She pondered what kind of movies a boy like him would like.

Thirty-Eight Degrees was a romance film; he definitely wouldn't like it.

He definitely wouldn't like Chinese Kung Fu Girls Group.

Warriors of Heaven and Earth and Infernal Affairs?

He didn't rush her, and uncharacteristically, with full gentlemanly grace, told her: "Take your time thinking, no rush." After saying that, he leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, appearing very patient.

'Was he always so accommodating when out with girls?'

Ding Xian stopped overthinking: "Infernal Affairs."

He raised an eyebrow: "Decided?"

Ding Xian nodded.

"Alright." Zhou Siyue raised his eyebrows, straightened up to pull his wallet from his sweatpants pocket, and turned to buy tickets at the small window.

There weren't many people at the afternoon showing.

Just a few couples: a pair of lovers, a mother and son, a pair of best friends, and their pair of "deskmates."

Zhou Siyue was tall and exceptionally handsome, the most striking among everyone, and Ding Xian could spot him at a glance.

The two girls behind him in line secretly sized him up from the corner of their eyes, laughing and playfully pushing each other. Accidentally, an arm gently brushed against the tall, straight back of the young man in front.

"Ah, I'm sorry."

The girl apologized, blushing.

"It's fine."

The young man replied indifferently.

In that instant, Ding Xian suddenly thought: 'What if he had a girlfriend? Would he also go to the movies with her, go shopping with her, would they kiss under the shadow of a secluded tree...?'

She was startled by her own bold thoughts.

The young man had already bought the tickets and returned to her side, carrying a bucket of popcorn, which he shoved into her arms.

"What's this?"

Zhou Siyue placed the movie tickets on the table, put his wallet back into his pants pocket, and sat down with his legs spread in the seat beside her, leaning back in the chair. He casually glanced around and said concisely: "Something to eat."

'Of course I know popcorn goes with movies.'

'It's just that your service is a bit too thoughtful.'

Ding Xian picked up a piece of popcorn and popped it into her mouth; it was crispy and sweet, quite tasty.

Before the movie even started, one box of popcorn was already finished.

The young man's service was thoughtful; he promptly replenished the popcorn, wearing an indulgent expression that said 'eat as much as you like'.

Halfway through the second box of popcorn.

Ding Xian thought she saw Yang Chunzi and Xia Sihan. Two pieces of popcorn got stuck in her throat, neither going down nor coming up, almost bringing tears to her eyes. Then Zhou Siyue, beside her, directly slapped her on the back.

"Why are you eating so fast? Who's snatching it from you?"

'Can't you be gentler?'

'You're going to kill me with that pat.'

Ding Xian looked up with tear-filled eyes, finally coughed out the popcorn, and looked at Zhou Siyue through her tears.

Someone waved their hand over there and called out: "Siyue."

Zhou Siyue turned his head back. Yang Chunzi and Xia Sihan were standing at the cinema entrance, coming towards them. Ding Xian clearly felt Zhou Siyue's back stiffen.

The campus heartthrob's hair was wild again today. It was a buzz cut yesterday!

He was truly unruly, a different hairstyle every day.

Xia Sihan glanced at Ding Xian and smiled at her: "We meet again."

'Again?'

'When had they met before?'

Seeing her face full of questions, Xia Sihan smiled and explained, looking remarkably gentle, which didn't match his unruly appearance at all: "I often see you in Class Three; you're deskmates with Siyue."

Compared to that, the campus heartthrob was truly a warm and gentle classmate.

Ding Xian quickly nodded, saying: "Hello, hello, my name is Ding Xian."

The campus heartthrob smiled at her: "Xia Sihan."

The atmosphere was a bit awkward. Ding Xian glanced at Zhou Siyue, who was leaning back in his chair, showing no intention of joining the conversation.

Ding Xian suddenly realized that Zhou Siyue was a bit cold towards both of them.

'Young man, say something, or I'll really start overthinking again.'

Zhou Siyue still didn't speak.

Xia Sihan didn't seem to mind at all, continuing to chat casually with Ding Xian: "What are you two watching?"

Faced with such a handsome and amiable, albeit strangely dressed, campus heartthrob, she really couldn't bring herself to be cold towards him. She replied with a smile: "Infernal Affairs."

Xia Sihan inexplicably grew excited: "Infernal Affairs is super good, but next time you can come see Warriors of Heaven and Earth, it's good too."

'Why does he have a Hong Kong/Taiwanese accent?'

Ding Xian found this campus heartthrob truly unpredictable.

"Okay, I'll watch it next time."

After she spoke, someone suddenly looked at her, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

'What are you laughing at? Can't I come watch it by myself?'

Xia Sihan said with a smile: "If you like watching movies, I have some downloaded ones here that I can give you."

'Campus heartthrob, you're so handsome and approachable, does your mom know?'

The awkward conversation finally ended before the movie started.

Zhou Siyue took Ding Xian and left. Xia Sihan quickly said before he departed: "Let's play basketball together next time."

Zhou Siyue lightly hummed in acknowledgment and dragged Ding Xian away by the hood on her back.

Ding Xian freed her hood from his hand and pushed his hand away. She didn't know where this little temper came from, but she completely went against her usual submissive demeanor: "Don't drag me, I have feet, I can walk by myself."

The young girl's sudden defiance made him halt his steps. He glanced at Ding Xian, then chuckled softly, "Idiot."

He stepped away.

Throughout the entire movie, the two of them didn't say another word.

Until they came out of the cinema.

Ding Xian was still immersed in the Buddhist verse at the end of the film.

"The greatest of the eight great hells is called Avici Hell, meaning endless suffering without interruption, hence its name. Those who suffer in Avici never die; a long life is the great kalpa of Avici Hell."

She sniffled.

Zhou Siyue heard her, turned his head to glance at her: "Why get so upset over a movie?"

'You wouldn't understand a thing.'

"Compared to some people, simply living is suffering."

The two stood at the cinema entrance. Outside, dark clouds hung heavy, the thick cloud layers as oppressive as the movie, yet no rain fell, making it feel very stifling.

Zhou Siyue put his hands in his pockets, his gaze fixed on the distance.

"Have you ever heard a saying?"

"What saying?" Ding Xian subconsciously looked up and saw his profile, unusually gentle.

"There is still glory on the other side."

His clear voice, word by word, struck Ding Xian's soul. Zhou Siyue squinted slightly, his eyes suddenly becoming hazy and profound: "Isn't it true that a distant goal is what makes the challenge worthwhile?"

Ding Xian thought the arrogance in his bones had been stirred by the movie.

"What do you want to be when you grow up?"

The question often asked in youth became exceptionally serious at this moment.

He lowered his head and chuckled softly, then turned to look at her. When a young man spoke of his dreams, there was a light in his eyes, gleaming brightly.

"Nothing in particular I want to do."

'Lies.'

Ding Xian stared steadily at him.