You Can Lean on My Shoulder

Five minutes later, Su Yang finished his shower, blow-dried his hair, and walked out of the bathroom.

At that moment, Han So-yeon was standing with her back to him, both hands resting on the balcony railing as she played with her phone.

Because of the backlighting, from Su Yang's angle, her figure was outlined perfectly by the light — small shoulders, a waist that looked like an A4 sheet of paper, legs that belonged in an anime, and wisps of hair flying freely in the wind.

Hearing his footsteps, she immediately turned around, walked up to him, and smiled. "That was fast. All done showering?"

"Yeah, I just did a quick rinse. Let's go — time to eat."

"Okay, I already booked a place. Let's head out." The two walked to the door, pushed it open, and soon took the elevator down to the hotel lobby.

"So-yeon, where's the hotpot place you booked? Is it far from here?"

"Not too far, but we'll need to take a cab."

"Alright, cab it is." The two walked to the street and hailed a taxi.

A few minutes later, an empty cab pulled up, and Su Yang raised his hand to stop it.

Out of habit, he started to move toward the front passenger seat, but Han So-yeon grabbed his arm. "What are you doing? We're a couple now. Couples should sit in the back together."

"Oh, right, almost forgot. You get in first, then."

"Okay." Han So-yeon nodded and slid into the back seat, with Su Yang following right behind.

The taxi pulled into the congested traffic.

It was 5:50 in the evening, peak rush hour. Even though it was a holiday, the tourists were everywhere.

The Bund, Xijing Road Pedestrian Street, the Shanghai Tower trio, Wukang Road, Disneyland — every hot spot was already swarmed with visitors.

In the taxi, Su Yang sat against the right door, and Han So-yeon against the left. The middle seat was completely empty between them.

Even though there was space between them, their hands were clasped together, which made the whole scene look a bit odd.

The truth was, Han So-yeon was too shy to sit right next to him, but she still liked holding his hand.

Seeing this, Su Yang smiled, scooted over, and pressed up against her. When a girl is shy, the guy has to take the initiative.

Han So-yeon tensed up as Su Yang moved closer. He tilted his head, looked at her face, and chuckled. "You still haven't gotten used to this? It's been this long already."

"I'm still a little nervous."

"Then why did you tell me to sit in the back? And then you sit this far away."

"I... I just feel a bit embarrassed."

"But when we were walking on the street, you were fine with being close to me. Why are you suddenly shy in the car?"

"Maybe it's because the space is smaller."

"Haha, alright, I'll be the proactive one then." Su Yang took her hand and placed it on his thigh.

Now their fingers were interlaced, gripping tightly. Anyone looking at them would genuinely think they were a couple.

Han So-yeon's heart was pounding. Su Yang tilted his head and said, "You can lean on my shoulder, you know."

"Okay... I'll try." She nodded, then gently rested her head on his sturdy shoulder.

Up front, the taxi driver snuck a glance in the rearview mirror, a knowing smile spreading across his face.

...

Half an hour later, the car stopped in front of a Chongqing-style hotpot restaurant on Fuzhou Road.

The street outside the restaurant was packed with people — at least twenty or thirty of them, mostly groups of young people. Chongqing hotpot was clearly a hit wherever it went.

The two paid, got out of the cab, and walked hand in hand toward the crowd. Since holding hands was what Han So-yeon liked, Su Yang was more than happy to keep it up.

Outside the restaurant, Su Yang let go, grabbed a number ticket, and then found a spot to sit and wait with Han So-yeon.

As soon as they showed up, everyone sitting at the entrance kept stealing glances at them.

"This place is packed. Looks like we still have ten tables before our turn," Su Yang said.

"The food here is really authentic. I've eaten here once, and it was great. Anyway, we've got plenty of time, so let's just wait."

"Alright, I'm not in a hurry either. Are you hungry? Want me to run to the convenience store next door and grab you a little snack to tide you over?" Su Yang leaned in close to Han So-yeon and said softly.

That caught Han So-yeon off guard — her cheeks suddenly felt like they were on fire, but deep down, she was thrilled.

Was this what being in love felt like?

Su Yang sat facing her, his eyes locked on her, both his hands wrapped around hers, completely unbothered by the stares around them.

The other waiting customers, though, started whispering among themselves.

"That guy is so handsome."

"And the girl is gorgeous too."

"Yeah, a perfect match — stunning guy, stunning girl!"

"This city never disappoints. I've seen at least twenty good-looking guys since I left my hotel today," a girl with glasses said, staring straight at Su Yang.

Her friend next to her laughed. "But this one is the best-looking one we've seen all day."

"Totally! I agree!"

...

There was too much chatter for Su Yang to bother listening. He looked at flustered, blushing Han So-yeon and said, "Want a little snack to hold you over?"

Han So-yeon looked up at him and pursed her lips. "No, I'm good. If I eat now, I won't be hungry later."

"Then let me grab a couple of drinks. What do you want?"

"Just water is fine."

"Got it." Su Yang nodded and headed to the convenience store just around the corner.

As soon as he left, Han So-yeon let out a sigh of relief. "Phew! Why's my heart beating so fast?"

She touched her face. "And my cheeks are so hot too..."

Two minutes later, Su Yang came back and quickly sat down beside her. "Here — I already opened it for you, just drink."

Seeing the cap already unscrewed, Han So-yeon's lips curved into a smile. "Su Yang, you're so thoughtful."

"Just standard boyfriend behavior, haha." He opened his own cola, took a sip, and then lazily scanned the women around him.

Even though he was playing the role of Han So-yeon's "boyfriend," he still had eyes to wander. He was going to enjoy looking until he was eighty.

But after a quick sweep, all he saw were lots of long legs — no real stunners worth focusing on, so he stopped looking.

The two sat outside, waiting for over half an hour, until finally, their number was called.

"Come on, it's our turn." Su Yang stood up, grabbed Han So-yeon's hand, and pulled her into the restaurant.

"Handsome and beautiful, just the two of you?" a young waiter said with a grin.

"Yeah, we're on the two-person table list."

"Great. Did you book through TuanTuan?"

"Yeah."

"Alright, head over to the counter to verify your reservation first, and then someone will take you to your seat."

"OK." The two walked to the front desk, checked in, and a waitress led them into the bustling dining area.

Weaving through two aisles, they were seated at a small table for two.

The restaurant was massive, spanning two floors, and it was completely packed right now.

The place was buzzing with noise — waiters darting down the aisles, customers crowding the condiment bar, mixing up their dipping sauces.

"So many people," Su Yang said, turning to look around.

Han So-yeon had initially sat across from him, but then, as if a thought occurred to her, she got up and moved to sit right next to him.

Seeing that, Su Yang said, "You know, during a meal, you don't really need to sit this close."

"I just want to sit next to you."

"Haha, alright, suits me. Go make your dipping sauce. I'll keep an eye on your bag."

"Okay. Want me to make one for you too?"

"No need, just do yours."

"Alright." Han So-yeon smiled brightly and turned around to make the dipping sauce.

A few minutes later, she came back carrying a bowl of oil-based dipping sauce and a bowl of sesame paste.

Su Yang chuckled. "You actually like sesame paste?"

"Mhm~" Han So-yeon nodded with a smile. "I like both kinds."

"Okay, you have a seat. I'll go make mine."

"Got it."

Su Yang quickly whipped up his own oil-based sauce and returned to his seat.

Before long, the waiter started bringing out the dishes.

The place was crowded, but the service was fast.

Han So-yeon had booked a two-to-three person set meal on TuanTuan, which included a plate of beef brisket, a plate of tripe, a serving of shrimp paste, a bowl of duck blood, a plate of luncheon meat, and a mix of assorted vegetables.

Once everything was on the table, Su Yang turned to the waiter and said, "That's it?"

"Yes, sir."

"That's not nearly enough for anyone. Do you have a menu? I'd like to order a bit more."

"Sir, you can just scan the QR code on the table to order."

"Oh, right. Okay, you go ahead and handle your stuff."

"Will do." The waiter walked away, and Han So-yeon tilted her head. "Isn't this already a lot?"

"I have a big appetite. I eat about as much as two or three normal guys."

"Ah? I should have asked you before I ordered. I figured the two-to-three person set would be plenty, since I don't eat much myself."

"No worries. This is just part of getting to know each other, right? After tonight, you'll know for next time."

"True, true."

Su Yang smiled and scanned the code to order more. He added two plates of tender beef, a plate of duck intestines, a plate of beef liver, a plate of chicken gizzards, and a plate of braised chicken feet.

After that, he looked at Han So-yeon. "Anything else you want to order?"

"There is something I'd like to try, but I only want a taste. I can't eat much."

"No problem. Whatever you can't finish, I'll take care of it."

...