Chapter 37: The Scumbag's Memories

Influenced by the ticket-grabbing incident involving Deng Yidi, Yang Tianxing reiterated before class in the afternoon that inquiring about others' seat numbers was forbidden; he wanted to maintain this sense of tension and anticipation right up until the movie started.

In fact, Yang Tianxing was the calmest of them all; his female companion had been confirmed long ago, as he had arranged it personally.

After dinner, the long-awaited night finally fell, the moon quietly revealed its charming figure among the clouds, and the streetlights along the main campus road lit up in rows, attracting a few moths to flutter up and down; the evening breeze carried a hint of chill, which was just right and refreshing.

College students all look forward to Fridays; although their usual studies aren't heavy, only on Friday nights can the "single dogs" go to internet cafes for all-nighters and eat skewers without restraint, and couples can choose not to return to their dorms, while the school radio station fittingly plays "Die to Love" by Shin.

…………

The boys of Dorm 312, or perhaps one could say the boys of the entire Public Administration Class 2, looked like soldiers about to head into battle, each one so nervous they were almost solemn; Qian Jiale was even planning to desert before the fight.

"Public Administration Class 2 does not welcome artists who perform 'retreating from the stage,' and even less do we welcome cowards."

Yang Tianxing forcibly hauled Qian Jiale out of the dorm and looked up at his brothers; they had truly combed their hair into the style of adults, missing only a handsome suit.

"Let's go!"

Yang Tianxing waved his hand, instantly igniting the horn for tonight's battle.

However, once they reached downstairs, everyone consciously began to split up and act on their own, which was normal; everyone had different expectations for this activity—perhaps Qian Jiale treated it as an ordinary movie, while Yi Min treated it as the beginning of a romance.

Because Yang Tianxing had the advantage of knowing his female companion in advance, while the others were waiting anxiously at the cinema, he went directly to the downstairs of the women's dormitory.

There were quite a few people here, but Yang Tianxing was the most leisurely; the "other people's boyfriends" were either holding flowers or carrying snacks, and only Yang Tianxing had a cigarette between his fingers.

Pretty girls came out of the dormitory one after another, and Yang Tianxing also saw many female classmates; they had clearly dressed up tonight, wearing light makeup and well-fitting clothes, their faces filled with longing and anticipation as they walked quickly toward the University Activity Center.

"It seems the effect is quite good; setting aside how many pairs might form tonight, at least it won't be like before, where boys and girls from the same class wouldn't even greet each other when they met."

Yang Tianxing thought to himself, but after waiting for a long time, he still didn't see Liu Jiaoyue; just as he was about to call the dorm, a tall figure ran down in a panic.

Old school uniform, canvas shoes washed until they were white, and peach-blossom eyes that were only revealed when she occasionally looked up—who else could it be but Liu Jiaoyue?

She probably realized she was going to be late and was speeding up, not expecting Yang Tianxing to be right downstairs.

"I, I forgot the time while reading."

Liu Jiaoyue was panting, lowering her head as she whispered an explanation.

"Oh."

Yang Tianxing walked in front with an expressionless face.

"I'm sorry."

Liu Jiaoyue lagged two steps behind; she didn't dare walk with Yang Tianxing, apologizing while observing whether Yang Tianxing was angry.

Yang Tianxing didn't respond, and only when they were almost at the University Activity Center did he ask, "Do you want something to drink?"

"No, no."

Liu Jiaoyue reached out her small hand, waving it in refusal.

Yang Tianxing nodded and went to the convenience store to buy two drinks.

"How about preserved plums?"

Yang Tianxing asked again.

"No, no."

Liu Jiaoyue reached out her small hand again, waving it in refusal.

Yang Tianxing nodded and bought the preserved plums along with some other snacks.

There was also popcorn for sale at the entrance of the University Activity Center, and the sweet scent of butter filled his nose.

"Do you want to eat this?" Yang Tianxing said, pointing at the popcorn.

Liu Jiaoyue glanced at it and said nothing.

"Do you want to eat it or not?"

Yang Tianxing asked again.

Liu Jiaoyue had no choice but to say, "I, I don't know if I want to eat it or not."

Yang Tianxing grinned, thinking this was a silly girl; if she wanted to eat, she should nod, and if not, she should shake her head—he wasn't someone who liked to force others.

"Then we won't eat it; you go in first."

Yang Tianxing said impatiently.

Liu Jiaoyue didn't dare delay and hurried into the University Activity Center.

The stairs in the Finance Institute's University Activity Center were tiered; it was pitch black while the movie was playing, and it was easy for someone who didn't know the layout to slip.

Yang Tianxing walked behind; as he walked, he stuffed the snacks and water into his pockets, quietly opening his arms and counting silently: "1, 2, 3..."

Liu Jiaoyue had never been in here before; she was worried about walking slowly and getting yelled at, so she lost her footing with a "crack," her whole body losing balance and falling backward, landing steadily right into Yang Tianxing's arms.

"Be careful," Yang Tianxing whispered in Liu Jiaoyue's ear.

Liu Jiaoyue struggled to stand up, and Yang Tianxing didn't force her to stay, but he grabbed her wrist: "I'll lead you."

Liu Jiaoyue broke free a few times, not expecting Yang Tianxing to grip tighter and tighter.

He curled his lips into a smile, thinking that even if she were made of iron, how many of my rivets could she withstand? Better to become my girlfriend sooner and get it over with.

……………

The movie playing tonight was "The Lion King," a 1998 Disney animated film.

Of course, one couldn't have high expectations for a bush-league movie club like this at school; they said they couldn't get the latest 2002 film reels, and strictly speaking, the paid movie-viewing event they organized was illegal.

However, when college students watch movies at school, who pays special attention to the content? If you don't believe it, ask the students of Public Administration Class 2; many of them might not remember the plot after going back, having likely spent the time wandering in an ambiguous and awkward atmosphere.

Yang Tianxing was the same; he didn't have much feeling for the movie's content, but this atmosphere was very attractive to him, and his thoughts even drifted back to 2019 without him realizing it.

The scumbag Yang Tianxing of that time sometimes had to watch a movie five or six times; he had too many girls around him, and since he accompanied each one to watch it, it naturally added up to several times.

In fact, this was also a form of torture, because he knew the plot by heart but still had to pretend he was watching it for the first time, following others in being surprised, laughing out loud, and feeling sad—what a damn torture.

"I must not do this kind of thing in this life; a movie should be watched at most once..."

Yang Tianxing was just about to swear an oath when he suddenly thought of Tan Zhizhi; she was still in a fit of anger, and watching a movie was a good way to apologize.

"A movie can be watched at most twice... never mind, three or four times."

Yang Tianxing silently comforted himself, anticipating that one must be well-provided for, so that one could face the storms of life without panic.