Chapter 29: Exclusive to Jinjiang 2/2

The caller was a foreigner speaking in English, warmly greeting, “Shi, do you want to go out for a drink?”

Song Fuzhi’s English was average, but she understood enough. The caller was a scholar visiting from Europe, a former classmate of Shi Zhang, hence the invitation for a drink to catch up.

Shi Zhang politely declined in a few words. The caller expressed regret and asked, “Oh, that’s a pity. Do you have any other plans for tonight?”

Shi Zhang replied, “Nothing special, just staying at home with my husband.”

The foreign friend’s tone took a teasing turn: “Oh~ That means you do have plans.”

Before hanging up, the caller said with a suggestive tone, “Shi, I wish you a perfect night.”

There was a subtle hint, and suddenly Song Fuzhi felt the steam-filled bathroom was hot, and the air became somewhat sticky.

Shi Zhang placed the phone on the dry cabinet beside him, pointing to the back of his head, and asked Song Fuzhi, “Professor Song, can you check if there’s any foam left behind my hair?”

He turned at an angle in the bathtub, water lightly splashing, raising himself a bit, facing away from Song Fuzhi, revealing a large expanse of his back muscles.

Song Fuzhi made a sound of acknowledgment.

There were indeed some bubbles left in Shi Zhang’s hair, but as Song Fuzhi looked, his gaze moved downward.

Broad shoulders, sturdy backs, and powerful lines

“I’ll help you rinse it off.” Song Fuzhi’s voice had a husky tone.

Song Fuzhi took the showerhead, turned on the water, and the fine stream hit the back of Shi Zhang’s neck. Water droplets splashed, and Shi Zhang took a low breath.

“Is it hot?” Song Fuzhi adjusted the temperature lower.

“It’s okay; it’ll be fine in a moment,” Shi Zhang said.

Both of them fell silent, and for a while, the only sound in the bathroom was the rushing water.

Shi Zhang lowered his head slightly, the back of his neck showing a small curve of bone. Song Fuzhi’s gaze lingered on it for a long time, and finally, he reached out and touched it.

The skin was warm and elastic, and the robust body had an unexpectedly soft touch.

“I’ll rinse it for you.” Song Fuzhi’s voice became slightly hoarse.

Where do these extraterrestrial bubbles come from? Even after five minutes of rinsing, they remained intact.

Suddenly, Shi Zhang asked, “Professor Song, what time do you need to wake up for school tomorrow?”

Without much thought, Song Fuzhi replied, “Around six. There’s an early class.”

“Quite early.” Shi Zhang fell silent for a moment and then said in a low voice, “Forget it.”

Forget what?

Before Song Fuzhi could ask, Shi Zhang took the showerhead from his hand and gently said, “Go rest; it’s not early.”

Song Fuzhi lay on the bed and belatedly realized Shi Zhang’s intention. A tingling sensation suddenly crawled up her back.

Shi Zhang, with a body warmed by the hot water, got into bed. Song Fuzhi blinked and looked at him.

Shi Zhang chuckled. “Aren’t you supposed to get up early tomorrow? Why are you so awake?”

Song Fuzhi blinked again, turned over, and lay on his side, facing Shi Zhang.

No words, just looking at him like that.

Shi Zhang turned off the light, rubbed Song Fuzhi’s eye corner gently, and with an unquestionable tone, said, “Go to sleep.”

Song Fuzhi, still with open eyes, asked, “What if I don’t have an early class tomorrow?”

Shi Zhang’s throat moved. “Then you can explore the definition of a ‘perfect night.'”

Professor Song teaches mathematics and considers himself knowledgeable about various definitions, but this one is indeed a blind spot in his knowledge.

Perhaps because of the unsettled emotions from the previous night, Song Fuzhi woke up the next morning when it was still dim outside.

Usually, when Song Fu didn’t get enough sleep, he relied on an alarm clock to wake up. When he woke up, there was no one beside him; Professor Shi always woke up earlier.

Today, he woke up earlier than Shi Zhang for the first time.

The room was very dark. Song Fuzhi slowly gathered his senses and suddenly realized that he was facing the man’s Adam’s apple, very close.

He stiffened for a few seconds, and the sensation gradually returned to his limbs.

Song Fuzhi finally realized what position he was in.

He was lying on his side, one leg on Shi Zhang’s leg, and the skin where their shins crossed was hot. His palm was pressed against Shi Zhang’s strong and lean waist and abdomen, feeling his even and deep breathing.

Song Fuzhi was like a large koala hugging Shi Zhang, his head almost nestled in his embrace.

Song Fuzhi stayed still for a few seconds, moving slowly and trying to shift to the side cautiously.

Suddenly, there was a tightness around his waist, and the man’s arm tightened around him. Song Fuzhi was pulled back into the warm embrace.

Song Fuzhi’s blood almost surged, and he struggled, trying to break free from Shi Zhang’s shoulder.

The arm around his waist tightened suddenly. Shi Zhang, still not fully awake, looked at him with a hazy gaze, his voice husky and blurred. “Where are you going?”

Song Fuzhi couldn’t struggle. He comforted him, saying, “I’m not going anywhere.”

The arm around him finally relaxed a bit.

Until the space behind him suddenly emptied, and Shi Zhang’s dry and hoarse voice came, “Sorry.”

Shi Zhang frowned, rubbing his forehead. “Sorry, I had a dream, and I might have offended you.”

Song Fuzhi’s Adam’s apple moved. “A nightmare?”

Shi Zhang stared at him, made a sound from his throat, and slowly said, “I dreamt that the research funds I had finally secured ran away.”

Song Fuzhi couldn’t hold back his laughter.

After a while, Song Fuzhi asked, “Professor, um, do I sleep inappropriately every night?”

Shi Zhang’s expression was calm as he spoke lightly, “It’s fine. Your legs aren’t heavy.”

Song Fuzhi’s eyelids twitched; it seemed he was the one who had offended first.

“If you’re not comfortable sleeping, just push me off. I didn’t know I could be so annoying after falling asleep,” Song Fuzhi apologized somewhat awkwardly.

Shi Zhang silently curved his lips and said, “Okay.”

The bed wasn’t very comfortable. Song Fuzhi awkwardly got off the bed and walked briskly outside, saying, “I’ll get up first, and you can sleep a bit longer.”

Early in the morning, the temperature was low, but he felt unusually warm.

Heaven.

Song Fuzhi washed his face with cold water and hurriedly reached the school a bit late, but just in time to catch them off guard.

During the morning self-study, not all students were necessarily working on language-related tasks or even homework; self-study relied on self-discipline.

Song Fuzhi intentionally went around to the other side and heard some commotion when he was a few steps away from the back door of the class.

“How should we do the opening ceremony for the sports meet?”

“Didn’t Sister Qing say it yesterday? Dance to a girl group; it will definitely be a hit!”

“Damn, you K-pop enthusiasts shouldn’t be too arrogant! How about we dance to anime songs?”

“You guys are really influenced by foreign trends. Isn’t Hanfu sword dance handsome? Traditional Chinese dance isn’t beautiful.”

The class teacher mingled with the students every day and had some understanding of their interests and hobbies.

In the field of arts, there were plenty who liked anime; many were obsessed with Korean pop culture; and those in the Hanfu club were proficient in various traditional arts. Some students were also active on various platforms, blending Western rock with Chinese style. In the information age, there were a variety of preferences.

It seemed that these three factions were fiercely competing for the strategic high ground in planning the opening ceremony of the sports meet.

Song Fuzhi was somewhat surprised; he didn’t expect the students to be so actively involved in activities, and it made him quite happy.

Happy or not, Song Fuzhi silently noted the names of the loudest students. After all, this was during self-study, and speaking loudly could disturb others who were studying.

The three factions continued their discussion while Song Fuzhi headed towards them. Someone lowered their voice and said, “Do you guys know that the class teacher from the next class might also participate? She seems to be good at dancing.”

Immediately, there were exclamations and various incredulous sounds.

“The class teacher next door is so pretty. Oh, envy.”

“Yeah, and she’s so gentle, unlike ours.”

“Actually, Teacher Song is quite handsome, isn’t he? Should we convince him to join us?”

“Damn, are you crazy?”

“Don’t be too outrageous; it’s good if Teacher Song doesn’t veto our performance.”

“Do you know I can veto the performance?”

Song Fuzhi appeared at the door with an expressionless face, like the arrival of the King of Hell. His voice wasn’t loud, but it had a penetrating power.

The classroom went from lively to silent, all in just a second.

Not even a racing car accelerates this fast.

Song Fuzhi said calmly, “Even if I veto your performance, it’s not because you plan to dance K-pop or anime songs, but because you’re discussing the sports meet during self-study.”

The whole class remained silent, not daring to make a sound.

Song Fuzhi walked to the podium and scanned the room, saying, “Some people still have empty desks. Have you memorized the ancient poetry and texts?”

The whole class began nervously flipping through books.

As someone muttered while flipping through a book, “I feel a bit surreal hearing the words ‘K-pop’ and ‘anime dance’ from Teacher Song’s mouth.”