ACBNHTS Chapter 44

Chapter 44: Mental Illness (Two-in-One)

Sheng Yiguang’s eyes flickered, realizing that Pei Du had sensed his emotions, and he quickly added, “It’s just that you remember every year.”

Pei Du’s slightly furrowed brows relaxed, and he couldn’t suppress his smile. “You’re making me look forward to every New Year. I can’t wait to fast-forward and see what kind of surprise you’ll give me each year. But at the same time, I hate to waste the time I have with you, and I want to savor it slowly.”

“Let’s take it slow. I don’t want to rush either.”

Pei Du’s heart was unbelievably soft, and he wished he could swallow Sheng Yiguang whole.

He looked so aloof and detached.

How could he be so soft?

Pei Du knew the answer: his damn family.

Pei Du kissed him, his voice low and husky, “It’s New Year’s, and you’re giving me the royal treatment. Did you look at yourself when you put it on?”

“Mm…”

“What does ‘mm’ mean? Did you look, or didn’t you?”

Sheng Yiguang wanted to burrow into the covers and hide. He closed his eyes, a look of resignation on his face. “I looked.”

“Were you captivated by yourself?”

“…I didn’t dare to look too much. Even if I did, I wouldn’t be.” He wasn’t that narcissistic.

“Then let’s look together?”

“…” Sheng Yiguang played dead.

Pei Du lifted Sheng Yiguang’s chin and smiled wickedly in his ear. “Why are your eyes closed?”

Sheng Yiguang simply buried himself in Pei Du’s shoulder, refusing to acknowledge him.

Pei Du chuckled, “Were you careful when you put it on? Your skin is so delicate. Did it chafe?”

“No, I was careful.”

“I’ll be careful too.”

“Mm.”

…

The biggest difference between high-end residential areas and older neighborhoods on the first day of the Lunar New Year is that no one sets off firecrackers.

Sheng Yiguang was able to sleep until the sun was high in the sky, and even Sheng Tong didn’t come to bother him.

As a result, Sheng Yiguang felt a little disoriented when he woke up.

It felt like just a normal day.

Just like the first day of the Lunar New Year in the two years after he and Pei Du broke up.

Quiet, ordinary.

It was hard to believe it was the first day of the Lunar New Year.

But as soon as he opened the door.

The living room was full of festive red decorations, and Sheng Tong, dressed like a little lion from a lion dance, was darting around the room.

“Sheng Yiguang, you’re awake? Pei Du said he’s taking me to the street to play and see a movie! We’re just waiting for you to get up!”

“Where’s Pei Du?”

“In the kitchen.”

“I’ll get ready then.”

Sheng Yiguang said he was getting ready, but he quickly walked to the kitchen to see Pei Du inside before going to wash up. After washing up, Pei Du came out carrying dumplings.

After the three of them finished eating dumplings, Pei Du drove them to a large shopping mall.

The shopping mall was bustling with activity, especially the cinema. The line for ticket checking was very long. After finally getting inside, they still had to wait in line to enter the theater.

The huge theater was packed.

They chose an animated movie that kids would like. Sheng Yiguang wasn’t particularly interested in the first place, especially with the comments scrolling across the screen.

Comments: [Different worlds, same New Year situation]

[Me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, I’m weak, pitiful, and helpless me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me]

[OMG! The sense of a family of three! I don’t want to see them. Can you fast-forward to our Little Wen’s channel?]

[Not really, the “white moonlight” strategy doesn’t allow Pei Du to speak too harshly to Little Wen. They haven’t interacted much yet, but soon, there’s a summit after the New Year where Little Wen and Pei Du will meet!]

[I know, I know, there was trouble at the summit. The Pei family is too ruthless in their power struggle! They’ll do anything!]

[Off-topic, this movie is good! I really like it!]

[Get back on topic! In this dim theater, the white moonlight is definitely going to try to seduce him! So many movie theater tropes]

[Grabbing popcorn]

[Too dark, accidentally drank the other person’s drink]

[Too scary, burrowed into someone’s arms, or grabbed their hand]

[Classic, so classic!]

…

Pei family?

Summit?

After Sheng Yiguang noted these two keywords, he slowly looked at Pei Du’s casually placed hand in the darkness.

Animation, not a horror movie, pretending to be scared and grabbing wouldn’t be realistic.

They also didn’t buy popcorn.

Drinks…

Were on the other side.

He couldn’t reach.

Were there no other tricks?

Before Sheng Yiguang could think of a solution, Pei Du turned to him. “Why are you staring at my hand?”

Sheng Yiguang didn’t expect Pei Du to notice in such darkness. His face flushed, and he started to make something up. “The villain is scary.”

Pei Du chuckled. “So?”

“Can you give me your hand?”

Pei Du’s voice was lazy, sounding a bit smug. “Sheng Yiguang, are you this eager for me?”

Sheng Yiguang nodded. “Mm.”

Pei Du reached out and took Sheng Yiguang’s hand, a half-smile on his face. “Although I said yesterday that you need to have a sense of urgency, you don’t have to be this… like a wolf or tiger.”

He could even make up the thing about the villain being scary.

Sheng Yiguang’s face was a little hot.

Pei Du looked at him meaningfully. “What other tricks do you have? Show them all to me at once so I can see.”

Sheng Yiguang looked at the distant drink, at Pei Du’s hand already in his, and glanced back at the audience in the three rows behind him.

Everyone was intently watching the movie.

Sheng Yiguang: “You said it.”

Pei Du raised his eyebrows.

The next second, Sheng Yiguang, with lightning speed, bumped his lips onto Pei Du’s, making a “thump” sound that could be heard, and then quickly retreated.

As if nothing had happened, he continued watching the movie.

Except, his lips hurt from the impact.

Pei Du looked at Sheng Yiguang for a while, unable to hold back a “pfft” of laughter, covering his mouth with his hand and shaking with laughter.

After laughing enough, he slowly opened his mouth. “So brave? Between last night and today, you… you’re really impressing me. You don’t even seem like yourself. Who taught you?”

Sheng Yiguang: “…”

The comments.

He couldn’t tell Pei Du that, of course.

Sheng Yiguang only said, “I learned it from you.”

“Learned it from me? When? What year? How many years ago? Besides our first kiss, have I ever bumped your teeth? Don’t try to put the blame on me.”

“…”

“Hey, babe, let’s make a deal.” Pei Du slowly leaned towards Sheng Yiguang, his tone leisurely. “Be gentle, okay? It hurts, you know.”

Sheng Yiguang stared straight ahead at the big screen, answering Pei Du, appearing very calm on the surface. “Mm, I’ll improve next time.”

“No next time. I can’t take you bumping into me like that. Let me inspect it now.”

“…”

Sheng Yiguang slowly turned his head, cautiously glancing at the three rows behind him.

Pei Du was going crazy trying to hold back his laughter.

This was clearly a well-behaved boy who didn’t do bad things often.

Those who had been doing bad things in class behind the teacher’s back for years knew.

Before doing something bad, you can’t cautiously observe the “enemy situation” like that. It’s no different from sending the signal “I’m about to do something bad.”

After Sheng Yiguang looked around, he quickly pecked Pei Du’s lips like a dragonfly skimming the water, and then leaned back in his chair as if nothing had happened.

Nothing happened.

Pei Du couldn’t suppress the corners of his mouth. “I think I understand now. Your main tactic for pursuing someone is taking advantage of them.”

Sheng Yiguang couldn’t really refute that, but he still tried to salvage his reputation. “…You let me kiss you.”

Pei Du’s tone was leisurely, changing his words. “You’re taking advantage of people in every possible way, and I even fell for it.”

“…”

“Pretty good way to pursue someone, without suffering any losses.”

“…”

Sheng Yiguang’s face was hot, and he pinched Pei Du.

Pei Du let him pinch, chuckling softly.

In the last row, Jin Zhi stared in disbelief at everything that was happening in front of him.

He couldn’t believe that the upright gentleman who stood at the conference table, as pure and cool as the moon, would do something like kissing someone in a movie theater.

Twice!

The second time even seemed like Pei Du had ordered it.

He didn’t know what Pei Du was saying to him with a smile, but he looked at Pei Du and then slowly nodded. Pei Du pinched his nose, took his hand, and put it in his own pocket.

The look Pei Du gave him was overflowing with tenderness.

Sheng Yiguang looked…

Very well-behaved.

–

The eighth day of the Lunar New Year was the official start of work.

Sheng Yiguang continued to push forward with the project meeting.

Pei Du was invited to a financial summit in Lingang, where he would give a speech.

Sheng Yiguang remembered the summit mentioned in the comments and asked Pei Du for a ticket. After entering, he handed the ticket to the staff and was led to the front row.

He looked around for a long time but didn’t see Wen Heng, nor could he see any signs of chaos breaking out.

He did see Jin Zhi.

After sending the “Happy New Year” message, they hadn’t contacted each other at all.

Jin Zhi looked more mature than before the New Year.

His suit was well-fitting, and the tuft of pink hair had been dyed back to its original color.

He walked over and sat down next to Sheng Yiguang. “You came too? Pei Du gave you the ticket?”

“Mm.”

Jin Zhi tugged at his sleeve. “Are you two together?”

“No, I’m pursuing him.”

Jin Zhi choked on those words.

Pursuing?

They even kissed in the movie theater the other day.

And it’s just pursuing?

“Is Pei Du playing with you?”

Sheng Yiguang was displeased. “He’s not that kind of person.”

Since they were students, Pei Du had rejected any confession decisively.

He even taught him to do the same.

Otherwise, it would be too scummy.

Jin Zhi looked at Sheng Yiguang like he was a fool willingly jumping into the river of love, wanting to drown in it.

“What do you like about him?”

Sheng Yiguang’s voice was particularly cold. “If you’re here to persuade me to give up on Pei Du for Wen Heng, then you can get lost.”

Jin Zhi felt hurt.

What kind of attitude was that?

Why did only Pei Du get a good attitude from Sheng Yiguang?

“Do you know that Pei Du he…” Remembering what Uncle Qian said last time, Jin Zhi swallowed the words back. “I’m not here for anyone. I just want to tell you that he might not be suitable for you anymore!”

If he wasn’t suitable for him, then he was suitable for Wen Heng?

Sheng Yiguang’s tone was stiff. “How is that any of your business?”

“…”

Sheng Yiguang looked at the chair Jin Zhi was sitting in. “Is this your seat?”

Jin Zhi got up and left in anger.

Soon after, the summit began.

Pei Du was the first speaker. He walked confidently to the microphone in a suit. For a moment, Sheng Yiguang felt like he was seeing Pei Du from his graduation year.

From the blond-haired kid in high school to the top student, Pei Du.

Full of spirit.

The principal invited Pei Du to give a speech to the soon-to-be senior high school students to boost morale.