Chapter 013: Fine! I'll Deal with Her After She Gives Birth!

Xiao Xuezheng’s temples throbbed, his blood suddenly surging with agitation! The surprise he had so carefully prepared had now become a fright, and for a moment he truly didn’t know how to end this farce.

Shi Runrun, whom he’d just shouted at, felt a little aggrieved. She threw the fire extinguisher on the ground with a huff. “So this is what you wanted to give me? What am I supposed to do with two fire extinguishers? Are you planning to make me a firefighter?”

The man was speechless.

Shi Runrun couldn’t help but complain silently—did he hurt his brain eating lunch or something? He could have just not given her a gift at all—she wasn’t greedy for anything from him. But who gives fire extinguishers as presents between a man and a woman? This was truly…

This was, after all, the first gift she’d ever received from a man.

Xiao Xuezheng racked his brain for an explanation, but no matter how he turned it over in his mind, he couldn’t think of a reasonable excuse. In the end, frustrated, he raked his fingers through his jet-black hair, kicked aside the two car fire extinguishers, grabbed Shi Runrun’s hand, and said in a low voice, “Let’s go. We’re watching a movie.”

Shi Runrun’s eyes widened. He gave her two fire extinguishers, and not a single word of explanation?

It wasn’t the weekend, so the cinema wasn’t too crowded. This was the most prestigious theater in the capital, renowned for its size—Shi Runrun had heard from her classmates that tickets here were famously expensive. She had always envied couples who could come here for a date, but that envy was always just a passing thought.

But now, walking on the gleaming marble floor, her hand held firmly in his, she realized this was no dream.

Yet for someone like Xiao Xuezheng, who had lived a life of privilege, such an environment posed its own challenges. He had never frequented public places like this. Though he’d had a passionate romance at eighteen, he’d never even watched a movie with the girl. Now, arranged by his grandfather to come here with Shi Runrun, Xiao Xuezheng felt thoroughly out of his element.

Where did he pick up the tickets? Which hall had his grandfather reserved? He was completely clueless.

Fortunately, the cinema manager had been alerted to the presence of their distinguished guest and made meticulous preparations, clearing a counter just for them.

As soon as Xiao Xuezheng led Shi Runrun into the cinema, the manager hurried over. “Mr. Xiao! My apologies! We thought you and Mrs. Xiao would arrive later. Please, this way.”

The manager was courteous and respectful. Hearing herself addressed as Mrs. Xiao, Shi Runrun’s heart skipped a beat and her cheeks grew warm. She followed them into the screening hall.

Along the way, Shi Runrun couldn’t help but notice the adoring gazes directed their way. Men and women alike were drawn to the man beside her—so handsome, so elegant, so out of reach. She wasn’t sure why, but feeling all eyes on him left a faint ache in her heart.

Unconsciously, the little hand he held twisted around and gripped his more tightly.

It was the first time Shi Runrun had ever taken the initiative to hold his hand. His palm was warm and dry, radiating a profound sense of security. Feeling his touch, Shi Runrun couldn’t help but smile.

But…

When she saw the movie’s title, Shi Runrun couldn’t keep her composure. “Flash Marriage: The Overbearing CEO Falls in Love With Me”? Wasn’t this just a cheesy adaptation of one of those old melodramatic novels? Even the name screamed cliché!

She swallowed and turned to the man beside her. “Are you sure… this is what we’re watching?”

He said nothing, simply pulled her into the theater.

Fine then. She could hardly believe that a CEO of Empire Group, the prince of the capital’s elite, would watch such a ridiculous romance movie. The whole scene was absurd.

The vast hall was empty but for the two of them—his grandfather had reserved the entire screening.

The film was dreadfully dull: a poor girl accidentally meets a domineering CEO, they get married in a flash, and after a series of improbable events, fall madly in love. Halfway through, Shi Runrun was already struggling to stay awake. She glanced over; the man beside her had tilted his head back, eyes closed, breathing heavily.

Shi Runrun was exasperated. He’d brought her to such a sappy romance, only to fall asleep himself!

Clutching her movie ticket in annoyance, she suddenly sensed a burning gaze from not far away. She looked over and saw a cleaning lady leaning on her broom, staring not at her, but at the sleeping Xiao Xuezheng with an infatuated look.

Shi Runrun couldn’t help but giggle to herself. She’d found the perfect way to prank him.

When the movie ended, Xiao Xuezheng woke instinctively. Just as he was about to nudge the person beside him and say, “Silly girl, let’s go home,” the next thing he saw was the cleaning lady’s buck-toothed, yellowing grin hovering inches from his face.

The man was speechless. His face darkened instantly.

Outside, Shi Runrun had been peeking through the door, struggling to stifle her laughter at the sight of the man nearly jumping out of his seat.

Serves him right for always teasing and bullying her! She was still laughing when he emerged, face like thunder. Quickly composing herself, she stood at the entrance and pretended innocence. “Oh, Xiao Xuezheng, you’re done? I just went to the restroom and the movie’s already over…”

He shot her a dark look and huffed, “I’ll deal with you later! Let’s go!”

She didn’t dare protest as his large hand wrapped around hers, leading her to the underground parking lot. All the way back to the villa, Shi Runrun racked her brains for a way to escape retribution.

But to her surprise, both Grandpa and Grandma were waiting at home.

Overjoyed, she dove straight into Grandma’s arms for protection. The old lady was so taken with her granddaughter-in-law that she beamed ear to ear at every affectionate word Shi Runrun uttered.

Watching Shi Runrun stick her tongue out at him in triumph, Xiao Xuezheng clenched his jaw. He could barely resist the urge to kiss her so thoroughly she’d never dare taunt him again.

Fine! Just wait. Once the baby’s born, he’d have plenty of chances to put her in her place.

Grandpa Xiao, meanwhile, came over and asked, “How was your date? Did those nine hundred and ninety-nine dew-kissed roses surprise her enough to throw herself at you?”

At the mention of the roses, Xiao Xuezheng’s mood grew even darker. Waving his hand in exasperation, he slumped onto the sofa, tugged at his tie, and said, “Grandpa, could you please be more reliable next time? What nine hundred and ninety-nine roses? There wasn’t a single thorn left—just two fire extinguishers!”

And he’d kicked them down to the parking garage; tomorrow he’d have to get someone to put them back in his car.

Grandpa Xiao frowned. “What fire extinguishers? I sent several people up the mountain just to pick those dew-kissed roses for you!”

Xiao Xuezheng was speechless. He gave up any hope that his grandfather would ever get things right.