Chapter 36: Too Wasteful to Throw Away (Requesting bookmarks and monthly votes)

The design of the seats made Jiang Wanyi feel quite embarrassed. Whether it was a "couples' theater" or not didn't really matter, but the seating arrangement was undeniably intimate. However, she realized this wasn't a flaw of the cinema, but rather her own perception; it was perfectly normal for couples to sit this way.

"I didn't pay attention when I booked them, I just thought they were sofa-style seats..."

Sitting so close together to watch a movie—if others saw them, wouldn't they say she was an older woman robbing the cradle? As couples trickled into the theater and found their seats, the two of them decided to just make the best of it. Jiang Wanyi had chosen seats in the middle-back section, which were among the best for viewing. There was a small blanket provided, meant to be draped over one's legs in case the air conditioning was too cold. But for young couples, it served as a Maginot Line—a natural, discreet shield for their antics. It only served to confirm that Sheng Kangming’s reputation was well-earned; it wasn't just about the hotels.

After sitting down, Jiang Wanyi glanced around. Their row was empty, and the other patrons were scattered elsewhere. Now she understood why the tickets for this screening were a bit pricey; there was a reason young couples in the heat of passion liked coming here. The only thing was that her relationship with Chen Yuan was a bit special. Jiang Wanyi’s heart raced, and a faint flush crept onto her cheeks. *Jiang Wanyi, oh Jiang Wanyi, how did you end up in a situation like this!*

Soon, the movie began and the lights dimmed. Chen Yuan glanced at the other seats. The couples were already settling in; even before the film’s opening logo appeared, many were already getting handsy, bypassing any preamble. The shared blanket was clearly the MVP here. Shifting his focus, Chen Yuan stopped watching the others; that level of activity was just a tease—it didn't satisfy any real curiosity. It was like those web novels where the moment the leads get intimate, the heroine inevitably gets her period—utterly frustrating.

Adjusting his posture, Chen Yuan nestled into the sofa bed. Because of the small partitions on either side and the empty seats, this little area belonged only to him and Jiang Wanyi. It was a subtle feeling, one Jiang Wanyi couldn't quite describe—it felt as if they were truly in a relationship.

"The AC is a bit cold, do you want to cover your legs?" Jiang Wanyi asked, holding the blanket out toward him.

"I'm fine." Chen Yuan took the blanket and gently draped it over Jiang Wanyi’s lap. "Your joints probably haven't fully recovered yet, so you shouldn't be exposed to the cold air for too long. Keep them covered."

As he spoke, Chen Yuan lifted a corner of the blanket. "Put your hands in here."

The blanket was large. Chen Yuan tucked Jiang Wanyi’s hands inside, covering her lower half completely. Jiang Wanyi didn't say a word, tucking her hands and feet under the fabric as instructed. This feeling of being pampered and cared for sent ripples through her calm heart once again.

On the big screen, the movie played. Jiang Wanyi looked up slightly, noticing the other couples huddled together, which only thickened the romantic atmosphere. Just then, Chen Yuan handed her a Coke, the straw reaching her lips. After a sip, he offered her some popcorn. As she reached out to take it, her fingers brushed against Chen Yuan’s, and she noticed they were a bit cold.

"Your hands are so cold. Put them in here, I'll warm them for you."

"Huh?" Jiang Wanyi held Chen Yuan’s hand, covered it with the blanket, and placed it against her lower abdomen. Chen Yuan could clearly feel his arm pressing against something soft. The position was slightly awkward and not entirely comfortable. Gently, Jiang Wanyi leaned closer to Chen Yuan, their bodies pressing together, and pulled the blanket over him as well.

They were so close that Chen Yuan could smell the faint fragrance on Jiang Wanyi—a complex scent, perhaps with a hint of milk. He took a deep breath, savoring it.

"What are you sniffing? I just changed into these clothes." She leaned over to his ear, and he leaned in, their bodies pressing even closer.

"It smells wonderful, there's a faint milky scent." Jiang Wanyi blushed at his words. "I feel like once the movie is over, it’ll be about time; I'm already feeling a bit full."

*Coincidence, me too,* he thought.

Under the shared blanket, Jiang Wanyi held Chen Yuan’s hand, warming it for a while. As the movie continued, they maintained their posture, their attention fixed on the screen. The leads finished their meal and returned to their hotel. No sooner had they entered than sparks flew; they embraced and began to kiss passionately. The theater was quiet, and the sounds of the leads' kissing and breathing seemed to pierce through the screen, infecting the three-dimensional world of the theater, resulting in audible gasps from the audience.

Jiang Wanyi’s heart raced, but she had to act calm, pretending nothing was happening. Chen Yuan felt a bit restless and shifted his position slightly. Jiang Wanyi glanced at him secretly; while she pretended to keep watching the film, she was well aware of his physiological reaction.

She chuckled inwardly. *A young man is a young man, after all—full of fire.*

Time passed steadily. About two hours later, the movie ended. The theater lights came on, and the audience returned from the world of the film to reality.

"Do your wrists hurt?" Chen Yuan asked.

"No, though if we didn't have this blanket, it might have been a different story." Jiang Wanyi stood up and smoothed out her dress. "Let's go."

"Yeah."

After leaving the theater, they didn't rush home. They went to the basement level, which featured various fast-food outlets and snack shops. Jiang Wanyi bought quite a few things before they finally drove home.

"Hurry, hurry..." As soon as she locked the car, Jiang Wanyi grabbed the bags and ran toward the elevator. Chen Yuan guessed why she was in such a hurry—it had been over four hours since they left. *She must be full...*

Back home, Jiang Wanyi headed straight for the bedroom. When she emerged, she had changed into comfortable loungewear, and her long hair was let down.

"Look at my haul: 230 milliliters. I usually can't even get that much in a whole day."

"Combined with the supplementary food, it's enough for the baby for the day."

"It's more than enough; she can't even finish it all. There’s quite a bit stored in the fridge. If I keep it too long, I'll have to throw it away."

"Better to have too much than not enough."

Chen Yuan sat on the sofa, but instead of a response, he noticed Jiang Wanyi staring at him. "What's wrong? Just keep it frozen, the baby can have it when she's back."

Jiang Wanyi looked at the milk bottle in her hand, then back at Chen Yuan. "We had hot pot earlier, so I can't give this to the baby."

Chen Yuan had forgotten about that. He was about to tell her to throw it away when he noticed the look in her eyes was a bit strange. "What is it?" he asked instinctively.

Jiang Wanyi didn't know whether to laugh or cry. This brat—sometimes he was as sharp as a monkey, and other times he seemed a beat behind. "It would be a pity to throw it away."

The words hovered on her lips; she wanted to say more but felt too shy. Seeing his expression, she realized he probably hadn't caught on to what she meant.

"Do you... want it?"