Chapter 143 Watching the Show Again Mingxi walked to the entrance of the alley...

Chapter 143 Watching the Show Again Mingxi walked to the entrance of the alley...

Mingxi walked to the entrance of the alley and immediately saw Wei Ning waiting for her with his bicycle.

What a coincidence.

Today, Wei Ning wore a red turtleneck sweater under a black puffer jacket, and jeans in the same color scheme as Ming Xi.

At first glance, it seems like she and Mingxi were wearing matching outfits that they had agreed to wear.

Mingxi was stunned when she saw it, and not only Mingxi, but even Wei Ning was taken aback. This really wasn't something the two of them had agreed upon; it was purely a coincidence.

After a brief moment of surprise, Wei Ning smiled and looked at Ming Xi, patting the car seat: "Let's go, get in the car, let's go see a movie."

Mingxi didn't stand on ceremony with Weining and got into the car.

Mingxi has been busy introducing Huangli to potential partners lately, neglecting Weining. She even stood him up for a movie date they had arranged.

Now that I finally have some free time, the first thing I do is catch up on the movies I missed before.

The bicycle chain creaked and groaned as Mingxi sat on the seat, clutching the hem of Weining's clothes, and chattered on about what the older women had been gossiping about Dong Chunling in the alley.

Mingxi has been busy lately and hasn't paid much attention to Dong Chunling's affairs, but she has still heard some things. She heard that Dong Chunling and Hu Mingyi have reconciled; she heard that Dong Chunling and Hu Mingyi have a good relationship, and Hu Mingyi comes to the alley every day to pick Dong Chunling up from work; she heard that Hu Mingyi has bought Dong Chunling a lot of things, and it seems that the two are getting married…

This last point is not just baseless gossip or idle chatter from people in the alley.

It was Dong Chunling herself who admitted it. When others asked Dong Chunling if she was about to have a good wedding, she smiled shyly and nodded.

Mingxi was quite shocked when she brought this up now.

"I never expected that Dong Chunling and Hu Mingyi would get married!"

Forget about marriage, Mingxi was shocked to see the two of them reconcile. However, she had heard from people in the alley that Dong Chunling and Hu Mingyi were able to make up entirely because Dong Chunling was willing to swallow her pride. It was said that she went to Hu Mingyi's house and workplace, waiting for him, and whenever she saw him come out, she would cry and apologize to him, begging for reconciliation.

After this back and forth, Hu Mingyi couldn't help but soften his heart, and the two reconciled.

When Mingxi heard about this, she couldn't help but click her tongue in surprise. Was it really that serious? Dong Chunling and Hu Mingyi had only known each other for a short time, and their relationship wasn't that deep.

On second thought, however, Dong Chunling's request for reconciliation might not stem from deep affection, but rather from her inability to let go of Hu Mingyi's favorable terms. It remains to be seen whether Hu Mingyi himself is aware of Dong Chunling's true feelings.

Perhaps they know.

Even an outsider like Mingxi can see it clearly, so how could Hu Mingyi not see it? Is he stupid? People who can become leaders in the Housing Management Bureau are not really stupid.

He probably felt comfortable being with a beautiful woman like Dong Chunling who was willing to swallow her pride and would go along with anything he wanted, which is why he agreed to reconcile with her.

Mingxi really hadn't figured out the point about marriage.

Mingxi was wondering to herself when she suddenly realized that Wei Ning hadn't responded for a long time. She reached out and gently poked Wei Ning's back with her finger: "You don't seem surprised at all. Dong Chunling and Hu Mingyi are getting married!"

Wei Ning: "I'm so surprised, I'm speechless."

"Come on."

Mingxi rolled her eyes slightly. Don't think she couldn't tell that Wei Ning was just trying to coax her by agreeing with her.

Wei Ning: "It's just the two of us on a date today, let's not talk about anyone else, okay?"

Mingxi paused, her eyelashes fluttering up and down rapidly like startled butterflies. She picked at her fingers and stammered, "Oh, oh, okay."

Mingxi sat in the back seat for a long time without saying a word. Wei Ning sighed deeply and took the initiative to start a conversation: "Your company has been very busy lately? I haven't seen you at all this week."

Mingxi: "It's alright. Work isn't too busy, but I'm quite busy introducing people to potential partners."

She wanted to tell you about introducing Huang Li to a potential partner, but remembering what Wei Ning had just said, she swallowed the words back.

Wei Ning waited a while, but didn't hear anything, so he asked, "Did it go smoothly when you introduced people to potential partners?"

Mingxi: "You asked that, didn't you?"

Her tone was natural, but the implication was clear: "Since you asked, I'll tell you."

"My attempts to introduce potential partners to Huang Li this time were particularly unsuccessful. Several men I introduced failed to work out, and neither Huang Li nor Aunt Xu were very satisfied with the men I introduced. Can you guess how I finally resolved this?"

Wei Ning chimed in, "How was it finally resolved?"

Mingxi: "I finally introduced Huangli to a job."

She said, "Huang Li wants to find a partner because she's currently unemployed and stays at home, and her sisters-in-law are always giving her the cold shoulder. But I can tell she's not ready to find a partner yet, so no matter who I introduce her to, she's not satisfied and is always picky. I thought that in that case, it would be better if she didn't look for a partner yet, but instead found a job that would allow her to leave her home environment. So I introduced her to the labor service company, and unexpectedly, they were hiring. As soon as she arrived, they assigned her a suitable position selling tickets at the train station. It's a pretty good job; the train station has dormitories, and she can move in there."

Wei Ning: "That's really great."

Mingxi: "Right, right, you think so too, don't you?"

She smiled and said, "Huang Li is really lucky. She just happened to arrive when the train station was short-staffed."

Huang Li was considered lucky because she happened to be there just as the news of job openings at the train station came out.

Although people with connections look down on the job of a ticket seller, there are so many people in Beicheng who have no connections and no jobs. Even a temporary job like a ticket seller would be highly sought after. Logically speaking, it shouldn't be Huang Li's turn.

But just as the train station announced the job openings, the labor service company heard about it and Huang Li reported to the company shortly afterward, thus getting the job by sheer coincidence.

Wei Ning: "I think she was lucky to meet you."

Mingxi blinked, her lips almost reaching her temples in a smile, and said modestly, "Oh dear, I'm not as good as you say."

Despite saying that, Mingxi's smile didn't fade in the slightest.

They rode their bicycles all the way to the movie theater entrance. Wei Ning found a place to park the bike, and he and Ming Xi walked over side by side.

It was a little past six o'clock, and it was almost completely dark, but the area in front of the movie theater was still very lively. There were stalls on both sides of the road selling clothes, children's toys, snacks, and even ring toss games... Wei Ning spotted a popcorn vendor and turned to Ming Xi to ask, "Want some popcorn?"

Mingxi: "Eat!"

When watching a movie, you have to have some snacks!

Wei Ning immediately stepped forward and bought a small bag of popcorn. The popcorn was freshly popped, and when Mingxi received it, it was still warm. She picked one up and put it in her mouth. The faint sweetness and strong corn flavor burst in her mouth instantly, and she squinted her eyes happily.

Wei Ning: "They also sell sugar snowballs here, want some?"

Mingxi immediately opened her eyes: "Eat!"

In previous years, whenever Zhao Sulan had free time, she would buy a bag of hawthorns and make candied hawthorn balls for Mingxi with white sugar. This year, after Mingxi started working, Zhao Sulan spent her free time stocking up on winter vegetables and preparing for the winter, so she didn't have time to make candied hawthorn balls for Mingxi. She hadn't had them in a long time and was really craving them.

Upon hearing Mingxi's reply, Wei Ning immediately went to buy a bag of sugary treats. As Wei Ning returned with the bag, Mingxi picked up a popcorn and popped it into his mouth.

"A reward for you."

Her slender fingertips brushed against Wei Ning's lips, causing Wei Ning's eyes to darken for a moment.

Mingxi didn't notice the change in the other person's eyes at all. She snatched the bag from Wei Ning's hand, picked up a sugar snowball, and found it to be very appealing. The hawthorn was coated in white sugar and had a reddish-white color, making it look cute and festive.

Mingxi stuffed it into her mouth and bit into it with a crunch. The sour taste of the hawthorn burst out, and her little face instinctively scrunched up. She quickly chewed it a couple more times, and the white sugar shell on the outside of the hawthorn mixed with the hawthorn pulp, so the taste wasn't so frighteningly sour.

Mingxi was chewing when she suddenly felt a direct gaze fixed on her. She turned her head and met Wei Ning's eyes.

"What's wrong? You want some too? Then help yourself."

Mingxi generously handed over the bag in her hand. This bag of candy balls was bought by Weining, so he could eat them if he wanted.

Wei Ning felt a slight itch in his fingertips, reached out and picked up a candy ball from the bag, popped it into his mouth, but still felt it wasn't enough.

It was almost time for the movie to start, so Mingxi stopped lingering and quickly pulled Weining into the theater. Weining had already bought tickets in advance, so they didn't need to buy any more; they went straight in after having their tickets checked.

Despite it not being a holiday or a day off, the movie they were watching was packed. When Mingxi and Weining entered, the theater was almost full, and many people were standing near the door, craning their necks to look around, seemingly trying to find suitable seats.

Mingxi looked left and right and spotted two empty seats next to each other in the first row. She pulled Weining over and sat down, saying, "Luckily, I have sharp eyes and saw that there are two empty seats here, otherwise we would have had to sit in the back."

But speaking of this, she still found it strange: "It's so strange, there are clearly two seats here, how come those people at the door acted like they didn't see them?"

Modern movie theaters are different from those of later generations. They don't have tiered seating; the floor is flat, with rows of folding chairs placed directly on the ground. Those sitting in the front can see the large screen clearly, but those in the back are easily blocked. If you happen to encounter a tall, large person sitting in front of you, you'll only be able to see the back of their head for the entire movie.

So these days, when people go to the movies, they all choose to sit in the front seats.

The earlier the better.

Seeing that others were not choosing seats in the first row, Mingxi naturally found it strange.

She couldn't help but crane her neck and look back, and then she understood.

Sitting in the last row were all young couples who had come in pairs. Some of the bolder ones had already put their arms around each other's shoulders and arms and stuck together even before the movie started.

Although this behavior seemed insignificant to Mingxi, who had traveled back from more than forty years in the future, it was nothing to say that they were hugging or even kissing.

However, in today's society, such intimate behavior is considered quite bold.

This is why society is much more open now. A few years ago, when the Revolutionary Committee was still in power, even holding hands on the street would get you taken away and interrogated.

Having figured out the answer, Mingxi turned around, leaned close to Weining's ear, and whispered the new knowledge she had just learned to him.

"Do you know why people don't sit in the empty seats in front? It's because they're all young couples, and it's convenient for them to sit in the back to date."

Warm breath brushed against Wei Ning's ear, and the tips of his ears instantly turned red.

He naturally knew what Mingxi was talking about, but at this moment he still feigned surprise: "Is that so?"

Mingxi: "That's right. I just looked back and saw that some people in the back row were already hugging each other."

Wei Ning: "They're really bold."

Mingxi: "It's alright. Once the movie starts, no one will watch the rest of the movie anyway."

The two whispered to each other. At that moment, the movie theater lights dimmed, and the movie started soon after. Mingxi immediately moved back to her seat, sat up straight, and stared intently at the screen in front of her.

To be honest, Mingxi hasn't watched many movies since she transmigrated.

The only time was when I came to see it with Wei Ning last time.

Believe it or not, although film technology wasn't as advanced as it is now, special effects were simpler, and props couldn't compare to those of later generations, the plot was just as exciting.

The last time I watched a suspense film, Mingxi was still immersed in the plot long after the movie ended.

This film was no exception. As Mingxi watched, she became so engrossed in the film's beautiful scenery and the actors' touching emotions that she didn't even have time to eat the popcorn she was holding.

Mingxi was not awakened until the scene of the male and female leads kissing appeared, which elicited gasps from the audience in the theater.

On the big screen, the male and female leads were kissing. Mingxi glanced at the women on either side of her and saw them blushing with surprise. Some even raised their hands to cover their eyes, peeking curiously at the screen through their fingers. These days, people's emotions are reserved, and even movies have never shown such intimate scenes. Many people were extremely shy.

Mingxi, on the other hand, was used to it.

Even if she's never eaten pork, she's certainly seen pigs run. In her past life, she was an avid internet surfer; what hasn't she seen?

She stared at the screen with great interest for a while, but couldn't help but get distracted and secretly glanced at Wei Ning beside her.

Wei Ning would be embarrassed if he saw this, right?

She turned her head slightly and saw Wei Ning staring straight at her. Ming Xi turned her head and her eyes met Wei Ning's.

Mingxi paused, gave Wei Ning a light glare, and said reproachfully, "Why are you looking at me like that? Let's watch the movie!"

Wei Ning nodded with a smile: "Okay."

He didn't say anything and obediently turned his head back.

Wei Ning sat upright, as if nothing had happened, and stared at the large screen in front of him with a serious expression. Ming Xi, on the other hand, was quite uncomfortable with his behavior.

During the latter half of the movie, Mingxi couldn't help but glance at Weining every now and then. Each time she looked over, Weining was obediently watching the movie. But every time her gaze fell on Weining, he would immediately turn his head and ask her what was wrong.

It's so precise, it's like there's a detector.

This made it impossible for Mingxi to immerse herself in the movie's plot anymore.

The movie was short, less than an hour and a half in total. The second half of the movie ended quickly, and as the end credits rolled, the theater lights came on, and Mingxi and Weining followed the crowd out.

Wei Ning: "It's getting late, shall I take you home?"

Mingxi: "Okay. But I need to go out and buy a sugar snowball first."

The vendor selling sugar-coated snowballs is very skilled; the amount of sugar coating is just right for Mingxi's taste. While watching the movie, she ate the whole bag in no time and still wanted more, so she wanted to buy another bag.

Wei Ning had no objections and went out with Ming Xi to buy sugar-coated hawthorn balls. Fortunately, the stall owner selling the sugar-coated hawthorn balls had not left yet and was still at the entrance of the movie theater. As soon as Ming Xi and the others came out, they saw the stall owner.

Mingxi: "Honey, get me two bags of sugar snowballs."

"Okay."

The other party took the money and gave Mingxi a bag to fill with sugary snowballs. Just as Mingxi was about to take it, she suddenly heard a familiar female voice from the side.

"What do you mean? We came out on a date to see a movie, and you brought her along as a third wheel, which is one thing, but now you want to go home with her and leave me here alone? Are you dating me or her?"

Mingxi: Isn't that Dong Chunling's voice?

Mingxi subconsciously turned her head and saw Dong Chunling, Hu Mingyi, and another female comrade pulling and tugging at each other less than five meters away.

She was surprised; she hadn't expected Dong Chunling and Hu Mingyi to come to the movies today.

She didn't see those two people at the movie theater.

However, Mingxi thought again that it might be because the two of them were not in the same theater. The movie "Romance on Lushan Mountain" was a huge hit, and theaters often opened several theaters to show the movie at the same time.

Mingxi dismissed her doubts, her eyes filled with the excitement of watching a spectacle, and she watched the commotion with her hands in her pockets.

Mingxi wasn't the only one like this. Ever since Dong Chunling said those words, everyone around, whether they were selling things or had just come out of the movie theater, stopped what they were doing and started listening intently to Dong Chunling and Hu Mingyi.

Hey, this movie was really worth it! We watched it in the theater and then we got to watch it again outside.

Hu Mingyi also felt everyone's gaze. With a tense face, he reluctantly tugged at Dong Chunling and said, "Chunling, stop making trouble. Let's talk about it when we get back. We're still outside, and people are watching. Do you want everyone to laugh at us?"

Dong Chunling angrily shook off the other person's arm: "You know outsiders will laugh at me, huh? Then what do you mean by bringing her here? Bringing your ex-girlfriend on a date with your boyfriend, aren't you deliberately trying to make me a laughingstock?"

Haha!

A gasp rang out from the crowd, and curious, gossipy eyes turned to Dong Chunling and her two companions. The complicated relationship between these three was more exciting than any movie plot!

Mingxi also burst into gossip, frantically calculating, "Wait a minute, where did Hu Mingyi get an ex-girlfriend? Didn't he just get divorced? If we're talking about someone, shouldn't it be his ex-wife?"

Just as she was pondering this, Dong Chunling dropped another bombshell.

"You divorced your ex-wife because of her, so what do you mean by bringing her along on your date with me now?"

Haha!

It's even more exciting now.

Everyone's gossipy eyes were fixed on Hu Mingyi; they hadn't expected that this man had been divorced.

Some people were a little slow to react and hadn't even realized what was going on yet: "Hey, wait, what does this woman mean? Her boyfriend divorced his ex-wife because of the woman next to him, so why is she saying that the woman next to him is her boyfriend's ex-girlfriend?"

"Hey, don't you understand? That girl next to him is the ex-girlfriend he dated before he got married."

"Oh, I see."

Mingxi then realized the identity of the woman behind Hu Mingyi.

Sensing everyone's gaze, Hu Mingyi turned slightly to avoid their stares, and pulled Dong Chunling aside, saying, "Chunling, don't overthink it. Wenhua just happened to tell me that she also wanted to see this movie."

Dong Chunling: "If she wants to watch a movie, she can watch it by herself. She's a grown woman. Can't she buy her own movie ticket and come to the cinema by herself? Does she have to come with you?"

She finished berating Hu Mingyi, then turned to Jiang Wenhua, who was hiding behind him: "And you, Jiang Wenhua, have you no shame? If you want to see a movie, why don't you go with your own man? You knew Hu Mingyi was going on a date with me to see a movie, and you still followed him? Are you that shameless, always eyeing other people's men? Before, you always asked Hu Mingyi for everything. When you were sick, you asked him to accompany you to the hospital. When you ran out of food, you asked him to buy you some. Now that your light bulb is broken, you want him to fix it. Is your man dead? Or do you not want Hu Mingyi to be happy at all? You can't stand him dating and getting married. You caused him and his ex-wife to divorce, and now you're deliberately causing trouble for us?"

After Dong Chunling finished speaking, everyone looked at the woman hiding behind Hu Mingyi with unfriendly eyes.

If what the woman in front said is true, then this woman surnamed Jiang is no good either.

She clearly has a man, yet she keeps clinging to other men; it just doesn't seem right.

One of the older, more blunt female comrades directly shouted at Jiang Wenhua, "Comrade, it's not appropriate for you to ruin someone's relationship like this."

Jiang Wenhua's eyes were red and tears streamed down her face: "No, I didn't, I really didn't..."

When Hu Mingyi saw Jiang Wenhua crying, he felt extremely distressed. He stood in front of Jiang Wenhua, frowned, and said, "Chunling, don't talk nonsense. Look, you've made Wenhua cry!"

Dong Chunling cursed inwardly, "You, Jiang Wenhua, are really good at putting on an act. You even cried. Do you think you're the only one who can cry?"

Dong Chunling gritted her teeth and pinched the fleshy part of her thigh hard. Her eyes immediately reddened, and she said in a tearful voice, "You know in your heart whether I'm lying or not. If you insist on siding with her and saying that I'm wrong, then I think we should just leave it at that."

When Hu Mingyi saw that Dong Chunling was also crying, his voice immediately softened.

"No, Chunling, don't say that, no, don't cry..."

Mingxi, who was watching from the sidelines, couldn't help but sigh, no wonder Yu Xiaomin had said that Hu Mingyi was a fool.

Even from that distance, she could see Dong Chunling pinching her own thigh.

Hu Mingyi was right there, how could he not have noticed?