Chapter 49: Forgetting Part 3

“He’s on a business trip.” Tao Zhi said softly.

It wasn’t just that he believed Fu Zheng. Tao Zhi had gotten smarter—no longer the old naive fool. He was Tao · Niuhuru · Smart · Scheming · Zhi.

He’d confirmed it with Fu Si Heng himself.

Pretended to want to hang out, and Fu Si Heng said he had no time—business trip—and even sent his itinerary.

Only then did Tao Zhi believe it.

“Oh—” Rong Huai looked enlightened as he clipped on the earrings. “Done.”

“Go change.”

This counted as a weird kind of meeting the parents, so the styling went for pure and innocent.

Long straight black hair, fresh natural makeup.

Unlike the scheming innocence from his date with Fu Si Heng last time, Rong Huai used light blush—a thin layer—for a natural, energetic, cheerful vibe.

The outfit matched.

A water-pink slanted-collar sweater with a beige half-skirt. Very girl-next-door, very college student.

Tao Zhi was very satisfied.

Fu Zheng wasn’t; he wanted to see Tao Zhi in a short skirt.

Tao Zhi: “…”

Tao Zhi ignored Fu Zheng, ducking his head and heading out. Fu Zheng chased after, nearly tripping into the elevator—total embarrassment.

Luckily, Tao Zhi wouldn’t mock him. Half an hour later, they were back to normal.

Fu Zheng had arranged to meet Xu Yujia at the resort. She’d checked in the night before and was waiting at the entrance.

“Little Zheng!” Xu Yujia spotted Fu Zheng’s car from afar and waved.

Tao Zhi saw her through the window and sighed. “Your mom has so much energy.”

Fu Zheng grunted. After parking, Xu Yujia trotted over.

“Mom.” Fu Zheng got out, uncharacteristically polite.

“Mm.” Xu Yujia brushed it off, her gaze landing on Tao Zhi with uncontainable delight.

So cute, such a pretty little girl.

First impressions were great.

Who knew Fu Zheng had normal taste? The old mother finally relaxed, smiling warmly. “Hello, young classmate. I’m Fu Zheng’s mom.”

“Hello, Auntie.” Tao Zhi was a bit stiff but sweet-mouthed and soft-voiced. Xu Yujia liked it a lot.

She was pleased no matter how she looked.

“I’m Ye Mian, Fu Zheng’s classmate.”

“Mind if Auntie calls you Mianmian?” Xu Yujia smiled at Tao Zhi.

As she smiled, her expression turned hesitant. “You’re classmates with Fu Zheng?”

Tao Zhi: “Yeah… why?”

“Nothing, nothing.” Xu Yujia waved it off. “Just rare for girls to study vehicle engineering.”

Tao Zhi: “…”

“Hahaha.” Xu Yujia laughed. “Your major needs hands-on practice, right? Like machining and disassembly? I don’t know much—thought girls wouldn’t pick it. Stereotype on my part.”

Tao Zhi’s expression turned awkward.

“Right, have you had breakfast?” Xu Yujia changed topics.

“Yes.” Tao Zhi answered.

“Good.” Xu Yujia said, “Want to stroll around?”

“The scenery nearby is nice. I hear there’s an eco-park ahead—want to check it out? Or first see the rooms? I booked a waterside log cabin—sounds fun. Didn’t stay last night; waited for you two.”

“They have a ranch too. Auntie can teach you to ride horses later. Do you know how?”

“Sure, I don’t.” Tao Zhi responded to each. “Thanks, Auntie.”

“I’m fine with anything. You decide.” Xu Yujia was so enthusiastic that Tao Zhi couldn’t keep up. He turned to Fu Zheng with a pleading look.

Fu Zheng pulled Xu Yujia aside.

“What?” Xu Yujia looked puzzled.

“Mom.” Fu Zheng lowered his voice. “What are you doing? You’re hogging him—I can’t get a word in. Didn’t you promise to help me…?”

“Huh?” Xu Yujia blinked blankly. “Help with what?”

Fu Zheng: “…”

What an unreliable mom.

Fu Zheng had completely forgotten how, back in the dorm, he’d argued he wasn’t dumb, wasn’t inferior to Fu Si Heng, and didn’t need her help.

Seeing his big reaction to her offer, she’d naturally dropped it and now had no clue what he meant.

“Spit it out already.” Xu Yujia rolled her eyes at her youngest and went back to Tao Zhi, beaming. “Shall we check the room first?”

“Sure, whatever works.” Tao Zhi had no objections.

“Whatever.” Fu Zheng gave up, seeming drained. “How we getting there? Drive?”

Xu Yujia: “Walk, walk.”

“Oh.” Fu Zheng started to go.

“Wait, wait.” Xu Yujia stopped him.

“Wait for what?” Fu Zheng grew impatient.

Xu Yujia glanced back. “Someone else is coming.”

Fu Zheng: “Who?”

“Your brother.” Xu Yujia said.

Thunderstruck, Tao Zhi’s eyes widened.

Fu Zheng was shocked too. “Fu Si Heng? Isn’t he on a business trip?!”

Xu Yujia: “Huh? Didn’t he tell you? It’s off.”

The mother-son exchange continued, but Tao Zhi’s mind spun wildly.

What the hell?

His panic was visible.

Fu Zheng: “You’re joking!”

“I asked his assistant—”

“The schedule got canceled last minute, decided last night.” Before she finished, Fu Si Heng’s voice sounded. Tao Zhi saw him too.

He emerged from the resort’s front desk building—clear as day.

Tao Zhi was dumbfounded.

Fu Si Heng walked over. “Good morning.”

“Yo.” Xu Yujia raised a brow.

The older brother was polite today, even saying good morning. Was it because it was his first time meeting the future sister-in-law, showing off the family’s good manners?

First impressions mattered.

The brother represented the family’s face.

Nice, nice.

Xu Yujia was pleased.

She completely missed that the “good morning” was directed at her son’s “crush.”

Tao Zhi: “…”

Tao Zhi slowly lowered his head.

The soil here is really… earthy.

“Didn’t you tell Little Zheng?” Xu Yujia followed up. “He looks so shocked.”

Fu Si Heng: “No.”

He spoke of Fu Zheng, but his gaze rested on Tao Zhi.

Tao Zhi felt a heavy weight pressing on his head, suffocating him. He couldn’t lift it, focused on studying the dirt at his feet.

Could he just bolt?

What if he got dragged back—cheating penalty? Was Fu Si Heng law-abiding? Tao Zhi despaired.

“Forgot to mention.” Fu Si Heng’s voice was flat and calm.

Tao Zhi: “…”

Yeah.

Back at the airport when he ran into him, his initial reaction had been calm too.