ADTCP Ch31part1

Tao Zhen’s mind went “buzz”, for a moment, he couldn’t quite believe what he had just heard. He opened his mouth foolishly, at a loss for words.

Like the fuse of a firework catching flame, the “sizzling” sound of ignition shrank rapidly. In just a few seconds of silence, Zhu Wensheng’s patience was completely worn away. The next instant, he leaned down, sealing off Tao Zhen’s half-formed words with a scorching, wet kiss.

So soft.

So hot.

So painful.

Tao Zhen only felt the invasive tongue barge its way in, forcefully prying open his lips and teeth. Like a reckless youth, it stumbled and crashed into him, tangling with his own until he let out a muffled whimper through his nose, a sound like begging for mercy, as he tried to lean back.

But before he could really retreat, that tiny movement of escape already set off the hunter before him. The hand that had only been resting lightly on his shoulder suddenly clenched tight. Broad, solid shoulders spread out, casting a shadow that seemed to cover him completely.

A tingling numbness ran across his scalp.

Every sense in his body seemed to explode, wave after wave surged outward from his lips, spreading across him. His spine felt like it had been hollowed out, his leg muscles trembling, barely able to hold him up.

How could this be…

His mouth burned, stung, his consciousness blurred.

Was kissing supposed to feel like this? Tao Zhen, dazed and muddled, thought, why did it feel less like Zhu Wensheng wanted to kiss him, and more like he wanted to eat his tongue?

He didn’t know how long it lasted. Zhu Wensheng’s movements finally eased, no longer as frantic, instead drawing on his own “top student” instinct, awkwardly yet steadily growing gentler.

When the solid kiss finally ended, Zhu Wensheng lightly licked Tao Zhen’s reddened lips, then nipped them once.

It hurt, but Tao Zhen still couldn’t stop the shiver that ran through him. A few clear tears brimmed in his eyes.

Especially as a cool breeze blew past, he hurriedly scrubbed at his face, belatedly realizing just how hot his cheeks had grown during the kiss.

“I- ”

“I…”

They both spoke at once, then both fell silent. After a pause, Zhu Wensheng took the lead. Forcing a deep breath, restraining the wild pounding of his heart, he asked in a low voice:
“…Did I hurt you?”

“Cough…” Tao Zhen wiped his mouth. “N-no.”

His damp eyes lingered on Zhu Wensheng for a few seconds before darting away. After a long struggle, he muttered awkwardly:
“…I want a roasted sweet potato.”

“…”

“I’ll buy two… Do you want one?”

So the two of them ended up at the roadside stall.

As the weather cooled, stands selling roasted corn and roasted sweet potatoes had sprung up everywhere, the flickering orange flames crackling and popping, filling the air with warmth. Tao Zhen, for once, didn’t fight over who paid. He obediently took the freshly baked sweet potato from the vendor, split it in half, and handed one piece to Zhu Wensheng.

The orange-red flesh steamed white as it broke apart. Tao Zhen bit into it hungrily, almost scalding himself, before finally savoring the taste.

Fragrant, sweet, and sticky, the kind that puffed out his cheeks. The chaotic, firework-like emotions in his chest were tamped down at last.

Whether Zhu Wensheng kissed him because it was just a straight guy’s “act,” or out of obligation as his sugar daddy… as long as he was kissed like that, so deeply, so seriously, Tao Zhen didn’t feel like he’d lost out.

“…So then, who was it? Who bullied you?” Swallowing his mouthful of sweet potato, Tao Zhen lifted his head, asking the question that mattered most to him. “Why did your boss take you away alone?”

“No one bullied me. My boss took me away because…”

The half of the sweet potato Tao Zhen had given him was still in Zhu Wensheng’s hand. Its soft warmth seeped through the thin plastic bag, warming his entire palm. Blood seemed to flow again, thawing his frozen heart.

He lowered his eyes, reached out, and wiped a smudge of ash off Tao Zhen’s cheek. After a moment’s hesitation, he spoke quietly:
“My elders… they don’t support me continuing with fighting.”

Whether it was his grandparents or the other side of the family, all of them thought what he was doing was irresponsible, unworthy.

As if being born into such a family stripped him of the right to choose his own life. He was expected to grow up exactly as they wished. The moment he strayed, it was as if he’d stepped into an abyss from which there was no return.

They used every method, force, temptation, pressure, to make him give up his dream. To take over the family business. To marry a woman he barely knew. To continue the tragic cycle of the previous generation.

“…Ah.”

Perhaps not expecting that what made Zhu Wensheng unhappy was this matter, Tao Zhen froze for a few seconds, dazedly lifting his head. Ash from the sweet potato skin had smeared all over him, making him look like a little kitten that had fallen into a coal pile, only able to stare at others with those wet eyes.

“Actually… I can understand them,” Tao Zhen cleared his throat and said seriously, “In a way, I also don’t want you to fight.”

Zhu Wensheng was stunned. Their eyes met midair.

“When I first heard you say MMA, mixed martial arts, I didn’t believe it at all, because when I was little, I used to watch underground boxing matches with my dad in our hometown, those were also fights, but full of blood and injuries, one careless moment and someone had to be carried away. Although I later learned the competitions you entered were official, I looked into it. A TKO is still okay, but a KO within ten seconds, sounds like kicking someone stupid… Fighters always carry injuries, even that woman champion in UFC is no exception.”

“If you’re only in this for money, I hope you don’t continue,” Tao Zhen tilted his head back, his gaze clear as he spoke each word.

“But if you chose MMA because you love it, then no matter what, you must keep going. Even if people throw money at you, even if you get hurt again and again, as long as you can still get up, keep fighting.”

“…”

Cars roared past, raising dust and grit. Under the streetlamp, the boy’s golden hair flew about messily, yet it couldn’t hide the brilliance of his eyes. Zhu Wensheng heard his own heart pounding, beat after beat, like tender sprouts suddenly shooting up into towering trees. For a few seconds he felt dizzy, his Adam’s apple rolling. “No matter what?”

“No matter what.” Tao Zhen answered firmly, because that’s also what he told himself. The road of music is difficult, many think he won’t make it. He had indeed doubted himself because of others’ words. But whether he can or not, he has to try to know. Winning “first place” isn’t what matters, being able to move forward single-mindedly is already a victory.

“I understand.” After a moment, Zhu Wensheng said quietly.

Tao Zhen let out a breath, eyes curving in a smile. Just as he was about to lower his head and bite into the half sweet potato in his hand again, he heard Zhu Wensheng ask, “How did you know I went out with the boss alone today? Did you need me for something?”

The sweet potato he’d raised paused midair, then Tao Zhen thought for a moment. “Mm, I just called you a few times, but you didn’t pick up, so I went to the club to find you. They told me you were out… I did have something, but now it’s solved.”

Zhu Wensheng was busy with family matters, and Tao Zhen didn’t want to disturb him. Anyway, for the Gen-Z event, bringing a companion was optional. Going alone, just be brave, it wasn’t a big deal.

Because of Tao Zhen’s straightforward manner, Zhu Wensheng didn’t doubt him. Tao Zhen finished his sweet potato on the spot, then caught a ride back to the city.

When the car stopped outside the Light Club, Zhu Wensheng had already opened the car door, but turned back.

In the hazy night, a halo of warm yellow reflected in his eyes. He called softly, “Tao Zhen.”

Instinctively, Tao Zhen turned, smiling: “Mm? What’s wrong?”

“…Nothing.”

After a few seconds of silence, Zhu Wensheng said calmly, “See you tomorrow.”

Tao Zhen blinked, then nodded hard, smiling as he waved.

The car started up. Even as that dazzling figure slowly vanished from sight, Zhu Wensheng still hadn’t withdrawn his gaze.

He had just lied.

The truth was, this was the first time anyone had ever cared about him.

***
Time flew by, and before he knew it, the end of the month had arrived.

On the day of the anniversary celebration, Tao Zhen dressed carefully. Following Doctor Seven’s advice, he wore a three-piece suit with the jacket slung casually over his arm. It looked formal yet effortless, suitable for any occasion.

Normally he wore flashy clothes with big logos, but now, neatly dressed in a suit, he looked like a beautiful, quiet little prince, so striking it was hard to look away.

At the hotel entrance, when Qi Qi saw him, he was truly amazed.

Usually, people relied on filters or beauty effects in videos, so in real life they didn’t look as good. But Tao Zhen completely broke that curse, he was even more vivid and stunning than on screen, so pretty and cute he resembled a real-life doll, instantly recognizable at a glance.

“Hey, Zhen Zhibang! Over here!”

Tao Zhen had been wandering about like a headless fly. Hearing the voice, he lifted his head. Spotting Doctor Seven, his eyes lit up as if seeing a savior, and he hurried over.

“Hello, Doctor Seven.” Tao Zhen smiled, revealing a small tiger tooth. “Thank you so much for the invitation. I really troubled you.”

“Hahaha, don’t call me Doctor Seven, just call me Qi Qi.” Qi Qi, good-tempered, greeted him warmly. In person he wasn’t as breathtaking as on video, but still a remarkably handsome guy in the crowd. “It was just one invitation letter, no trouble. If you really sign with Gen-Z, you’ll be my junior anyway, it’s only natural I look after you.”

Tao Zhen smiled and gave his real name in return.

As they went upstairs chatting lightly, a finely dressed beauty suddenly walked over, naturally hooking her arm through Qi Qi’s while smiling politely at Tao Zhen.

Tao Zhen slowed a little, curious.