Chapter 63: Pursuing Again Part 2

Wei Yu scrolled, chuckling as he read them aloud to Fu Si Heng. “Someone down there asked Rong Huai if he’s single—they wanna chase him. Guess what Rong Huai said? I’m dying.”

“Whoa, so many people asking.”

“You’re done for, Old Fu. Feeling the crisis yet?”

“…” Fu Si Heng didn’t respond.

His face looked even worse than before. He tossed back the liquor in his glass, then slammed it down hard on the counter.

Last Saturday, Tao Zhi had insisted he was straight no matter what he said. Tao Zhi’s stance never wavered: straight guys couldn’t date gays.

He wouldn’t listen to anything, hell-bent on paying back the money.

Fu Si Heng wouldn’t let him, so Tao Zhi transferred it back to his card on his own. Then he said he had to leave, that he had something important to do.

So this was the “important” thing.

Hadn’t he always hated dressing up in women’s clothes before? Always making excuses to dodge, skipping shoots whenever he could. He said he didn’t like short skirts, found them weird—anything above the knee felt awkward when walking.

Not awkward anymore, huh?

Now he was even shooting photos like this.

Showing chest, showing legs.

That day, Fu Si Heng had let him go partly because Tao Zhi claimed he had business, but also because he truly had no moves left. No matter what he said, Tao Zhi was impervious—stubbornly straight. Fu Si Heng was helpless.

He’d thought cooling off for a bit might help.

Let them both calm down.

Besides Tao Zhi’s stubbornness, another reason was that Fu Si Heng realized he wasn’t being rational.

He cared too much about Tao Zhi, got led around by him too easily. He couldn’t stay calm—more panic, more discomfort at losing control.

Fu Si Heng was used to being in command, overseeing everything. But that day, he was truly out of options with Tao Zhi. The kid was far more resolute than he’d imagined; the old gullibility was gone without a trace.

Tao Zhi had been very guarded that day.

Under those circumstances, he couldn’t convince him.

Fu Si Heng’s plan had been to give it a few days—three to five—and then talk about the “straight guy” thing properly.

But…

It had only been two days.

Wife’s popular? Can’t blame the wife.

Blame those shameless stinking men.

Fu Si Heng had seen the comments too—no need for Wei Yu to read them.

He was seething with jealousy now.

He wasn’t drinking liquor; what bubbled up was pure sourness.

Vinegar.

And a sense of crisis.

Yes, crisis.

Fu Si Heng figured it out. No need to cool off. No need to convince Tao Zhi.

He just needed to pursue him again.

Get down on his knees, apologize profusely, then pursue him with all his heart.

“What are you doing?” Wei Yu jumped at the noise from the glass. “This counter’s custom-made—super expensive. You break it, you pay. Oh, right—I forgot to ask about Fu Zheng—”

“Nothing. I’m leaving.”

No more cooling off.

Cool any longer, and he’d miss his chance.

Fu Si Heng stood, leaving a baffled Wei Yu behind, and strode out of the bar without looking back.

–

Tao Zhi was currently looking for a cat.

Monday afternoon at four, Tao Zhi had just gotten out of class.

No day-labor gigs, didn’t want to hit the library. He happened to overhear the club mentioning stray cats, so with his rare free time—and restless nature—he decided to help out another club.

The Small Animal Protection Society wanted to compile a campus stray cat dossier for their website, including individual photos of each kitty.

Progress was at a solid 99%. The missing 1% was a chubby orange tabby named Bei Bei.

Bei Bei used to have a great personality, super friendly with students and teachers—anyone could pet and cuddle him.

But one afternoon, while sunbathing on the campus lawn, a student approached.

The fat orange knew the student well and rubbed up affectionately, hoping for treats. It started as a friendly human-cat interaction. But after the snacks ran out, the cat suddenly got scooped up with a weird yell and taken to a nearby pet hospital for neutering.

When he returned to campus, he had lost his most precious possession.

After that, he stopped trusting humans.

No more cuddles or rubs. He wouldn’t even show his face.

The sight of people sent him bolting for cover. Not even cat treats or cans could lure him out.

No one had managed to get a photo yet. The society’s president was offering a hefty bounty—a reward equivalent to four cups of milk tea!

Tao Zhi figured he might as well search since he had nothing else to do. Surprisingly, he got lucky and spotted him under a bench by the campus artificial lake.

Tao Zhi crouched down and pulled out his phone to take a picture—

“Tao Zhi.” A voice sounded from behind. Tao Zhi froze.

In that split second before he could press the shutter, the fat orange cat sensed someone and bolted warily away.

“…”

Four cups of milk tea, down the drain. Tao Zhi turned around.

Fu Si Heng stood behind him, slightly bent at the waist, his looming figure completely enveloping Tao Zhi.

“Fu-ge?” Tao Zhi was surprised to see him.

Why’d he suddenly show up at my school…

“What are you doing squatting here?” Fu Si Heng extended a hand toward him.

Tao Zhi’s gaze lifted slightly, lingering on his palm for a few seconds. After a moment’s thought, he took Fu Si Heng’s hand and stood up.

Then immediately let go.

Very quickly.

“What are you doing?” Fu Si Heng’s expression didn’t change.

“Taking pictures of a cat,” Tao Zhi replied. “It just ran off.”

He paused for two seconds. “Fu-ge, why’d you come over?”

Not even two days had passed since then, and seeing Fu Si Heng again left Tao Zhi deeply uncomfortable.

His eyes darted about, as if he’d done something wrong.

Fu Si Heng noticed but didn’t ask. He simply told Tao Zhi, “Came to find you.”

“Hm?” Tao Zhi’s gaze halted, then furtively shifted back. “Find me for what…”

Fu Si Heng: “Nothing. Just wanted to see you.”

“…?” Fu Si Heng’s words only confused Tao Zhi more.

Hadn’t they already cleared the air?

He’d rejected Fu Si Heng, and Fu Si Heng had agreed, right?

A hint of bewilderment appeared in Tao Zhi’s eyes. “Why come see me? Didn’t we say before? I’m straight. It’s impossible between us…”

“Straight guys can’t date gays…”

“Tao Zhi.” Despite preparing himself on the way over, hearing it again still made Fu Si Heng laugh in exasperation.

It made him exasperated enough to want to bite Tao Zhi.

And devour his cheeks.

They were so tempting.

Especially thinking of all those others coveting him.

Just from a few photos.

If they’d met him in person? They’d be enchanted, unable to walk straight.

Falling for Tao Zhi was as natural as breathing.

That’s exactly what happened to me.

This little fool, Tao Zhi, had no clue how dangerous his situation was.

“Are you deliberately getting back at me?” Fu Si Heng asked.

?!

Huh?!

Tao Zhi’s mouth fell open. First shock, then his eyes dodged guiltily—obvious as day.

How… how did he figure it out?