This styling trick was something Rong Huai had taught him.
The knit dress came with a waist chain, and Tao Zhi fastened the scarf’s hem along with it. With this tweak, it really looked like a thin outer jacket.
After fixing himself up, Tao Zhi followed Fu Si Heng downstairs. Fu Si Heng walked at his side and glanced over. “That’s last year’s style.”
“Hm?” Tao Zhi tilted his head up slightly.
Fu Zheng, trailing behind them, immediately went on alert.
Tao Zhi: “What?”
Fu Zheng: What the hell does Fu Si Heng mean by that?
“Nothing, let’s go.” Fu Si Heng said indifferently.
Fu Zheng was pure trash.
He had no idea how to take care of someone.
–
When they reached the dining room, everyone else was already seated and waiting.
A long table with three empty spots standing out—two side by side, and one across from them.
Fu Si Heng sat first, choosing one of the adjacent empty seats. Tao Zhi thought for a few seconds before sitting beside him.
Fu Zheng hated Fu Si Heng and probably wouldn’t want to sit with him, so he’d step in.
Tao Zhi felt like he was being very considerate toward his boss—worthy of a reward.
But when he looked up, he saw Fu Zheng pull out a chair with obvious displeasure.
The screech of it was piercing.
Why was he unhappy again?
Tao Zhi didn’t get it. He just thought Fu Zheng had such a bad temper—moody and unpredictable.
Tao Zhi decided not to bother with him anymore. He pretended not to hear and focused on eating.
Tonight’s dinner was made by Wei Yu’s girlfriend.
A salad per person. In front of Tao Zhi was asparagus shrimp with a few halved cherry tomatoes, roasted potatoes, and chicken breast.
Tao Zhi ate obediently with his fork, head down.
He was very quiet when eating, barely making a sound. Occasionally, he’d puff out his cheeks and look up to listen to others.
Toward the end of the meal, he heard Wei Yu complain discontentedly. “What’s so good about this stuff?”
“I told you we should’ve called a chef, but you wouldn’t let me.”
“If you didn’t like it, you should’ve said so earlier.” Wei Yu’s girlfriend rolled her eyes. “Complaining after you’re done—I’m so annoyed with you, you know that? Don’t talk to me.”
With that, she really ignored him, even scooting her chair away a bit to keep distance.
She sat right next to Tao Zhi.
Tao Zhi was thinking of scooting away too when the girl suddenly addressed him. “Hey, sis.”
“What’s your name? I haven’t seen you before. I heard you’re Fu Zheng’s classmate?”
The “sis” in question—Tao Zhi’s hand shook, and his fork nearly dropped.
Such an embarrassing way to be called. His ears burned.
But he forced himself to look up and answer steadily. “Hi, sis. I’m Ye Mian.”
“Fu Zheng’s classmate.”
The fake name had been prepared in advance. Ye was his mother’s surname, and Mian was picked by Fu Zheng. He’d specially searched for cute characters and hesitated all night before settling on it.
“Oh.” The girl nodded. “Then I’ll call you Mianmian.”
“You can call me Xin Yuan-jie. I’m a few years older than you.” Shen Xinyuan said.
“Okay, Xin Yuan-jie.” Tao Zhi nodded.
“Oh, so it’s Mianmian.”
“I thought you were Bunny Bunny.” Wei Yu chimed in. “Little Cute Bunny, right?”
Earlier, he’d accidentally glimpsed Fu Si Heng’s phone screen, and Tao Zhi’s username stood out glaringly.
Tao Zhi: “?”
Tao Zhi: “…”
“Please, don’t call me that.” Hearing the nickname, Tao Zhi couldn’t hold it together. Shame burned through him, his toes curling so hard he nearly dug a villa right there on the spot.
He’d opposed that username from the start but couldn’t win against Fu Zheng.
Several people at school had asked him about it, and now Wei Yu too…
“Hahaha.” Wei Yu laughed happily, especially knowing Tao Zhi’s real gender was male.
Then he got elbowed by Shen Xinyuan.
“…” Wei Yu clutched his ribs and groaned.
“So, Mianmian, after dinner, wanna come soak in the hot springs with us?”
This trip included four girls counting Tao Zhi—Shen Xinyuan and her bestie, plus Wei Yu’s childhood friend. The three knew each other and had planned to soak together beforehand, but they didn’t want to leave out Fu Zheng’s classmate, so she kindly invited him along.
Tao Zhi: Huh???
“No thanks!” Tao Zhi refused in a hurry.
No way!
How could he, a guy, soak in hot springs with three girls?!
Shen Xinyuan: “…?”
Huh? Rejecting so firmly?
Shen Xinyuan blinked, then asked instinctively. “Why not?”
Shen Xinyuan added, “The others are going upstairs to play cards later. If you don’t come with us, you’ll be so bored.”
“No, really, it’s fine.” Tao Zhi was scared out of his wits. “I can just rest in my room.”
Seeing Shen Xinyuan’s puzzled look after he spoke, Tao Zhi racked his brain and came up with an excuse. “Xin Yuan-jie, I-I didn’t bring a swimsuit. Really… sorry, I can’t go with you guys. Next time, next time if there’s a chance…”
Tao Zhi struggled to get the words out. “We’ll soak together again.”
“Oh, that’s why.” Shen Xinyuan got it and nodded thoughtfully.
“Mm-hmm!” Tao Zhi nodded along frantically.
“You should’ve said so earlier. I brought several swimsuits—I’ll lend you one. All unused.” Shen Xinyuan was super enthusiastic. “What style do you like? Bikini? One-piece? Separate top and bottom? I have them all.”
“?”
At the word “swimsuit,” Fu Si Heng’s movements paused.
He looked up at Tao Zhi.
“It should fit.” As Shen Xinyuan spoke, she glanced at Tao Zhi’s figure.
From top to bottom.
Her conclusion: “We’re about the same size.”
Tao Zhi: “…”
T^T
Help…
Tao Zhi cracked.
His mind buzzed, unsure if it was from shame or overwhelm. H-How could he wear a swimsuit… No way, no way.
Tao Zhi was out of ideas and could only turn to the one person there who might help.
Please, Fu Zheng, save me.
Help!
Tao Zhi pinned all his hopes on Fu Zheng.
He was wrong—he shouldn’t have thought Fu Zheng had a bad temper earlier—
Fu Zheng’s movements stopped too.
He looked up at Tao Zhi, his expression thoughtful.
A moment later, he didn’t know what crossed his mind, but his face suddenly flushed bright red.
Tao Zhi: “?”
Huh?
