TSDT - 32

With the small table separating them, Meng Jingshu had no choice but to use his own blanket.

The deep blue night sky and castle of Disney appeared at the beginning of the movie, and light, ethereal music began to play. The cinema atmosphere immediately set in, and the mood was very relaxed. She was warm and comfortable; it couldn’t have been more pleasant. Meng Jingshu felt that watching movies at home was indeed a good choice. Any previous dissatisfaction had flown out the window.

He picked up his glass and took a sip. In just a few minutes, the sourness of the lime had already infused, neutralizing the excessive sweetness. It tasted good.

She really had a talent for making food. He had been picky since childhood, and the nannies who watched him grow up at home, after all these years, still hadn’t fully grasped his dietary preferences. Yet, whatever Jiang Ying made was always to his taste.

It was a bit magical.

Jiang Ying saw Meng Jingshu holding his glass for a while and felt a craving herself. She leaned over, lightly holding his wrist to take a sip. It was icy, sweet, and tangy, with a bit of a kick. After the initial freezing sensation, the warmth of the alcohol kicked in. The alternating cold and hot, sour and refreshing sensation made her let out a low gasp, happily wiggling her feet under the blanket.

“Today is another day I’m amazed by my own culinary skills...” she praised herself softly with a beaming smile.

No sooner had she spoken than she felt a press on her front. The person beside her had already leaned in, and she could smell the same cool breath he exhaled. Jiang Ying pursed her lips and turned her head. A cool kiss landed on the side of her face.

She sat up straight, moving further away from him, “Watch the movie, don’t get handsy.”

Speaking of which, this was their second time using the projector. The first time was the night he brought the projector home; she excitedly chose a fresh, hot Oscar fantasy drama from a video website. However, they didn’t finish that one. Halfway through, there was a scene of the male and female leads entwining, and despite the artistic filming style, someone still became enthusiastically aroused and pulled her in for relief. The movie, naturally, was forgotten.

This time, she had to learn her lesson: no physical contact. One couldn’t expect an animal in heat to have self-control.

He glanced at her, noncommittally.

It was an animated comedy, with a fast-paced rhythm. They were engrossed in the plot, lounging lazily on pillows, occasionally laughing, sharing the same refreshing cocktail, truly harmonious.

But it seemed their movie journey was fraught with difficulties. After only half an hour, Jiang Ying’s phone started flashing; it was an incoming video call from Mom Jiang.

Jiang Ying quietly paused the movie, giving Meng Jingshu a look. He cooperated perfectly, staying silent and moving a bit further away.

Jiang Ying tapped the answer button: “Mom~”

“What are you doing? It’s so dark.”

“Watching a movie at home...” She stretched out her hand to turn on the small bedside lamp, and then her phone screen showed an image.

“Oh, I see it now... Why are you watching a movie without turning on the lights? Didn’t I tell you it’s bad for your eyes to watch a computer in the dark? You’ve had laser surgery, you should take even better care of your eyes.”

“I’m not watching on the computer, I told you I set up a projector at home,” she switched the camera to the rear-facing one to show her mom the projection on the wall, “See, it’s really big, feels just like a movie theater.”

“Oh oh, that’s not bad. Do you just buy a machine and it works? Should we get one at home too? Your cousins’ kids might like it when they come over for Chinese New Year...” Mom Jiang pondered about the projector for a bit, then suddenly remembered the health pot from before and started her inspection, “That new pot you bought, have you been using it? That astragalus soup recipe I told you about, have you tried it? Your period is coming soon, right? Remember to drink more these next few days...”

Jiang Ying paused: “...Not that fast yet, maybe in a few days...” She felt a bit awkward discussing these things with her mother in front of a man. She found her earphones by the pillow, put them on, so he wouldn’t hear.

Meng Jingshu naturally noticed and found it somewhat amusing. He consciously took out his phone to play with, indicating that he also had things to do and wasn’t eavesdropping on their private conversation.

But ears weren’t like eyes; he couldn’t close them. He wasn’t doing it on purpose, but his consciousness couldn’t help but follow her voice. When she spoke to her family, her voice was extremely soft, using many interjections, like a child constantly acting cute with adults, much more affectionate than when she spoke to him.

So that’s how it was between children and parents? Very relaxed and casual, able to talk about anything.

Oh, not exactly anything. At least he, a living, breathing person, was completely hidden. It wasn’t just once or twice; every time she talked to family or friends on the phone, he had to be discerning and act as if he didn’t exist.

He knew she had reservations, but he still felt quite stifled.

Elders went to bed early, so they didn’t chat for too long. Towards the end, it was mostly admonitions, and Jiang Ying responded with “mm-hmms.”

She hung up the phone with a sigh of relief. Having a man lying next to her while talking to her parents felt like a middle school student secretly having an early romance, a bit stressful.

The Mojito, in a fairly deep glass, was almost empty between the two of them. Jiang Ying took a big gulp, then handed the glass to Meng Jingshu, “Last sip is for you... Let’s put away the table, I want to lie down.”

Meng Jingshu was more than eager to remove the obstruction. He quickly finished the drink, put away the small table, and casually placed it on the rug.

Jiang Ying was already lying down, her body bent like a shrimp to find the right angle to watch the movie, her upper body entirely on the pillow, legs curled up, making the blanket lumpy as she shifted a few times.

Jiang Ying’s finger slid along the edge of the tablet, and after a few seconds, she still didn’t press play. Feeling Meng Jingshu looking at her, she casually asked, “Oh, by the way, do you have plans tomorrow?”

“Mm,” Meng Jingshu pondered, “I have an appointment with someone, to discuss something.”

“Oh...” Jiang Ying was very calm, “I also have to go out.”

After saying that, she pressed play, and the screen moved again. Joy and Sadness, the two emotions representing the protagonist Riley, were groping around to save Riley’s core memories.

Jiang Ying watched intently, the screen casting a vibrant light on her. Her face was slightly puffed up from being pressed against the pillow. Meng Jingshu reached out to pinch it; it was soft and a little cool.

That Mojito just now, by the time she finished it, was indeed too cold.

He remembered something and reached his hand under her blanket, touching her knee, then tracing down her calf. From slightly cool to completely frozen, it felt like an ice block.

“...Why are you so cold?” He frowned.

“I don’t know.”

Meng Jingshu moved closer, bringing the blanket closer too, covering her small blanket, and then reached for her feet. She shifted her body, obediently extending her calves, and her icy feet were soon enveloped by warm palms. He slowly rubbed them, warming one foot a bit, then switching to the other, alternating between them.

Sometimes, engrossed in the plot, he’d warm one foot for a few extra minutes, and when he switched back to the first foot, it would be a little cold again.

He said irritably, “Jiang Ying, you’re so weak. It’s because you exercise too little.”

Jiang Ying: “...”

Her mother had just said something similar on the phone. Why was she getting scolded twice in a few minutes, and for the same reason?

“Do I exercise very little?” she hinted meaningfully, “I have at least an hour starting every day, isn’t that enough?”

Meng Jingshu glanced at her: “Then let’s start now? Two hours minimum today, how about it?”

Jiang Ying laughed, shaking her head, and pulled her feet away, “Watch the movie!”

Meng Jingshu chuckled, then grabbed her feet back to warm them, correcting her: “Yes, watch the movie first.”

Her feet gradually warmed up. His hands were like a heat source, continuously transferring warmth to her. Along with a little alcohol in her stomach, she felt warmer and warmer, lying there, her thoughts becoming lazier.

In the latter half of the movie, during an adventure, the little girl Riley’s imaginary friend, Bing Bong, disappeared. Riley forever forgot the friend who had accompanied her through so much of her childhood.

Jiang Ying clutched the blanket, silently shedding tears.

Childhood dreams must be like this too, right? Time marches forward, the past will always be left behind, and dreams will always disappear.

Having had them is good enough.

Her legs felt warm and toasty. Meng Jingshu had warmed them up, and didn’t let go, letting her feet rest on his legs, his hand resting on top.

Jiang Ying vaguely thought, like this, my feet are truly like sandwich filling.

She should feel content, what she had now was more than she had ever imagined. At least, she had never thought he would be so gentle.

________________________________________

The movie ended, and a few interesting little easter eggs were shown at the end. Meng Jingshu smiled, pinching the slender ankle bones beneath his hand. They were so thin, he even wondered if he could cup both her feet in one hand and still lock his fingers.

His thoughts drifted a little. His hand wandered up her calf, and she remained completely still. He turned his head to see that she had fallen asleep at some point.

He leaned in to look closer; her eyelashes were a little wet.

She cried too?

She even cried so quietly.

She had no bad sleeping habits. Even curled up like that, she didn’t move around. She didn’t snore or grind her teeth; she was very well-behaved. Her cheeks were warm from sleep, and even in such dim light, the blush on her face was visible. But her brows, eyes, and lips were still delicate, making her appear even more docile. Her features weren’t particularly exquisite, but they were very pleasant.

Looking at her like this, she really was... so beautiful.

When did she become so beautiful?

Perhaps she had grown into her looks, lost some weight? But on closer reflection, apart from her glasses, she had hardly changed from before.

He chuckled self-deprecatingly.

He must have been blind. All that time, what was he looking at, Meng Jingshu?

Her breath was warm. Drawn by the mixture of lime, mint, and alcohol scent, he lowered his head and kissed her soft lips. He lingered for a moment, then moved to kiss her damp eyelashes, kissing away the remaining tears, which tasted slightly salty on his lips.

Perhaps tickled a bit, Jiang Ying stirred, tilting her head, pressing most of her face into the pillow, curling into a ball that looked uncomfortable.

Meng Jingshu hugged her bent legs, straightening her out. Jiang Ying didn’t wake up, groaning vaguely a few times, then rolling over. Meng Jingshu turned off the electronic devices, lay down under her covers, hugged her from behind, pressing her close, their limbs entwined.

Jiang Ying hummed “Mm” again, sounding a little aggrieved at her good dream being disturbed.

Meng Jingshu suddenly remembered an old event.

It was probably during the second semester of his freshman year when he had his first college girlfriend. That relationship was quite brief, ending before the semester was over. And Jiang Ying, perhaps out of caution, hadn’t contacted him for some time.

Before the final exams, the university’s hometown association organized a gathering, and both he and Jiang Ying attended. At the event, a senior got a bit too drunk and lost his composure, insisting that Jiang Ying toast him. Others, watching for entertainment and wanting to play matchmaker, were egging them on. Jiang Ying was surrounded, barely suppressing her anger and embarrassment, her small face pale. In the end, he drank the wine for her, barely saving the situation.

After the gathering, he walked her back to her dorm, but she repeatedly tried to politely refuse. Meng Jingshu grew a little impatient, his tone turning sour, and he lowered his voice, saying, “If I don’t walk you, are you waiting for that senior to?”

Jiang Ying immediately stiffened, pursed her lips, and said nothing.

Halfway there, she finally said, “Thank you for today. You can stop here.” Her voice was hoarse, “Don’t let your girlfriend misunderstand.”

He said, “Misunderstand what?”

She didn’t answer, her eyelids cast down. Through her glasses, he could see a slight wetness on her eyelashes.

He paused, then when he spoke again, his tone softened: “I mean, I don’t have a girlfriend right now, there’s nothing to misunderstand.”

Jiang Ying was very surprised, quickly glancing at him: “Oh...”

He twitched his lips, saying, “It’s not far now, let’s go.”

She still insisted: “It’s not far, you go. I can go back by myself.”

“...” He nodded, “Alright.”

He then added, “If you ever need anything in the future, find me. Don’t let anyone bully you.”

Jiang Ying looked stunned, then softly hummed in agreement. She sounded a little aggrieved, as if he had bullied her.

It was probably after this that they resumed their sporadic contact. However, she had always been independent and strong. Though he said that, she never sought his help for anything afterward.

He hadn’t thought much about it then, until today, when a single syllable with the same tone pulled that memory out.

How amazing.

Indeed, just as the movie said, countless memory orbs are stored in the brain’s long-term memory area. Some gradually fade, while others are awakened by a certain trigger. And even he himself was surprised at how vivid these small details were.

When he was with her, his memories were always fresh. He remembered Jiang Ying, and he remembered himself, and he understood even better how he had truly become the person he was, coming from the past.

An old man in a straw cloak, fishing alone in the cold river snow.