A Young Woman's Heart

"Then you can make the following choice..."

The snowflakes outside the window continued to fall, showing no sign of stopping.

The batteries in the Christmas tree haven't run out yet, and it's still singing non-stop.

The people gathered in the room chatted amongst themselves, occasionally joining in on other people's conversations.

Mo Xiaoxiao turned on the TV and chatted with others about cooking skills while occasionally glancing at the plot.

Hua Yinyin had finished the whole box of alcoholic chocolates and looked drowsy.

Meanwhile, Mo Xueyao and Mo Zhuyou had already fallen asleep while playing the word adventure game.

Before long, only Li Wanyan and Mo Xiaoxiao remained awake.

They looked at each other, then went to get more blankets so that no one would catch a cold from sleeping in the kotatsu.

……

Chapters 234: Lu Chengyuan and Lü Bolun

Lu Chengyuan was supposed to spend Christmas Eve with Mo Xueyao and the others today, and she prepared all her clothes to change into last night.

But a small accident changed the plan.

As she passed by the nearby movie theater, Luberon called out to her.

He hoped she could do him a favor, which was to go to the movie theater with him.

Because it's Christmas Eve, the cinema is having a promotion: if a couple goes to the cinema together, they get a 20% discount on the ticket price. So even if you buy two tickets, you only need to pay 40% of the original price.

It's more cost-effective than buying a ticket for one person to go in.

"Please, please..." Lu Bolun nervously rubbed his palms together. "I really want to see it this time, and you can leave early after you go in. It won't take up much of your time."

Lu Chengyuan rubbed her round face and stared at him with a scrutinizing gaze, pondering the true meaning of his words.

But no matter how I think about it, it doesn't seem like it was premeditated. How could he be so sure that she would come out at this time?

It's impossible for someone to have come here early just to complete their 'plan', right?

Moreover, judging from his appearance, he originally planned to go in alone. He had already bought some cheap popcorn from an old man at the corner not far away, put it in a plastic bag, and stuffed it inside his shirt, intending to sneak it in to eat.

This is equivalent to a 40% discount, which can save a lot of money for a special effects movie with relatively expensive tickets.

This is a sci-fi film that doesn't stand up to scrutiny. It's a bit like the Batman movie that was released a few years ago. Viewers aren't looking for scientific knowledge or to delve into the details; they just enjoy the futuristic elements of sci-fi and the spectacular explosions and collisions.

Just like most kids who watch Ultraman prefer watching the monster-fighting scenes.

"Okay, okay, there's nothing to do, right? We just need to go in?"

"Yes, yes, uh, if they ask you, just help me lie and it'll be fine." Luberon nodded gratefully. "Thanks a lot!"

"It's just a small favor," Lu Chengyuan said casually, but her heart began to waver.

Luberon patted his pockets, excitedly ran to the counter, waited in line for a while, and soon it was his turn.

"Hello, two tickets for 'The Mighty Warrior' movie, please!" He glanced at Lu Chengyuan standing next to him and coughed casually. "Yeah, for a couple."

"A couple, right?" The ticket seller asked, looking at Lu Chengyuan.

"Um...yes." Although she knew she was lying, her face still flushed slightly.

"Two tickets, four yuan in total."

"Thank you!" Lu Bolun excitedly took the movie tickets, but then, worried that Lu Chengyuan would leave now, he quickly stood beside her and whispered, "Wait, we have to go in first, otherwise they won't let me in with the couple's tickets alone..."

"Okay, there's still plenty of time."

There were many couples in the movie theater on Christmas Eve, I wonder if it was because of this event.

Everyone was walking in in pairs. Occasionally, a few people came with same-sex friends, but they all seemed a bit out of place, not to mention those who came to see the movie alone.

For someone going to the movies alone, the best-case scenario is probably that there aren't many other people at the movie theater that day...

"You're really... impressive, coming to the movies alone." Lu Chengyuan sat down according to her seat number. "Don't you feel even more lonely?"

It's been a long time since Lu Bolun and Wang Jiale broke up. Even the slowest person in the class knows about it, let alone her.

"If you like watching, then come and watch... Haha, thanks a lot. If you have something to do, you can go ahead and do it." Lu Bolun adjusted his seat, assuming a comfortable position to watch the movie.

"Huh? You're kicking me out already?"

"No...didn't you seem to have something on your mind?"

"Well, since we're already here, wouldn't it be a waste not to watch?"

With a 'snap', the lights in the movie theater went out.

In the darkness, only the large screen in front was lit.

Meanwhile, in such an environment, the blush on Lu Chengyuan's face was no longer visible.

"Hey, let's watch together then. By the way, wanna get some popcorn?" Lu Bolun pulled out the popcorn he had secretly brought in earlier from his pocket, opened it, and placed it on the armrest between the two of them. "Help yourself if you want some."

"Okay, how long is this movie?"

"About two hours..."

"That's alright, take your time." Lu Chengyuan felt she had plenty of time.

As long as we arrive there before sunset, it's fine.

After a short commercial break, the various film producers began to appear on the big screen, followed by the title "The Mighty Warrior," which looked like it was all about muscles.

Next to it was a dash and a line of small print that read: This film is also known as Ass Bone Superman...

"What...bone...?"

"It should be pronounced 'kao,' and it seems to mean the coccyx."

"Could the main character grow a tail?"

"Hmm? It should be, or maybe the coccyx can regenerate and become a bone tail to attack?" Lu Bolun said expectantly. "Let's wait and see."

Unfortunately, this is a domestic film.

—It's supposed to be a Sino-foreign joint venture, but the special effects and set design are rather clumsy.

The only redeeming quality is that the plot is well-told, with humor mixed with a touch of depth.

The protagonist finally defeated the final boss with a sword that came out of his own tailbone—though it looked more like it came out of his buttocks.

The way it died was also very strange; it was like a punctured balloon that burst open, and then it flew to the horizon with a 'whoosh' and disappeared without a trace.

It might not seem worth it, but considering the cheap ticket price, it's not bad. At least some of the special effects are pretty cool, and some of the battle scenes are very exciting to watch.

To say it's worth it... well, think about its original price. If it weren't discounted, it would be an absolute rip-off, the kind of price that makes you want to curse. It's like false advertising.

In this day and age, going to the cinema inevitably means encountering bad movies.

Fortunately, it was discounted this time, the plot was pretty good, and there were a few cool battle scenes, so Luberon didn't feel too much regret.

"It's noon."

"Yeah, how about I treat you to a meal? I've saved up some money, I still have... fifteen yuan, that should be enough to order some food."

"Hmm... how about we go eat at a small restaurant?" Lu Chengyuan's desire to attend the Christmas Eve party faded even further. After lunch, she finally decided to use a landline phone on the street to tell Mo Xiaoxiao that she had something to do and couldn't go.

"What's wrong? Aren't you going to see your friend?"

"Well, since you look so pitiful, I'll accompany you for a stroll. Anyway, I don't think I've really explored this area much." Lu Chengyuan tilted her head and glanced at him, then blinked lightly.

"Oh--"

"Did you plan to spend Christmas Eve alone from the very beginning?"

"Yes," Lu Bolun replied matter-of-factly, a wry smile playing on his lips.

"Tsk tsk." Lu Chengyuan took a few steps forward. Because they had talked so much, it seemed that there was no more to talk about now. If they were to talk about it again, they would have to go deeper. "By the way, why don't you try to win Lele back?"

"Oh, isn't it a bit much to pester her like this?"

"Sometimes you have to be persistent with a girl, maybe she'll soften up?"

"Never mind, I'm not asking for charity..." Lu Bolun scratched his head.

"Hey, what do you like about Lele?"

"Cute, innocent, mischievous?"

"Oh—" Lu Chengyuan staggered forward, drawing out her voice, "By the way, I know a fun place with lots of cats!"

"cat?"

"Hmm, it's a park for seniors. There should be fewer people in the afternoon. You can go there to play with the cats or something."

“Sure.” Lu Bolun hadn’t made any plans anyway, so he readily agreed.

The two turned and walked in another direction, soon arriving at the senior citizens' park.

This place is simply a paradise for cats; under the trees, under the stone benches, in the corners, there are cat beds made of all sorts of materials everywhere.

Leftovers were poured into the cat's bowl, and someone even put some dried fish in it.

Cats are animals that don't usually pay much attention to people.

But it can make people feel as if their souls are being healed when they touch it.

Especially in winter, cats all get fat and feel like soft, fluffy balls when you hug them.

However, the fur of these stray cats is very stiff and not particularly soft, which gives them a different kind of wildness.

Lu Chengyuan and Lü Bolun sat there for an entire afternoon. Although they seemed to have done nothing, they didn't feel bored at all.

Not only can you see all kinds of cats here, but you can also see all sorts of elderly people exercising here.

Some people were playing gateball, badminton, table tennis, and even basketball.

A 60-year-old man was called "young man" by an 80-year-old, and a woman in her fifties was still treated like a young girl when she came here!

Especially when the setting sun casts its rays upon the cat, the old man, and the trees, it makes them feel as if they are seeing their own future old age.

"I wish I could still have such a fulfilling life when I'm old," Lu Chengyuan murmured softly. "Sigh, this slow-paced life is really nice."