He scratched his cheek, belatedly answering Fu Si Heng’s earlier question. “I’ll go to bed soon…”
“Is Fu Zheng bothering you?” Fu Si Heng saw right through it.
Tao Zhi: “…”
“Come with me.” Fu Si Heng beckoned him.
Tao Zhi thought Fu Si Heng was going to go chew out Fu Zheng.
That used to happen all the time.
Fu Zheng was so rowdy, always full of mischief, dragging Tao Zhi into trouble, so he got beaten by Fu Si Heng plenty.
But when they passed the second floor… Fu Si Heng didn’t head upstairs.
He led Tao Zhi to his own room.
The door opened, and Fu Si Heng said casually, “Make yourself at home,” before going into the bathroom to shower.
Ten minutes later, he emerged, the smoke and alcohol gone, replaced by the fresh, natural scent of body wash.
Tao Zhi sat on the sofa and stood up abruptly when he saw him, looking stiff and reserved.
Fu Si Heng paused quietly for two seconds.
“Get in bed and sleep.”
The light four words made Tao Zhi’s eyes widen. He blurted out, “Huh?”
Fu Si Heng: “Hm?”
“Uh…” Tao Zhi confirmed with him. “Am I sleeping here tonight?”
“Of course.” Fu Si Heng’s voice was even. “Or do you want to go back downstairs and let Fu Zheng keep disturbing you?”
Fair enough.
Put that way, Tao Zhi figured staying was better.
Besides… it wasn’t like they hadn’t slept together before.
Back in elementary school, they often shared a bed.
Because Fu Zheng loved sneaking into his room at night to tell ghost stories.
One time, Fu Zheng scared him to tears. Fu Si Heng beat Fu Zheng up, then held him as they slept… It was totally normal.
Tao Zhi tried to convince himself.
But after several years apart, lying in the same bed with Fu Si Heng again made Tao Zhi’s body go rigid.
He occupied just a tiny corner of the bed, his sleeping posture straighter than during military training, even controlling his breathing rhythm.
A huge gap separated them.
Nothing like when they were kids, when the little milk bun would obediently nestle in his big brother’s arms, tiny hand clutching his clothes.
Fu Si Heng felt an indescribable pang.
He knew full well that Tao Zhi had grown up—he wouldn’t cling like before, and he couldn’t treat him like a kid anymore.
Tao Zhi was about to start high school in the fall…
Fu Si Heng reached out and pulled Tao Zhi closer, his voice low. “Why are you sleeping so far away?”
“…”
Busted.
“Then I’ll sleep closer.” Tao Zhi obeyed meekly.
Fu Si Heng had already pulled him over, and now, nervous, Tao Zhi scooted even nearer on his own. Suddenly, he was practically in Fu Si Heng’s arms.
The slim, delicate teen body nestled right in, his soft black hair brushing Fu Si Heng’s chin perfectly.
Fu Si Heng froze.
He’d wanted Tao Zhi closer, but not this close.
Still, it was pretty nice.
In 0.1 seconds, Fu Si Heng adapted seamlessly, naturally resting his hand on Tao Zhi’s waist.
Just like when they were kids, holding him to sleep.
It brought back some of that old feeling.
But it wasn’t as restful as back then.
Fu Si Heng couldn’t sleep.
Neither could Tao Zhi.
He’d been so sleepy in his room earlier, eyes barely open, desperately wishing Fu Zheng would shut up so he could rest.
Now the environment was quiet, but his mind cleared up—he didn’t want to sleep anymore.
Tao Zhi’s fingers scratched at the bedsheet.
“Can’t sleep?”
Fu Si Heng was sharp.
Tao Zhi stopped immediately.
He was about to say no.
“How are you so skinny?”
Since they were both awake, Fu Si Heng just chatted with him.
The man’s broad palm encircled his wrist in the dark. “Not eating properly at school?”
“I ate properly,” Tao Zhi replied.
But he couldn’t help not gaining weight.
“How tall are you now?” Fu Si Heng asked next.
Tao Zhi: “170.”
A bit short.
Fu Zheng had already shot up to 178.
“You’ll grow more,” Fu Si Heng said. “I’ll have Wang Ma bring you a glass of milk every night before bed.”
“Drink one before sleep.”
“Okay.” Tao Zhi nodded. “Thanks, Fu Ge.”
Fu Si Heng soured at the “Fu Ge.” He still preferred when Tao Zhi clingily called him “big brother.”
But Tao Zhi didn’t anymore.
The blank three years had made the once-stickiest little bun grow distant from him.
…And closer to Fu Zheng.
Fu Si Heng had been away on business trips and hadn’t come home, but the butler reported daily: what Tao Zhi and Fu Zheng did each day.
Photos, even home surveillance.
Tao Zhi and Fu Zheng had so much fun—never once asked the butler about him.
Fu Si Heng felt sour about it.
The mountain estate was silent at night, the room pitch black save for a few strands of moonlight spilling in from the window, pooling at the bed’s edge.
Fu Si Heng gazed at Tao Zhi’s profile.
Three years apart, and Tao Zhi’s looks hadn’t changed much from before.
Baby fat still lingered on his face, childish features prominent. When he smiled, his eyes curved into crescents, pear dimples clear on his cheeks.
He only smiled like that at Fu Zheng now.
That’s how it was already.
What about a few more years?
Would he completely forget him?
Never call him “big brother” again?
“I heard you got into No. 1 Middle School.” Fu Si Heng snapped back at the sound of scratching bedsheets, reining in his thoughts.
Tao Zhi: “Mm…”
“I haven’t congratulated you yet,” Fu Si Heng said. “Want to come to my place tomorrow? I’m off—I’ll take you out to celebrate getting into a top high school.”
“Hm? Tomorrow?” Tao Zhi turned slightly.
He had plans with Fu Zheng to go to his friend’s place tomorrow…
Tao Zhi hesitated for just an instant.
Just one instant.
Fu Si Heng’s heart sank as he watched his expression.
“Tao Zhi.”
His low voice.
Fu Si Heng asked, “High school in S City… How about staying here with me for high school?”
