Why would Yan Duo be here of all places?!
Mo Tingyan greeted her casually, lifting a hand with an easy smile.
"What a coincidence. You here for a movie too?"
Yan Duo walked over. "Just finished one. I'm on my way out."
Wen Zhi maintained a calm expression as Yan Duo sat down by the small glass table.
Yan Duo's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she looked between the two of them, her face practically screaming I've uncovered a huge secret.
"So," she teased, "when did this happen?"
Wen Zhi tried her best to look composed.
"Don't misunderstand. Captain Mo and I came with a friend."
Yan Duo clearly didn't buy it. She waved a hand, narrowing her eyes playfully.
"Oh please, Xiao Zhi. Stop pretending. You and the captain are a perfect match—handsome man, beautiful woman. Relax, I won't gossip."
Wen Zhi: "..."
As if.
Just as Wen Zhi was about to explain again, Lian Qiao returned.
Wen Zhi finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Lian Qiao had worked at Jiang Airlines for a few months before, so she naturally recognized Yan Duo.
She walked over and patted Yan Duo on the shoulder.
"Well, if it isn't Yan Duo. What are you doing here?"
Yan Duo turned around, surprised. "You're here too?"
"Oh, I came to watch a movie with Xiao Zhi and your captain."
Yan Duo instantly looked enlightened.
"Ohhh—then tell me, when did they get together? We work together every day and never noticed. You must know, right? Come on, spill!"
Wen Zhi: "..."
Lian Qiao glanced sideways at Wen Zhi's helpless expression and smiled lightly.
"You're pairing the wrong couple. I heard Jiang Airlines got a new captain recently—handsome and impressive—so I asked Xiao Zhi to help me invite him out."
As she spoke, she leaned closer to Yan Duo's ear and whispered dramatically,
"Who wouldn't want a handsome guy like that?"
Yan Duo finally understood.
So Wen Zhi was just playing matchmaker!
She laughed.
"That makes sense. If anything really was going on, there's no way we wouldn't know. Guess I misunderstood."
Wen Zhi checked the time on her phone.
"It's almost time. Yan Duo, want to join us for another movie?"
"Oh no," Yan Duo waved quickly. "I've got other plans."
After taking two steps, she suddenly turned back.
"Oh right—Xiao Zhi, next week's company team-building event. Everyone from the cabin crew has signed up except you. Don't tell me you're planning to skip again?"
Wen Zhi hesitated awkwardly. "I haven't decided yet…"
Yan Duo leaned closer conspiratorially.
"I heard there's prize money this time. Big prizes. Expensive ones."
Wen Zhi: "..."
Alright. I'm going.
After Yan Duo left, the three of them entered the theater and found their seats. Wen Zhi sat in the middle.
Lian Qiao munched on snacks and muttered,
"You two really are something. Who goes on a date and watches a horror movie?"
Wen Zhi felt helpless—this was Mo Tingyan's insistence.
Mo Tingyan, meanwhile, looked completely unfazed.
What do they know? he thought.
If you don't watch a horror movie, how else do you get her to throw herself into your arms?
The movie began.
For the first thirty minutes, it was all background and buildup—barely scary at all.
But after that, screams began echoing through the theater.
Mo Tingyan saw girls around them already burying themselves into their boyfriends' arms. He turned eagerly toward Wen Zhi, ready to say—
If you're scared, come hide with me.
Instead, he saw—
Lian Qiao, shielding her face with the popcorn bucket, curling straight into Wen Zhi's arms.
Wen Zhi gently patted her shoulder.
"Don't scare yourself. Just think about it—it's all acted. It's fake."
Lian Qiao protested,
"Not everyone's fearless like you! I'm scared, okay?"
Mo Tingyan: "..."
This woman—
Wasn't it a bit much to cling to someone else's wife like this?!
Several terrifying scenes passed.
He didn't even get to hold Wen Zhi's hand once.
Mo Tingyan realized—
I miscalculated.
But his mind worked fast.
He lifted the armrest between them, grabbed Wen Zhi's arm, and pulled her straight into his chest, wrapping her tightly in his arms.
His voice trembled slightly.
"Zhangzhu… I'm scared too."
Lian Qiao: "..."
Is this man shameless or what?!
By the time the movie ended, Wen Zhi had one arm held by Lian Qiao and the other by Mo Tingyan.
Between the constant cries of "I'm scared," she barely understood what the movie was even about.
Outside the theater, seeing the time was perfect, Lian Qiao said cheerfully,
"Since we're already out, let's eat. My treat."
Mo Tingyan stared at her.
Why hasn't she left yet?
But Wen Zhi agreed immediately, so he had no choice but to follow.
They went to a hotpot restaurant. Lian Qiao and Wen Zhi sat together.
Grinning, Lian Qiao looked at Mo Tingyan.
"Captain Mo, don't mind me sitting with your wife. She only chooses me once a week, and she even dragged you along today. Be generous—lend her to me for a bit."
Mo Tingyan: "..."
This lightbulb really has some nerve.
He'd waited two whole months just to be "chosen" once.
As they chatted and ate, a shadow suddenly fell over the table.
All three looked up.
A young man stood there, smiling in surprise.
"Miss Lian, Miss Wen—what a coincidence."
Wen Zhi froze.
What kind of cursed day is this?
She'd only gone out to watch a movie.
First Yan Duo.
Now—
the blind date Lian Qiao once awkwardly introduced her to?!
Lian Qiao blinked in shock.
"Jiang Xian? What are you doing here?"
"I had some business nearby. Just finished and came to eat. Mind if I join you? My treat."
As he spoke, his gaze shifted to Mo Tingyan—measuring, assessing.
Lian Qiao felt instantly guilty.
Is this what they call rivals meeting face to face?
She hurriedly broke the silence.
"Sure, sit. Let me introduce everyone. This is my former colleague, Captain Mo Tingyan from Jiang Airlines. Mo Tingyan, this is Jiang Xian, a marketing director at Mingguang Group."
Not hearing Wen Zhi referred to as Mo Tingyan's girlfriend, Jiang Xian visibly relaxed.
He nodded to Mo Tingyan and took the only empty seat—right beside him.
Yet his eyes still lingered on Mo Tingyan's face.
Mo Tingyan raised a brow, his roguish gaze returning calmly.
"Mr. Jiang, is there something you want to say? You've been staring."
Jiang Xian hesitated.
"No… I just feel like Captain Mo looks familiar."
As if he'd seen him somewhere before.
Mo Tingyan's thoughts darkened slightly.
Looks like I shouldn't attend corporate banquets anymore.
But his expression remained relaxed.
"Then you must be mistaken. I don't remember you. And stop staring—I'm straight. Not your type."
Lian Qiao nearly spat out her tea laughing.
"Jiang Xian, there are two beauties across from you. Maybe look at us instead."
Jiang Xian flushed and nodded apologetically to Mo Tingyan before shifting his attention—only to steal another glance at Wen Zhi.
That face…
No matter when or where, it was impossible not to be moved.
Lian Qiao suddenly thought of something and asked casually,
"Jiang Xian, off the record—your company's CEO. Is he really gay?"
Mo Tingyan: "..."
Jiang Xian shook his head helplessly.
"I don't know. I'm not high enough to meet him."
Lian Qiao pouted.
"You must've heard something though. He never shows his face—is he sick or something? Is he really as violent and terrifying as the rumors say?"
"I've never seen it myself," Jiang Xian replied.
"But despite staying behind the scenes, his leadership is exceptional. I don't think the rumors should all be believed."
Mo Tingyan raised an eyebrow slightly.
At least this kid can speak like a decent human.
As Lian Qiao stopped asking questions, Jiang Xian put down his chopsticks, gathered his courage, and looked at Wen Zhi.
"Miss Wen… could I talk to you privately for a moment?"