With ointment applied to the base of his thighs, gauze carefully taped on by a certain man, and soft, comfortable pants, walking no longer hurt.
Tao Zhi’s resentment toward Fu Si Heng lessened a bit.
“Right, from now on, you don’t need to come Mondays through Fridays.” As Tao Zhi unbuckled his seatbelt to get out, he suddenly remembered and earnestly instructed Fu Si Heng.
Running back and forth was exhausting.
No need for it.
They were together now anyway, so Fu Si Heng should feel secure. Back when they dated before, they only saw each other once a week.
Going back to that would give them more space, which was good for maintaining the relationship. Being stuck together all the time could lead to breakups… probably. Tao Zhi had heard that from others.
He wasn’t entirely sure himself, but his intentions were good—from the perspective of their relationship and considering Fu Si Heng.
But Fu Si Heng misunderstood.
He turned to look at Tao Zhi and pondered for two seconds. “Mad?”
He apologized smoothly. “Sorry, I promise not to do anything as excessive as last night again.”
I’ll suck lighter.
Won’t deliberately graze him with my teeth, making him break down screaming and nearly cry.
Tao Zhi: “…”
“I’m not mad.” Tao Zhi immediately realized what he meant. He pressed his legs together, blushed, and explained softly. “I just think school and your place are too far. No need to run back and forth—it’s tiring…”
Tao Zhi was genuinely thinking of Fu Si Heng.
But mentioning last night—
“Anyway, that’s it. Don’t say any more.” Afraid this black-hearted man would keep going, Tao Zhi hurriedly unbuckled, got out of the car, and ran off with his head down.
“Tch.”
He can run just fine.
Fu Si Heng watched Tao Zhi’s back, tapped his knuckles on the steering wheel. It wasn’t clear if he agreed or not.
……
Morning classes ended at 11:40. Tao Zhi went to the cafeteria for food and returned to the dorm to find a senior there.
“Hey.” The senior greeted him upon seeing him. “Why didn’t you come back to the dorm yesterday?”
“I thought you’d be back last night. You didn’t just get here this morning, did you?”
“No, I got here yesterday.” Tao Zhi closed the door. “But it was too late, so I stayed out. What’s up? Need something?”
“Gossip.” The senior’s eyes lit up as he swiveled his chair to face Tao Zhi. “I didn’t go home for the holiday. Guess what I saw?”
He was all mysterious and spilled it without waiting. “Fu Zheng working the register at the convenience store outside school!”
“Oh my god, Fu Zheng.”
“And with his arm in a cast! Is this really the young master I know?!”
It was so bizarre that he’d nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw it and had been dying to share with someone.
Tao Zhi was the perfect person.
They were dormmates, after all, and Tao Zhi had even taken a thousand yuan from Fu Zheng. Talking about it outside felt gossipy.
But with Tao Zhi, it was sharing intel! Looking out for a roommate!
The senior was very curious. “Did Fu Zheng’s family go bankrupt or something?”
“No, it’s training.” Tao Zhi answered honestly. “His brother thinks he spends too much, so he cut off his cards to make him self-reliant.”
“Ah, that makes sense.” The senior got it.
“Mm-hmm.” Tao Zhi turned back to his food.
After a couple bites, his mind replayed the senior’s words, and Tao Zhi felt a bit uneasy.
Also, about him and Fu Si Heng being together—Tao Zhi didn’t want to hide it from Fu Zheng.
He wanted to tell him.
Better to tell him early so he could accept it sooner.
He hadn’t said before because he really was straight back then, but not anymore.
Fu Si Heng wanted to train him, so find another reason.
Tao Zhi made up his mind and planned to ask Fu Zheng out for a proper talk—
He’d just pulled out his phone when he saw messages jumping rapidly in their chat.
Exclamation marks flew one after another; Tao Zhi could barely keep up.
A bad premonition hit him. His eyelid twitched as he opened the chat and scrolled to the top.
There were tons of pointless messages. Today’s started at 9:30.
Fu Zheng: 【? My cards work again. All of them.】
Fu Zheng: 【What’s going on? That bastard Fu Si Heng finally letting me off?】
Fu Zheng: 【Fuck, my hard days are over.】
Fu Zheng: 【Yours too.】
Fu Zheng: 【Someone transferred you 200k.】
Fu Zheng: 【Go pay it back.】
Fu Zheng: 【??? Why take the money? Whatever, I’ll pay it for you.】
……
Half an hour later.
Fu Zheng: 【?】
Fu Zheng: 【What does Fu Si Heng mean by no need?】
Fu Zheng: 【He said you’ve already paid? And that you’re together??? What’s going on? Tao Zhi, aren’t you straight? How are you with him?】
Fu Zheng: 【?? Did you agree for the money? Fuck, who told you to do that?!】
Fu Zheng: 【You idiot!】
Fu Zheng: 【Wait for me, don’t do anything weird!!】
Fu Zheng: 【Hear me!!!】
Fu Zheng: 【I can get money!!】
……
An hour later.
Fu Zheng: 【Fu Si Heng says you’re really together?! No way!】
Fu Zheng: 【Last time you clearly told me you were straight???】
Fu Zheng: 【I don’t believe it.】
Fu Zheng: 【I absolutely won’t believe it!!!】
