AMBTICBPIB Chapter 29

 

As Chu Yi took off his coat, he accidentally mussed his hair, causing a few strands to stick up.

After removing his coat, Chu Yi finally felt cooler, though his cheeks still burned, hotter than his fingertips. He lowered his head to look at his phone, trying to distract himself.

Those few stray strands of hair were particularly endearing. Unaware of this, Chu Yi hadn’t noticed them. Shen Jin thought about smoothing them down, and before he knew it, his hand had already reached out to tidy Chu Yi’s hair.

Chu Yi was startled by the sudden movement. He blinked at Shen Jin, wondering why he was suddenly touching his head.

Seeing Chu Yi’s expression, Shen Jin’s heart softened. He explained, “Your hair was messy.”

Chu Yi made an “oh” sound and obediently remained still, letting Shen Jin fix his hair. He felt relieved—he knew there had to be a reason. But was his hair really that messy? Shen Jin was taking quite a long time.

Shen Jin stroked Chu Yi’s hair, finding it soft, fluffy, and pleasantly tactile.

Under Chu Yi’s puzzled gaze, Shen Jin withdrew his hand and casually asked, “How was the gathering today?”

He had only just arrived at the hotel entrance when he saw someone chasing after Chu Yi to ask for his contact information. Chu Yi must be quite popular; Shen Jin wondered how many people had asked for his number inside.

“It was fun,” Chu Yi replied.

Chu Yi excitedly told Shen Jin about the talent performances at the gathering, each act more impressive than the last. There were also interactive games like blindfolded fruit-feeding.

When Chu Yi mentioned the fruit-feeding game, Shen Jin’s expression shifted, his eyes darkening. “Fruit-feeding?”

“Yeah,” Chu Yi explained. “A few people sat in chairs while their blindfolded partners stood a few meters away. They had to feel their way forward and feed their partners fruit.”

Since the partners couldn’t see, they inevitably ended up groping around their partners’ bodies to find their mouths before feeding them the fruit.

Of course, such interactions involved physical contact. Chu Yi had watched one boy thoroughly feel up his male partner before finally locating his mouth.

Some people went astray, accidentally feeding their partners the wrong way, leading to both of them scrambling to feed the same person. Others ended up smearing food on their partners’ eyes, noses, or chins. Chu Yi and his classmates nearly doubled over with laughter at the sight.

Shen Jin asked calmly, “Did you participate?”

He figured Chu Yi, being so popular, must have been invited.

“No,” Chu Yi replied, causing Shen Jin’s brow to relax. “Senior asked me to join, but I declined. I’m not comfortable with games like that.”

As Chu Yi chattered on about the hotel’s surprisingly good food, Chen Ye glanced in the rearview mirror and noticed Shen Jin actually smiling.

Learning that Chu Yi had originally planned to see a movie but had turned down the offer, Shen Jin suggested, “We’re free now. Want to catch a film?”

Chu Yi nodded eagerly. “Yes!” The newly released movie had been receiving rave reviews online, and he’d been wanting to see it. Watching it with others wouldn’t work, but with Shen Jin, it was perfect.

Just over half an hour later, Shen Jin and Chu Yi arrived at a movie theater.

As they got out of the car, Chen Ye stepped forward. “Mr. Shen, the entire theater has been reserved. The movie will start in fifteen minutes.”

Chu Yi’s eyes widened. “Reserved the whole theater? How did you manage that? It’s the weekend, and there are so many people here!”

Shen Jin smiled. “There’s always a way.”

Chu Yi nodded, though he didn’t quite understand. It seemed nothing was impossible for Shen Jin. He also noticed that Shen Jin disliked crowded places and strangers getting too close.

Of course, no movie experience is complete without popcorn and cola.

Chu Yi had never imagined he’d one day be able to splurge on popcorn and cola at the theater.

He turned to Shen Jin beside him. “Would you like a cola too?”

Seeing the sparkle in Chu Yi’s eyes, Shen Jin nodded. “Then I’ll have one.”

“Brother Chen, how about you?” Chu Yi asked Chen Ye excitedly.

Chen Ye was taken aback, surprised that Chu Yi had thought of him. He was about to decline, but Shen Jin glanced at him, and Chen Ye quickly changed his mind. “I’ll have a cola too.”

Chu Yi said to the clerk, “I’d like a super-sized bucket of chocolate popcorn and three large Cokes.”

As he spoke, Chu Yi noticed the sausages rotating in the grill on the counter. The casings had already burst open, sizzling and dripping with oil, looking incredibly delicious.

He asked the price—ten yuan per sausage—and immediately bought one. In the past, Chu Yi would have hesitated to spend so much, but now he didn’t have to worry. He could eat whatever he wanted. Shen Jin paid for everything.

Before the movie started, the three of them entered the theater, arms laden with snacks and drinks.

Since they had rented the entire theater, they could sit wherever they pleased.

Chu Yi and Shen Jin settled into the prime viewing spots in the middle, while Chen Ye took a seat in the back.

Noticing Chen Ye sitting so far away in a secluded corner, Chu Yi said warmly, “Brother Chen, come sit with us! These are the best seats, and it’s too isolated back there. We rented the whole place, after all.”

Chen Ye replied, “I prefer sitting here.” As Shen Jin’s bodyguard, his purpose was to protect Mr. Shen, not to watch the movie. Besides, he had no intention of intruding on Mr. Shen and Chu Yi’s date.

Hearing this, Chu Yi didn’t press the matter further. He knew some people simply preferred sitting in corners, and Chen Ye probably belonged to that type.

The popcorn bucket was far too large to fit on the seats. Chu Yi held the popcorn in one hand while eating a grilled sausage with the other. Shen Jin offered to hold the popcorn for him. “Eat the sausage first.”

The slightly charred sausage was indeed more delicious. Each bite filled Chu Yi’s mouth with savory meatiness, and he regretted not buying two earlier.

While eating, Chu Yi checked his glasses. A small blurry spot marred one lens, likely from an accidental smudge. He put them on and confirmed the blur, which would definitely interfere with his movie-watching experience.

Shen Jin noticed his movements. “What’s wrong? Are your glasses broken?”

“They’re just a little dirty,” Chu Yi replied.

“Give them here.” Shen Jin took the glasses from Chu Yi and wiped them clean.

Chu Yi put the glasses back on and looked around. The view was indeed remarkably clear.

The theater was completely silent. Chu Yi glanced around and suddenly chuckled. Shen Jin asked, “What’s so funny?”

Chu Yi replied, somewhat surprised, “This is the first time I’ve ever seen a movie in a private screening.”

After Chu Yi finished his grilled sausage, the lights dimmed and the film began.

As expected of a blockbuster, the special effects were truly stunning.

Chu Yi watched without blinking, completely forgetting about the popcorn. It was only when Shen Jin placed the bowl in front of him that he remembered.

Despite having just eaten dinner, Chu Yi found himself still able to munch on popcorn and sip cola while watching the movie.

The film was captivating, but Chu Yi didn’t forget to share the popcorn with Shen Jin beside him. Shen Jin ate some as well, and the sweet aroma of chocolate filled the air around them.

Shen Jin watched Chu Yi grab handfuls of popcorn, his eyes glued to the giant screen.

The glasses were a bit too large for Chu Yi, likely because his face was smaller. They kept slipping down, and he had to push them up every few minutes.

Shen Jin rarely went to the movies—almost never. This was likely one of the few times he had ever stepped into a theater.

The film’s scenes were epic and the story truly captivating. During the first half, Chu Yi laughed heartily, sounding like a child. Several times, he laughed so hard he choked on himself.

During the final half of the film, a particularly moving scene brought Chu Yi to tears.

Shen Jin, however, remained largely unmoved. To him, it was just another cliché, a common trope. But Chu Yi sobbed uncontrollably, tears streaming down his face.

Normally, even the slightest emotional trigger would make him cry. Now, his tear ducts seemed completely out of control. The more joy he had felt earlier, the more profound his sorrow now. The tears simply wouldn’t stop. Shen Jin could even hear him sobbing, thinking to himself,

*Can a movie really make someone cry this hard?*

Despite his thoughts, Shen Jin kept handing him tissues. Chu Yi’s violent crying had even wet his glasses.

He continued to weep until the credits rolled.

As the lights came up, Chu Yi removed his glasses. Shen Jin noticed not only his red-rimmed eyes but also the faint flush on the tip of his nose. To those who knew, it was clear he had been crying over the film. To those who didn’t, it might have looked like he had been bullied.

Shen Jin frowned slightly, but Chu Yi, no longer intimidated by his frown, said, “It was just so moving! I couldn’t help it.”

As they left the theater, Chu Yi’s reddened eyes drew attention. Shen Jin even overheard someone whispering, “Is there a movie out there that makes people cry this much?”

“Probably not,” someone nearby said. “Besides, watching a movie shouldn’t make you cry like that. He’s clearly been bullied. Probably had a fight with his boyfriend. Look at how fierce his boyfriend looks.”

Chu Yi covered his eyes, feeling embarrassed.

With his vision blocked, he couldn’t see the path ahead and walked straight toward a trash can.

“Careful,” Shen Jin said, pulling Chu Yi away from the trash can just before he bumped into it.

If Chu Yi had walked straight into the trash can, the pain-sensitive young man would likely have burst into tears again.

“Want me to buy you two grilled sausages to take home?” Shen Jin asked.

Chu Yi’s eyes lit up, and he nodded eagerly.

Shen Jin smiled. “Then promise me you won’t cry anymore, okay?”

“Okay,” Chu Yi replied, realizing, “I’m not crying anymore.”

Shen Jin bought Chu Yi two grilled sausages.

Chen Ye, standing nearby, felt a bit dazed.

*Why does Mr. Shen sound like he’s coaxing a child?*

he wondered. Still, he had to admit that after getting the sausages, Chu Yi’s eyes were noticeably less red.

As they left the cinema, Chu Yi didn’t even notice that Shen Jin was still holding his hand until they got into the car.