Travel: Hangzhou Arc (Eleven): Late Night, the Cinema, and the Girls

10:30 PM.

"Is everyone here?" Aemeath looked around excitedly towards the theater entrance.

The coffee table was piled high with snacks and pastries, as well as chilled drinks. The glass bottles were covered in clear condensation, which dripped down and left tiny watermarks on the wooden table, making it look like a late-night movie screening was about to begin.

"They're here!" Sigrika led Dania into the home theater last. "Oh dear, everyone's here... Are we late?"

"It's earlier than the agreed time, so it's okay," Jinhsi said with a smile.

"Alright, stop standing there. I've saved seats for you two." Suisui gently patted the two seats to her right.

After the two best friends were settled into their seats, Hajiling, who was sitting in the center of the sofa, spoke up.

So, can we begin now?

"Of course!" Aemeath said excitedly, "Let's begin our late-night movie time!"

The incident began with Aemeath's sudden inspiration.

Aemeath: By the way, isn't there a movie theater in the basement here?

Aemeath: How about we go see a movie together tonight?

Aemeath: @Xiao Ling, does A-Yu want to come?

Xiao Ling: Sure, I'm free tonight.

Xiao Ling: @All members, is anyone else coming?

Dania: 1

Sigrika: I want to go!

Lynae: I'll join in the fun too!

Yangyang: I have nothing important to do tonight, so I can keep the appointment.

Suisui: Everyone wants to see it so badly? Count me in then~

After a series of replies, the Sun and Moon Team, the Gladiator Team, Changli, Roccia, Crimson Snow, Morning, Chisa, and the three from Black Shores all politely declined the invitation, presumably because they all had their own things to do.

As for the rest of the people, they were naturally happy to accept the invitation.

Xiao Ling: By the way, what movie Aemeath planning to choose?

Aemeath: Of course, I'll pick some family-friendly movies!

Xiao Ling: Okay.

Xiao Ling: @Danya Dania, please share your snack stash with everyone.

Dania: Uh... but I don't even have enough to eat for myself...

Xiao Ling: I'll make it up for you.

Dania: Deal.

Yangyang: I also made some pastries myself, you can bring them with you.

Jinhsi: I can also bring some food with me.

And so came the scene at the beginning: the coffee table in the movie theater was filled with snacks, pastries, and chilled drinks, and the invited girls were all wearing pajamas, their body odor from the shower gel and shampoo mingling with their unique fragrance, which was very pleasant.

(?! Top-tier lung capacity?!)

In conclusion, all attendees for tonight's late-night movie event are now officially present.

"You can begin Little Ai now," Xiao Ling said with a smile.

OK~

Aemeath snapped her fingers, and the lights in the room automatically turned off, the air conditioner was immediately adjusted to the most comfortable temperature, and then the projector turned on by itself, projecting the movie we were going to watch today onto the screen.

As the movie officially started, he felt his right eyelid twitching, as if something bad was about to happen.

A mournful yet slightly eerie background music begins to play... Is this the kind of music you'd expect in a family-friendly movie?!

"Are you sure this is a family-friendly movie?" Xiao Ling's eyebrows twitched.

"Yes, the whole family is together, but don't worry about how they're all together," Aemeath joked.

Xiao Ling felt that he had trusted Aemeath too much. Chun had clearly said long ago that at most 80% of what that girl said was true...

What Aemeath is showing now isn't some family-friendly movie at all; it's clearly the second film by that director with the gold standard in horror films, hailed as a benchmark in the puppet horror genre—"Dead Silence."

Now, Hajiling could only silently pray that she wouldn't be so frightened that she would fly away on the spot.

"Beware of Mary Shaw's gaze. She has no children, only dolls. If you encounter her in your dreams, whatever you do, please, please don't scream."

Indeed, this is the core thread that runs through the entire film "Dead Silence," and it is also the protagonist's code of conduct.

Unfortunately, this rule is of no use to them who are outside the film.

"Alas!"

"Eek~"

After another face-slapping incident, Little Orange and Honey Peach, these two best friends, each clung tightly to one of Xiao Ling's arms, their eyes closed.

However, by the light from the screen, it was clear that Sigrika's face was pale, obviously quite frightened, while Dania's face remained normal. In short, one's acting was unconvincing, and the other's acting was completely nonsensical.

Although Yangyang hasn't reacted too strongly from the beginning, her expression isn't very good either. Her good sister is even hiding behind her, only daring to show her head, and immediately shrinking back when she sees Tiao's face.

Yes, such actions definitely indicate they are sisters.

Surprisingly, Liang Yu was the calmest of the three, perhaps because she had dealt with similar things frequently since joining the military?

As for the other side...

"Here, Xixi, have a potato chip!" Aemeath handed over the tomato potato chips in her hand.

"Thank you." Jinhsi nodded her thanks after taking the potato chips, then continued watching the movie.

"Actually, looking at it this way, it's not so much terrifying as it is. What I see more of are the evil consequences of human nature," Cartethyia commented.

Although it's a horror movie, the atmosphere here is quite cheerful. I wasn't scared at all, and even offered my own opinions on the unfolding plot with great interest.

The Rover and Phoebe were snacking and drinking, completely absorbed in the movie; whether they were scared or not is unknown.

But Hajipiao remembers that someone is actually afraid to watch horror movies?

She turned her head with interest, her playful gaze falling on Hajiling, who was being tightly sandwiched between two adorable little girls.

"Help..."

Xiao Ling is currently in a state of collapse, but not mainly because of the movie.

He had watched this movie with his whole class in high school, so he knew the general plot. Of course, he would still get a jolt from some of the really scary parts.

The real reason is...

"I really need to go to the bathroom..."

Yes, Hajiling's bladder is starting to give out warning signs; she desperately needs a water escape to release herself.

The problem is that he is currently restricted in his movements by Sigrika and Dania, his two protectors, making it difficult for him to leave.

Dania is easy to handle; she was just pretending. But Sigrika...

"Sigrika? Sigrika?" Xiao Ling called softly.

"S-senpai... is it over?" Sigrika mustered her courage to glance over, but was startled by the next sudden attack and shrank back, once again gripping Xiao Ling's arm tightly.

Well, that's the situation. So now he can't leave even if he wants to, and can only sit here and enjoy this sweet burden.

Objectively speaking, this late-night movie screening was a success. The only problem is that next time he'll have to choose the movies himself and not let Aemeath again.

Just as he was thinking this, a pair of strong, smooth, jade-like arms suddenly grabbed his throat.

Damn it, what are you doing here, you blondie?!

"Brother, I'm a little scared, let me hide for a bit." Lynae's voice was trembling, but at least it was honest.

Seeing this scene, Xiao Ling suddenly smiled with relief.

Tired. Let's destroy it, quickly.