Chapter 23: Exposed
Tao Zhi only remembered his mission for the day when he reached the entrance to the hot springs.
He had to stay with Fu Si Heng, seduce him, build feelings with him, and ideally take him down within three days.
That was what Fu Zheng had told him before they set off.
Just now in the hall, Fu Zheng had also told him to follow Fu Si Heng.
Hmm.
He had forgotten about it.
He had been worried about the bathrobe the whole way and hadn’t paid any attention to Fu Si Heng at all. Now that he remembered, he stood at the entrance, hesitating about what to do next.
If he went to soak in the hot springs, he wouldn’t be able to stay with Fu Si Heng.
Because he couldn’t invite Fu Si Heng to join him.
An introverted, pure female college student wouldn’t do something like that, and besides, Tao Zhi himself was afraid of being exposed.
Professionalism or slacking off… Tao Zhi found it hard to decide.
“You go in,” Fu Si Heng spoke up just as he hesitated, making the choice for him. “There’s a path behind the screen. Walk forward about one or two hundred meters. Left is the women’s pool, right is the men’s.”
“Don’t get it wrong,” Fu Si Heng reminded him faintly, the teasing in his tone subtle but not deliberately hidden.
Pretty naughty.
But Tao Zhi was completely oblivious.
He snapped back to attention and blinked at Fu Si Heng, seemingly pondering.
Half a minute later.
“Brother Fu, thank you.”
Whatever, they were already here. He’d enjoy it first. He had never soaked in hot springs before anyway. He could make up for it tomorrow by trying harder.
Tao Zhi convinced himself, a happy smile spreading across his face, a bit eager. “Then I’ll head in!”
He bid Fu Si Heng goodbye and walked in the direction he indicated. Soon, his figure vanished around the corner.
After he left, Fu Si Heng stayed put, watching his back.
A long moment passed.
Fu Si Heng withdrew his gaze.
He still didn’t leave. Instead, he lowered his head, took a cigarette from his pack, and lit it.
The smoke he exhaled dispersed in the wind and snow. Fu Si Heng’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed, his mind still wondering what a swimsuit would look like on a boy.
He needed to see it for himself.
–
The hot springs were outdoors in a somewhat Japanese style. Tao Zhi followed Fu Si Heng’s directions, veered right, passed a bluestone path, and sure enough, saw a door.
He lifted the curtain and went in. Inside was a small open-air hot spring pool, steam rising thickly.
“Wow.”
It was Tao Zhi’s first time seeing hot springs, and he felt both novel and excited.
He didn’t rush into the water. Instead, he took out his phone and snapped several photos before warily looking around.
Seeing no one nearby, he dared to take off his bathrobe and slip into the pool.
His body was enveloped by the warm water, and Tao Zhi relaxed so much that even his toes spread out. He felt very grateful to Fu Si Heng in his heart.
If not for him, he probably wouldn’t have soaked tonight. Tao Zhi decided that if he saw Fu Si Heng later, he’d thank him properly.
At this hour, he didn’t know if Fu Si Heng was in his room or playing cards upstairs with Wei Yu and the others. He’d knock later.
Three knocks. If no one answered, he wouldn’t disturb him tonight.
He’d thank him tomorrow.
Tao Zhi made his plans. He soaked for about half an hour until his head felt a bit dizzy, then climbed out.
He put the bathrobe back on, wrapped himself tightly, and walked back the way he came.
The night passed peacefully.
He hadn’t been caught slacking by Fu Zheng, nor discovered by the girls while secretly soaking. Tao Zhi felt very satisfied, so happy that his eyes narrowed.
But they suddenly widened again, quite abruptly.
Because as he emerged from behind the screen, he saw Fu Si Heng sitting on the sofa in the rest area, legs crossed. He froze in surprise on the spot.
“Brother Fu?”
He couldn’t believe Fu Si Heng was still here. Tao Zhi rubbed his eyes, thinking the dizziness had caused a hallucination.
“Done soaking?” Fu Si Heng looked up.
“You’re still…” Tao Zhi opened his mouth.
“No, no.” Tao Zhi corrected himself. “Were you waiting for me?”
Fu Si Heng hummed in affirmation.
He stood and walked toward Tao Zhi.
As he approached, a faint fragrance wafted over, like body wash.
Also, Fu Si Heng had changed into a bathrobe too.
Tao Zhi found it odd and tilted his face up to look at him, leaning in closer.
His mouth and body moved faster than his brain. “Did you take a bath?”
Had he showered while waiting?
Fu Si Heng paused.
At 174 cm, Tao Zhi had a clear height difference with him. In this position, with his face tilted up, his nose nearly brushed Fu Si Heng’s chin.
Not to mention how ambiguous the sniffing motion was.
Fu Si Heng’s Adam’s apple tightened.
“Mm.”
This was the hot springs rest area, with a bathroom inside. For outdoor pools, some people showered first to warm up before soaking.
Fu Si Heng had smoked earlier, getting the scent on him, so he’d showered while waiting for Tao Zhi. Now they both wore bathrobes.
A man who hit the gym four times a week managed his physique excellently.
