The school playground buzzed with excitement as students gathered for the outdoor movie night. The film was about to start, and Jang Jia carried a plastic bag filled with freshly cut fruits and melon slices, planning to enjoy them while watching. However, before she could even settle in, she turned to her friend with wide eyes.
"Guess what I just saw?" she whispered, her voice dripping with disbelief. "That kid Yango... he kissed Lingy Luo!"
"Ha?" Jenia's eyes widened in shock. "No way! Those two aren't even close! How could they have kissed? And besides, Lingy Luo is known for being cold and aloof. There's no way she'd let someone like Yango kiss her."
"I'm telling you, I saw it with my own eyes!" Jang Jia patted her chest for emphasis, her expression serious. Seeing how convinced she was, Jenia's skepticism wavered.
"That guy Yango always acts so prim and proper," Jenia muttered. "Who knew he had this kind of boldness?"
"Exactly! And to think he had the nerve to lecture me about early relationships! Turns out he's even worse!" Jang Jia huffed, hands on her hips. "I'm going to ask him what's going on."
Just as she was about to march over, Guan pulled her back. "Don't you see they're having a moment? If you go there now, you'll ruin the atmosphere. Let's wait until after the movie."
Jang Jia hesitated but eventually nodded. "Fine. Let's sit somewhere in the back and keep an eye on them."
They chose a spot a reasonable distance away, making sure they had a clear view. As the sky darkened, more students filled the playground. Soon, the movie started playing on the big screen.
The film of the night was none other than the classic Titanic. Despite being an old film, it remained a timeless favorite, drawing the audience into its tragic romance. As the movie reached its emotional climax, many female students wiped their tears, sniffing softly.
Yango, however, remained unfazed. He had seen Titanic before and had no particular interest in watching it again. Instead, he busied himself working on another set of test papers, flipping through pages and scribbling answers.
Meanwhile, Lingy Luo, sitting beside him, was completely immersed in the film. By the time the credits rolled, her eyes were red-rimmed, tears glistening on her cheeks.
Yango noticed and, puzzled, leaned in slightly. "You okay? No need to be too sad—it's just a movie."
Lingy Luo sniffed, shaking her head. "I'm not crying because of the movie. I'm crying for myself."
Yango frowned. "What do you mean?"
She hesitated before softly sighing. "If only... I could have a love story like that. But it's impossible."
There was a distant sadness in her eyes, one that Yango recognized all too well. It was the same despair he had once felt in his previous life. A deep loneliness.
He had a feeling there was more to her sorrow than she was letting on.
"Hey, can I ask you a question?" Yango suddenly said.
Lingy Luo wiped the corner of her eyes and looked at him, surprised by his abrupt change of topic. "What is it?"
"Su Xian bought a hat for the White Maiden, but when she put it on, she couldn't move. Do you know why?"
Lingy Luo furrowed her brows. "What? Is this some kind of riddle? Hmm… is the hat enchanted? Maybe it's a magic item that subdues her?"
Yango shook his head, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Nope. Try again."
She thought for a while but eventually sighed in defeat. "I give up."
Yango grinned. "It's because Su Xian bought a duck-tongued hat. And when you put a hat like that on a snake, it presses the snake flat."
For a moment, Lingy Luo stared at him blankly. Then, she burst into laughter, the kind that made her whole body shake. "That's the dumbest joke I've ever heard!"
But her laughter wasn't just because of the joke—it was because she knew Yango had said it on purpose, just to cheer her up.
Lingy Luo quickly regained her composure, her eyes filled with warmth. "Thank you."
"Huh? Thank me for what?"
"For deliberately trying to make me laugh," she said knowingly.
Yango scratched his head. "It's nothing, really. I just think... if you're feeling down, it helps to think about something happy instead. There are always regrets and painful things in life, but in the end, how you live is your choice."
Lingy Luo looked at him, her gaze lingering a little longer than before. "You sound like someone who's experienced a lot of pain."
"Probably," Yango replied vaguely. "But at the end of the day, everything works out. And if it hasn't, then that just means it's not the end yet."
Lingy Luo was silent for a while before nodding. "You're right. Since I can't control the ending, at least I can control the process."
The two of them continued talking, their conversation flowing effortlessly. For the first time, Lingy Luo felt like she had met someone different—someone who could see beyond the surface.
When the movie ended, and the students began dispersing, Lingy Luo and Yango found themselves walking side by side, chatting as they left. The night air was cool, and the stars shimmered above them.
Not far behind, Jang Jia and Jenia watched in stunned silence.
"Did you see that?" Jenia whispered. "They're even walking home together!"
"I can't believe it," Jang Jia muttered. "Just what is happening between those two?!"
Before she could dwell on it further, a familiar figure appeared from the shadows, holding two cups of milk tea in his hands.
W. De Fat smirked. "So? How was your little spying mission?"