Chapter 353: Debate Over Movie Selection

"This hotel is really something, not even paying attention to these things!"

Xiong Shuai's mother placed the golden jellyfish crystal figurine on the table, then took Xiong Shuai to the washroom to wash his hands and face.

"If the kid wants to play, let him play for a bit, it's fine," Xiong Anping said, standing by the window with his arms crossed, his eyes fixed on the two seaplanes on the sea below, his fingers tapping his arm intermittently.

His hands were itching!!! Being in the industry for so long, one can tell good stuff at a glance.

These seaplanes were definitely good stuff.

Blue sky, white clouds, sea, and beach, it would be so exhilarating to fly a plane here!

Xiong Shuai's mother glared at Xiong Anping, "You said the same thing last time, and Shuai-shuai fell, almost leaving a scar on his face."

"You only care if it's your plane; you don't mind if he gets hurt playing with anything else."

...

The two bickered for a while. Xiong Anping quickly took the initiative to put away the luggage and tidied up, which brought a bit of peace.

After changing clothes, the Xiong family of three left the room, planning to go downstairs to get something to eat.

As they reached the lobby, they saw Xie Zhulongxiong already standing there, chatting enthusiastically with the hotel staff.

"Xiong-ge!"

Xie Zhulongxiong greeted warmly as he walked over.

"What are you looking at?" Xiong Anping curiously glanced at a flower rack bulletin board in the middle of the lobby.

Xie Zhulongxiong smiled, "Xiong-ge, we arrived just in time. Tonight is the opening night of the hotel's water cinema. Guests can watch for free, and everyone gets complimentary popcorn."

"Water cinema?" Xiong Anping was intrigued.

The bulletin board featured a simple ink painting. The composition was quite intricate, with a crescent moon hanging in the starry sky, a few small boats resting quietly on the sea, looking out at a distant screen. On the boats, a few people could be seen sitting leisurely.

"This..."

Xiong Anping raised an eyebrow slightly.

Water cinema was such a trendy and novel concept. Shouldn't they use something incredibly flashy, with blinking lights and a super punk vibe for promotion? The ink painting was beautiful but seemed out of place in terms of style and atmosphere.

"Do you smell something?" Xiong Anping asked curiously.

Since they arrived, he had been catching a faint scent, somewhat like seafood, but not quite.

"Ah! That's the smell of squid ink," a staff member nearby explained with a smile.

"Squid ink???" Xiong Anping was surprised.

The staff member explained, "This painting was made by our chef using squid ink."

"The water cinema's opening tonight was suddenly announced by our boss, and the store didn't have time to get promotional materials, so our chef just used squid ink to paint it."

Wow!

That's impressive!!!

Xiong Anping's eyes widened.

"With this heat, won't the painting start to smell?"

The staff member smiled, "It won't. We change the painting every half hour."

"Our chef has designed a series of promotional paintings for the water cinema. If you come back in half an hour, you'll see a different one."

"That's really interesting!"

Xiong Anping was amazed, "Can we book a boat now?"

The staff member smiled, "No need to book~"

Xiong Anping was taken aback.

"It's already arranged for you, the best spot!" the staff member said with a smile. "You are Xie-ge's friends, which makes you our hotel's best friends!"

"If you have any needs during your stay, feel free to contact us."

Xiong Anping looked at Xie Zhulongxiong in shock.

Such a big favor?

Xie Zhulongxiong smiled shyly, glancing secretly at Chen Jianhai sitting on the lobby sofa.

The boss was truly considerate! Ever since seeing him in the elevator and learning that Xiong Anping's family had arrived, he had immediately instructed all the hotel staff to treat them well, even personally reserving the picnic boat for the water cinema.

The respect was given thoroughly!

"The water cinema starts around 8 PM. How about I take you on a tour of the island?" the staff member offered kindly.

Xiong Anping quickly replied, "No need, Xiao Xie can accompany us."

Xie Zhulongxiong immediately said, "You go ahead, I'll just stroll around on my own."

"I'm familiar with this place."

With that, Xie Zhulongxiong waved to the staff member and led Xiong Anping's family out of the hotel.

Watching them leave, the staff member was puzzled.

Familiar? Xie-ge seemed to be here for the first time. How is he familiar with the place? Did he visit before? But I don't remember that...

The staff member scratched his head, unable to figure it out, and returned to work.

Outside the hotel, Xie Zhulongxiong, like walking in his backyard, expertly guided Xiong Anping's family along the Starlight Coastal Road to the island's center.

He was very familiar with the island...

Though he had never been here in person, he had read Tang Tangtang's manga countless times! He had also watched all of "Xiao Ma's" videos on TV!

Although he had never set foot on the island, in the 2D world, he knew it inside out with his eyes closed!

Thanks, Tang Tangtang...!!

...

In the hotel lobby, Chen Jianhai, Xu Bo, and Xiao Lang were huddled together, having a heated debate over which movie to watch that night.

"I want to watch 'Explosive Chef'!" Xu Bo said firmly.

"I want to watch 'Legend of the Dragon Slayer: Six-Arm Nezha!!'" Xiao Lang's eyes sparkled.

"Get lost!! What kind of movie is that!" Chen Jianhai scolded back, "It doesn't even sound decent."

Xiao Lang was infuriated.

"Who says it's not decent!! I paid to watch it..."

Chen Jianhai retorted, "You already paid to watch it once, why watch it again?"

A hint of murderous intent flashed in Xiao Lang's eyes as he spoke in a ghostly tone, "I want everyone to experience my pain! Suffer the torment I suffered!"

"Everyone must die!!"

Saying this, Xiao Lang pounded the table, causing the water cup to wobble for a long time.

"Serves you right!" Chen Jianhai spat out mercilessly.

"I told you that movie was bad, but you didn't listen!"

Xiao Lang sulked, keeping silent.

Chen Jianhai glanced at Xu Bo's phone, showing the plot summary of "Explosive Chef," his mouth twitching slightly. He sighed, "Xu Bo, this movie is a bit too intense. Can we choose something that combines food and romance?"

"After all, we're a family-friendly nighttime water cinema. It's better to show something light and heartwarming."

"These intense and motivational films might not suit the atmosphere..."

"What do you think?"

Xu Bo nodded, "Okay! As long as it's a cooking movie, it's fine."