Chapter 67
From the middle of the movie onwards, Lin Zheng didn’t take in a single thing—not what was happening, how the plot was developing, or where the two protagonists’ relationship was heading. His entire focus was on the hand that Gu Lin had completely enveloped in his own.
Gu Lin was tall with a large frame, and his hands were large, too—so large they could almost completely enclose Lin Zheng’s, from the back of his hand to his fingertips, all of it held within a warm palm.
The theater was dark, lit only by the flickering glow of the screen. As the scenes changed, the light brightened and dimmed. They were sitting near the back, in the second to last row, with only a few scattered people behind them. Everyone was focused on the movie; logically, no one would notice their clasped hands.
They didn’t have to worry about what others thought.
But even so, the searing heat on the back of his hand threw Lin Zheng’s thoughts into disarray.
He could ignore everyone else, but he couldn’t ignore the person beside him, or the large hand wrapped around his own.
“I’m very sure now.”
“What?”
The dialogue between the movie’s two leads came through the speakers.
On screen, the female lead stood on the opposite side of the road. The male lead held a black umbrella as he walked toward her. She clutched her own umbrella, her other hand nervously bunching the side of her dress, standing frozen, unsure of what to do.
When he reached her, the male lead lowered his black umbrella and ducked under her light-colored one, his smiling eyes fixed on her.
The man’s stare made her flustered, and she unnaturally averted her gaze. But contrary to the emotion on her face, the hand holding the umbrella moved closer to him, shielding the part of his suit that was getting wet.
The smile in the male lead’s eyes deepened.
“Don’t you want to know what I’m so sure about now?” he asked.
She said nothing.
He raised a hand to her face, cupping it to turn her towards him. Their gazes met, and in that instant, a certain emotion overflowed between them.
The male lead’s hand moved to the back of her head, drawing her closer as his lips met hers.
Her free hand grabbed his arm.
The space between them was compressed, leaving only a thick, palpable emotion.
As he watched, Lin Zheng felt Gu Lin’s fingers gently stroke the back of his hand twice.
The sensation of skin against skin became sharp and clear.
Lin Zheng watched the pair of lips joined on the screen, feeling as if he were watching himself, not someone else.
His face turned red without him even realizing.
The only difference was, after the two protagonists on screen separated, the hands of the two people outside the screen remained clasped together.
By the time the movie ended, it was already ten-thirty.
The film was two hours long. The first half was packed with dense comedic moments, while the latter half revealed the deep affection between the two protagonists that had been growing amidst the laughter.
When they came out of the cinema, the area outside was still bustling.
Light snow was still drifting down from the sky.
Lin Zheng had parked the car across from the cinema, in a lot outside a park.
It was about a five or six-minute walk.
They walked together, surrounded by many other couples.
“What did you think of the movie I picked? Did you like it?” Gu Lin was the first to speak.
“It was pretty good,” Lin Zheng said, playing along.
Though in reality, he hadn’t seen much of it.
“Mom, I’m so cold.”
“Be good, we’re almost home. Wear mommy’s coat for now.”
A mother and son walked by.
Lin Zheng watched them pass, then, as if remembering something, glanced at the person beside him. “Are you cold?”
Gu Lin shook his head.
Lin Zheng frowned, then took off the red scarf from his own neck and, without giving him a chance to object, wrapped it around Gu Lin’s.
“I’m not cold,” Gu Lin said, but he still bent down cooperatively to make it easier for Lin Zheng.
Lin Zheng carefully tied the scarf for him before saying, “What do you mean you’re not cold? Stop trying to fool me. You’re a patient, and patients are the most sensitive to cold.”
Gu Lin froze for a few seconds. A warm current flowed through his heart, and his voice softened. “Should I be glad I got sick?”
Gu Lin suddenly wanted to be “sick” for a few more days.
Lin Zheng made a few “pah pah pah” sounds. “Glad about what? Why would you want to be sick?”
He was counting on Gu Lin getting better quickly; it was the only way he could move forward with his plan. And here was Gu Lin, wanting to be sick for a few more days. Lin Zheng strongly suspected the fever had scrambled his brain.
Gu Lin tugged at the scarf around his neck and said honestly, “Although it’s uncomfortable to be sick, if I can get this kind of special treatment,” Gu Lin smiled, “being sick seems like a pretty good thing.”
Lin Zheng gave him a look of utter disbelief.
His eyes clearly said: Are you serious, bro?
As they spoke, they reached the car.
Just as Lin Zheng was about to get in, the person behind him stopped.
Noticing this, Lin Zheng turned to look at him.
The light from the streetlamp wasn’t too bright. The cool light outlined Gu Lin’s features, adding a touch of coldness to his face. But in contrast, it also perfectly highlighted the complex emotions in his eyes.
Gu Lin’s gaze made Lin Zheng feel shy.
“Before we go back, want to go for a walk?” After a moment, Gu Lin spoke.
Lin Zheng thought for a moment, then closed the car door he had just opened. He stuffed both hands into his pockets. “Sure. It’s too early to sleep anyway.”
A very faint arc appeared on Gu Lin’s lips.
They went up the steps and into the park.
There was a small path in the park, lined with flowers on both sides. In the spring, this place became the most scenic spot. They walked along the stone-paved path, following the route forward.
Without his scarf, the cold air slipped through the gap in his collar and into his clothes, making him shiver. He quickly raised his hand to button the top of his coat.
After he finished, he lowered his hand.
His fingertips were then gently caught by a few fingers.
Lin Zheng’s fingers froze.
Then, those fingers slid between his, moving up to entwine with his entire hand.
Gu Lin held his hand and put it into his coat pocket.
The warmth from their touching palms chased away the chill from Lin Zheng’s body and even raised his temperature by several degrees.
The only sounds were the quiet wind and the faint crunch of their shoes on the ground. Every sensation became heightened.
As they walked deeper into the park, Lin Zheng could even hear the playful banter of several couples.
He could only hear their voices, not see them.
He began to understand why this place was a famous spot for couples.
After walking further, there was no one else around.
Gu Lin suddenly stopped, turned his head to look at him, and said, “Did you know, before this park was built, there used to be a building here where people often died.”
The surroundings were already eerily quiet, the old streetlights weren’t very bright, and the wind carried a chill. Lin Zheng’s nerves tensed up. He looked at Gu Lin. “Don’t scare me.”
“I’m not. It’s true. You don’t believe me?” Gu Lin pointed to a small mound of dirt not far ahead. “See that? Who knows, there might be a body buried at the bottom of that.”
Lin Zheng looked at the mound, which indeed seemed out of place with the surrounding scenery. The hair on his arms stood on end, and he instinctively shrank back.
Gu Lin leaned closer to him. “But, I’m here, so it’s okay.”
Gu Lin looked at him and said seriously, “So, don’t be afraid. If it really dares to pop out, I’ll definitely…”
Lin Zheng waited for Gu Lin to finish.
Gu Lin suddenly smiled. “…be the first to run.”
Lin Zheng: “…”
He had never been so speechless in his life.
Lin Zheng shot Gu Lin a sideways glance, annoyed, and was about to walk ahead of him, but he had only taken half a step when he realized his hand was still in Gu Lin’s pocket.
He tried to pull it out, but couldn’t.
He was met with Gu Lin’s smiling eyes.
What was there to be afraid of ghosts for? Lin Zheng was so annoyed he wasn’t afraid of anything anymore.
“What’s that behind you?”
“!!”
As soon as Gu Lin spoke, Lin Zheng whipped around and threw himself at him, muttering, “What? What is it?!”
It was shameful, but Lin Zheng was indeed afraid of ghosts.
Gu Lin raised a hand and placed it on Lin Zheng’s back, patting it gently, the smile in his eyes deepening. “It’s nothing. Don’t be afraid. If you don’t look, it’s fine.”
Lin Zheng shouted, “What ghost? What do you mean it’s fine if I don’t look? What is that thing behind me?!”
Gu Lin lowered his head, his mouth close to his ear. “Do you really want to know what it is?”
Lin Zheng thought for a moment. “No, no, better not say it.”
Gu Lin’s lips moved even closer to Lin Zheng, his deep voice right by his ear. “Or… I could just tell you.”
Lin Zheng shook his head. “Don’t say it, don’t say anything!”
Gu Lin said mischievously, “That thing is…”
Lin Zheng raised his voice. “Shut up!”
Just as he finished speaking, a pair of soft lips pressed against his cheek.
Lin Zheng froze.
He didn’t dare to move.
The lips lingered on his cheek for a moment before pulling back slightly. The warm breath still lingered by his face, accompanied by a very soft, airy sound. “There’s nothing there. I just… wanted to kiss you.”
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