Chapter 69: A Shocking Scene, A Sweet Scene!
As a man, how could Qi Fan not know why a man would take a girl to watch a horror movie?
It was the oldest trick in the book. The "Suspension Bridge Effect."
When a terrifying scene appeared on the screen, when the music swelled and the jump scare hit, if the girl was scared, that was the man's moment to shine. He became the protector, the anchor in the storm.
Just like crossing a swaying suspension bridge high above a gorge, the racing heartbeat and rapid breathing caused by fear were easily misinterpreted by the brain as attraction. It was a biological hack, a shortcut to intimacy.
Not to mention, the darkness of the theater provided ample opportunity to "take advantage."
The thought of Shen Anyu actually taking his goddess Liu Mi to watch a horror movie infuriated Qi Fan beyond measure. It was a desecration.
He quickly bought a ticket, his hands trembling with rage as he handed over the cash. He entered the theater, scanning the rows until he found them. He sat a few rows behind, staring intently at the backs of their heads, wanting to stop Shen Anyu's improper actions at the critical moment.
However, Liu Mi was no innocent flower. She had always been intelligent and clever, often called a "little vixen" by her best friend Jiang Linlin for a reason. How could she not understand Shen Anyu's intentions?
Although she had never had a boyfriend, Liu Mi knew a lot about various dating tactics. She had read enough CEO romance novels to write one herself.
She knew exactly what he was doing.
However, Liu Mi's eyes sparkled in the dim light. She covered her mouth with a light chuckle, but she did not stop him. Instead, she looked at Shen Anyu with affectionate eyes, appearing like a lovesick maiden willingly walking into the wolf's den.
But Shen Anyu knew that Liu Mi's overall favorability was still less than seventy. She was playing a game, too.
However, Shen Anyu didn't care; on the contrary, he found it amusing. No matter how cunning a little fox was, she couldn't escape a hunter's shotgun!
Subsequently, Shen Anyu and Liu Mi found their seats. They were "couple's seats"—plush, loveseat-style chairs without a divider in the middle, designed for exactly this kind of date.
It was still daytime, and there weren't many audience members in the cinema. People sat in twos and threes, scattered sparsely across the vast, darkened hall.
It felt private. Intimate. As if only Shen Anyu and Liu Mi were present in the world.
As the movie played, filling the silence with eerie music and tension, Liu Mi seemed to be engrossed.
But her attention was elsewhere. She was nervously clutching Shen Anyu's arm, her slender, fair hand gripping the fabric of his expensive jacket. Her delicate body leaned against him, her shoulder pressing into his chest.
By the faint light of the screen, Shen Anyu could see Liu Mi's small face flushed with tension. Her small mouth was slightly agape, her breathing rapid and shallow, as if she couldn't catch her breath under the oppressive atmosphere of the horror movie.
And behind them, Qi Fan watched this scene with gritted teeth, his eyes practically spitting fire. Every touch, every lean, felt like a knife twisting in his gut.
A playful glint flashed in Shen Anyu's eyes.
The movie reached its climax. The music screeched, the tension pulled taut like a wire. The Ghost King Buddha Mother was about to appear on screen.
Shen Anyu flicked his finger.
A sharp burst of [Martial Dao True Essence], invisible and deadly like a bullet, shot upwards.
It struck the massive crystal chandelier hanging above the aisle.
CRASH!
With a deafening bang, the chandelier shattered, raining glass onto the empty seats below.
"Ah ah ah..."
Inside the cinema, countless screams erupted instantly. Male, female—fear didn't discriminate.
Folks, who understands? When a horror movie reaches its most terrifying point, your nerves are already frayed. And suddenly, there's a loud bang in reality? Who wouldn't be scared out of their wits?
Some people even peed their pants!
"Ah..."
Liu Mi was thoroughly terrified. She shrieked, instinctively throwing herself directly into Shen Anyu's arms, burying her face in his chest and trembling violently.
Although she was not timid and usually handled horror movies well, the timing was impeccable. At the most tense moment, when the jump scare hit the screen, reality exploded around them. It broke her composure completely.
"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. I'm here, Mi Mi. I'll protect you..."
Shen Anyu wrapped his arms around her, his large hand patting Liu Mi's back rhythmically, comforting her gently. His voice was low and steady, a rock in the chaos.
[Ding! Detected that the destined heroine Liu Mi's favorability +10, plundering +30,000 Destiny Points!]
At this moment, in Shen Anyu's embrace, Liu Mi felt a strong, overwhelming sense of security envelop her entire body. The scent of his cologne, the warmth of his chest, the strength of his arms... she couldn't help but feel that she never wanted to let go.
Such a good Brother Shen. A dragon among men, fearless in the face of chaos, yet so gentle and considerate, taking care of her first. She must hold onto him!
Liu Mi's long, charming fox-like eyes flashed with determination, even as she clung to him.
Qi Fan had also been pale with fright just now, his mind momentarily blank, almost screaming out like a girl. When he came to his senses, his gaze immediately went to Shen Anyu and Liu Mi.
This sight made Qi Fan furious!
He saw Liu Mi in Shen Anyu's arms, looking vulnerable and protected. He saw Shen Anyu holding her, looking calm and dominant.
"Let go of Liu Mi! Don't take advantage of the situation!"
At this moment, with the sudden incident in the cinema, the emergency lights came on, illuminating everything in a stark, white glow.
Qi Fan stood up, pointing an accusing finger. He was infuriated to see Liu Mi, the goddess in his heart, tightly embracing Shen Anyu as if he were her lifeline.
Sure enough, Shen had succeeded. He used the chaos to get what he wanted.
"I should have stopped them from watching the horror movie earlier!" Qi Fan regretted in his heart, bitterness tasting like bile in his mouth.
Upon hearing this shout, Liu Mi, quite surprised, struggled out of Shen Anyu's embrace. She felt a bit reluctant to leave the warmth, a nostalgic feeling already settling in.
She turned her gaze to the source of the noise.
When she saw Qi Fan standing there, looking disheveled and angry, her delicate brows furrowed tightly. Her expression turned cold instantly.
"Qi Fan... why did you follow me here?"
At this point, Liu Mi's gaze towards Qi Fan held not just annoyance, but genuine disgust.
She had rejected Qi Fan, this persistent suitor, many times. She was thoroughly annoyed. Now, he was even stalking her into a movie theater? Which was frankly a bit perverted and too much!
Especially... what if he ruined her sweet date with Brother Shen? What if Shen Anyu thought she was leading him on?
Qi Fan said with deep anguish, trying to play the hero:
"Liu Mi, this man brought you to watch a horror movie with ill intentions! Don't be deceived by him! He planned this!"
After speaking, Qi Fan looked at Liu Mi's reaction with anticipation.
In Qi Fan's mind, if Liu Mi knew the truth, she would definitely see through the "pretty boy" Shen beside her. She would see his manipulative nature.
She might even, according to Liu Mi's famous temper, simply storm off in anger.
However, Liu Mi glared at Qi Fan angrily. She stepped closer to Shen Anyu, grabbing his arm protectively.
"Qi Fan, what nonsense are you talking about? How could Brother Shen have ill intentions? How could he deceive me?"
"You're not even worthy of slandering Brother Shen! Don't follow me anymore, or I'll call the police for harassment!"
...
[Ding! Child of Destiny Qi Fan is heartbroken, plundering +6,666 Destiny Points!]
Qi Fan was heartbroken, stunned on the spot, and immediately dumbfounded.
Why wasn't it as he had imagined?
Hadn't Liu Mi always been a bit like a princess? Hadn't she always had a bad temper for liars?
Just now, in front of everyone at the university, facing Qi Fan's kneeling proposal, Liu Mi had directly given him a cold shoulder because she thought it was a "boring trick."
But now, when Shen Anyu clearly used a trick, why wasn't she angry?
Could Liu Mi really be lovesick?
Impossible. Liu Mi was extremely intelligent. Although she was in the Music Department, her cultural subject scores were also far ahead of the curve. She wasn't a fool.
"Qi Fan, aren't you leaving yet?"
Liu Mi's long, charming fox-like eyes narrowed into slits, and she looked at Qi Fan with an unfriendly expression.
How could she not know what Qi Fan was saying?
With Liu Mi's intelligence, when Shen Anyu took her to watch a horror movie just now, she already knew he likely had "ill intentions" and wanted to do something on the sly.
But Liu Mi didn't care at all! On the contrary, she was happy to see it happen. She was happy to get closer to Shen Anyu, to deepen their feelings, to have an excuse to be held.
As a result, this Qi Fan guy actually ran over to be a third wheel, forcefully destroying the sweet atmosphere from just now and exposing the game she was happily playing along with.
Liu Mi was still a little reluctant to leave Shen Anyu's warm and safe embrace.
Thinking of this, Liu Mi's gaze towards Qi Fan became even more disgusted and repulsed. He was a nuisance. A bug.
[Ding! Child of Destiny Qi Fan's main emotional storyline has a major fluctuation, plundering +50,000 Destiny Points!]
Facing the undisguised disgust and repulsion from Liu Mi, the goddess in his heart, Qi Fan's face turned pale. His body swayed as if he had been punched. His vision went black for a second.
He turned and left in a disheveled state, stumbling over the broken glass, a defeated dog.
Shen Anyu watched this scene with a smile, enjoying the show. Then, he took Liu Mi's soft, delicate hand, smooth as congealed fat.
"Mi Mi, don't be angry anymore. He's gone. I'll take you to a good place to make up for it."
"Okay, Brother Shen."
Liu Mi's cold, pretty face immediately thawed like ice and snow. She smiled charmingly, full of sweetness and allure, looking at him as if he were the only man in the world.
[Akarin Note:
Your Support Keeps This Story Alive!
If you're enjoying this novel, your support means the world to me. Simple actions like leaving a review, power stone, comment, or sharing the story let me know you're out there. It's the greatest motivation for me to keep updating until the very end and ensures this project continues.
For those who wish to support me more directly, you can join my Patreon at [patreon.com/AkarinTL]. As a thank-you, you'll receive access to 50 advanced chapters.
I hope I am still worthy of your support. My life truly depends on this... haha, I know I'm so shameless.]