Because in his eyes, Fu Si Heng was truly terrifying.
Tao Zhi had witnessed firsthand the extent of his violence toward Fu Zheng. It went way beyond brotherly discipline—it was outright beating.
Even now, speaking to Fu Si Heng as Fu Zheng’s roommate and mentioning him, Tao Zhi was extremely cautious, afraid he’d say something wrong and get Fu Zheng beaten.
That would be too tragic.
“Fu Zheng never borrows from outsiders and has never owed anyone money.” Tao Zhi said very seriously: “Don’t worry, he’s very principled.”
As he spoke, Tao Zhi deliberately glanced at Fu Si Heng’s arm.
The arm hidden under the black trench coat didn’t reveal its sharp, muscular lines.
…But that didn’t stop Tao Zhi from imagining them.
He couldn’t let the boss get beaten.
As expected, asking if Fu Zheng had bullied anyone at school was just a pretext. Fu Si Heng’s real goal was to pry information from him.
With that thought, Tao Zhi’s expression grew even more resolute.
“Fu-ge, really nothing. I can swear to it—I’ll vouch for Fu Zheng.”
Fu Si Heng: “…”
The words Fu Si Heng wanted to say got stuck in his throat.
Very good.
His idiot brother had pissed him off again.
Fu Zheng would forever lose access to luxuries.
“Right, Fu-ge, you can just drop me at the school gate.” It was only seven or eight hundred meters total—no more than ten minutes by car. In just the time they’d chatted, Tao Zhi spotted the school gate in the distance. He hurriedly told Fu Si Heng: “Outside vehicles need approval to enter campus. Too much hassle—just park at the gate.”
“Okay.” Fu Si Heng agreed after a few seconds of silence.
The car stopped soon after. Tao Zhi quickly unbuckled and got out.
Despite his haste, he didn’t forget polite goodbyes: “Fu-ge, thanks for breakfast and the ride back. I’ll head in now. Drive safe on your way back.”
“Okay.” Fu Si Heng responded in a low voice.
Tao Zhi smiled at him, then shut the car door.
…
Tao Zhi’s figure quickly vanished through the school’s electric gate.
He slipped away fast, like he was fleeing, afraid Fu Si Heng would call him back to grill him more about Fu Zheng…
The assistant in the driver’s seat started the car, and Fu Si Heng’s gaze finally shifted from the window.
After a moment of silence, Fu Si Heng’s voice suddenly sounded.
“Tell me.” The man paused: “Is he close with Fu Zheng?”
“Hah?”
Such an abrupt question.
Assistant Ji was momentarily stunned before replying: “Mr. Tao is the Second Young Master’s roommate. It’s only natural he’s on good terms with him?”
He answered while observing Fu Si Heng’s expression through the rearview mirror.
“Is that so.” Fu Si Heng’s voice was flat.
“He’s covering for Fu Zheng.” He’d rushed back from before his flight specifically to see Tao Zhi—not to hear him defend Fu Zheng.
It made Fu Si Heng feel like Tao Zhi and Fu Zheng were on the same side, close-knit, while he stood opposed.
Very unpleasant.
Even if things were sort of like that.
Tao Zhi had approached him initially to help Fu Zheng.
But that was before.
Now Tao Zhi was his boyfriend. Tao Zhi needed to change that mindset.
Fu Si Heng thought expressionlessly.
Tao Zhi is mine.
–
Tao Zhi had no idea that protecting Fu Zheng had gotten him in trouble.
He was fully focused on the upcoming finals.
Their major’s exams ended around the 25th. Fu Zheng finished a week earlier, on the 18th, and went on break.
But Fu Zheng was weird. After exams, he didn’t leave campus but lounged in the dorm, which baffled everyone.
That evening, Tao Zhi was out on an errand and hadn’t returned yet. The other dormmates were mostly there.
The senior across from him had just finished his last exam and was happily packing to catch an early high-speed rail home tomorrow.
The holiday cheer must’ve made him forget Fu Zheng’s awful personality. As he packed, he even struck up conversation with the young master: “Fu Zheng, you’ve been on break for days. Not heading home yet?”
Fu Zheng grunted absently, focused on his game: “I’m local. Half-hour drive to my own place, an hour to the old house. I can go anytime—no rush.”
“…” The senior’s expression froze.
Hurt by the comparison—he needed two transfers and five or six hours by rail—he silently closed his wardrobe and mended his broken teenage heart.
Tao Zhi walked in right then.
He opened the door. Aside from the game sounds from Fu Zheng’s phone, the dorm was silent.
Tao Zhi entered hugging a pile of stuff, set the various bags and boxes on his desk, and let out a long breath.
“?”
Seeing Tao Zhi return, Fu Zheng stopped gaming, stood, and stared: “What’s this.”
“No—”
A bad premonition surged. He frowned: “Who bought you this crap.”
“That guy…” With others in the dorm, Tao Zhi couldn’t say outright “your brother” and phrased it vaguely.
Fu Zheng: “…”
That guy? Why use such an intimate term?
Fu Zheng’s face darkened instantly.
