But these people couldn't move her.

But Xia Che in front of me could do it, and very easily.

The joy that such a simple bouquet of roses brought Xie Linlin was astonishing. After a moment's recollection, she realized that it was actually the happiest thing that had happened to her all year.

She was finding it increasingly difficult to understand her senior...

"Let's go. I'm the one who kept you waiting, so I'll take care of arranging the rest of the date."

Xia Che grinned and confidently gave a thumbs up.

"Um!"

Xie Linlin smiled and nodded, holding the roses in one hand and naturally linking her other arm with Xia Che's. This time, neither of them felt uncomfortable.

Xie Linlin's happiness and enthusiasm at this moment were impossible to hide; even a blind person standing next to her could see it.

Xia Che felt a slight sense of relief, glanced back, and looked at her with a strange expression.

Surprisingly, Han Xinyue's suggestion actually worked...

Even though he's a girl himself, how come he's so good at flirting?

After thinking it over, Xia Che felt that Han Xinyue might not be an ordinary person.

But in any case, her method did work.

He had Xie Linlin completely appeased, and there was no trace of anger on her face anymore, no longer showing any sign of being upset about his long absence.

"Since this method works so well, should I continue to listen to her... and go to the movies instead of the arcade?"

Xia Che touched his chin and rolled his eyes.

According to Xia Che's own wishes, he would prefer to go to the arcade, where there are many fun things to do. However, when he mentioned this to Han Xinyue, she rejected his idea.

— Dating is a two-person affair, so it's best to find a place you both are interested in and not just think about one person.

Xia Che had initially scoffed at Han Xinyue's words, but now he remembered them by heart and could recite them backwards.

This strategist is truly capable!

Thinking of this, Xia Che turned to Xie Linlin and said, "Shall we go see a movie? I just saw that promotional poster, and it looks really good."

"...Oh? Sure, I'm fine with anything."

Xie Linlin nodded obediently, without objection.

Anyway, it doesn't matter where she goes, and the main purpose of today's trip isn't to have fun.

"Give it your all one more time, strategist..."

Xia Che let out a deep breath and quickly led Xie Linlin towards the movie theater.

Even Xia Che himself didn't realize that his thoughts had changed a little; at the very least, he no longer disliked going on dates with Xie Linlin.

Even the tone of his voice when chatting with Xie Linlin, and the way he looked at her, had become much gentler than before.

These changes went unnoticed by anyone, not even Xia Che himself.

...

Xia Che and his friend were quite lucky; they happened to catch a comedy movie, which was a great choice for a first date.

As for romance films, the purpose is too obvious, and they're a bit cheesy.

If it's a horror movie...

It's okay at night, like in the early morning, but in broad daylight... taking a girl to see a horror movie?

This is a choice that even the most straightforward straight men in the world wouldn't make.

"Choosing a comedy shouldn't be a mistake, right? Sigh... Han Xinyue didn't tell me what kind of genre to choose. I should have known better than to refuse to be friends with Han Xinyue in the first place. Now I don't even have her on WeChat. Who am I supposed to ask now...?"

Xia Che sighed helplessly.

But since we're already here, watching a comedy shouldn't be a bad idea, right?

never mind……

Even if it's a landmine, you have no choice but to step on it.

When Xia Che arrived at the corresponding screening room following the staff's directions, the opening advertisements on the screen had already ended.

Their timing was perfect; they just missed the tedious advertising segment.

"Phew...so many people?"

Xia Che felt a little uneasy.

This was the first time he had gone to the movies with a girl.

People often say that movie theaters are a great place for dates, but besides movie theaters, aquariums are another popular choice.

But as hearsay may be, not everyone has the opportunity to date a girl.

Xia Che has never been on a date...

Wait a moment.

Xia Che was taken aback. It seemed like this wasn't the first time he had brought a girl to the movies.

A long time ago, there was a girl.

The mere thought of that name stirred a sense of unease within Xia Che.

The theater was dark. Xia Che led Xie Linlin to a seat and sat down. Taking advantage of the light from the screen, Xia Che turned his head and Xie Linlin's eyes seemed to shine.

"You seem to really like this movie?"

Xia Che paused, the name he had just thought of becoming clearer in his mind.

That was many years ago, the first time I took Xia Yuxin to see a movie.

At that time, both of them were still young. Xia Che spent all his pocket money very early on, such as buying models, small toys, or treating his friends to snacks to solidify his status as the leader of the kids...

Therefore, after all these procedures were completed, Xia Che didn't have much money left.

Movie tickets are very expensive for Xia Che; he has to plan ahead a long time before buying one.

Occasionally, when she had some spare money, she could take her younger sister to see a movie. Back then, Xia Yuxin's demeanor was just like Xie Linlin's now, with light shining in her eyes.

As expected of a girl of similar age.

Even their happy expressions are exactly the same.

Looking back now, Xia Che finds it somewhat amusing.

Even when they were very young, the siblings had a very good relationship...

When did things become so irreconcilable?

"Um!"

Xie Linlin nodded repeatedly, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "I've wanted to watch this movie for a long time, but my family is very busy and I can't find anyone to watch it with, so... it's been put on hold."

Xie Linlin's eyes darkened.

Busy is more than just busy.

Her own father, now without the pills that woman gave him, would be bedridden. Xie Linlin had seen him like that before; he couldn't even lift a finger...

"I see..."

Xia Che seemed to be deep in thought.

With her family members all very busy and lacking time to spend with her, does this mean that Xie Linlin's family of origin was actually not good?

But that doesn't make sense. She's a genuine rich and beautiful woman. Do rich people have troubles too?

never mind……

Xia Che let out a long sigh of relief. It's best not to meddle in other people's family affairs.

"It's okay. If there are any new movies released in the future, you can call me to come along if I'm free."

Xia Che raised an eyebrow: "Of course... you invited me, so you're treating."

This time it wasn't the strategist's idea, but Xia Che's own.

In Xie Linlin, he saw the shadow of the sister who had become a stranger to him, and recalled those warm days from his memories.