Chapter 65
After settling into his seat, it took Su Bin several more minutes to calm down his racing heart. By then, Allen had already ordered the dishes… Yes, he didn’t ask Su Bin what he wanted, nor did he discuss it with him. He just unilaterally made the decisions orz…
Su Bin realized that Allen was quite assertive, or perhaps even domineering, in certain aspects. Whether it was during their first dinner, when Allen had chosen the rose wine and the doneness of the steak for him, or the authority he asserted during their shopping trip, there was no room for “reference” or “suggestions” in Allen’s decisions.
If someone didn’t understand Allen’s personality, they might consider his actions selfish, completely disregarding others’ feelings. However, after living together with Allen for two months, Su Bin had gained some understanding of his character. He knew that even when Allen made decisions on his behalf, it was usually done with reasonable consideration. At least, up until now, Su Bin hadn’t observed any hasty decisions made by Allen. So, Su Bin didn’t really mind Allen’s slight domineering trait. Instead, he felt somewhat special, especially since Allen had never interfered with their other two roommates’ affairs.
After Allen placed the order, Su Bin initially wanted to ask him what he had ordered. But just as the words were about to leave his mouth, he remembered the strange incident that had occurred due to asking an “unnecessary” question earlier (…). So, he held back and took the opportunity while waiting for the food to arrive to observe the surroundings.
This place didn’t resemble a regular restaurant; it felt more like a European-style palace tavern or cafe. The interior space was compact, and a Baroque-style crystal chandelier hung from the decorated ceiling. The few dining tables were adorned with dark-colored tablecloths embroidered with various plant motifs. Each table featured metallic iron candle holders… Oddly, the restaurant’s wallpaper didn’t depict the traditional European floral pattern. Instead, it incorporated nautical elements, with hand-drawn sketches of various water imprints, even the upper parts of the window frames shaped like rudders.
Just as Su Bin was curiously taking in the details, the waiter began serving the dishes…
The first dish placed in front of Su Bin was… seaweed!
“Huh, are we having seafood?” Su Bin looked at Allen with surprise. He had checked information about hemophilia and Allen’s dietary restrictions last night, and he learned that seafood was among the things Allen couldn’t consume.
However, he noticed that the appetizer the waiter brought to Allen was a plate of vegetable salad… “You eat, I can’t,” Allen said.
Su Bin didn’t understand, “Then why did you bring me here to eat seafood?”
Allen poured some red wine for Su Bin and said, “This restaurant is close to the harbor, and I’ve heard that their seafood dishes are excellent.”
What Su Bin wanted to ask wasn’t about that. He glanced at his plate of seaweed and then at Allen’s salad. He was thoroughly perplexed—since Allen couldn’t eat seafood, why had they driven all the way here with Robert to eat seafood?
He repeated the question, but Allen’s answer remained the same, “The seafood here is delicious.”
Su Bin: “…” (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻
Allen couldn’t comprehend what Su Bin was so tangled up about. He tilted his head slightly, pondered for a moment, and then asked Su Bin, “Do you want me to eat seafood?”
Su Bin: “Yes!” Since seafood was delicious, wasn’t that why they came here?
Allen: “But I can’t eat it.”
Su Bin: “I know you can’t, but I wish you could.” If Allen could eat seafood, it would explain why he brought them all this way to eat.
Allen raised an eyebrow, puzzled, and asked back, “You want me to eat it?” His expression seemed to say, “Do you want me to die?”
Su Bin: “…” QAQ Su Bin didn’t know what to say!
Helplessly, he watched as the waiter brought scallop potato soup, crab potato mash, lobster in sauce to him… But in front of Allen, there was just vegetable salad, carrot soup, and an ordinary steak that could be found anywhere… Ahhh!
Allen found it quite strange, “You don’t seem too pleased. Don’t you like seafood?”
Su Bin was anxious and frustrated, “No! I like it!”
Seeing Su Bin’s distressed expression, Allen finally put down his fork, “So, what exactly do you want me to do?” Allen’s face turned serious. “Calm down a bit and explain slowly.”
Su Bin took a deep breath and rambled on incoherently, using gestures to explain his thoughts. This time, Allen finally understood what he was trying to convey.
Pointing to the salad in front of him, Allen asked, “Do you think I look pitiful eating this?”
Su Bin lowered his head and mumbled, “Yeah.” Comparing his delicious seafood dishes to Allen’s carrot and potato fare, wasn’t it quite pitiful? Moreover, they were dining together as a couple, so why was he the only one allowed to enjoy seafood? It didn’t seem fair to Allen…
Allen rested his elbows on the table, crossing his hands, and said to Su Bin, “Didn’t I just say? What we eat isn’t as important as who we eat with.”
Su Bin: “…” He felt lost for words orz…
Allen smiled at him and asked, “Let me ask you one thing: Do you like seafood?”
Su Bin nodded, “Yeah…” Not many people would reject scallops and large lobsters, especially when they were so fresh (>_<!)…
Allen released his hands and picked up his fork again. “It’s good if you like it, Michael. As long as you’re happy, I’m happy.”
Su Bin: “…” Q_Q Why is he so good to me? He brought me all the way here to eat seafood, but he can only have carrot soup… Su Bin felt even more guilty now.
Seeing Su Bin gazing at him with a dazed look, Allen couldn’t help but hold back a chuckle, “What’s wrong now? Do you want me to sit and eat while you stand beside me, serving me? Would that make you happier?”
Su Bin: “…………”
After the meal, Su Bin was feeling a bit tipsy. Allen took him for a stroll along the harbor for a while. The December sea breeze was chilly, cooling down Su Bin’s face that had turned warm from the alcohol. However, this cold was different from the damp chill of Hangzhou. It wasn’t uncomfortable; instead, it made him feel a bit more awake.
Su Bin wrapped his face and neck tightly with his scarf and walked with Allen along the riverbank. Allen’s hands were tucked in his coat pockets, and he walked with long strides, maintaining a rather brisk pace. Su Bin, on the other hand, was visibly slower, falling behind a bit as they walked.
In the darkness, Su Bin always felt like he was chasing after Allen’s back. The man was dressed all in black, and when viewed from behind, he seemed like he could blend into the night and vanish.
Thinking about Allen’s past experiences, remembering that he faced death every day without giving up, Su Bin’s head heated up, and he sprinted a couple of steps to catch up with Allen’s pace…
Allen: “…”
Su Bin: “…” Allen stopped in his tracks, “Am I walking too fast?”
Su Bin: “Um, it’s fine…”
After observing him for a moment, Allen said, “Give me your hand.”
Su Bin: “…” He was being led again, feeling somewhat like he was being taken for a walk like a dog orz…
Possibly due to feeling awkward, Su Bin started a conversation on his own, and Allen followed suit. He started telling Su Bin about the geography and history of Country B as they walked along. He informed Su Bin that if they kept going in the same direction, they would eventually reach City L, a beautiful port city where the oldest Chinatown in Europe was located.
Allen asked Su Bin, “Have you heard of the Titanic?”
Su Bin: “The Titanic? The movie?” The film “Titanic” had been a huge sensation back then. The song “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion was playing everywhere. There was a music store near Su Bin’s house that played that song on loop for two months straight, and he had practically grown calluses on his ears from hearing it… He thought Allen wanted to discuss the tragic love story depicted in the movie, but instead, Allen said, “I mean the ship that hit an iceberg.”
Su Bin: “Um…” Well, the movie was indeed based on a real disaster.
Allen: “Have you seen the movie?”
Su Bin: “Yeah, I’ve seen it.” He had rented the DVD with Huang Zhengming in middle school. When the main characters were separated by death, Su Bin had tears streaming down his face. Of course, he couldn’t mention this to Alan; it would be too embarrassing.
Allen: “Have you noticed a detail in the movie…”
Su Bin: “What detail?” He thought Allen might be referring to the romantic scenes in the car between the main characters. After all, he and Huang Zhengming had discussed those scenes at length back in the day and even rewatched them several times.
Unexpectedly, Allen said, “The name of City L is printed on the bottom of that ship, and it’s visible when it sinks vertically into the sea.”
Su Bin: “… I haven’t noticed that.”
“Titanic was built in City L,” Allen said and followed it up with a confirming sound, indicating he had finished what he wanted to say.
Su Bin: “…” How to bridge the gap when their conversation focuses are completely different orz…
But speaking of City L, Su Bin remembered that Li Meihan seemed to be studying at a university there. When he had first come to Country B, Li Meihan had even invited him to visit City L…
Seeing Su Bin gazing in the direction of City L, Allen assumed he was looking forward to visiting the city and said, “In the future, I’ll take you around Country B.”
Su Bin happily responded, “Really?”
Allen: “Yeah, there are many beautiful places in Country B, and each place has a rich history and culture.”
Su Bin listened with excitement, feeling like Allen knew quite a lot. He hadn’t traveled much before because he had been waiting for a chance for Chen Xiaotian to come to Country B to travel together, and he also had to work and didn’t have much time. But now he was a single dog… After reading in《攻略》that going on a trip and relaxing could help heal the pain of a breakup, Su Bin had been thinking about going on a trip. Plus, Christmas was coming up, which seemed like a good opportunity for traveling.
“Do you have any plans for the Christmas break?” Allen suddenly asked Su Bin.
Su Bin made a sound of surprise, “Ah,” and then replied, “Not yet, but I’m thinking about going somewhere for a short trip.”
Allen nodded without saying much. Su Bin didn’t rush to ask further. If Allen had time, they could go together, and if he didn’t, Su Bin could go alone.
Returning home in the evening, it was already close to ten o’clock. After finishing his nightly routine, Su Bin was about to go to sleep when he heard the notification sound of a text message. “Su Bin, it’s Li Meihan. Do you remember me?”
Su Bin was a bit embarrassed. Wow, what a coincidence. He had just thought of this girl during his evening walk, and now she’s texting him?
Su Bin replied, “I remember. It’s been a long time since we last talked, hehe.”
Li Meihan: “Yeah, I’ve been busy since the start of the school year. But I’ll have a break the day after tomorrow. How about you?”
Su Bin: “Me too.”
Li Meihan: “How about we meet up?”
Su Bin: “Sure, but I’ll be working the day after tomorrow. How should we schedule our meet-up?”
Li Meihan: “You’re still working? That’s unbelievable! Then how about I come to M City on December 18th to hang out with you? Are you free on that day?”
Su Bin: “Yes, very welcome! I’ll take you around, treat you to a meal. But I’m directionally challenged, so don’t blame me if we get lost:P”
Li Meihan: “Hahaha, don’t worry. Let’s keep in touch!”
