Chapter 83

Jiang Chen intentionally left Nian Nian with his father-in-law and finally managed to come alone to date Shen Mingyou.

Time was short. After spending some time in the hotel room, Shen Mingyou changed clothes, and they planned to go out for a walk.

“You go out first, I’ll follow you later,” Jiang Chen said, putting on his cap and mask. “If we go out together, people might recognize us.”

Shen Mingyou: “…”

Seeing Jiang Chen enjoying the “secret boyfriend” game, Shen Mingyou had to leave the room early.

Jiang Chen waited a while, timed his exit, then opened the door and came out. He adjusted his hat to avoid being easily recognized and walked away.

As Jiang Chen turned around, he didn’t notice a door behind him opening.

Ji Wenlun, who had returned early from dinner with other actors because Shen Mingyou wasn’t there, saw a man leaving Shen Mingyou’s room. At first, he thought it might be a thief but quickly dismissed that idea. A thief wouldn’t dress in the latest fashion and come to a hotel to steal things.

Ji Wenlun wondered who this man was, who was sneaking around Shen Mingyou’s room.

** 

Jiang Chen and Shen Mingyou had plans. Jiang Chen had prepared a special outing. He wanted to do fun activities with Shen Mingyou, like holding hands, eating at street stalls, shopping, going to the cinema, and kissing in the dark.

They went to a small shopping mall with a cinema. After buying movie tickets, they walked around the mall.

The mall had some local specialty items. Shen Mingyou chose a few souvenirs, but Jiang Chen quickly paid for them.

“I’ll pay,” Jiang Chen said. Shen Mingyou was used to paying for things herself. When they were first married, Jiang Chen had given her a card with money for family expenses. But Shen Mingyou, being rich and used to her own money, never used it. Jiang Chen found it frustrating.

As her boyfriend, he felt just as frustrated that she wouldn’t spend his money. He decided he needed to teach her to spend his money more willingly.

While thinking, Jiang Chen noticed something in the corner.

He shook Shen Mingyou’s hand, pointing to a retro photo booth. It had a pink curtain and looked very girly.

Shen Mingyou asked: “You want to take pictures?”

Jiang Chen: “Yes, let’s take some photos.”

Though it seemed a bit old-fashioned, taking photos in a booth felt romantic and memorable. Jiang Chen was excited about it.

Shen Mingyou sighed slightly but went along with it.

Jiang Chen led her into a small photo booth for two people. The booth was self-service, with payment made by inserting coins.

After inserting the coins, the machine quickly took their photos. When they saw the results, Shen Mingyou laughed. Jiang Chen had taken all the photos with the same expression, not quite understanding how to use the photo booth.

“Why do you always use the same pose in photos like Nian Nian?” Shen Mingyou said, showing her own good-looking photo. 

“Let’s try again,” Jiang Chen said, inserting more coins. “I promise I’ll take a good shot this time.”

Soon, the machine started again.

Before Shen Mingyou could react, Jiang Chen kissed her on the lips. He smiled and said, “I think this is the right way for a couple to take photos.”

Shen Mingyou: “…”

While Shen Mingyou was marveling at Jiang Chen’s enthusiasm, he kissed her again.

The photo booth results were filled with various kisses. Shen Mingyou put all the photos in her bag, and they headed to the cinema.

They arrived just as the movie started, and the lights were off. They found their seats in the dark.

The movie they chose was a horror film.

Jiang Chen and Shen Mingyou were at a small cinema that could only show three or four movies, including two cartoons. The options were limited, so they both decided to watch a horror film.

Jiang Chen was actually excited. He thought Shen Mingyou might get scared and cuddle up to him, like in those TV shows where a girlfriend seeks comfort from her boyfriend. He whispered in her ear, “Hold me if you get scared later.”

Shen Mingyou gave him a strange look, “I’m not scared.”

Jiang Chen assumed she was just embarrassed, so he let it go and reminded himself to stay alert in case she needed him.

As the movie started and the plot developed, a terrifying scene popped up on the screen, accompanied by eerie music, filling the theater with screams.

Suddenly, Jiang Chen was hugged.

But it wasn’t Shen Mingyou. It was a little boy sitting on his other side!

Jiang Chen: “…”

The boy screamed, “Ah! Uncle, I’m so scared. It’s terrifying!”

Jiang Chen awkwardly tried to remove the boy’s grip, “Hey little one, maybe you should hug your dad instead?”

Glancing at Shen Mingyou, Jiang Chen noticed her amused smile. Clearly, she wasn’t afraid at all.

Wait, wasn’t she supposed to be scared of ghosts?

Shen Mingyou *was* afraid of ghosts, but not the ones on screen. Being an actress, she knew that the ghosts in movies were just special effects. That’s why horror movies didn’t bother her.

Meanwhile, the boy clung even tighter to Jiang Chen, wailing, “But my parents are scared too! They’re hugging each other and can’t help me!”

Jiang Chen suggested, “Maybe you should stop watching and go outside?”

“No way, I love horror movies! I don’t want to miss it,” the boy said, only to scream again as another spooky scene unfolded, hugging Jiang Chen even tighter, “Ah! Uncle, I’m so scared!”

Jiang Chen: “…”

It was both annoying and a bit funny.

When the movie ended, the boy thanked Jiang Chen, bowing politely, “Uncle, I felt safe hugging you. I wish I could hold you every time I watch a horror movie.”

Jiang Chen, who only wanted to be held by his girlfriend, was left speechless.

Shen Mingyou couldn’t hold back any longer and burst out laughing.

It was already late when they left the mall. The two walked hand in hand on a quiet road. It was autumn, and the ground was covered with yellow leaves, which made a rustling sound as they walked.

Jiang Chen’s appearance drew attention from passers-by now and then. His outfit was striking, while Shen Mingyou’s was quite the opposite—she wore a plain white sweatshirt, jeans, white sneakers, and a mask under her hoodie. Most people wouldn’t recognize her unless they looked closely.

In contrast, Jiang Chen looked like a celebrity, and some people even took sneaky photos of him with their phones.

But Jiang Chen always remembered that he was Shen Mingyou’s “secret boyfriend,” and no one could know about it. When he noticed people taking pictures, he pulled the hood of his sweatshirt over his baseball cap to hide his face.

Shen Mingyou smiled and teased him, “You’ve really become a big star now.”

Jiang Chen replied, “I’d rather be the boyfriend of a big star than a big star myself.”

“What’s the point of having a big star’s boyfriend if he can’t even escape being hugged by a little boy?”

Jiang Chen slid his fingers over her palm and whispered in her ear, “Tonight, I’ll show you if your boyfriend is useful or not.”

Shen Mingyou: “…”

Lost in their conversation, they didn’t notice two people not far behind them, secretly snapping photos.