Chapter 66
Zuo Bian popped the popcorn into her mouth. Just as she swallowed, another sweet popcorn kernel was placed on her lips.
She turned to see Qin Ai holding a popcorn kernel, offering it to her. Zuo Bian instinctively opened her mouth, taking the popcorn and brushing her lips against Qin Ai’s fingers.
A jolt of electricity ran through her from the brief contact, traveling straight to her heart.
“Want more?” Qin Ai asked.
Zuo Bian, who had initiated the flirting, shook her head. “No, I’ll eat it myself.”
Qin Ai smiled, caressing Zuo Bian’s cheek before turning her attention back to the movie screen.
Zuo Bian continued to eat popcorn, stealing glances at Qin Ai’s profile.
The theater was dark, only the light from the screen illuminated Qin Ai’s face.
Remembering Qin Ai’s soft, amused voice, Zuo Bian’s ears turned pink, and her heart raced.
The sound of her heartbeat was like a drum, and she wondered if Qin Ai, sitting beside her, could hear it.
She discreetly reached out her hand, her fingertips brushing against the back of Qin Ai’s hand. Qin Ai didn’t move, so Zuo Bian boldly placed half her palm on Qin Ai’s hand.
In the darkness of the movie theater, she interlaced her fingers with Qin Ai’s, their hands clasped together.
Qin Ai finally turned her gaze away from the screen and looked down at their intertwined hands. “Do you like holding my hand this much?”
Zuo Bian tightened her grip and nodded slightly.
Qin Ai lifted Zuo Bian’s hand and gently kissed the back of it.
It was a simple kiss, without any lust or desire, but it was precisely this pure and cherished gesture that made it even more heartwarming.
Zuo Bian had chosen the movie, picking a genre she was interested in. But from beginning to end, she couldn’t remember a single detail of the plot. Qin Ai, on the other hand, seemed to be paying attention.
Qin Ai, with her playful nature, deliberately discussed the plot with Zuo Bian, but Zuo Bian could only stammer and give vague answers. In the end, she had to admit that she wasn’t paying attention to the movie at all.
They left the theater and got into the car. It was dinner time, and Qin Ai was taking Zuo Bian to eat.
In the car, Qin Ai continued to tease Zuo Bian about the movie.
“Didn’t you say you wanted to invite me to the movies? Why weren’t you paying attention?”
Zuo Bian replied, “Because watching the movie wasn’t my main goal. I read a guide that said watching a movie is just a formality. The key is to create an opportunity for physical intimacy.”
Qin Ai raised an eyebrow. “Where did you learn that from? Did 555 teach you?”
Zuo Bian shook her head. “No, I found it online. But 555 gave me some pointers.”
Qin Ai’s smile faded slightly, as if she had thought of something. “Would you do the same to someone else?”
Zuo Bian, oblivious to the danger in Qin Ai’s tone, answered honestly, “No, because I only like you.”
They stopped at a red light. Qin Ai turned to look at Zuo Bian, her eyes bright.
Zuo Bian instinctively leaned back, her face flushed. “We’re in public.”
Qin Ai chuckled softly and sat back in her seat. “What are you thinking? Did I say anything?”
Realizing she had overreacted, Zuo Bian lowered her eyes, her lips trembling slightly. “You didn’t say anything.”
555, observing from the sidelines, clicked its tongue. Qin Ai was so cunning, deliberately teasing Zuo Bian and then acting as if she had misunderstood.
555 continued to watch the drama unfold, not planning to intervene. This was their little couple’s game, it wouldn’t get involved.
======
They had lunch at Yanyuxuan, the private room in Nancheng Residence where they had their first meal together.
It had been a few months since then, but it felt like a lifetime ago. So much had happened.
Nancheng Residence had a new herbal tea on the menu. Zuo Bian took a sip and couldn’t resist taking another.
“This flavor is so unique.” The herbal tea had a hint of mint, a bit bitter, a bit sweet, a strange but pleasant combination.
The bitterness, sweetness, and minty coolness blended harmoniously, making her want to keep drinking.
The cool liquid flowed down her throat, and Zuo Bian couldn’t help but sigh in satisfaction.
“Is it that good?”
Zuo Bian nodded vigorously. “Mm-hmm, it’s really good, I love it. But the flavor is quite unique, I don’t know if you’ll like it.”
“Then let me try it.” Qin Ai picked up her cup and took a sip. It was surprisingly good.
Qin Ai didn’t usually like drinks, and she didn’t like overly sweet or sour flavors. But she seemed to enjoy the drinks Zuo Bian liked.
“How is it? Isn’t it good?” Zuo Bian looked at Qin Ai expectantly.
Qin Ai didn’t nod immediately. Instead, she frowned, her expression troubled.
“The flavor…”
“Is it bad?” Zuo Bian’s eyebrows drooped.
Qin Ai suddenly smiled. “It’s good, I like it too.”
Seeing Qin Ai smile, Zuo Bian smiled as well.
“It seems we have similar tastes.”
Qin Ai took another sip of the herbal tea. “Should I ask the owner for the recipe?”
“Is that possible? Will the owner be willing to sell it?”
“I know the owner, we should be able to buy the recipe. With the recipe, we can produce the drink, and it’ll be convenient for you to drink it whenever you want,” Qin Ai said.
Zuo Bian’s eyes lit up with longing, but she quickly thought of a problem.
“Qin Ai, what if people don’t like the flavor after we produce it?” She didn’t want Qin Ai to lose money.
Qin Ai said, “What does it matter? As long as you like it, it’s enough. I bought the beverage factory for you anyway.”
Hearing this, Zuo Bian realized she had her priorities mixed up. She relaxed and nodded. “Mm.”
==================
That evening, after returning home, Zuo Bian received several scripts from her mother, Du Yundong.
“Xiao Bian, take a look at these scripts and choose one you like. The casting for these projects won’t happen for a while. Mom will arrange everything for you once you’ve made your choice.”
These were words that many actors in the entertainment industry would love to hear. Who wouldn’t want to choose their own projects and have someone arrange everything for them?
Zuo Bian took the scripts and glanced at the titles, getting a general idea of their genres. Then she picked up a crime thriller script and started reading.
She had watched a classic crime thriller movie before and had been obsessed with it ever since. Now, a similar script had appeared before her, and she was intrigued.
It was a story about a female narcotics officer who went undercover in a drug trafficking organization.
“Take your time, Xiao Bian. Mom is going to watch ‘Ascending to Immortality.’ Episodes eleven and twelve are airing tonight.”
“Mm-hmm.” Zuo Bian nodded and continued reading.
She carried the scripts back to her room. Although she liked the crime thriller script the most, maybe the other scripts would also appeal to her.
As soon as she returned to her room, 555 inhabited a bunny plushie. Its soft, pink ears drooped behind its head, and its little butt wiggled.
“Am I sexy today?” 555 asked out of the blue.
Unfortunately, the plushie it had chosen was only cute, not sexy at all.
Little Frog, who had been running on a hamster wheel on the table, stopped and looked at 555, commenting, “Not sexy at all, ribbit.”
“How can I be sexy?” 555 asked, troubled.
Listening to their conversation, Zuo Bian’s attention drifted away from the script. When it came to “sexy,” the first person that came to her mind was Qin Ai.
She had watched many dramas with 555 and learned a lot about the entertainment industry, including the “purest” actresses, the “sexiest” actresses, and the “most elegant” actresses.
But in Zuo Bian’s eyes, the only truly sexy person was Qin Ai.
The gentle Qin Ai, the alluring Qin Ai, the handsome Qin Ai, the sexy Qin Ai.
Lost in her thoughts, Zuo Bian forgot to turn the page of the script.
555, no longer concerned about its sexiness, started playing with Little Frog.
It spun the hamster wheel with its round paws, forcing Little Frog to run with its tiny legs. However, its speed couldn’t keep up with the spinning wheel, and it ended up rolling around inside.
“Ribbit, ribbit, ribbit, ribbit, ribbit!”
Little Frog’s croaking brought Zuo Bian back to reality. She grabbed 555 by the scruff of its neck. 555’s plush limbs flailed in the air, but it was just a small plushie, its strength was no match for Zuo Bian.
Little Frog, dizzy, rolled out of the wheel, looking like a melted green mochi.
Zuo Bian scolded 555, who cried and apologized profusely.
After reprimanding 555, Zuo Bian returned to her bed and continued reading the script. However, not long after, 555 and Little Frog started making noise again.
The two little creatures seemed to be watching something interesting, giggling as they watched.
Zuo Bian glanced at them several times, but they didn’t notice and continued watching the tablet.
555 even patted its belly, clearly amused.
Curious, Zuo Bian asked, “555, Little Frog, what are you watching?”
Little Frog turned to face her. “We’re watching ‘Happy Camp,’ ribbit. Xiao Bianbian, you’re so cute, ribbit.”
Little Frog’s words reminded Zuo Bian that the episode of “Happy Camp” she had recorded had already aired. She wondered if Qin Ai had watched it. She should have invited Qin Ai to watch it with her, but she had forgotten.
Leave a Reply