They were seated in the second-to-last row. As more and more people filled the seats, the lights dimmed. The movie began.
After focusing intently for five minutes, Tong Sui found his attention drifting. The movie’s pacing was slow, and it felt as if the characters were without mouths; what could easily be explained became a rather cliched misunderstanding.
In the moments between scenes, he heard sounds coming from a couple not far away. The noises were ambiguous and sticky, originating from a couple seated to their left who were already wrapped up in each other.
Tong Sui stole a glance and saw the two were already in each other’s arms.
“…” He was relieved to have bought some snacks; he pulled his gaze away and started munching on some popcorn, trying to ease the awkwardness.
“Is it good?” Ye Lin Yuan whispered.
Startled, Tong Sui brought his attention back and nodded, pushing the whole bucket of popcorn toward him. “Want to try?”
Ye Lin Yuan lowered his head, firmly gripping Tong Sui’s wrist, his touch warm. Tong Sui trembled slightly, his heart racing. Fortunately, he only leaned forward to take a piece of popcorn from the tip of Tong Sui’s fingers.
Tong Sui’s tense body loosened a little, but in the dim light, no one could see his flushed cheeks and ears.
The movie itself was rather dull. Tong Sui discreetly glanced around the auditorium. Although he couldn’t see any cameras, being close to so many people made him feel he might die of embarrassment if he did anything intimate.
He deliberately ignored the surrounding sounds and refocused on the film, casually commenting, “The two leads actually seem pretty compatible.”
Ye Lin Yuan replied, “That character is the villain.”
“Ah.” Tong Sui quickly looked again and indeed saw the character on the right push the lead character down the stairs.
Tong Sui: “…”
For the next hour, they endured various suggestive noises coming from all directions, while mindlessly watching the whole movie until the end.
It wasn’t until the credits rolled that Tong Sui let out a breath of relief.
Once the lights came back on, Ye Lin Yuan tidied up the trash and took hold of his hand.
Tong Sui was momentarily stunned; although there was no one around, staff could enter at any moment.
He felt anxious and attempted to retract his hand, whispering, “Ye Lin Yuan, what are you doing?”
Warm breath brushed against his ear as he tightened his grip on Tong Sui’s wrist, murmuring, “Don’t move.”
Tong Sui obediently froze.
The tips of Ye Lin Yuan’s fingers, wrapped in caramelized popcorn crumbs, emitted a faintly sweet fragrance.
Ye Lin Yuan’s eyes were deep and intense. If Tong Sui hadn’t been blushing so much he wanted to hide, he would have opened his mouth to clean his fingers, but instead, he just leaned in, subtly inhaling.
The warmth spread from his fingertips, making Tong Sui feel as if his palm was burning.
Ye Lin Yuan pulled out a wet wipe he had prepared in advance, the scent of light alcohol wafting through the air.
The cool touch against Tong Sui’s fingers was refreshing.
He carefully wiped Tong Sui’s fingers clean, even attending to the crevices.
Holding Tong Sui’s pale hands, still in a daze, Ye Lin Yuan pulled him up and said, “Let’s go.”
They exited the mall. After spending so much time eating and watching the movie, Ye Lin Yuan suggested, “Shall we just walk around?”
Tong Sui nodded.
The night breeze brushed against their faces, alleviating some of the heat, but Tong Sui’s freshly cleaned hands continued to feel strangely warm.
They walked along the roadside, the bustling noise fading further behind them. The willow trees lining the pathway reflected beautifully in the lake, the water rippling in the wind, with the moonlight flickering intermittently.
Perhaps because this place was so secluded, only their footsteps could be heard.
Tong Sui’s pace slowly slowed.
Beneath a tree, Ye Lin Yuan held his hand and suddenly asked, “Can I kiss you here?”
Surrounded by quietness, with only the faint sound of insects buzzing, it was hard to imagine the lively commercial square nearby.
Tong Sui lowered his eyelashes and nodded.
Ye Lin Yuan cupped his face with one hand, leaning down to kiss him deeply, his tongue sneaking in through the unguarded gap of Tong Sui’s lips, fevered and strong.
Tong Sui found himself pressed against a rough tree trunk, its uneven texture rubbing against his delicate skin through their clothes.
Beneath the swaying branches, the light fragmented into blurry spots, and their connected palms were inseparable, their body heat mingling.
Tong Sui’s eyelashes fluttered as he swallowed hard, the sounds escaping him ringing in his ears, intensely embarrassing him.
As Ye Lin Yuan’s lips left him, he leaned back against the only support behind him, panting.
The moonlight poured onto his long, pale neck, and he gasped, his lips red like a juicy berry.
Ye Lin Yuan’s eyes were dark and complex as he quietly leaned in, his voice raspy. “Baby, you’re so cute.”
His voice was deep, adding an air of mystery to the night, clearly echoing in Tong Sui’s ears, sending shivers down his spine.
Tong Sui replied, “…Don’t call me that.”
“Don’t you like it?”
Ye Lin Yuan nuzzled against the sensitive skin behind Tong Sui’s ear, his voice muffled like a little dog wanting to be close. “What do you like me to call you? Sui Sui or Baby?”
Each of his words landed on Tong Sui’s fragile heart, tinged with sweetness. Tong Sui’s face flushed as he interrupted, “Alright, stop talking.”
“But you haven’t told me which name you prefer.”
Ye Lin Yuan’s tone seemed slightly hurt, or perhaps it was just Tong Sui’s imagination as he met his intense, smoldering gaze.
Tong Sui turned his face slightly and mumbled, “Forget it, call me whatever you wish.”
Ye Lin Yuan’s lips curled into a grin, playfully nibbling on his earlobe, his rough fingertips sliding through Tong Sui’s soft hair, filled with a triumphant laughter, “Sui Sui Baby.”