ADTCP Ch14

The warmth and slickness against his fingertips sent a sudden shiver crawling up Tao Zhen’s back. He widened his eyes involuntarily, like a small animal caught by the scruff.

His first instinct was to pull his hand back, but the next second he met the cold, handsome face of the black-haired boy. His mind went completely blank, forgetting his own movement, frozen on the spot.

For a moment, the air went quiet.

The girl on the other end of the phone, oblivious, kept chattering on about the restaurant and service: “So on our side we also plan, within the next year…”

Zhu Wensheng only straightened up after licking the last bit of melted ice cream from Tao Zhen’s fingers. His profile was calm as ever.

He drew out a tissue from his pocket and gently wiped away the glistening sheen left on Tao Zhen’s skin, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Tao Zhen, however, hurriedly hung up the call, hardly knowing what nonsense he’d mumbled to end it. His round eyes blinked rapidly, dark and shiny. “Zhu Wensheng, why did you…”

Zhu Wensheng lowered his gaze, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

His tongue still carried the faint taste of matcha and the lingering warmth of the blond boy’s skin.

“…Why did you lick the melted cone? It wasn’t even tasty anymore!” Tao Zhen rose on tiptoe, pushing the ice cream toward him, brows furrowed in protest. “I just wanted you to hold it and help me eat some!”

“I know you fight underground… uh, boxing, and you need strict dietary control, but it doesn’t have to be that strict, right? Come on, just take a bite.”

Zhu Wensheng was silent for a few seconds, then said evenly: “I already tasted it.”

“That doesn’t count, you only licked a tiny bit…”

Anxious, Tao Zhen raised the cone higher.

Having little money was already tough enough, and now his boyfriend also had to control his diet for fights, he couldn’t even eat anything good. No wonder Zhu Wensheng pitifully lowered his head just to sneak away a drop of melted sweetness.

It never crossed Tao Zhen’s mind that Zhu Wensheng might have done it just to take advantage of him.
After all, Zhu Wensheng was a “straight guy” who couldn’t even handle a peck on the chin, cold and distant like a big cat. How could he harbor any ulterior motives?

“Just one bite,” Tao Zhen pleaded, eyes wide. “Come on, try one bite, it’s really delicious!”
When he was in primary school, he’d often eat ice cream with Gu Xingzhou and Tong Xia. They would buy piles of it, and when they couldn’t finish, Tong Xia would bolt under the excuse of propriety between boys and girls, leaving him and Gu Xingzhou staring awkwardly at each other.

Though things were different now, he was still using the same old tactic.

“Zhu Wensheng, just one bite, ”

Zhu Wensheng stared at the boy’s soft pink lips as they opened and closed.

In the end, he was swayed. He lowered his head without realizing it and leaned in, taking a small lick straight from Tao Zhen’s hand.

“How is it?” Tao Zhen finally relaxed, smiling as he pulled his hand back and kept eating without a second thought. “See, I wasn’t lying, was I?”

Zhu Wensheng swallowed the faint sweetness, his gaze lingering on Tao Zhen’s flushed tongue. A low hum escaped his throat.

He wasn’t lying.

Tao Zhen really was sweet.

***

The scorching afternoon sun forced them quickly into the cool shade of the mall, where they found the KTV room Tao Zhen had reserved the night before.

The receptionist set up a VIP booth for them. The environment was excellent, roomy leather sofas, four crisp display screens, a tea counter, a pool table, and even a private bathroom. The lighting could be set to romantic mood or stay bright, with solid soundproofing ensuring privacy. It was an ideal place to record a video.

Tao Zhen looked satisfied. He smiled his thanks, and once the door closed, he went straight to the song console, tapping quickly to type in the title.

Zhu Wensheng had little interest in singing, so he simply set up the phone tripod a short distance away, his gaze fixed on Tao Zhen’s profile lit by the glow of the screen.

The blond boy carefully finished typing and pressed search, only for nothing to come up. His lashes fluttered, and a faint shadow of disappointment crossed his face.

It was a rare look, like a small animal drenched by the rain, his usual bright smile gone, lips pressed tight, even his tail drooping.

Zhu Wensheng’s heart stirred. He unconsciously leaned closer, reading the screen.

It was a French song with a terribly complicated title, a piece from a musical, so obscure that only once or twice had it ever been performed. The KTV didn’t have it in their library.

If he hadn’t spent some time with French coaches before, Zhu Wensheng wouldn’t even have understood the string of letters.

Something that difficult, that professional…

Could Tao Zhen really sing it?

Zhu Wensheng’s gaze deepened, quietly watching him with growing curiosity.
But he didn’t get to hear French.

Because Tao Zhen tried a few more musical numbers, and each one turned up blank.

The blond boy stared at the empty screen for a few seconds, then rallied himself.
Forget it. This was just a KTV, not Vienna’s concert hall. No surprise they didn’t have them.
Pop songs would do, so long as he could pass the music club’s audition.

Resigned, Tao Zhen opened the “Hot Songs” chart, scrolled through, and picked a few of Tao Dajun’s favorites. He stood properly like he had during his art exam, taking a deep breath.

But just as the music started, Zhu Wensheng spoke, his low magnetic voice filtered by the room noise: “Tao Zhen, I’m recording now.”

Tao Zhen jolted.

His steady breathing faltered, his heart pounding wildly. He gripped the mic tighter. “W-wait a sec!”

Obediently, Zhu Wensheng paused, turning slightly to the side. The warm dim lights softened his sharp profile into something almost gentle. “What’s wrong?”

“…”

Tao Zhen couldn’t answer. He swallowed hard, regretting today’s plan.

Too reckless. He’d overestimated himself.

He’d thought it was just a video, no big crowd, nothing to fear. But even with only Zhu Wensheng watching, only those dark eyes on him, the pressure was crushing.

The shadow of his failed art exam loomed over him still. Just the thought of someone listening to him sing left him cold and tight-throated, on the verge of choking again.

“N-nothing…” Tao Zhen forced a smile. Outwardly calm, but his voice shook. “Let’s just start.”

Zhu Wensheng frowned slightly but pressed record anyway.

The music swelled.

A pounding beat, “dng-ts dng-ts,” filled the room.
Tao Zhen opened his mouth. The first line should have flowed out, but he stumbled painfully long before mumbling, “Bro, you’ve lost weight…”

“You look so tired…”

“…”

“Come here, brother, let’s hug… tell me what’s on your mind…”

“…”

The chorus should’ve been rousing, something even tone-deaf singers could belt. Yet Tao Zhen fell behind the rhythm, the KTV filled with noise like a chaotic morning marketplace.

Zhu Wensheng stared through the lens at the sweaty, flustered boy. His gaze shifted from that damp forehead to the lips chapped from dryness. He suddenly asked, “Want me to switch the song?”

Tao Zhen froze, then gave a weak laugh. “Switch it!”

The prelude started again, this time it was a well-known love song.

Tao Zhen drew in a deep breath, forcing down his nerves. His clear, bright voice carried the opening two lines beautifully, instantly drawing attention.

He exhaled in relief, just about to hold the momentum, when Zhu Wensheng raised a hand. In that instant, Tao Zhen’s heartbeat spiked again, his mind going blank.

“…”

On camera, the blond boy looked like a flustered little animal, fumbling at the lyrics and struggling to keep up with the beat, clumsy, even a bit comical.

The voice that had started off so captivating became fragmented and rough, hoarse and strained, like someone with no musical training trying to be funny.

Zhu Wensheng’s gaze lingered on Tao Zhen’s face for a while before shifting to the song console. After a moment’s thought, he interrupted: “Tao Zhen.”

The blond boy froze, slowly lowering the mic.

The energetic KTV background blurred their conversation.

“Ah, um,” Tao Zhen tugged unconsciously at his hem, smiling as he asked: “What is it?”

Zhu Wensheng was quiet for two seconds. “I’ll step out for a bit. Be back soon, you keep singing.”

“Oh,” Tao Zhen replied, embarrassed. “Alright.”

He didn’t ask why Zhu Wensheng wanted to leave. He already knew.

When Zhu Wensheng disappeared from sight, Tao Zhen trudged to the console and hit skip.
The VIP room had everything, there was no need to go outside. The only reason Zhu Wensheng left must have been because his singing was simply… unbearable.

Tao Zhen stood in silence for a moment, his chest heavy.

Finally, in the quiet, with no camera, no eyes on him, he lowered his gaze and began to sing softly with the music.

“Let me take your heart in hand, and slowly try to melt it down.

See if in your heart I am still flawless.

If you still hold the faintest longing, still love me beyond control…”

The blond boy looked exquisite, dark lashes lowered to veil his damp almond eyes, pale-pink lips parting gently.

His slightly hoarse voice was like a small hook, tender and unhurried, scratching lightly at the heart’s edge.

It was unclear how long had passed before the song ended.

Shards of blue light scattered across the room, blurring his vision.

Tao Zhen stood dazed with the microphone when, suddenly, the sofa beside him sank.

The tall, handsome black-haired boy had sat down without a sound. He quietly placed a phone
into Tao Zhen’s palm.

The warmth of his hand lingered. Tao Zhen lowered his eyes in a daze, and the screen came into focus.

A video, six minutes and thirty-two seconds long.

The title: Norwegian Wood.

…

Tao Zhen jerked his head up, colliding with Zhu Wensheng’s ink-dark eyes.

“Don’t be nervous, Tao Zhen.”

Those eyes, usually so cold, reflected the boy’s dazzling golden hair.

“You sang beautifully.”