That afternoon, Dongfang Yu arrived promptly to pick up Hai Xiaotang from school and immediately noticed something was off with her.
âLetâs eat out today. What do you feel like having?â He asked her, starting the car.
After thinking for a bit, Hai Xiaotang suggested, âLetâs go to Baiweizhai.ân/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
She hadnât eaten there in a while and suddenly craved it.
Dongfang Yu was surprised.
He expected her, as usual, to say âwhateverâ. But she didnâtâinstead, she stated her preference, which took Dongfang Yu pleasantly by surprise.
âSure, to Baiweizhai!â Dongfang Yu laughed, saying that heâd take her to Baiweizhai, even if she wanted to eat swan meat.
Hai Xiaotang put on her headphones and started listening to a foreign song, humming along occasionally.
Dongfang Yu snuck glances at her a couple of times but resisted interrupting her.
He didnât want to break the current relaxing ambiance, even though they werenât conversing.
Once at Baiweizhai, Dongfang Yu ordered many dishes Hai Xiaotang loved.
He never knew her tastes before.
He wasnât sure when, but he had gradually come to understand all her culinary preferencesâ¦
Hai Xiaotang was feeling good, and her meal was delicious. Dongfang Yu offered her some of his dishes, but she declined, âNo need, I can serve myself.â
Dongfang Yu understood; she genuinely didnât need his help, it wasnât a deliberate act of rejection.
âYouâre in a good mood today?â Dongfang Yu couldnât resist inquiring.
âYeah, I figured some things out, so Iâm feeling pretty good,â Hai Xiaotang readily acknowledged.
A burst of joy suddenly sprang up in Dongfang Yuâs heart!
He assumed she had come to terms with the possibility of them ending up together.
Suppressing his grin, Dongfang Yu tentatively asked, âHow about we go to a movie after dinner?â
Hai Xiaotang rejected, âI have to go back and do homework.â
âIâll help you tonight. I guarantee youâll finish quickly. Iâve already bought movie tickets. Letâs go right after eating,â he insisted. As for the movie ticketsâ¦
He could immediately send a text to get them booked!
Hai Xiaotang had no choice but to agree, âSure.â
Dongfang Yu felt even happier, thinking that his assumptions were being confirmed. But he didnât dare ask, deriving more pleasure from cautiously seeking confirmation himself.
After dinner, they headed to the movie theater.
Dongfang Yu had love movies in mind, but when they arrived, Hai Xiaotang spotted a new cartoon film and changed her mind.
âI want to watch this!â She pointed directly to the cartoon poster.
Dongfang Yu was taken aback. He had never watched cartoons beforeâ¦
Let alone other movies. They didnât interest him at all.
âIt looks good, okay, weâll watch this one.â He agreed easily. After all, the purpose of being here was to date her; what they watched wasnât important.
Plus, it was a rare occasion when she voiced a desire and naturally he wanted to cater to her.
But who would tell him why the audience mainly consisted of studentsâ¦
Their adult presence amidst the sea of youngsters in the theater felt rather out of place.
The dating atmosphere was completely lost!
However, Hai Xiaotang enjoyed the movie which made Dongfang Yu enjoy himself too. He was simply captivated by her happiness.
It was then he realized that Hai Xiaotang was still a girl at heart, who enjoyed the same things young girls enjoyed.
Her interests werenât broad like other girlsâshe just liked simple entertainment.
The movie experience was worth it because Hai Xiaotang was happy, Dongfang Yu thought.
As they left the auditorium, Dongfang Yu must have spotted something. He turned to Hai Xiaotang, âWait for me a moment!â