Chapter 20: Exclusive on Jinjiang 3/4

“Uncle!” the chubby kid called out tenderly, looking up at him with sparkling eyes.

Then he turned his eyes and saw Shi Zhang behind him. The chubby kid seemed a bit shy, took a step back, and tugged at Song Fuzhi’s clothes.

The chubby kid’s mother came over, calling Song Fuzhi “cousin.” She smiled, glanced at Shi Zhang, and pinched the chubby kid’s hand, saying, “Zai Zai, this is also your uncle.”

The chubby kid quickly smiled, revealing a gap-toothed grin. “Hello, Uncle!”

Shi Zhang squatted down and greeted the child with a gentle tone, specially used for communicating with children. Song Fuzhi felt that Professor Shi was quite talented at interacting with kids.

The whole family came out to greet them. Shi Zhang stood up and positioned himself slightly behind Song Fuzhi.

“Oh, the protagonists are here!”

“Xiao Fu, introduce him to us.”

Song Fuzhi briefly introduced Shi Zhang, a professor from a certain university, in his mid-thirties.

The elders wore satisfied expressions, praising Professor Shi as a talented individual. They looked well-matched standing together.

While Shi Zhang and the old folks chatted, Song Fuzhi’s cousin patted her on the shoulder. “Your husband has a great temperament; you have good taste.”

Song Fuzhi nodded without hesitation, “Yes.”

Old Song on the side laughed, cheeks slightly flushed. Mrs. Wang held a large bottle of Sprite and called everyone, “Let’s eat; come to the table.”

Today’s dinner was focused on the new family member, but as Song Fuzhi said, her family was nice. They didn’t ask tricky questions or offend anyone, warmly welcoming Shi Zhang.

The most direct form of welcome was to serve dishes to Shi Zhang. Uncles and aunts used chopsticks, and soon Shi Zhang’s bowl was piled high like a small mountain, even more than the chubby kid’s bowl.

Shi Zhang smiled and thanked them, saying it was enough; he would serve himself.

Seeing that Professor Shi couldn’t resist their enthusiasm, Song Fuzhi made a joke: “You guys are fickle, not even serving me.”

Auntie chuckled and tossed a meatball into Song Fuzhi’s bowl, “No one wants you now!”

The chubby kid puffed his cheeks and shouted, “I want some too!”

The family’s attention was diverted by the little mischief, giving Shi Zhang a bit of rest. Song Fuzhi gently tugged at Shi Zhang’s sleeve and asked, “Tired?”

Shi Zhang, elegantly peeling the shell off a salt and pepper shrimp, smiled, “How could I be tired?”

“Your family atmosphere is very good,” Shi Zhang said with a slightly envious tone, which Song Fuzhi didn’t catch.

“That’s good,” Song Fuzhi whispered. “I was fattened up by my aunt when I was a child.”

Shi Zhang chuckled lightly.

While talking, a peeled shrimp suddenly appeared in Song Fuzhi’s bowl, courtesy of Shi Zhang.

Song Fuzhi was stunned, and Shi Zhang explained with a calm expression, “Since no one is serving you, I’ll do it.”

Seeing Song Fuzhi’s surprise, Shi Zhang added, “You’re not fat at all, so you can eat more. Shrimp won’t make you gain weight.”

Professor Shi’s expression was too earnest, and Song Fuzhi almost burst out laughing. This person was indeed a bit cute with his serious demeanor.

“What are you two whispering about over there?” Mrs. Wang suddenly raised her voice. “Auntie is asking you a question. Where are you living now?”

“Oh.” Song Fuzhi came back to her senses, paused for two seconds, and then answered, “We’re still looking for a house, so we haven’t moved in together yet.”

Song’s sister looked surprised and glanced over. “Haven’t you lived together yet? Haven’t you cohabitated?”

 “…Not yet.”

“Oh, dear, getting married without living together first. I thought young people these days knew they should try before marriage.”

Song’s sister tried to phrase it delicately: “Not living together, how do you know if you’re compatible in that aspect?”

Song Fuzhi couldn’t keep up a composed expression and replied, “Those who need to try will try.”

Shi Zhang remained composed and nodded along.

“Tsk.”

Auntie glared at Song’s sister, silently warning her with pursed lips.

The elders were conservative; they couldn’t bear such intimate discussions at the dinner table.

“Song, the cola is all gone; Auntie will refill it for you.”

Auntie shifted her focus to Shi Zhang, attempting to divert attention from the topic.

“Grandma, I want some too!”

A chubby little hand reached over, and the child, unable to control the force, bumped the cola bottle, splashing Shi Zhang’s pants.

A chorus of “Oh” erupted at the table.

Song Fuzhi reacted the fastest, immediately pressing tissues onto Shi Zhang’s leg.

“Oh, sorry, sorry!” Auntie put down the cola bottle, apologizing hastily.

The chubby kid also apologized, saying sorry to Uncle.

Shi Zhang took the tissue from Song Fuzhi, shaking his head and saying, “It’s okay.”

“No big deal, just a minor incident.”

Wang Huiling confidently put down her chopsticks, instructing Song Fuzhi, “Take care of Professor Shi, okay?”

While Shi Zhang was saying, “It’s okay,” Song Fuzhi had already stood up, patting his leg with tissues. “Oh, sorry, let me take you to the restroom.”

Leading him to the restroom, Song Fuzhi frowned at the dark stain on Shi Zhang’s pants.

It definitely needed changing and couldn’t be cleaned by just rubbing it while wearing

Shi Zhang still insisted, “It’s okay; I’ll go wash it when I get back.”

“Not comfortable, huh?” Song Fuzhi observed that the fabric was sticking to Shi Zhang’s skin, outlining a straight and firm thigh curve. “And it’s a sugary drink; you might attract bugs.”

Shi Zhang looked at Song Fuzhi and asked, “What does Professor Song suggest?”

“I’ll find you a pair of pants; you wait here for a moment.”

Song Fuzhi left the restroom, leaving Shi Zhang alone.

Soon, Song Fuzhi returned with empty hands.

Supporting himself on the restroom door handle, he suggested, “Why don’t Professor Shi come and see which pants are suitable? I don’t live here often, so there aren’t many left.”

So Shi Zhang followed Song Fuzhi into his bedroom.

Song Fuzhi casually closed the bedroom door with a click.

The bedroom was quiet, isolating the lively family feast outside.

Opening the wardrobe released a faint sandalwood fragrance.

“These are the ones.”

Song Fuzhi took out the pants and laid them on the bed.

Shi Zhang was taller; he would probably need a larger size.

Considering that jeans might be too tight, Song Fuzhi thought of trying sweatpants or loose-fitting cropped pants.

“This one should work.”

Song Fuzhi chose a pair of black sweatpants and compared them to Shi Zhang’s leg; they were about the right length.

“Thank you.” Shi Zhang accepted them.

Turning back to the wardrobe, Song Fuzhi continued searching, muttering to himself, “I remember there’s a bigger size, and I hardly wore it.”

“Found it.”

Struggling, Song Fuzhi pulled out a pair of long pants from deep within the wardrobe. “Try these.”

Turning around, Song Fuzhi’s pupils contracted as he froze in place.

Shi Zhang also hesitated, not expecting Song Fuzhi to turn around so quickly. It was awkward to put the pants back, and carrying them away now would be even more awkward.

They were both adults; if he pulled the pants back now, it would be too hesitant and awkward. What was there to pretend?

Shi Zhang was caught in the middle of it, and he lightly cleared his throat. “I thought you turned around because you wanted me to try these.”

Song Fuzhi, snapping out of it, quickly turned away, his voice slightly hoarse. “You change.”

Damn, this move was so damn awkward.

Even Song Fuzhi didn’t know; beneath his black hair, his earlobes showed a hint of red, captured by someone’s keen eyes.

Shi Zhang changed his pants expressionlessly, but his heart was not calm.

Clearing his throat, Shi Zhang spoke in his usual tone, “I’m done.”

Song Fuzhi turned back slowly, and his earlobes returned to their fair color.

These pants were indeed a bit small; the cuffs were a bit short, hugging Shi Zhang’s ankles.

The small size was not limited to the pants’ legs.

Suddenly, Shi Zhang raised his eyes, locking gazes with Song Fuzhi.

Song Fuzhi froze.

Unexpectedly, Professor Shi remained so composed, seriously asking, “Is it suitable?”

Song Fuzhi’s gaze flickered, his thoughts not catching up. “Uh?”

“Just what my sister mentioned earlier.”

Song Fuzhi was still in a daze. “What matters?”

Shi Zhang shifted his gaze elsewhere, speaking softly, “Although we haven’t tried before marriage and don’t know if we’re compatible, I will try my best.”

—

Among adults, there seemed to be an unspoken agreement. The topic of compatibility was sealed within Song Fuzhi’s room, and no one brought it up again.

Shi Zhang walked away wearing Song Fuzhi’s pants, promising to return them after washing them.

As for trying or not trying, that was part of marriage. If Professor Shi thought it was a required course, then Song Fuzhi would certainly accompany him in taking it.

Living together was probably still a long way off, and Song Fuzhi wasn’t planning to consider how to spend the nights with Professor in the near future.

But indeed… This small incident added a slight touch of anticipation for Song Fuzhi.

Teacher Song didn’t remain absent-minded for too long because he had to go to work.

There was no rest for five days a week, and now the weekends were filled with house-hunting activities. Song Fuzhi felt busier than ever before.

At this moment, Song Fuzhi was quite grateful that her legal husband didn’t really like talking to her. The only communication she received from Shi Zhang was a “good night” message every night at eleven, like an automated robot.

It was a worry-free marriage.

Lately, they have been looking at houses one after another. Professor Shi’s booklet on house hunting had grown thicker, but they still hadn’t found one they were completely satisfied with.

However, Song Fuzhi was not in a hurry. She felt that the pattern of living separately right after getting married suited her well.

She was peaceful and free, and sometimes she could just lie in bed by herself without any worries.

After surviving another week, Song Fuzhi struggled to get up and get dressed, forcing herself to go downstairs.

This week, it was Shi Zhang’s turn to drive her to see houses.

Song Fuzhi got into the car, greeted Shi Zhang energetically, and the two of them had breakfast together with laughter.

But just as they started the journey, Song Fuzhi felt a bit overwhelmed. Full from eating, she became drowsy. The car moved smoothly under Professor Shi’s control, and the gentle breeze blew in through the window.

Song Fuzhi leaned against the glass and fell asleep.