The fact that Lam Minh became a "special consultant" for the military's top laboratory, even if it was just an unofficial title, created a major shift in his relationship with To Quyen.
She no longer saw him as just a mysterious classmate, but as a colleague, a master from whom she could learn. She frequently used the excuse of "discussing scientific matters" to invite him to the library or to coffee shops. Of course, most of the time, she would ask, and he would answer with a "wild guess."
One day, after "discussing" a problem regarding "the compatibility of Graphene alloy with energy from a Golden Core" at a quiet coffee shop, To Quyen suddenly said hesitantly.
"Lam Minh... this weekend... there's an early screening of the movie 'Dawn on the Great Wall.' I have two tickets... Would you... like to go with me?"
She spoke with her head slightly lowered, her cheeks flushing. It was the first time she had ever proactively invited a boy to the movies.
Lam Minh, who was lost in thought about how to farm enough of the 20,000 points needed to reach Foundation Establishment, was taken aback.
A movie? A date?
In his previous life, he and To Quyen had also had dates like this, before the war took everything away. The memories came flooding back, and he couldn't help but smile.
"Sure," he replied, his voice gentle. "What time?"
Hearing him agree, To Quyen's face lit up with joy. "7 p.m. on Saturday, at MegaStar cinema! I'll book the tickets."
But neither of them knew that their conversation had been accidentally overheard by someone who shouldn't have.
Quynh Nhu, on a rare occasion when she wasn't in combat gear but was wearing a cute loli dress, was sitting at a nearby table, holding a giant-sized bubble tea. She had come to "monitor" her debtor but ended up overhearing a date invitation.
Pfft!
She spat out the mouthful of bubble tea she was drinking all over the table. Luckily, no one noticed.
"What... what? A date? That punching bag dares to go on a date with that four-eyed girl?" she muttered, her face fuming with anger. "And to the movies, of all things! Daring to skip a training session with me to go to the movies! Unforgivable!"
An uncomfortable, irritated feeling welled up inside her. She didn't understand why she was so angry. She told herself it was because her "debtor" wasn't focused on "working to pay off his debt" but was out having fun instead. That must be it!
Saturday night.
Lam Minh was dressed simply in a T-shirt and jeans, but with his physique and face, it was still enough to attract all eyes. He arrived at the cinema and saw To Quyen already waiting. She was wearing a pure white dress, her long hair let down, looking unusually gentle and beautiful.
"You're here," she smiled, a smile that lit up the entire lobby.
Just as the two of them got their tickets, popcorn, and drinks, and were about to enter the theater, a sharp voice rang out from behind them.
"Well! What a coincidence! Are you two here to watch a movie too?"
Lam Minh and To Quyen turned around. It was Quynh Nhu. She was also wearing a different dress, holding two movie tickets and a giant box of popcorn.
"Quynh... Quynh Nhu?" To Quyen was surprised. She knew Quynh Nhu from her visits to Lam Minh at the training base.
"What are you doing here?" Lam Minh frowned, having a bad feeling.
"Watching a movie, what else," Quynh Nhu replied nonchalantly. "What a coincidence, I'm watching this exact movie, this exact showtime. How about we watch it together for fun?"
Without waiting for them to agree, she squeezed in between them and linked her arm through Lam Minh's naturally. "Let's go! The movie's about to start!"
Lam Minh could only sigh. He knew perfectly well she was following them on purpose. To Quyen was a bit flustered and unhappy but felt it wasn't her place to say anything. And so, their romantic date for two suddenly gained an unwilling "third wheel."
Inside the theater, Quynh Nhu deliberately fought to sit between Lam Minh and To Quyen.
The movie began. It was a patriotic action film about the sacrifices of soldiers on the Great Wall. The story was very moving and tragic. To Quyen watched intently, sniffling from time to-time.
As for Quynh Nhu, she couldn't care less about the movie. She kept turning to "bother" Lam Minh.
"Hey, I'm out of popcorn, give me some," she reached over to his popcorn box.
"Hey, what flavor is your drink? Let me have a sip."
"Hey, your shoulder looks pretty sturdy, can I lean on it for a bit?"
Lam Minh was so annoyed by her that he couldn't concentrate on the film. He could only powerlessly let her do as she pleased.
To Quyen, sitting next to him, saw this and couldn't help but feel upset. Her first date was completely ruined.
When the movie reached its climax, with the male and female leads sharing a passionate kiss before a life-or-death parting, To Quyen instinctively glanced at Lam Minh. Her heart pounded.
But at that exact moment, she saw Quynh Nhu also glancing at Lam Minh. Then, as if driven by some invisible provocation, Quynh Nhu suddenly leaned her head and rested it fully on Lam Minh's shoulder, closing her eyes as if she were tired.
This action was the last straw.
To Quyen felt a flame of anger and jealousy, emotions she had never experienced before, ignite within her. She said nothing, just silently stood up and walked out of the theater.
Lam Minh was startled when he saw To Quyen suddenly leave. "To Quyen! Where are you going?"
He quickly removed Quynh Nhu's head from his shoulder and ran after her.
"Hey...! The movie's getting good!" Quynh Nhu, left alone, called out in a daze. But when she saw that the two of them were gone, she suddenly felt a sense of emptiness and... regret.
Lam Minh caught up with To Quyen in the lobby.
"What's wrong? Why did you leave?" he asked.
To Quyen didn't answer, just walked on in silence.
Lam Minh sighed and stepped in front of her to block her path. "Is it because of Quynh Nhu?"
Only then did To Quyen look up, the rims of her eyes already red. "No! I... I just felt a little tired."
Seeing her aggrieved expression, Lam Minh felt guilty. He knew Quynh Nhu was just trying to cause trouble on purpose, but he hadn't handled it decisively, which made To Quyen suffer.
He reached up and gently wiped away a tear that was about to roll down her cheek.
"I'm sorry," he said, his voice gentle. "It's my fault."
His action and words stunned To Quyen. Her heart felt like it was melting. The anger she felt just moments ago vanished into thin air.
"No... it's not your fault..." she mumbled.
The atmosphere between them became a little awkward but also incredibly warm. The movie date might have been a failure, but it seemed to have brought the distance between them closer.
And somewhere in a corner, Quynh Nhu was secretly watching them, crushing the popcorn box in her hand and muttering, "Lam Minh! You are so dead to me!"