After Confessing To My Childhood Friend - Chapter 12
Chapter 12: Date 2
◎ Just a Little Bit ◎
In the end, Xie Zhirou bought both of the last two dresses.
After shopping, the snacks in Chen Mengyin’s stomach were long digested. She was discussing lunch plans with Xie Zhirou, but before they could decide, they were startled by the sight of long queues.
Crap, they completely forgot it was the weekend.
It was lunchtime, and nearly all the well-reviewed restaurants in the mall were packed. Some even had lines out the door.
Chen Mengyin stepped back and turned to her friend for help. “Zhirou, is there anything you feel like eating?”
Xie Zhirou looked helpless too. They had shopped so much that they forgot to eat early. Now every restaurant was packed, and her appetite vanished.
Sensing Xie Zhirou’s frustration, Chen Mengyin thought maybe they could leave and find food elsewhere and come back before the movie. But the scorching weather made her hesitate—she didn’t want Zhirou getting heatstroke by going in and out of air-conditioned places.
Just as they were both stressing out, a wild idea popped into Chen Mengyin’s head.
She laughed at herself, amazed by her own brilliance.
“Zhirou, how about noodles?” she asked with a grin.
Xie Zhirou blinked in confusion, not following. “Huh?”
Chen Mengyin gave her a mysterious smile and led her away from the third floor without another word.
Xie Zhirou stared blankly at the noodles in front of her. She hadn’t expected these noodles—KTV noodles.
She thought they were going to a small noodle shop she knew nearby. Instead, Chen Mengyin went the unconventional route and took her up to the fifth floor.
By the time the laser lights overhead and the pounding rock music from the private rooms stunned Xie Zhirou, Chen Mengyin had already booked them a booth and ordered two bowls of longevity noodles.
Yes—longevity noodles.
KTVs usually didn’t serve real food, but because many customers celebrated birthdays there, the boss saw an opportunity and launched a longevity noodle set. If you wanted cake, they’d even arrange that—if the money was right.
Chen Mengyin slurped her noodles and said, “I heard from Xu Qingqing that the noodles here are actually good. And since the movie doesn’t start for another hour or two, we can eat and sing a bit—post-lunch workout.”
“Eat up before the noodles get soggy,” she added when she saw Zhirou wasn’t moving. “Not to your taste?”
“Huh? No,” Zhirou snapped out of her daze and picked up her chopsticks. “I just didn’t expect we’d be eating at a KTV.”
Chen Mengyin laughed. “Right? Even I think it’s kind of amazing. But it’s not bad! Light and tasty, not too salty.”
Zhirou agreed.
The chicken noodle soup had chopped scallions and a touch of sesame oil, adding richness to the light broth. The noodles weren’t the store-bought kind either—they were hand-rolled and chewy. Combined with the fresh broth, it was surprisingly good.
After they finished, Chen Mengyin called for the bowls to be cleared and sat down in front of the song selector.
“Zhirou, want to sing anything in particular?” she asked.
Zhirou leaned over, resting her chin on Mengyin’s shoulder. Her warm breath tickled Mengyin’s ear, sending shivers down her spine. “These few,” she whispered.
Chen Mengyin froze.
She could feel Zhirou’s soft body press gently against her back. The warmth seeped through her thin shirt, making her spine tingle as if she was wrapped in fire.
She caught a faint scent of lily of the valley.
So close, so fragrant.
Did Zhirou always wear perfume? Mengyin’s mind went fuzzy with thoughts.
Zhirou noticed Mengyin wasn’t responding and waved a hand in front of her face. “Earth to Mengyin?”
Snapping out of it, Mengyin said, “Oh…”
“Are you feeling unwell?” Zhirou asked with concern. “Want to go home and rest?”
“No, no!” Mengyin quickly denied. “Just sleepy from eating too much.”
She pointed at the paused song. “Sing for me! That’ll wake me up.”
Zhirou picked up the mic and sat beside her. “Only if you sing with me.”
She tapped the “Love Duets” section.
Only then did Mengyin realize the first song was a love duet she’d selected.
She grabbed the mic and hit play.
As the upbeat melody began, Mengyin glanced sideways at Zhirou, stealing a look. The colorful lights reflected in Zhirou’s beautiful eyes, and for a moment, Mengyin thought she saw the universe in them.
The music started.
As Zhirou’s clear, cool voice rang out, Mengyin pulled her mind back and waited for her lyrics to appear on the screen.
“One, two, three, hold my hand.
Four, five, six, lift your head…”
Zhirou took Mengyin’s hand and looked her in the eyes.
“Seven, eight, nine, let’s elope to the moon.”
As their fingers intertwined, time seemed to freeze for Mengyin. She stared blankly at Zhirou, so close, so bright.
“Getting close to you makes me suddenly speechless…
My heart beats wildly like a raging fire.”
By the time Zhirou finished those lines, they were so close that their noses touched. Their breaths mingled, indistinguishable.
Their lips almost brushed. Mengyin felt hers lightly touched. Just when she thought Zhirou was going to kiss her—
The door flew open.
Startled, Mengyin jerked away, pretending nothing happened, fiddling with the mic cover to hide her panic.
A waiter came in with a pitcher of Coke. Apparently, it was part of a promotion. He placed it down and left.
Mengyin clutched her chest, trying to calm her racing heart.
If the waiter hadn’t come in, would she and Zhirou have kissed?!
Aaaah! Why now, waiter?! Couldn’t you wait until after the kiss?!
Wait… why would Zhirou try to kiss her?!
A cold bottle of Coke pressed against her burning cheek, cutting through her spiraling thoughts.
Zhirou, her cheeks flushed too, whispered, “Want some?”
Mengyin, still blushing, took the bottle.
The rest of their time in the booth passed in shy silence. Every accidental glance turned into an awkward dodge.
“One step closer to you, and I lose all sense of direction…”
Mengyin didn’t know this song, but Zhirou’s voice was so beautiful it didn’t matter.
She looked at Zhirou’s focused side profile, and secretly snapped a photo.
Their time was up. As they left the KTV, walking to the elevator, the mood between them was awkward.
They wanted to be close—but were afraid to get too close.
Mengyin bit her lower lip, unsure what to do.
“Don’t bite so hard,” Zhirou said, gently brushing her finger across Mengyin’s lip, breaking the silence. “What time does the movie start?”
Startled by the touch, Mengyin mumbled, “In half an hour.”
Zhirou chuckled, “Let’s wait at the theater entrance.”
Mengyin nodded quickly. “Okay, let’s go!”
This time, they walked side by side. Slowly, the atmosphere warmed again. Mengyin chatted as they walked.
At the crowded theater, Mengyin asked Zhirou to sit while she picked up popcorn and drinks.
“I watched the first movie—it was good. I hope this sequel holds up,” Mengyin said. She’d only skimmed a few mixed reviews before buying the tickets.
“If the director and writer didn’t change, it should be fine.” Zhirou wasn’t usually a fan of dinosaur movies, but she wouldn’t have come if not for Mengyin’s invitation.
Mengyin checked the cast and crew—same team, good sign?
“Is it time to go in?” Zhirou asked. There were ten minutes left, and a line had formed at the ticket gate.
Mengyin handed her the tickets, carried the popcorn and drinks, and said, “You handle the check-in!”
Zhirou followed behind.
They entered the dark screening room. Mengyin focused on her steps, afraid to trip.
She’d picked seats near the center and back—best view, hardest to get. Luckily, she was fast enough to snag them.
“Row 8, Seat 15…” she muttered, searching in the dark. “Ugh, wish I had night vision.”
Zhirou couldn’t help imagining how her little childhood friend would look with night vision and chuckled quietly.
“Found it! Zhirou, you sit here,” Mengyin said, giving her the better seat.
The movie began.
Mengyin was quickly drawn into the world of dinosaurs, gasping at thrilling scenes and laughing at silly ones. Zhirou found her adorable.
She watched Mengyin’s focused profile, smiling, and decided—
Next time, she wouldn’t let Mengyin slip away again.