Chapter 38
Chu Wenxing sat in the pitch-black movie theater, with Yang Qu sitting on his left, tightly holding his left hand.
Half an hour ago…
Yang Qu said, “You should worry about yourself first.”
Chu Wenxing suddenly jumped up like a startled rabbit, “Let’s go, let’s leave!”
Yang Qu grabbed his left hand and asked, “Where are we going?”
Chu Wenxing struggled for a moment, and Yang Qu raised an eyebrow, looking at him. He shrank his neck and didn’t say anything.
Yang Qu said, “I have two tickets given by someone else. Come with me to watch a movie.”
Chu Wenxing shook his head and struggled again, “I don’t want to go.”
Yang Qu stared at him directly, with a smile that was neither a smile nor a smirk…
So, Chu Wenxing, lacking any backbone, gave in!
He took his hesitant sweetheart to the movie theater, and Yang Qu casually asked him what movie he wanted to watch, but his eyes were focused on the latest horror film on the advertising screen.
Chu Wenxing was horrified! If there was one weakness to mention, it would undoubtedly be horror movies.
For sensitive people with especially accurate intuition, the effects of horror movies would be multiplied several times or even more, causing long-lasting psychological shadows. Some people even developed mental illnesses due to suspicions and hallucinations after watching such movies, or they were directly scared out of their minds…
Chu Wenxing belonged to this category of people. Forcing him to watch a horror movie was worse than forcing him to drink poison!
Looking at Yang Qu’s enthusiastic gaze, it seemed like he wanted to watch that…
If that was the case, he would rather die than yield!
Yang Qu glanced at the terrified little guy, his beautiful eyes filled with evident fear. He smiled and said, “You choose then.”
Chu Wenxing seized the opportunity and casually mentioned an arthouse film that caught his eye, fearing that Yang Qu would change his mind and drag him to watch a horror movie!
However, Chu Wenxing soon regretted it!!
In the spacious screening hall, there were only four people, including him and Yang Qu. The other couple was cuddling in the front row, obviously here to have a romantic and dimly lit secret meeting!
Who said this was an arthouse film! And damn, it was an outdated and pretentious arthouse film!
Checking their seat numbers, Yang Qu led Chu Wenxing to a private box in the back row. He raised the tickets in his hand and smirked, “For couples.”
Chu Wenxing’s scalp tingled, and as soon as he sat down, he wanted to make a last-minute escape. But with a little force, Yang Qu dragged him closer. He was so nervous that he didn’t even dare to move his fingers. From initially resisting with all his might to now being on high alert, his almond-shaped eyes widened, showing a spirited fight against the big bad wolf, Yang Qu.
In the darkness, Yang Qu provocatively rubbed Chu Wenxing’s palm with his middle finger, whispering, “Are you scared of sudden surprises?”
“Who’s scared of you!”
“The more someone talks tough, the more nervous they are inside!”
Yang Qu found it amusing, enjoying the feeling of teasing this guy more and more. It was interesting to see the other person getting angry, trembling, or even stiffening up because of his taunts and teasing.
The lights in the screening hall soon went out, and Chu Wenxing wasn’t satisfied. In the first few minutes while waiting for the movie to start, no one else came in, and his palms began to sweat.
As expected, even before the opening credits, Yang Qu’s hand started to wander restlessly, moving up someone’s hand, wrist, forearm, and elbow inch by inch. Chu Wenxing stiffened his body, trying to pretend not to feel it.
“Hehe…” a low laugh came from beside him, causing Chu Wenxing’s whole body to tremble. In the blink of an eye, the other person’s hand had wrapped around his waist, pulling him closer and hugging him tightly.
“You…!” Chu Wenxing gasped, his right hand grabbing the other person’s claw-like hand, glaring at him. He saw Yang Qu’s gaze locking onto his own, scaring Chu Wenxing into hastily looking away…
“Don’t take advantage of the situation!” Chu Wenxing gritted his teeth while looking at the big screen.
“Okay.” Unexpectedly, Yang Qu responded seriously, and his actions didn’t escalate further.
The film tells the story set during wartime, where a young lady from an educated family falls in love with a poor boy who grinds tofu for a living. The young girl secretly meets the boy behind the tofu shop every day, exchanging poetry for a small piece of freshly ground tofu. They enjoy an intimate and innocent relationship.
Naturally, their love affair faces numerous obstacles from the parents of the young boy and girl. The boy’s family believes they are mismatched in social status, while the girl’s family considers the boy too impoverished.
As is the case in most novels and movies, the two lovers are forcibly separated. Later, the boy’s older brother bravely sacrifices himself in battle, and upon hearing the tragic news, the boy’s father becomes bedridden and passes away after half a month. The mother, devastated by grief, follows the father a month later. The boy, left alone, loses both his loved ones and faces a bleak romantic future.
In the midst of this tragic darkness, the boy leaves the place filled with sorrow and joins the army as a military doctor. Due to the honor of his brother’s sacrifice in the war, he receives special attention in the army and becomes highly skilled in medical techniques. After the success of the revolution, his career flourishes.
However, times change. Several years later, during the Cultural Revolution, the girl’s family becomes a target of criticism, leading to a sudden decline in their status. Her father dies, and her husband abandons her. With nowhere to turn, she encounters the boy from the tofu shop, who has now grown into a capable and handsome man, wearing a military uniform and achieving great success.
He does not reject her but continues to cherish her…
In the film’s final scene, the main characters embrace tearfully, and the ending portrays a clichéd but happy outcome for the lovers.
Initially, Chu Wenxing was not interested in the plot of the movie. As a law student and a young cynic, he did not appreciate the predominant historical and political elements that glorify the revolution. He instead focused most of his attention on Yang Qu.
He carefully observed Yang Qu’s actions, fearing that he might suddenly reveal his wolfish nature…
He stole glances at Yang Qu’s profile, which appeared gentle and mature under the diffused light from the movie screen. It was hard to believe that this person, who used to be so annoying back in elementary school, still managed to be so now…
Well, actually, he still is…
Unbeknownst to Chu Wenxing, Yang Qu had a special fondness for slow-paced art films because he was a student of Chinese literature!
There is a saying that being in a relationship with a man involved in the arts is like being blind, but being in a relationship with a man involved in literature is like being blindfolded.
People who have immersed themselves in virtual spaces for a long time tend to have an excess of idealism and excel in fantasies. When their rationality and charm encounter the harshness of reality, they become childish and pessimistic. They either whine about non-existent illnesses, wallow in self-pity, or nervously confide in a rose on the verge of withering, claiming, “You are the love that will never perish from my past life…”
So, a man who should be admired from a distance and not toyed with is undoubtedly a man involved in the arts.
Yang Qu immersed himself in the unique artistic atmosphere of the film, experiencing the growth and societal changes brought about by history and war. He carefully contemplated the protagonist’s thoughts and occasionally even squeezed Chu Wenxing’s waist with his fingers.
This is what happiness is!
He wants every minute and every second of the future, and regardless of what he does, Xiaoxin must be within his reach…
Chu Wenxing, mentally exhausted from the intense suspense of the movie, leaned against Yang Qu’s shoulder and slowly relaxed his body. His back no longer felt stiff, his eyes weren’t as wide open, and he didn’t pay much attention to the warm hand on his waist…
Then, slowly but surely, both he and Yang Qu became engrossed in the plot of the art film.
They furrowed their brows and laughed foolishly, feeling sorrow for the protagonist’s tragic circumstances and exhilaration for his resilience.
The pain of a country in ruins and a family destroyed is far crueler than the hurt caused by love. The power of unity and the sacrifice of compatriots make one’s heart stronger, to the point where the arrival of love after victory makes life feel more complete…
So, it can be said that art has the power to infect others.
When the tofu shop boy, who had grown up on the screen, finally kissed his first love, who was carrying someone else’s child, Yang Qu’s lips quietly met the corner of Chu Wenxing’s mouth. In the darkness, it was unclear who initiated the touch of their tongues…
At that moment, neither of them noticed that another couple had already left, perhaps finding the movie uninteresting or thinking of a better place for intimacy.
Chu Wenxing was caught off guard by Yang Qu’s stolen kiss because he had initially been embraced from behind. Yang Qu’s posture for kissing him was quite cunning, and it evolved into a fervent exchange of kisses, with Chu Wenxing ending up half-pressed against the soft seat cushion in the private room. He found himself unexpectedly panting and moaning, wanting to break free but unable to find a point to exert force.
After the deep kiss, Yang Qu’s gaze in the darkness was as deep as a bottomless pool.
They were very close to each other, so close that there was almost no distance between them. They silently locked eyes…
As the movie ended, the lights in the theater suddenly brightened.
“Minister Yang, it’s already morning!” A stranger’s voice startled Chu Wenxing, who was in a daze, and he pushed Yang Qu away and jumped up.
Yang Qu also stood up quickly and turned to look at the head poking out from the small window of the projection room, jokingly scolding, “Such a busybody!”
Blushing, Chu Wenxing wanted to escape, but Yang Qu grabbed his clothes and pulled him back, saying, “Why are you running away so fast?” He then held the other’s hand and walked towards the exit.
The younger brother who worked in the cinema shouted at them from behind, not knowing any better, “Brother Yang, Sister-in-law Yang, take care, come play again next time!”
They left the theater, and it was already broad daylight outside.
“Watching movies during the day is so boring…” Chu Wenxing muttered under his breath, trying to conceal his embarrassment and awkwardness. He couldn’t believe that he had let that scoundrel kiss him in a daze! What’s more pathetic was that he actually enjoyed it! He had been on high alert from the very beginning, with his guard raised to 120 percent!
Art films were definitely to blame. Artsy stuff was nothing but a spiritual poison that deserved to be despised by everyone!
Yang Qu glanced at his sulking lover, only seeing the reddened ears and the back of his head.
Yang Qu said, “Then… let’s come in the evening from now on.”
“Who wants to come with you!” Chu Wenxing turned his head and glared at Yang Qu, baring his teeth like an irritable little dog.
Yang Qu said, “You.”
Of course, it’s you who will come with me.
“…,” Chu Wenxing nearly bit his tongue. “I’m not playing this game of wordplay with you.”
Yang Qu teased, “Okay, let’s play a game of biting tongues and chewing lips.”
Chu Wenxing was infuriated, struggling to free his hand. Helplessly, his small hand was tightly enveloped by Yang Qu’s large palm, like a silken cocoon, soft and gentle. The harder you try, the more I stick to you…
“Look, those two guys are holding hands…,” passerby A whispered to their female companions.
Passerby B said, “Could they be gay? The shorter one looks angry, wanting to break free and run away. Look…”
Passerby A said, “So cute…”
Passerby C said, “The smaller one seems so dominant, definitely a scheming type. There’s no way he can escape. Tsk tsk, they’re getting closer, little fool…”
Ignoring the ambiguous whispers around them, Yang Qu checked the time on his phone and said to Chu Wenxing, “It’s past lunchtime. Let’s go for afternoon tea.”
“Why should it be ‘we’!” Chu Wenxing clenched his fist. “Go by yourself.”
Yang Qu said, “It’s a rare outing. How could we just watch a movie without eating!”
W-What?! A date!? (=皿=)
Chu Wenxing’s eyes turned into dorayaki pancakes.
As if knowing what shocked him, Yang Qu said, “Watching a movie together, holding hands, kissing… do you still want to say this isn’t a date?”
N-No, it’s not like that!! You’ve got it all wrong!!
Chu Wenxing was dumbfounded, and the poor kid’s thoughts were momentarily twisted and couldn’t catch up.
He didn’t realize at all that the real reason behind all this was that they weren’t even dating and yet suddenly went on a date for no reason, with the person being this elementary school classmate whom he strongly disliked!
In the short period of confusion, they were already taken to a nearby Hong Kong-style tea restaurant.
As soon as they entered, a young man approached them and greeted them, “Hey! Rare guests! Welcome, welcome! Yang Qu, how come you’ve honored our little shop today?”
The young man’s name was Han Congjie, the Vice President of the Student Union at another university in City S.
To make a long story short, besides being unknown to ordinary people, Yang Qu had another identity as the President of the City S Student Alliance.
This title held a significant position among the student cadres in the entire City S.
However, this alliance was not officially organized. It was similar to the delinquent gangs that exist in every city. Yang Qu’s alliance, in contrast to those gangs, was a red organization.
Young and ambitious boys, full of confidence and exuberance, often exhibited an excessive sense of self-assurance and dominance in their youth. Han Congjie was one of them. People like them rarely showed respect or admiration for anyone.
Except for Yang Qu.
You couldn’t pinpoint why, and there wasn’t a clear reason that could be expressed.
Some people are destined to stand at the pinnacle, forever being watched, forever being admired. There will always be those who prostrate themselves before them, bowing their heads in submission…
Yang Qu said, “If I had known that you guys opened a shop together, I would have had the time to come and show my support. How’s the business going?”
Han Congjie slapped the other person’s shoulder and said, “Thanks to our brother here, at least we all have something to earn. We’ve got tuition fees, living expenses, and even some money to travel during holidays! Haha! Tomorrow, Yang President, you have to advertise for us at F University, all those student couples love this kind of small restaurant.”
Yang Qu said, “No problem. Just let me know how I can help.”
“Who’s this guy? Introduce him,” Han Congjie noticed Chu Wenxing, who was being held by Yang Qu, and his gaze hinted at their tightly held hands.
Chu Wenxing felt uncomfortable under the scrutiny and pretended to look elsewhere, trying to appear calm while silently cursing Yang Qu.
But Yang Qu didn’t mind at all and said ambiguously, “He’s my sister-in-law, Chu Wenxing.”
Chu Wenxing: (=皿=)!!
“Wow! What a surprise!” Han Congjie became excited. The pretty girl at the front desk and the surrounding waiters were also thrilled, their eyes gleaming as they stared at the two.
Han Congjie immediately called out to the other brothers in the restaurant, “Shao Rong, come out and greet Sister-in-law!”
Shao Rong was also a member of that alliance and a fellow alumnus of Han Congjie.
Shao Rong, the guy who was called, came over with a tray of drinks in his hand and looked Chu Wenxing up and down. “Wow~ It really is President Yang. Literary people are indeed different. They know how to have fun!”
Chu Wenxing’s brows furrowed, ready to retort with a sharp tongue. However, before he could, Yang Qu calmly interjected, “Don’t have the same level of understanding as that brat. It’s just a joke with them…” After saying that, he soothingly squeezed Chu Wenxing’s fingers. Then, he looked at Shao Rong and scolded, “How dare you bully my people? Don’t you want to live anymore? Call Chu Ge.”
Shao Rong obediently lowered his head and apologized, “Chu Big Brother, I didn’t know any better. I beg for your forgiveness.” Although he apologized, his tone was smooth and slick.
Everyone burst into laughter, creating a lively atmosphere.
Among boys, such jokes were not taken seriously. If Chu Wenxing got angry on the spot, it would seem like he was being too sensitive. So, he compromised and felt frustrated, unable to find an outlet for his pent-up emotions.
Seeing the changing expressions of the boy named Chu, Han Congjie secretly gave a thumbs-up to Yang Qu.
Immediately after, Shao Rong shouted, “Quick, get them seated and bring whatever they want to eat. This table is on the house!”
Yang Qu expressed his gratitude and sat down with Chu Wenxing. Chu Wenxing, feeling temporarily relieved, immediately sat far away, massaging his fingers that had been held so tightly, and sarcastically said, “Why are there so many friends here…”
“Hmm?” Yang Qu looked up from the menu and said, “My friends are your friends too.”
