Someone Else's Boyfriend

Bin Hai City's nights were lit everywhere by dazzling neon. In the taxi, Xiao Yu leaned against Chen Mo's shoulder. Soft, slow music drifted into their ears, mingling with the roar of engines in the traffic around them, lending a touch of tranquility to the bustle.

Chen Mo looked at Xiao Yu's tired face and felt a pang of heartache. She had not slept for two days, yet she still wanted to go out. But Xiao Yu had insisted, and Chen Mo could not refuse her.

"Where are we going later?" Chen Mo asked.

"To the beach."

"No." Chen Mo immediately refused. "It's winter now, and the sea breeze is so strong. You're not well enough for that. Let's go to the cinema instead, watch a movie, and get some rest."

"Mm, your call."

Xiao Yu nodded gently and yawned. Her eyes were already bloodshot, and she looked completely drained, nothing like the lively Xiao Yu she used to be.

"You're this exhausted and still came out?"

"Not being able to sleep is miserable. I want to study, but I can't focus. What else can I do?" Xiao Yu said.

"Were you like this whenever you had insomnia before?" Chen Mo asked.

"Sometimes. But last time, I found a way not to have insomnia."

Xiao Yu narrowed her eyes and smiled. A faint blush rose to her cheeks, hidden by the night, but she looked a little more energetic.

"What way?"

"Not telling you." Xiao Yu smiled and turned to look out the window. "Chen Mo, do you think I look especially ugly now, all listless like this? Are you sick of me?"

"No, absolutely not."

Chen Mo immediately shook his head. The conversation had changed direction so fast that he had nearly failed to keep up. "In my heart, you're beautiful no matter when."

As soon as Chen Mo finished speaking, even the taxi seemed to wobble. The driver in front struggled not to laugh, then glanced at them through the rearview mirror with an odd expression.

"Don't be so mushy." Xiao Yu burst into laughter, her face flushing red.

They did not speak for the rest of the ride. Xiao Yu leaned against Chen Mo's shoulder, occasionally lifting her head to look at the scenery outside. Before long, they arrived outside the commercial plaza.

Seeing how exhausted Xiao Yu was, Chen Mo did not take her shopping. He brought her straight to buy movie tickets.

"What are we watching?"

"My Sassy Girl, a romantic comedy. Theater Three, Couples' Hall." Chen Mo handed the ticket to Xiao Yu and casually placed the snacks in her arms as well.

"Are you saying I'm sassy?" Xiao Yu pulled a long face, looking unhappy.

"Of course not. My Xiao Yu is smart and well-behaved." Chen Mo smiled.

"Who's your Xiao Yu?" Xiao Yu shot him a glare, hugged the snacks, and followed closely behind Chen Mo into the theater.

"What's the movie about?"

As soon as Xiao Yu sat down, she began eating the snacks in her arms while waiting for the movie to start.

"A spoiled rich girl gets into an argument with her family and runs away from home. Then her wallet and phone get stolen. She has no money for food, refuses to go home, and eventually collapses in the street from hunger and exhaustion. A poor guy passing by saves her, but this willful rich girl ends up clinging to him, and they begin a hilarious romantic journey."

"What about the ending?" Xiao Yu asked.

"I don't know either." Chen Mo shrugged.

The two chatted for a while. Before long, the lights in the theater went out, and the entire room quieted down. Xiao Yu hugged her snacks, rested her head on Chen Mo's shoulder, and relaxed.

The hour-and-a-half-long movie passed quickly. When the theater lights came back on, Chen Mo saw that Xiao Yu had fallen asleep against him and did not know whether to laugh or cry.

The movie had been so loud, and there had been soft laughter all around them. Yet Xiao Yu had still managed to fall asleep in all that noise. It was clear that two days without proper rest had completely worn her out.

These past two days, he had been busy researching the Chinese Character Programming Language. Xiao Yu had been the one bringing him meals, but he had not noticed what condition she was in. His heart ached slightly for her.

Chen Mo did not wake Xiao Yu. After taking the snacks from her hands, he gently lifted her into his arms.

When the surrounding couples saw Chen Mo carrying Xiao Yu in a princess carry, they froze. Ignoring the strange looks all around him, he carried Xiao Yu away from their seats.

"Look at someone else's boyfriend." Behind Chen Mo, a slightly chubby girl spoke to her boyfriend beside her.

"She's asleep. You're not asleep." The skinny, frail-looking boy glanced at his girlfriend, who was a full size bigger than him, and laughed bitterly to himself.

"Then if I fall asleep, will you carry me?"

"I will, of course I will."

"Then next time we come to the movies, I'll sleep too. You have to carry me." The slightly chubby girl smiled.

Her words made the skinny boy shudder. On the verge of tears, he looked at his girlfriend, who was a full size bigger than him, and silently swore that he would never come to the movies on a date again.

Chen Mo carried Xiao Yu out of the commercial plaza.

Quite a few people on the road gave them strange looks, but Chen Mo could only grit his teeth and carry Xiao Yu away quickly. They were showing off their affection so openly that, at this rate, he might get beaten up.

Only when they returned to the entrance of their rented apartment did Chen Mo finally let out a breath.

Back in the taxi, the driver had given them an especially suggestive look. He had even worn an expression that said, I get it.

"Put me down." Just as Chen Mo was about to look for his keys and unlock the door, Xiao Yu suddenly spoke from his arms.

"You're awake?"

"I woke up ages ago." Xiao Yu said with a red face. "I woke up when we got a taxi at the plaza."

"Then why didn't you say anything?"

"You didn't ask. I just wanted to see when you would wake me up, but you never did." Xiao Yu smiled.

That answer nearly made Chen Mo cough up blood. Could he even ask? How was he supposed to ask? Still, seeing that Xiao Yu seemed a little more energetic, he felt somewhat relieved.

"I'm going to shower."

Thinking about how they would be sleeping together again tonight, a faint shyness appeared on Xiao Yu's face. She took the clothes she had left here last time from the wardrobe and walked into the bathroom.

Not long after, Xiao Yu came out wearing the same spaghetti-strap nightgown from last time. She looked far more energetic.

"Go take a shower already. You're covered in sweat." Seeing Chen Mo staring at her so intently, Xiao Yu's face reddened slightly, and she unconsciously tugged at the hem of her nightgown.

"Okay."

Chen Mo nodded. He knew it would be another difficult night. But he was happy too. Xiao Yu had chosen to stay here on her own this time. He was one step closer to keeping her by his side for good.

After showering, Chen Mo returned to the room to find Xiao Yu already lying under the covers and playing with her phone.

"You're this tired, so why aren't you sleeping earlier?"

Chen Mo snatched Xiao Yu's phone away, set it aside, and turned off the light. The moment he lay down, Xiao Yu burrowed into his arms.

"What are you doing?"

"My body isn't convenient right now, so you can't touch me." Xiao Yu's shy voice came from the darkness.

"Then why are you doing this?"

"I've had insomnia lately. Last time, I discovered that I sleep really soundly in your arms and don't get insomnia, so I came back with you tonight." Xiao Yu said, "I'm still very sleepy."

"You win. As long as you can sleep soundly, you can do whatever you want. Why not move out? Then you wouldn't have insomnia." Chen Mo said.

"In your dreams. Keep letting your imagination run wild, and the surprise I have for you will be delayed again."

"No, I was wrong. Can you tell me what the surprise is?"

"If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise anymore."

The two chatted beneath the covers. Before long, Chen Mo heard Xiao Yu's soft, faint breathing. She had to be exhausted for her breathing to be so light.

Chen Mo adjusted his position, held her in his arms, and fell asleep as well.