Chapter 22 Part 4

So Tao Zhi’s “Brother Fu” today was extra enthusiastic.

Feeling his joy, Fu Si Heng was in a good mood too, adjusting his goggles.

Fu Zheng: “…”

When had they gotten so close?

Fu Zheng frowned.

Unhappy.

But then he thought: Tao Zhi’s enthusiasm for Fu Si Heng was all thanks to his money. Without it, Tao Zhi wouldn’t glance at him.

Right, Tao Zhi hustled for him.

…

Wei Yu: Loving the drama, clueless peanut gallery.

Wei Yu watched the trio gleefully until Fu Si Heng eyed him. Remembering duty: “Anyway, everyone’s on their own. I’ll take Xinyuan to the terrain park. Do what you want. Oh, Fu Zheng, high-mountain course?”

Their resort was the largest nearby, with five or six areas: beginner, intermediate, terrain park, high-mountain, cross-country.

Plus fun stuff like snowmobiles, ice parks.

Fu Zheng only cared for the thrilling, challenging spots.

“You, Mianmian.” Before Fu Zheng answered, Wei Yu turned to Tao Zhi. “Don’t follow Fu Zheng; too dangerous for newbies. Bad if you fall.”

Fu Zheng: “?”

Fu Zheng’s expression faltered.

Tao Zhi blinked.

No, he hadn’t planned to follow Fu Zheng. Today’s target: Fu Si Heng.

Tao Zhi shook his head. “Not following him. I—”

He looked to Fu Si Heng.

Fu Zheng: “…”

“Can you teach me to ski, Brother Fu?” Tao Zhi had always been clumsy at seducing Fu Si Heng, but now seized the chance.

He tilted to Fu Si Heng, first using pleading, pitiful eyes for sympathy.

Unaware it was deliberate coquetry.

He just believed sincerity moved people.

This was his sincere way.

“Sure,” Fu Si Heng agreed.

“…”

Fu Zheng lost expression control, aura dropping so low anyone felt it.

Tao Zhi oblivious.

Deep in super-professional mode.

Sixty thousand incoming.

Tao Zhi grinned, tiger tooth flashing.

Fu Si Heng agreed; he turned to Fu Zheng, smug: eyes saying, “See? I’m good, working hard.”

Fu Zheng’s head buzzed.

–

But he couldn’t fault Tao Zhi.

The mission was his; everything Tao Zhi did was for him.

Damn.

Need to be that professional?

Fu Zheng unhappy, baffled why, fuming without reason, kicked a pebble, and stormed off cursing.

Wei Yu: Spectacular.

Drama sated, Wei Yu took Shen Xinyuan and left.

After the trio dispersed, others followed, leaving Tao Zhi and Fu Si Heng.

“Brother Fu.” Tao Zhi asked, “Where to?”

“Didn’t you want to learn skiing?” Fu Si Heng said. “Come on, beginner area.”

“Yes!” Tao Zhi excited.

Following Fu Si Heng, he realized at the field neither had skis.

Weirdly, Fu Zheng brought skis but took them when leaving, none for him.

They rented.

“Double boards suit newbies better.” Fu Si Heng didn’t regret. “Fu Zheng can’t teach.”

He just cursed.

“Oh.” Tao Zhi nodded blankly, missing the subtext.

Beginner area crowded. Tao Zhi trailed Fu Si Heng carefully, nearly tugging his clothes, obedient to death.

Super compliant too.

Learned without own ideas, obeyed Fu Si Heng fully. Whatever pose, he took it.

Fu Si Heng taught hands-on: boarding, poles, posture, arm force.

Tao Zhi mirrored perfectly.

Very obedient.

Wonder if he’d be this obedient elsewhere.

Whatever pose commanded, he struck.

Fu Si Heng released him to try sliding forward alone.

Tao Zhi learned fast.

Clumsy, slow, waddling penguin-like, but cute.

Once handling it, excitement surged, boldness grew, eager for the next slope.

Fu Si Heng didn’t stop.

A bit overbold, sure.

But no skier avoids falls.

With full gear, no harm.

Fu Si Heng thought so, but honestly moved to slope base, ready to catch.

Good thing.

Tao Zhi fine alone, but resort crowded.

Sliding well, someone sideswiped him. No crisis response, Tao Zhi blanked.

Luckily Fu Si Heng close.

Tao Zhi crashed straight into his arms.

“Ugh.” Unhurt, just dizzy. Tao Zhi steadied his head, hands braced on Fu Si Heng’s chest, and sat steady in that position.

“Thanks, Brother Fu.” Genuine thanks now.

Fu Si Heng: “…”

Fu Si Heng hummed.

Tao Zhi shifted, realizing he sat on Fu Si Heng’s waist.

Sheepish at first, feeling he’d troubled him again, about to rise and apologize. But he recalled his promise to Fu Zheng.

Effort to seduce Fu Si Heng.

Rising slowed.

Tao Zhi sat back down, perfectly landing on a certain spot.

Utterly unaware.

Fu Si Heng: “?”

Fu Si Heng stiffened at the sudden move.

“…What’s wrong?” Voice nearly unsteady, hand on Tao Zhi’s waist tightened. “Can’t get up?”

“No, no.” Tao Zhi denied quickly.

Then felt wrong saying that.

His hunch right.

“Then get up.” Fu Si Heng said after.

“…” Tao Zhi didn’t want to.

Zero “girl” awareness. Broad daylight, improper intimacy, lingering on man’s waist. Fu Si Heng urged, yet he dawdled, wiggling left-right, adjusting seat.

Fu Si Heng couldn’t take it, patted his butt.

“?!”

Through thick ski pants, barely felt. Fu Si Heng wouldn’t really hit.

But butt-patting too shameful.

Tao Zhi’s face flushed instantly.

Good kid from childhood to 18, never hit, let alone spanked. Neck burned too.

Had he harassed Fu Si Heng too much, prompting retaliation?

Tao Zhi rose apologizing. “Sorry, Brother Fu. Wasn’t intentional. Really sorry.”

“P-Please don’t hit me.” Voice trembling, oblivious how problematic for “normal” boy-girl.

Fu Si Heng: “…”

How dense.

Fu Si Heng said nothing.

No scolding reminder. Stood, fixed his hat and goggles.

Face so red.

“Won’t happen again,” Tao Zhi promised softly.

Next time, less overt harassment.

Blush spread to ears.

Fu Si Heng saw clearly.

“Never again…” Afraid unbelieved, Tao Zhi added.

“Enough.” Fu Si Heng cut him.

Didn’t say no sitting.

But not now.

Not in public, wiggling around to climb onto his lap. Even through the thick ski clothes, it got to him.

Tao Zhi’s boldness inconsistent.