Obediently, Lean on my Shoulder - Chapter 9

Chapter 9

So, did Teng Ming see the photos Fan Ye posted on his Moments?

He saw them.

But he didn’t “Like” them, let alone reply.

After seeing them, he immediately locked his phone and continued walking forward with Li Shuren.

By the shore of Erhai Lake, there were some fishermen, seemingly a family sorting out a large fishing net. The net was very white and appeared newly purchased, not having caught fish many times.

Although Erhai is called a “sea,” it is elegant and delicate. Even though there were waves lapping at the shore, the clusters of trees connecting to the water’s edge revealed its quiet temperament.

Two or three people were chanting at the riverbank before releasing fish they had brought; it was likely some kind of ritual to fulfill a vow.

Li Shuren took out the camera he was carrying and snapped some photos.

Seeing Li Shuren taking pictures, Teng Ming suddenly thought of his own man.

If Fan Ye saw people releasing fish randomly like this, he would probably go up and try to reason with them, saying things like, “You can’t just release fish randomly; some species will damage the local ecological environment…”

That guy, perhaps relying on being tall, handsome, and strong, might do something that could easily get him beaten up.

After taking the photos, Li Shuren brought them over for Teng Ming to see. “What are you laughing at? Do I look ridiculous when I take pictures?”

Only then did Teng Ming realize that he had involuntarily smiled while thinking of Fan Ye. “No, no, I just thought of something quite funny.”

Li Shuren said, “What is it? Share it with me so I can be happy too.”

Teng Ming shook his head. “It’s nothing. Weren’t you going to show me the photos?”

Li Shuren nodded and handed over the camera.

Teng Ming took one look and marveled that a professional photographer truly is different; a casual shot looked like a piece of art.

He accidentally flipped forward a page and saw a photo of himself sitting on a bicycle, looking at the lake.

“You took a candid shot of me?” Teng Ming laughed.

Li Shuren also laughed. “Haha, caught in the act. But how can you call this a candid/sneak shot? This is called capturing something real and natural.”

“Capture my foot! I’m going to delete it”

Li Shuren hurriedly grabbed the camera back. “Don’t, don’t, don’t.”

The camera was snatched away.

Teng Ming joked, “Why so nervous? If you want it, you can keep it, but shouldn’t you pay a portrait fee?”

Li Shuren said, “Sure! How about I treat you to a drink?”

“A drink isn’t enough! I want a meal of spicy crayfish too!” Teng Ming said, continuing to cycle forward.

Li Shuren followed behind. “One meal isn’t enough; it has to be three!”

“Hahahaha…”

The two of them were full of laughter and joy, but looking at Fan Ye on the other side—he was the definition of restless.

He ordered a cup of coffee and finished it quickly, then ordered another;

He wanted to settle down and read a book, but he couldn’t get through a single page.

He anxiously opened his phone; there were constant private messages or comments on Weibo, but no message from the person he longed for. He opened his Moments again; there were many “Likes,” but Teng Ming’s avatar was nowhere to be seen!

What is that guy doing? Has he seen it or not?

Feeling extremely frustrated, he tossed the book aside and started playing a game; but even the game didn’t go well, and he was left speechless by his “noob” teammates.

When Fan Ye opened his Moments again, there were three more Likes, and suddenly, he saw Teng Ming’s Like. Fan Ye’s heart skipped several beats, but then he didn’t know what to do.

Is that guy angry?

Looking at the photo he posted again, it was indeed a bit much the fan’s hand was touching his abs, and both of them were smiling happily.

Right then, Fan Ye decided to post another update to his Moments

“Drinking a cup of coffee alone, reading a book alone, leisurely.”

The accompanying photo was a staged shot of coffee and a book.

He posted this to prove to Teng Ming that he wasn’t doing anything else with other people; he was alone!

After Fan Ye posted this, he relaxed slightly. But just as it was posted, the refresh revealed a Moment posted by Teng Ming.

In the image, Teng Ming was straddling a bicycle with his back to the camera.

The caption: “Cycling around Erhai.”

This photo was taken with such artistic flair!

The Erhai cycling trip they had planned for so long the first time was actually not with him? Is that kid blind or what? Can’t he see that Li Shuren likes him?

The more Fan Ye thought about it, the angrier he got. He had never been this frantic. Fine, you brat, you want to play games with me? Then let’s play!

Checking his watch, it was already 5:30 PM. Fan Ye simply invited his friend out for hotpot yes, the one who opened an inn and said they missed him.

This person’s name was Ling Feng, in his early thirties, with a refined and scholarly appearance. He used to claim he was a “0.5” (versatile), but after meeting Fan Ye, he was like a docile kitten, constantly picking up food for Fan Ye.

During the hotpot, men and women kept looking toward Fan Ye’s side.

After finishing the hotpot, Ling Feng invited Fan Ye to sit in his inn for a bit, have some tea and so on. Fan Ye thought about it and agreed.

While drinking tea, Ling Feng talked a lot with Fan Ye, describing how he started the inn from scratch. For a moment, Fan Ye felt that every industry has its difficulties. Just like being a “G-film” (adult film) actor; many people think you get to “sample” many young hotties for free, but if you treat it as a profession, the joy is greatly diminished.

In this setting, with topics about the hardships of life and the fact that the tea Ling Feng brewed was indeed delicious, Fan Ye couldn’t help but want to take a commemorative photo together and conveniently posted it to his Moments.

He didn’t know that this action, in the eyes of a certain someone, was like a silent thunderclap.

During dinner, Teng Ming and Li Shuren cycled to their group’s meeting point. After a lively meal together, they drove back.

In the car, Li Shuren and his group began discussing the itinerary for the next day—where would be best for photos. Teng Ming was scrolling through his phone when he suddenly saw the Moment Fan Ye had posted. Seeing Fan Ye leaning intimately against another man in that photo, he suddenly felt a suffocating tightness in his chest.

His head felt dizzy, his heart panicked, and his hands and feet turned cold.

The car passed through a small town. Both sides were lined with vendors, the lights were as bright as day, and it was extremely lively.

Teng Ming told Li Shuren to let him off; he wanted to wander around here.

Li Shuren looked at Teng Ming. “Are you okay on your own?”

Teng Ming nodded. “Why wouldn’t I be? I’m a grown man!”

Li Shuren helped him unload the bicycle and gave a final reminder: “Don’t wander too long, go back early. Sorry, I have to discuss things with them here, so I can’t accompany you.”

Teng Ming said, “It’s fine! I understand, thank you.”

“Fine” my foot!

Because of a certain someone, he was feeling incredibly aggrieved in his heart!

A vendor nearby called out for him to try some local snacks. He tried some, thought they were good, bought a little, and walked while eating, pushing his bike.

His mind was filled with a mess of thoughts.

From pursuing Fan Ye, to the two of them living together, to him going to Japan to film and developing feelings for someone there;

To him returning regardless of everything to beg for forgiveness, to now…

It seemed all these things were connected, yet also seemed insignificant.

The street seemed to stretch endlessly. Suddenly a phone call came in. Teng Ming looked; it was from his best friend Lin Yida. She probably saw his and Fan Ye’s Moments and was worried, so she called.

But at this moment, Teng Ming didn’t want to answer anyone’s call at all, so he pretended not to see it and waited for the other party to hang up. The moment it disconnected, he turned on “Do Not Disturb” mode.

This way, no messages or calls would give him a notification.

Lin Yida was in Shanghai. She indeed called after seeing the two’s Moments, thinking: what are these two “quarreling lovers” playing at now?

The first call to Teng Ming went unanswered, and the second was automatically disconnected? She tried a third time, and it was still automatically disconnected. Fine, this guy turned on Do Not Disturb.

Lin Yida had known Teng Ming for six years; she understood him. Once he had something troubling him, he would shut himself off.

When in Shanghai, she could personally run to his house, but now they were both in Dali, a thousand miles away, so she couldn’t help but be worried.

So, she called Fan Ye.

As luck would have it, Fan Ye was in Ling Feng’s bedroom at that moment. The two had built up the mood to a certain point; Fan Ye had even taken off his shirt and was preparing for the next step. It was this very phone call that made Fan Ye “spring” up from the bed. He picked up the phone, feeling both a bit afraid and very hopeful that it was Teng Ming calling.

He hoped to hear Teng Ming’s angry scolding and roaring, to hear him cry and make a scene.

But it wasn’t. He answered the phone: “Yida, what’s wrong?”

After listening to Lin Yida, he said, “Don’t worry. Don’t you know that guy? When his temper flares up, he’s stubborn and strange. We’re fine, don’t you worry either. It’ll be better tonight.” After finishing, he let out a laugh with a very clear meaning.

After hanging up, Fan Ye fell into thought.

Ling Feng’s hand wrapped around his waist, fumbling over his abs.

Fan Ye brushed Ling Feng’s hand away.

“What’s wrong?” Ling Feng asked with some confusion.

“I have to go.” As Fan Ye spoke, he picked up his jacket and quickly put it on.

“Did I do something wrong?” Ling Feng said.

Fan Ye gave a smile. “You’re great, it’s just that I have a ‘wife’—didn’t I tell you?”

Ling Feng was momentarily speechless. “I…”