Chapter Thirty-Two: The Lovers’ Booth

Ever since that night at Xu Shu’s concert, I hadn’t seen Qiu Jieqin again. Meeting her now, not only was she overjoyed, but I too felt genuinely happy. So I tacitly accepted her bold gesture of linking her arm through mine.

I smiled and said to her, “You just grabbed my arm so casually—aren’t you afraid you might have mistaken me for someone else?”

Qiu Jieqin simply pressed her head against my shoulder and whispered, “Even if you turned to ashes, I’d still recognize you!” I rubbed my nose and replied, “Why does that sound so awkward to me?” Qiu Jieqin laughed, gently pushing my arm. “Come on, hurry up! The movie’s about to start. I already bought the tickets.”

She pulled me along at a quick pace. “What movie is it? When does it start?” I asked. Qiu Jieqin answered, “Eight o’clock. Just a few minutes left, let’s go!”

We dashed upstairs to the cinema’s second floor. Qiu Jieqin took out the tickets for the attendant to tear, and together we entered the screening hall. She led me toward the back, where I saw that the last row was filled with couples’ private box seats.

Sure enough, Qiu Jieqin pointed to a box in the middle. “Here it is.” No wonder she rushed to buy tickets—she’d planned it all along. Sitting in a couple’s seat with her, was that too intimate?

While I hesitated, the hall lights went out and the movie began. I knew there was no longer any room to delay, so I took my seat.

Qiu Jieqin sat close to me, opened a plastic bag she had brought, and took out packets of snacks one by one. Smiling, I thought, “Women will be women—even for a movie, she bought so many snacks. Can she finish them all?”

She took off her coat, tossed it aside, tore open a bag of chips, and leaned her whole body against me.

Her fragrant, delicate body pressed against mine, making me too nervous to move. I sat stiffly, watching the movie properly. It was an American film, and when I looked at the cast list, I saw it starred Tom Hanks, an actor I admired. My interest was piqued.

Qiu Jieqin ate two chips, then picked up another and offered it to my lips. I rarely eat snacks, so I shook my head, but she persisted, brushing the chip against my mouth until I had no choice but to bite it and take it in.

Qiu Jieqin chuckled softly and withdrew her hand, resting not only her body but also her head on my shoulder. I knew such affectionate gestures were perfectly natural for her, but for me, they still felt out of place. After all, I hadn’t yet decided whether to give her a chance.

While the movie played, my eyes were fixed on the screen, but my mind was torn—should I accept or reject this intimacy?

Yet I could not decide! Because, if you asked whether I disliked her, I’d say I was delighted to see her; but if you asked whether I liked her, it always felt as though something was missing—a spark that never quite ignited.

The movie was growing more engrossing. The plot: Tom Hanks played a bookseller; Meg Ryan played the owner of a children’s bookstore. In life, they were rivals, but at home, unbeknownst to each other, they became close friends online, sharing everything. The story unfolded charmingly…

Suddenly, a low yet enticing female moan came from the neighboring box. Qiu Jieqin and I both blushed; anyone would know that such a sound from a woman could only mean one thing. I thought to myself, those two next door are daring—how could they... in a public place?

Qiu Jieqin’s breathing grew slightly faster. She put down her snacks, grabbed her coat, and draped it over herself.

Twenty seconds later, her hand reached back, seized my right hand, and pulled it under her coat, wrapping it around her slender waist.

My body trembled as I turned to look at her. In the reflected light from the screen, Qiu Jieqin’s face was shy and joyful, radiating a happiness beyond measure. She caught my gaze, gave me an encouraging look, then buried her head in my arms, overcome with embarrassment.

I understood what her look meant, yet I couldn’t move. I knew if I withdrew my hand and pushed her away, it would hurt her feelings; our lovely date would end in disappointment. But to go further... that was too much—I wasn’t ready!

So I embraced her waist, but dared not move an inch.

Five minutes later, Qiu Jieqin clicked her tongue, turned to give me an exasperated look, then slipped her hand under her coat, pressing it against the back of my hand.

Her fingers traced circles on my skin, and with her other hand, she quietly lifted her sweater’s hem. The hand pressing mine pushed upward, and I found myself... inside.

She was so warm—though separated by a layer of cotton underwear, I could still feel her softness and fullness. This was my second time touching her there. Qiu Jieqin brought her lips to my ear, whispering so softly I could barely hear: “Tang Qian, it’s all right... I want you...”

My face burned red with embarrassment and excitement. I was a normal man, not a saint—how could I not react or feel anything? I had dreamed of holding a beautiful woman and caressing her curves; now that the opportunity was here, how could I not be moved?

But the situation, the timing! They put a barrier in my heart. My hand rested atop her breast, but I dared not move.

Qiu Jieqin closed her eyes, waiting for my touch, but when nothing happened for a long while, she opened her eyes in puzzlement, turning to look at me. Her gaze was a mix of mocking my timidity, frustration at my lack of boldness, and yearning for a spark—so complex that I marveled at the expressiveness of human eyes. Without words, they conveyed so much.

Feeling apologetic, yet irked by her teasing, I unconsciously squeezed her breast.

“Ah…” Qiu Jieqin’s eyes glazed over, and she let out a moan identical to the one from the neighboring box, only louder. Realizing what she’d done, she quickly covered her mouth with her hand. Her cry startled me; I quickly withdrew my hand. We glanced around, wary of disturbing others.

But such sounds were common here—who would mind? After a few seconds, seeing nothing amiss, we looked at each other and couldn’t help but laugh. Qiu Jieqin gave me a playful glare, then suddenly wrapped her arms around my neck and pressed her rosy lips to mine…

Everything was wonderful with Qiu Jieqin; my mood was relaxed. But sometimes, I was overwhelmed by her initiative and passion. I...

Of course, I accepted her kiss—after all, it wasn’t the first time.

My kissing skills were dreadful, so Qiu Jieqin became like a teacher, guiding me step by step, gradually coaxing a response from me. I dared to use my tongue, and the kiss lasted an eternity. The screen continued to flicker, but I no longer cared what was playing…

I don’t know how long we kissed before we finally separated. I helplessly swallowed a mouthful of mingled saliva, taking a deep breath. Qiu Jieqin buried her head in my arms, exhausted. At that moment, a surge of emotion welled up in me. I thought: Qiu Jieqin is truly wonderful, beautiful, and we’ve already shared such intimacy—I feel no aversion. Perhaps I should just choose her, give her a chance.

I wanted to speak, to tell her: Qiu Jieqin, be my girlfriend.

But just then, from the depths of my heart, a face emerged—a peerless face I had once longed for. I was startled!

My mood sank, and I mocked myself: “I thought I’d forgotten her, but… Tang Qian, don’t be unrealistic. You already have someone wonderful by your side, yet you’re still dreaming of impossible things! Wake up!”

I shook my head, trying to dispel that incomparable face from my mind. But now, I could no longer say those words to Qiu Jieqin.

The movie finally ended, and I watched the conclusion: the heroine painfully rejected the hero’s proposal, waiting instead for the stranger online who had always offered her warmth and comfort. When they finally met, she discovered that he was, in fact, the hero! The heroine burst into tears, happily throwing herself into his arms…

Hand in hand, Qiu Jieqin and I quietly followed the departing crowd. At this moment, she was just like the heroine in the film—happy! She believed she had won my love.

But I was miserable, because just as I decided to offer happiness to another, I suddenly discovered my own misfortune! What a ridiculous scene! Life’s twists are always so dramatic—sometimes no less than the plots of films.

Leaving the cinema, we wandered through the city streets in silence, our hands joined, each lost in our own thoughts.

After a while, we reached a taxi stand. Qiu Jieqin raised her hand to hail a cab, then, blushing and shy, softly asked, “Tang Qian, would you like to come to my place… for a while?” Her cheeks were flushed, her gaze radiant with joy and shyness, illuminated by the lights of passing cars, making her look so enchanting and beautiful!