Fu Chen's latest film, Song of Youth, was set to be released on May 1st. He had given movie tickets to Gu Chuyi, Luo Wei, and Mo Huai, inviting them to support the film. Despite his star power ensuring that tickets would sell out, Fu Chen still appreciated their presence.
At Gia Lai Film City, Luo Wei and Mo Huai arrived at the cinema, but Gu Chuyi had not yet shown up. Mo Huai was in line to buy the standard movie snacks—milk tea and popcorn.
Just then, Gu Chuyi came rushing in, her face alight with excitement. "Weiwei, I'm so sorry I'm late!" she said as she approached.
"It's okay; I just arrived a short while ago," Luo Wei said with a smile.
Mo Huai returned with two cups of milk tea and two buckets of popcorn.
"Thank you," Gu Chuyi said, grabbing the milk tea with an unladylike eagerness and smiling.
"You're starving," Mo Huai remarked with a hint of rudeness.
Gu Chuyi pouted and rolled her eyes. "Hmph, it's none of your business. I'm just hungry."
Mo Huai chuckled, and Luo Wei asked playfully, "Where's Gu Xiu?"
Gu Chuyi took a sip of her milk tea and replied, "He's working overtime and won't be able to make it."
Luo Wei checked her phone and saw that there were still fifteen minutes before the movie started.
"Let's go in," Mo Huai said, hugging Luo Wei as they headed toward the hall.
Gu Chuyi trailed behind them, glancing around and grumbling, "Is it just the three of us? Am I the only extra?"
Gu Chuyi looked genuinely frustrated.
Luo Wei noticed the awkwardness and, after a moment of thought, added, "And Fu Chen."
"Oh... that’s good," Gu Chuyi said, visibly relieved. At least she wouldn't be the odd one out.
They arrived at Screening Room No. 10, where the lights were dim and other moviegoers had already taken their seats.
Mo Huai took Luo Wei’s hand, guided her to their seats, and they settled in.
Mo Huai's tall, upright frame felt particularly reassuring to Luo Wei. His hand was slightly warm, and she took the initiative to clasp it, their fingers intertwining.
Mo Huai turned his head to look at her, and Luo Wei responded with a sweet smile. He returned the gesture with a subtle, affectionate smile of his own.
Gu Chuyi, observing the exchange, clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Singles really don’t belong here, especially those who have been single for over twenty years..."
Beside Gu Chuyi was an empty seat reserved for Fu Chen. She glanced towards the door, waiting for him to arrive.
At the start of the movie, Fu Chen's character is introduced as a rebellious troublemaker who eventually transforms into a top student and finds love. As Fu Chen's unruly yet handsome face appeared on screen, the theater erupted in a mix of cheers and playful boos.
Gu Chuyi could hear groups of girls whispering excitedly.
"Wow, Brother Chen is so handsome."
"Absolutely."
"If only he were my boyfriend, I'd be willing to trade ten years of my life for it," one fan exclaimed with a fervent look.
"Hmph, he's my man..."
"Why would he be yours?"
...
Gu Chuyi sighed helplessly as a man wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses took a seat. Looking up, she saw it was Fu Chen.
"Why are you just arriving? The movie is already halfway through," she remarked.
Fu Chen removed his sunglasses, revealing his sharp, angular features and clear jawline, exuding the undeniable charisma of a superstar.
"It doesn’t matter if I watch what I filmed, but you must watch it carefully for me," he said in his distinctive, hoarse voice.
Gu Chuyi muttered under her breath, "I think it's just so-so."
“What?” Fu Chen asked, surprised. “I’ll give you a chance to rethink your words.”
Gu Chuyi straightened up immediately, focusing intently on the big screen in front of her. Fu Chen, observing her sudden seriousness, smiled and relaxed.
Meanwhile, Luo Wei began to feel drowsy again. The dim lighting only made her sleepier. Before long, she closed her eyes and fell asleep with her head resting on Mo Huai’s shoulder.
As the night grew colder, Mo Huai gently patted Luo Wei and asked in a low, soothing voice, “Weiwei, should we head out?”
Luo Wei frowned as she slowly woke up, her voice delicate. “Sorry, I fell asleep.”
Mo Huai smiled reassuringly. “It’s alright. If you don’t want to watch, you don’t have to. Don’t worry about it. Let’s go back to sleep, okay?”
Luo Wei turned her gaze to Gu Chuyi and Fu Chen, who were intently focused on the big screen. She didn’t want to disrupt their enjoyment.
“No, I don’t want to leave yet. Let me wait until it’s over,” Luo Wei said stubbornly, forcing a smile as she gradually woke up.
After what felt like an indeterminate amount of time, Luo Wei vaguely sensed someone supporting her. Her eyes fluttered open, but she struggled to stay awake. She felt incredibly sleepy and lethargic, a lingering fatigue that had been bothering her lately.
When the movie ended, Luo Wei had fallen asleep. Unable to wake her, Mo Huai gently picked her up. She nestled into his arms, murmuring softly as she slept.
Gu Chuyi and Fu Chen followed behind. Mo Huai carried Luo Wei to the parking lot, carefully placed her in the passenger seat, and fastened her seatbelt.
Afterward, Mo Huai drove Luo Wei home, while Gu Chuyi was left to be driven back by Fu Chen.
As they drove, Gu Chuyi chattered away. “Fu Chen, do you think Mo Huai and Wei Wei are destined to be together?”
Fu Chen, gripping the steering wheel with one hand, turned his head and replied coldly, “I don’t know.”
“You’re so cold-hearted,” Gu Chuyi said, clearly dissatisfied. “I’m really happy that Wei Wei is finding her own happiness.”
“Don’t you agree?” she pressed Fu Chen.
Fu Chen rubbed his forehead, puzzled by her incessant talking. With a quick motion, he grabbed a lollipop, unwrapped it, and stuffed it directly into Gu Chuyi’s mouth.
Gu Chuyi hummed in surprise as the sweetness spread across her taste buds.
“Eat the lollipop. Does your mouth feel tired?” Fu Chen asked, a slight smirk playing on his lips.
Gu Chuyi sucked on the lollipop and rolled her eyes at Fu Chen. “I’m not tired. I’ve never been tired. I’m still young and full of energy.”
Gu Chuyi continued to chatter on, while Fu Chen let her talk. A smile briefly flickered across his face, his eyes concealing emotions that were hidden from view.
——
In the Luo family home, Luo Qianqian was engrossed in Fu Chen's latest interview. Her favorite star had a new movie coming out soon.
Suddenly, the door was pushed open, startling Luo Qianqian. She turned to see her father, Luo Jianguo, standing in the doorway.
A flicker of annoyance crossed Luo Qianqian's face. "Dad, could you at least knock before coming in? You scared me half to death," she complained.
Luo Jianguo, with a stern expression, retorted, "As your father, is there anything about you that I can't know?" His voice was loud and his face was contorted with displeasure.
Curious, Luo Qianqian asked, "Dad, what’s the matter? Why did you come in like this?"
Luo Jianguo sighed and accused, "How long has it been since you went to pay tribute to her? Do you have any sense of humanity left?"
Luo Qianqian, feeling both disgusted and impatient, retorted sarcastically, "She never raised me, and she's dead. What difference does it make whether I go to worship her or not?"
Luo Jianguo, clearly disappointed, glared at her, his voice trembling with emotion. "After all, she was your relative..."
Luo Qianqian's expression remained cold and unfeeling, like that of a cold-blooded animal.
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