095. The Beach
==============================
Lin Nan and the gang arrived at a touristy beach, complete with a bustling seaside town, filled with various restaurants and inns. The beach was sectioned off like a buffet line—there were areas for horseback riding, four-wheelers, self-service barbecue, and even restaurants on boats! Oh, and a camping section way back, just far enough from the ocean to keep the tents from floating away.
Lin Nan was taken aback. He’d totally visualized this epic, classic late-night beach scene, but even at 6 PM, people were flocking everywhere. The town’s restaurants were practically bursting at the seams, and at a glance, there were dozens of beachgoers milling about. And let’s not forget, this was just right after a typhoon—who knew people loved braving rough weather so much?
If this place was packed during summer vacation, it would probably make rush hour in a subway look like a walk in the park.
Lin Nan had visited this very beach once as a kid, but he wasn’t sure if this was the same spot. Back then, it didn’t have this commercial flair. His imagination of a pitch-black night was squashed by the blazing floodlights lining the beach, probably out of sheer panic that campers would go for moonlit swims. Seriously, it was still barely evening, yet those lights were blaring.
Seeing all this, Lin Nan had to admit he was being a total coward.
Wearing a swimsuit? No way! That would be like donning a neon sign that screamed, “Look at me!” Even sneaking out in the dead of night in a swimsuit would probably lead to an awkward encounter with out-of-control night owls.
Sure, modesty has taken a nosedive, but just the thought of strutting in that figure-hugging swimwear had him trembling in embarrassment. Terrifying.
There were grilling stations on the beach for visitors, but let’s be real—that meant self-serve buffet style. Lin Nan had imagined bringing his own grill, skewering some meat, and picking a deserted stretch of beach to barbecue, but reality was a major letdown.
His mother was blissfully unaware of his anxiety, still clutching his arm and laughing it up with a guy who thought he was her “cool uncle.”
“Let’s grab dinner first,” the “uncle” declared, generously patting Lin Nan on the shoulder, “No more self-serve! We’ll hit a fancier barbecue place and let the staff do the grilling.”
“Uh-huh,” Lin Nan nodded, his enthusiasm in a serious coma.
Only then did his mother notice his lackluster mood, glancing around the beach in confusion before asking, “What’s wrong? Is the beach not what you expected?”
“It’s… fine, I guess…”
“Too many people making you shy?” the so-called uncle chuckled.
Having you here makes me even more shy, okay?!
Lin Nan threw a silent glare. This uncle guy thought Lin Nan looked all feminine, but he at least knew Lin Nan was male in societal terms.
It looked like they’d have to scrap the plan and see what kind of “magic” they could conjure up.
Lin Nan followed his mother and the uncle to a Korean barbecue restaurant near the beach. The place had two glass walls, giving them a view of the beach—which technically made it a seaside restaurant.
This time, unlike his last barbecue outing with Chen Yao, there was a specific waitress grilling the meat for them. But since it wasn’t a buffet and also because it was a tourist trap, the prices were higher. A mere three of them racked up a bill of over 400 bucks!
And let’s not even talk about Korean barbecue’s rather greasy style that Lin Nan just wasn’t used to. It was so oily, and he felt heartbroken eating it. That meal practically chewed through half a month’s allowance!
“Your son doesn’t seem to enjoy meat much,” the uncle said, puzzled as he watched Lin Nan’s torturous chewing.
His mother’s smile froze like she just saw a ghost. “I wouldn’t know…”
She had probably cooked for Lin Nan fewer than ten times in his entire life.
If they just handed me that money directly? I’d be over the moon!
Lin Nan silently cheered inside but peppered a polite response with a smile, “It’s just a bit too greasy for my taste.”
“Oh, Korean barbecue can be a bit much the first time. I’ll go rent us two tents. How about you two share one, and I’ll take the other?”
“Three!” Lin Nan quickly suggested. If he didn’t have to share a tent with anyone, he could hide inside and change into his swimsuit. Besides, it’s a camping tent; magic should totally be possible here!
His mother eyed him with concern, immediately rebutting, “You’re sharing one with me! I haven’t slept next to you in ages!”
Ages?
Lin Nan racked his brain but couldn’t recall any scene where he’d actually shared a bed with her. Maybe she meant back when he was still nursing?
“Besides, it’s a double tent, so it won’t be cramped at all.” The uncle laughed, agreeing with Lin Nan’s mother while getting up to rent the tents.
Desperation hit Lin Nan as he figured out this uncle was only catering to his mom’s whims, with his thoughts being little more than some random guideline.
The uncle took off, and Lin Nan turned to his mother and inquired again, “Mom, is that uncle just a friend?”
“…”
His mother froze, finally laughing and retorting, “What do you think our relationship is?”
“I kind of like him…” Lin Nan mumbled, lowering his head. He’d overheard stories from his grandparents about his parents’ courtship.
Apparently, when his mom was in her early twenties, his grandparents tried matchmaking her. Back in those days, she wasn’t exactly a scholarly genius with a strong opinion, so she let them take the reins. After one blind date with his dad, she thought he was semi-okay and agreed to marry him.
They supposedly moved from acquaintances to married in just a month!
Later, both ended up getting their truck-driving licenses, and after Lin Nan was born, they started their long-haul trucking dream together. Grandma and Grandpa thought the distance would help them grow fonder of each other, but, surprise! The closer they got, the more they realized their views on the world and interests were complete opposites. The bickering intensified, but they stayed together for Lin Nan’s sake.
So, essentially, his parents had, like, zero actual romance.
Lin Nan was aware of their situation, so, despite his reluctance, he reluctantly felt supportive of his parents’ choices. If they could find someone they loved, then even he—who could never face them as a woman—could find a sense of peace.
“So, you like him?” His mother’s eyes sparkled with delight.
“Seems generous; he even covered the medical exam, right?” Lin Nan replied with a grin.
“Watch out! At this rate, you’ll only have eyes for rich kids!” his mother teased. “Who cares about money at your age? Be careful not to get swept away!”
Looks like Mom’s already treating him like her daughter.
Lin Nan felt a wave of relief.
But what about his dad…? He still hadn’t visited or checked in on him and had no clue how his dad felt about all this.
A hint of anxiety crept onto his face, and seeing this, his mother lovingly patted his head, trying to soothe him. “If you don’t want me to say anything, then let’s go together?”
“Okay, I guess…”
