Chapter 50 So Many Rivals
The entrance to the examination room at the hospital.
Lin Yi's face was full of reluctance as Shen Beidao half-pushed and half-coaxed him to the door.
"I feel perfectly healthy, I have a good appetite, and I get enough sleep, so I don't need to do so many tests..."
"Isn't it this thin?"
Lin Yi clung to the door frame, making a last-ditch effort, his eyes glancing at the simple yet somewhat cold sign on the examination room door: Semen/Liquid Analysis Room.
Shen Beidao stood behind him, one hand firmly supporting his waist, the other already pushing open the half-closed door for him, his voice like that of someone coaxing a child:
"It's okay, don't be afraid, it's easy. There are operation instructions and help videos inside. Just follow the instructions and you'll be done in no time."
"But I don't want to!"
Lin Yi turned his head and retorted in a low voice, "I have no intention of having children at all."
"I'll never marry a woman in the future, so why would I need this checkup? It's a complete waste of social resources..."
He couldn't accept having to do something so private and embarrassing in this unfamiliar, medical-sounding place just to complete an examination.
This physical examination was a basic health check required for university admission in Japan.
Shen Beidao accompanied him to this medical examination institution. At first, it was indeed some basic examinations.
But in the end, Shen Beidao somehow obtained a more detailed medical examination package, which included several additional items, including this one.
"Because you've been too picky about food lately."
The reasons given for Shen Beidao sound high-sounding, even nonchalant, like something you'd use to fool a kindergarten child:
"You haven't been eating properly, and your sleep schedule has been irregular lately. Since you're here for a checkup, I might as well get it checked out too, so I can feel at ease."
He paused, his voice carrying a hint of coaxing:
"There are fewer people today, so we don't have to queue. Can you please cooperate and put my mind at ease?"
Lin Yi almost laughed in anger: "Me, a picky eater?"
"Shen Beidao, put your hand on your heart and tell me... why am I a picky eater? Isn't it because you research those nutritional meals every day, saying this is too high in calories and can't be eaten, that has no nutrition and should be eaten less!"
They just want me to eat grass, and then they keep saying I've gained weight! Where have I gained weight?
"Besides, being a picky eater has absolutely nothing to do with this examination. It's not like I'm making it for myself to eat..."
Shen Beidao remained expressionless: ...
Lin Yi angrily punched the wall: "Isn't it because I got a gym membership last month, and the trainer was so enthusiastic that he delivered diet meals to my home!"
I explained everything to him, but he's still sulking, making me eat a weight-loss diet for half a month! He said I could eat as much as I wanted if I liked it…
Do you think it's easy for me?!
How could I possibly have expected him to bring me food!
"This is a comprehensive health assessment package, with all indicators interconnected." Shen Beidao remained calm, his logic as rigorous as a doctor's.
He took a step forward, almost touching Lin Yi's ear, and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Or, I could go in and keep you company? I'll get it out for you, and I guarantee I can fill the test tube quickly, how about that?"
"No!!!"
Lin Yi jumped back instantly, his face flushed red, and snatched the sealed sample cup and test tube from Shen Beidao's hand, rushing into the examination room.
The door slammed shut, shutting out Shen Beidao's meaningful gaze.
Shen Beidao stood outside the door, listening to the faint sounds of Lin Yi coming from inside, and a satisfied smile curved his lips upward.
He leaned against the wall and listened quietly.
But as he listened, it seemed he also needed to resolve something urgently...
*
24 hours later.
Lin Yi received a detailed electronic report on his phone, and the initial medical examination data was all normal.
Lin Yi continued until he reached the additional items page.
Lin Yi's face was full of...
The four words "This is impossible!" are prominently displayed!
"...What azoospermia?"
He muttered the medical term under his breath, "What the hell is this? I, I clearly... every day..."
He abruptly stopped himself from speaking, moved closer to Shen Beidao who was calmly reviewing his medical report, and whispered his accusations through gritted teeth:
"My output is clearly more than the average man's, okay?! Is there a mistake in the typo?!"
Shen Beidao turned his head to look at him, his face showing no surprise. Instead, he raised his hand to adjust his glasses and then objectively analyzed the situation:
"Perhaps, due to excessive production and intense internal competition, the sperm were prematurely weeded out before reaching maturity, inadvertently harming each other?"
Or, it could be some kind of physiological inhibition…
"Hey! Stop!"
He's more concerned about another issue now: if this is a disease...
He stared at the cold, hard conclusion on the report, his eyes slowly shifting from initial shock to a mixture of bewilderment.
In the end, it completely turned into a secret joy!
"So... because of my personal issues, I won't be able to have my own children in the future?"
His eyes lit up, and he looked at Shen Beidao with a hint of excitement. "Does that mean that a man like me who can't have children is not suitable for marriage? And that no girl would like an infertile man!"
Shen Beidao: ...Why is he so excited?
Lin Yi suddenly remembered something, grabbed Shen Beidao's neck, and quickly kissed him on the cheek:
"Little Shen, don't worry, once I've completed my studies and returned in glory, I'll marry you in a grand and glorious way!"
He took out his phone, took a picture of the key conclusion on the report, then opened the WeChat contact with the name "Mom" and sent the picture to her.
Shen Beidao seemed to understand after watching his series of actions.
He discovered a reason why his family couldn't refuse him from marrying a woman.
Lin Yi stared at the screen for a while, but there were no new messages in the chat box.
Shen Beidao seemed about to say something, but in the end, he simply raised his hand, vigorously ruffled Lin Yi's hair, suppressed the surging emotions in his eyes, and said:
"Okay, I'll wait. My darling, you have to keep your word."
...
One week later, at Tokyo Airport.
Shen Beidao dragged their suitcases, while Lin Yi carried a backpack, curiously looking around at the place where they were about to begin their new life. The surrounding language was unfamiliar, and the various billboards not far away had been replaced with Japanese...
But he finally embarked on the path of pursuing his dream.
Finding a place to live, buying basic necessities, familiarizing yourself with the area around the school, and handling all sorts of complicated procedures...
The first month was busy and fulfilling.
Shen Beidao arranged everything for him as perfectly as possible.
He would try to cook Lin Yi's favorite dishes in his small rented apartment using the limited kitchen utensils, accompany him to school to register, and help him analyze problems when Lin Yi felt dizzy from his major courses...
The language barrier, cultural differences, and the high intensity of the coursework all left Lin Yi feeling exhausted.
Shenbei Island became the only piece of driftwood he could rely on in this unfamiliar land.
However, driftwood will eventually drift away.
A month later, Shen Beidao's family's company in China began operations. His father returned to China to discuss business development with his partners, and Shen Beidao had no choice but to go back as well.
On the day of their farewell at the airport, Lin Yi tried his best to appear relaxed, waving with a smile and saying, "Don't worry, I'm all grown up, I can handle anything!"
But the moment Shen Beidao stepped into the security checkpoint, his eyes reddened, and he bit his lip to keep the tears from falling.
In the adult world, the first step to learn is to accept loneliness.
Learn to face unfamiliar environments alone, solve small troubles in life alone, and process sudden feelings of vulnerability alone.
Growing up can happen in the blink of an eye.
...
Time flies by in the midst of busyness.
A year has passed in the blink of an eye.
During this period, Shen Beidao would try to set aside two days each month to fly over and visit him.
But each gathering was very short; they would arrive the night before and leave the afternoon of the next day.
The two of them squeezed into the tiny apartment, kissing, hugging, and cuddling...
I wanted to condense all the longing I felt during this separation into these few dozen hours.
After a year of operation, Shen Beidao's company in China gradually got on track, and he had a little more free time.
After adapting to life as a student abroad, Lin Yi's studies became increasingly demanding, with group assignments, personal creative projects, language learning, and other activities filling almost every day.
Sometimes, they are both busy with their own things.
They might not have time to make a proper phone call for a day or two, and can only send a few short voice messages or text messages late at night or early in the morning.
Tell the other party:
"I slept"
I just finished class.
"I'm so tired today."
"I miss you"
...
The adult world is busy and fulfilling, and they all know that the most important thing right now is the path they are on.
Some long-distance relationships eventually end in separation, while some couples who love each other keep looking back to see if the other is keeping up with them...
—
Jiangzhou, 7:03 PM
Shenbei Island has just concluded an important meeting.
He was alone in the office. He rubbed his slightly sore temples, picked up his phone, and habitually dialed Lin Yi's video call.
It rang seven or eight times before it was answered.
The screen shook slightly, revealing Lin Yi's somewhat hurried face. The background appeared to be a school corridor, with poor lighting.
"Yiyi."
Shen Beidao's voice carried the weariness of a day's work.
"Hmm? Why are you calling me so early today?" Lin Yi said.
There could be sounds of other people talking in the background, "I just finished class and I'm about to discuss a group project with my classmates, so I might be a little late..."
“Okay, you go ahead with your work.” Shen Beidao said understandingly. He originally wanted to ask: I’m not too busy these two days, would you like me to come and see you?
The words lingered on his tongue, but he hadn't yet managed to utter them.
"Hey! Lin Yi, hurry up, they're all waiting in the lab!" A clear, young male voice came from the other end of the receiver.
"Coming, coming!" Lin Yi responded, then spoke even faster to Shen Beidao, "Honey, I'm hanging up now, I'll call you back later! Love you!"
Before he could finish speaking, the screen went dark.
Call duration: 58 seconds.
Shen Beidao held his phone, staring at the words "Call ended" on the screen, and paused for a second.
The question that was never asked stuck in my throat, neither coming out nor coming out.
He frowned slightly, and after a few minutes, dialed again.
This time, it rang for a long time, and was almost automatically disconnected when it was answered.
But it wasn't Lin Yi's voice that came through.
Hello?
It was a young male voice, polite in tone, and the background became much quieter:
"Are you looking for Lin Yi? He just went to the bathroom. His phone was charging on the table, and I answered it because it kept ringing. How can I help you?"
Shen Beidao's Adam's apple bobbed, but he didn't speak immediately.
He pondered how to appropriately identify himself and ask the other party to relay his message.
However, the person on the other end of the phone didn't give him much time.
The person answering the phone seemed to have held it a little further away, but the call wasn't affected. The faint sounds of conversation from the other end could be heard clearly; it was two boys talking.
Another male voice asked with a hint of teasing, "Whose phone is that? Huh? How come... it's Lin Yi's phone?"
"Hmm, the number is from China, and there's no contact information."
"No note? Is it a telemarketing call? Just hang up."
"You can go have dinner with Lin Yi later. I'm leaving now. My girlfriend is waiting for me downstairs."
"Sure."
A brief silence followed, then hushed discussions:
"Hey, don't think I can't tell! You have feelings for Lin Yi, don't you?"
"Although Lin Yi is quite popular with girls in our class, I haven't seen him get particularly close to any girl. You might have a chance!"
"Hehe! No, we're all classmates, don't talk nonsense!"
"Don't worry, I'll keep it a secret. Tell me, okay?"
Then.
"Beep—beep—beep".
The call was disconnected.
Shen Beidao remained frozen in place, still holding his phone.
Outside the office's floor-to-ceiling windows, the night view of Jiangzhou is bustling and vibrant.
But he felt as if he were in a vacuum, with all the sounds and sights around him blurred and receding.
Only those few short sentences from the phone call just now are clearly echoing in my mind.
"Do you have feelings for Lin Yi?"
"There might be a chance."
He slowly put down his phone, his gaze gradually settling into a deep, unfathomable darkness.
Something's not right.
He calmed down and began to recount his experiences.
Over the past year, he and Lin Yi have actually been in contact more frequently than before.
Lin Yi talked to him about school every day. Everything seemed normal, and the distance even made their separation feel sweeter than a honeymoon.
But is that really the case?
Are certain details deliberately obscured in those seemingly frequent shares?
For example, Lin Yi didn't seem to mention any of his classmates' names, and he rarely went out for meals together.
However, looking at it from another perspective, Lin Yi's youth, excellence, and the natural gravitas he receives from his peers in a foreign country...
These are themselves huge variables.
He opened his chat history with Lin Yi, his finger quickly swiping up, trying to catch any unusual clues between the lines.
But no.
At least on the surface, no.
Lin Yi kept saying how much he missed him and wanted him to come to Japan to be with him.
If everything is perfect.
On the contrary, it implies that there may be deliberate embellishment.
Upon realizing this, Shen Beidao immediately picked up the phone on the table and dialed his assistant.
"Please adjust my schedule. I will be away from Jiangzhou for the next three days. Please compile all the documents that require my signature and the funds that need my approval and submit them to me by 9 p.m. tonight. After today, please do not disturb me."
The assistant seemed to pause for a moment, but his professionalism made him respond quickly: "Okay, Mr. Shen, I'll arrange it right away."
After hanging up the phone, Chen Beidao opened the airline's app and booked the next direct flight to Tokyo at midnight.
Then, he pulled up an electronic timetable that Lin Yi had sent him earlier and began to study it carefully.
Tomorrow is Wednesday. Lin Yi has two professional classes in the morning, a discussion class in the afternoon, and no fixed schedule for the evening.
Shen Beidao put his laptop into his briefcase, picked up his coat, and walked out of the office.
He wants to go and see for himself.
...
At 3 a.m., the plane landed at the airport.
Without informing Lin Yi, he directly called a car and went straight to Lin Yi's house in Tokyo.
He changed into a low-key dark trench coat, put on a hat and a mask, and hid himself in the hurried crowds of Tokyo in the early morning.
According to the class schedule, he found the teaching building where Lin Yi had his morning classes, found a corner seat by the window in the coffee shop across the street, ordered a coffee, and locked his gaze through the glass onto the exit of the teaching building.
The bell rang at 9:50 a.m. to signal the end of get out of class.
Shen Beidao quickly spotted the familiar figure in the crowd. Lin Yi was wearing a beige down jacket and carrying the familiar backpack. He was walking out chatting and laughing with several Asian boys and girls.
He looked to be in good shape and seemed to have fully adapted to life here.
He saw Lin Yi and his classmates part ways at the intersection, and Lin Yi walked alone towards the cafeteria.
Shen Beidao got up and followed, keeping a distance that was neither too close nor too far.
Lin Yi ate a simple lunch in the cafeteria. During the meal, a boy sat down opposite him with his tray. The two chatted for a few minutes and then went their separate ways.
After lunch, Lin Yi went to the library, borrowed a few reference books, and then bought a bottle of water and a carton of strawberry milk at a convenience store.
Shen Beidao followed behind, like a humble shadow.
He watched Lin Yi walk down the street, look up at the sky, stop to look at the items displayed in the shop windows, and his back view conveyed a sense of loneliness in a foreign land.
Shen Beidao felt a slight tug at his heartstrings, a surge of heartache welling up within him, and he wanted to rush over and hug her immediately.
But he didn't do that.
...
Lin Yi attended the afternoon lecture on time.
Shen Beidao mingled in the back row of the audience, his eyes fixed on that focused profile.
After the lecture, Lin Yi packed his things, seemingly preparing to go straight home.
Shen Beidao breathed a sigh of relief.
It seems he was overthinking things.
Just as Lin Yi was about to walk out of the teaching building, several classmates quickly caught up with him and excitedly said something to him.
Lin Yi listened with a hint of hesitation, but soon, encouraged by his classmates' enthusiasm, he nodded.
Then, they walked together to the parking lot.
Lin Yi got into one of the cars.
Shen Beidao quickly flagged down a taxi and told the driver, "Follow that silver-gray Toyota in front."
The driver, a middle-aged man, glanced at the man with a hat and mask and a cold demeanor in the rearview mirror, wisely refrained from asking any further questions, and skillfully followed.
In the car, Shen Beidao took out his phone, opened his chat with Lin Yi, considered for a moment, and sent a message:
【What are you doing? 】
Lin Yi's reply popped up:
I just finished class and was about to go home, but my classmate said he found a new game-themed bar that looked really interesting and insisted on dragging me there to relax.
Shen Beidao stared at the words on the screen, his fingertips slightly cold.
He continued typing:
[Which classmates? How many people were at the gathering?]
Little Rabbit: [What, is President Shen checking up on me now?]
Is the little rabbit jealous?
Little Rabbit: [My dear Teacher Shen, don't worry, they're all just ordinary students, from the same class.]
Little Rabbit [We've all been helping each other with our projects lately, and it's been quite tiring. They've been so kind to invite me to join them, and I felt bad about always refusing.]
Little bunny: [If it's interesting, I'll play a little longer; if not, I'll leave early.]
Little bunny: [Don't worry about me! I promise I'll be home safely before 9 PM! I'll send you a message to let you know I'm safe!]
Looking at that familiar promise, tinged with a hint of coquetry, Shen Beidao's already taut nerves tightened even more.
Lin Yi listened to his classmates gossiping in the car.
"Has there been any resolution to the kidnapping case?"
"What can possibly happen? I heard her boyfriend owes gambling debts and staged the kidnapping to extort money. He's in court now! Fanfan's family definitely won't let him off the hook; he'll probably be sent to jail."
"How is she? Has she been discharged from the hospital?"
"He had several broken ribs and a fractured ankle. The school was afraid of affecting its reputation, so they secretly gave him a consolation payment."
No one knows which hospital she's in; they're afraid of the media coming to her door, and they're also afraid the man's parents will come begging for reconciliation, which would interfere with her recovery.
"By the way! Lin Yi, didn't she work on a project with you before? Didn't you ask her about it privately?"
Lin Yi shook his head: "No, she rarely came to the classroom back then, saying that her boyfriend was very controlling."
"If you ask me, Chinese people should talk to each other. They have different habits from childhood, and problems will arise sooner or later."
I think so too.
"Hey? Lin Yi, do you have a girlfriend?"
"No." He doesn't have a girlfriend, but he does have a boyfriend who lives far away in Jiangzhou.
However, Lin Yi rarely talked to them about personal matters.
Aside from the collaborations required by the course, he would at most participate in some group activities to pass the time. He never talked about his personal life in detail, since many of his classmates did not live in China and he would never see them again after graduation.
As long as the relationship is acceptable, that's fine.
Have you ever been in a relationship?
Lin Yi hummed in response and then fell silent.
...
About twenty minutes later, the car stopped on a relatively quiet street with a trendy decor.
Lin Yi and five or six classmates got off the bus and walked into a bar with a storefront designed in the style of an old-fashioned arcade game console.
The staff organizing the game confirmed their reservation and greeted them with a smile:
"Hey, there are two new faces today, and they're quite handsome."
Shen Beidao got off the bus and stood across the street.
Lin Yi and his classmates were led by staff to a reserved long table and sat down. Soon, someone brought them wine and several boxes of board games.
It seems like it was just an ordinary classmate reunion.
Shen Beidao hesitated for a moment, just as he was about to cross the road, when his phone vibrated.
It was a photo sent by Lin Yi, showing the drinks and Werewolf cards on the table.
The little bunny has started, and the atmosphere seems pretty good!
Little bunny, [Next time you come, I'll take you to play, okay?]
Shen Beidao wondered if he was really overthinking things.
He stood by the roadside, lit a cigarette, and felt a mix of emotions.
He wanted to hold him in his arms immediately, to confirm his ownership, and to dispel all the unease and suspicion that had arisen from the distance over the past year.
But he also knew that he needed to give Lin Yi space and trust him.
After finishing two cigarettes, Shen Beidao checked his watch; it was almost eight o'clock.
He dialed Lin Yi's number, looked up and saw Lin Yi push open the door and stand under the dim streetlight at the entrance, answering his call.
"Yiyi, what are you doing?"
Shen Beidao feigned calmness.
"Didn't I just message you? Were you too busy to check your phone again?" Lin Yi asked, sounding disappointed.
"I'm having a reunion with my classmates, playing Werewolf. I just got voted out, so I came out to get some fresh air."
Lin Yi's voice was slightly breathless, "After this game ends, it should be about time, then I'll go home and video chat with you."
"What classmate? Is he reliable?"
Shen Beidao asked with a smile, "The figure under the streetlight squatted down, as if tying his shoelaces."
"Don't worry, I'm not particularly close to them. We've just been helping each other out lately, and I can't keep refusing their invitations."
"Hmm," Shen Beidao responded, "Look at the other side..."
"Huh? What?"
Shen Beidao was about to wave.
The door to the bar was suddenly pushed open.
A bespectacled, well-mannered boy walked out and headed straight for Lin Yi, who was squatting under the streetlight.
Shen Beidao's words stuck in his throat.
"Wait a minute, I have something to do," and then hung up the phone.
Shen Beidao held his phone, which was ringing with a busy signal, and looked at the two figures standing opposite each other under the streetlight.
It was a bit far away, so I couldn't hear what they were saying.
Out of politeness, Lin Yi greeted him, "You're out too?"
"Lin Yi, I have something to tell you. Can we sit down at the convenience store next door?"
Lin Yi waved his hand: "No, I don't like snacks. Let's talk here."
The man hesitated for a moment before saying, "Thank you for your help during this time. Not only did you not mind that I often dragged the team down, but you were also willing to help me..."
"It's okay! We're classmates, and you've already done your part. I'm just giving you some advice, don't take it to heart."
"...I just heard you don't have a girlfriend."
Lin Yi noticed his voice was getting softer and softer, and nodded with a frown, "Yes, but..."
Before he could finish speaking, the other person interrupted, "So, can you accept having a boyfriend?"
Then a pair of large hands pressed down on his shoulders. "He can't accept it."
Lin Yi: "...?"
He felt like he was dreaming, blinking and blinking again.
Is it Shenbei Island? Is it really Shenbei Island?
Wasn't he in China? How did he suddenly appear here?
And he's dressed like a spy?
Before he could fully process this enormous shock, he heard Shen Beidao finish the sentence in a calm yet stormy tone:
"Because he already has a boyfriend."
The scene before him stunned him for a few seconds. Suddenly, Lin Yi reacted, opened his arms and rushed forward, tightly hugging Shen Beidao's waist, burying his face in his chest, his voice choked with sobs:
"Shen Beidao! You...how did you get here? I missed you so much!!!"
The expected, forceful hug did not come.
Shen Beidao's body stiffened for a moment, then he raised his hand and gently pushed Lin Yi away.
Lin Yi looked up at him, puzzled.
Shen Beidao glanced at the classmate who was still standing there, his eyes filled with a cold warning.
Lin Yi followed his gaze and instantly understood what was going on.
He felt a mix of amusement, helplessness, and a touch of sweetness at being cared for.
He quickly tightened his grip on Shen Beidao's arm again, this time using all his strength, practically hanging on him.
Then she turned to that classmate, a different kind of smile on her face, as if to say: I'm sorry, but that's just how my boyfriend is, there's nothing I can do about it.
"I'm so sorry, Wang, my boyfriend is very petty and clingy. He doesn't let me go out with other people and he checks up on me very strictly."
"Look, they've even tracked them down to Japan..."
He shook Chen Beidao's arm, their fingers intertwined, and said with a deliberately complaining tone, "So, I have to take him home right now, or he'll get angry again."
"Could you please tell the students inside that they thank everyone for the invitation today, but I have to leave now?"
He said it on purpose, after thinking it over.
He had just posted his location when Shen Beidao appeared beside him, most likely having followed him.
The student surnamed Wang's face drained of color. He forced a smile to maintain his last shred of dignity: "It's okay, Lin Yi. I was just... joking. Don't misunderstand. You guys go ahead and do your thing. I'll go tell the other students."
"Thank you for your help! I'll treat everyone to dinner next time!"
They've already tracked me all the way here. If I dare go back to continue playing around, they'll definitely give me a huge beating. Do they even want my butt back then...?
-----------------------
Author's Note: My darlings! I'm back from my business trip. The next chapter will be the final chapter. I'll write more side stories depending on the situation. The initial concept was just a sweet little story, not too long. I'll also write more about Zhang Zexuan's story if you want, otherwise it'll be about three chapters. You can check out the other ongoing novel next door! It also features a scheming and cunning seme~
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