Movie

On a sunny weekend afternoon, it's perfect for staying home or creating a little surprise.

Qi Shuo looked at Tan Huaiyu and Qing Ran, who were curled up in their respective corners on the sofa. One of them was holding a tablet computer and looking at the case file with a slight frown, while the other was holding a sketchbook and drawing wild doodles. Suddenly, a thought came to his mind—he had to take these two out for some fresh air.

Attorney Tan has been under a lot of pressure with his cases lately, and Qingran has been staying home a lot and hasn't gone out much either; she should relax a bit.

"Ahem," Qi Shuo cleared his throat to attract their attention, "Are you free tonight? I'll take you to see a movie."

Tan Huaiyu looked up from the file, somewhat surprised: "Watching a movie? What movie?"

Qingran immediately put down her sketchbook and looked at Qi Shuo with bright eyes: "Let's watch a movie! Brother, what movie are we watching? Is it an animated film?"

“It’s an animated film,” Qi Shuo nodded, took out his phone, opened the ticketing app, and proudly showed it off, “It’s newly released, has a high rating, the art style is especially beautiful, and I heard the story is also very heartwarming and healing, suitable for the whole family to watch together.”

He specifically emphasized "the whole family," trying to touch Tan Huaiyu's heart, which was occupied by legal provisions.

Tan Huaiyu glanced at his phone screen. The poster had a fresh watercolor style, and the main characters were several cute animal characters. The title also had a childlike feel to it.

He was indeed a bit tired, so watching some lighthearted cartoons seemed like a good idea. Besides, looking at Qingran's expectant expression...

"Alright then." Tan Huaiyu closed the tablet and rubbed his temples. "Consider it spending time with Ranran."

"Yay! Let's go see a movie!" Qingran jumped up from the sofa excitedly, already imagining the popcorn and cola.

Qi Shuo was overjoyed to see Tan Huaiyu agree and immediately and efficiently selected a showtime and booked tickets. He specifically chose the 7 PM prime time slot, with a seat in the best viewing area right in the center, and even bought the largest bucket of popcorn and a drink combo in advance. Everything was ready, and they just waited to set off that evening.

In the evening, after dinner, the three of them tidied up and headed to the movie theater. Qingran was very excited the whole way, chattering away, full of fantasies about the movie she was about to see. Tan Huaiyu seemed more relaxed, holding Qingran's hand and listening to her talk, occasionally exchanging a few words with Qi Shuo.

Upon arriving at the movie theater, they collected their tickets, popcorn, and drinks. Qi Shuo carried a popcorn bucket almost half the size of Qing Ran, Tan Huaiyu held the drinks, and Qing Ran hugged her own little bucket of popcorn. The three of them, "fully armed," went through the ticket check and entered the theater.

After finding their seats, they sat down. There were three seats together; Qi Shuo sat in the middle, Qing Ran to his left, and Tan Huaiyu to his right. The theater lights dimmed, and commercials and trailers began playing. Qing Ran hugged her bucket of popcorn, munching noisily, her eyes glued to the big screen.

Tan Huaiyu also relaxed, leaned back in his chair, and sipped his drink casually.

The main feature begins. The refreshing art style, adorable animal characters, and lighthearted, fun everyday scenes—everything is exactly as Qi Shuo envisioned: a warm, healing, and family-friendly movie. Qing Ran giggles throughout, while Tan Huaiyu wears a faint smile.

Qi Shuo leaned back in his chair with satisfaction, feeling that his arrangement was absolutely perfect.

However, about a third of the way through the movie, the style... started to look a bit off.

The lighthearted and joyful daily life is gradually shrouded in a faint sadness. The home of the main animal characters seems to be facing a crisis. The plot begins to explore somewhat profound and even heavy topics such as "growth and separation" and "memory and existence."

Although the narration remained gentle, the atmosphere became noticeably somber.

Qi Shuo: !!!

Are you kidding me?!

Qingran stopped holding the popcorn bucket, her smile slowly faded, and her big eyes stared intently at the screen, glistening with tears.

When she saw that the protagonist's best friend had to leave temporarily because of some law, she finally couldn't help but sob softly. Then she turned her head and buried her face in Qi Shuo's arm next to her, her shoulders shaking.

Qi Shuo: "..."

He quickly bent down, gently patted Qingran's back, and whispered comfortingly, "Ranran, don't cry. Movies are just movies. Things will definitely get better..."

Before he could finish speaking, he felt a gentle tug on his right sleeve.

Qi Shuo's heart skipped a beat, and he slowly turned his head.

In the dim light of the theater, his usually calm and composed lawyer, Tan, who was eloquent in court, was staring intently at the screen, his eyes red-rimmed, tears welling up in his long eyelashes, and his nose slightly red.

He was still holding a drink cup in one hand, but his other hand was unconsciously gripping Qi Shuo's sleeve tightly, so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

He pressed his lips together, seemingly trying his best to restrain himself, but his slightly trembling chin and tearful expression completely betrayed his surging emotions at that moment.

Qi Shuo: "..."

He looked at Qing Ran on his left, who was burying her face in his arm and sobbing softly, and then at Tan Huaiyu on his right, who was clearly shedding tears but trying to appear calm. He was completely stunned.

What happened to the promised "warm and healing" family-friendly content? How come watching an animated film made both the adult and the child in the family cry?!

He was flustered, patting her back to comfort her on the left, handing her tissues to wipe her tears on the right, and whispering every word he could think of to soothe her: "It's okay, it's okay, it's just a story. Look how strong the protagonist is... Huaiyu, tissues, wipe your tears... Ranran, don't cry, your brother is here..."

However, his words of comfort seemed to have little effect. The plot grew increasingly heart-wrenching. As the protagonist reminisced about his friends under the starry sky, the background music became ethereal and sorrowful—

"Wah..." Qing Ran finally couldn't hold back and burst into tears. Although Qi Shuo immediately covered her mouth and turned it into a muffled sob, her tears had already soaked his sleeves.

Although Tan Huaiyu didn't make a sound, tears were already falling like broken beads, streaming down her fair cheeks, gathering at her chin, and then dripping down.

He bit his lower lip hard to stop himself from crying out, but his body was trembling slightly, and his grip on Qi Shuo's sleeve tightened, as if he were clinging to the only piece of driftwood.

Qi Shuo felt as if he was about to be overwhelmed by the surging sea of ​​tears on both sides. On one side was his sister's heartbroken sobs, and on the other side was his lover's silent tears.

He wanted nothing more than to rush out and confront the projectionist. What kind of healing film was this? It was clearly a depressing one!

He could only awkwardly put his left arm around Qingran, letting her cry in his arms, while his right arm pulled Tan Huaiyu's shoulder, letting him rest his head on his shoulder. He gently patted his back, comforting him with words he himself found inadequate: "It's alright, it's alright, don't cry, it's all fake, I'm here, I'm right here..."

At this moment, popcorn, the best viewing spot, and carefully planned family activities all become irrelevant.

Qi Shuo felt like a lifeguard, struggling to hold up two tearful people who could be drowned at any moment in a wave called sorrow.

In the latter half of the film, the plot finally takes a turn and brings hope, the atmosphere gradually warms up, and it ultimately concludes in a scene full of sunshine and hope.

As the end credits rolled, the theater lights came on.

The surrounding audience members gradually left, discussing the plot. Only Qi Shuo and his group remained in a somber atmosphere.

Qingran cried until her eyes were swollen like little peaches. She leaned against Qi Shuo's chest, sobbing occasionally.

Tan Huaiyu stopped crying, but her eyes were red and swollen, her nose was red, and her face was still wet with tears. She looked much more vulnerable than usual, and also... much cuter.

Somewhat embarrassed, he let go of Qi Shuo's sleeve, lowered his head, and silently took the tissue from Qi Shuo's hand, carefully wiping his face.

Qi Shuo looked at the two crybabies, one big and one small, feeling both sorry for them and amused. He first wiped Qing Ran's face clean, tidied her hair that had been messed up by her tears, and asked softly, "Ranran, are you alright? Was the movie... good?"

Qingran nodded, then shook her head, and said with a heavy nasal tone, "It's beautiful... But, when the little fox left, I was so sad... But in the end, it came back and brought new friends..." As she spoke, her eyes reddened again.

Qi Shuo quickly patted her: "Yes, yes, it's good in the end, it's good."

He then looked at Tan Huaiyu, his tone teasing and smiling: "Attorney Tan, how was the movie...? Was it warm and healing enough?"

Tan Huaiyu blushed at his question and glared at him irritably, but her swollen eyes and wet tear stains made the glare less intimidating and more aggrieved.

"...It's alright." He mumbled the two words, clearly unwilling to dwell on his "dark history" of crying while watching cartoons.

Qi Shuo chuckled softly, not exposing him, but gently wiping away the last trace of moisture from the corner of his eye with his fingertips. "Let's go, you little crybaby, let's go home."

"You're the crybaby!" Tan Huaiyu slapped his hand away, but the tips of her ears turned red.

On the way back, the atmosphere eased considerably. Qingran had regained her energy and began chattering away, recounting the parts of the movie she found interesting, though she still choked up a little when she got to the touching parts.

Tan Huaiyu also returned to his usual self, except that his eyes were still a little swollen. He didn't say much and listened quietly.

Back home, Qi Shuo urged the two of them to wash their faces and put on eye masks. He then went into the kitchen and took out his secret weapon from the refrigerator—a box of ice cream, Tan Huaiyu's favorite brand, which he had specially bought that afternoon, and a yogurt fruit salad for Qing Ran.

"Here, have something sweet to comfort our wounded hearts." Qi Shuo brought ice cream and fruit salad to the living room.

Upon seeing the ice cream, Tan Huaiyu's eyes visibly lit up, but he still stubbornly insisted, "Who's heartbroken..."

"I...I'm injured, okay?" Qi Shuo readily complied, scooping up a large spoonful of ice cream and holding it to his lips. "Come on, Attorney Tan, open your mouth and comfort this poor soul who's been drowned in your tears."

Tan Huaiyu was amused by him and finally couldn't hold back, opening her mouth to take the ice cream. The cool and sweet taste melted on her tongue, seemingly easing the sadness brought by the movie.

Qingran happily ate the fruit salad, quickly forgetting the sadness in the movie and turning back into the lively little girl.

That night, after putting Qingran to sleep, Qi Shuo returned to the bedroom. Tan Huaiyu had already washed up and was leaning against the headboard reading a book, though her eyes were still a little swollen.

Qi Shuo climbed onto the bed, naturally pulled the other into his arms, rubbed his chin against the top of his head, and asked in a low voice, "Are you still sad?"

Tan Huaiyu snuggled comfortably in his arms, shook her head, and said in a muffled voice, "No. It's just... the movie was really well made."

He paused, then added in a low voice, "Next time... don't watch this kind of thing."

Qi Shuo chuckled and hugged him tighter: "Okay, next time I'll take you to see a comedy. I guarantee you'll laugh until your stomach hurts, but you won't shed a single tear."

Tan Huaiyu hummed in response and didn't say anything more, but just snuggled closer into his arms.

Qi Shuo felt the gentle embrace of the person in his arms, and his heart melted. Although the process was a bit thrilling and the ending was somewhat unexpected, watching them express their true feelings because of the movie plot and quickly recover because of each other's company, this feeling of a family snuggling together seemed warmer and more real than any planned "perfect" date.

He lowered his head and gently placed a kiss on Tan Huaiyu's still slightly swollen eyelids.

"Go to sleep, you little crybaby."

Tan Huaiyu shifted in his arms, protesting vaguely, "...You are the one."

The moonlight outside the window was gentle, and the room was warm and cozy.