Tao Zhi agreed to return to S City two days early because Fu Si Heng asked during their video call when he would be back.
Although it sounded casual, there were occasional remarks like, “Oh, that long?” “I thought you’d come back a few days earlier.” “No worries, have fun at home.” “If you want to come back early, let me know. I’ll book your flight.”
“…”
Super casually.
Tao Zhi originally planned to pretend he didn’t get it, but when Fu Si Heng saw that didn’t work, he went straight for it and asked if three days early was okay.
Three days.
One day earlier than planned—it didn’t seem too hard to accept.
After hesitating for a few minutes, Tao Zhi agreed, even though he knew going back early would inevitably… Thinking of that, Tao Zhi lowered his head and touched his lips.
Having been kissed so many times, he was somewhat used to it.
Anyway, for him now, as long as that secret wasn’t discovered, it was fine.
Sometimes Fu Si Heng kissed too aggressively, making his mouth a bit sore, his tongue root numb, unable to close properly, giving him a very shameful feeling.
He should prepare some ointment ahead of time. He didn’t know where the last tube was—probably lost.
Tao Zhi made full preparations, completely unaware of how terrifying and abnormal it was for one straight guy to get used to being kissed by another straight guy.
He just hoped Fu Si Heng would kiss lighter and not chafe his lips raw.
…
After booking the flight, Fu Si Heng spent the rest of his time waiting for Tao Zhi to return, and along the way, accompanied Xu Yujia sightseeing around S City.
Ever since Fu’s father passed away, Xu Yujia rarely stayed home and traveled the world constantly. She only settled down for a few days during Chinese New Year, never more than a week.
This year was different. She hadn’t mentioned leaving yet. Early that morning, she suddenly got the whim to go horseback riding at a ranch and excitedly told her two sons about it over breakfast.
“I don’t have time today,” Fu Si Heng refused flatly.
After booking the ticket, he’d waited nearly another week before Tao Zhi finally left home today. Fu Si Heng was going to pick him up at the airport.
Even though Tao Zhi’s flight didn’t arrive until six or seven in the evening.
“Got something?” Xu Yujia asked.
“Yes, personal,” Fu Si Heng said, unwilling to elaborate.
Because besides him and Xu Yujia, Fu Zheng was also at the breakfast table.
Tao Zhi probably hadn’t told Fu Zheng he was coming back today.
Fu Si Heng: “Let Fu Zheng go with you.”
Fu Zheng: “?”
Hearing his name, Fu Zheng finally snapped out of his immersed thinking.
“Me?”
Fu Zheng was completely out of it, clueless: “What’s up with me? Something wrong?”
Xu Yujia: “…”
Fu Si Heng: “Yes, you’re accompanying Mom to the ranch today.”
“The ranch? Me?” Fu Zheng looked at Xu Yujia again.
“Big Brother has something today,” Xu Yujia said, sipping her coffee.
She didn’t want Fu Zheng tagging along either.
Compared to her eldest son, the youngest was a bit annoying—not a great playmate, and lately he’d been acting weird, constantly spacing out and being strange.
Xu Yujia worried he’d do the same at the ranch and fall off without paying attention. She wasn’t comfortable with him accompanying her.
Come to think of it, Fu Zheng had been really off lately.
Besides spacing out, his emotions were all over the place.
They changed eight hundred times a day—suddenly happy, angry, pensive, distracted. He’d stare at his phone, then lock it in the safe, pull out a spare to play games absentmindedly, pace back and forth in front of the safe.
Xu Yujia had caught him several times and even mentioned it to Fu Si Heng. Fu Si Heng said Fu Zheng had brain issues and would take him to a neurologist after New Year. She’d agreed back then… wait.
She suddenly realized something.
“Alright, it’ll be Little Zheng then,” Xu Yujia said.
So what if he spaced out and fell? Boys always fall.
Besides, how many times had Fu Zheng gotten hurt? That leg of his had been injured who knows how many times—he was practically a regular at orthopedics.
No need to worry.
It was a rare chance for mother-son bonding, and she could probe Fu Zheng about his girlfriend.
With his dim wits, she was sure to get answers.
She was about to find out who her daughter-in-law was—Xu Yujia was thrilled.
Fu Si Heng: “Okay, settled.”
Fu Zheng: “?”
“No,” Fu Zheng protested. “When did I agree?”
Fu Si Heng ignored him.
Deaf to the objections, he finished breakfast, left the table, and messaged Tao Zhi: 【Where are you?】
Tao Zhi: 【Just got on the bullet train.】
Fu Si Heng: 【Good.】
After the bullet train came the subway.
Not in a rush today, Tao Zhi bought a set of women’s clothes before heading to the airport.
Since Fu Si Heng said he’d pick him up, Tao Zhi had to change into women’s clothes.
Winter clothes were pricey—he spent seven or eight hundred on a full set at the mall. It hurt his wallet.
Should’ve brought a set back; no one rummaged through his luggage anyway.
