Breaths intermingled, accompanying the sound of heartbeats that echoed in their ears.
Who knew that a person's heartbeat could be louder than the sound system in a movie theater?
This was what Xie Xiao felt at that moment.
The lights, flickering between brightness and darkness, shone on her face, yet Xie Xiao felt as if he could clearly make out every single one of her eyelashes.
He swallowed hard, regretting his hasty entrance as it seemed he had forgotten to buy water. S~eaʀᴄh the nôvel_Fire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
His throat felt dry at the moment, yet he made no move, and the girl in front of him remained still as well.
Her trembling eyelashes betrayed her nervousness.
The tips of their noses touched lightly.
Xie Xiao thought, with the perfect time, place, and company, would he look like a fool if he did nothing?
His gaze lingered on those soft pink lips.
Just a little closer and they would touch.
Xie Xiao remembered the regret from that day on the subway; he was just a moment too late, cursing his reflexes for being too swift.
Luo Yanran's heartbeat raced, thumping rapidly, as she felt Xie Xiao's gaze on her lips.
An urge told her not to hesitate, to pretend it was accidental and just touch a little.
Yet a voice inside denied it, "No, I've been forward enough tonight."
To push further would really seem desperate.
At that moment, the movie might have reached a climax as the screams of girls and the sharp intake of breath from boys filled the theater.
Xie Xiao didn't hesitate any longer, leaning in lightly and touching her lips, just as soft as he had imagined.
The girl in front of him didn't move,
This was hardly a kiss, more like a gentle caress, and Xie Xiao pulled away quickly.
He whispered, "Miss Luo's lips are as soft as I thought."
The girl's trembling eyelashes flickered like the wings of a butterfly.
She didn't look up at him.
She just pulled away slightly, "You've lost your monthly test reward."
Her tone was a bit fierce, but her voice sounded soft and cute, devoid of any real threat.
Xie Xiao chuckled softly, his voice lower, "What if I do better next time, will there still be a reward?"
Luo Yanran had just said it without thinking.
She really didn't know how they should face each other after secretly kissing in the corner of the movie theater amid everyone's screams.
It seemed wrong. Weren't they not yet together?
Lin Yu straightened up quickly to block Liu Ou's line of sight as she turned her head, "What's wrong, senior sister?"
"Wow, that scene just now was so scary..." Liu Ou said softly, her voice still trembling, as she wanted to turn around and speak with the person next to her to distract herself from the fear.
Lin Yu's face stiffened into a smile, "No, senior sister, the movie just now wasn't scary. What I just turned around and saw was really frightening!"
Did Xie Xiao just harass Luo Yanran?
Shit?
How bold is this guy?
But Lin Yu had to admit that he felt a bit jealous.
How did this guy even have time for romance?
During the second half of the movie, aside from Liu Ou, who watched the movie seriously, the other three were already lost in their thoughts.
Xie Xiao was impulsive and regretted it; he felt he should at least have declared his love.
Would Miss Luo think he was unreliable?
She didn't look at him at all during the second half, so naturally, his questions went unanswered.
Xie Xiao unexpectedly felt a bit panicked.
The movie ended, and Liu Ou still felt a lingering sense of enjoyment, "No wonder this movie had a decent rating, it was really good!"
Lin Yu responded with a few sounds of agreement, "Yeah, it was great."
Xie Xiao glanced at Luo Yanran, unable to discern her emotions.
The redness was still visible behind her ears, but her face no longer showed any blush.
She didn't say a word and walked out.
He followed Luo Yanran, feeling increasingly uneasy.
Outside, Liu Ou walked over and took Luo Yanran's hand, "Luoluo, did you guess the killer right this time?"
As she spoke, she also glanced at Xie Xiao, "She's always super accurate with her guesses."
But she quickly realized something seemed off between the two of them.
Luoluo was clearly distracted, and as for Xie Xiao's gaze, it constantly rested on Luoluo, tinged with guilt and uneasiness.
Liu Ou narrowed her eyes, wanting to say something, but hesitated and changed the subject, "Luoluo, how are you getting home? Do you want me to take you?"
It was at this moment that Xie Xiao spoke up, "I'll take Luo Senior home. Liu Ou, aren't you on the way with Lin Yu? Lin Yu can drop you off perfectly."
Liu Ou glanced at him and didn't respond immediately, instead turning to Luo Yanran, "Luoluo?"
Luo Yanran seemed like she had just snapped back to reality.
She looked at Xie Xiao.
Xie Xiao's heart lurched, afraid she might say she didn't need a ride.
Thankfully, she nodded, "Xie Xiao can take me home."
She reached out and pinched Liu Ou's hand, "I wouldn't feel at ease if you went home by yourself."
Liu Ou asked in a low voice, "Are you sure you don't need me?"
Luo Yanran knew she must have noticed something was off with her mood, which is why she was worried.
Unable to help the warm feeling inside, she smiled and said, "It's fine, really. You go ahead."
Then she turned to Lin Yu, "Please take Hai Ou home, will you~"
Lin Yu nodded, "No problem, it's on the way."
Very good, very straightforward.
In the end, the four of them parted ways at the cinema entrance. Exclusive content from m,v lem|p,yr
The car Xie Xiao had called for hadn't arrived yet, and he looked at Luo Yanran, wanting to apologize.
But it felt wrong to apologize when he truly had wanted to kiss her.
His regret was not about the kiss itself, but about not having confessed his feelings to her beforehand.
Luo Yanran didn't look at Xie Xiao, her brow slightly furrowed, showing some indecision on her face.
So, the two didn't speak the whole way.
Xie Xiao wanted to speak several times, but seeing that Luo Yanran wasn't looking at him, he suddenly didn't know how to begin.
It wasn't until they got out of the car that Luo Yanran spoke, "Will you take me inside?"
Although it was a question, with her looking at him so directly, Xie Xiao couldn't possibly refuse.
And he really hadn't found the chance to start talking.
So he nodded.
On their way inside together, Xie Xiao finally spoke up, "I was impulsive back in the cinema."
Luo Yanran paused for a moment, and since it was very late, there was no one else on the path.
She looked at Xie Xiao, and the streetlight allowed them to clearly see each other's expressions, "Do you regret it?"
Luo Yanran's voice was devoid of emotion, yet it carried a barely perceptible tremor.
Xie Xiao was taken aback for a moment before shaking his head, "No, I don't regret kissing you. However, because I didn't have your consent, and..."
"Xie Xiao, do you like me?" Luo Yanran suddenly cut him off, her voice slightly louder, looking straight into his eyes as she spoke.
Xie Xiao looked at her, his Adam's apple moving up and down.
It seemed... she had beaten him to the punch?