Chapter Index

    Chapter 26 Chapter 26 A signed/ex-boyfriend plot…

    The sky outside the window gradually darkened. At this time, Lin Yi was nestled on the sofa, holding the tablet and sliding the screen with his fingertips.

    He was browsing the emotional forum where he had asked questions before. At the top of the page was a new question he posted two days ago:

    [I was cheated on by my boyfriend, what should I do?Currently in the Cold War…]

    There have been dozens of replies below the post, all of which are enthusiastic analyzes and suggestions from well-meaning netizens:

    [I looked at the records. Not long ago, the poster was asking for advice on biological reproduction. So he was deceived?】

    [Is it a P friend?】

    [What kind of deception, how big of a deception?Did he lie to you that he has eight pack abs but actually only has one, or did he lie to you that he has a net worth of tens of millions, but in fact he has not paid back the Huabei?】

    [Reply from the original poster] Age and occupation are false.

    【Why?No, the original poster, I think your problem a month ago was that your boyfriend sent you his ID card information and asked you to book tickets for him. The ID card information will reflect your age]

    Lin Yi stared at these two messages. Lin Yi exited the forum and switched back to WeChat.

    I found a string of ID numbers sent by Shen Beidao, “I just copied and pasted it. Why didn’t I look carefully? Is it… you blame me?”

    [You can’t be sure about your occupation, right?Maybe it was his previous experience?I just didn’t mention my current career, so I don’t think it’s unforgivable.】

    Lin Yi: “Fuck! It actually makes sense.”

    Lin Yi: “He was indeed a student before he became a teacher… Wait, who in this world has never been a student? Is this man a rescuer sent by Shen Beidao…”

    [If there is a little secret hidden in the profession and the age is false by one or two years, then it can be regarded as a “little love routine” at most]

    【Agree!The main thing is whether you think he has cheated on you emotionally, this is more important]

    Emotionally…?

    Lin Yi quit the forum.

    The top dialog box is still Shen Beidao, and the last message stays on the sentence he sent in the morning [not awake]

    It was almost eight o’clock in the evening, and the arrogant Professor Shen didn’t seem to intend to reply.

    He stared at those two words for a long time, his fingers hovering above the screen, but he still didn’t type a word.

    Clicking on Professor Shen’s circle of friends, Professor Bingshan actually posted a message: [The cranberry biscuits are not bad]

    Lin Yi:?

    Such a naughty brown paper bag?Is there a little heart sticker in the middle?Which girl gave it to me?

    Thinking about it, he became very angry.

    At this moment, the phone vibrated continuously.

    It was a message from Li Rui, several in a row:

    [Li Rui] Lin Yi, I went to Shen Beidao’s office today and saw him talking and laughing with teacher Fang Yu. I heard that they often collaborate on projects. I think what our school classmates posted online may not be fake.

    [Li Rui] Moreover, our dean likes Shen Beidao very much. It is said that he promoted Shen Beidao in order to choose a son-in-law for himself.

    [Li Rui] Our dean’s daughter is Teacher Fang Yu.

    Lin Yi looked at these messages and felt a subtle sour taste in his heart. Could it be from this teacher?

    But when did Li Rui know about it?

    It was probably Zhang Zexuan’s big mouth who said it.

    But…why did Shen Beidao lose Li Rui’s admiring title after falling in love with him?

    In the past, when Li Rui mentioned Shen Beidao, he always said, “What is my mentor?” and “Teacher Shen is so awesome.” He would report everything to Shen Beidao, just like a devout little believer.

    It’s better now, just add your first name and surname.

    Lin Yi twitched the corner of his mouth and typed a little at the excitement:

    【Don’t Talk About Rabbit Virtue】Do you know?

    [Li Rui] Got it, let me remind you, I think Teacher Fang Yu really likes him

    [Li Rui] Moreover, many girls have sent flowers to Teacher Shen

    [Li Rui] He doesn’t look gay

    Lin Yi stared at the last sentence “He doesn’t look gay” and couldn’t help but laugh.

    After much thought, he finally found one thing Shen Beidao didn’t lie to him about – that is, he was indeed not gay.

    [Don’t talk about rabbit virtues] I know, it’s all over now.

    [Li Rui] Well, I will report to you if anything happens to him.

    [Don’t talk about rabbit virtues] No need.

    [Don’t talk about rabbit ethics] Don’t feel pressured because of me, I know you want to take his graduate degree.

    [Li Rui] It’s okay. There are other teachers in the same major in our college.

    Lin Yi replied with an “Uh-huh” emoticon of a rabbit nodding, then crossed the line and carefully read the messages sent by Li Rui.

    Key words: frequent cooperation, dean’s daughter, choosing son-in-law…

    He curled his lips and showed a sarcastic smile: “Hey, with such a good relationship, why don’t you marry your teacher Fang Yu, and you can also hug the dean’s lap.”

    As soon as the words came out, he was stunned.

    This tone…why is it so sour?

    Lin Yi exited the chat box angrily and clicked on the forum again.

    There is a new reply to the previous post:

    [Owner, didn’t you take him to the temple last time? You can go there again this time. I know there is a very spiritual master on the mountain climbing road leading to the Temple of Wealth. Go and ask for a fortune to calculate your luck.]

    [I agree with the person above, if you can’t solve it, leave it to God. If it’s a good fate, cherish it; if it’s a bad fate, split it up as soon as possible]

    [It would be better to take your boyfriend with you for this kind of thing]

    【nonono!You are wrong upstairs. It is best not to bring someone with you. Ask your date of birth in advance and go quietly, because if you bring someone with you and run into a bad fate, the master will not tell you.】

    【I know!It’s better to demolish a temple than ruin a marriage, right?】

    [The original poster really can’t do it, so bring a bunch of flowers and pay homage to Yue Lao. Yue Lao is more professional in handling this matter…]

    Asking for a signature?

    The next morning, Lin Yi got up early.

    He had no appetite, so he only drank a glass of warm water, changed into simple black sportswear, and went out.

    Taoguang Temple is on a mountain on the outskirts of the city. You need to take a bus and then climb a mountain road for half an hour.

    Maybe because of the working day, not many people go up the mountain.

    Lin Yi walked up the familiar stone steps step by step. The air in the mountains was crisp and full of moisture from the vegetation.

    His cold was not over yet, and he was a little out of breath when he walked too fast, so he slowed down and climbed the mountain slowly.

    He wondered: “Last time Shen Beidao was here, I didn’t feel so high…”

    Half an hour later, we reached the finish line.

    The master’s Zen room is next to Luzu Hall. It is a small room with a long line of people queuing at the door.When it was his turn, it was already an hour later.

    The Zen room was very quiet, with only a thin stick of incense burning. The master looked to be in his sixties, with a pale face and a simple gray monk’s robe.

    He glanced at Lin Yi, said nothing, and just pointed to the futon on the ground.

    Lin Yi knelt down, put his hands together and closed his eyes.

    After some incomprehensible explanations from the master.

    Lin Yi came out with the signature.

    It’s a lottery ticket [No. 19 (the ancient Cui Mengxiong won the number)]

    The content of the signature [Yue Lao Bingren said that it is a synthesis, so don’t worry about the red silk system.After a hundred years, the couple grows old together, and the melons and melons continue to prosper.】

    The master looked at it and said only four words: “Wait for the opportunity.”

    Lin Yi walked down the steps and sent the signed photo to Zhang Zexuan. At present, he was the only friend who had nothing to do with Shen Beidao and could talk to him.

    Lin Yi [I came to the temple today to ask for a fortune teller and help me figure it out. I remember that your sister loves to study these things?】

    Zhang Zexuan replied instantly [No problem, wait!】

    “Lin Yi.” A familiar voice came from nowhere. He looked around, but when he raised his eyes, he saw the person he least wanted to see on the upper floor of the building.

    Chen Zhinan.

    He was wearing an off-white knitted sweater today. His hair was untied and hanging casually on his shoulders. “Wait for me. I’ll come down.”

    Chen Zhinan waved to him and walked down the steps quickly.

    Lin Yi looked at the signature in his hand and waited for the opportunity, so he summoned his ex-boyfriend?

    In line with the principle of being pious and polite in front of the temple to show respect for the gods, he did not turn around and leave.

    He just stood there and waited for Chen Zhinan to come up to him.

    “Lin Yi, I didn’t expect to meet you here.” Chen Zhinan’s voice was very soft, with a hint of caution.

    “I didn’t expect that either.” Lin Yi tried his best to smile, “There is still a long way to go down the mountain, let’s go together?”

    Chen Zhinan didn’t expect him to take such initiative. He was stunned for a moment before saying, “Okay, okay.”

    The two began to go down the mountain. The mountain path was not wide. They were side by side, just a polite distance away.

    After walking for a while, Chen Zhinan took out an unopened bottle of mineral water from his black backpack and handed it over: “Are you thirsty? I brought water.”

    Lin Yi lowered his head to pick it up and saw the ring on Chen Zhinan’s right ring finger.

    A capital letter “N” wrapped in a plain circle.

    It was made of silver and was not expensive. It was a birthday gift he gave to Chen Zhinan that year.

    “N” is the first letter of “Nan” and the homophone of “you”.

    Chen Zhinan actually still wears it.

    Lin Yi took the mineral water as if nothing had happened, then looked away, pretending not to see anything.

    “Thank you.” Lin Yi said.

    The two of them continued walking down, saying nothing all the way.

    The silence in the mountains was filled with the chirping of birds and the sound of wind, but it made the silence between them even more awkward.

    Lin Yi walked in front, and Chen Zhinan followed silently.

    When he reached a corner, Chen Zhinan quietly took out his mobile phone and took two photos of his back.

    When he reached a viewing platform halfway up the mountain, Lin Yi stopped.

    “Let’s take a break.”

    “Okay.”

    They sat down on the wooden benches, leaving a gap between them.

    It was still early, and there were more people going up the mountain than going down. Tourists passed by in twos and threes, mostly old people coming for morning exercise and students in their company.

    Lin Yi took a few more sips of water and then put the bottle next to him.

    He turned his head and looked at Chen Zhinan, trying to make his tone sound natural and casual:

    “You used to have yellow hair that suited you well. Why did you turn into black hair?”

    He tried to avoid those heavy topics and defined the encounter as an ordinary chat.

    The premise of letting go is that even if you meet again, you will be indifferent. Just like seeing a stranger, saying hello is the last act of decency.

    It can be regarded as a complete ending for the boy three years ago.

    Chen Zhinan smiled: “Last time in the hospital, I saw that your ex-boyfriend had black hair, and I thought you should like this one.”

    Lin Yi: “…………”

    Got it!No need to ask him.

    He is really the same as before, not picking up whichever pot he likes.

    “Who said it was your ex-boyfriend?” Lin Yi turned around and looked at the mountains in the distance, his voice was very calm, “Can’t it be his current boyfriend?”

    Chen Zhinan: “I don’t mean anything else. Don’t get me wrong. No matter who you are with, I will bless you. I know we can’t go back.”

    “Chen Zhinan, there are many men in the world, but there is always someone better than me.”

    “Besides, I’m not as good as you think. After so many years of no contact, many of my feelings have changed.”

    Chen Zhinan replied in his heart: If it was really that easy, I wouldn’t go back to Jiangzhou.

    The two sat for a while and then continued down the mountain.

    This time Lin Yi took the initiative and asked about the current situation of Chen Zhinan’s opening of the studio.

    He didn’t want to make the atmosphere too awkward, nor did he want to get stuck in the quagmire of memories. Talking about work was the safest option.

    Chen Zhinan’s tone gradually became clearer when he talked about his plan.

    He talked about brand positioning, market research, and future development directions… But as he talked, the topic inevitably circled back.

    Chen Zhinan: “Do you still remember? Our previous dream was to be cartoonists. You liked Urasawa Naoki. I always remember it. When we were tired of drawing, we would watch “MONSTER” together. At that time, we wanted to study in Japan together.”

    Lin Yi’s steps slowed down.

    Those lazy afternoons spent in the studio, those nights crowded in front of the computer watching cartoons, those innocent and passionate fantasies about the future…

    Lin Yi sneered: “But weren’t you the one who broke your promise?”

    Chen Zhinan was silent.

    The mountain road becomes gentle in this section. In this season, the maple leaves in Jiangzhou will scatter to the ground when the wind blows, just like the past that cannot be grasped and cannot be changed.

    “That’s because auntie came to find my mother,” Chen Zhinan’s voice was trembling, “She… I can’t do anything.”

    “But over the years, I have never forgotten you, and I have always been asking for news about you.

    However, I can’t be so selfish and cause trouble to you and make my aunt difficult for us.”

    “So?” Lin Yi stopped, turned around and looked at him, “You fled to Japan alone and chose to block me? For your so-called ‘less selfish’?”

    Chen Zhinan’s face gradually turned pale.

    He chose to escape alone on a matter of principle, but the reality did not get better because of his letting go.

    On the contrary, everything is heading for the worse.

    Lin Yi’s mother was determined to break them up, but Chen Zhinan’s exit made her lose her worries and simply resorted to resorting to force to achieve her goal.

    For a long time after that, she controlled Lin Yi’s life almost pathologically: 24 hours a day, asking him to report his whereabouts every hour, and even hired someone to track and monitor his every move.

    Mother Lin’s control has reached a terrifying level.

    Chen Zhinan’s retreat made all Lin Yi’s previous persistence in vain, and he completely failed.

    That time, Lin Yi sat by the river for a long time.

    He began to regret why he involved Chen Zhinan, and why he couldn’t face the pressure of the family alone?

    It was clear that he finally had something to rely on and a reason to fight for, but the person who supported him left first.

    Chen Zhinan left, taking with him all Lin Yi’s belief in breaking free and changing the status quo.

    Lin Yi lost the game with his family, and his mother held the biggest advantage against him.

    As a teenager, he didn’t know how to solve it.

    That night, as the river lapped against the embankment and the cold wind blew into his collar, he looked at the dark river and suddenly had an idea: If he jumped over this railing, would all his worries disappear?

    He opened the phone with trembling hands, his fingertips stopped on the input box, and typed word by word: [Mom, I want to give birth to an obedient brother next time, I’m sorry, I will bless you in heaven]

    Before the message was finished, a notification suddenly popped up on the top of the phone [Street interview, students from Jiangzhou University in this city, how do they view the issue of homosexuality?】

    Lin Yi’s raised leg got stuck on the railing and he accidentally clicked in.

    It’s a collection of interviews.

    The first student: “Respect it, many places abroad have started to make it legal.”

    The second classmate: “I don’t understand, I’m straight.”

    The third classmate: “I haven’t talked about it, but I have a gay roommate, and he is very nice.”

    The fourth classmate: “A girl is a beautiful creature, and two girls are super beautiful creatures.”

    Fifth student: “Sorry, I’m homophobic.”

    The sixth student: “Sorry, I’m a teacher.”

    Interviewer: “Ah? You’re actually a teacher? Really? Are you a teacher from Jiangzhou University?”

    The voice was very calm: “Well, I just returned to China not long ago, and today is my first day in office.”

    Interviewer: “Wow! That’s amazing! Can I ask how old you are this year? Because if you didn’t tell me, I really thought you were a student!”

    “Twenty-seven years old. Sorry, I’m in a hurry and need to go to class in Building 1.”

    Interviewer: “Then please answer this question quickly. From a teacher’s perspective, how do you view the current issue of homosexuality?”

    “Excuse me, does this question have anything to do with me?”

    Interviewer: “Well, it’s just a discussion on a social topic.”

    “Before answering this question, I feel it is necessary to add: Rejecting moral kidnapping is a required course in life.”

    “I think everyone has the right to pursue love. If you fall in love with someone of the same sex, just like some people prefer mountains and seas, and some people fall in love with stars and moon, it’s all about your heart and has nothing to do with others. Thank you.”

    Interviewer: “Thank you for your answer! It is indeed a different perspective. I won’t disturb your time. I wish you a happy life.”

    The video ends here.

    Lin Yi stood by the river, holding his mobile phone and looking at the figure who hurriedly left the camera.

    The figure was tall and straight, wearing a simple white shirt, and disappeared into the crowd.

    He slowly lowered his raised leg.

    That night, he went home and said to his mother: “I will study hard in the college entrance examination. I won’t study painting. I can study design. Don’t worry about me.”

    Because Ms. Lin Jingzhi saw on the Internet that some people said that there are many homosexuals who learn to draw. Those who are close to red are red and those who are close to ink are black. She felt that if she stopped learning, she might be able to get rid of her liking for men.

    …….

    Lin Yi and Chen Zhinan parted ways at the bus stop at the foot of the mountain.

    The bus that Chen Zhinan wanted to take came first. Before getting on the bus, he looked back at Lin Yi and moved his lips, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he said nothing and just waved.

    Lin Yi stood there, watching the bus drive away, then turned around and walked to another road.

    He didn’t want to take the same train as Chen Zhinan.

    Some boundaries cannot be blurred once they are clearly drawn.

    On the bus on the way back, Lin Yi leaned against the window and looked at the rapidly retreating street scene outside. He suddenly wanted to look for the interview video he saw before. He didn’t know what his mentality would be like watching it now. Would he still almost jump into the river because of the thought?I don’t know what I was thinking at the time.

    The phone rang, it was Zhang Zexuan.

    Lin Yi picked up and chatted for a few words.

    Zhang Zexuan’s chirping voice began to come from the phone: “What?! You met Chen Zhinan after you asked for the signature? He won’t follow you, right??”

    “Probably not.” Lin Yi rubbed his temples, “I happened to meet him. Before… I brought him here often to sketch.”

    “Oh…” Zhang Zexuan’s voice trailed off, and then he became excited again, “What, my sister just helped you break down this lottery! She said that what you met this time is 100% a good match! And this person has always been by your side. Although there may be small problems to be solved, the husband and wife will definitely stay together, grow old together, and have children and grandchildren!”

    Lin Yi was drinking water when he heard the words “a house full of descendants”. He couldn’t hold it back and choked: “Ahem, cough, cough…”

    “Does this mean that I have to leave an offspring for my boyfriend?”

    He coughed and said, just as the bus arrived, he got off the bus and walked towards his community.

    “That’s not what you meant.” Zhang Zexuan chuckled on the other end of the phone, “I think it’s possible that you turned around and bumped into Chen Zhinan just after asking for the signature…”

    “What?” Lin Yi said jokingly, “You wouldn’t say it was an old love rekindling, would you?”

    He raised his head and his words stopped abruptly.

    Shen Beidao stood at the door of his community, holding a bag in his hand and looking at him.

    “No, no,” Zhang Zexuan was still chattering on the other end of the phone, “I think maybe the ‘grandson’ in the family is Chen Zhinan!”

    Lin Yi: “…You are too abstract.”

    “It’s not that I’m speaking for anyone. I think Professor Shen is very nice. He’s gentle and polite. The main reason is that he’s tall and handsome. He also takes good care of you. When you saw that you were sick, he immediately went to the hospital to see you. He has to go to work on weekdays, right? He must have taken leave…”

    Lin Yi saw Shen Beidao walking towards him and quickly interrupted Zhang Zexuan: “…I’ll hang up first.”

    The phone hangs up.

    Shen Beidao also walked up to him.

    “I have no classes in the afternoon, so I took the time to come and see you. Are you feeling better?”

    Lin Yi looked at him and didn’t know what to say for a moment.

    “How did you know I was at home…” Lin Yi didn’t know why, but he remembered what happened that night when he saw him. It was really embarrassing.

    “I went to your company and they said you were on sick leave recently.” Shen Beidao seemed to see through his doubts and took the initiative to explain, “I asked Li Rui and he said that your school encourages internships and only has classes on Mondays. Today is Friday, so you have no classes.”

    He said, handing over the brown paper bag in his hand: “Also, I learned how to bake some cookies and give them to you to try.”

    The paper bag was still warm, with a sweet aroma fresh from the oven.

    Lin Yi didn’t answer.

    Then he spoke: “Shen Beidao, what exactly do you want to do?”

    Shen Beidao’s hand hung in the air and did not move.

    “I miss you, can’t you come and see my boyfriend?”

    ———————–

    The author has something to say: Wow!Today is the Happy Fat Chapter ~ Praising the little author?(It’s okay not to praise hh)

    Today’s knowledge sharing:

    A brief introduction to Naoki Urasawa (sourced from the Internet): His representative works include “Strongness Conquers Strength with Softness”, “Dangerous Investigators”, “Monster”, “20th Century Boy”, “Pluto”, etc. Naoki Urasawa is a well-known young cartoonist in Japan. He has twice won the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Award for Comics with “Monster” and “Pluto PLUTO”. He is the only cartoonist to win this award twice.As of 2025, the total sales volume of his works exceeds 100 million copies. Many of his works have been adapted into animations, movies or TV series, and he also enjoys a high reputation in the international comics industry.

    ——

    Signature: Yuelao Bingren said it was a synthesis, so don’t worry about the red silk series.After a hundred years, the couple grows old together, and the melons and melons continue to prosper.

    (from the Internet)

    Interpretation: “A couple will grow old together for a hundred years” in the signature directly points to the topic, which indicates that the couple will grow old together, and “the melons and melons are endless” symbolizes the descendants and the prosperity of the family.For married couples, this sign means that the relationship is stable and even minor frictions can be resolved smoothly; for those who are about to get married, it means that the marriage will be happy and long-lasting, and it is a match made in heaven.

    ——

    Tell a real-life story (derived from the author’s experience)

    I have a colleague who has very similar ideas to Shen Beidao.

    Once, I made a typo at work, and then the video I made was sent to the company’s external public platform. This colleague quickly synchronized it to a large group of hundreds of people.

    I’ve checked it many times and still can’t avoid mistakes. It’s not that I’m not serious, it’s that sometimes small mistakes are inevitable at work.

    I asked him: What should I do?

    My colleague said: delete it and start again.

    As soon as he finished speaking, he immediately withdrew the large group of messages.

    Then, in order to avoid embarrassment, I said: Oops, blame me, I didn’t read it carefully, and only after posting it did I realize…Bara Bala said some words of self-reflection.

    My colleague: It’s okay, don’t take it to heart, it doesn’t matter, don’t care, no one will care.

    I was very happy instantly. Think about anything that bothers you. In fact, it’s just you who cares.

    You feel embarrassed, guilty, ashamed, embarrassed, etc., but if you don’t feel that way, this matter will not have a negative impact on you. Reduce internal friction. We are not machines and can make mistakes.

    Note