Wild School Boy Was Picked Up And Brought Home By His Professor Chapter 15
byChapter 15: The First Time We Went…
WeChat Message [Where are you]
WeChat Message [Aren’t you afraid I’ll report you right now, or post this online right now]
WeChat Message [Speak, speak!!!]
…
Shen Beidao’s gaze coldly swept over Du Xiaoman’s continuous stream of threatening messages. He typed a reply:
[I told you, I’ll transfer it tomorrow. I need time to raise the money]
The other party immediately replied [Cut the crap, aren’t you a rich second generation? Ask your parents for money!]
Just then, a new message notification popped up at the top of the screen—from [Little Bunny]
Shen Beidao unhesitatingly swiped away from the conversation with Du Xiaoman, as if the previous annoyance had never existed. His fingertip lightly tapped the contact that instantly softened his heart.
Little Bunny [Tomorrow is Saturday, are you free?]
The corners of Shen Beidao’s lips unconsciously curved upward. He didn’t even realize how gentle this smile was: [Yes, no classes tomorrow]
Little Bunny [Then shall we go on a date tomorrow? We’ve been together for so long, but we haven’t had a formal date yet (Wistful pout.jpg)]
Looking at the cute little emoji, Shen Beidao could almost picture Lin Yi pouting on the other end of the phone. He replied [Okay, where do you want to go?]
Little Bunny quickly sent a mini-program link [Mini-Program | Jiangzhou Lingjiu Peak Scenic Area Reservation]
Little Bunny [Shall we go here? Interested?]
Shen Beidao was unfamiliar with Jiangzhou’s scenic spots. He had been here for three years, and his life could almost be described as “plain as water.”
His routine was as simple as a straight line—from the classroom to the office, from the library to the apartment.
These bustling scenic areas had never appeared on his schedule.
Shen Beidao [Okay, very interested]
He put down his phone and began seriously selecting an emoji from his library, trying to find one that expressed anticipation without losing composure.
Should he use the cartoon image of a French cheek kiss, or a cute animated GIF of a Doberman rubbing its head? Or perhaps WeChat’s default smile emoji…
Professor Shen, who was always composed and unflappable on the podium, was now stumped by a tiny emoji.
Just as he was hesitating, Lin Yi sent another message:
Little Bunny [Mini-Program | Jiangzhou Yunlin Zen Temple Reservation]
Little Bunny [The scenic area is free recently, but I don’t know your ID number, so you need to book in advance, otherwise you can’t get in~]
Shen Beidao clicked on the mini-program and saw the four characters “Yunlin Zen Temple.” He murmured slightly in confusion, “A temple?”
He quickly felt relieved. No matter where they went, as long as it was with Lin Yi, it was fine.
He replied with his ID number [ID Number: 33010019950630xxxx]
Then, he quickly added a line [Can you help me book it? Thank you, wife (Cute emoji)]
Lin Yi, on the other end of the phone, couldn’t help but laugh when he saw the message: “Oh, trusting me so much, sending your ID number directly? Looks like the forum was right…”
He muttered to himself while skillfully helping Shen Beidao make the reservation.
Lin Yi [Okay, see you at 7 tomorrow]
Lin Yi [It should be ‘Thank you, husband’~~ (Proud little bunny wiggling butt.jpg)]
…
On Saturday morning, sunlight filtered through the thin mist, draping Lingjiu Peak in a golden veil.
As Lin Yi expected, the flow of people heading to the scenic area was endless, and cars lined up in a long queue.
Fortunately, today implemented alternating license plate restrictions. Shen Beidao’s Mercedes SUV had an even-numbered plate, allowing it to slowly inch forward through the congestion and finally reach the mountain parking lot.
Because Lin Yi had specifically mentioned hiking the night before, both men instinctively chose sportswear.
Lin Yi wore a stylish deep purple tracksuit. The jacket featured four asymmetrical silver zippers across the chest, reflecting speckled halos in the sunlight.
He paired the tracksuit with a white shirt and a simple chain necklace resting on his chest, topped off with a matching purple baseball cap, making him look youthful and sunny.
The sides of his track pants were also adorned with several functional zippers, highly practical and full of design flair.
On his feet were a pair of limited-edition white sneakers, perfectly embodying the unique style of an art student.
In contrast, Shen Beidao’s outfit was much simpler. He wore a pure black tracksuit made of fine, matte-textured fabric. The only splash of color was a small white checkmark logo on his left chest, subtle and unassuming.
The track pants perfectly outlined his long, muscular legs, and he wore professional black hiking boots. His entire demeanor exuded a calm, reserved aura, consistent with his usual image.
Lin Yi took off his baseball cap and placed it on Shen Beidao’s head, admiring the look: “Hmm, adding a bit of brightness to the dark color makes it much more vibrant!”
“Is this… okay?” Shen Beidao wasn’t entirely comfortable with the bright purple cap.
“Trust me, it suits you perfectly!” Lin Yi lifted his chin proudly. “I’m a professional art student, my aesthetic sense is top-notch!”
Shen Beidao looked at his proud little expression and accepted the eye-catching purple baseball cap in just one second.
Lin Yi liked it, he put it on him personally, and it carried his scent—these reasons were enough for Shen Beidao to like it.
The two grabbed a bottle of mineral water each from the car. Lin Yi lightly bounced in place twice, stretching his limbs that were stiff from the long drive: “Traffic was quite tiring! Feels like it used up more energy than hiking.”
Shen Beidao didn’t reply immediately. Instead, he turned and retrieved a portable small bag from the trunk, pulling out a small bottle of mosquito repellent spray.
“It’s densely wooded here, lots of mosquitoes.” His gaze fell on Lin Yi’s fair neck, which was slightly exposed due to the design of his sportswear and looked particularly tempting in the sunlight. “Spray some repellent to ward off insects.”
Lin Yi hadn’t expected him to be so meticulous and thoughtful. His heart warmed, and he obediently leaned forward, offering his long neck to Shen Beidao. His tone was slightly spoiled: “Can you put some on for me?”
“Okay, hold still.” Shen Beidao gently pressed the nozzle, and a fine mist of water sprayed evenly onto Lin Yi’s neck.
“Ah~ So cool~” Lin Yi deliberately drew out the last syllable, his voice carrying a hint of affected sweetness, while his eyes slyly watched Shen Beidao’s reaction.
Shen Beidao shook his head, both helpless and doting. He capped the repellent and put it back in the bag, then reached out his well-defined, bony hand and gently covered Lin Yi’s neck.
His fingertips were cool, but his movements were exceptionally tender. He carefully rubbed the repellent in evenly. His thumb pad inadvertently brushed against the other’s warm skin, and both felt a subtle current of electricity passing between them.
“Done.” Shen Beidao’s voice was a few shades deeper than usual. When he withdrew his hand, the warm sensation of the other’s skin still lingered on his fingertips.
Lin Yi straightened up, satisfied, though his ears turned red before his cheeks did. He forced a calm demeanor: “Well… let’s hurry in. There will be too many tourists later, and we’ll have to queue.”
“Okay.” Shen Beidao proactively took Lin Yi’s hand. “Let’s go.”
Lin Yi felt a little awkward. After all, two grown men holding hands was strange, but Shen Beidao didn’t seem to think anything was amiss. He looked straight ahead, ignoring the stares of passersby, and refused to let go.
Lin Yi: …It seems like two men holding hands isn’t such a big deal after all.
The two followed the crowd and queued to enter the scenic area.
After scanning the reservation code and passing through the turnstile, they walked about a hundred meters and were greeted by a group of ancient, solemn stone Buddha statues.
These statues were carved in different eras and had endured years of weathering, their surfaces slightly eroded, but the exquisite craftsmanship and compassionate expressions were still visible.
They were arranged artfully on the rock face; some had their hands pressed together in prayer, others were meditating with lowered eyes. Each one radiated a sense of peace and serenity…
Shen Beidao paused, intending to examine these artistic treasures carrying millennia of culture. A tour guide happened to be explaining to a group: “These stone Buddha statues can be traced back to the first year of Xianhe in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, an important testament to the Buddhist culture of Lingjiu Peak…”
However, Lin Yi grabbed his wrist: “We can look at these statues on the way out. Let’s go do the main thing first!” His tone was filled with impatient excitement.
Before Shen Beidao could respond, Lin Yi pulled him through the crowd, heading straight toward Yunlin Zen Temple.
At the ticket gate for the temple entrance, when Shen Beidao’s reservation code was scanned, the machine sounded a solemn prompt: —”Amitabha.”
This sudden sound made Shen Beidao slightly stunned: Is this… to experience Buddhist culture?
Lin Yi recalled the advice from the forum: “If you like him, take him to pray for blessings, asking for a lifetime together. But there’s a risk; supposedly, couples who aren’t meant to be will break up after leaving…”
Inside the temple, a lay Buddhist dressed in a volunteer uniform smiled and handed each of them three thin sticks of incense.
The incense smoke curled upwards, filling the air with a faint scent of sandalwood.
“I’ll teach you the correct way to offer incense.”
Lin Yi looked like an expert. He held the incense between his index and middle fingers of his left hand, then gestured for Shen Beidao to do the same. “Use the tip of your right thumb to gently press against the bottom of the incense sticks, with the tips pointing up, showing respect…”
He patiently guided Shen Beidao step by step, his expression unusually serious: “Hold the incense level with your eyebrows… Then insert the middle stick first, which represents offering to all Buddhas of the ten directions and three worlds. Next, insert the right stick, offering to all Dharma of the ten directions and three worlds. Finally, insert the left stick, offering to all Sangha of the ten directions and three worlds…”
Shen Beidao, a Chinese descendant raised in Germany, had never encountered these traditional rituals. He learned very seriously, even though he didn’t seem to have any unfulfilled wishes that required special consultation with the Buddha…
But Lin Yi liked it, so he accompanied him. This, too, counted as a wish.
After the ritual, the two stood side by side, bowing sincerely three times toward the main hall.
Shen Beidao kept glancing at Lin Yi, who was closing his eyes to make a wish beside him, unable to control the flutter in his heart…
Lin Yi opened his eyes and met Shen Beidao’s gentle gaze. He playfully chided, “Why are you smiling at me? Hurry up and make a wish!”
Shen Beidao then belatedly raised the three sticks of incense above his head: Respected Buddha, hello. I have no wishes, I only hope that my… boyfriend beside me can have all his wishes come true and remain happy forever.
…
After completing the ritual, Shen Beidao felt a lingering sense of calm. He was not a Buddhist, but in the solemn atmosphere, feeling the tranquility and dignity of the ancient temple, his heart achieved a rare peace.
“Do you enjoy doing this?” Shen Beidao couldn’t help but ask after they walked out of the incense burner area.
“I’m a local, you know. My home isn’t far from here, and I have an annual park pass. When I was stressed out in high school, I often came here to walk around.”
“To offer incense?” Shen Beidao was a little puzzled. He could probably guess that frequent visits to a place of wish fulfillment usually meant feeling powerless about something.
“Not entirely.” Lin Yi smiled and explained, “Actually, I’m a scientific materialist, okay? It’s just that—”
He paused, “I advocate science, but I also respect the Buddha working 996, right? So you have to be sincere when offering incense.”
As Lin Yi spoke, he took the eighteen-seed bracelet they had just acquired from Shen Beidao’s hand and circled it clockwise three times over the incense burner, letting the bracelet bathe in the curling smoke.
It was the first time Shen Beidao had seen someone claim to “advocate science” while simultaneously doing something that was not scientific.
Shen Beidao couldn’t help but smile: “Hmm, that makes a lot of sense.”
After smoking the bracelet, Lin Yi carefully put it back on Shen Beidao’s wrist: “This has been blessed. It keeps you safe.”
“Hmm, I’ll give you…”
Before Shen Beidao could finish his sentence, Lin Yi put another bracelet on himself. The whole process was as easy and natural as drinking water, giving Shen Beidao no chance to touch him.
Shen Beidao chuckled inwardly: Hmm… my reaction was too slow.
According to Lin Yi’s plan, they were going to climb a mountain next. From the summit, they could overlook the entire city.
The two slowly ascended the mountain path paved with bluestone slabs. The higher they went, the more tourists there were, not fewer. Many people coming down the mountain enthusiastically encouraged those climbing: “Keep going, keep going, you’re almost there.”
The most common phrase among the surrounding tourists was: “Since we’ve come all this way, we definitely have to reach the top!”
The surrounding trees grew increasingly lush, and occasionally, a few clear bird calls could be heard…
“Why did you choose to study painting?” Shen Beidao started a conversation.
“Sigh! Isn’t it because it’s easier to get into university?” Lin Yi’s answer was surprisingly blunt. “Did you think I’d say it was because of passion? It’s actually not.”
He kicked a small stone on the path, his tone relaxed, “Anyone who truly loves painting wouldn’t choose a design major, right?”
“Hmm.” Shen Beidao responded softly, but he knew this wasn’t the whole truth. If he didn’t like painting, why would he choose the nation’s top art academy?
If it were truly just for a diploma, wouldn’t comprehensive 211 or 985 universities be better choices?
He knew Lin Yi hadn’t told him everything. Perhaps their relationship wasn’t mature enough for him to bare his heart. Shen Beidao comforted himself that he shouldn’t rush, but he still felt a little uneasy.
Shen Beidao: “I heard you need to attend intensive training before the art entrance exams, where many people study together for a period.”
“Oh, you know quite a bit.” Lin Yi looked at him in surprise.
“Was that time very tiring?”
“Living on campus was great, I didn’t have to go home.” Lin Yi’s answer was light, yet it inadvertently revealed a hint of complex emotion.
He paused, then explained: “My parents are too controlling, so I feel much freer living outside. Besides, I didn’t feel tired. When I’m busy, I don’t think about anything else.”
Without waiting for Shen Beidao to respond, he continued on his own: “Besides, who isn’t tired? The aunt selling breakfast has to get up at three in the morning, or I won’t have breakfast. Students have early classes, and workers have to clock in. Hardship is the norm. I never complain, but I also don’t suffer from internal friction… So, between striving, studying, and working, I chose offering incense.”
Shen Beidao was amused by his seemingly nonsensical yet insightful theory. “In that case, we should come more often next time. It can increase the happiness index.”
“Exactly. Offering incense is so convenient. No internal friction needed. You just hand your wishes over. The main point is externalizing the friction onto the deities. Sincerity brings results.”
“Haha…”
“Let’s take a break. There’s a small pavilion ahead. Let’s drink some water.”
Shen Beidao noticed the fine beads of sweat on Lin Yi’s temples and said with some concern.
“Are you sure you have the stamina?” Lin Yi playfully teased him back. “You work out every day, yet you’re tired so quickly?”
“I…” Just as Shen Beidao was about to explain, his phone suddenly rang.
He took out his phone, and his brow furrowed slightly when he saw the caller ID.
Lin Yi curiously leaned closer: “Who is it? Calling you on a Saturday?”
His gaze keenly caught the last four digits of the number on the screen: 7890.
“It’s a student council member. It’s fine, I’ll call him back later.”
Shen Beidao quickly rejected the call and set his phone to silent mode.
Lin Yi, however, frowned thoughtfully: The last four digits, 7890. Why does that sound so familiar? I remember Li Rui had that phone number ending, didn’t he?
He often mentioned those four digits when they shared a taxi before. But Li Rui said he didn’t know Shen Beidao. It must be a coincidence, right?…
Shen Beidao naturally put his arm around Lin Yi’s shoulder and pointed toward the pavilion high up on the mountain. “Let’s go. Since you’re not tired, how about we compare stamina?”
Hearing this, the conquering desire of a big Top instantly surged in Lin Yi. He immediately turned and started running toward the summit, declaring over his shoulder: “Then you’re definitely going to lose!”