Xu Zixi never expected that sitting behind her and Yan Yincheng were none other than Brother Hu and... Zhou Yaru!
"X-Xiaoxi."
Zhou Yaru was even more shocked. She and Brother Hu had come out to watch a movie, and who would have thought they'd run into Xu Zixi and Yan Yincheng by such a coincidence? If it weren't for the dim light in the cinema, Xu Zixi would surely have seen Zhou Yaru's blushing face.
Xu Zixi's eyes flitted between the two. Their seats were next to each other, and there were no other familiar friends around. Clearly, this was a private outing for the two of them.
Wow, there's something going on!
To avoid disturbing other moviegoers, Xu Zixi didn't say much to Brother Hu and Zhou Yaru. She just gave Brother Hu a meaningful look and then turned back to continue watching the movie.
When the movie ended and the lights in the screening hall came on, the two groups finally faced each other properly. The two kids' eyes lit up, and they greeted them enthusiastically, "Uncle Tiger, Auntie Yaru! Did you come to watch the movie about Little Fish too?"
Knowing there was no way to avoid it, Brother Hu simply greeted them generously.
"Miss, Mr. Y-Yan. Didn't expect to run into you here watching this movie. Hehe."
Xu Zixi said, "You two are the ones who surprised me. When did you two get together?" After saying that, she smiled and waited for their answers.
Zhou Yaru stammered, "What do you mean 'get together'? We just both were interested in this movie, so we came together. Right, Hu Yuankang?"
Brother Hu quickly nodded, "Right, right."
Xu Zixi clicked her tongue twice but didn't expose their little secret. She just said, "Watching a movie together. I understand. I get it."
Since they'd met, the group walked out together. On the way, Xu Zixi overheard other moviegoers discussing the movie they'd just watched, and they mentioned a term that was very familiar to them all.
"Don't you think the protagonist Little Fish in this movie is a bit like the 'Golden Amber' that suddenly appeared some time ago?"
"Yeah, that's what I was thinking. There's this familiar feeling. Seriously, the reappearance of the 'Golden Amber' is truly a miracle. Right now, only our Haicheng has traces of the 'Golden Amber' in the whole world. We should protect them well."
"Speaking of this, I heard that the bay where the 'Golden Amber' appeared was going to be developed into the so - called 'City of Hope'. I was really looking forward to this scenic spot, but Pei Group's reputation has been so bad recently. Can this project still go on?"
"You don't know this. It's said that there's also the Yan Group from Fengcheng behind the 'City of Hope' project. They've already kicked the Pei Group out of this project and plan to choose new partners. My uncle's company will participate in the bidding then."
"Isn't the Pei Group already undergoing rectification? How could the Yan Group be so heartless and just kick them out like that?"
"They're the number one in Fengcheng, and Fengcheng is the capital. How can a small - time Haicheng Pei Group compare?"
The people discussing walked further and further away, and their voices gradually faded. However, Xu Zixi fully agreed with one point in their discussion.
The movie they'd watched today did remind her of the 'Golden Amber'. The inspiration for the 'City of Hope' came from it. In the future, to build the 'City of Hope' well, they would surely have to rely on the name of the 'Golden Amber'.
Since ancient times, there has always been an irreconcilable contradiction between urban development and environmental protection. To make the 'City of Hope' a success, they must do a good job in marine protection so that the 'City of Hope' can bring in endless profits.
Therefore, the importance of the 'Golden Amber' to the 'City of Hope' is self - evident.
The bidding meeting half a month later will surely be very lively. I wonder how many people who are eager to cooperate with the Yan Group to get a share of the pie will realize this?
After the movie, the day's itinerary came to an end. Outside the cinema, Xu Zixi asked with a smile,
"What are your plans next?"
Brother Hu didn't react immediately and replied, "We plan to go to the nearby food city and grab some midnight snacks. I heard there's a crayfish restaurant there with really good reviews!"
Zhou Yaru was so anxious that she tugged at Brother Hu's clothes from behind.
Xu Zixi's smile grew wider, "Really? Oh right, Yaru, have you run into that pervert who was following you when you got home recently? Did you use the self - defense techniques I taught you?"
Brother Hu: "What? A pervert? There's a pervert following you? Why didn't you tell me!"
Xu Zixi said, "Don't you know, Brother Hu? Someone once snatched Yaru's computer right outside the Pei Group's gate."
Brother Hu was so anxious that he paced around Zhou Yaru, "How dare someone snatch your computer? Do you still remember what that person looked like? I'll immediately mobilize my subordinates to catch that person, get your computer back, and give that person a good beating!"
Just as Zhou Yaru was about to explain that Xu Zixi had already retrieved her computer, she saw Xu Zixi wink at her. She immediately understood Xu Zixi's intention. Admittedly, although it felt a bit embarrassing, she was still very touched to see Brother Hu so protective and caring towards her!
So, she said coyly, "I... I don't remember anymore."
Brother Hu patted his chest, "It's okay. Don't worry. From today on, as long as you go out, I'll definitely be by your side to protect you. No one will be able to hurt you!"
"Alright, I'm a bit hungry. Let's go get some midnight snacks." Zhou Yaru's face was already bright red.
Brother Hu's attention was immediately diverted, and he said in a hurry, "Okay, okay. Let's go get some midnight snacks first. Well, Miss, Mr. Yan, we'll be leaving first."
By this time, the night was already deep, and the two kids were starting to feel sleepy. Their heads were bobbing up and down like chickens pecking at rice. However, they still managed to wave goodbye to Hu Yuankang and Zhou Yaru, "Uncle Tiger... Auntie Yaru... Bye!"
Holding Yan Yincheng's arm, Xu Zixi watched Brother Hu and Zhou Yaru's retreating figures. Thinking of Dai Sha and Wei Shu, she couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Yan Yincheng asked softly, "What are you thinking about that makes you so happy?"
Xu Zixi: "I'm just thinking that it's really nice to see the people around me slowly finding their own happiness."
What she didn't tell Yan Yincheng was that when she first came to this world and learned that all of this might be a book, she didn't have much sense of belonging to this world.
But now, she no longer thought like that. Every person around her had a vivid life, and even the appearance of the 'Golden Amber' made people feel the power of a 'miracle'. This was a real world, and the relatives and friends around her were real people.
Everything in this world was precious to her.
Yan Yincheng intertwined his fingers with hers and said, "That's because you're here, so everything is changing."
Their car was parked in the underground garage. Just as they were holding hands and about to take the kids back home in the car, a person suddenly rushed out of the darkness and rammed straight into Xu Zixi. A glint of cold light flashed in the darkness.