Chapter 45: Watching a movie under the covers

Chen Zhaoyue’s big bed was divided into two areas—the daughter sleeping soundly, and the two mothers lying under the same blanket.

The tablet emitted a blue light, casting a small bright spot in Chen Zhaoyue’s eyes.

“What are you looking at?” She didn’t often watch movies. Swiping up and down the interface, she hoped the person next to her would give some suggestions.

“How about a science fiction film?” Lin Yiren actually knew a few good ones.

Chen Zhaoyue tapped into the “Science Fiction” category and scrolled down, but didn’t find anything interesting. Her gaze wandered across the screen, then suddenly caught on something and refocused.

“Horror?” she said with interest.

“Do you want to watch a horror movie?” Lin Yiren asked worriedly, “Don’t make any noise and wake up Xing Yao.”

At this moment, both of them lowered their voices, as if blowing into each other’s ears, forcing the other to lean in to hear.

“How could we make a noise, unless you’re going to scream out of fright?” Chen Zhaoyue made an incredulous face.

Such provocation made Lin Yiren feel her blood rush to her head. She hurriedly leaned close to Chen Zhaoyue’s neck, “You—have you ever watched a horror movie? The good ones are really scary.”

Not like those horror movies that end up being comedies.

“Haven’t watched many. Let’s give it a try.” Chen Zhaoyue already clicked on a highly rated one; the dark-toned cover seemed to seep with chilliness.

“Fine, let’s watch. If you get too scared, just exit.” Lin Yiren scooted up to the screen, putting on a “I’m not scared, just worried about you” face.

Before watching a horror film together, people always stubbornly talk tough, as if some fundamental code has been triggered.

Chen Zhaoyue put on one headphone, handing the other to Lin Yiren.

The white headphone lay in her palm, like an invitation.

Lin Yiren took it, her face uncooperatively turning a bit red. Sharing headphone wires and such—it felt like something you’d do when dating.

She got ready to put the headphone in her ear, but felt a tug on the wire—their seats were too far apart; the headphone cable wasn’t long enough.

Chen Zhaoyue realized this sooner and brought their distance even closer. Their smooth shoulders touched, and their rounded knees bumped together.

The ends of their hair met, and in the intertwined fragrances Lin Yiren realized they actually used the same brand of shampoo.

Warmth radiated from Chen Zhaoyue’s side, slowly crawling over her skin. Lin Yiren hurried to put in the headphone, hoping the movie would dispel the restlessness in the air.

“It’s starting.” Chen Zhaoyue clicked play, and the studio logo appeared on the screen.

***

After the cast and crew flashed by, a calm narration slowly laid out the background of the story. As the last word fell, the scene shifted to a warm color tone. Characters appeared; the dialogue was cozy.

“A horror film this heartwarming?”

“This is just the beginning. Who knows when something might pop out and scare you.”

The plot progressed. Strange things began appearing in the main characters’ ordinary lives, one abnormality after another, each planting a seed of unease that seemed ready to erupt into terror.

The background music changed unconsciously, becoming as deep and ominous as a monster gnashing its teeth in the dark.

Lin Yiren unconsciously gripped her pants, her heart gradually tensing up. She glanced at Chen Zhaoyue’s expression from the corner of her eye—sure enough, the young miss was also tense, lips pressed into a line.

So she’s scared, too.

Lin Yiren felt a little proud and forgot about her own wrinkled pant leg.

Then, all sound in the movie suddenly vanished, as if someone pressed pause.

With her rich experience, Lin Yiren decisively closed her eyes.

A few seconds later, a screech came from the headphones, and the person beside her jolted.

Lin Yiren opened her eyes and saw Chen Zhaoyue’s chest heaving, a row of teeth marks on her lips—she’d really been frightened.

“I told you it’d be scary.” Lin Yiren spoke like a big brother.

Chen Zhaoyue was still catching her breath. Seeing Lin Yiren’s face remain calm and unflushed, she asked suspiciously, “Why aren’t you scared at all?”

“That’s how I always am. Let’s keep watching.” Lin Yiren smiled.

***

After the first jump scare, the movie’s peaceful daily life began to unravel, and the characters, driven by suspicion and fear, started investigating, searching for answers.

The pace gradually sped up, and the earlier foreshadowing turned into a string of scare moments.

But after several more, Lin Yiren’s face remained as calm as a still lake.

Something’s not right. Chen Zhaoyue started paying attention to her movements.

The movie was already in the latter half, not far from the climax full of ghosts. As a character turned around, a face popped up right into view.

Lin Yiren immediately shut her eyes and only reopened them after the sound faded.

“So ‘that’s how I always am’ means you always close your eyes at the scary parts.” A low voice sounded, like it had come out of the horror movie itself.

Lin Yiren shivered, only to be greeted by her own jump scare—Chen Zhaoyue’s overwhelming figure looming over her, her almond eyes curved with a sharp arc.

“No, I…” Lin Yiren’s mask was torn off, and she shrank back softly.

“Watch with me. No running away.” Chen Zhaoyue hooked her arm around Lin Yiren’s nape. The touch of warm, soft skin robbed Lin Yiren of all resistance, and she was gathered into Chen Zhaoyue’s arms.

The young miss’s long, strong fingers pinched her cheek, “Still think you can fool me?”

“No, not anymore…”

“Hmph.” Chen Zhaoyue let go of her cheek, but her hand remained at Lin Yiren’s chest, full of intimidation.

The once-too-short headphone wire now had slack, draped across both their shoulders. A single headphone wire split into two channels, allowing them to share the same movie world—

A world now full of wailing ghosts and howling spirits.

The shifting lights cast reflections in their eyes, and their breathing changed pace with the story.

Pinned down, Lin Yiren’s true nature was exposed—her body would tremble from time to time.

Hmm? Chen Zhaoyue felt a warm, soft hand grasping hers under the blanket, as fluffy as cotton, sometimes tightening, clutching her hand as if seeking comfort.

Chen Zhaoyue’s lips curled up, and she returned the squeeze. Now, she wasn’t so scared anymore.

***

Sunlight rose, and the movie ended.

The girls leaned against each other, watching the scrolling credits, hands intertwined beneath the thin blanket.

No one spoke; only the soft hum of the air conditioner filled the silence.

Lin Yiren was the first to move, blushing as she withdrew the hand she didn’t know when she had placed there. “I’m going to sleep.”

“Mm.” Chen Zhaoyue put away the tablet, winding up the headphone cable still warm with their shared heat. Just as she was about to get up, she heard an “Ow!” beside her and felt a tug on her hair.

Lin Yiren grimaced and rubbed her head—their hair had gotten tangled, and she’d pulled by accident.

Though Chen Zhaoyue was tugged, too, she couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight. She reached out to untangle their hair.

“Long hair is such a hassle.” Lin Yiren puffed out her cheeks.

“You’re not allowed to cut it.” Chen Zhaoyue stroked her long hair—it was smooth and fluffy. Cutting it would be a shame.

“Got it, stop admiring already.” Lin Yiren shyly pulled her hair back, flopped onto the bed, and pulled the blanket over herself. “Good night.”

“Hehe, good night.” Chen Zhaoyue got up and turned off the nightlight.