Tao Zhi was still too well-mannered.
Being teased so maliciously on purpose, aside from wiggling his toes and curling his fingers tight, he had no other more intense or forceful way to respond.
Just those pitiful, pleading, tearless eyes full of shame.
Thus, a certain shameless old man ramped it up even more.
Fu Siheng released the fingers pinching his waist dimple and shifted them to his knee.
As soon as the broad palm settled there, Tao Zhi instinctively clamped his knees together, only to have the man ruthlessly pry them apart.
“Why clamp so tight?” Even as he spoke, he didn’t pull away at all, his lips brushing right against Tao Zhi’s.
Tao Zhi turned his face slightly, panting lightly as he shook his head frantically. “No, no.”
But that little bit of strength was nothing in the eyes of a man who worked out year-round.
Slender, powerful fingers effortlessly parted the gap between his legs that he was straining so hard to keep shut.
Tao Zhi could clearly feel the power surging through his fingers… He even suspected the man wasn’t using his full strength at all, prying him open just like that.
The innocent male college student had no clue how terrifying the grip strength of a rock-climbing enthusiast could be.
But his body had already felt it firsthand.
With his knees spread apart, Fu Siheng pinched his waist and turned him around until they were sitting face-to-face.
During the pivot, Tao Zhi’s body tilted forward from being suspended in mid-air, so he instinctively wrapped his arms around Fu Siheng’s neck.
It was like throwing himself straight into the man’s embrace. Fu Siheng’s lips curved upward.
But the moment Tao Zhi settled into place, he let go immediately—not a second longer.
Straddling Fu Siheng’s lap in this position left Tao Zhi with zero sense of security.
…Probably because of that certain part right in the middle.
Noticing this, Tao Zhi started pressing his legs together.
His knees dug into the soft sofa, thighs clamping around Fu Siheng’s leg as he made tiny adjustments, quickly finding a spot that felt relatively comfortable—and secure.
Too close to Fu Siheng.
Right on his thigh; just a bit farther forward, and the slim young boy’s belly would press right up against the older man’s abs.
Fu Siheng loved touching Tao Zhi’s belly.
Hooking his thumb into the waist dimple and applying a little pressure with his fingers would draw out kitten-like whimpers from Tao Zhi—trembling, adorable, utterly enticing—followed by pleas for him to stop.
Please, don’t do that. I beg you.
Brother Fu.
Bullied and still negotiating so politely with his tormentor.
He was practically begging to be tormented more.
At the thought, Fu Siheng’s throat tightened.
His palm glided up Tao Zhi’s back, inching higher until it settled at the nape of his neck.
That slender, fragile neck was completely engulfed by Fu Siheng’s hand, fingertips rubbing and kneading one spot until the pale skin flushed pink. Then his lips were claimed again.
Tao Zhi was kissed with his neck gripped tight.
When the man’s scorching lips met his skin, his neck went rigid, only relaxing after a long moment.
Still tense, but this time, when Fu Siheng licked at the seam of his lips, he didn’t clamp them shut like before.
The tongue slipped inside, coiling around his, sucking and tangling.
Not as aggressive and breathless as earlier, but endlessly lingering.
Every sense overwhelmed—lips and teeth meshed, breaths scorching hot.
Tao Zhi was already fumbling just to keep up with the kiss, and then Fu Siheng pinched his cheek too.
Fingers clamping his cheek while he was being kissed.
Gently, no pain. Tao Zhi squeezed one eye shut, his gaze flicking sideways with the motion.
Tao Zhi knew plenty of people liked pinching his cheeks.
Probably because of that slight puffiness along the edges. Not much of a curve—like he had a piece of candy tucked in his mouth—making him look just a tad cute, so everyone wanted a go.
Fu Siheng was no exception, fingertips kneading softly as he finally released the nape.
Kissed and cheek-pinched all at once.
All Tao Zhi could do was obediently part his lips.
Fortunately, Fu Siheng showed a shred of mercy today, remembering the split on Tao Zhi’s lip, so he didn’t drag it out.
When Fu Siheng pulled back, Tao Zhi panted for breath, his chest rising and falling.
He’d barely caught it when Fu Siheng leaned in again, peppering the corner of his lips with quick, insistent pecks, like he still hadn’t had enough…
Tao Zhi’s head spun from the onslaught.
He didn’t want to keep going but had no idea how to evade Fu Siheng, so he strained to turn his face away.
Right then, Tao Zhi’s phone—left on the sofa earlier—started vibrating nonstop, shattering the moment.
Perfect chance.
Tao Zhi wanted to use grabbing the phone as cover to dodge more kisses and slide off Fu Siheng’s lap.
Too bad.
The instant he shifted to get up, Fu Siheng’s arm locked around his waist, pinning him right back down.
“Let me check who it is.” Tao Zhi pushed at him. “It buzzed a ton; could be urgent.”
“No need. It’s Fu Zheng.” Fu Siheng glanced over, his tone flat. “What urgent business could he possibly have?”
“He’d be lucky not to stir up trouble for someone else. Ignore it.”
“…”
He had a point.
Fu Siheng’s reminder made Tao Zhi realize Fu Zheng was just as much of a headache as Fu Siheng—neither one a saint. Hearing that, he actually hesitated and left the phone alone.
Tao Zhi settled back down—
A shrill ringtone erupted from the phone, cutting sharp through the quiet home theater.
Fu Zheng had zero patience.
He might wait a beat after the first missed call, but the rest? Two or three rings and he’d hang up to redial—six or seven rounds of it, nearly driving Fu Siheng insane.
No wonder Tao Zhi kept his phone on Do Not Disturb even in his sleep.
Totally understandable.
Fu Siheng’s face turned icy as he reached for Tao Zhi’s phone, ready to shut it off and block the guy.
But Tao Zhi beat him to it this time.
He scrambled down in a fluster, one hand clamping Fu Siheng’s arm while the other snatched the phone and swiped to answer.
“Hello.”
Tao Zhi barely got a word out before Fu Zheng’s irritated voice hit: “What the hell are you doing? Took you forever to pick up.”
“…”
“Busy with something,” Tao Zhi said, steadying his breath.
“With what?” Fu Zheng pressed. “I called nine times and you ghosted every one. Go on, tell me what kept you so busy you missed nine calls.”
…Talk about unreasonable.
Those “nine” calls had barely rung twice before he hung up and tried again.
Tao Zhi pursed his lips, inwardly grumbling.
But he racked his brain for an excuse.
Say he was asleep? Nah.
He’d already slept half the morning; Fu Zheng would roast him for being a pig.
“I was out on the balcony…” Tao Zhi trailed off, thinking on his feet, voice dragging. “Door was shut, so… phone was on the bed…”
“Whatever.” The impatient Fu Zheng cut through the bullshit. “What was that noise on your end?”
Huh?
Tao Zhi whipped his head around.
The movie had hit its climax: the leads locked in a rainy embrace, kissing amid heavy pants and slick smacks—crystal clear in the hush.
Realizing it, Tao Zhi’s breath hitched.
He shot a desperate look at Fu Siheng.
Fu Siheng, ever perceptive, muted the sound. Tao Zhi let out a shallow breath of relief. “No noise here.”
“…”
Unbelievable.
“You think I’m some idiot you can fool?” Fu Zheng scoffed. “What’re you up to? Spill it.”
“Watching a movie,” Tao Zhi mumbled, his half-baked cleverness ruthlessly dismantled.
Fu Zheng tsked. “That pea brain of yours thinks it can outfox me?”
