Chapter 83
When Su Bin returned to the bedroom, Allen had already sat back on the edge of the bed. Su Bin held a cup of hot water unsteadily and placed it on the writing desk by the bed, saying, “It just boiled. Let it cool down before drinking. I’ve washed the cup and kettle.”
Allen responded, “You didn’t need to boil it. I couldn’t stop you in time.”
Su Bin persisted, “No, when a guest comes to someone’s home, you must pour water for them. It’s a matter of courtesy!”
Allen laughed, “Did your father teach you that?”
Su Bin hesitated for a moment, his face filled with a sense of desolation…
Learning these basic manners was actually a bitter experience. Because Su Bin’s parents rarely had time to guide him, he was an extremely annoying brat when he was young. He didn’t know to greet his elders properly, and he caused various problems when he visited others’ homes.
Once, he went to a friend’s house to play with a few classmates from elementary school. He saw a tea egg on the dining table and absentmindedly picked it up and ate it. For this, he faced collective criticism from his classmates…
“Su Bin, how can you just eat someone else’s things?”
“Su Bin, didn’t your mother tell you that you can’t eat someone else’s things without their permission?”
“Yeah, my parents told me too. When you visit someone else’s home, you can’t just take and eat their things…”
The host intervened politely, “It’s okay, Su Bin. Help yourself!”
Su Bin felt wronged. His parents hadn’t told him not to do that…
Fortunately, children often speak without thinking and don’t have malicious intent. They pointed out Su Bin’s mistake without intentionally excluding him. Moreover, Su Bin’s cute appearance shielded him from much of the negative attention…
However, one instance didn’t mean smooth sailing ahead. There were always people who would be harsh on him due to this, even insulting his parents for not raising him with manners. Su Bin definitely felt uncomfortable hearing that.
Over time, he developed a habit of observing other people’s behavior and manners. He would note how parents educated their children and carefully implement those lessons himself.
After more than a decade, Su Bin’s etiquette had greatly improved. Although he still seemed quite restless in the eyes of people like Yang Chengzhe, overall, he had learned quite well. He was even better at it than many single children from well-off families.
Pouring tea for guests – that was something Su Bin had heard Chen Xiaotian say the first time he visited her home. At that time, he had refused her offer to pour water. Chen Xiaotian had said that regardless of whether he wanted it or not, she would pour it for him, as it was basic courtesy.
He had always kept those words in his heart. When Allen asked him about it now, he blurted it out without hesitation.
No matter how much he hated her right now, Su Bin couldn’t deny that he had been influenced by that girl in many ways…
Su Bin sat next to Allen with a look of dejection and said, “I’m sorry…”
Allen asked, “Why are you apologizing?”
Su Bin replied, “Today is Christmas Eve. You could have been with your family, but now… Sigh, I just went to the kitchen to check, and there’s nothing there. I was planning to make you something delicious, but I can’t summon the energy to do it now…”
Allen fell silent for a moment and then said, “Where, what to eat, it doesn’t matter.”
Su Bin looked at him, not understanding why Allen said that. Aren’t Christmas Eve and Christmas important days for Westerners? Why did he say it doesn’t matter?
Allen finished the second half of the sentence with a smile, “Being with someone is what matters the most.”
Su Bin: “…”
The second half of his sentence made his heart race wildly again…
“Being with someone is what matters the most.” This wasn’t the first time Allen had said this. The last time he invited himself to eat seafood was also… Could it be that in Allen’s heart, he was more important than Allen’s own family? >_< Su Bin didn’t want to be so shameless, but he was genuinely moved right now!
“I just called my dad. I wanted him to treat you to a meal.” In China, inviting friends over for a meal at home or having parents treat their friends to a meal was a face-saving gesture. Su Bin wanted to express his appreciation for Allen in this way.
Allen also understood. He had been prepared for this before he came, but he had expected Su Bin’s parents to be at home.
“Will your mother come?” He took out a slim wooden box and a velvety small box from his bag and said, “These are gifts for your parents.”
Su Bin recognized the logo on the velvety box; it was a well-known brand that made crystal jewelry. He exclaimed, “When did you buy these? And what are they?”
Allen turned the velvety box around, “I bought them at the duty-free shop at the airport. It’s a brooch, nothing too extravagant.” He then lightly tapped the wooden box, “I don’t know if your father smokes, but this is a 10-year-old cigar from Robaina Familiar.”
Su Bin could tell just by looking at the boxes that they were of high quality. He was touched to the point of tears in his eyes, and after a while, he sighed, “You probably won’t… meet my mom.”
Allen asked, “Huh?”
Su Bin continued, “She and my dad would start arguing as soon as they meet, so they never appear together at the same event.”
Allen remained silent.
Su Bin added, “Besides, she’s in a northern city now… at my grandparents’ place. It’s more than a twenty-hour train ride away. I only visited them once before they started arguing. It was during Chinese New Year, and I fell seriously ill on the way there. After that, my dad didn’t let me go again… I haven’t seen my mom in three years.”
Su Bin found this topic quite depressing and quickly changed the subject, fearing that Allen might find it boring, “Is this brooch probably a wasted purchase? Can it be returned?”
“Keep it for now, we’ll see later,” Allen put the velvety box back into his coat pocket, and then, he noticed that pocket, and Su Bin suddenly remembered last night’s ‘mysterious box’… Could it still be in there? He blushed and averted his gaze… Wait, would it be comfortable for guys to engage in that kind of activity? Would getting penetrated be painful? Allen’s physique, if he were on the bottom… Su Bin imagined himself in that situation, and he couldn’t help but feel a bit flustered, “Why am I thinking about these things?” (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻ …
Su Bin buried his burning head in the wardrobe, pretending to look for clothes, trying to get rid of his perverse thoughts. Ten minutes later, he finally fished out his favorite down jacket from the bottom of the wardrobe… But, it looked squished like seaweed. Could he still wear it? (=_=)
Su Bin shook the jacket and it remained flat, all wrinkled… Allen frowned, “Do you want to wear this?”
Su Bin replied, “This is the best…”
Allen seemed incredulous, “Are you serious?”
Su Bin thought for a moment and realized that the coat he was currently wearing was actually the best. “Well, not anymore. The coat I’m wearing now is the best.”
Allen stood up, squeezed the sleeve of the down jacket, and said, “Don’t wear this. Let’s go buy a new one.”
“But…” Su Bin began.
“I want to buy clothes too,” Allen put his icy-cold hand against Su Bin’s face, “It’s really cold here.”
Su Bin exclaimed, “Ah? Why didn’t you say that earlier? Let’s go quickly!”
That’s how it was in southern cities during the winter. The temperatures weren’t extremely low, but the humidity, combined with the lack of central heating indoors, allowed the cold to slowly seep into one’s bones, making it unbearable.
The two of them walked to the nearest shopping center, but all the nearby stores were mid-range to low-end brands. The best they found was Jack & Jones. Su Bin usually bought from brands like that, but he was afraid Allen wouldn’t like it, so he suggested going to the luxury brand street.
“Let’s just take a look. I’m not only into designer brands,” Allen ignored the mass-market brands and led Su Bin into a store.
Upon entering, Su Bin felt a strong “Allen-style” ambiance — everything was black and metallic! He never knew there was such a dark-themed clothing store nearby…
Allen had come in because he saw a patent leather black down jacket on a model through the window; it seemed to be the flagship item of the store. He touched the material of the jacket and was satisfied, so he asked the salesperson to bring his size.
Su Bin, out of habit, checked the price tag when he went to try on the jacket — ¥4,999. …What the fudge QAQ, what kind of shop is this? I’ve never heard of this brand before, why is it so expensive? It’s robbery!
As Su Bin walked out of the changing room, the salesperson greeted him warmly, “How is it? Is it comfortable?”
“Comfortable, but,” the jacket was indeed very light, felt like a thin layer, yet it was incredibly warm, “it’s just really expensive…”
“Because it’s worth it. Our owner graduated from the Marangoni Design Institute. He put a lot of effort into creating his own brand and concept…” the salesperson continued with a long explanation, but Su Bin didn’t really listen. All he got from it was that the clothes were expensive!
Allen smiled as he looked at him, “Are you thinking about some nonsense again?”
Su Bin replied, feeling embarrassed, “It’s just too expensive. I can’t afford it…”
Although Su Bin’s family had a bit more money than the average family, they weren’t wealthy or anything like the nouveau riche…
Allen ignored him and asked the salesperson to bring a jacket in his size. After trying it on and walking out, Su Bin’s eyes lit up, “You look so handsome!” …Why did Allen look so good even in a down jacket? It’s not scientifically possible!
Su Bin continued, “Why don’t you buy it? I’ll go to the next store and get one for around seven or eight hundred.”
Allen playfully tapped his forehead, “Quiet.”
Su Bin felt like crying when he realized that his card was about to be maxed out. Dad, my card is going to be declined! Help!
“Alright, I’ll pay,” Allen took out his Visa card.
Su Bin quickly rushed over, “You’re paying?”
Allen replied, “Yeah.”
“No need, I’ll do it!” Su Bin insisted, but his heart was bleeding… Dad, I’m about to max out my card! SOS!
“Sure, go ahead,” Allen smiled at him.
Su Bin checked his pocket and panicked, “My card is with you!”
“Hehe…” Allen was in a great mood. He pulled out the card in front of Su Bin and then put it back in his pocket with a wicked smile.
Su Bin was speechless.
The female salesperson next to them was dumbfounded. Blushing, she took the other card Allen was holding, “Hello, the total is ¥9,998. Is there anything else you need?”
Su Bin knew Allen didn’t understand Chinese, so he said to the salesperson, “Never mind, it’s too expensive. Can’t we get a discount if we buy two?”
The salesperson covered her mouth and giggled, “Originally, you would have received a Christmas gift if you spent over ten thousand. You’re just ¥2 short… However, considering your boyfriend is so handsome,” she sneakily glanced at Allen, “I’ll make an exception and give you a gift~”
Su Bin thought, Boyfriend… O////O