Stepping out of the cinema, others strolled arm-in-arm with their wives or girlfriends, chatting about how scary the movie was.
Su Shui was different. His wife stood on his left, his sister on his right.
Sandwiched between them, he crept forward cautiously.
Onlookers noticed the trio. Men shot Su Shui jealous glares; women eyed Lin Ning and Su Qing with envy.
Lin Ning clung to Su Shui’s arm. "That film was terrifying, wasn’t it, hubby!" She stressed "hubby" sharply, smirking at Su Qing.
Su Qing countered instantly, grabbing his other arm. "Brother, why did we bump into someone who shouldn’t be at the cinema~?"
Su Shui stayed silent, caught between them.
Even without him speaking, Lin Ning and Su Qing couldn’t stay quiet.
"Lin Ning-jiejie~" Su Qing cooed sweetly. "If a husband hangs out with his sister-in-law, and his wife sneaks along… isn’t that suffocating lack of trust?"
"Who knows?" Lin Ning shrugged, pityingly eyeing Su Qing’s flat chest. "But if the sister-in-law were tiny and delicate like little Qing, it’d be fine~."
"Not necessarily," Su Qing shot back. "Still better than someone wearing sunglasses and a mask like a fugitive~."
……
Lin Ning and Su Qing traded barbs across Su Shui, their silent war thickening.
He stood between them, lost in their words but feeling the tension spike.
"Stop fighting!" Su Shui tried to assert his authority as head of the household.
"Shut up, brother!" "Quiet, Su Shui!" they snapped in unison.
He shuffled behind them like a lackey, bags in hand.
At Lin Ning’s red sports car—only two seats—Su Shui winced.
"I’ll grab a taxi. You two take it~" He backed off before they could argue.
"No need. Lin Ning-jiejie, go home alone~ My date with brother isn’t over!" Su Qing spun, pulling Su Shui toward the curb.
"I’m coming too!" Lin Ning chirped from the driver’s seat, waving like a schoolkid.
"Not inviting you, nyaah~" Su Qing made a face, dragging Su Shui away.
"If you don’t want it, I’ll reluctantly take your spot~" Su Shui darted into the car.
"Hmm, shouldn’t someone tell me where we’re going?" Lin Ning draped an arm over him, grinning at Su Qing. "Tell me now, and I’ll kick him out for just us~."
She offered an olive branch. Su Qing saw Su Shui’s pleading eyes from the car.
"Fine. We’re going here~" She handed Lin Ning a ticket.
"OK, Su Shui—out!"
"No way! I got here first. I’ve sat here for years~" He clung to the seat.
Why take a bus or taxi when a free ride’s here?
He shook his head wildly, but the fierce women grabbed an arm each.
"One, two, three!" they chanted, tossing him like trash onto the curb.
The sports car zoomed off. Su Shui sat miserably on the sidewalk.
"Hey… does this mean I can go home and game?" He perked up, dusting himself off.
*Your little sweetheart is calling~*
The ringtone meant his wife.
"Hey, what’s up, dear~?"
"Be at the amusement park before us. If you’re not there…" Her voice turned icy. "Don’t bother coming home."
The call ended. Su Shui froze.
"You’re driving a sports car—argh!" He waved frantically at passing taxis.
"Taxi! Taxi!" None stopped.
"Didi ruined everything! Don’t drivers pick up side gigs anymore?"
Stubbornly avoiding apps, he eyed a shared bike.
"I’d rather die than use Didi once!" Su Shui declared proudly beside it.
"First, where’s this park…?" He checked his map.
*12 km away*
*Welcome to Didi Chuxing*
"Heh… guess I was wrong~"
……
"Thanks, driver!" Su Shui hopped out, spotting Lin Ning and Su Qing on a bench.
Before he reached them, a shifty guy sidled up.
"Hey beauties, need tickets~?"
"No thanks!" Lin Ning waved politely.
"Come on, I’ll treat you. Just give me a chance…"
"What the hell! Messing with my girls?" Su Shui spotted a brick. "Time for this Supreme brick to teach you manners!"
But the guy lunged for Su Qing first. She flipped him down with a quick hold.
*Smack!* She stomped his face—her sandals did little damage.
"You little brat, just wait—"
He lay there trash-talking, grabbing for her pants. Su Qing glanced at Lin Ning’s stiletto heels—sharp as daggers.
"After you!"
Lin Ning understood instantly. Her heel pierced his cheek.
"Ahhh!" Blood trickled down his face.
"Ew~" She recoiled, protecting her shoe.
"You’ll pay for this!" He pointed, scrambling to flee.
"Running?" A brick arced perfectly, slamming his head.
"Ugh—" He collapsed. Su Shui picked up the cracked brick.
*Ptooey!* He spat on the ground. "That’s for being reckless!"
