Chapter 57: Confession (Little Brother) Part 1

Boss’s orders could not be disobeyed.

Even though Tao Zhi had just gotten out of the car and sent his older brother away without any time to rest or buffer, he now had to rush straight to the parking lot to meet his younger brother.

He was really busy.

Tao Zhi waited in the parking lot for less than ten minutes before he saw Fu Zheng walking toward him.

In that instant, Tao Zhi felt quite guilty.

The whole power seizure thing was supposed to be over with Fu Zheng.

Although he had done something bad, he hadn’t fully done it—at least he hadn’t stolen the documents. But now, he had spilled it all to Fu Si Heng… letting Fu Si Heng know about his immature plan and even get mocked for it.

Although Fu Zheng had no idea.

Tao Zhi still felt guilty.

He awkwardly scratched the corner of his forehead and spent a good while psyching himself up internally. When Fu Zheng finally reached him, Tao Zhi turned his politeness up to maximum and flashed him a super invincible cute and friendly smile.

—A little dummy who had done something bad acted extra obedient, and anyone would be fooled by that smile.

“Fu Zheng, good afternoon. Have you had lunch yet… Ow.”

Before he could finish his words, Fu Zheng suddenly grabbed both of Tao Zhi’s cheeks and roughly kneaded them up, down, left, and right.

Tao Zhi was stunned and immediately struggled, prying his hands away. “What are you doing… Let go, it hurts.”

“Why are you smiling so cutely? Trying to seduce me? Hitting on me the moment we meet.” Fu Zheng inexplicably blushed at his smile and grumbled awkwardly under his breath. Tao Zhi, focused on rescuing his face, didn’t hear him.

After finally escaping from Fu Zheng’s clutches, Tao Zhi rubbed his cheeks and felt his eyes sting—physiological tears had been rubbed out. “It hurts so much. Fu Zheng, your grip is so strong.”

Fu Zheng: “?”

Fu Zheng didn’t believe it. “I didn’t even use any force.”

He really hadn’t used any force—just rubbed normally. Didn’t everyone rub like that? And he cried… so delicate.

The thought had just surfaced when Tao Zhi finished rubbing his face. With finger marks on his cheeks and teary eyes, he looked at Fu Zheng.

As pitiful as could be.

Fu Zheng: “…”

Damn, it seemed like he had.

No, how did it…

Fu Zheng swore he hadn’t used any force!

“How about… I blow on it for you?” Fu Zheng suggested.

He had never done something like this before, but since he had caused it, he should take responsibility.

As Fu Zheng convinced himself, he felt a hidden thrill inside and quickly cupped Tao Zhi’s face with both hands.

Tao Zhi didn’t react at first to what Fu Zheng meant.

Blow? Blow what?

Only when Fu Zheng leaned in close did he realize and frantically shake his head in refusal. “No need, no need!”

This was too weird!

Two grown men blowing on cheeks in broad daylight in a parking lot? Too weird!

What if someone mistook them for gay?!

Tao Zhi didn’t want to be seen as gay. He quickly wrenched Fu Zheng’s hands away and dodged to the side, keeping his distance.

Fu Zheng: “.”

Fine.

Tao Zhi had rejected him.

And so mercilessly.

Fu Zheng felt upset, his mouth going flat in grievance—

“It was just a little pain, not that bad. It doesn’t hurt anymore now. Alright, alright.” After dodging away, Tao Zhi’s mood gradually calmed.

He took two breaths and spoke to Fu Zheng in a gentle tone. “Just don’t grab so hard next time. I’m fine now.”

“I wasn’t trying to snap at you on purpose just now.” Tao Zhi pursed his lips. “It was instinctive. Sorry, Fu Zheng. Did I scare you?”

“…”

Tao Zhi really knew how to handle him. Fu Zheng’s budding frustration was instantly soothed by those few words, leaving no trace of displeasure.

Tao Zhi’s voice was so nice—soft, clean, clear, and pleasant, with the ending notes deliberately drawn out in a coquettish tone, like he was whining…

“Tao Zhi, you’re actually not straight, are you?” Fu Zheng suddenly blurted out.

Tao Zhi: “?”

Tao Zhi froze.

“You’re a little coquettish one.” Fu Zheng said.

Subtext: You’re gay.

Tao Zhi: “?”

Huh???

This came out of nowhere. Why call him a coquettish one all of a sudden… When had he ever been coquettish?

He didn’t understand and wanted to ask, but Fu Zheng didn’t give him the chance.

“Enough with the coquetry. Get in the car. I’ll take you somewhere.” Fu Zheng didn’t answer Tao Zhi’s confusion.

Because he had already achieved his goal.

Fu Zheng vaguely recalled that someone had thought today might be their last meeting, so before leaving, he had unusually played the nice guy and reminded Fu Zheng to confirm if his roommate was gay before confessing, to avoid one-sided enthusiasm and ruthless rejection.

Fu Zheng had been stubborn then, insisting Tao Zhi definitely was.

Over the past couple of days, he had checked tons of sources—tarot tests, star dice, horoscope calculations, both Eastern and Western. All results said Tao Zhi was gay and would definitely accept his confession.

That’s what they all told him.

The fortune tellers were introduced by Rong Huai, charging 888, 999, and 12333 respectively.

Expensive for a reason—definitely accurate.

Fu Zheng trusted them completely.

Before seeing Tao Zhi, he had been full of confidence, feeling it was foolproof.

But after meeting him, perhaps due to nerves, he felt a bit unsure.

The recent “test,” however, dispelled his doubts. Tao Zhi definitely wasn’t straight.

How could a straight guy be coquettish?

And so… cutely.

He hadn’t expected Tao Zhi to hide it so well.

Secretly turning gay without telling him. Good thing he was smart and turned too.

Ahem.

Fu Zheng opened the car door for Tao Zhi.

Tao Zhi responded with an “oh” and obediently got in, though a bit curious. “Where exactly are you taking me?”

“You’ll know when we get there.” Fu Zheng wanted to surprise him and didn’t explain clearly. He reached out and pinched his cheek again.

Gently, almost no force.

This time, Tao Zhi didn’t complain of pain.

Fu Zheng: “Anyway, it’s definitely a place you’ll like.”

Tao Zhi: “Huh?”

–

The confession spot Fu Zheng chose was a lawn in a park in S City.

Early spring brought tender green sprouts to the grass, and cherry blossom trees along the paths bloomed with pale pink petals.

After getting out of the car, Tao Zhi followed Fu Zheng’s steps. Not long after, he suddenly spotted an archway and balloons on the lawn.

Tao Zhi: “…?”

A bad premonition surged up, and his steps instinctively halted. He looked around and saw no third person besides them.

Fu Zheng had cleared the area.

Though Tao Zhi was optimistic, cheerful, sensible, polite, and got along with everyone, he was actually a bit shy around strangers. Crowded places made him uncomfortable.

Fu Zheng knew this. Last semester, he had taken Tao Zhi to a bar once, and Tao Zhi had been so stiff he didn’t know where to put his hands and feet. Normally polite, he hadn’t greeted anyone, just kept looking at Fu Zheng.