be home for dinner.”

A while later, she replied:

“Okay, come back early. Don’t drink too much.”

Reading her message, a wave of guilt suddenly rose in his chest.

It felt like he had a sweet, caring wife at home—and he was out messing around.

But then he quickly shook off the thought.

They were just roommates, nothing more.

And besides, she was still crying over her ex-boyfriend just a few days ago—so of course, he had every right to pursue happiness himself.

That afternoon, Li Huangxuan totally slacked off at work.

He spent the whole time reading dating tips online, studying how to make a good impression on women.

He was hoping for a perfect date.

Just before getting off work, Xu Wanqing suddenly came over looking apologetic.
“I’m so sorry, Li Huangxuan. My parents insist I have dinner at home tonight, so I can’t go to the movie with you.”

Li Huangxuan’s facial muscles twitched slightly, but he forced a smile.
“No problem. Honestly, I wasn’t that eager to see it anyway… heh… heh-heh…”

“I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to bail on you. I promise I’ll go with you next time,” she said sincerely.

What could he say to that?

All he could do was smile on the outside and cry on the inside.

Next time dinner.
Next time drinks.
Next time a movie…

But in this world, there are just too many “next times” that never come.

Feeling dejected, Li Huangxuan took out his phone to refund the tickets.

Then suddenly, an idea struck him—he called Lin Ximeng.

“Hey Mengmeng, I don’t really want to go to the company dinner. Wanna go see a movie instead?”

“Sure, sure!” she agreed immediately, sounding genuinely happy.

“Okay, meet me downstairs at the office. I get off at 5:30,” he said and hung up, feeling slightly bitter.

What a scumbag.

If Mengmeng knew she was just the backup because another girl bailed, how heartbroken would she be?

Then again, maybe it was precisely because of thoughts like that that he never became a true player—and remained single all this time.

Maybe it’s time I learned to be a little bad.

After work, as soon as Li Huangxuan stepped out of the office, he saw Lin Ximeng sitting quietly on a bench in the plaza.

Wearing a black jacket, jeans, and ankle boots—she had that cool biker-chic look.

Every passing man couldn’t help but steal a glance.

“Mengmeng, have you been waiting long?” he asked, ignoring the jealous looks around them.

“Nope, just a short while.” She smiled as she stood up.

Her charm could shift freely between sweet and seductive.

They headed to the food court and chose a Sichuan restaurant.

A few bites in, Lin Ximeng’s cheeks were flushed from the spiciness.

Li Huangxuan thoughtfully poured her tea and passed her tissues.

All those dating tips he’d learned for Xu Wanqing? He was now using them on Mengmeng.

“You seem a lot more considerate than before,” she noted.

“I’ve always been this way,” he replied shamelessly.

“So, why the sudden movie invite?”

“No reason. Just wanted to cheer you up a bit.”

“Have you ever taken that gentle female colleague of yours to a movie?”

“Nope. Never even considered it.”

Faced with Mengmeng’s probing, Li Huangxuan answered smoothly, not giving anything away.

Girls really do like being sweet-talked.

Lin Ximeng smiled like a child, loading his bowl with all the best bites from the table.

After dinner, with still half an hour until the movie, they strolled through the mall like a couple.

As he looked at her perfect profile, Li Huangxuan couldn’t help but fantasize again.

If I were braver, more determined… would she stay for me?

Could that “I have to go” change because of me?

At the cinema, they followed tradition—grabbed popcorn and Coke.

Li Huangxuan handed her a drink.

She took a small sip, then suddenly asked, “When was the first time you invited a girl to the movies?”

Li Huangxuan was caught off guard—his mind went blank.

After thinking for a while, he stammered, “I think… this is the first time.”

Lin Ximeng stared deep into his eyes. “Is it really the first time?”