ADTCP Ch13

The “pitiful” Zhu Wensheng hung up the phone and casually tossed it aside.

At that moment, someone gritted his teeth and lunged, trying to lock him in a guillotine choke. 

Too bad, within seconds, Zhu Wensheng twisted away, countered, and showed him what a real guillotine choke was.

Sure enough, it took only a few seconds before the boy’s eyes rolled back and he was desperately tapping the mat.

Only then did Zhu Wensheng release him, giving his shoulder a light pat before flipping out of the cage.

He picked up his phone, gave the group a flat glance, and dropped two words: “Extra rounds.”

Silence fell in the octagon.

Not one of his admirers dared breathe too loudly. Every single one had been beaten to pulp, reduced to trembling chicks, only able to watch him in awe as he strode upstairs.

Back in his room—

He opened his chat with Tao Zhen, stared at the call log for a long moment, then peeled off his black tank top and stepped into the shower.

Water streamed down his defined, solid muscles, tracing over the veins of his abdomen, outlining something dark and dangerous beneath.

The hiss of water lasted a long time before he emerged. The aloof, handsome boy lowered his head and finally tossed that now-scentless black hoodie into the washing machine.

***

The next day was Saturday.

Tao Zhen woke early, carefully choosing an outfit in front of his wardrobe. He settled on a Versace suit in white and platinum, paired with a dazzling necklace and sunglasses so large they covered half his face.

Successfully dressing himself up as a glittering nouveau riche, he rode to the front of Light Bar and rolled down his car window in style.

The moment he saw the black-haired, black-clad boy walk out, Tao Zhen waved happily.
“Zhu Wensheng!”

Hearing his name, the boy quickened his pace.

The car door opened; his long legs slid in, straightening slightly to reveal the cross motif on his jeans.
“Where to today?”

Cross motif—Chrome Hearts. Jeans worth hundreds of thousands.

Zhao Zhao had once been obsessed with the brand, buying tons in one spree. But by the time the order arrived, he’d lost interest and ended up pawning them off.

Zhu Wensheng had never worn them before. Today, he’d dug them out of the wardrobe on his way out.

“First food, then KTV, I need to record a video for my club interview. After that, anywhere you like.”

Tao Zhen wrinkled his nose, lowering his sunglasses to peer at his legs. “Those jeans…”

Zhu Wensheng glanced sideways.

“Where’d you buy them! What a bunch of crooks, bullying customers like this!” Tao Zhen fumed. 

“Look! The embroidery’s all frayed!”

“…”

When Zhu Wensheng didn’t respond, Tao Zhen realized belatedly: “Oh—wait, that fraying’s the design? Actually, that looks pretty cool, haha…”

Tall and long-legged, Zhu Wensheng had the build of a model. Anything he wore looked good, like he was a walking fashion ad.

The blond boy laughed, his watery eyes curving up, voice sweet and playful:  “Got a link? I’ll buy my dad a pair too.”

Zhu Wensheng closed his eyes briefly and deflected: “Picked a restaurant yet?”

Tao Zhen nodded, looking at him with a trace of helplessness. “I did, but… you really don’t have to insist on paying…”

“Which one?” Zhu Wensheng asked flatly.

Left with no choice, Tao Zhen showed him the Omakase he’d booked yesterday.

But the moment Zhu Wensheng saw it, his gaze froze.

It was the same restaurant Zhao Zhao had cursed nonstop yesterday, the one with the arrogant chef who didn’t even wash his hands after using the bathroom.

“…Can we,” Zhu Wensheng paused, “pick somewhere else?”

But Tao Zhen misunderstood, his eyes filling with pity. “No need. I already prepaid yesterday.”

Zhu Wensheng: “…”

As they talked, the car slipped past the crowds near Nancheng University and stopped in a bustling shopping district. The blare of horns mixed with chatter and laughter, steeped in the warmth of everyday life.

Tao Zhen tilted his head up, cheeks flushed, smiling brightly at him with clear, innocent eyes—like a pure little animal. Always adorning himself with shiny things, like a peacock in courtship. No schemes at all.

Zhu Wensheng’s cold, handsome face softened for a moment. For reasons he couldn’t name, he gave up arguing and naturally fell into step with Tao Zhen, entering the restaurant and taking a seat.

Inside, the restaurant was unnervingly dark. Despite the midday hour, lamps burned on all sides, creating the feel of a spider’s den.

At the long table, only a few guests sat. The arrogant chef, as before, paraded a dead-eyed tuna around the room before hacking at it messily at the counter, then served a “tuna purée with cherry foie gras foam mousse”—barely the size of a thumb.

Having skipped breakfast, Tao Zhen was starving. He grabbed the mousse without hesitation, and the next second—

The raw stench and slimy texture exploded in his mouth! It felt like being punched in the gut. Dizzy, reeling, he barely kept himself from gagging.

Before he could recover, the chef presented the next dish: “Raw marinated sweet shrimp, sea urchin cream sauce abalone.”

This time, Tao Zhen hesitated, then reluctantly scooped a dab of sauce off the abalone shell.

Nearby, a couple couldn’t help themselves: “Ugh—!”

Tao Zhen’s temples throbbed. He set the shell down firmly.

The chef, offended by their reaction, slammed a piece of fish on the counter and glanced sharply his way.

Tao Zhen instantly ducked his head like a student caught by a teacher.

Just as he braced himself to choke the dish down, a rough, hot hand seized his wrist.
A spark jolted up his arm.

His breath stuttered; warm air brushed his neck. The boy’s low, husky voice murmured:

“Allergy. Forgot?”

“…”

Tao Zhen blinked, then quickly caught on. Dropping the abalone shell, he echoed: “Right! How could I forget, I’m allergic to seafood. Can’t eat this.”

The chef looked away, gentler now.

Tao Zhen breathed out in relief, turning to Zhu Wensheng.

They were close, noses nearly brushing. Their warm breaths tangled, leaving a trail of shivery tingles across his skin.

The sensation made Zhu Wensheng shift uncomfortably, dark lashes lowering as his eyes caught only Tao Zhen’s reflection.

The next second, Tao Zhen leaned in with a wide smile, whispering at his ear like a spoiled child:  “Zhu Wensheng, you’re so smart. Amazing.”

More like one of those big cats that look aloof and cold, never making a sound, yet secretly cling to their owner with quiet devotion.

 

“……”

 

Thump, thump-thump.

 

Caught off guard, Zhu Wensheng’s Adam’s apple bobbed sharply, and he suddenly sat up straight.

 

But his mind wouldn’t stop replaying the scene from just now, Tao Zhen’s lips were soft pink, and when he opened his mouth, that glimpse of crimson tongue looked like a tender forest berry hidden deep in the jungle.

 

Soft, delicate.

 

The kind of thing that made one irresistibly want to taste it, to see if it was really as sweet as imagined.

 

Over the next two hours, the dishes kept coming one after another, and the chef kept up his usual standard, each course worse than the last. Tao Zhen and Zhu Wensheng ended up “allergic” from beginning to end.

 

At last, when the waitress brought out dessert, matcha ice cream, the entire dining room sighed in relief.

 

Tao Zhen eagerly grabbed a cone, only to see Zhu Wensheng put away his phone and shake his head at the server.

 

His eyes widened, and he whispered, “Why not? This is the only thing today we can actually eat…”

 

“Fighters have to watch their diet,” Zhu Wensheng said calmly.

 

Tao Zhen blinked in sudden understanding, his admiration for Zhu Wensheng’s discipline welling up even more.

 

They left the Japanese restaurant together and started walking toward the nearby mall. Before they got far, Tao Zhen’s phone chimed with a message: a full refund had been deposited into his account.

 

“Eh?” Tao Zhen muttered, worried there’d been some mistake, and stopped to call the restaurant.

 

On the other end, a woman explained, “Mr. Tao, since you and your companion were allergic to almost all of today’s dishes, we’ve issued you a full refund. We hope your dining experience was still pleasant…”

 

Only after confirming that it wouldn’t affect the staff’s pay did Tao Zhen relax, smiling so brightly his little tiger teeth showed. “That’s really too much, then. How about this, I’ll still give you all a tip…”

 

It was only early September, the sky a flawless blue and the sun blazing overhead, the pavement shimmering with heat.

 

The lively blond boy beamed, lips red and teeth white. The matcha ice cream in his hand had started to melt, dripping down the cone’s edge and smearing his pale fingers.

 

Zhu Wensheng stared at that bit of color for a few seconds, reaching into his pocket for the tissues he always carried.

 

The refund, that, he had expected.

 

But Tao Zhen himself was always beyond his expectations.

 

“Mm, I actually think today’s dishes…”

Tao Zhen had noticed the sticky mess on his fingers, but still busy on the phone, he couldn’t wipe it. He turned imploring eyes toward Zhu Wensheng, silently mouthing a plea:

 

Please, help me.

 

A loud thud went off in Zhu Wensheng’s chest.

 

His heartbeat surged out of control as Tao Zhen’s pitiful, pleading expression filled his vision, stirring a flood of indescribable emotion.

 

Fighters were supposed to master their instincts, give up many desires, learn restraint.

Zhu Wensheng had always done that well.

 

But right now, he wanted to taste Tao Zhen.

 

A few seconds later, Tao Zhen, still chatting excitedly on the phone, suddenly froze. His words cut off, and he raised his eyes in bewilderment—

 

The handsome black-haired boy had lowered his head, thick lashes casting a dark shadow, and his tongue was sliding across Tao Zhen’s fingertips, licking away the melted ice cream.