Trembling At A High Altitude

If she continued to remain silent, then he should just take the initiative and clear everything up to avoid mutual embarrassment.

After a while, perhaps feeling the air in the car was a bit stagnant, Liu Yin stretched out her hand and turned on the car's speaker.

An old song came through the speakers.

"We agreed to meet again in the next eternity, where love lives on as time gradually falls back on itself..."

Li Teng knew this song because Mother Li was a music teacher. Mother Li's name was Zhang Liangying, and naturally, she became a fan of Zhang Liangying, so their home was always filled with her music.

Li Teng was almost sick of hearing it!

As he felt nauseated, before he knew it, they had arrived at Yida Cinema.

After parking the car, they both walked into the cinema together.

"Are you okay? You look so pale. Are you feeling car sick?" Liu Yin noticed something was off with Li Teng.

"Not car sick, song sick," Li Teng shook his head.

"Ah?"

"It's nothing."

As they talked, Li Teng followed Liu Yin and, before they knew it, found themselves at the ticket counter.

"Are we really watching a movie?" Li Teng stopped in his tracks.

"Wasn't it you who asked me out?" Liu Yin was surprised.

"Let's... let's sit over there first," Li Teng suggested, pointing to some seating in the lounge area.

"Okay."

The two found an empty table and chairs in the lounge area and sat down facing each other.

"It was my mother who asked me to add you on WeChat to invite you out. You agreed to go out with me because you were concerned about her feelings, right?" Li Teng came straight to the point with Liu Yin.

Liu Yin didn't make a sound, as if deep in thought.

"She has high hopes for something between us, but it's doomed to disappointment. Doing this isn't fair to her; it would have been better to make your feelings clear to her from the beginning," Li Teng continued bluntly.

"I... I didn't agree to go out with you just because I was worried about her feelings... I just thought... since you suggested it, why not date for a while, get to know each other a bit, even just as friends, there's no harm, right..." After a long moment, Liu Yin carefully responded to Li Teng.

"Just friends? Heh, I'm quite a homebody, I don't make casual friends, and I've never been with a girl. If I were to be with a girl, it would only be with one purpose: marriage. To fulfill my mother's wish of continuing the Li family lineage and propagating offspring," Li Teng kept his words straightforward.

Hearing what Li Teng said, Liu Yin covered her mouth and giggled, then lowered her head again without making a sound.

"Speak up, there's nobody else here, and there are some things my mother doesn't understand, but you and I know very well: what is your real purpose in getting close to my mother, or should I say, getting close to me?" After waiting a while without a response from Liu Yin, Li Teng had to start questioning her directly.

There's no way that someone like her, a rich girl, could possibly want to be with him. There had to be another motive for her going out with him.

Li Teng had once seen a suspense drama from the Island Kingdom about a rich girl who approached an ordinary homebody guy and trained him to be her lap dog. He did everything she told him to, and he unwittingly took the fall for several murder charges for her.

The drama even depicted him engaging in irrational behaviors indirectly making him the sole bearer of evidence, and no deity could save him, resulting in his death sentence.

In Li Teng's eyes, there was nothing of value that could possibly make Liu Yin want to be near him, not for him as a person, nor for his money.

So, it was likely as with that Island Kingdom suspense drama, she wanted him to be her lap dog, helping her or her family to shoulder some crime!

"I didn't approach Teacher Zhang on my own, it just so happened that I encountered her during my social practice..." Liu Yin said with a look of grievance.

"Heh, so you just agreed when she brought up matchmaking? Are all girls as unreserved as you? Would you go on a date with anyone who suggests it? Would you agree to every dating invitation and even drive over to pick them up? Who are you trying to fool?" Li Teng continued his interrogation.

Liu Yin lowered her head, remaining silent, and after a while, her eyes reddened, and tears began to swirl in her eyes.

Li Teng looked skyward...

What are you crying for?

We're both young, both have working brains, so how about we not play act in front of me, okay?

"My tone just now might have been a bit harsh, but I need to make things clear with you. My mom heard that your family is wealthy, so she wanted to climb the social ladder and brought up matchmaking with you. Maybe you're too shy to refuse.

"But both of us know very well, there's no way anything could happen between us. Next time my mum brings it up, I hope you will refuse her clearly, so she won't have any more fantasies about you!

"The bigger the hope, the greater the disappointment she'll have later. She and my sister are the most important women in my life; I don't want them to get hurt.

"If you try to harm her, I swear I'll make sure you pay, even if it costs me my life!"

Li Teng warned Liu Yin a few more times.

After having said all that, if she still didn't understand, then she really must have a problem in her head.

"Without dating, how can you be so sure that we don't stand a chance?"

After a long while, Liu Yin finally stopped crying and responded to Li Teng in a low voice.

Li Teng was utterly choked up by her words.

Still acting?

Dating?

What nonsense!

"Alright, then tell me, what exactly did you, the wealthy tycoon's daughter, see in me? What about me made you feel that there is meaning in continuing a relationship with me?" Li Teng felt that this was becoming more and more abnormal.

No need for any analysis; any normal person facing this situation would find it abnormal.

Which meant that this situation was indeed abnormal.

To a poor nerd like him, who wouldn't love such a beautiful Rich Girl?

On quiet nights recently, Li Teng often looked at the photos he had taken of her.

Facing her beautiful features, he felt it was a pleasure.

To have such a beautiful girlfriend, what more could a man ask for in life?

If she weren't the daughter of a tycoon, and if there were some unexpected coincidences, like a clichéd hero saving the beauty scenario, maybe there would be that slightest, faintest chance.

Being so beautiful, coupled with the status of being a tycoon's daughter, there were hundreds of social strata separating them.

A gap that was utterly impassable, right?

Besides, without a foundation of a hero saving the beauty, why would she want to date him?

Unless she had an ulterior motive, with her status, she wouldn't even deign to bother with someone like him.

"I get along really well with Teacher Zhang. Teacher Zhang is a musical genius; it's a pity that no one knows this, and she remains buried as a music teacher at such a small school. I believe that someone as outstanding as her must have given birth to an equally outstanding son," Liu Yin finally answered Li Teng after a long while.

Li Teng stared at her without making a sound for a while.

Though I'm a homebody, I'm not stupid.

These ghost stories of yours, you might fool a fool, but can you fool me?

Li Teng knew Mother Li had some musical talent and had written a few songs that were never published, only enjoyed by family members, but that had nothing to do with being a 'musical genius'.

To use such a reason to get close to him, how low-level.

The whole thing reeked of a thick conspiracy.

Since she refused to tell the truth, he had no more scruples.

With his conditions, it would be harder to woo her, but to scare her away would be much easier.

Li Teng remembered a few words Mother Li had said to him before leaving the house.

"Find an opportunity to hold her hand, hug her, kiss her, even… secure the relationship as soon as possible!"

Fine, let's just go watch a movie then.

And then find an opportunity to follow Mother Li's instructions to hold her hand, hug her, and kiss her.

At that point, let's see how she continues to act!

…

When choosing a movie, Li Teng did not seek Liu Yin's opinion.

He directly picked a horror movie and bought two tickets.

Although domestically screened horror movies are synonymous with rubbish, for ordinary viewers who don't usually watch horror films, the moment the music starts and the atmosphere is set, it's enough to scare them.

By then, it would be easy for him to take the opportunity to hold her hand, hug her, and even kiss her.

"Are you sure… you want to watch this movie? It's a horror film," Liu Yin said with a fearful expression as she looked at the promotional poster.

"Heh, not scary at all, and with so many people around, what's there to be afraid of?" Li Teng said with a tone of indifference.

"Okay." Liu Yin didn't say anything more, went to buy two portions of popcorn and drinks, and handed one to Li Teng.

The movie was about to start, and the two of them walked over together to have their tickets checked before entering the cinema.

Following behind Liu Yin, observing her delicate figure, Li Teng occasionally entertained certain thoughts.

How nice it would be if she were really his girlfriend!

Li Teng quickly forced himself to dismiss these impractical thoughts.

Men just can't resist such temptations and end up becoming pathetic sycophants.

Licking and licking, only to end up with nothing in the end.

Even ending up like the male lead in that Island Kingdom movie, mysteriously burdened with several lives.

Then, pow...

Off with the dog's head.

So, he had to stay clear-headed.

Only by staying sober could he understand her true intentions and take control of everything.

...

The two found their respective screening room, walked in, and located their seats to sit down.

It wasn't the peak season for movie-going, this theater wasn't in a bustling part of town, and on top of that, the film had a niche audience and poor box office results, so...

When they sat down, there wasn't a soul around them.

Just another two couples sitting in the corner.

It was only at the start of the movie that a tall, burly man dressed entirely in black came in, glanced at the two of them, and sat down at the back, well away from them.

Soon, the lights in the theater dimmed.

The movie officially began.

It kicked off with several horrifying flashback scenes.

Li Teng sneaked a peak at Liu Yin beside him and realized she was genuinely afraid, shrinking in her seat with a look of terror on her face, she even seemed to be trembling.

Good.

If she dared to accept future dates, he'd bring her to see a horror movie again.

See how long she could last.

Sure enough, the content of the movie was clichéd.

It told the story of a haunted abandoned mansion that several young people don't believe in and decide to explore.

Then they really encounter all sorts of bizarre incidents.

Domestic films don't allow real ghosts, so the so-called ghosts in the mansion are likely to turn out to be scavengers or vagrants, but the horror atmosphere created in the process is enough to scare these horror movie newbies.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here."

When a terrifying scene appeared, and Liu Yin was very scared, Li Teng reached out and took her hand.

The hand felt really good, soft and boneless, just a little cold.

After Liu Yin realized what was happening, she instinctively tried to pull her hand back.

Li Teng gripped a bit firmer to prevent her from pulling away.

After trying several times without breaking free, Liu Yin gave up and let Li Teng hold her hand.

"This girl, she's actually letting me hold her hand? Is she naive? Or is she scheming?

"Doesn't matter, seems like it's time to move on to the next step."

At that moment, Li Teng couldn't care less, barefoot and unafraid, never having imagined he could actually end up with her, so he had no reservations about what he did.

The worst that could happen would be to thoroughly annoy her, leading to a total break.

He would go back to being a homebody making his gaming videos, and she would completely give up on whatever unfavorable intentions towards Mother Li that, to this day, he still didn't understand.

After brewing it over for a while in his mind, seizing the moment when Liu Yin was putting her drink cup down by the chair, Li Teng suddenly reached out his arms and embraced her from behind.

"Ah..." Liu Yin let out a soft cry, trying to break free from Li Teng's arms.

But Li Teng was determined and didn't give her the chance to escape.

As they became locked in a stalemate, Li Teng could feel her body shaking.

After a while, she actually gave up the struggle and just let Li Teng hold her.

What does this mean?

You could resist, you know? Screaming, calling for help, biting the arm, turning around to slap across the face – those would have been the more normal reactions, right?

Just giving up like that?

Isn't that a green light for going even further?

Li Teng's mind was a bit of a mess at this point.

She could tolerate this kind of behavior? Was there something wrong with her?

She didn't seem like someone with mental issues, so there was only one other reason.

She was indeed intentionally getting close to Mother Li and then using that to get close to him.

Now it seemed she had reached her goal.

What exactly did she want to do to him?

She's not resisting, huh? Fine.

It's time for the ultimate move.

Li Teng forcibly moved his mouth closer to hers...

And this finally got a reaction.

Liu Yin struggled fiercely, breaking free from Li Teng's hold, stood up from her seat, and fled to the aisle of the theater. Then she turned back to look at Li Teng with a face full of heartache.

Li Teng whistled guiltily at her.

But then he suddenly remembered something terrifying...

She wouldn't call the police, would she? If they carted him off like this, he could get charged with harassment, right?

Sigh, doesn't matter. Being cooped up at home or in jail should be pretty much the same.

Just means he wouldn't be able to make money for his sister Anna's prosthetics anymore.

Seeing Li Teng's flippant demeanor, Liu Yin seemed to be really heartbroken. She didn't pull out her phone to call the police but instead lowered her head and slowly walked towards the exit of the theater along the aisle.

Until her figure disappeared from the theater, Li Teng sat in his seat, not moving.

"Finally, you give up, huh?"

Li Teng felt relieved.

But for some reason, he also felt a touch of loss.

If... if she really was interested in getting to know him because of Mother Li, wasn't he missing out on the chance to be with her?

Impossible!

Li Teng slapped himself, trying hard to snap back to reality.

With such vast differences in social strata and status between them, how could they possibly be together?

One should know their own limits and not become a deluded, infatuated sycophant.

It's just that...

The feeling of holding her was genuinely nice!

He's still a bit... excited.