If not for Zhou Ying’s natural lack of boundaries, persistently sticking to him without asking for anything in return, he wouldn’t even have this one friend. This was also why, no matter how brainless Zhou Ying was, he had never truly disliked him.
Tao Yuting heard his words and was stunned for a moment. By the time she understood what he meant, he had already left. She blushed and muttered softly, “Looks uneducated, but he’s got a whole set of twisted logic.”
Yue Linze had been waiting outside for a long time. Tao Yu finally came out of the restaurant with a stern face, looking like she had adjusted her mood. He slightly curved his lips and only asked after she got in the car, “Do you have a shopping mall you want to go to?”
“The maintenance staff just called me and said the instrument has been repaired. Let’s find a place close to Mr. Yue’s home, buy things quickly, and not delay today’s test,” Tao Yu looked at him with bright eyes. She now desperately needed to leave before completely surrendering.
Yue Linze saw her happiness was only because she was about to escape from him, and a cold light instantly flashed in his eyes. But this cold light disappeared in a flash, and Tao Yu hadn’t even sensed the danger before he returned to normal.
The car cabin instantly fell into silence. Tao Yu knew why, but she bit her lip and ultimately chose not to lighten the atmosphere.
After spending this time together, she had long discovered that the man beside her possessed all the good sides of his alternate personalities, without the hostility born from massive pain. He was not the severely psychologically impaired person she had imagined. How could she not be moved by such a healthy and kind man, someone she had loved across multiple worlds?
Unfortunately, she had come with a body full of lies and repeatedly violated psychological principles in the mental world. She actually felt guilty towards Yue Linze and was clear that once the lies collapsed, the emotions he had built for her might become his shame. To avoid this situation, she could only choose to flee far away and let the truth be buried forever.
The car started slowly, heading towards the mall near Yue’s home. Neither of them spoke during the journey. Tao Yu occasionally stole glances at the man beside her, feeling increasingly uncomfortable.
At the mall, both were somewhat distracted. Tao Yu stood in front of the luxury goods counter, casually scanning the accessories and choosing a simple necklace with a circular ring like a ring.
“This lady has good taste. This is our newly released ‘Eternal Union’ collection. Look, this pendant can be opened,” the counter assistant said, taking down the circular ring and transforming it into a necklace and a ring.
Tao Yu’s eyelids twitched, secretly cursing her lack of sensitivity for choosing something so ambiguous. Just as she was about to change it, Yue Linze casually said, “This one. Don’t take the ring off, just wear it like this.”
Tao Yu was silent for a moment but didn’t want to cause a scene right before leaving, so she obediently accepted the gift.
With the gift received, it was time to go for the check-up. Just two hours, and once his health was confirmed, she could immediately leave. Only at this moment did Tao Yu realize that parting was already so close.
Unknowingly, her eyes became slightly moist. Disguising it, she lowered her head and mumbled, “I’ll go to the restroom,” then hurriedly escaped.
Yue Linze watched her fleeing back, a slight smile playing on his lips. If they weren’t about to separate today, he wouldn’t have known how deeply her feelings for him had grown. Just a small catalyst would be enough for him to completely hold her in his arms.
“Sir, you’re so good to your girlfriend,” the counter assistant said while packaging the items and handing them over, smiling attentively at Yue Linze.
Yue Linze glanced at her indifferently, and after a while, emphasized, “Fiancée.”
The counter assistant, already preparing to change shifts, was momentarily stunned: “…Okay then.”
Tao Yu came out after tidying up, saw Yue Linze holding the bag, and forced a smile before taking the items from his hand: “Shall we go back?”
“It’s not even one o’clock. No need to go back so early. I want to watch a movie,” Yue Linze said casually.
Tao Yu’s brow gradually furrowed, hesitating, “Watching a movie will take at least an hour and a half, plus waiting time. I’m afraid we won’t make it.”
“Make it to what? Leaving me? I’ve already checked. The only flight to the US today is at ten tonight. Even if we watch two movies and do the check-up, you have plenty of time. Don’t worry,” Yue Linze said with pursed lips.
Tao Yu knew this, but she was already feeling so miserable that she didn’t think she had the mood to watch a movie with Yue Linze.
“We’re about to part, and you won’t even satisfy my last wish. Tao Yu, isn’t your heart a bit too cruel?” Yue Linze’s tone was calm, but Tao Yu could hear a hint of sadness.
Her previously hardened heart instantly softened. She ultimately couldn’t bear to refuse and went with him to the fourth-floor cinema, watching him choose a reportedly very horrific horror film.
…About to separate, and you’re sure you want to watch something this bloody? Tao Yu looked at the disgusting scenes on the poster, speechless.
Yue Linze glanced at her, a corner of his mouth lifting in a triumphant smile.
Although he had never been to a place like this before, it did not prevent him from observing and solving all new things he encountered. Since everyone waiting around had popcorn and drinks, Tao Yu naturally wanted some too. It was just that this thought was somewhat unspeakable.
Tao Yu didn’t know his thoughts and kept urging him to hurry up. Yue Linze looked at her appearance and said with a smile: “I thought you didn’t want to come with me, but I didn’t expect you to be even more anxious than me.”
“Since we’ve already spent money, missing even a second is a loss,” Tao Yu explained frankly. Whether or not to watch the movie didn’t matter, but the feeling of wasting money would make her feel heartache, something Yue Linze might not understand.
Yue Linze really didn’t understand. Seeing her hurried appearance, the smile in his eyes grew deeper: “Aren’t you afraid of horror movies? How come you’re suddenly not afraid now?”
“I’m not afraid of this type, I’m afraid of movies with ghosts,” Tao Yu answered while sipping her milk tea. Suddenly realizing something, she abruptly stopped in her tracks, “How do you know I’m afraid of horror movies?”
Facing Tao Yu’s questioning gaze, Yue Linze calmly grabbed a piece of popcorn and ate it. The sweetness quickly filled his mouth, and he slightly furrowed his brow. After swallowing, he said unhurriedly: “You have a face that’s afraid of everything.”
“…Just because of that?” Tao Yu narrowed her eyes, feeling something was not quite right.
Yue Linze looked at her frankly: “What else? Normally, just saying I like you can scare you, let alone these horrifying things.”
Combining her recent performance, what he said didn’t seem wrong, but there was still a strange feeling lingering, making her feel something was off. Tao Yu looked at him hesitantly, but it was Yue Linze who reminded her that the movie had been going on for a long time before she hurriedly entered.
The theater was pitch black, with only the blood-colored light from the screen casting an eerie glow on everyone’s faces. When Tao Yu and Yue Linze entered, someone had just died on the screen, with flesh looking like it was splattered across the entire screen. Immediately, retching sounds filled the theater, and soon a young man rushed out.
Tao Yu was startled and took a step back to make way for him. Unexpectedly, she bumped into Yue Linze. Before she could apologize and leave, he held her shoulder and whispered: “Aren’t you not afraid?”
