Tao Zhi came to Rong Huai’s place today because Fu Si Heng had sent him a few pieces of autumn clothing.
After S City entered December, the weather gradually began to cool down. Unlike the previous glamorous and intricate dresses, the items Fu Si Heng’s assistant delivered this time were clothes more suitable for everyday wear.
Tao Zhi sat in the room and unpacked them one by one, then selected a simple brown-toned outfit.
A knitted cardigan paired with a plaid skirt.
The hem of the cardigan extended past the skirt, covering his knees and giving Tao Zhi a sense of security.
After changing into the clothes, Rong Huai knocked and entered.
Tao Zhi didn’t show his face in the photos, so he didn’t need Rong Huai to do his makeup.
Rong Huai came in to guide him and also trimmed his bangs while he was at it.
The black long straight wig from last time was trimmed a bit thinner by Rong Huai today, faintly revealing a smooth, fair forehead, making it look lighter and more airy.
After helping him put it on, Rong Huai said, “You look like a professionally edited net photo.”
Worried that Tao Zhi wouldn’t understand, he added, “Very pretty.”
“Thanks.” Being complimented, Tao Zhi felt a little shy.
Rong Huai smiled and taught him a few natural posing techniques for photos.
—This was something Tao Zhi had asked him to help with.
Tao Zhi was completely clueless about this; he only knew how to stand there stiffly and awkwardly when taking photos, and Fu Zheng had criticized him for it several times.
Fu Zheng was such a jerk.
Tao Zhi had been super obedient and hardworking, but Fu Zheng was never satisfied. He always saved separate copies of Tao Zhi’s photos, zoomed them in right in front of him, and nitpicked every little flaw.
Even Fu Si Heng hadn’t commented, yet Fu Zheng had the most opinions.
Tao Zhi had gone from feeling guilty at first to being thoroughly annoyed now.
Fortunately, Rong Huai was here today, so it should go smoothly.
Rong Huai was such a nice guy.
He showed no curiosity about what Tao Zhi and Fu Zheng were up to. He just helped seriously every time, never prying or gossiping, which put Tao Zhi greatly at ease.
“Alright, that’ll do,” Rong Huai said. “These poses should be enough for you. If not, come find me—I’m just outside.”
“Mm-hmm!” Tao Zhi nodded like a chick pecking at rice, his eyes full of gratitude. “Thank you, Brother Rong Huai.”
What a good, honest kid.
Rong Huai smiled, straightened his hair a bit, then stood up and left the room.
Once he was gone, Tao Zhi got to the main task at hand.
In theory, every time he received something from Fu Si Heng, Tao Zhi was supposed to pick at least one piece of clothing, wear it, take a photo, and send it to Fu Si Heng.
It was common courtesy—thanking him for the gift, showing it fit well, and casually chatting to build rapport.
Tao Zhi had followed this strictly at first, and Fu Si Heng’s deliveries came at a normal frequency.
But later, for some reason, Fu Si Heng started sending things more often, and Tao Zhi gradually felt overwhelmed.
He had slacked off a little behind Fu Zheng’s back.
For example, this week, he only mentioned receiving a skirt without saying it was the third time that week. Fu Zheng thought it was just one load, but it had actually accumulated to three, so he brought Tao Zhi over the weekend to handle it.
It was Tao Zhi’s first time being dishonest, and he felt super guilty.
Earning money is really not easy.
He sighed, then raised his phone and snapped several photos in quick succession—click click click.
Among the things Fu Si Heng had sent recently that Tao Zhi hadn’t processed yet were a few Labubu dolls, autumn clothing, and souvenirs Fu Si Heng had brought back from a business trip not long ago.
He cleverly combined all three into one setup.
Tao Zhi sat on the carpet, surrounded by the souvenirs, hugging a Labubu doll in his arms.
The milky white plush toy was encircled by slender, fair arms. The upright ears pressed against his collarbone, perfectly concealing his Adam’s apple. Black strands of hair draped over his shoulders onto the doll.
Tao Zhi sat cross-legged on the carpet with his knees bent. The room was comfortably warm, the skirt hem resting on his thighs, his round knees showing faint pink at the joints, and his calves glowing softly under the overhead light.
It looked good—no inappropriate exposure.
Besides this pose, he also took a knee-hugging mirror shot blocking his face, a full-body standing shot, and one holding the souvenirs.
Tao Zhi took all the possible shots in one go.
Afterward, he carefully checked them over, then sent them to Fu Si Heng.
It was quick—from Rong Huai leaving the room to sending the photos, not even fifteen minutes had passed.
Tao Zhi’s photography was so straight-guy style: no angles, no editing, just pick up the phone and click click click.
But his natural talent was great; sitting there casually produced net-photo quality, super effortless.
After sending the photos, he typed out a thank-you message.
Fu Si Heng replied quickly.
Very curt—just an “Mm,” followed by a question: Not in the dorm?
Little Cute Bunny: [You sent so many skirts, they wouldn’t fit, so I rented a room. ^v^]
Fu Si Heng: [Oh.]
Tao Zhi: “…”
Such a cold response.
It was so weird.
He clearly didn’t seem interested in engaging, yet the gifts kept coming endlessly.
Tao Zhi couldn’t figure it out.
But he didn’t need to.
He just had to complete the tasks Fu Zheng assigned him; let Fu Zheng worry about the rest.
Mission accomplished for the day. Tao Zhi changed back into his own clothes, tidied the room simply, and walked out.
“That was fast.” Rong Huai was at the front desk and spotted him right away.
He raised his brow lightly. “Fu Zheng hasn’t come back yet.”
“Hm?” Tao Zhi glanced toward the door. “Then I’ll wait for him.”
Rong Huai hummed, then suddenly called out to him.
Tao Zhi, who had been heading to the sofa, stopped.
He turned and went to the front desk. “What is it, Brother Rong Huai?”
“Nothing, just chatting with you.” Rong Huai seemed to remember something and asked, “By the way, aren’t you about to have New Year’s Day break?”
“Hm? New Year’s Day… yeah, I think so.” It was still over half a month away, but Tao Zhi nodded earnestly.
Rong Huai: “How many days off—three?”
Ever since opening his shop, Boss Rong had bid farewell to statutory holidays. His employees worked on monthly rotating shifts, with no concept of holiday breaks.
After all, holidays were prime time for business.
Rong Huai asked, “Has Fu Zheng said anything about taking you somewhere fun?”
“Ah?” Tao Zhi shook his head.
Why would Fu Zheng take him somewhere fun—
“Ah, Fu Zheng’s here.”
Before Tao Zhi could respond, he heard Rong Huai and instinctively looked back.
Two pairs of eyes turned to him. Fu Zheng paused mid-door-open for a second, then walked over with a frown, tone displeased. “Why are you both staring at me?”
“Chatting with your roommate.” Rong Huai propped his chin lazily. “Talking about where you’re going for your three-day New Year’s break.”
“Ha?” Suddenly bringing up New Year’s—didn’t it still have half a month left?
“A few days ago, Wei Yu brought his girlfriend to my shop.” Rong Huai said it in an ultra-casual tone. “She’s a student too, seems like a grad student. You guys know her, right?”
Ah… ah…?
He didn’t know.
Tao Zhi was a bit lost on the topic.
“They said they’re going skiing for New Year’s. Oh, right—he said Fu Si Heng, your brother, is going too.”
“?”
The name Fu Si Heng made both Fu Zheng and Tao Zhi perk up alertly.
Fu Zheng: “You’re serious?”
The plush little bunny’s ears stood up straight.
“Of course.” Running this kind of shop, Rong Huai often did styling for banquets and balls, so he was pretty familiar with these rich second-gen kids.
But whether he was closer to Fu Zheng or Wei Yu—that was hard to say.
Rong Huai smiled at them.
Fu Zheng fell into thought.
The plush little bunny pondered too.
Something felt off, with a faint bad premonition.
“Got it.” Fu Zheng quickly made up his mind. “I’ll treat you to dinner another day.”
“Oh, and I transferred the six months’ rent.”
“Whoa.” Rong Huai raised a brow and checked his phone.
He called it six months’ rent, but Fu Zheng boldly sent exactly 30,000—not including the previous transfer.
Rich second-gen, so generous.
“Thanks.” Rong Huai didn’t stand on ceremony.
After the transfer, Fu Zheng took Tao Zhi and left.
Rong Huai leaned on the front desk, chin propped, watching their backs with a slightly upturned lip corner.
—
Tao Zhi had a bad premonition.
From the moment Fu Zheng appeared, listening to his conversation with Rong Huai, something felt wrong.
All the way, Tao Zhi mulled over it, completely out of it.
When he realized they were on the third floor’s women’s clothing section, Tao Zhi was stunned.
Through the store’s glass, he saw the dazzling array of seasonal women’s clothes, and his vision went dark.
“Fu Zheng, what are we doing here?” Tao Zhi pretended not to understand, his voice trembling slightly.
“Buying you clothes.” Having sold the watch, Fu Zheng’s funds were flush again, and his rich-kid confidence returned. “Didn’t you hear Rong Huai? New Year’s skiing, and Fu Si Heng’s going too.”
Tao Zhi: “…”
The premonition came true; it was hard for Tao Zhi to keep pretending now.
New mission: Wear women’s clothes for three straight days in front of Boss Fu Zheng.
Seduce him without getting exposed—including but not limited to talking to him, chatting, and light teasing.
What a huge challenge.
Tao Zhi swallowed hard.
