Chapter 9

“Um, I actually didn’t think it was that scary… just a little sudden,” Yu Qing’er withdrew her hand and awkwardly rubbed her nose to cover for herself.

The terror in horror films doesn’t just come from the visuals—the sound effects make all the difference in setting the mood.

Because of the sound, Mo Hongshen didn’t hear her clearly. He instinctively leaned closer and asked softly, “Hmm? What did you just say?”

Yu Qing’er quickly shook her head. Realizing it was too dark in the theater for him to see her expression, she whispered, “Nothing, let’s just keep watching.”

Even though she was well aware of horror movie tropes, the next scary scene still had her jumping in fright—and once again, she latched onto his arm.

Hmm? Was it her imagination?

Yu Qing’er felt like Mo Hongshen had deliberately leaned a little closer to her, making it extra convenient for her to cling to his arm.

In truth, Mo Hongshen had noticed her fear the first time she grabbed him. He had considered suggesting they stop watching, but seeing her trying to tough it out, he stayed quiet and simply made his arm available for her to hold.

Eventually, Yu Qing’er gave up on pretending and just clung to his arm for the rest of the movie.

Since Mo Hongshen didn’t object, that meant he was okay with it, right?

Besides, they were potential partners from a matchmaking setup—some physical contact, if not rejected, should be fine. No need to be overly reserved.

When the movie finally ended and the theater lights came back on, Yu Qing’er released her grip.

“Let’s go,” Mo Hongshen said, standing up.

Yu Qing’er’s cheeks were flushed—whether from fear or heat, she wasn’t sure.

They stepped out of the theater, unsure what to do next. But as soon as they exited, the sky opened up and heavy rain poured down.

“Hurry! The rain’s getting worse!”

“Quick, get the clothes off the line—they’ll be soaked!”

People rushed to get home. Yu Qing’er looked at the torrential rain and sighed to herself—well, this date sure hit a snag.

“It’s pouring. Let me take you home first,” Mo Hongshen offered, worried she’d get sick from the rain.

“Okay,” Yu Qing’er nodded.

They didn’t have many options—just had to make do.

Yu Qing’er held her bag over her head, trying to block some of the rain. But then, Mo Hongshen suddenly took off his jacket beside her.

Yu Qing’er: “…?!”

Before she could react, Mo Hongshen flipped the jacket over both their heads to shield them.

“Let’s pick up the pace, okay?” he said.

“This rain’s intense. If we stay out in it too long, we’ll both catch a cold.”

Because they had to share the jacket, Mo Hongshen naturally moved closer—but he seemed unaware of the full impact of approaching her while wearing just a tank top.

Yu Qing’er: “…”

Wasn’t this a little unfair? First date and already pulling the seduction card? Mo Hongshen clearly wasn’t as simple as he looked!

But… oh well. Who told her to be into this type?

“Mhm.” Yu Qing’er nodded, tearing her eyes away from his pecs. But just as her gaze drifted past his bare arm, she froze as if struck by lightning, her eyes wide and dazed.

Mo Hongshen was ready to run, but stopped when he noticed her zoning out.

“What’s wrong?”

He followed her gaze to his arm—right where his birthmark was.

“Oh, that’s a birthmark. I’ve had it since I was born,” Mo Hongshen explained.

But Yu Qing’er remained frozen, struggling to come back to her senses.

Seeing her strange expression, Mo Hongshen frowned slightly, confused. “Does it bother you?”

On the top of his left arm, in the same spot where most people get vaccinations, there was a dark red birthmark. With his naturally tan skin, it didn’t stand out too much. It wasn’t large, but up close it was very visible.

The reason Yu Qing’er was so shocked was because—her ex-boyfriend from her past life had the exact same birthmark.

Same location. Same shape. Same size.

Exactly the same.

If it were just the birthmark, maybe it could be brushed off. But from the very beginning, Mo Hongshen’s appearance, height, voice, even his habits and preferences—were all eerily similar to her ex.

And now, this birthmark, which he had since birth?

How could Yu Qing’er not be stunned?

So… could Mo Hongshen really be her boyfriend from her past life?

The idea was outrageous. But considering she had transmigrated into a novel, was this possibility really so far-fetched?

“Yu Qing’er?” Mo Hongshen’s voice pulled her back—she’d been staring for way too long, and it was making him a little nervous.

Was it really that big of a deal?

“Hm? Oh…” Yu Qing’er finally returned to herself. I’ll think this over at home later, she told herself. She smiled and smoothed it over: “It’s nothing, I just zoned out. Let’s hurry and run back.”

Mo Hongshen was still confused, but didn’t press further.

He was tall and broad, and the jacket he held over her covered most of her upper body, shielding her well. Only her lower half was damp from the wind-blown rain.

When they finally reached the building downstairs from her home, they both stopped to catch their breath.

“Whew, it’s been a while since I’ve run like that,” Yu Qing’er panted. She didn’t usually exercise much, so she was exhausted.

“You should go inside and take a hot shower. Drink some hot water or cold medicine, just in case,” Mo Hongshen advised, wringing the rain from his jacket.

Yu Qing’er looked a little disheveled, but not too soaked.

But Mo Hongshen—

His tank top was completely drenched and clinging to him, outlining every muscle. Especially since it was white—it might as well have been transparent.

She hadn’t paid attention earlier when they were rushing in the rain. But now, thinking of Mo Hongshen walking all the way home like this… Yu Qing’er hesitated.

Her parents should still be at work at the store. No one else would be home.

So inviting Mo Hongshen upstairs to change clothes—should be fine, right?

“I’m okay, barely got wet,” she said, quickly averting her eyes from his body. “But you…”

She glanced at him again and then offered, “Do you want to come up and change into one of my dad’s shirts?”

After all, it was only because he covered her from the rain that he got so soaked.

Mo Hongshen hesitated, looking unsure.

“They’re not home, my parents,” Yu Qing’er added quickly—and then immediately regretted it. That made it sound even more suspicious.

But her intention was pure. She just didn’t want him wearing wet clothes for too long.

“…Alright,” Mo Hongshen agreed.

If he refused a kind offer from a girl like this, wouldn’t that hurt her feelings?

Besides, he was a soldier. Yu Qing’er must trust his character to even offer.

“Thanks for the trouble.”

Once inside, Mo Hongshen was extremely well-behaved—not even glancing around the house, staying polite and proper.

“You wait in the bathroom. I’ll go find one of my dad’s shirts. You’re way taller than him, so I’ll need to find his biggest one,” Yu Qing’er said.

“No rush. You go get changed first,” Mo Hongshen replied, not moving toward the bathroom.

Yu Qing’er didn’t argue. She headed back to her room, changed into dry clothes, and then rummaged through her parents’ room.

“There should be a clean towel in the bathroom cabinet—you can use it to dry off.”

Her dad wasn’t short, but compared to 190cm-tall Mo Hongshen, his shirts were clearly smaller. After searching through drawers, she finally found the largest one.

Without bothering to fix the mess she’d made digging around, she handed it over.

“This one should fit, right?”

Mo Hongshen held it up—it might be a bit snug, but wearable. This wasn’t the time to be picky.

“Yeah, I’ll go change now,” he said, heading into the bathroom.

Meanwhile, Yu Qing’er went to find an umbrella, thinking it would be better for him to have one when he left.

“Oh, and here—take this umbrella with you. Anything’s better than walking in the rain…” she said, walking into the bathroom, thinking he’d already changed.

Yu Qing’er: “…”

His soaked tank top and jacket were tossed on the sink. Mo Hongshen was just drying himself with the clean towel—and she had barged right in.

Mo Hongshen: “…”

Yu Qing’er froze, eyes glued to his chest. There was nothing blocking her view.

The first time they met, when he wore a dress shirt, she could already tell his body was amazing.

The second time, through the tank top, she confirmed it.

But neither time compared to what she saw now—completely unfiltered.

Yu Qing’er swallowed. Forget “see no evil”—how could she not look?!

This man was a living sculpture! She’d be a fool not to admire it!

Not only did she look, she stared—blatantly, without blinking!

Wow. That build. Those biceps. Those triceps. That chest. And those abs—perfectly defined, like a washboard… absolutely incredible. Thank you, male deity, thank you thank you thank you!