The mall was alive with the familiar buzz of shoppers and the sweet smell of popcorn drifting from the theaters. Xu Jin walked slightly ahead, glancing back occasionally at Chen, who seemed more interested in the colorful posters than the crowd around them.
"Which movie do you want to watch?" Xu Jin asked, stopping in front of the theater's display.
Chen's eyes scanned the options carefully: a flashy action film with explosions and dark suits, a soft romance painted in pastel pinks, and a recently released animated movie starring a dog and a cat as the main characters.
After a short pause, Chen pointed to the poster with the animals. "This one," he said, his voice soft but certain.
Xu Jin raised an eyebrow. "Huh? That's… a kids' movie. People will probably laugh at us."
Chen shrugged, completely unbothered. "Oh… then you choose."
Xu Jin smirked and picked the action movie without a second thought. They approached the counter, where the clerk handed over the tickets with a polite smile.
Next came the snacks. Chen carefully balanced the popcorn buckets in his arms, while Yun Hu, ever curious, peeked out from inside Chen's sweater. The little demon cat's eyes immediately locked onto the popcorn, his tiny paws twitching in anticipation.
"Wait a little longer," Chen whispered under his breath, smoothing Yun Hu back into the sweater. The cat mewed softly but didn't make another move, clearly aware that patience would pay off.
Xu Jin watched this quietly, a small smile tugging at his lips. Chen handled both the snacks and the mischievous little cat with surprising ease, adjusting Yun Hu so he wouldn't topple the popcorn while keeping him warm and cozy.
As they turned toward the theater entrance, Xu Jin's sharp eyes caught two familiar figures trailing behind them, moving quietly like shadows. He stiffened for a moment, narrowing his gaze.
"Kids… why are you following us?" he asked, his voice calm but carrying a subtle warning.
The two girls froze, caught off guard. Ari stammered, cheeks pink, "W-Who's following… you? Hah?"
Chen, meanwhile, didn't even glance back. He adjusted Yun Hu in his sweater, looking entirely unbothered. "Oh, you're here to watch a movie too? Which one?"
Rina smiled sheepishly. "Action one," she said, glancing at Chen and then Xu Jin.
Just then, Yun Hu popped his tiny head out of Chen's sweater, ears perked, whiskers twitching. The girls' eyes immediately lit up.
"Ah! It's him!" Rina exclaimed, slowing down as she crouched slightly to get a better look. Ari bounced a little on her heels, excited, but then Rina quickly hushed her.
Rina tilted her head, curious. "Wait… why are you bringing him here?"
Xu Jin's gaze flicked to Chen, then back to the girls, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "To keep an eye on him," he said simply, his tone teasing. "So he doesn't wander off somewhere."
Chen shrugged lightly, giving a soft laugh. "He likes movies too, apparently."
The group approached the entrance, Yun Hu now fully alert, his tiny paws tapping lightly against Chen's chest as he peeked around. The girls followed, careful not to crowd but unable to hide their excitement.
They made their way inside the theater, the faint smell of buttered popcorn and the low hum of chatter filling the air. Chen carefully settled into his seat, holding Yun Hu securely in his sweater. Xu Jin followed, and to his surprise, Rina and Ari had already taken the seats beside him.
Rina leaned slightly toward Xu Jin, her voice barely a whisper. "On a date, huh? Nice try, brother. Good luck," she teased, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "We won't disturb you."
Ari, equally playful, gave him a small thumbs-up, his grin bright in the dimmed theater light.
Xu Jin's ears twitched faintly—he glanced at Chen, who was adjusting Yun Hu in his lap, entirely unbothered by the two new spectators. Xu Jin's lips twitched into a tiny, almost imperceptible smirk.
Chen, puzzled, looked between them. "Why is everyone ghosting us?" he asked softly, voice carrying a mix of curiosity and amusement.
Ari leaned over toward Chen, whispering with a playful lilt, "How could we ghost you, brother Chen… and Yun Hu?"
Chen's expression softened, a small smile tugging at his lips as he scratched behind Yun Hu's ears. The little demon cat purred in response, completely content in Chen's arms.
The lights dimmed further, the movie previews flickering on the screen, signaling the start of the main feature. Chen, Xu Jin, Yun Hu, Rina, and Ari settled into their seats, the small group forming a cozy, intimate bubble amidst the hushed excitement of the theater.