After curling his toes for quite a while, Tao Zhi gradually recovered.
Praising his own alt account as cute and pretty in front of his alt’s boyfriend… What kind of shameful play was this? Tao Zhi’s face burned hot, like a kettle whistling steam.
To avoid saying more weird things to Fu Si Heng, he grabbed the takeout bag first and then buried his face in his scarf as he walked out without a word.
Once they left the restaurant, Fu Si Heng glanced sideways at Tao Zhi.
“Your face is so red.” The older man was wicked, asking on purpose.
“…The AC in the restaurant was on too high. It’s hot.” Tao Zhi’s voice came muffled from the scarf, his head hanging very low.
At this moment, he’d even forgotten about the exposure risk. Most of his face was buried, with only the tips of his ears peeking out, red as if they might drip blood.
When Fu Si Heng had pinched Tao Zhi’s cheek to kiss him, his blush had spread to his earlobes too, vivid and enticing.
Clearly scared and shy, but aside from obediently tilting his head up to be kissed, he made no move to resist.
He was so obedient it was almost dangerous.
Thinking of what happened half a month ago, Fu Si Heng’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, and his conscience stirred a bit.
He didn’t continue with the teasing words meant to bully him. Instead, he took the takeout bag from Tao Zhi’s hand and led him to the car.
…
For the second time sitting in the back seat with Fu Si Heng, they sat one on each side again, with a wide gap between them—just like the first time they’d met when he was in drag and Fu Si Heng had driven him back.
Fu Si Heng was naturally dissatisfied, but Tao Zhi didn’t see anything wrong with it.
In his view, this was only their second meeting, so they were just ordinary roommates and the roommate’s brother. They needed to keep their distance and act polite and aloof.
They weren’t close.
They weren’t a couple who’d kissed and confirmed their relationship.
Tao Zhi sat obediently, hands folded neatly on his knees, staring straight ahead as he waited to arrive at their destination—
Fu Si Heng: “…”
Fu Si Heng inexplicably felt like he’d shot himself in the foot.
Half a month without seeing each other, and now that he finally had, they had to pretend not to know one another.
Fu Si Heng pinched the bridge of his nose.
But it didn’t matter. This minor difficulty wouldn’t stump a ruthless CEO who schemed decisively in the business world.
Fu Si Heng quickly found a topic, starting with his brother again: “You bought stuff for Fu Zheng. Did he give you money for it?”
“Hm?”
Hearing the odd question out of nowhere, Tao Zhi turned his head.
What did this mean? Was Fu Si Heng doubting that a rich second-gen like Fu Zheng would owe him money?
So surreal.
What misconceptions did Fu Si Heng really have about Fu Zheng…
“He did.” Though puzzled, he answered honestly and nodded.
Fu Zheng had never shortchanged Tao Zhi on this. Every week, he transferred money.
When they first moved into the dorm, it was generous—five thousand at a time. Later, it changed to three thousand.
Of course, that included Fu Zheng’s own daily expenses.
Like buying water for him during basketball, breakfast when they went out, living supplies, and so on—all paid from that money by Tao Zhi.
Whatever was left after was his.
A week usually left over more than a thousand yuan. Occasionally, Fu Zheng would give extra cash, leaving bills and coins directly on Tao Zhi’s desk, or treat him to meals.
It earned way more than part-time work outside.
Tao Zhi was very satisfied with the frequency and amount. He nodded again, affirming Fu Zheng: “He’s never been late on it. Fu Zheng’s a good guy.”
He emphasized: “a good guy.”
Fu Si Heng let out an indifferent “Oh”: “He probably doesn’t have much money left.”
“Huh?” Tao Zhi blinked: “No money?”
“How could that—”
“Mm.” Fu Si Heng cut in: “I canceled Fu Zheng’s credit card. He shouldn’t have much disposable cash now, so I suggest you don’t trust him too much.”
“Lest he run out of money later and end up owing you.”
Uh.
Something like that had actually happened.
Tao Zhi was completely unaware. Fu Zheng hadn’t shown any signs of being short on cash; he spent lavishly every day. So Tao Zhi was very surprised to hear this.
“But as his brother, I won’t let him go hungry.” Fu Si Heng suddenly shifted tone, planning to use Fu Zheng as an excuse to give Tao Zhi his secondary card.
So his boyfriend wouldn’t keep getting bullied by his little brother.
He’d just raised his hand when Tao Zhi’s eyelashes fluttered. He quickly spoke: “Fu-ge, don’t worry. Fu Zheng won’t owe me any money.”
“?” Fu Si Heng’s movement froze.
“Fu Zheng has plenty left with me—enough for his daily expenses. Don’t worry, he won’t owe anyone outside.” Tao Zhi spoke up for Fu Zheng.
