Chapter 61: Paying Back the Money Part 3

After chatting with the president, Tao Zhi returned to the dorm and messaged Rong Huai: 【Rong Huai-ge, the contract looks fine. We can sign.】

Rong Huai: 【OK】

Rong Huai replied instantly: 【Free tomorrow morning? I’ll be at the shop at ten; you can come then.】

Rong Huai: 【Oh, right—I remember you have tutoring tomorrow morning.】

Rong Huai recalled Tao Zhi mentioning it.

Tao Zhi: 【Yes.】

The Saturday morning tutoring gig was arranged by Fu Si Heng, right in his neighborhood.

After the lesson, he’d go straight to his place for lunch.

The second job was cooking for Fu Si Heng, lasting until Sunday afternoon before returning to school.

Tao Zhi: 【No time Saturday; only Sunday afternoon for signing.】

Rong Huai: 【Hm?? Tutoring takes that long? Shouldn’t.】

Rong Huai found it odd: 【Even with back-to-back sessions over two days, you’d want to rest at school, right?】

Uh.

Tao Zhi scratched his cheek.

He hadn’t planned to tell Rong Huai the truth, but he couldn’t hold out against Boss Rong—spilled it in just a few exchanges.

Tao Zhi: 【Actually, it’s because I have to go to Fu Si Heng’s on Saturdays.】

Tao Zhi: 【Cook for him, and head back Sunday afternoon.】

Rong Huai: 【Oh, overnight stay, huh.】

Tao Zhi: 【Mm…】

Rong Huai: 【So you’re seeing him tomorrow.】

Rong Huai: 【Perfect chance.】

Otherwise, it’d be another week.

Tao Zhi: 【Huh?】

What perfect chance? Tao Zhi didn’t get it.

Rong Huai: 【Let’s do an electronic contract. Sign it, and tomorrow when banks open, I’ll transfer the money—guaranteed before noon.】

Tao Zhi: 【Huh?】

Why so rushed?

Tao Zhi was a bit dazed: 【Isn’t that too fast?】

Rong Huai: 【Nope】

Tao Zhi: “…”

That evening, they signed the electronic contract. The next day, after finishing the tutoring lesson, Tao Zhi checked his phone and saw the bank notification, along with a transaction receipt from Rong Huai.

The speed was impressive.

Tao Zhi typed his thanks: 【Got it, thank you, Rong Huai-ge】

Rong Huai sent a smiling emoji: 【No biggie. If convenient, send your class schedule; we’ll set shoot times.】

Tao Zhi: 【Sure.】

Tao Zhi found his schedule in his gallery and sent it to Rong Huai. He only had one class Wednesday afternoon; Rong Huai asked if that worked.

The main pieces for this launch were modernized hanfu in new Chinese style, to be shot outdoors.

During the shoot, he could casually probe their progress.

Boss Rong was extremely gossipy.

Tao Zhi said yes, then said goodbye to the student and parent before heading to Fu Si Heng’s place in the same complex.

Fu Si Heng had been waiting a long time.

Tao Zhi knew the passcode to Fu Si Heng’s home. When he entered, Fu Si Heng sat on the living room sofa with a laptop and phone on his lap.

His outfit was very homey and casual today.

White shirt with sleeves rolled to the forearms, buttons loosely done, flat-lens glasses on his nose bridge.

Hearing the door, Fu Si Heng set aside the laptop and naturally rose, walking to the entrance. “You’re here.”

It felt completely like a warm, peaceful family scene. In that moment, Fu Si Heng even felt like he was waiting for his busy wife to come home.

“Fu-ge.”

The ‘wife’ was happy to see him too.

Tao Zhi greeted Fu Si Heng enthusiastically.

He was in a great mood today; his smile was brilliant, with dimples showing on his cheeks—adorably cute.

Seeing his smile, Fu Si Heng felt his heart wrapped in layers of soft feathers. His throat bobbed slightly as he stared at Tao Zhi for several seconds—from the dimples, to his nose, to the crescent-moon eyes and soft bangs on his forehead.

Every strand of Tao Zhi’s hair there drew him in.

So cute; he wanted to kiss him.

But no excuse to.

Ever since exposing Tao Zhi’s cross-dressing, Fu Si Heng had felt an inexplicable suppressed irritation, like an unsatisfied itch, leading to moodiness. He smoked more frequently and often used Tao Zhi’s bathrobe and towel.

It left him deeply unsatisfied.

The only consolation was that, at least for now, Tao Zhi was still his.

Fu Si Heng slowly exhaled a breath.

About to speak, Tao Zhi beat him to it. “Right, Fu-ge, I have something to tell you.”

After changing shoes, Tao Zhi looked up at Fu Si Heng, his smile even brighter. “I have the two hundred thousand now. I can pay you back today.”

“I’ve thought a lot these past few days. I think we’re both straight guys, so it’s better not to have this unclear relationship.” Tao Zhi said, “So I’ll pay you back first, like we agreed before…”

Tao Zhi licked his lips, gazing up with bright eyes. “Once I pay you back, we can end the couple relationship.”

“?”

Fu Si Heng had just been relieved that the person was still his.

Now, hearing Tao Zhi’s words, his expression froze on his face.

It was too sudden.

Completely out of nowhere, no warning—a bolt from the blue.

“Thanks for helping me last time.” Tao Zhi was still grateful. “You’re a really, really good person. I’ll always remember your kindness!”

But they couldn’t date.

“Straight guys can’t date straight guys.” Tao Zhi’s expression was utterly serious.

Fu Si Heng: “…”