“I never said anything.”
Tao Zhi: “…”
“I heard them say it’d be repaid within a year, and it hasn’t even been a year yet.” Tao Tao looked inside and whispered to Tao Zhi. “They must’ve seen my Moments from before and couldn’t sleep over it. They finally couldn’t hold back today.”
Though paying debts was only right, bringing it up during Spring Festival was inappropriate.
Second Aunt probably knew that too, so she kept emphasizing how tough things were for her family.
Her eldest nephew needed money for a new job, and on the second day of the New Year, they had to visit his girlfriend’s family, give red envelopes to a dozen kids, and bring gifts.
She had no choice but to come today.
Seeing Tao Zhi’s parents silent, she hesitated and said, “Even half would be fine.”
“Once you have money, you should pay off debts first. It’ll put your mind at ease, right?”
“Yes, this is our oversight.” Tao Zhi’s mother finally spoke after a long pause. “But it’s not like we have money and won’t pay. Little Tao’s hot spring trip—we didn’t stay at a hotel, just went and came back the same day. It didn’t cost much.”
Second Aunt: “But you still had that spare cash.”
“Look, I lent you the money without even charging interest.”
“…”
Tao Zhi sighed and left the windowsill.
“Bro, where are you going?” Tao Tao wanted to follow, but Tao Zhi stopped her, so she crouched back down.
The conversation inside continued.
“But 30,000 is too much—we really don’t have that much on hand. Little Tao has school fees next year, and Little Zhi… sigh.” At this point, Tao Father sighed deeply.
Tao Zhi not only refused their help with tuition and living expenses but even sent money home from part-time jobs. Tao Father always felt guilty—he was just a kid too.
He said to the woman, “How about we repay half first?”
“Half is fine.” Second Aunt nodded reluctantly.
“No problem, we can pay Second Aunt back in full. I have some money on hand.” Tao Zhi walked in, scratched his nose, and spoke up. “Did you bring the IOU, Second Aunt?”
“Really?!” The woman was incredulous and quickly pulled the IOU from her pocket. “Yes, I did.”
…
After getting repaid, Second Aunt happily went home. Tao Tao squatted outside playing with Little Bee fireworks, while the talking inside hadn’t stopped.
Because Tao Zhi’s parents were questioning him about where he got so much money.
This was what Tao Zhi feared most, but he had experience from the teacher incident. Half-truths: scholarships, tutoring, part-time gigs.
Plus, he spent little and saved easily. Big cities had plenty of earning opportunities. Finally, while his parents were stunned, he slipped away.
After escaping, he didn’t dare stay downstairs and rushed straight back to his room.
Drenched in sweat from the interrogation, Tao Zhi lay there for a while before picking up his phone.
WeChat had a few messages from Fu Si Heng asking what happened and why he hung up suddenly.
From Fu Si Heng’s reaction, he hadn’t noticed anything off. Heaven had blessed him again—Fu Si Heng hadn’t heard that “Little Zhi.”
Tao Zhi relaxed and, after thinking, proactively called Fu Si Heng back on voice.
Nearly two hours later, Fu Si Heng picked up instantly, as if he’d been waiting for the callback.
“Hello.” The man’s low voice came through the speaker.
“Brother Fu.” Tao Zhi called out from where he lay on the bed. “Sorry about that. Family came over just now, and I hung up in a rush without saying anything.”
“It’s fine.” Fu Si Heng didn’t mind. “Guests today?”
Tao Zhi tugged at his blanket on the bed. “Mm…”
Fu Si Heng: “Mm?”
Kids couldn’t hide things—Fu Si Heng, the old man, picked up on the slightest mood shift.
Fu Si Heng waited a bit for him to speak, but seeing no sign, he asked, “Did the guest come for something specific today?”
“Nothing much.” Tao Zhi mumbled. “Just New Year’s greetings.”
Fu Si Heng: “New Year’s greetings are tomorrow.”
Tao Zhi: “…”
His little schemes were useless against Fu Si Heng. Half-coaxing, half-tricking, Fu Si Heng got the whole family situation out of him.
Fu Si Heng closed the window, sat on the sofa, and casually asked, “How much external debt?”
Tao Zhi’s lips moved. “Over 200,000, I guess.”
After repaying some, the scattered rest added up to over 200,000.
Fu Si Heng heard and asked, “Need my help?”
Tao Zhi froze in his tugging of the bedsheet.
“No need…” Tao Zhi pursed his lips and refused. “I can handle it myself. No need to trouble you.”
“It’s no trouble.” Fu Si Heng’s voice was even. “It’s a small matter for me. I suggest you accept—at least no more debt collectors on New Year’s Eve. Life will be easier.”
Because Fu Si Heng wouldn’t make him repay.
Tao Zhi silently finished the thought in his mind.
But he couldn’t say that.
If he really wanted to, when Fu Zheng transferred 200,000 last time, he could’ve accepted and cleared the family debts.
He hadn’t because Fu Zheng’s money was hard to take. Same for Fu Si Heng’s.
For Tao Zhi, taking Fu Zheng’s money risked being “packaged up” and sent to Fu Si Heng’s bed.
Taking Fu Si Heng’s… he just didn’t dare.
Fu Si Heng treated him well, but only because he was Fu Si Heng’s “girlfriend.”
It was all fake.
He still owed Fu Zheng a big plan, and next year’s mess was unknown. How could he take money from both sides?
Taking Fu Si Heng’s and then ignoring Fu Zheng was impossible.
Fu Zheng hated betrayal most.
If he did that, Fu Zheng would expose his male gender immediately… a dead end however you sliced it.
