Chapter 35: Someone Else’s Boyfriend
Chapter 35: Someone Else’s Boyfriend
The night in Binhai City was full of colorful neon lights everywhere. Inside the taxi, Xiaoyu leaned her head on Chen Mo’s shoulder. Soft, slow-paced music reached their ears, accompanied by the sounds of engines from the bustling traffic around them; amidst the noise, there was a touch of tranquility.
Chen Mo looked at Xiaoyu’s tired face and felt a little heartache. She hadn’t slept for two days, yet she still insisted on going out. But since Xiaoyu was so determined, Chen Mo couldn’t refuse her.
“Where do you want to go next?” Chen Mo asked.
“To the seaside.”
“No way.” Chen Mo refused immediately. “It’s winter now, and the sea wind is too strong. Your health isn’t good—let’s just go to the cinema instead. We can watch a movie and rest a bit.”
“Okay, you decide.”
Xiaoyu nodded lightly and yawned. Her eyes were already bloodshot, and she looked completely listless, unlike her usual lively self.
“Why come out when you’re so tired?”
“It’s miserable not being able to sleep. I wanted to study but couldn’t focus—what else could I do?” Xiaoyu said.
“Did it used to be like this when you had insomnia before?” Chen Mo asked.
“It happened before, but last time I found a way to not have insomnia.”
Xiaoyu smiled with her eyes slightly closed, a blush appearing on her face, though it was hidden by the night. Still, she seemed a bit more energetic.
“What method?”
“I’m not telling you.” Xiaoyu laughed and turned her gaze out the window. “Chen Mo, do you think I look especially ugly right now, all worn out? Do you dislike me now?”
“No, absolutely not.”
Chen Mo shook his head at once. The topic had shifted too quickly, and he almost couldn’t keep up. “In my heart, you’re always beautiful.”
As soon as Chen Mo finished speaking, the taxi wobbled a little. The driver in front was stifling a laugh, glancing at the two through the rearview mirror with a strange expression.
“Don’t be so cheesy.” Xiaoyu giggled, her face turning shyly red.
They didn’t talk much for the rest of the ride. Xiaoyu leaned on Chen Mo’s shoulder, occasionally looking up to see the scenery outside. Soon, they arrived outside the Commercial Plaza.
Seeing how tired Xiaoyu looked, Chen Mo didn’t take her shopping. Instead, he directly brought her to buy movie tickets.
“What movie are we watching?”
“‘My Sassy Girlfriend,’ a romantic comedy. Theater 3, the couple’s hall.” Chen Mo handed the tickets to Xiaoyu and also put the snacks he was holding into her arms.
“Are you saying I’m sassy?” Xiaoyu pulled a straight face, looking unhappy.
“Not at all. My Xiaoyu is clever and well-behaved.” Chen Mo smiled.
“Who’s yours?” Xiaoyu shot him a glare, hugging the snacks tightly as she followed closely behind Chen Mo into the theater.
“What’s the main story of the film?”
As soon as Xiaoyu sat down, she started eating the snacks, waiting for the movie to begin.
“It’s about a spoiled rich girl who runs away from home after arguing with her family. Then her wallet and phone get stolen. She has no money for food, refuses to go home, and collapses on the street from exhaustion and hunger. A poor guy passing by saves her, and this willful rich girl ends up sticking to him, starting a funny romantic journey.”
“What’s the ending?” Xiaoyu asked.
“I don’t know either.” Chen Mo shrugged.
They chatted for a while until soon the lights in the theater went out, and the whole hall quieted down. Xiaoyu held the snacks in her arms, rested her head on Chen Mo’s shoulder, and relaxed her body.
The one-and-a-half-hour movie passed quickly. When the theater lights came back on, Chen Mo saw that Xiaoyu had fallen asleep in his arms. He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
The movie had been so loud, and there were light laughs from people around—with all that noise, Xiaoyu still managed to sleep. It showed how exhausted she was from not sleeping well for two days.
He had been busy researching the Chinese Character Programming Language these past two days. Xiaoyu had been bringing him meals all along, but he hadn’t noticed her condition. He felt a little ache in his heart.
Chen Mo didn’t wake Xiaoyu. After taking the snacks from her hands, he gently picked her up.
When people around saw Chen Mo carrying Xiaoyu like a princess, the couples in the theater were stunned. Ignoring the strange looks from everyone, Chen Mo carried Xiaoyu and left their seats.
“Look at someone else’s boyfriend.” Behind Chen Mo, a slightly chubby girl said to her boyfriend.
“She’s asleep, but you’re not.” The thin, frail boy looked at his girlfriend, who was bigger than him, and smiled wryly in his heart.
“Then if I fall asleep, will you carry me?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Then next time we come to the movies, I’ll sleep too. You have to carry me.” The slightly chubby girl laughed.
Her words made the thin boy shudder. He felt like crying but had no tears. Looking at his girlfriend, who was bigger than him, he secretly vowed never to go on movie dates again.
Chen Mo carried Xiaoyu out of the Commercial Plaza.
On the way, many people threw them strange looks, but Chen Mo could only brace himself and hurry away with Xiaoyu in his arms. Showing affection like this—if it continued, he might get beaten up.
He didn’t relax until they reached the rented apartment.
Earlier in the taxi, the driver had looked at them with a particularly knowing gaze, as if to say he understood.
“Put me down.” Just as Chen Mo was about to find the keys to open the door, Xiaoyu in his arms suddenly spoke.
“You’re awake?”
“I’ve been awake for a while.” Xiaoyu said, blushing. “I woke up when we got a taxi at the plaza.”
“Then why didn’t you say something earlier?”
“You didn’t ask me. I wanted to see when you would wake me up. It’s your fault for not calling me.” Xiaoyu laughed.
That answer almost made Chen Mo want to spit blood. Could he even ask? How would he ask? But seeing that Xiaoyu seemed a bit more energetic, Chen Mo felt a little relieved.
“I’m going to take a shower.”
Thinking that they would have to sleep together again tonight, Xiaoyu showed a hint of shyness on her face. She took the clothes she had left there last time from the wardrobe and went into the bathroom.
Soon, Xiaoyu came out wearing that spaghetti strap nightgown from last time, looking much more energetic.
“Hurry up and take a shower. You’re all sweaty.” Seeing Chen Mo staring straight at her, Xiaoyu blushed and subconsciously tugged at the hem of her nightgown.
“Okay.”
Chen Mo nodded. He knew it would be another tough night. But he was also happy—Xiaoyu had chosen to stay here on her own this time. He was one step closer to having her stay for good.
After his shower, when Chen Mo returned to the room, Xiaoyu was already under the covers playing on her phone.
“You’re this tired, why not sleep early?”
Chen Mo took Xiaoyu’s phone away and put it aside, then turned off the light. As soon as he lay down, Xiaoyu snuggled into his arms.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m not feeling well right now, so you can’t touch me.” Xiaoyu’s shy voice came through the darkness.
“Then why are you doing this?”
“Lately, I’ve had trouble sleeping. Last time, I found that I sleep really soundly in your arms and don’t get insomnia. That’s why I came back with you tonight.” Xiaoyu said. “I’m still very sleepy.”
“You win. As long as you can sleep well, you can do whatever you want. Or you could move out, then you wouldn’t have insomnia.” Chen Mo said.
“Don’t get any ideas. If you keep imagining things, the surprise I have for you will be delayed again.”
“Don’t, I was wrong. Can you tell me what the surprise is?”
“If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise.”
They chatted under the covers for a while until soon, Chen Mo heard Xiaoyu’s soft breathing—she was so exhausted that her breathing was light.
Chen Mo adjusted his position, held her, and fell asleep too.