Chapter 81 – Public Display of Affection

September 17th

Jiang Heng and I have returned from America.

Reflecting on the past half month, I can hardly recall every detail. But I do know that it was definitely crazy—the happiest and most fulfilling time I’ve had in years.

The two of us, acting like silly children, played seesaw at an amusement park. We went to a water park, where that guy would shoot me with a water gun. He accompanied me on a carousel, on a freefall ride, and enjoyed thrilling roller coasters with me. I could scream to my heart’s content and laugh heartily—I’ve never been so happy before. Except for the day Jiang Heng became my boyfriend, hehe.

We kissed at the highest point of the Ferris wheel, our fingers intertwined, along with the two rings symbolizing eternal love. I think God must surely bless us.

I remember kneeling in prayer in that vast estate, gazing at the crucifix on the wall, asking God to grant me a companion. But my wish was never fulfilled.

Back in China, I endured hardships, toil, and numerous grievances. My faith was shaken, I felt gloomy and inferior, unworthy of my position.

And now, my wish has come true. Thank him for bringing an angel with wings to my side, guiding me away from darkness and bestowing upon me the greatest glory.

Hmm, why does this sound so poetic? It seems I’ve been obsessing over lyrics lately. Without realizing, I’ve written quite a lot, eager to record every moment I’ve spent with Heng Heng. Life is too long; I cannot afford to forget.

But I doubt I’ll ever forget that summer afternoon when he fed me a scoop of ice cream.

It was sweet, reaching deep into my heart, leaving no need for reminiscence—it was a lifetime in a single taste.

—From Wine’s memo.

Shen Fubai had been secluding himself in his room these past few days since returning, composing lyrics, practicing songs, and preparing for the concert. Jiang Heng had been mysteriously busy as well, often leaving early in the morning and coming home late. Shen Fubai, preoccupied with important matters, didn’t pay much attention to it.

Oh, right. They were now living together.

They were lovers; how could they not live together? Jiang Heng’s house in Nanyuan District was lived in by him alone. With such a big house empty, it made sense to let Shen Fubai move in.

Shen Fubai was busy with his seclusion, while Jiang Heng’s whereabouts remained a mystery. The two didn’t interfere with each other’s activities. Jiang Heng wasn’t entirely neglectful, however—he provided Shen Fubai with the best equipment and team possible. Whatever Shen Fubai needed, Jiang Heng could instantly arrange for him.

Jiang Heng took charge of the main melody personally, with a professional team handling the arrangement. Shen Fubai wrote the lyrics. Everything was ready.

Then came the problem.

Shen Fubai needed to sing.

That was a big issue.

Shen Fubai was tone-deaf, and even the best vocal coaches would flee in terror after enduring a day of his singing. The next day, when they returned to work, they were visibly shaken, their demonstrations of vocal exercises lacking their usual precision.

A vocal coach practiced scales: “Ah—ah—ah—ah—”

Shen Fubai joined in enthusiastically, belting out dolphin-like high notes: “Ah—!!”

The vocal coach screamed like a prairie dog: “Aaaaah! Stop singing!”

…

Exhausted.

Shen Fubai gritted his teeth, refusing to believe that dedicating a month and a half to practicing just one song wouldn’t yield results.

On this particular evening, all the teachers had left, and Jiang Heng hadn’t returned home yet. Shen Fubai was alone in the practice room, singing “ah-ah-ah” happily.

Thankfully, the high-end apartment complex had excellent soundproofing. Otherwise, the entire neighborhood would have thought a murder was taking place, with someone screaming pitifully. Then the police would barge in, and Shen Fubai would become even more famous.

Thanks to the effective soundproofing, this disaster was prevented from happening.

Shen Fubai actually had a very pleasant voice, strong in diction, capable of being a voice actor. Without relying on his face or fame, he could still attract a large fan base with his voice alone.

—As long as he didn’t sing.

When Jiang Heng unlocked the door and heard the singing coming from the practice room, he knew something was amiss. He considered pretending he hadn’t arrived and leaving again to roam around.

Jiang Heng was about to act as if nothing happened, ready to slip away quietly, when Shen Fubai’s eerie voice echoed: “Hold it.”

Jiang Heng froze.

Shen Fubai stood in the shadows, backlit, his tone icy cold: “Why have you been coming home so late recently? What have you been doing outside?”

Jiang Heng retracted his stepping foot and turned on the living room lights, illuminating the entire space.

Jiang Heng maintained a poker face: “Nothing.”

Shen Fubai lifted his beautiful eyes: “Have you found yourself a dog outside?” He quickly approached, tugged on Jiang Heng’s tie, and sniffed it: There was no unfamiliar scent of perfume, no strands of men’s or women’s hair, no lipstick marks, no little pieces of paper with phone numbers…

He looked suspicious.

Shen Fubai had been deeply immersed in his singing practice recently, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t aware of Jiang Heng’s activities. He trusted Jiang Heng and thus didn’t ask many questions.

However, tonight, he caught Jiang Heng red-handed, and it was clear Jiang Heng was hiding something from him.

Shen Fubai’s voice was hoarse from a day of practice, and Jiang Heng kindly poured him a glass of water: “Have a drink to soothe your throat.”

Shen Fubai downed the glass of water in one go, setting it down on the coffee table with a crisp sound: “Answer my question.”

Jiang Heng lowered his gaze: “Do you really want to hear it?”

Shen Fubai nodded: “Yes, really.”

Jiang Heng hesitated: “Promise not to hit me if I tell you.”

Shen Fubai said gently: “As long as you haven’t found yourself a dog outside, I won’t hit you no matter what you say.”

Jiang Heng took a deep breath: “Isn’t your singing at home enough to drive me out seeking refuge?”

Shen Fubai: “…”

Shen Fubai suddenly pulled out a small knife: “This is worse than finding a dog outside!!!”

Jiang Heng quickly got up and hid behind the sofa: “You promised not to hit me!”

Shen Fubai: “I’m not hitting you; I’m killing you!”

…

Jiang Heng was chased downstairs by Shen Fubai, cornered under a streetlight, and finally turned around, enveloping Shen Fubai in his arms.

“Honey, don’t be angry anymore, okay?” Jiang Heng begged for mercy.

Shen Fubai shuddered: “Why do you call me that in a way that’s getting increasingly more disgusting?”

Jiang Heng coaxed him: “Calm down, I’ll call you Father if you want.”

Shen Fubai wasn’t really angry; he glanced sideways at Jiang Heng: “Call me.”

Without hesitation, Jiang Heng said: “Father.”

Shen Fubai burst out laughing, then quickly put on a stern face: “I’m going upstairs to pack my things. I’m going home tonight.”

Jiang Heng was shocked: “Dad, what are you doing?”

“Didn’t you find my singing annoying enough to force you out of your own home? I’ll go back to my own house to practice, and I won’t disturb the neighbors either. After all, that row of houses belongs to me. I can sing as I please, and I can even stand in the open space downstairs and belt out a tune.” Shen Fubai hummed softly.

Jiang Heng: “I was wrong. I don’t find it annoying at all. Can you stay?”

Shen Fubai kissed him, then said cruelly and mercilessly: “No, I can’t.”

Jiang Heng watched Shen Fubai ascend the stairs, worrying that he’d gone too far.

Shen Fubai did as he said, truly driving back to his own home that night. Jiang Heng offered to send him, but Shen Fubai declined.

“I’m going to practice all night tonight,” Shen Fubai said. “I can’t affect your sleep.”

Shen Fubai’s insistence on going home wasn’t a tantrum. The concert was approaching, and he indeed needed to practice hard.

Jiang Heng disapproved: “But you shouldn’t stay up late; it’s bad for your voice.”

Shen Fubai shook his head: “Heng Heng, this is my last concert. For so many years, I haven’t taken it seriously, almost disrespecting the price fans paid for tickets. I should at least give it my all this once.”

Jiang Heng fell silent, finally conceding: “Fine, but no later than midnight.”

Shen Fubai nodded seriously.

Upon returning home,

Shen Fubai: Hehe, the TV is so entertaining, and my phone is so fun.

What singing practice? No more practicing!

Rarely being free from Heng Heng’s restrictions of having to sleep by ten o’clock at night and wake up at seven in the morning, he was determined to enjoy himself tonight!

Shen Fubai logged onto Weibo, which he hadn’t accessed in a long time. Previously, he had been sequestered in Wu Shan for filming, followed by a half-month trip abroad. Upon returning, he had focused solely on practicing singing, leaving his Weibo account dormant.

The concert tickets went on presale a month in advance, and Shen Fubai officially announced the concert, quickly trending on Weibo again.

Although this Weibo post was cold and official, it was Shen Fubai’s first post in two months!

The comment section was filled with wailing and howling from fans.

Fan A: Grandma, the blogger you follow has finally updated!

Fan B: Where has Brother been playing recently? There’s been no news at all. We miss you so much.

Fan C: Not posting on Weibo for two months. This time, aren’t you considering sharing a selfie? No, one isn’t enough; make it a nine-grid collage!

…

Shen Fubai had been inactive for two months, nearly disappearing from public view. The media couldn’t even capture him when trying to photograph him. Some rivals secretly mocked Shen Fubai, thinking his popularity would fade after being absent for so long. However, reality harshly disproved them. He proved his status as a top-tier influencer with just one Weibo post.

Five minutes after the post, many independent media outlets spontaneously helped promote the concert. At this stage in Shen Fubai’s career, it wasn’t so much the media helping with promotion as it was the media trying to capitalize on the buzz. Historically, Shen Fubai’s concert tickets were always sold out immediately upon release.

Shen Fubai was indifferent to the media’s swift reaction. After posting on Weibo, he switched to a secondary account.

He hadn’t chatted with Amber for a long time.

Relationships online were fragile. If there was no contact for a period, they would naturally grow distant. Even if they had once been close, they would feel estranged. This was the unreality of virtual networks.

Due to Shen Fubai’s experiences, he cherished every friend. Even net friends.

He tried sending a “hi” to Amber, but the other party didn’t respond for a long time.

Indeed, they had grown apart… Shen Fubai held his phone, feeling slightly dejected.

A few minutes later, Amber replied.

Amber: Long time no see.

Shen Fubai was instantly excited.

Did Wine Get Heng’s Attention Today: Long time no see!

Did Wine Get Heng’s Attention Today: I’ve been very busy lately. Sorry, I haven’t been logging onto Weibo much.

Amber: It’s okay, I’ve been busy too.

Shen Fubai thought for a moment and couldn’t resist sending a message to Amber.

Did Wine Get Heng’s Attention Today: I have good news to tell you!

Amber: What good news?

Did Wine Get Heng’s Attention Today: I. Am. In. Love!

Shen Fubai wished he could publicly display his affection to the world, but unfortunately, he couldn’t. His relationship with Heng Heng couldn’t be revealed yet.

But facing a net friend, he couldn’t control his desire to show off.

With such a great boyfriend, he had to find someone to flaunt it to!

Amber: Congratulations.

Did Wine Get Heng’s Attention Today: Actually, I’ve been dating my boyfriend during this time, hehe.

Amber: I understand. To be honest, I’ve also started dating.

Did Wine Get Heng’s Attention Today: Wow! As expected of my sister, we even started dating around the same time. How’s your partner? Is he handsome?

Amber: Not handsome, but very pretty.

Did Wine Get Heng’s Attention Today: Pretty? Could it be a girlfriend?

Amber: How could it be. It’s a boy.

Shen Fubai understood—a handsome boyfriend. Nowadays, some boys were more refined than girls.

In his perspective, Amber was a girl, so her partner was naturally a boy.

Did Wine Get Heng’s Attention Today: My boyfriend is incredibly handsome. Proud.jpg

Amber: My boyfriend is super cute.

Did Wine Get Heng’s Attention Today: He treats me incredibly well.

Amber: He’s incredibly good to me.

Did Wine Get Heng’s Attention Today: He even shares his ice cream with me.

Amber: He gives me the center scoop of the watermelon.

The two engaged in mutual displays of affection, unaware that it was already midnight.

Shen Fubai was chatting happily with Amber when the messages suddenly stopped. Feeling bored, the next moment, he received a call from Jiang Heng.

“Fubai, are you asleep yet?” Jiang Heng’s voice came through the receiver, seductive and soothing.

Shen Fubai hurriedly feigned a sleepy state: “Oh, I was sleeping already, woken up by your call…”

Jiang Heng chuckled softly: “Then go back to sleep quickly. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, you too. Don’t stay up late,” Shen Fubai instructed before hanging up the phone.

Switching back to private messages on Weibo, Amber had sent another message.

Amber: The one at home told me to sleep, talk later.

Did Wine Get Heng’s Attention Today: Alright, my dear also told me to sleep, talk later.

Shen Fubai, who had turned off his phone, rolled over in bed and hugged Xiong Heng Heng.

Mmm, the texture wasn’t as good as Heng Heng’s.

People really couldn’t indulge in sweets.

Shen Fubai buried his head in the fluffiness. The bed was filled to capacity by him and the 1.8-meter-tall Xiong Heng Heng, yet he still felt empty. Without the other person, he was a bit unaccustomed.

Once accustomed to sweetness, one couldn’t endure bitterness.

Shen Fubai had once nestled in Jiang Heng’s arms and said to him: “Heng Heng, you treat me so well that I can’t bear any hardship.”

At that time, Jiang Heng responded to him: “By my side, you don’t need to bear any hardship.”

You will remain sweet forever.