“Others do it, so you have to follow suit?”
Tian Jiajia looked at Xia Nuannuan speechlessly.
“I didn’t follow suit. Isn’t it normal for couples to show affection? I’m just used to kissing before meals, it makes me eat better.”
Xia Nuannuan said calmly.
Qin Tian appeared composed, but he was astonished.
When did this girl become so good at lying without batting an eye? They ate together every day, and he didn’t see her initiating kisses before meals!
However, her words weren't entirely untrue. He felt like he could eat two more bowls of rice with that sweet kiss.
“I can’t stand you two anymore. We’re in college, and I still have to eat your dog food.”
Tian Jiajia rolled her eyes in exasperation.
“Hehe… You guys can do it too!”
Xia Nuannuan said with a charming smile.
Tian Jiajia’s face instantly flushed, and she lowered her gaze somewhat flusteredly.
Beside her, Zhang Peng picked up the complimentary tea, drinking it to hide his awkwardness, his eyes darting away.
Qin Tian and Xia Nuannuan exchanged a helpless glance, seeing the look of disappointment in each other’s eyes.
The atmosphere became a bit awkward, so Qin Tian casually brought up a gaming topic to chat with Zhang Peng.
Before long, the waiter brought the dishes they had ordered.
Qin Tian put a chicken wing, her favorite, on Xia Nuannuan’s plate, while giving Zhang Peng a meaningful look.
However, Zhang Peng was completely oblivious, focused on gnawing on a chicken leg.
Qin Tian sighed inwardly and couldn't be bothered to remind the slow-witted guy anymore.
After eating their fill, Qin Tian paid the bill. The four of them enjoyed a hearty meal for just over a hundred yuan, making him lament how low prices were compared to before his rebirth.
Women’s stamina when shopping could be several times that of men.
Especially when two good best friends got together, it was even more so. They could shop all day without buying anything, and that was just the basic operation.
Moreover, the weather was turning cold, and even if the two girls weren't short on autumn and winter clothes, they would still buy if they saw something they really liked.
Tian Jiajia had to consider her wallet, but Xia Nuannuan didn't need to; she took whatever she liked.
This was tough on Qin Tian and Zhang Peng, who were carrying the shopping bags, which kept increasing.
They shopped until past five o'clock. The sun set earlier now, and with the blockage from the tall buildings on both sides, it had already grown dark.
They first went to the parking spot, tossed the shopping bags into the trunk, and then the four of them found a place for dinner.
This time, Xia Nuannuan treated them to a hot pot restaurant popular with young people.
The service was good, and the taste was acceptable. The four of them ate very satisfyingly, although they couldn’t enjoy the student discount that would only be introduced a few years later.
It was still early, so after discussion, the four of them decided to go watch a movie together.
The streetlights had turned on, interweaving with the dusk, adding a romantic atmosphere.
Looking around, one could see many young couples holding each other by the waist or hand, strolling and enjoying their beautiful youth.
The temperature had dropped considerably by evening. Qin Tian, walking ahead, worried that Xia Nuannuan might feel cold, so he reached out and hugged her slender waist, drawing envious glances from many people around.
Zhang Peng and Tian Jiajia, following a few steps behind, seemed rather quiet.
They were almost walking side-by-side, their arms and shoulders occasionally brushing against each other, but their hands never clasped.
Qin Tian and Xia Nuannuan occasionally looked back, both feeling anxious for the other couple.
Just then, two girls, arm in arm, walked towards them, their gazes appraising Qin Tian and Xia Nuannuan with a hint of surprise.
A flash of inspiration struck Qin Tian, and he had an idea.
As they brushed past the two girls, he let out a hearty laugh and said quickly, “Misses, see that couple behind us? Please, help them out.”
After their initial surprise, the two girls, like Xia Nuannuan beside him, looked at him with puzzled eyes.
“Just create a small accident.”
Qin Tian explained.
One of the girls was quick-witted and immediately understood, nodding slightly.
“Got it, no problem!”
“Thank you!”
Then, as the two girls passed Zhang Peng and Tian Jiajia, the clever girl pretended to stumble and lightly bumped into Tian Jiajia.
With that, Zhang Peng quickly reached out to steady Tian Jiajia as she bumped into him.
The girl quickly apologized, and Tian Jiajia smiled and shook her head, indicating she was fine.
The two girls continued on their way, and after a few steps, they looked back at Qin Tian.
Qin Tian gave them a grateful and appreciative look, making the two girls as happy as children who received praise from their teacher after getting a perfect score.
Zhang Peng was slow-witted, but he was also a man who acted when the time was right. Taking advantage of the small incident engineered by Director Qin, he naturally took Tian Jiajia’s hand.
Tian Jiajia’s pretty face flushed slightly. After a token struggle, she let him hold her hand.
“Did you learn this from Cao Mingliang too?”
Xia Nuannuan turned back happily, glancing at Qin Tian beside her with a blank expression.
Qin Tian’s smile froze slightly, and he replied, “No, no, it was a sudden inspiration.”
“Oh? Then you’re really amazing!”
Xia Nuannuan praised him meaningfully.
“Ahem… no, no.”
Qin Tian awkwardly shook his head repeatedly.
Xia Nuannuan suddenly burst into laughter, rolling her eyes. “What are you flustered about? You did a good job.”
“Flustered? No, I’m not!”
“You are!”
“Really not!”
“Your hand on my waist trembled just now, I felt it.”
“Uh, so sensitive?”
“Yes, why do I feel like there’s a double meaning in your words?”
“No, no.”
…
…
While watching the movie, taking advantage of the theater’s atmosphere, Zhang Peng and Tian Jiajia also snuggled up together like many couples.
This movie was another story about campus life. Qin Tian had seen it in his previous life and found it rather boring.
Coupled with the contagious atmosphere around them, his thoughts began to wander.
With his help, Zhang Peng and Tian Jiajia had successfully held hands. Shouldn’t he reward himself and take things a step further?
For instance, experience the feeling he had been anticipating, where one hand couldn't encompass everything?
Like Zhang Peng, he was also a man who acted when the time was right, and definitely more of a man than that guy Zhang Peng.
Thus, his hand on Xia Nuannuan’s shoulder slowly moved down.
The theater was very dark, and Tian Jiajia, sitting on Xia Nuannuan’s other side, was also leaning on Zhang Peng’s shoulder. No one was paying attention to them.
Qin Tian successfully received his reward. The moment he touched her, Xia Nuannuan’s body trembled, and the popcorn bucket in her hand almost tipped over.
A blush quickly spread from her fair neck, reddening her entire face.
Recalling her promise last time, she didn’t resist and soon became immersed in it, just like Qin Tian.
Qin Tian’s heart burned. He gently lowered his head and kissed her lips.
By the time the movie ended, they hadn't remembered a single bit of the latter half of the content.
“Nuannuan, why is your face so red?”
When the lights came on, Tian Jiajia saw Xia Nuannuan’s blushing face and asked in surprise.
“Ah? Really? Maybe it’s too hot in here!”
Xia Nuannuan raised her right hand and fanned herself in front of her face, her eyes darting away as she replied.
“Is it? I actually feel a bit cold?”
“Yes, I, I have a constitution that’s sensitive to heat!”
“It’ll be cooler outside. Let’s head out first!”
Qin Tian said with a normal expression, secretly rejoicing in his heart.