Chapter 14: 13. Movie

After Vein had recovered from his fever, Xia Fei suggested they take a much-needed break from their busy schedules. They’d been caught up in work for far too long, and a day off was just what they needed.

“Let’s go to the cinema,” Xia Fei suggested one evening as they were sitting at the dining table in the penthouse. “We’ve been working nonstop, so how about a movie?”

Vein didn’t immediately reply, but after a moment of thought, he shrugged. “Sure. What kind of movie are you in the mood for?”

Xia Fei’s face lit up. “I was thinking of something lighthearted. Maybe a romance. We can just relax for once.”

Vein raised an eyebrow. “Romance, huh? You sure you don’t want something more exciting? How about a thriller?”

Xia Fei’s eyes widened at the suggestion. He knew exactly what kind of thriller Vein had in mind—something dark, full of suspense, and likely to give him nightmares. The memories of the stalker incident were still fresh in his mind, and that kind of genre was the last thing he wanted.

“Not a chance,” Xia Fei quickly replied, shaking his head. “I’m still recovering from your real-life thriller. No way I’m watching something that’ll remind me of that.”

Vein chuckled at his response. “Fair enough. I suppose a romantic comedy then?”

Xia Fei grinned. “Yes! A feel-good, happy-ending kind of movie. Perfect for today.”

After some discussion, they decided to go to a cozy café near the cinema to grab a drink and chat about which movie they wanted to watch. The place had a relaxed, cozy atmosphere, with soft lighting and the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. They settled into a corner booth, each with a warm drink in hand.

“So, you’re really not interested in thrillers?” Vein asked, raising his mug.

Xia Fei gave a slight grimace. “Not right now. Besides, I’m not the biggest fan of them to begin with. They’re a little too... intense for me. I like a good story, but I don’t need my heart racing the entire time.”

Vein smirked. “I suppose you’re right. Some of those movies do get a little... much.”

Xia Fei leaned back in his seat, feeling more relaxed as the conversation shifted away from thrillers. “Yeah, I just want something easy to watch. Something that’ll make me laugh and not give me a headache afterward.”

They debated a bit longer, discussing which romantic movie to pick. Finally, Xia Fei settled on a popular romantic comedy he’d heard good things about. It was lighthearted, with some funny moments, and not too heavy. Vein didn’t mind, as long as it wasn’t a thriller.

After a bit more conversation about movies, Xia Fei realized that this—spending time together with Vein, talking about random things—was oddly peaceful. He didn’t have to worry about anything for once. There was no hidden agenda, no complex missions or dangerous situations. Just two people enjoying a break from the world.

When they arrived at the cinema, Xia Fei bought the tickets, and they walked in to find their seats. The theater was nearly empty, giving them the perfect opportunity to relax. They settled into the plush seats and waited for the movie to start.

“Ready for a good laugh?” Xia Fei asked, a teasing smile on his face.

Vein gave a casual nod. “As long as it’s not too cheesy.”

“I’m pretty sure you’re going to enjoy it,” Xia Fei replied with confidence.

The movie started, and Xia Fei quickly lost himself in the story. The lighthearted humor, the awkward romance, and the quirky characters made him smile. It was exactly what he needed—an escape from everything.

However, a few scenes into the movie, things started to take an unexpected turn. The plot took a more intense romantic direction, and suddenly, a passionate, intimate scene unfolded on the screen. Xia Fei shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his face flushing as the scene played out in vivid detail.

He glanced at Vein out of the corner of his eye, expecting him to be indifferent or distracted by something else. But to his surprise, Vein was watching the screen intently, his expression unreadable.

Xia Fei coughed nervously and tried to focus on the rest of the movie. He wasn’t sure if it was the sudden heat of the moment or just the tension between him and Vein, but he could feel his cheeks growing warmer with every passing second.

Vein, however, noticed. A slow smirk spread across his face as he turned to Xia Fei. “So,” he said in a low voice, teasing, “did you pick this movie because you enjoy... this kind of thing?”

Xia Fei’s eyes widened in shock, and he quickly turned his head, his face now fully red. “I-I didn’t know it would be like this!” he stammered, unable to control the panic that crept into his voice. “It was supposed to be a rom-com!”

Vein chuckled softly, clearly enjoying Xia Fei’s discomfort. “Right. A rom-com. But it looks like you have a thing for the steamy scenes, huh?”

“I don’t!” Xia Fei sputtered, feeling completely caught off guard. “I swear, I didn’t pick it for that! I thought it was a cute, funny movie.”

Vein leaned back in his chair, his smirk widening. “Sure, sure. I believe you.”

Xia Fei slumped down in his seat, trying to disappear into it as the scene on the screen continued. He wasn’t sure why he felt so flustered, but the teasing wasn’t helping. With each passing moment, he was more and more aware of Vein sitting next to him, and his casual, yet intense presence made everything more awkward.

The scene finally passed, and the movie moved on, but Xia Fei couldn’t shake the feeling of embarrassment that clung to him. He wanted to crawl under the seat and disappear for a while, but Vein’s amused glances kept him rooted in place.

When the movie finally ended, Xia Fei stood up quickly, eager to leave the theater and put the awkwardness behind him. “Let’s get out of here,” he muttered, gathering his things in a hurry.

Vein followed, still grinning. “You sure you don’t want to talk about it more?”

Xia Fei shot him a glare, though his cheeks were still flushed. “Not a chance. Let’s just get some food.”

They left the theater and decided to head to an Italian restaurant that Xia Fei had always wanted to try. The soft lighting and the smell of freshly baked pizza and pasta greeted them as they entered. It was a cozy spot, perfect for winding down after the awkwardness of the movie.

Sitting down at a table, Xia Fei finally let out a deep breath and relaxed. The tension had lifted, and he was able to enjoy the warmth of the restaurant and the comforting scent of food. He was still a little flustered from the movie, but at least Vein wasn’t teasing him anymore.

“Thanks for coming out with me today,” Xia Fei said, his voice a little quieter now.

Vein looked at him, his expression softening slightly. “Anytime. You needed a break, and so did I. We should do this more often.”

Xia Fei smiled and nodded. It had been a strange day, but a good one. He wasn’t sure what would come next between them, but for now, he was content with the quiet moments they shared.

As they finished their meal and the night grew deeper, Xia Fei realized that maybe, just maybe, there was more to his connection with Vein than he had first thought. But for now, he could simply enjoy the moment, the food, and the company of someone who, despite everything, was becoming more important to him than he cared to admit.