Chương 24: Can I tag along with you?

"Li Caiyi, do you want to join us to watch a movie after school?" Chen Ruolan showed a movie banner from a website to her. "This movie is pretty popular right now. We planned to see them today."

Li Caiyi perked up at the idea of hanging out with friends after school. Ever since her elementary school days, she had never hung out with friends anymore, so this idea intrigued her very much. She was so excited; she replied immediately. "If you don't mind me coming, then please take me with you!"

"Pfft, hahaha! What's with that response? You are too enthusiastic," Feng Nian laughed, and some of her rice spurted from her mouth onto the table, which made Zhou Ya, who sat across from her, frowning in disgust.

"How many times I have to tell you not to talk while your mouth is full. Look at the mess you made!"

"Yes, mother~."

Zhou Ya glared at Feng Nian. "I don't remember giving birth to a brat like you."

"Do you like horror movies? This movie is a horror-romance one," Chen Ruolan added by sliding her finger through the phone screen to show Li Caiyi the cast of the movie. It took Li Caiyi a moment, but she eventually recognized this movie. She vaguely remembered this movie was once famous for its poor scriptwriting.

"Ruolan, didn't this movie have a bad review?" Li Caiyi asked carefully.

"Yep. It's so bad that it has become a hot topic instead. Precisely why we can't not go to see it!" Chen Ruolan's eyes sparkled with delight.

Zhou Ya giggled when she saw Li Caiyi's bewilderment. "Are you surprised? Lan Lan is a movie freak. She likes every kind of movie, particularly those with a very good and a terrible review."

"Her taste is so unique, and she has always dragged us to watch a crap movie with her," Feng Nian sighed in resignation. "You're going to become one of her victims now. Welcome to the group."

"You guys just don't understand the charm of those crap movies. When you see an ugly cat pass by, you will still can't help but think it's cute, right? Movies are also the same. The crappier it is, the more charm it has!"

Feng Nian looked extremely disgusted. "Uwah, save me from this movie nerds. Someone please stop this girl."

"Humph, don't restrain me using your normal standard! Li Caiyi, you understand what I mean, right?" Chen Ruolan leaned in closer to her, and Li Caiyi hesitated before nodding. Chen Ruolan let out a triumphant smirk towards Feng Nian, who responded with a roll in the eyes.

Li Caiyi didn't know what to expect from the movie, but she was certainly looking forward to spending time with her new friends!

***

After school.

Li Caiyi had sent a message to Li Chunhua beforehand, telling her that she couldn't go home with her. She walked happily with Zhou Ya, Chen Ruolan, and Feng Nian downstairs. They were discussing about visiting the crepe shop near the cinema after the movie when someone suddenly blocked their way.

"Xiaoyi! I have been waiting for you!"

Four of them stopped in their tracks instantly. Li Chunhua pounced on Li Caiyi as soon as she saw her. "What are you guys talking about? It seems interesting!"

Zhou Ya exchanged glances with the other two but later smiled politely. "We were going to watch a movie together."

Li Chunhua's smile was so bright it could light up the entire hallway. "Movie sounds amazing right now! Hey, do you mind if I tag along?"

The expression on Zhou Ya's face turned into that of hesitation. She glanced at Li Caiyi discreetly and noticed her discomfort. She didn't know why Li Caiyi felt that having her sister with them was a bad idea, but then she remembered how Li Caiyi kept some distance from her group.

Zhou Ya felt bad for her and wanted to help.

"Is it convenient for you to come?" Zhou Ya asked carefully. Li Caiyi was one thing, but this girl was their school prince's childhood sweetheart.

No one said it out loud, but it was self-evident that Young Master Meng preferred the younger sister over the older one. The last shocking incident was also because of a random guy trying to woo Li Chunhua, which evoked the wrath of the powerful Young Master. Zhou Ya didn't dare to speak too directly.

Li Chunhua tilted her head before she clapped her hand innocently. "Are you worried about my health? Wow, you're very considerate of me." Li Chunhua held Zhou Ya's hand affectionately with a sweet smile. The gesture was so cute; Zhou Ya couldn't help but blush slightly. "Don't worry. I'm not as frail as you think. If worse comes to worst, I have Xiaoyi with me!"

Li Caiyi found this scene very familiar. She stared at Li Chunhua with complex emotion.

It has always been like this whenever she tried to make friends with everyone. When she thought she got along well with everyone, Li Chunhua would come, and their attention would immediately shift to her. Li Chunhua was so dazzling that people gradually forgot about Li Caiyi, or even worse, they started comparing the two behind her back.

Li Caiyi didn't think much about it before this because she knew that Li Chunhua was indeed very charming and likable. However, Li Caiyi had clearly expressed that they shouldn't depend on each other too much this time. Didn't Li Chunhua understand what she meant?

"Xiaoyi, what's wrong? Your face didn't look too good. Don't you want me to come with you?" Li Chunhua spoke softly, but her voice echoed in the quiet hallway. Few of the students who passed by and witnessed this took pity on Li Chunhua, who was rejected by her own sister. They were very dissatisfied with Li Caiyi's unfriendly attitude.

Even Chen Ruolan sympathized with this little fairy, so she carefully interceded. "I'm sure your sister would be fine. We're just going to watch a movie after all. Just let her come with us, Li Caiyi."

Feng Nian cast a side look to Chen Ruolan before she nudged her on her side, signaling her to shut up. Zhou Ya also noticed that the mood had gotten awkward and heavy, so she hurriedly broke the silence. "What about next time, then? After all, the movie we are going to watch is a crap one. Let us all hang out together when the other movie come—"

"Am I bothering you? Are you canceling your plan because of me?" Li Chunhua's eyes glistened with tears as she looked down at the floor. She seemed extremely pitiful, making people feel sorry for her.

"N-no, that's not what I mean!" Zhou Ya was panicked because she was afraid of what Meng Renshu would do if he knew she made Li Chunhua cry. She subconsciously glanced at Li Caiyi, but she didn't know what to say.

Zhou Ya was just trying to be considerate to Li Caiyi, who seemed to have a hard time, but she accidentally made Li Chunhua cry instead. She shouldn't have involved herself in this sibling conflict!

Li Caiyi watched this scene unfold before her and finally let out a deep breath. "Don't cry, Xiaohua. We're not trying to exclude you or anything. You can come with us."

Li Chunhua's eyes lit up, but then she looked at Zhou Ya worriedly. "But…"

"It's okay. Come here." Li Caiyi outstretched her hand, and Li Chunhua took it with a giggle.

"As expected, Xiaoyi is the only one who cares about me!" Li Chunhua walked beside Li Caiyi while hugging her arm intimately.

Li Caiyi looked at her friends, and except for Chen Ruolan, the other two's expressions weren't that good. An awkward silence replaced the cheerful and excited mood from earlier.