Chapter 94: Genuine Substance

It was a bracelet with a simple, understated design—a slender chain adorned with a tiny silver dragon. The little dragon was no bigger than a fingernail, with a pair of red wings on its back, and its features were endearingly clumsy and cute.

Wen Nan stood frozen, grasping Guan Ailin’s hand, his gaze fixed on the little dragon dangling from the bracelet, lost in thought for quite some time. Guan Ailin was about to head toward the entrance when she felt her hand held back. She turned around, then willingly offered the bracelet to him, smiling as she said,

“Do you like this bracelet? It’s the latest LV design for the Year of the Dragon, limited edition, unisex. If you like it, I’ll give it to you.”

Wen Nan lifted his hand, pinched the little dragon’s leg, and turned it over, examining the space between its legs for a long while until he was sure there was nothing there. Only then did he come back to himself, smiling and shaking his head.

“No need. I just think it looks nice—it suits your skin tone.”

With that, he took Guan Ailin’s hand and hurried toward the entrance. “Let’s go. If we’re any later, never mind missing the ending—there won’t even be time for the post-credits scene.”

“...Post-credits scene?” Guan Ailin looked at Wen Nan in confusion, as if she’d never heard of the term.

“You don’t know what a post-credits scene is?” Wen Nan was surprised.

A trace of melancholy flickered in Guan Ailin’s eyes. She shook her head and admitted, “My life is nothing but work. If I’m not reading slides, I’m analyzing data. I haven’t been to a cinema in many years.”

Wen Nan was stunned for a moment, but quickly took her hand and led her forward, joking along the way, “Well, then I’m in luck. Your very first post-credits scene is with me.”

Guan Ailin was briefly taken aback, then quickly recovered and gave Wen Nan’s fingers a firm squeeze, warning him about his double entendre. But the interruption chased away the faint shadow in her eyes, leaving only joy and anticipation.

On a weeknight, only a few couples were scattered among the back rows. Wen Nan had booked seats in the very center of the front row—the most expensive VIP couple seats, with no one else nearby, perfect for a private world of their own.

The two seats were side by side. Once the armrest was lifted and the chairs reclined, it felt just like sinking into a first-class airplane lounge—utterly comfortable.

Wen Nan settled Guan Ailin first, then adjusted himself into a relaxed position. Once they were both seated, Wen Nan glanced at the screen and quickly realized the story had already reached its post-climax lull; it would be impossible to get absorbed now.

They really hadn’t made it in time.

He felt a twinge of regret for wasting several hundred coins, but since the movie was out of the question, wasn’t this exclusive couple’s seat the perfect place to do something else?

Thinking this, Wen Nan’s lips curled with a mischievous smile. He stretched his arms, pretending to yawn, and casually slid his arm around her shoulders, drawing her gently into his embrace.

The CEO truly lived up to her title.

As Guan Ailin leaned in, the first thing that touched Wen Nan’s chest was not her shoulder, but a soft, yielding sensation.

This feeling...

While Wen Nan inwardly praised the CEO, he couldn’t help but let his thoughts wander. In this luxurious couple’s seat, in the dim glow, lying together like this—how could they not take advantage of the moment, after he’d spent his own coins on this date?

With this in mind, Wen Nan turned to the beautiful, striking face so close to his, about to speak, when he realized her attention had never been on him at all.

Beneath Guan Ailin’s curled lashes, her dark eyes were fixed intently on the screen. The flickering light played across her pupils, making them tremble with each change, her teeth gently biting her cherry-red lower lip. The fingers pressed against Wen Nan’s chest clenched tightly, wrinkling his shirt.

She was so absorbed, it was as if Wen Nan was not her date, but merely a human-shaped cushion.

Wen Nan: ...

A movie for two, yet I’ve become just part of the background?

Could it be...

Just like in the CEO’s office that morning, Guan Ailin appeared indifferent on the surface, but deep down was she yearning for his closeness?

With this thought, Wen Nan quickly activated his talent skill, Mind Reading, and overlaid it with Tears of Insight.

He’d deliberately saved these skills for now—not even using them when Li Shuyi had her meltdown—just to avoid a long cooldown that would leave him helpless before the CEO.

Now, it was just perfect. As Mind Reading took effect, the soft, chatty voice of the little girl hidden deep within the CEO’s heart came pouring out—

'Ah, is it over already? That was so fast, I didn’t get enough!'

'(vv)'

'So did the male lead escape or not?'

'Ugh, why is it an open ending? Aaaaah!'

'Wow, the credits are almost done and there’s still more plot? Is this the post-credits scene? Soga! Sugoi!'

'There it is! So the male lead really did escape! Yes! As long as he can break free from this nightmare of a false world, that’s victory! This is the real ending, hidden so well!'

'.'

'Hm? Wait a minute!'

'What’s outside...'

'Beyond the wall, it’s just another copy of that fake world!'

'()'

After listening to the whole inner monologue, Wen Nan was left full of question marks.

The CEO’s mind had been completely absorbed in the movie from beginning to end—she hadn’t spared a single thought for Wen Nan.

9527: [Your skill Mind Reading has 12 minutes and 39 seconds remaining.]

A thirty-minute duration, and already most of it had passed in the blink of an eye?

This wouldn’t do.

Determined, Wen Nan tightened his arm around Guan Ailin’s shoulders, pulling her into his arms, then lowered his head and kissed her lips.

A faint, trembling whistle echoed in his ears.

He let her go and pulled back, only to see tears glistening at the corners of Guan Ailin’s eyes.

Wen Nan was stunned.

Had he just made her cry with a kiss?

'That ending was just too cruel!'

'Sniff sniff...'

Wen Nan: ...

She was still thinking about the movie.

Was the film really that affecting?

Truly, when planning a date, one must choose the right movie. Never pick a film that’s too captivating! The bitter lesson—only bad movies are suitable for dating!

(End of chapter)