Chapter 66 - A Long-Awaited Date
President Xie felt immensely fortunate. First, he had found a business partner whose value he could squeeze for all it was worth, and then he had managed to spirit away a formidable yet charming "little wife." With the weight of the world momentarily lifted, he decided to push those exhausting matters to the back of his mind and focus on how to spend the remaining half-day of his holiday.
Ever since he and Jiang Yuan had officially defined their relationship, they hadn't actually gone on a proper date like a normal couple. At the beginning, Xie Chengnan had been buried in work; later, they both became increasingly busy, their schedules clashing like gears in a complex machine. Any rare moment of respite was usually spent in a frantic race against time, devoted entirely to a certain "vigorous exercise."
Sinking into a state of profound self-reflection, the President turned to his young lover. "Do you have any plans for the afternoon?"
Jiang Yuan didn't even look up. His thumbs flew across his phone screen as he drafted an email. "First, I’m heading to Onion Culture to hear a work report, then over to Xianglong Real Estate to check on the progress of the new project. Why do you ask?"
Xie Chengnan: "..."
Suddenly, he felt that his own professional attitude was severely lacking.
"I took the whole day off today," the President hinted subtly. "Can you step away from your side of things?"
General Manager Jiang finally looked up, casting a suspicious glance at his boyfriend. He shifted his position slightly on the seat, a faint frown creasing his brow. "I really can't do it anymore..."
The two bodyguards in the front seats: "..."
*You old beast! Look how much you've terrified the poor kid!*
Xie Chengnan was momentarily speechless. After a long pause, he said innocently, "...I just wanted to ask if you wanted to go somewhere to have some fun."
The young master of the Jiang family blinked once, then twice. Finally, the realization dawned on him. "Are you trying to take me on a date?"
"Mhm..." Xie Chengnan replied. Good, their brainwaves were finally in sync.
Once he understood what was happening, Jiang Yuan’s eyes curved into crescent moons. With two quick phone calls, he pushed all his work aside. "Where are we going?" he asked, his voice bubbling with delight.
That was a good question. Professor Xie, whose life was largely devoid of entertainment, frowned. He could only toss the question back. "Wherever you want to go, I’ll go with you."
Jiang Yuan looked blank. Where should people go on dates? Until today, he hadn't given the matter a single thought. He searched his mind for a long time before suggesting hesitantly, "How about... we go to the cinema?"
He seemed to recall someone mentioning the "Date Trilogy": a movie, dinner, and then a hotel room. *Bah, cross out that last one!*
Professor Xie thought the suggestion was quite sound. "Alright," he agreed readily.
Since they were going on a date, they decided to head back to the villa first to change into more casual attire.
Jiang Yuan dug out a hooded sweatshirt from the closet, featuring a large, endearingly clumsy teddy bear on the front. He layered a baseball jacket over it and ran his fingers through his hair, letting his bangs fall naturally. At a glance, he looked even younger—like a high school student of sixteen or seventeen.
Xie Chengnan simply swapped the suit jacket beneath his overcoat for a charcoal-gray cashmere sweater. It wasn't too formal, yet it couldn't hide the steady, composed aura that radiated from his very bones.
Standing together, the age gap between them became even more apparent.
The young master looked at the two figures standing shoulder-to-shoulder in the mirror. A mischievous thought struck him, and he chuckled. "Do you think if we go out holding hands like this, people will think a parent is taking their kid out for a stroll?"
The "Parent" Xie kept a wooden face, having no desire to discuss the matter.
As the New Year approached, students were already on break. Even for a daytime screening, the cinema was packed to the rafters. Jiang Yuan didn't want to book tickets online; he insisted on dragging Xie Chengnan to the ticket counter to stand in line.
The display screens above were scrolling through the day's showtimes and remaining seat counts. As Jiang Yuan tilted his head to pick a film, Xie Chengnan rested a hand on his shoulder, shielding him from the crowd and occasionally reminding him to step forward. They pressed close together amidst the throng without the slightest reservation, slowly shuffling from the end of the line toward the front.
The closest available showtimes were for a youth romance and a horror film. Jiang Yuan struggled for a long time before turning back to ask, "Which one do you want to see?"
Xie Chengnan had no particular preference. "Pick whatever you like."
Jiang Yuan looked troubled. He had no interest in youth romances, but he still harbored a bit of a trauma regarding horror movies. He agonized over it until they reached the front of the line. Finally, gritting his teeth, he bought two tickets for the horror film.
Noticing that the young couples nearby were all carrying popcorn and cola, Xie Chengnan asked the attendant to add a set for them as well. Consequently, when they emerged from the ticket line, both of them had their hands full.
Jiang Yuan, who had a notorious sweet tooth, cradled a bear-shaped popcorn bucket. He picked out a kernel heavily coated in sugar and popped it into his mouth, narrowing his eyes in satisfaction.
"You like it?" Professor Xie asked. Seeing his boyfriend’s look of pure contentment, he felt increasingly satisfied with this spontaneous date.
"It’s pretty good." Jiang Yuan picked up a kernel and held it to Xie Chengnan’s lips. "Try one."
Xie Chengnan, holding a cup of cola in each hand, leaned down and took it from his fingers. To be honest, the taste was mediocre, but seeing the expectant look in his lover's eyes, he suddenly felt the popcorn was as sweet as candy. He nodded in agreement. "It’s good."
Seeing that Xie Chengnan liked it, Jiang Yuan began a rhythmic rotation, feeding a kernel to himself and then one to his boyfriend.
Fearing that Jiang Yuan might be bumped by the crowd, Xie Chengnan used his arm to loosely encircle him, shielding him in front of his chest. Their oblivious, intimate behavior quickly drew the attention of others.
A few young girls standing diagonally behind them had been stealing glances and whispering among themselves.
"Look at those two handsome guys over there!"
"The tall one is so manly! And the shorter one is so pretty!"
"He looks so doting!"
"Are they brothers?"
"Maybe... father and son?"
Xie Chengnan: "..."
Jiang Yuan had clearly overheard the conversation. He looked at Xie Chengnan with a wicked grin and raised an eyebrow, as if to say: *See? I told you it looks like a parent and child.*
Professor Xie narrowed his eyes dangerously. As Jiang Yuan offered another piece of popcorn, he leaned in and nipped at the boy's slightly cool fingertips, licking them before slowly letting go.
Jiang Yuan’s face flushed crimson instantly. Refusing to lose, he put his own glistening fingertip into his mouth and gave it a light suck, staring back at the man.
Professor Xie’s breath hitched. His attempt at teasing had been countered with interest; he suddenly wanted nothing more than to end the date and spirit the boy back home.
The girls behind them were already covering their mouths to stifle their screams. With this ambiguous atmosphere, they were definitely a couple!
Suddenly, one of them realized something. "Wait, don't they look a bit familiar..."
" I was just about to say that... don't they look like Baby Yuan and CEO Gege?!"
Xie Chengnan looked over in surprise. He hadn't expected to be recognized, and judging by their tone, they were fans of the "Nancheng Couple."
Jiang Yuan also turned his head in surprise, offering the girls a friendly smile. Seeing that they were about to scream again, he quickly pressed a finger to his lips in a "shush" gesture.
The girls nodded frantically while covering their mouths. Just then, the intercom announced that ticket checking had begun. Jiang Yuan waved goodbye to them and led Xie Chengnan into the screening room.
By the time Jiang Yuan had bought the tickets, there weren't many seats left. They were stuck in the very last row, in the two corner seats. Xie Chengnan let him sit on the inside, effectively walling him in. The young master suddenly felt as if they were in a private booth, surrounded by walls on three sides.
The lights in the theater suddenly died. A ghostly face abruptly appeared in the center of the screen, triggering a wave of screams.
Jiang Yuan’s body stiffened. He scooted closer to the wall, not forgetting to beckon Xie Chengnan. "Sit closer."
Recalling the last time they had watched a horror movie together, Xie Chengnan understood perfectly. He didn't just sit closer; he reached out and pulled the boy into his embrace.
"What are you doing?" Though his heart was failing him, the young master’s bravado remained. He glared at his boyfriend.
Professor Xie naturally couldn't say "I know you're scared," so he gave him a graceful out. "I just wanted to hold you."
"Oh..." Jiang Yuan adopted an expression that suggested he was merely tolerating the hug. He forced his face back toward the screen, just as a ghostly shadow flickered past with a sharp *whoosh*.
Jiang Yuan: "..." *Mama! I want to go home!*
Xie Chengnan’s entire focus was on the lover in his arms. Watching him keep a stiff face to feign fearlessness, while secretly biting his lower lip to keep from crying out, was far more entertaining than any movie.
When a female ghost with a mangled face crawled out from under a bed, Jiang Yuan couldn't hold it together anymore. He instantly curled up, tucking his limbs in and burying himself entirely in his boyfriend’s chest. He felt as though something strange might crawl out from beneath his own empty chair at any moment.
Professor Xie let out a muffled chuckle. As his chest vibrated with mirth, he felt a punitive nip on the side of his neck.
His lover snapped fiercely, "Shut up! Don't laugh!"
He was like a tiny, angry kitten.
Professor Xie leaned down, whispering a suggestion into his ear. "Do you know how to watch a horror movie without being afraid?"
"Hmm?" The young master’s thirst for knowledge exploded. "How?"
"You watch it like this..." Professor Xie slowly finished his sentence, then turned his head to capture those soft, supple lips.
It was a kiss that tasted of sweet cream, mingled with the sugary notes of cola and popcorn. It instantly invaded Jiang Yuan’s senses. A nimble tongue swept through every corner of his mouth, conquering territory with unhurried precision, before greedily drinking in the moisture he couldn't swallow in time.
The horror movie was no longer horrifying. The sounds of the theater seemed to be sealed away outside their little space; the only thing left in his ears was the thundering of his own heart.
Jiang Yuan pushed him away slightly, stealing a glance at the people nearby. The young couple in the next seats were huddled together, staring tensely at the screen, clearly oblivious to the fact that their neighbors had just shared a fervent kiss.
Knowing what he was worried about, Xie Chengnan pulled him even closer, trying to hide them both in the shadows of the corner.
"Still scared?" Professor Xie whispered into his ear with a chuckle.
"What a terrible idea," Jiang Yuan muttered, his face burning hot. He curled his lip. "Now I have no idea what’s happening in the plot."
Professor Xie was utterly shameless. "Then don't watch it. Watch me."
Jiang Yuan: "...Then what’s the difference between being here and being at home?"
Professor Xie gave it some serious thought before answering, "The kissing feels more thrilling here."
Jiang Yuan: "..."
He decided to reject his boyfriend’s "spiritual therapy" and focus on finishing the film!
When the lights came up, Xie Chengnan looked at the boy, whose face was pale from fright, and said helplessly, "Why didn't you pick the other movie earlier?"
Jiang Yuan recovered his spirit and rolled his eyes. "Two grown men going to see a youth romance? Don't you think that's weird?"
Professor Xie didn't think it was weird at all. In fact, he was wondering if the atmosphere of a romance movie would have been even better for kissing.
They secretly held hands as they followed the crowd out, their overly intimate posture going unnoticed by the masses. Xie Chengnan tightened his grip on the slightly cool fingertips. Fearing they weren't warm enough, he tucked them both into his pocket. He did this with practiced ease, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Amidst the noisy clamor of the surroundings, Jiang Yuan heard the sound of a seedling growing into a towering tree. Every rustling leaf on that tree was telling him: *Jiang Yuan loves Xie Chengnan...*
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My Little Boy is Always Teasing Me | Chapter 66 | A Long-Awaited Date | Novela.app | Novela.app
