The Lady I Flirted With Is Here - Chapter 21

Chapter 21: The Movie

It was the first time Lin Xian saw Fang Daiyu look bashful—the kind of bashful where blushing isn’t enough, so she has to space out for ten seconds. It was like a magical switch had been flipped. The fairy-like woman who looked so gentle and refined was actually human after all. Yet, it was this humanity that made the “fairy” even more endearing.

Spoken words are like spilled water; since they couldn’t be taken back, Lin Xian decided to go with the flow. Worried that Daiyu might get angry from embarrassment, she pulled the topic back to their first meeting: “The first time I saw you, I thought you were beautiful. Now that we’re spending time together again, I truly feel I could never get tired of looking at you.”

Lin Xian praised her with a straight face. The crimson on Fang Daiyu’s face faded slightly as she looked directly at Lin Xian, her eyes shimmering with soft light: “Me too.”

Me too. The first time I saw you, my heart wavered. Now that we’re together again, I realize what a treasure you are.

“What?” The voice was too soft; Lin Xian didn’t catch it.

Fang Daiyu set her bamboo chopsticks down and took a tissue to wipe her lips. She pulled a handful of rainbow-colored candies from her bag—various shapes and sizes—and pressed them into Lin Xian’s palm.

Lin Xian waited for her to speak, not quite understanding the gesture.

Fang Daiyu said: “The first time I saw you, I felt a hint of sweetness. I love candy the most; now that we meet again, I can finally compare you to them.” Fang Daiyu peeled a mint, popped it into her mouth, and let it rest. “As expected, Xianxian is even sweeter.”

She lifted her gaze, a predatory light flashing in her eyes as she stared intensely at Lin Xian. The candy rolled under her lip. She smiled at Lin Xian again, but this time, the smile held a touch of playfulness.

Lin Xian had never heard someone say romantic things like this—so serious, so natural, as if saying, “Oh, the weather is quite nice today.” Combined with the casual tone and that meaningful smile, Lin Xian couldn’t finish her meal. She had tried to tease and ended up being teased back. This sister looked like a goddess and didn’t even twitch an eyebrow while speaking, so how could she be this flirtatious?

Lin Xian also put down her utensils, wiped her mouth, and mimicked Daiyu by peeling a candy. She awkwardly changed the subject: “This candy is good.”

Fang Daiyu: “Not as good as you.”

Lin Xian clenched her right fist, feeling both embarrassed and annoyed. She began to suspect Fang Daiyu was a bit vengeful—was Daiyu making her feel exactly how she felt when Lin Xian called her beautiful? Was this never going to end?

She had to strike back.

Seeing Lin Xian stop eating, Fang Daiyu whispered: “Are you full after just that much?”

Lin Xian felt a surge of joy, ecstatic to have found a comeback. She put on a look of lingering desire: “A beautiful sight is enough to satisfy my hunger.”

Fang Daiyu immediately turned away to pack their things, pretending she hadn’t heard. Lin Xian made a little face behind her back. Hmph, when it comes to flirting with girls, I’ve never lost!

Back in the day, how many lovely “sisters” had fallen for her silver tongue? (Or rather, her “beautiful words”?)

After dinner, the plan was the cinema. Lin Xian thought it was the one on the basement level and was about to head down when Fang Daiyu gently grabbed the strap of her backpack. “Xianxian, not that one.”

“Oh.” Lin Xian retracted her foot sheepishly, leaning against Daiyu’s shoulder before the other woman let go of the strap.

One in front, one behind. Fang Daiyu reached her right hand back without turning around. First time’s a start, second time’s a habit, third time’s second nature. Without being told, Lin Xian trotted up and proactively took her hand.

It had only been two hours since they met, but holding hands had already become a natural habit. Feeling the hand take hers, Fang Daiyu’s lips curled into a smile that she quickly suppressed. She led Lin Xian through the bustling center of the street. The National Day crowds were like a tide. Daiyu looked slender, yet she carved a path for Lin Xian. Whenever she noticed men casting wandering glances, she stepped in front to block them.

When you have a beautiful, delicious little swan at home, every toad wants to take a look. Fang Daiyu disliked busy areas and decided she’d never come to this chaotic mall again. The internet said girls liked shopping, so she shouldn’t have listened to that advice.

Luckily, the cinema wasn’t far. They picked up their tickets with 15 minutes to spare.

“What do you like to eat during movies, Xianxian?” Fang Daiyu pulled her to an empty seat to sit down, unloading the rest of their things onto a nearby chair.

“Fries! Not the deep-fried kind, but the cinema ones that are a bit like potato chips—if they have them!” This was one of the few cinema snacks Lin Xian actually liked.

“Popcorn?” Fang Daiyu asked.

Lin Xian shook her head. She didn’t care for it, except maybe once in a blue moon. As Fang Daiyu walked toward the counter, Lin Xian realized she was going to buy the snacks. Wait, I should be doing that! Fang Daiyu was a fairy; a fairy shouldn’t have to stand in line for snacks.

Lin Xian started to get up, but seeing their belongings unattended, she sat back down helplessly.

I can’t let her keep taking care of me on our first date! Lin Xian gripped her hands. Can’t I act more like a proper girlfriend?

Fortunately, Fang Daiyu came running back empty-handed. She stood before Lin Xian with a smile: “I didn’t bring my phone and forgot to ask—do you want a large or a medium?”

The theater entrance was right by the counter. Lin Xian stood up and grabbed her things. “They’re already taking tickets. Let’s go buy them together.”

Fang Daiyu took the items from her: “Alright.”

Lin Xian tried to snatch them back: “You’ve been carrying them too long, they’re heavy. Let’s swap.”

Fang Daiyu shook her head: “No need.”

Lin Xian muttered under her breath: “You’re so stubborn.”

Fang Daiyu laughed: “Look how thin you are. I went to a police academy in college; my body is stronger than yours.”

What? Lin Xian scanned Daiyu from head to toe. In what world does she look like she went to a police academy?

Lin Xian hadn’t asked about Daiyu’s profession, but she had a vague impression it was related to the internet. Now that Daiyu mentioned being a police trainee, it seemed like a total mismatch.

Curiosity finally won out over politeness: “Daiyu, is your job now being a police officer?”

Fang Daiyu shook her head and reached out to ruffle Lin Xian’s hair. “I’m in IT.”

In IT? Forget it. Lin Xian didn’t want to show shock again and look like she lacked worldly experience. In her mind, IT workers were a bunch of balding shut-ins. A person like Fang Daiyu looked like she should be in media or advertising at the very least. The gap between “police academy” and “IT” was a chasm she couldn’t fathom.

Deciding to ask for the details later, they reached the counter to buy the fries.

Lin Xian asked: “Should we get a large to share?”

“I don’t really like eating during movies. Just get one for yourself.”

“Then I don’t want any either.” Actually, Lin Xian only wanted them a little bit. If the other person didn’t like it, she didn’t want to be annoying with “crunch-crunch” sounds.

“Excuse me, one medium fries,” Fang Daiyu decided for her. Then she asked, “And a drink?”

Having the decision made for her actually felt quite nice. It was Daiyu “forcing” her to eat fries, so it wasn’t her fault.

“Drink? Orange juice, then.” Lin Xian smiled and ordered her drink. Holding the fries in the crook of her arm, she asked, “What about you? What do you want?”

Before Daiyu could speak, the clerk said apologetically, “I’m sorry, we only have Coke and Sprite left today, unless…?”

Lin Xian looked at the bottled drinks in the case: “I’ll have a Minute Maid orange then.”

She turned back to Daiyu: “And you?”

Fang Daiyu watched the clerk’s movements and said calmly: “I don’t really like carbonated drinks. So… Minute Maid is fine. One bottle is enough for both of us; I don’t drink much water.”

“Oh.”

Lin Xian looked down at her toes and pulled out her phone to pay, but Fang Daiyu beat her to it.

Lin Xian was even less happy now.

Wait… didn’t I tell her I have a germaphobia thing? Should I say no?

But what about the future? What couple minds sharing a drink?

Lin Xian entered the theater with the orange juice, her heart in a knot of internal conflict.

The movie was by a famous director, released just in time for National Day. Lin Xian was a film buff; she had seen reviews online and was quite excited.

When Lin Xian watched a movie, she was very focused. Her heart sank into the plot. She subconsciously fed herself fries and subconsciously twisted the bottle cap to take a drink.

Huh? It didn’t open?

Lin Xian twisted again, but it was sealed tight. She pretended nothing was wrong and put the bottle back on the armrest. Fang Daiyu’s hand picked it up. With a light twist, she popped the seal.

Now Lin Xian believed she had “trained.” Lin Xian considered herself quite strong for a girl; usually, a bottle cap was nothing, but today was apparently a special case.

Is Daiyu thirsty too? If she drinks first, what am I going to do?

The opened bottle was held out in front of her. Fang Daiyu’s voice was very low, just loud enough for Lin Xian to hear without disturbing others: “Didn’t you want a drink?”