Marriage at Thirty - Chapter 49

Fu Linling received a call from Lin Ran right after she got off work. She found Lin Ran in the parking lot, opened the door, and got into the car. “Why did you come today? What are we having for dinner?”

“Let’s go eat out, and then catch a movie. What do you say?” Lin Ran asked.

“Sounds good.”

The National Day blockbusters hadn’t finished their run yet. After dinner, they found a movie with good reviews to watch.

Half an hour into the movie, Lin Ran started to feel cold. The air conditioning was on too high, and she happened to be wearing a short skirt today. She continuously rubbed her legs.

Fu Linling noticed her movements, reached out to pull her into her embrace, rubbed her arm, and whispered, “Are you very cold?”

“Much better now.” Lin Ran leaned into her arms, relishing her warmth. She then lifted the middle armrest and leaned her legs over, pressing tightly against Fu Linling. Only then did she start to feel warm.

“If you’re really cold, we can just leave now and come back another day?” Fu Linling asked.

“We’ve already watched this long; let’s finish it. I want to watch a movie with you,” Lin Ran said.

“Okay.” Fu Linling held her even tighter.

The person next to them glanced at them. Lin Ran immediately clarified in a low voice, “We’re legally married wives.”

The person nodded and politely turned back to the screen.

Later on, Lin Ran lost interest in the movie, her attention entirely focused on Fu Linling. She usually found Fu Linling’s hands to be quite cool, but now they were exceptionally warm; both her hands and her body were warm.

Lin Ran would squeeze her hand one moment, then secretly slide her hand into Fu Linling’s shirt to pinch her stomach the next. Sensing Fu Linling was holding her breath, Lin Ran couldn’t help but laugh and whispered in her ear, “What, afraid your little tummy is showing?”

“Mmm.”

“It’s not, so what are you afraid of? Relax.”

Fu Linling relaxed. Lin Ran deliberately pinched a tiny bit of skin on her belly, which had a unique texture she couldn’t get enough of.

A scene involving a tunnel appeared in the movie. The screen dimmed, and the theater was pitch black. Lin Ran’s hand suddenly squeezed upward.

Fu Linling’s body stiffened. In the darkness, she held Lin Ran’s hand, then suddenly lowered her head to kiss her. Only then did Lin Ran release her hand, her mischief accomplished.

When the screen lit up again, the two immediately separated, smiling to themselves. Lin Ran hugged her again for warmth, finally waiting until the movie was over.

“What did you think? Was the movie good?”

“It was good.”

Lin Ran didn’t believe it; both their minds hadn’t been on the movie for the latter half. So, she decided to test Fu Linling, asking her about specific plot points.

To her surprise, Fu Linling answered all of them, even mentioning several subtle foreshadowing details. Lin Ran was greatly astonished. “Your focus was entirely on the movie?”

“Of course not. Once you spot the foreshadowing, don’t you figure out the rest of the plot development?” Fu Linling said matter-of-factly.

“Alright.” This was the difference between an academic ace and a poor student. While Lin Ran was immersed in the joy of petty distractions, Fu Linling had already figured out the whole plot!

When she got off work the next day, Fu Linling received another call from Lin Ran.

Lin Ran took her to an arcade.

As soon as they entered the main door, their eardrums were fiercely assaulted by the noise inside. It took several minutes to adjust to the noisy environment.

Lin Ran exchanged a bucket of tokens and asked what she wanted to play.

“It’s my first time. Do you have any recommendations?” Fu Linling asked, raising her voice.

“Then let’s play everything once, and you’ll know what you like,” Lin Ran shouted, pulling her to start with the first machine.

The first row was all racing simulator games, including mountain racing and motorcycles. Fu Linling didn’t get the hang of it the first time, but by the second round, she figured out the machine’s patterns and experienced the thrill of the game.

Finally, the two sat on motorcycle machines. Lin Ran said, “Let’s race. The loser has to grant the winner one request. How about that?”

“Deal.”

Lin Ran was an arcade veteran, having often played with friends during school. Fu Linling couldn’t necessarily beat her even if she practiced a hundred times.

So, Fu Linling was calm, steadying the handlebars with the certainty that she would lose.

Lin Ran glanced sideways, smiling at her focused expression.

“Ah, I lost!” Lin Ran exclaimed.

Fu Linling stared at the victory signal on the screen, still a bit confused. “Did I really win?”

“Yes, how could a system judgment be wrong?” Lin Ran gracefully dismounted the motorcycle, placed one hand on Fu Linling’s handlebar, and tilted her head to ask, “A bet is a bet. I can grant you one wish.”

“Really?”

“Yes, any wish at all. Just name it,” Lin Ran said generously.

“Okay—I hope you can play one more round with me,” Fu Linling said.

Lin Ran: “…That’s it?”

“Mmm. I can’t quite believe I beat you, so… let’s do it again, so I can see my true skill?”

“…Fine, I’ll fulfill your desire.” Lin Ran raced her again, and Fu Linling still won.

“No, this race is rigged,” Fu Linling said with a look of deep resentment. “Someone is intentionally throwing the game.”

Lin Ran: “…”

Fu Linling turned to look at her and suddenly laughed. “Were you afraid I’d be sad if I lost, or did you intentionally want to fulfill my wish?”

Lin Ran poked her cheek. “So, do you have any other wishes?”

“Not for now. I’m doing very well right now; I can’t think of any other wish for the moment,” Fu Linling said.

“Then I’ll owe you one. Tell me when you think of it.”

“Okay.”

The next day, Fu Linling received a call from Lin Ran again after work, but she was delayed a bit when a colleague pulled her aside to discuss a case. By the time she went downstairs, it was already dark outside.

She opened the car door. Rock music was blasting inside, and Lin Ran was mid-solo concert. Because of Fu Linling’s sudden appearance, her voice cracked, resulting in a musical disaster.

“You’re not allowed to tell anyone about what happened today. Otherwise…” Lin Ran made a threatening gesture across her throat.

“What happened?” Fu Linling asked.

Lin Ran curved her lips. “You’re very discreet. To reward you, I’ve decided to take you to play an escape room!”

Fu Linling: ? What kind of reward is this?

Fu Linling was an atheist, so she naturally wasn’t afraid of these deliberately spooky things. At least, that’s what she thought internally.

“Aahhhhhh! What is that!” As soon as they entered the escape room, Fu Linling started screaming.

“It’s an NPC,” Lin Ran said, grabbing her hand.

“Tell them to leave!!!”

Lin Ran couldn’t help but laugh. “They won’t leave unless we solve the puzzle and clear the level.”

“Solve what puzzle?” Fu Linling asked anxiously, clutching Lin Ran with both hands.

Lin Ran walked over to find the riddle and asked, “Do you know this one? It seems to be a math problem.”

Fu Linling read the problem, picked up a pen, and calculated it right there. Just as she was about to write the answer, an NPC covered in blood suddenly appeared in front of them to scare them.

This time, however, Fu Linling wasn’t scared. She stared at the NPC for a long time, then asked, “Do you know the answer to this question?”

The NPC lunged at her, growling and showing its claws.

“You definitely don’t know. You’re not very scary, after all,” Fu Linling suddenly felt that these NPCs weren’t frightening at all—not as scary as her teachers, anyway.

Lin Ran laughed uncontrollably. She had originally thought she could show off her courage and sense of security, but Fu Linling regained her confidence with the math problems. She wasn’t scared at all and started solving the puzzles while complaining, “These questions are too simple. If they put in a few challenging ones, the players would never get out.”

Lin Ran found it funny and exasperating. “The players are here to experience the challenge, they don’t actually want to be imprisoned.”

Regardless, for her first time playing an escape room, Fu Linling had a good experience. Her emotions were intensely high, and more importantly, the two of them were close the whole time—it was thrilling and heartwarming.

Back home and lying in bed, the two were still reliving the events and details from earlier. Fu Linling said, still wanting more, “Let’s go play again this weekend.”

“Okay, and then we’ll watch another movie.”

“Sounds good.”

After a while, Lin Ran looked at her, eager to begin. “So, are you tired from playing tonight?”

Fu Linling chuckled softly and extended her hand. “What about you? Are you tired?”

“Not at all. I could keep playing for a few more hours.” Lin Ran gave her a suggestive look.

The room lights were a bit harsh, so Fu Linling switched on the desk lamp. A warm yellow glow spread over their bodies. The two enjoyed the double pleasure of body and mind, completely forgetting the time.

After another round of lingering pleasure, Lin Ran lay flat on her back, panting, her face still flushed.

Fu Linling played with her hair and gently asked, “Ran-Ran, are you trying to compensate me these past few days?”

Lin Ran blinked, rolled over to face her, and said, “We didn’t have a proper dating period before we got married, and even after marrying, we only occasionally went out to eat. I just need to take you on a few dates.”

“But you’ve already taken several days off work for this, and you’ve put effort into making me happy.”

“You’ve liked me for so many years. I’ve only wasted a few days of my time for you. That’s nothing.”

Fu Linling placed her palm on Lin Ran’s cheek and said intently, “I never brought up the past because I didn’t want to burden you. That was my personal feeling. You don’t need to shoulder anything for my past. I hope you love the person I am now, not feel moved or sorry because I crushed on you in the past.”

Lin Ran snuggled into her arms, wrapping her arms and legs around her. “Of course, I love the person you are now. It’s not entirely about being moved or sorry. I just want to treat you better and do all the things you missed out on together.”

Fu Linling patted her back. “We have plenty of time. The rest of our lives is ours; we can take it slow. Otherwise, we won’t have enough movies to watch.”

Lin Ran laughed. “If we don’t go out every day, how about we go on one date a week?”

“Okay, whatever you say.”

The two kissed for a while. Lin Ran slowly pushed her away. “I just remembered something.”

“What is it?”

“You mentioned that the reason you became a dentist was because someone told you that a dentist could also save lives, and if that person met a good dentist, they wouldn’t have to be afraid of tooth pain anymore. Who was that person…?”

Lin Ran couldn’t restrain the secret joy in her heart and asked cautiously, “Was it me?”

Fu Linling looked at her bright, twinkling eyes and pinched her lips. “I really should find a needle and thread to sew your mouth shut. Words spoken are like water poured out—you can’t take them back.”

Although Lin Ran had said that when complaining to Lian Fang at the time, Fu Linling had simply overheard it.

“Mmm-mmm #@%! …”

Fu Linling released her. Only then did she hear Lin Ran say, “I’m sorry, I was wrong. I promise I’ll remember every word I say from now on!”

Lin Ran slowly broke into a smile, cupped her face, and kissed her again.

“I will love you well, Fu Linling. This time, I will definitely follow through on my promises.”