In the fiery red era of the heavens, refrigerators are refreshed daily.

By the time the group arrived at the movie theater, it was already completely dark.

The cinema entrance was brightly lit and bustling with people. Revolutionary songs were playing from loudspeakers on the wall, creating a lively atmosphere.

Yang Guangming stopped and waited for Meng Zhigang and Huang Yali to come over.

"There are quite a lot of people." Yang Guangming looked at the crowd queuing to enter. "Let's queue up too."

The four of them lined up at the end of the queue. They were surrounded by people who had come to see a movie, including young people and families with children, chatting and laughing, creating a lively atmosphere.

While queuing, Yang Guangming took out a bag of raisins from his bag and quietly slipped it to Meng Zhigang.

"Give this to Huang Yali later," he said in a low voice. "Have some snacks while watching the movie, don't just sit there."

Meng Zhigang took it, nodded, and put the raisins into his pocket.

Meng Yining witnessed this and chuckled inwardly. Guangming had really thought of everything.

The line moved forward slowly. When it was their turn, Yang Guangming took out four tickets, the ticket inspector tore off the stubs, and let them in.

The movie theater was dimly lit and already quite full. A slideshow was playing on the screen, primarily promoting workplace safety.

Yang Guangming glanced at the seat numbers on the tickets: "Our seats are in row five. Yining, we're in numbers seven and eight, on the left. Zhigang, you're in numbers thirteen and fourteen, on the right. Let's sit separately."

This arrangement suited Meng Zhigang perfectly. He would be even more nervous if they sat too close together.

“Okay,” Meng Zhigang replied.

The four walked along the aisle. They found row five, and Yang Guangming and Meng Yining sat down first, while Meng Zhigang and Huang Yali continued forward and found rows thirteen and fourteen.

The seats were wooden benches covered with red velvet; they were a bit old, but still fairly clean.

Meng Zhigang asked Huang Yali to sit in seat number fourteen, which was against the wall, while he himself sat in seat number thirteen, which was on the outside. This was both polite and comfortable.

After the two sat down, there was a fist's distance between them.

The movie hadn't even started yet, and the theater was already a cacophony of noise. The cries of children, the voices of adults, and the coughs all mingled together.

Meng Zhigang sat upright with his hands on his knees, looking straight ahead. Huang Yali, on the other hand, turned slightly to the side, curiously looking around.

After a while, Huang Yali said softly, "Brother Meng, you don't need to be so nervous."

Meng Zhigang was taken aback, then realized he had been too stiff. He relaxed a little, but still didn't dare to look at Huang Yali.

"I...I wasn't nervous," he stubbornly insisted.

Huang Yali smiled and didn't expose him.

Then, the lights went out. The theater went dark instantly, with only the faint green light of the emergency exit illuminated.

The screen lit up, and a news briefing began. It consisted of reports on major national events and achievements in industrial and agricultural production.

Using the light from the screen, Meng Zhigang secretly glanced at Huang Yali. She was focused on the screen, her profile soft and her eyes sparkling.

"It's really beautiful," Meng Zhigang thought to himself.

After a ten-minute news briefing, the main program finally began.

The opening theme music of "The Red Detachment of Women" begins, majestic and stirring. Coconut groves and islands appear on the screen, and the flames of revolution burn brightly on the land of Hainan.

The audience quieted down and became immersed in the movie's plot.

As the sunlight brightened, he naturally leaned closer to Meng Yining as the lights went out. Their shoulders touched lightly.

Meng Yining stiffened slightly, but did not dodge.

When the movie reached an exciting part, Yang Guangming whispered, "This is the female lead, Wu Qionghua. She was originally a maid, but later joined the revolution."

His voice was very low, only the two of them could hear it, and his warm breath brushed against Meng Yining's ear.

Meng Yining's ears burned, and she softly hummed in agreement.

After a while, Yang Guangming took out the bag of raisins from his satchel, opened it, and handed it to Meng Yining.

"Eat something?"

Meng Yining hesitated for a moment, then reached out and took a small handful. The raisins were sweet and had a fruity aroma.

Yang Guangming also took some, and the two ate quietly, their eyes fixed on the screen, but their thoughts were on each other.

After a while, Yang Guangming's hand quietly moved and touched Meng Yining's hand.

Meng Yining's hand trembled slightly, but she did not pull it away.

Yang Guangming gently took her hand.

It was a soft, slender hand, slightly cool. Yang Guangming's large, warm palm completely enveloped her hand.

Meng Yining's heart was pounding, as if it would burst out of her chest. She lowered her head, her face burning red, but thankfully it was dark in the movie theater and no one saw her.

This was the first time a man had held her hand. The unfamiliar and strange touch made her feel nervous, shy, and a little sweet.

Yang Guangming held her hand, his thumb gently stroking the back of her hand with tenderness.

The two held hands and watched the movie quietly. On the screen, the revolutionary story was grand and dramatic; off screen, their hearts quietly drew closer.

On the other hand, things didn't go so smoothly for Meng Zhigang and Huang Yali.

Meng Zhigang sat upright with his eyes fixed on the screen, but he couldn't help but glance at Huang Yali out of the corner of his eye.

The bag of raisins in his pocket was like a hot potato; he wanted to take it out several times, but felt embarrassed.

Almost halfway through the movie, he finally mustered up the courage to take out some raisins from his pocket and hand them to Huang Yali.

"Comrade Huang Yali, have some... raisins."

He spoke very softly, and even stuttered a little.

Huang Yali turned her head, saw the bag of raisins, paused for a moment, then smiled: "Thank you, Brother Meng."

She reached out and took some, putting them in her mouth. The raisins were sweet.

Meng Zhigang took some for himself, and the two ate in silence.

After a while, Huang Yali said softly, "The movie was really good. The women's army was so brave."

“Yes,” Meng Zhigang replied, “During the revolutionary war years, many female comrades made tremendous contributions. Their spirit is worth learning from.”

“If I had been born in that era, I would definitely have joined the revolution,” Huang Yali said.

Meng Zhigang glanced at her and said, "You have great revolutionary enthusiasm, which is admirable."

"It's the education I received since I was a child," Huang Yali said with a smile. "My father often told me that young people should have ideals and a sense of responsibility."

Huang Yali paused when her father was mentioned.

The two fell silent again.

The movie continued. When it came to the scene where the women's army was fiercely fighting the enemy, Meng Zhigang was so engrossed that he unconsciously clenched his fists.

Huang Yali noticed this detail. This man's dedication to revolutionary-themed films shows that he is still a soldier at heart.

Her feelings for Meng Zhigang grew even stronger.

Occasionally, someone would get up to go to the restroom in the movie theater, and shadows would move in the aisle. Once, someone accidentally bumped into Meng Zhigang as they passed by.

Meng Zhigang instinctively dodged to the side, his arm brushing against Huang Yali's arm.

They separated as if they had been electrocuted.

"I'm sorry," Meng Zhigang quickly apologized.

"It's okay," Huang Yali said softly, her face slightly flushed.

The darkness concealed their awkwardness, but it also amplified that subtle feeling.

As the movie neared its end, the women's army triumphed, and the red flag fluttered in the breeze. Amidst the stirring music, Meng Zhigang secretly glanced at Huang Yali.

She stared intently at the screen, her eyes shining, deeply moved by the revolutionary story.

What a progressive and wonderful girl, Meng Zhigang thought to himself.

The movie ended. The lights came on, and the audience stood up, discussing the plot, and headed towards the exit.

Yang Guangming released Meng Yining's hand. Her palms were slightly sweaty, whether from nervousness or heat, it was hard to tell.

"The movie was really good," Meng Yining said softly, avoiding looking at Yang Guangming.

"Yes, it's very touching." Yang Guangming stood up. "Let's go, Zhigang and the others should be waiting too."

The two followed the flow of people out. In the corridor, they encountered Meng Zhigang and Huang Yali.

The four looked at each other, all feeling a little embarrassed.

“The movie was really good,” Huang Yali said first, breaking the subtle silence.

“Yes, the spirit of the Women’s Army is worth learning from,” Yang Guangming chimed in. “Let’s go outside and not block the road.”

The four of them followed the flow of people out of the movie theater.

Night had fallen outside, and the streets were dimly lit. A cool evening breeze dispelled the stuffiness of the movie theater.

Standing at the entrance of the movie theater, Yang Guangming glanced at his watch; it was almost ten o'clock.

"It's getting late, let me take you back to school," he said to Meng Yining and Huang Yali.

"Okay, thank you for your help," Meng Yining said.

The four of them walked back the way they came.

After the movie, the atmosphere was noticeably different. Yang Guangming and Meng Yining walked very close, their shoulders occasionally brushing together. Although Meng Zhigang and Huang Yali still kept a little distance, they were no longer as stiff as they had been when they arrived.

"What do you think is the most touching part of the movie?" Yang Guangming started a conversation.

"The story of Wu Qionghua's transformation from a maid to a revolutionary fighter is what moves me the most," Meng Yining said. "Her indomitable spirit is truly admirable."

"I think the scenes of the women's army fighting as a group are the most shocking," Huang Yali said. "The female comrades are united as one and are not afraid to sacrifice for the revolution. Their spirit is very powerful."

Meng Zhigang nodded: "During the revolutionary war years, many female comrades performed no worse than their male counterparts. They proved with their actions that women can hold up half the sky."

"Brother Meng, have you ever seen female soldiers in the army?" Huang Yali asked curiously.

“I’ve seen them, but not many,” Meng Zhigang said. “Mainly the communications and medics. They are all very capable, train hard, and are just as good as the male soldiers.”

"That's amazing," Huang Yali exclaimed.

The four chatted about movies and revolutionary spirit in a relaxed and natural atmosphere.

Before I knew it, I had arrived at the entrance of the pharmaceutical factory.

"Let's stop here." Meng Yining stopped walking. "The school is just ahead. We can go back by ourselves."

"Let's take you to the school gate. It's getting dark, and it's not safe," Yang Guangming insisted.

Meng Zhigang also said, "Yes, deliver it to the door."

So the four of them continued walking and arrived at the entrance of the primary school for children of employees.

The campus was quiet, with only a few streetlights casting a dim yellow light.

"We've arrived. Thank you for bringing us back," Meng Yining said.

"You're welcome, it's nothing." Yang Guangming looked at her. "Get some rest."

“You too,” Meng Yining said softly.

Huang Yali also said to Meng Zhigang, "Brother Meng, thank you for accompanying us to the movies today."

She spoke somewhat vaguely, but Meng Zhigang understood her.

"You're welcome, I'm very happy too." Meng Zhigang's voice was gentler than usual.

The two girls turned and walked into the campus. After a few steps, Meng Yining looked back. Yang Guangming was still standing there, waving at her.

Her face flushed, and she quickly turned around and walked away.

Huang Yali glanced back; Meng Zhigang's tall figure was still clearly visible in the night. She smiled and followed Meng Yining.

Only after the two girls disappeared in the direction of the dormitory did Yang Guangming and Meng Zhi turn around and walk back.

The night breeze rustled the poplar trees along the roadside.

After walking for a while, Meng Zhigang suddenly spoke up: "Guangming, thank you."

"What are you thanking me for?" Yang Guangming asked.

"Thank you for buying the ticket, thank you for the raisins, and thank you for... creating this opportunity." Meng Zhigang said with some difficulty, but very sincerely.

Yang Guangming smiled and said, "Brother Zhigang, there's no need for such formalities between us. What do you think of Comrade Huang Yali?"

Meng Zhigang was silent for a while before saying, "She... is very good. She is progressive in her thinking, has a good personality, and is not spoiled."

"Then let's get to know each other better," Yang Guangming said. "Feelings develop over time, no rush, take it slow."

"Mm." Meng Zhigang nodded, feeling much more at ease.

The two returned to Building 3 and parted ways at the top of the stairs on the second floor.

Yang Guangming returned to his room, closed the door, leaned against it, and let out a long sigh.

Tonight went smoothly. He shook Meng Yining's hand, and she didn't refuse. This was an important development.

As for Meng Zhigang and Huang Yali, it seems there's potential. Although both are reserved, at least they're not averse to each other. With the first contact, things will be easier from now on.

After washing up, Yang Ming lay in bed, recalling the events of the evening. Meng Yining's shy smile, soft hands, and gentle voice... everything was so beautiful.

With a smile on his lips, he gradually drifted off to sleep.

The third floor, Meng Zhigang's room.

Meng Zhigang didn't go to sleep immediately. He sat in his chair, recalling every detail of the evening.

Huang Yali's delicate profile, gentle voice, and occasional soft laughter... played back in my mind like a movie.

He was twenty-eight years old. It wasn't that he had never been on blind dates or met girls before. But no girl had ever made him feel so excited and nervous as Huang Yali.

He knew there was a gap between them, but he didn't want to give up easily. Yang Guangming was right; relationships are built over time. As long as Huang Yali wasn't opposed, he was willing to try.

Meng Zhigang lay in bed, tossing and turning, and it took him a long time to fall asleep.

In the dormitory of the primary school for children of employees, the two girls were still awake.

Meng Yining lay in bed, recalling the moment Yang Guangming held her hand. That warm and reassuring feeling still lingered in her palm.

Her face flushed again, and she pulled the blanket up to cover half of her face.

On the opposite bed, Huang Yali also had her eyes open.

She was thinking of Meng Zhigang. That tall, upright man, so nervous in the movie theater, like a new recruit, clumsily yet sincerely handing out raisins.

Kind of cute.

A smile crept onto Huang Yali's lips. It wasn't that she hadn't been pursued before; back in teacher's college, male classmates had expressed their affections for her. But she always felt those boys were too immature and naive.

Meng Zhigang is different. He is mature, steady, experienced, and responsible. Although he may sometimes seem dull, it is precisely this dullness that makes him seem reliable.

As for the difference in family background... Huang Yali really doesn't care much. Her father often says that she has too high standards, but she feels that it's not that she has high standards, it's just that she hasn't met the right person.

Could Meng Zhigang be the right person for me?

Huang Yali didn't know. But she was willing to continue contacting and learning.

As night deepened, the four young people, each with their own thoughts, slowly drifted off to sleep in their respective beds.

That night, some slept soundly, while others tossed and turned, but what they all had in common was that they all held beautiful expectations for the future in their hearts.

Youth is like a song, and life is peaceful and serene.

On this summer night, the seeds of love quietly sprouted, waiting for sunshine and rain to grow strong. (End of Chapter)