LC chapter 30

 

Lin Ruan practically fled the third floor when he left. He returned to his room and spent a moment calming down as the flush on his face finally faded.

He still held the small brass key in his hand. He glanced at it briefly before tossing it into the drawer.

A moment later, there was a sudden knock on the door. Lin Ruan rose to open it and saw Uncle Tong standing there.

“It’s downstairs calling. Your classmate wants to see you.”

Lin Ruan replied and ran downstairs. He sat down on the sofa and picked up the receiver.

“Lin Ruan?” Meng Zhen’s voice came from inside. “Are you free today? Come with me to the photo studio.”

Meng Zhen’s grandmother hadn’t lived in the city for a few years, having returned to her hometown. She missed her grandson and didn’t want to travel anymore, so she asked Meng Zhen to take some photos and send them to her. Meng Zhen didn’t want to be alone, so he invited Lin Ruan to join him.

“It’s at the Xinxin Photo Studio on East Street,” Meng Zhen said. “Dress nicely.”

Lin Ruan hung up the phone and said something to Tong Bo.

“Go ahead,” Tong Bo said. He hadn’t been paying much attention to him lately.

Lin Ruan went back to his room and changed into a newly made, snow-blue, double-breasted gown embroidered with snow-white pear blossoms. The collar buttons were inlaid with silver cranes, and silver tassels dangled from the bottom like a brooch.

He took a rickshaw to Xinxin Photo Studio. Meng Zhen had just gotten off a rickshaw. He wore a long, silver-gray gown and a double-breasted jacket embroidered with auspicious, symmetrical cloud and ruyi patterns. He looked like the son of a wealthy family.

He waved at Lin Ruan, and they entered the studio together.

They took photos on the second floor with a printed backdrop behind them. Meng Zhen stood sideways, holding a half-open decorative paper fan and glancing casually at the camera.

Lin Ruan watched from the sidelines, amused.

After a few shots, Meng Zhen dismounted and Lin Ruan took over.

He wasn’t very good at posing and felt a little restrained. Someone brought him a yellow poplar chair, and he sat upright on it for a photo.

Meng Zhen smiled and said, “Relax a little.”

Lin Ruan smiled sheepishly, and the photographer took another photo while he was there.

After they finished, Meng Zhen asked when the photos would be ready. The studio staff said it would only take an hour if they were quick.

Meng Zhen paid a little more to have them developed quickly. He ordered two small, four-inch portraits, two six-inch photos, and two larger ones.

The studio staff invited them to the front to look at the frames. They had ready-made frames or custom ones.

Not many people were taking photos, and they were the only ones looking at the frames.

Meng Zhen was excitedly adjusting the frames when he looked back. Lin Ruan looked distracted and unsure of his thoughts.

Meng Zhen nudged him and asked, “What are you thinking about?”

Lin Ruan glanced around, then leaned over to Meng Zhen and whispered something.

Meng Zhen chuckled. “You’re asking me about something like this, and I’m right!”

Lin Ruan glanced at Meng Zhen in surprise. “Do you have experience?”

“No,” Meng Zhen replied proudly. “But I’m well-read.”

Meng Zhen seemed to finally understand. “Do you have a girlfriend?”

Lin Ruan’s eyes twitched. “No.”

“Then it’s a boyfriend!” Meng Zhen looked at Lin Ruan, certain. “Is it your master?”

Lin Ruan began to believe Meng Zhen’s claim of being well-read.

Meng Zhen was thrilled. “I knew you two were just like a romance novel: Miss Jane and Mr. Rochester[mfn]Miss Jane and Mr. Rochester are the main characters from Jane Eyre, a classic English novel written by Charlotte Brontë in 1847. The story of Jane Eyre is about a young woman’s journey toward love, independence, and self-respect.[/mfn]. You’re Miss Jane.”

“What a mess! I’m not a girl.” Lin Ruan snorted. “Do you really know all that?”

“Of course!” Meng Zhen felt strangely proud. He whispered to Lin Ruan, “Besides books, there’s more. When my brother got married, my parents took him to Xishan. There’s a hall in Qingyuan Temple where, for a few dollars, they’ll open the curtains. Behind the curtains is a joyous Buddha[mfn]“歡喜佛” (Huānxǐ Fó) literally means “Joyous Buddha” or “Laughing Buddha.” it can refer to a depiction of male and female deities in union — representing the concept of spiritual joy or bliss (歡喜禪, or tantric union) in certain Buddhist or folk traditions.[/mfn].”

Lin Ruan was a little surprised and embarrassed. “Have you seen it?”

“Not really,” Meng Zhen said. “I’d be embarrassed to go alone.”

He looked at Lin Ruan and asked, “How about we go see it now?”

The two of them left immediately, hailing two rickshaws at the photo studio entrance and heading for West Hill. The sun was shining brightly, and West Hill was bustling with people enjoying their spring outing. The streets were filled with rickshaws, cars, and wealthy young men on horseback. Young men and women chatted and laughed as they walked, occasionally meeting glances, exuding youth and vitality.

Lin Ruan and Meng Zhen returned from West Hill in the afternoon, having seen the Joyous Buddha. The large Buddha statue was carved in an embrace and had a mechanism at its back that, when activated by a button, brought the statue to life.

At first, Lin Ruan and Meng Zhen looked on awkwardly. But halfway through, Lin Ruan realized how ingeniously it was constructed, and his thoughts instantly turned to academics.

Then, the two of them toured the temple. Lin Ruan borrowed paper and pens from tourists sketching the temple and drew numerous architectural drawings.

“Don’t be angry,” Lin Ruan said, pulling Meng Zhen aside. “I won’t do that again.”

“No next time!” Meng Zhen snorted. “Just go ahead and draw.”

“Meng Zhen,” Lin Ruan said, following him. “I’ll treat you to dinner at Fukelai Restaurant. Is that okay?”

Meng Zhen paused. “Really?”

Lin Ruan nodded vigorously.

Meng Zhen shook his head and said, “Okay, I’ll forgive you for now.”

Lin Ruan followed him, asking, “Do you have anything else…?”

After dinner, Lin Ruan and Meng Zhen went to the photo studio to pick up some photos and then went home.

It was already dark by the time Lin Ruan returned home. Uncle Tong came out and said, “The master called and said he’ll be back late tonight. Let’s have dinner and don’t wait for him.”

“Oh,” Lin Ruan replied. “I ate out, so I won’t be having dinner.”

Uncle Tong glanced at Lin Ruan as he walked upstairs and noticed that he was holding something mysterious in his arms.

Lin Ruan went upstairs. In addition to the photos he had retrieved, Meng Zhen gave him several books and told him to take them home and study them carefully.

Lin Ruan took a hot shower and changed into soft, white silk pajamas. His slender wrists and ankles peeked out from the sleeves of his clothes, white as jade.

He lay on the bed with his head propped up and read the book Meng Zhen had given him. The descriptions were vivid, almost too explicit for his taste. What he had seen at the Buddhist temple today came to mind involuntarily; it was as vivid as a live performance.

Lin Ruan hunched over, feeling deep discomfort.

As night fell, the Lan Mansion was brightly lit and silent. Zhan Xi pushed open the door, followed by Shi Ning. He spoke briefly with Shi Ning and went upstairs.

He tossed his suit jacket onto the sofa and unbuttoned his cuffs as he walked into the room, exuding a sense of languid nobility.

As soon as he sat down at his desk, he spotted a photograph in the corner. It was a six-inch photograph—a yellowed image nestled in a silver frame adorned with floral arrangements. The background was printed fabric. Lin Ruan sat upright in a chair with a soft smile on his lips. The color of his clothing was indistinguishable, but the embroidered pattern was visible.

The clothes, the background, and the silver frame itself were all covered in flowers. Nestled amidst this floral extravaganza was a refined and elegant young man whose presence would captivate anyone who saw him.

Zhan Xi suddenly felt short of breath. He loosened his collar and quietly gazed at the photo.

After sitting for a long while, Zhan Xi rose and left, pushing open the door next to it.

The room was dim; only a few rays of moonlight filtered through the window. He closed the door, gently parted the beaded curtains, and walked into the inner room.

Lin Ruan was sound asleep, his face flushed. His mouth was slightly open and his lips were moist.

One foot peeked out from beneath the quilt; the ankle bone protruded, making his ankle appear slender and pale.

The night fueled Zhan Xi’s desire, and he couldn’t help but grasp the foot, gently stroking it. Then, he slowly moved his hand up to the calf beneath the quilt.

Lin Ruan shifted slightly in his sleep, releasing Zhan Xi’s grip.

Zhan Xi sat down beside Lin Ruan’s bed and rubbed his cheek. He noticed a half-opened book beside the pillow. He took it, glanced at the title, and snorted.

He put the book down and maliciously rubbed Lin Ruan’s lips. A moment later, Lin Ruan awoke.

Opening his eyes, he saw a figure beside the bed. Startled, he sat up and realized it was Zhan Xi.

“Sir?” Lin Ruan rubbed his eyes.

Two buttons of Lin Ruan’s dress were undone, and it hung loosely over him, revealing his delicate collarbone.

“Did you put those photos in my room?”

Lin Ruan nodded and looked at Zhan Xi expectantly.

Zhan Xi chuckled. “They’re beautiful.”

Lin Ruan started laughing, but before Zhan Xi could finish, he grabbed the book and asked, “Looking at these?”

Lin Ruan blushed and rushed over to grab the book. “No… I… This book…”

He mumbled for a long time, unable to provide a clear answer. Zhan Xi didn’t rush him, waiting patiently for him to speak.

After hesitating for a moment, Lin Ruan said, “I went to the third floor.”

Zhan Xi’s eyes flickered slightly, and Lin Ruan lowered his head. “I didn’t recognize a lot of the things there, so I wanted to learn more.”

Zhan Xi chuckled softly. “If you want to learn, I’ll teach you.”

Lin Ruan looked up at Zhan Xi. Zhan Xi reached out and pinched the back of his neck. Then, his fingers curled around to the front and caressed his Adam’s apple. Lin Ruan felt a little itchy and dodged to the side.

“I’ll leave the key with you. Take whatever you want from that room.” Zhan Xi said. “I’ll teach you when I get back.”

“Let me choose?” Lin Ruan blushed slightly. “What if I pick something extraordinary?”

Zhan Xi chuckled softly. “That can’t be helped. It’s your choice, remember? People are responsible for their choices.”

Zhan Xi is such a jerk.

 

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