ADTCP Ch60

Tao Zhen couldn’t stop himself from overthinking for a while. He even went online to search whether other people’s boyfriends ever acted like this. But the results all said that situations like his boyfriend’s were extremely rare. Clearly, his body reacted, yet he was unwilling to take things further. Compared to the common idea of sex, Zhu Wensheng seemed to prefer a kind of Platonic love.

In other words, instead of pursuing physical stimulation, he valued spiritual resonance more.

Desire was human instinct, but not everyone became its slave. Someone like Zhu Wensheng , who obviously had desire and reactions, yet insisted on self-control, was rare.

Of course, Platonic love didn’t mean sex was entirely cut off. Perhaps, at some point, Zhu Wensheng would agree to intimacy.

For example, on February 29th, his birthday.

Tao Zhen gradually understood, but the realization made him even sadder than before.

Other people in relationships had sex every four days.
He and Zhu Wensheng had sex every four years.

He longed for leap years more than anyone, like those heroines in time-travel dramas waiting for rare cosmic alignments. Except they waited for a chance to return home, while he waited for a chance to sleep with Zhu Wensheng . Put that way, it sounded like some kind of mysterious ritual.

He didn’t know how much time passed before Zhu Wensheng came out of the bathroom. By then Tao Zhen realized what kind of wild fantasies he’d been spinning. Standing there, he looked like a dried-up salted fish, eyes carrying complicated emotions. “Ah-Sheng, you’re done washing? Since you’re done… I’ll go wash now.”

Zhu Wensheng opened his lips: “…”

The pulse at his brow throbbed uneasily. He had a faint, inexplicable premonition, but couldn’t name it. All he could do was watch Tao Zhen drag his steps toward the bathroom, face solemn as he began to shower. Any lingering thoughts Zhu Wensheng had scattered completely.

***
The street challenge video went viral online. Not only were Tao Zhen’s fans arguing over which CP to ship, the clip also attracted new viewers who simply wanted to follow him.

Tao Zhen’s image was already good, and his singing skills excellent. In just a few days, his fan count surged dramatically.

Even normally out-of-touch Tao Dajun happened to come across the video.

At first, he thought it was fake, some netizen’s Photoshop job, and instantly denied its authenticity. He believed no one knew his son better than he did. Ever since failing the art exam, Tao Zhen could barely sing even in front of his parents, stammering and halting. How could he possibly go stand in front of hundreds of people? Was he insane?

But as the video played, doubt gave way to shock.

Maybe Tao Zhen really was “crazy.”

He knew there might be rigging, that no matter how well he sang he’d likely lose, just like the seven contestants before him. Yet Tao Zhen still chose to go onstage. Despite the poor equipment and conditions, his poise was natural, his voice melodious and moving. No wonder the video blew up.

Tao Dajun watched once, then again, emotions tangled, part shame for thinking he knew his son so well only to be proven wrong, but more than that, pride and joy at seeing him shine on stage.

He knew better than anyone how much Tao Zhen cared about music.

As a toddler, before he could even speak clearly, Tao Zhen clung like a little tail to Lin Manyao, staring wide-eyed as she practiced, sang, performed, as if wanting to etch every movement into his memory. Passion was the greatest talent. So Tao Dajun and Lin Manyao had guessed early that Tao Zhen might pursue music. But they hadn’t expected that “being good” wasn’t enough, that he’d stumble on the entrance exam.

After that, Tao Zhen grew depressed for a while. Tao Dajun even feared he’d given up on music entirely and avoided mentioning it.

But now he realized he’d been wrong. He had been the one presumptuously defining Tao Zhen , assuming that to succeed he had to follow Lin Manyao’s exact path…

But in truth, Tao Zhen had his own.

After digesting this through the night, at six in the morning Tao Dajun called his son. The boy answered groggily, only after a pause. These days, whenever his father called, it was always to urge him to break up with Zhu Wensheng. Tao Zhen had developed a conditioned reflex; he blurted, “Hello? Dad, I know. About me and Ah-Sheng breaking up, I, ”

“I haven’t even said anything yet, and you already ‘know’?” Tao Dajun’s tone was oddly complex. After a pause, he said, “Is Ah-Sheng with you? Put him on.”

Tao Zhen stiffened, feeling like his father had eyes in the back of his head. He glanced instinctively at Zhu Wensheng beside him, unsure whether to hand the phone over. His voice trembled: “Dad…”

“Hurry up.”

Still hesitant, Tao Zhen puffed out his cheeks, yet Zhu Wensheng calmly took the phone from his hands, mouthed “I’ll handle it,” and climbed out of bed. “Hello, Uncle, this is Zhu…”

The two went off to talk privately, leaving Tao Zhen excluded. His heart beat nervously. When Zhu Wensheng finally returned, phone in hand, Tao Zhen immediately leapt at him, clinging and checking him all over, anxiously asking, “What is it? What happened?”

Zhu Wensheng didn’t speak right away.

He reached out, brushing Tao Zhen’s soft blond hair, silky smooth like fine threads.

“Nothing,” Zhu Wensheng said after a pause. “Check your bank account.”

Bewildered, Tao Zhen hurriedly did as told. Where once the frozen, grayed-out numbers had been, they were lit again, available for use. And beyond that, his balance had suddenly soared, not just his old allowance and streaming income, but also a large transfer from Tao Dajun.

The sense of regaining what was lost made him look up at Zhu Wensheng in a rush of joy, a bold guess in his heart. “This is, ”

Zhu Wensheng gazed at him calmly and confirmed: “Mm. Uncle said he’s agreed to us being together.”

Tao Zhen hadn’t abandoned music; he was still walking step by step toward his dream, even if slowly. And in that future, there was clearly a place reserved for Zhu Wensheng . Even if all they had was three thousand yuan stuffed into Zhu Wensheng’s hands, they could share street food together, it didn’t matter if they ever ate at Michelin restaurants.

Since the two of them had already promised to be together, Tao Dajun thought, what right did he have to interfere as an elder?

“…Really?” Tao Zhen was still stunned with joy, at a loss for words. “Dad really agreed?”

“Mm.”

Tao Zhen almost shouted with happiness, tears welling up. He’d already resolved never to leave Zhu Wensheng no matter what, but having his family’s blessing made it even better. Now he had a solid backing.

With his worries gone, he threw himself even harder into preparing for the transfer exam.

Their school scheduled all transfer exams at the end of the semester, during finals week, so there was a mountain of things to prepare. Tao Zhen came home exhausted every day, naturally reducing his time with Zhu Wensheng.

Especially knowing Zhu Wensheng was inclined toward Platonic love, Tao Zhen became even clearer on their boundaries. Though they were lovers, in bed they were pure as two college roommates.

As the weather warmed into May and June, Tao Zhen didn’t want to wear heavy pajamas. He rummaged through drawers for his summer set but couldn’t find it. Busy and drained, he didn’t feel like shopping online or going to a store. Spotting an oversized shirt in the closet, long enough to cover his hips, he pulled it on without checking whose it was.

So when Zhu Wensheng came home, this was what he saw:

A freshly showered boy with damp hair, wearing his shirt, loose and draping over a slender body. His round little butt was propped on the bed as he leaned seriously over the computer.

Two pale legs kicked high in the air, pink toes wiggling, the soft flesh at his thighs melting into the shadow like cream.

Zhu Wensheng ’s breath hitched.

Ever since he learned Tao Zhen was preparing for an important major-transfer exam and couldn’t afford distractions, he’d been doing his utmost to rein in his desire, trying not to bother Tao Zhen or make him disgusted with that kind of behavior. But for a hot-blooded young man, it wasn’t easy, especially when Tao Zhen was always so unguarded in front of him. Every time, Zhu Wensheng would endure and endure… and then take care of it himself.

They’d been dating this long, yet had only fully done it once, and that was nearly two or three months ago.

But… tomorrow was the weekend.

If Tao Zhen was willing, maybe they could…

At the thought, Zhu Wensheng’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He walked to the bed, bent to Tao Zhen’s ear, warm breath brushing his neck. “…How’s the studying going?”

Tao Zhen was still sunk in a problem he didn’t understand. He hummed, frowned. “Okay, I guess, just this part…”

Before he finished, he felt a strong, hot arm slide in at his side; a solid body pressed against his back. The young man’s handsome profile was only a few centimeters from his own. Tao Zhen ’s smooth train of thought knotted, and his voice turned a little stilted. “I, I know how to plug this formula in…”

“Mm.”

Disciplines connect, and Zhu Wensheng had studied similar problems before, so he skimmed Tao Zhen ’s laptop, leaned in closer, and said, “This one goes like this…”

Zhu Wensheng’s looks, usually cool and sharp, softened as he explained, enough to make anyone dizzy. Tao Zhen listened seriously at first, then found himself noticing the lift of Zhu Wensheng’s dark lashes, the clean line of his nose, the light movement of his thin lips…

Tao Zhen swallowed, unconsciously.

Zhu Wensheng’s explanation paused. He stared at Tao Zhen for a few seconds, then let his lips curl slightly, unhurried. “…And then? How do you solve it?”

Tao Zhen hadn’t taken in a word. He turned his head like a kid caught red-handed, a little vexed.

“Zhenbao?” Zhu Wensheng prompted, pointedly gentle.

Tao Zhen ’s cheeks heated. “I, I do know…” He really did, it was just that he’d been busy looking at Zhu Wensheng’s face. He knew Zhu Wensheng favored something Platonic and wouldn’t easily push the relationship “that way,” but just now he felt like he’d… seduced him.

No way, that had to be his imagination. Tao Zhen smacked his own cheeks, bit his lip, shoved the messy thoughts away, took a deep breath. “Sorry, I wasn’t listening just now. I’ll study properly.”

“…”

Zhu Wensheng had already set the mouse down; he picked it up again and, feigning calm, continued explaining. When they finished that problem, Tao Zhen was fully back on track, eyes bright and expectant as he pointed to the next one. “Ah-Sheng! You’re amazing, you know everything! Can you help me with this one too? I don’t get it…”

Zhu Wensheng exhaled slowly. “Mm. Okay.”

Things felt a little off: they were practically wrapped around each other, yet talking about nothing but homework. While Tao Zhen sailed wholeheartedly through the sea of knowledge, Zhu Wensheng suddenly stood and said evenly that he was going to the bathroom.

Tao Zhen didn’t think much of it, just hummed and kept studying. After a bit, he realized he’d had too much water at lunch and needed to go, so he got up with his notes, hurried over, and knocked. “Ah-Sheng, are you done?”

It was only the bathroom; it should be quick. But Zhu Wensheng didn’t come out. The door was firmly shut, and there was the patter of running water inside.

They hadn’t even had dinner yet, why was Zhu Wensheng showering?
With no answer, Tao Zhen knocked again. “Ah-Sheng! Are you okay?”

This time Zhu Wensheng finally spoke. His voice sounded restrained, hoarse. “…Baby.”

“Mm! I’m here!”

“Baby… call me again.”

Huh? What a strange request.

Tao Zhen didn’t really get it, but he obeyed sweetly. He waited outside, bored and increasingly urgent. Just when he was about to burst, Zhu Wensheng finally finished and came out, bare-chested, a white towel at his waist, his chest rising and falling. He seemed about to say something, but Tao Zhen darted past him into the bathroom. “I need it for a sec!”

Zhu Wensheng shut his mouth.

So the weekend night fizzled out after all, but after a lot of coaxing, Zhu Wensheng finally saw a glimmer of hope.

By June, Nancheng University was rolling into finals. Most fluff classes had already tested; only the core subjects remained.

Some classmates were prepping to go abroad and had thoroughly prepared for finals, so cracking the top 30% of the year wasn’t exactly easy, especially since Tao Zhen had one more hurdle than they did. He scarcely had time to rest after finishing his major exams before he was sprinting toward the transfer assessments.

Maybe because he’d already performed at that street challenge, this time, with teachers proctoring, he didn’t stammer like before. He sang an entire piece smoothly and strikingly. There were tiny flaws, sure, but they didn’t mar the gem. The instructors’ eyes held approval; outside the room, Liu Xian and Bai Yuxuan gave him a big thumbs-up. “So good! You’ve got this!”

Fulfilling a long-held wish left Tao Zhen a little emotional. He thanked them first, then suddenly realized something. “…Wait, Vice President Bai, Presient Liu, why are you here?”

They exchanged a glance and smothered grins. “Finals are ending, and we’re about to be seniors. We won’t have time to run the club, so we’re heading to the office to do the handover. We just happened to see you here and stopped for a bit.”

Time had flown, two semesters gone in a blink, and both were leaving the club. Tao Zhen paused, oddly moved; the two officers, more than anyone, felt it deeply. Leaving a club that had accompanied them three years, no way to pretend it meant nothing.

They rallied and smiled. “Enough with the sad stuff. We’re planning one last club get-together. Do you have time to come?”

A few days earlier, swamped with classes and exams, Tao Zhen would have had no time. But now it was all over; he agreed gladly. After a playful tussle over who would treat, he lost, they set a time and place. He hurried home, dumped his backpack, and exhaled long.

With the weight finally off his shoulders and heart, he felt lighter than ever. He opened the wardrobe he hadn’t really looked through in ages and suddenly found it strangely unfamiliar, too many choices, couldn’t decide.

Just then the front door sounded, Zhu Wensheng was back. Tao Zhen grabbed two outfits and held them up, asking Zhu Wensheng to choose which looked better.

Zhu Wensheng stepped closer to take a careful look.

Both outfits had their merits, each flattering to Tao Zhen ’s complexion, fitting his little-young-master aura, both looked great. Even Zhu Wensheng, usually decisive, hesitated for a while, then finally pointed to the second one. “This one.”

Tao Zhen answered brightly and unfolded it. He twirled like a butterfly and pulled on the princeling-style shirt. “Okay, okay! I trust your eye!”

Zhu’s gaze softened; he hummed.

Come to think of it, Tao Zhen ’s exams were over, maybe he wanted to go out to dinner together. Zhu Wensheng was just about to pick something for himself from the closet when Tao Zhen chirped, “This will look great on camera. Bai Yuxuan said to dress nicely, since we might take a big group photo at the end, ”

It felt like a can of soda had overturned in Zhu’s chest, fizzing with sharp little bubbles. His movement paused. “You’re going out?” His dark eyes fixed on Tao Zhen . “Bai Yuxuan? ‘They’? What group photo?”

If Tao Zhen had more experience, he’d have recognized that barrage of questions for what it was, a jealous husband. He blinked, then smacked his forehead, suddenly remembering. “Ah, I forgot to tell you, Bai Yuxuan and Liu Xian are stepping down, so they’re holding a final music-club dinner. I ran into them by the classroom and they invited me.”

The music club…

Thinking of the last time Tao Zhen went to a club event, Zhu Wensheng answered after a beat, voice very even, but his words were startling: “Can you bring family?”

Word by word, he said, “I want to go.”

He wanted to see whether, this time, anyone dared try to flirt with Tao Zhen right in front of him.