HRMCF Chapter 34

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🍋‍🟩 Completed Chapter

Shen Yan almost pedaled the shared bike hard enough to ignite sparks.

Luckily, the cinema was in the Baiyuan Shopping Mall near his home. He sped past the long line of cars stuck in traffic. When Shen Yan arrived at the mall, still catching his breath, he immediately called Liao Jing.

Liao Jing answered his call, her tone gentle: "You're here? Come on up."

Hearing her speak so unusually, just like her acting that day, Shen Yan's mind stuttered for a moment. He lowered his voice and said, "Is he next to you?!"

Liao Jing chuckled, a dry laugh. "Haha, come on up quickly. It's so coincidental, we just ran into the school hunk, and we're even watching the same movie. What a coincidence!"

Shen Yan: "..."

The cinema was on the top floor of the mall. Shen Yan frantically ran up several escalators.

At the side of the cinema hall.

Huang Mengxuan and Liao Jing stood close together, facing Zhao Linsu.

Seeing this scene, Shen Yan's heart sank.

"Shen Yan, you're here." Liao Jing saw him and waved at him with a bright smile. Huang Mengxuan beside her leaned out and also waved.

Shen Yan forced himself forward, ignoring the gaze Zhao Linsu cast his way.

"Um," Huang Mengxuan's voice was sweet and soft, "Shen Yan, I also want to watch this movie. Do you mind if I join you?"

Shen Yan: "Sure, no problem at all."

He was on a date with two beautiful women, his attitude was perfect!

Only then did Shen Yan look at the quiet Zhao Linsu beside him. Zhao Linsu's expression was indifferent, making Shen Yan feel a little uneasy, as if his intentions had been seen through by Zhao Linsu.

"What a coincidence," Shen Yan said casually, "you're here to watch a movie too?"

Zhao Linsu nodded slightly.

Shen Yan thought, what are you pretending for? I'm sworn enemies with gay guys who want to get with me.

Shen Yan: "Can we go in now? Let's go," he said softly to the two girls, "let's go watch the movie."

Huang Mengxuan smiled at Shen Yan, her smile full. "I forgot to buy tickets."

Shen Yan: "..."

Damn it, right. He had only bought a pair of couple seats for the two girls!

Shen Yan quickly took out his phone to remedy the situation.

"The tickets are sold out."

Huang Mengxuan's words completed the situation, and Shen Yan's action of taking out his phone froze in place.

What to do?

"I happened to buy an extra one."

A slender finger held a movie ticket, appearing in the middle of the three people's line of sight.

Three faces of silence.

"Don't need it?"

The moment the ticket was about to be retracted, Huang Mengxuan decisively snatched it away, giving Zhao Linsu a sweet smile. "Thank you, school hunk, you're so kind."

Zhao Linsu: "You're welcome, it was just a coincidence. But it's just an ordinary seat, a bit far from the couple seats, sorry."

Huang Mengxuan cast a rather pressured look at Shen Yan.

Liao Jing also looked at Shen Yan quietly.

Shen Yan met the gazes of the two beautiful girls for three seconds, then deflated and took the ticket from Huang Mengxuan's hand. "You two best friends should go together."

Huang Mengxuan and Liao Jing bid farewell to Shen Yan with helpless eyes and escaped into the ticket check.

Shen Yan stayed where he was, holding the hot potato of a movie ticket, not knowing what to say.

"Wait for me."

Shen Yan thought, who's waiting for you, but he still stood there, his gaze secretly following Zhao Linsu.

Zhao Linsu reached over the counter on the side with his long arm and grabbed a bucket of popcorn, also holding two cups of iced cola in his hand.

Shen Yan: "..."

"Here, take this."

Zhao Linsu handed over a cup of cola.

Shen Yan had one hand in his pocket. After a long while, he still reached out and took the cola.

He had been so thirsty after riding his bike and climbing the stairs.

The iced cola felt very comfortable going down. Shen Yan took a big gulp, then raised his eyes and said unhappily, "You came to the movies alone and bought two cups of cola?"

Zhao Linsu said, "I have a good appetite."

Shen Yan: "..."

Shen Yan: "Then I drank one cup, what now?"

"Eighteen for one cup."

Shen Yan immediately took out his phone and transferred 18 yuan to him, plus the money for the movie ticket.

"Take it," Shen Yan urged.

Zhao Linsu walked forward, hugging the popcorn. "No hands."

Shen Yan took two more big gulps of cola, staring at his back. No hands? He probably has no heart!

The occupancy rate of the romance movie was surprisingly high. The two seats Zhao Linsu bought were far back. Sitting down, Shen Yan felt like he had lifted a rock only to drop it on his own foot.

The two girls were already interrogating him in the group chat.

【Liao Jing: The one you wanted to dissuade was the school hunk?】

【Ruomeng: Feels like dissuading the school hunk is a bit difficult...】

What exactly did Zhao Linsu say to these two? Even they had started using such melodramatic nicknames for Zhao Linsu.

【sy: No】

【sy: It was just a coincidence today】

【Liao Jing: Yeah, I believe you】

【Ruomeng: Yeah yeah, I believe you too】

Shen Yan: "..."

【sy: What did he say to you?】

【Liao Jing: Nothing much】

【Ruomeng: Pretty much the same as what he said to you】

【Ruomeng: He said what a coincidence ^_^】

【Ruomeng: You guys have such great chemistry】

Shen Yan: "..."

Enough.

The movie was boring. Shen Yan chewed on his straw, watching the male and female leads on the big screen trying to kill themselves for love, feeling no empathy at all, even wanting to yawn a bit.

It seemed like everyone who came to the movie had ulterior motives. He was tall and could clearly see the rows of couples cuddling in front.

The cinema seats were spacious. Shen Yan leaned slightly to the right, so no matter who or what was on his left, he wouldn't touch it.

So boring.

The sound of popcorn eating came from both sides.

Crunch, crunch.

Shen Yan regretted not buying a bucket of popcorn before coming in. At least he could have eaten something to pass the time.

It was all Zhao Linsu's fault, that damn guy. He came to the movies with girls, why did he have to join in?

Suppressing the urge to get up and leave, Shen Yan moved his waist.

Finally, there was movement beside him.

The back of his hand was lightly touched.

Shen Yan turned his head. Zhao Linsu's eyes were on the screen, and the popcorn bucket in his hand was the "culprit" that had just touched Shen Yan.

Shen Yan hesitated for a few seconds and grabbed a handful of popcorn.

It was quickly gone.

Shen Yan secretly glanced over.

Zhao Linsu stared straight at the movie screen, as if what was showing wasn't a cheesy teen romance but some masterpiece. His right hand holding the popcorn bucket tilted slightly to the right.

Shen Yan grabbed another handful.

A few minutes passed.

Shen Yan simply took the bucket of popcorn away.

Why bother with all that effort?

Zhao Linsu had this bad habit of eating a little bit of something and then not wanting any more. Shen Yan thought, I'm not wasting food, and happily started munching on the big bucket of popcorn.

Eyes that had been fixed on the screen quietly turned to his side.

The cinema was dark. Their seats were in the last few rows. The light from the front was too far away to clearly illuminate faces, vaguely outlining a profile that was happily eating.

Zhao Linsu slightly curved his lips and unobtrusively moved the cola on his left to his right.

The popcorn made his mouth dry. Shen Yan quickly finished his already almost empty cup of cola, making rustling sounds with the straw until he had to give up.

His hand instinctively reached to the side and bumped into a full, ice-cold cup of cola, making it wobble.

He looked at Zhao Linsu.

Zhao Linsu supported his face with one hand, his pupils reflecting the flickering light from the screen. He moved the fingers covering his lips and said softly towards Shen Yan, "I haven't drunk it."

Shen Yan: "..."

Eighteen for one cup, drunk is drunk!

After the movie ended, Shen Yan hadn't remembered any of the plot. He just thought the popcorn at this cinema was really delicious, with a very strong caramel flavor.

The lights came on. Zhao Linsu stood up first. He looked down at Shen Yan, who was still squinting sleepily while holding the empty bucket, and raised an eyebrow. "Good appetite."

Shen Yan: "..."

Don't be so sour, that's how real men are.

The crowd leaving the cinema was full of couples. Shen Yan mixed in with them, Zhao Linsu's presence surrounding him, sometimes near, sometimes far. That faint fragrance always involuntarily reminded him of that day...

Shen Yan frowned sharply and threw the trash in his hand into the bin at the entrance.

He and Zhao Linsu came out from the back of the cinema, earlier than the couples in the middle seats.

Shen Yan stood at the entrance, waiting for the two girls to come out.

Zhao Linsu stood beside him.

Shen Yan had both hands in his pockets, his lips moved, and he said in the noisy cinema, "The movie's over."

...Zhao Linsu should leave now.

"Do you guys have other plans?" Zhao Linsu asked.

Shen Yan didn't speak.

Was Zhao Linsu not very smart, or very perceptive, able to guess everything? Wasn't this enough to show his attitude?

A heat source lightly pressed against his back, the touch of firm muscle fleetingly close. Shen Yan heard Zhao Linsu say, "Shen Yan, do you want to go play basketball?"

The basketball court was nearby. Zhao Linsu hadn't driven, so the two of them walked over.

On the way, Shen Yan sent a message in the group chat.

【sy: Sorry for bothering you guys today, I won't disturb your date anymore】

【Liao Jing: You went on a date with the school hunk?】

【Ruomeng: Don't say that, he's straight, can't call it a date】

Shen Yan: Wanted to leave the group.

It had been a long time since he played basketball with Zhao Linsu.

Actually, in the beginning, Shen Yan always played basketball with Zhao Linsu. But after entering high school, Zhao Linsu basically stopped playing much. Shen Yan had hardly seen Zhao Linsu on the court.

Zhao Linsu was asking him to play basketball?

Did he need a beating?

The basketball court was private. Zhao Linsu rented it for two hours. While he was signing, Shen Yan laughed beside him, "Are you sure you want to solo with me?"

Zhao Linsu's eyebrow arched, he signed his name neatly, and glanced sideways. "Scared?"

"I won't go easy on you," Shen Yan said, determined to teach this unfilial son a lesson.

"Then don't go easy."

The court was empty, the temperature was turned up high. Shen Yan took off his coat, then his hoodie. He was wearing a light blue T-shirt underneath. When he took off his hoodie, it fluttered, revealing a section of his lean waist with defined abs.

Zhao Linsu also took off his coat.

Today, he was wearing a khaki-colored thin windbreaker with a black T-shirt underneath, making him look very tall and slender.

Shen Yan took a ball, dribbled it twice in place, then held it in his hand. He looked back from afar. "Zhao Linsu, it's not too late to admit defeat now."

Zhao Linsu smiled at him. "Come on."

Shen Yan jumped up and raised his hand directly.

The basketball swished through the hoop and bounced on the ground.

Shen Yan held up his index finger at Zhao Linsu. "Consider that my gift to you, one point."

Zhao Linsu still smiled faintly. Shen Yan took another ball from the hoop. Dribbling, he moved quickly towards Zhao Linsu. "Now it's for real!"

Zhao Linsu's basketball skills were terrible.

Just as bad as his gaming skills.

Whether it was defense or shooting, Shen Yan felt that if this guy went to the basketball team, he wouldn't even get a spot on the bench.

Shen Yan played basketball while leisurely teasing him.

"School hunk, where's that fierce attitude you had earlier?"

"I'm scared, I'm really scared, I'm afraid I'll make you cry."

"Zhao Linsu, how can you be so bad?"

After playing for almost half an hour, he had vented a lot of his inexplicable emotions. He loved this feeling of sweating. A relaxed smile naturally appeared on Shen Yan's face after his workout. After making another three-pointer, he jogged backward, laughing loudly at Zhao Linsu, sweat-soaked bangs falling across his forehead. "Wow, Zhao Linsu, I really thought you had some skills to dare to solo with me. Is that all you've got?"

Zhao Linsu's basketball skills were bad, but his stamina seemed very strong. After playing with Shen Yan for half an hour, he had only slightly broken a sweat, and the expression on his face was still relaxed. "Of course, I can't compare to the future hope of Chinese basketball."

Shen Yan "tsk"ed and gave Zhao Linsu a thumbs-down with both hands. "Trash talk is useless."

The two of them were separated by half the court. Zhao Linsu slightly bent over and suddenly said, "Shen Yan—"

An echo came from the empty court.

"I went to watch every one of your basketball games."

His footsteps suddenly stopped, his sneakers making a sharp screeching sound. The smile on Shen Yan's face froze.

Zhao Linsu was looking at him. They were too far apart for him to see Zhao Linsu's expression clearly, but he felt that Zhao Linsu's eyes were very bright.

His heart inexplicably sped up. Shen Yan slowly came back to his senses, his throat a little choked. He deliberately raised his voice and joked, "You little brat, secretly trying to learn from the master, huh?"

Zhao Linsu also smiled. "Yeah, wanted to learn how to fly."

Coming to the familiar banter, Shen Yan also laughed and took two steps back. "Get lost!"

Zhao Linsu picked up the basketball rolling on the ground. He raised his face and said to Shen Yan, "Shen Yan."

Shen Yan was rarely called his full name twice in a short period by Zhao Linsu. His footsteps stopped again, and he unconsciously felt a little flustered.

"I want to try."

Shen Yan was still dazed. "Try what?"

Zhao Linsu looked at him deeply, dribbled the ball, turned around, his black figure moved quickly, the sound of the ball "thump thump" hitting the ground, powerful and forceful, rapidly following his figure towards the hoop.

"Boom—"

The loud sound of the ball going in echoed in his ears. Shen Yan stared blankly at this scene, hardly daring to believe his eyes.

Long arms gripped the rim, veins bulging on his forearms. The slender figure in the black T-shirt swayed briefly before landing steadily. The basketball that had been dunked into the hoop bounced on the ground, rolling erratically towards Shen Yan.

Zhao Linsu turned around, facing Shen Yan's direction.

Shen Yan hadn't recovered yet.

The lights in the gymnasium shone brightly on the person under the hoop. A drop of sweat ran down his forehead, along his cheek, and down to his chin, swaying precariously.

His heart inexplicably sped up again. Shen Yan wanted to look away, but he seemed to be held captive, unable to move. It was his eyes, Zhao Linsu's bright eyes, that had captured his.

Shen Yan said, "How... how long have you been practicing?"

"Been practicing all along."

Whether it was Lego, games, or basketball, everything Shen Yan liked, he did. He thought that maybe this way, he could get a little closer to Shen Yan.

His chest felt slightly tight after the intense burst of energy, his arms numb and aching from the pull. Zhao Linsu smiled. "Teacher Shen, is this student okay?"

Shen Yan turned his face away.

His heart was still beating at an abnormal speed.

Damn it, why did he think this guy was so handsome?

No, this guy had always been handsome, but what did he care if he was handsome or not?!

With his hands on his hips, Shen Yan turned his face back, sweat beading on his flushed face. He said, "Don't ever use that 'is this okay?' line again, or I swear I'll beat you up."

Zhao Linsu chuckled. "Really?"

Shen Yan picked up the ball and threw it over. Zhao Linsu caught it.

"You try!"

"Wouldn't dare."

"Go take a shower, it's freaking hot—"

Shen Yan went back to get his hoodie and coat, glancing at Zhao Linsu, who was putting on his windbreaker. He said, "It's so cold, wear more clothes, will you? Do you think you look cool like that?"

Zhao Linsu's action of putting on his clothes paused slightly. He gently pulled down the hem of his windbreaker and said, "I'm not cold."

Shen Yan: "..."

Treating kindness like dirt, serves that damn guy right if he freezes to death.

Shen Yan walked out with a cold face. Zhao Linsu followed beside him and suddenly spoke, "Can I add a sweater tomorrow?"

"..."

"You might as well run naked tomorrow—"