“Happy birthday, Little Tao Zhi.” Wei Yu smiled and handed over the gift he’d prepared in advance.
Even though Fu Si Heng had told him not to come, preparing a gift shouldn’t count as showing up uninvited, right?
“This is from me and your Xin Yuan-jie. Nineteen now—congrats on growing a year older.”
“?”
Ah.
How did they know it was his birthday?
Tao Zhi dazedly accepted the gift and glanced down to see it was a pair of headphones.
He wasn’t that close to Wei Yu and didn’t know his preferences, but for a college student, headphones or other electronics, a gaming console—those were always safe bets.
“Thanks, Wei-ge.” Tao Zhi was still a bit bewildered about what felt wrong until he caught Shen Xin Yuan’s appraising, curious gaze.
His heart skipped a beat.
He remembered!
In front of Wei Yu and Shen Xin Yuan… he was a girl!!!
…How had he forgotten that?!
Tao Zhi’s expression turned awkward. He scratched his cheek and looked up—right into Shen Xin Yuan’s eyes again.
“Xin Yuan-jie.” He forced out the greeting.
Shen Xin Yuan beamed. “Xiao Zhi, happy birthday.”
Before coming, Wei Yu had asked her if she remembered Mianmian from New Year’s—Fu Zheng’s female classmate.
She said yes.
Wei Yu told her it was actually a boy, and she hadn’t believed it at the time.
Now she did.
He really was a boy.
Male and female attire made a difference, but the facial features and contours gave subtle hints.
She hadn’t noticed back then.
Shen Xin Yuan sighed in admiration and couldn’t stop staring at Tao Zhi. Wei Yu cleared his throat twice, glanced at Fu Si Heng’s expression, and changed the subject. “What a coincidence, haha.”
…
Not really.
Wei Yu’s family was in the entertainment industry, owning most of S City’s clubs, bars, and amusement parks—including this one.
Including the night session Fu Si Heng had booked today.
Fu Si Heng had chartered the park, but he’d had Wei Yu release some free tickets online.
The crowd was controlled to feel lively without being overcrowded.
As expected, he’d guessed right—Tao Zhi loved the atmosphere and looked thrilled just watching others play.
After parting from Wei Yu and the others, the projects Tao Zhi played had very short queues—an unimaginable luxury.
Tao Zhi had never been to an amusement park before, except once for a summer job amid scorching heat and massive lines. He’d overheard a couple complaining that one ride took two hours just to queue for—unclear if they were there to play or suffer.
Tao Zhi had figured all parks were like that. On the eve of winter break, when Fu Si Heng suggested going, he’d refused, worried about being too tired for the next day’s trip home.
He hadn’t realized night sessions were so different from daytime.
No wonder evening tickets cost more.
Tao Zhi had a blast. In just an hour, he’d tried several rides and still brimmed with energy.
After the roller coaster, they slowed down, no longer rushing to the next queue. Instead, they strolled around the park.
Along the way, Tao Zhi spotted an ice cream cart and excitedly ran over.
“Ice cream late at night?” Fu Si Heng disapproved mildly.
“Just a little. Just a tiny bit.” Tao Zhi gestured to Fu Si Heng. “We’ll buy one to share, okay?”
A palm-sized portion wouldn’t chill them much, especially shared—just a taste.
Fu Si Heng agreed.
Tao Zhi paid for the ice cream.
Fu Si Heng had bought the tickets, so in reciprocity, Tao Zhi treated him to ice cream, candied hawthorns, hot dogs, and snacks from the carts.
Amusement park stuff was pricey.
But Tao Zhi didn’t mind at all today. He spent happily.
After finishing the snacks, they wandered near the haunted house.
Tao Zhi eyed the prominent sign at the entrance and the gruesome image of blood streaming from all seven orifices, hesitating whether to ask Fu Si Heng to go in together.
As he pondered, a group of university students came screaming out—”Aaaah!”—their terrified shrieks naturally drawing Tao Zhi’s gaze—
“Holy shit, that scared the hell out of me! Do you get the redemption of holding a ghost’s hand through a whole corridor?!”
“That moment I turned around!!!”
“So terrifying, damn, my heart’s still pounding nonstop…”
“It was scary. But did you notice the NPC at the door was kinda hot? I just glimpsed him before you dragged me out… Wanna go back for a look?”
“?”
“??? Are you nuts?!”
The university students passionately discussed at the haunted house entrance. Tao Zhi watched them for a good while until they finished, then approached and tentatively greeted, “…Senior?”
The heated discussion cut off abruptly. The girls turned as one, and the one in the middle was the president of the volunteer association club.
“Little Tao!”
The president lit up with surprise and hurried over, patting his shoulder. “You’re here playing too? What a coincidence!”
“Yeah, super coincidental.” Tao Zhi nodded happily.
Aside from the president, the other guys and girls with her were all acquaintances from the club. After mutual greetings, the president asked curiously, “Did you win the free play lottery too?”
It was lucky—the school forum moderator had posted a lottery for tonight’s amusement park night session free tickets, plenty available with unlimited entries.
She’d won several and even saved one for Tao Zhi, but he’d politely declined, saying he was busy that Saturday.
Who knew they’d circle back and bump into each other here.
“What a coincidence.” The senior sighed, then noticed Fu Si Heng beside Tao Zhi and raised a brow. “Little Tao, is this your brother?”
“…Ah.” Tao Zhi responded, nodding.
But after a one-second pause, he corrected himself. “This is my boyfriend.”
“!!!”
He admitted it just like that!
Fu Si Heng was quite surprised, his expression showing faint astonishment.
The senior gasped. “I knew it!”
She’d suspected!
Real CP confirmed!
