Chapter 65: The Gathering Part 3

Because Fu Si Heng wanted to pursue him and kept coming, Tao Zhi worried Fu Zheng would see and spark some melodramatic love triangle. Nervously, he told him not to come. Fu Si Heng said Fu Zheng was busy working and earning money, no time—relax.

?

Odd words for Fu Zheng. Tao Zhi was puzzled but hadn’t seen Fu Zheng since, so he stopped blocking Fu Si Heng.

“No way it’s Fu Zheng. Is it that guy always with Little Tao lately?” A nearby girl joined in. “I see him with Little Tao often, carrying his bag, tying his shoes.”

“Right, him.” The Club President fist-pumped her palm, realizing.

Tao Zhi: “…”

“A brother? Bummer.” The girl tilted her head at Tao Zhi. “I thought boyfriend or suitor—secretly shipping it.”

Fu Si Heng had been at Tao Zhi’s school frequently.

Whenever Tao Zhi wasn’t in class, Fu Si Heng appeared.

Acquaintances often saw the man with Tao Zhi.

Strong presence.

“Not necessarily unshippable. What brother visits his sibling’s school constantly?” The Club President caught on—it was definitely that guy.

She knew Fu Zheng; he wouldn’t just send drinks without showing.

His temper: if he didn’t want Tao Zhi forced drinks, he’d drag him away or sit guard.

She’d seen it.

Last year, Fu Zheng played basketball at the gym. His teammates knew Tao Zhi was his lackey and bossed him: buy water, watch bags.

Fu Zheng spotted it.

Water returned, he sat by Tao Zhi like a door god.

No one dared take water; they grabbed their stuff under his scary glare.

Fu Zheng feared no offense.

If it were him, no polite words.

Thinking it over, the waiter’s message seemed thankful on surface—actually backing Tao Zhi, strong possessiveness, staking claim.

“Biological brother or lover brother?” The Club President teased, getting into it.

“Neither, neither.” Tao Zhi got goosebumps at “lover brother” and waved frantically, faintly guilty.

“No way.” She didn’t buy it. “Then what brother?”

Tao Zhi: “…”

He didn’t know. Couldn’t handle it.

The posturing senior was squeezed to a corner; gossipers crowded.

Besides curiosity, the lavish drinks gave Tao Zhi spotlight.

Not cheap.

Casual big spender, sole request: don’t force Tao Zhi’s drinks, let him enjoy…

“What’s this drink?” The crowd ogled. “So pretty, dreamy.”

Pure blue liquid, ice and goldfish gummies layered—summery fantasy.

“Dunno.” Tao Zhi replied.

He only knew Fu Si Heng said low-proof, safe.

Though Fu Si Heng could be wicked sometimes… Tao Zhi trusted him.

“Probably fruit wine.” Tao Zhi said.

“Non-alcoholic special mix.” A bar-regular senior chimed. “Lemon sparkling water—super low alcohol, basically none.”

“Oh oh oh!”

Tao Zhi nodded too.

Yes, that.

“Your brother treats you so well.” The Club President said. “So, lover or blood brother?”

Tao Zhi: “…”

He truly couldn’t answer.

Talk more, he might spill everything. Helpless, he excused himself to the bathroom and bolted.

Outside, he looked around the hallway—no one. Front desk—no familiar figure.

Tao Zhi paused.

“Looking for me?”

A voice from behind. Before turning, a large palm ruffled his head.

Tao Zhi turned.

“Brother Fu.”

Fu Si Heng hummed, his palm filled with Tao Zhi’s soft fuzzy hair, mood good.

“Went to the bathroom.” Fu Si Heng told him. “Gathering over?”

“No, I came out early. I…”

Might need to go back.

Tao Zhi opened his mouth, face troubled.

Unrelated to Fu Si Heng’s drinks or spotlight. Tao Zhi just wasn’t used to such scenes.

Dinner bustle was okay, blending in. But KTV games, drinking, singing—he couldn’t, found it boring.

“Oh.” Fu Si Heng understood. “Let’s go then. I’ll drive you back.”

“Okay?” Tao Zhi looked up.

“Send a message—say your brother’s taking you home.” Fu Si Heng instructed.

“Oh.” Tao Zhi followed, typing halfway, paused at “brother.”

Sent without it.

“Done.” Tao Zhi looked up. “Why’d you come—”

Before finishing, his left cheek was pinched by Fu Si Heng.

“…Mmph.”

“Why’d you come.” Tao Zhi finally dropped the formal “you.”

After ages of “sir,” Fu Si Heng oddly made him change—still awkward.

Fu Si Heng released.

He knew about the dinner but hadn’t planned to come. Tao Zhi said he’d go straight back post-meal, but then they extended to KTV. Fu Si Heng came.

“Figured someone might hassle you, force drinks. So I did.” They exited KTV into cool night breeze. Fu Si Heng glanced at Tao Zhi.

Tao Zhi looked shocked.

He knew that too!

“Guess right.” Fu Si Heng chuckled. “Everywhere has those bores. Treating peer pressure drinks as fashion. Not drinking means disrespect, right?”

“…Yeah.” Fu Si Heng nailed it.

Fu Si Heng laughed.

Mocking.

Tao Zhi watched, feeling an indescribable strangeness inside.

So, just suspecting it might happen… he sent the drinks?

Tao Zhi scratched his head, changed topic. “Those drinks expensive?”

Fu Si Heng didn’t answer, opened the rear door.

Tao Zhi got in first.

Buckling up, Fu Si Heng’s phone rang. Tao Zhi naturally looked up.

“Fu Zheng?”

Huh?

Familiar yet distant name. Tao Zhi startled.

Fu Si Heng glanced at him.

“Got it, heading there now.”

Before Tao Zhi could speak, door shut. Fu Si Heng went to driver’s side, told the driver: “School first, then Jiahe Hospital.”

Jiahe Hospital—the private one from last time.

Tao Zhi: “?”

What happened?

Stunned, he asked nervously: “Brother Fu? What’s wrong with Fu Zheng?”