79

 Facing Teacher Lin's questions, Xiang Ran felt a wave of frustration.

"We're not really stable yet."

"I plan to tell you in a little while."

"Not stable? When will it be stable?"

Teacher Lin was anxious.

"Um... maybe in a year or two if everything goes well?"

Xiang Ran was worried that Liu Shuyao would later bring it up, and he wouldn’t have a good response. If she didn't blame him, he could tell his parents then.

After saying this, he sensed Teacher Lin's mood shift from cheerful to concerned.

"Anyway, if there's any progress, I'll definitely let you know!"

"Mom! Dad! I'm leaving!"

After saying this, Xiang Ran slung his backpack over his shoulder and left without looking back.

Teacher Lin watched her son leave and began to worry again.

"Do you think our son is being a backup option in this relationship?"

"What's a backup option?"

"It refers to someone who continues to show affection, care, and pursue the other person, especially when they know they're not the first choice."

Mr. Xiang frowned at the academic nature of her words but shifted his focus back to the book in his hands.

"You're quite trendy with these terms."

Seeing her husband’s indifferent attitude made Teacher Lin anxious.

Last time, she thought Xiang Ran’s Turing wallpaper hinted at some orientation issues. Now he was involved in a secretive relationship with no real progress?

This child was truly a worry!

Meanwhile, on the subway, Xiang Ran was still messaging the school beauty, completely unaware that his relationship issues were a complete mess in Teacher Lin's eyes.

School Beauty: 【I miss you a little.jpg】

Xiang Ran: 【I’m already on the subway.】

School Beauty: 【Why so fast? Aren’t you staying home longer?】

Xiang Ran: 【Nope, I can go back anytime.】

Xiang Ran: 【How did your painting go this afternoon?】

He knew Liu Shuyao was focused on her painting and cherished the opportunity.

School Beauty: 【Almost done, I can show it to Old Wang after the holiday.】

Xiang Ran: 【Want to catch a movie tonight?】

School Beauty: 【Sure! (^▽^)】

School Beauty: 【Bunny spinning around.jpg】

Xiang Ran: 【What do you want to watch?】

As he asked, he scrolled through his phone to see what movies were playing.

In the end, Liu Shuyao chose to watch a recent romantic movie series. Xiang Ran hadn’t seen the previous three but frowned at the title. After she sent him a bunch of "old-fashioned" emojis teasing him, he finally bought the tickets.

Xiang Ran was faster than the school beauty, so he arrived at the cinema first to pick up the tickets.

The entrance was decorated with large movie posters showcasing upcoming films. It was after dinner, and the place was bustling with people.

Rows of red seats lined the front, illuminated by the lights, with many waiting for the movie to start.

Liu Shuyao arrived shortly after.

She was in a hurry to leave, so she hadn’t gone back to her dorm to change.

Wearing a simple pair of jeans and a white T-shirt, her long black hair cascades over her shoulders, giving off a casual and natural vibe.

With her big, curious eyes, she immediately starts looking for Xiang Ran as soon as she steps into the cinema.

The fitted jeans showcase her slender figure, making her legs appear delicate and well-proportioned, complemented by a pair of simple white shoes.

As Xiang Ran watches Liu Shuyou weave through the crowd, rushing towards him, he finds himself momentarily lost in thought. Even though she’s in a simple outfit of a white T-shirt, jeans, and white shoes, she exudes an aura of a little sister, stirring an unexpected impulse in him to take her to the civil affairs bureau to get their marriage certificate.

When he snaps back to reality, he notices Liu Shuyou has reached his side. “Do you want popcorn?” Xiang Ran asks with a smile.

Liu Shuyou nods vigorously, having caught a whiff of the rich caramel scent as soon as she walked in. Hearing Xiang Ran’s suggestion, she grabs his hand and heads to the queue.

As the time draws near, they join the line to enter the screening room.

Inside Hall 4, dim lights cast a soft glow. In the narrow aisle, Xiang Ran holds Liu Shuyou’s hand tightly as they walk past rows of seats, their shoulders occasionally brushing against each other, creating a subtle electric connection.

“Isn’t this a couple's seat?”

Arriving at their seats, Liu Shuyou glances at the armrest separating them and pulls on her boyfriend's sleeve to ask.

“Ah?”

“Couple hall?”

Xiang Ran hadn’t considered that option when buying the tickets, and he realized he’d never seen such a hall.

“Um…”

Even though he says that, once seated, Liu Shuyou promptly raises the armrest between them. However, they are still in two separate seats, which feels a bit different.

Taking advantage of the time before the movie starts, she pulls out her phone and shows Xiang Ran the ticket interface, pointing out that there are designated couple seats in some cinemas.

“Learning something new today!”

The movie begins.

Liu Shuyou quickly immerses herself in the plot, while Xiang Ran struggles to focus on the screen. Occasionally, she feeds him popcorn, offering her commentary.

The film seems to pass quickly, but by the end of the first half, Liu Shuyou’s interest wanes, and she starts playfully moving her hands in the dark cinema.

Xiang Ran finds himself in a flurry, trying to manage Liu Shuyou’s playful antics.

After some lighthearted chaos, the movie wraps up.

As they exit the cinema, they take the subway back to school.

Night begins to fall, and the city lights start to twinkle.

Walking out of the subway station and onto familiar streets, Liu Shuyou carries a cup of oden from a convenience store, taking small bites as it’s still hot.

A gentle breeze ruffles her hair, and a few strands land on her face. Unable to resist, Xiang Ran reaches out to tuck them behind her ear.

“Slow down while you eat.”

“Okay~”

Liu Shuyou responds softly, and instead of putting down the piece of radish she’s holding, she feeds it to Xiang Ran.

“Ah~”

“Open wide~”

By now, Xiang Ran is adept at gauging the height of Liu Shuyou’s hand as she lifts it, making it effortless for him.

After finishing the oden, they walk a bit further from the subway station. Since it’s still the holiday, the streets are becoming quieter.

Liu Shuyou, feeling a bit out of place in the sudden calm after the earlier excitement, clings to her boyfriend’s arm as they chat casually.

“After National Day, we need to start preparing for the school anniversary gala, right?”

“It seems our department was assigned a singing act since no one signed up for performances.”

Xiang Ran recalls what Qi Dong mentioned in the group chat a few days ago.

“Aren’t we performing the drone show?”

“We are, but the department head said we need to come up with one more act.”

“Just one person singing?”

“Do you think our department could pull together a boy band?”

“Hahaha…”

Liu Shuyou bursts into giggles at Xiang Ran’s remark.

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