Chapter 14: The Fourteenth Dimension 2/2

Shi Zhang reached out and took it. The cover depicted two people with a large pink heart in the middle.

After thanking her and preparing to leave, the woman called out, “Wait!” She pushed a small box forward, saying, “Take this too. You might need it sooner or later.”

The woman was too sincere, and Song Fuzhi almost couldn’t catch his breath.

When would they use it? Where would they use it? Who would use it?

This product was still premature for their current relationship with Shi Zhang.

Although Song Fuzhi felt a strange sense of embarrassment, he was already in his thirties and didn’t need to blush at the sight of a box.

So, he calmly picked up the box, smiled, and said, “Auntie, you’re too thoughtful.”

Song Fuzhi smoothly slid the small box into his pocket, and Shi Zhang, watching this series of actions, didn’t show any special changes in expression; he just politely thanked and bid farewell to the woman.

The two walked in silence for a while, stopped at a red light, and Shi Zhang shook the brochure in his hand, asking, “Professor Song, are you planning to do it?”

Song Fuzhi raised an eyebrow, feeling that Professor Shi’s words had a bit of ambiguity.

After all, they were not young anymore. Song Fuzhi straightforwardly said, “It depends on the future.”

However, when he saw the warm and upright gaze behind Shi Zhang’s glasses, Song Fuzhi suddenly couldn’t continue speaking, and his words got stuck halfway.

It felt like offending a prestigious professor.

“What about the future?” Shi Zhang asked.

“Nothing,” Song Fuzhi casually dismissed it and asked in return, “Professor Shi, do you think we should do a pre-marital check?”

It seemed that several times they had consulted each other like this, neither making decisions alone nor being polite and considerate.

“I think it’s a good idea,” Shi Zhang said. “Having a comprehensive check is always beneficial.”

After all, pre-marital checks cover a wide range of items.

“Okay.” Song Fuzhi nodded. “Agreed.”

The two wandered around the area, bought some vegetables and fruits for Professor Wang at the market, and on their way back, Song Fuzhi suddenly exclaimed, “Oh, I remember there’s a newly built large park nearby. Haven’t seen it myself yet. Do you want to take a look?”

Shi Zhang agreed, “Certainly.”

Little did Song Fuzhi know that he would regret this suggestion very soon.

The new park was beautiful, large, and situated by the lake, with willows swaying gently.

They walked along the shaded path, not holding hands or talking, but the atmosphere was quite pleasant.

In the distance, there was a large open space where many people gathered, occasionally exclaiming in admiration, as if watching a performance or something.

As they got closer, Shi Zhang said, “There are people skateboarding over there.”

Song Fuzhi, without hesitation, responded, “Cool.”

“Do you like skateboarding?” Shi Zhang asked.

“Not really.” Song Fuzhi smiled. “I just think people who can skateboard are pretty cool. It’s difficult to be good at it, requiring both skill and courage.”

Shi Zhang casually said, “Let’s go take a look.”

The onlookers erupted in cheers just as the skateboarder rushed down from the slope, mid-air jumping, the skateboard performing a 360-degree rotation, and then landing steadily back on the board.

The young man had a bold smile, and his skateboarding moves were graceful. The metallic necklace around his neck reflected dazzling light.

But damn, why did it have to be this person? It turned out to be Qiao Xuyang.

Song Fuzhi stopped and calmly said, “I don’t want to watch. Let’s go.”

But as soon as he said that, Qiao Xuyang looked over and saw Song Fuzhi, and his eyes lit up.

Then, he noticed Shi Zhang standing beside Song Fuzhi, and his eyes sharpened. Immediately after, he twisted his body and skillfully rode his skateboard over.

With a click, the skateboard stopped right in front of Song Fuzhi, blocking his way.

Song Fuzhi wanted to leave, but Shi Zhang was beside him. Not saying a word and leaving like this didn’t feel right, as if he were avoiding something. It was not straightforward.

Qiao Xuyang, jokingly, said, “Bro, how did you know I’m practicing skateboarding here? I was planning to show you after I get good at it.”

Song Fuzhi wanted to walk away, but there was Shi Zhang next to him. He couldn’t just leave without saying a word; it would seem like he was avoiding the situation. However, he also couldn’t use Shi Zhang as a shield to handle an eager pursuer; Shi Zhang was not his human shield.

“I already have someone I like. Please don’t bother me anymore.” Song Fuzhi couldn’t say that because both he and Shi Zhang knew there was no liking between them. Using this reason felt insincere.

If he said this, he would feel guilty himself.

He couldn’t use the fact that they hadn’t held hands or worn rings yet. Song Fuzhi couldn’t use Shi Zhang to deal with an enthusiastic pursuer; he was not a shield.

“I’ve been avoiding you lately. Are you still upset with me?” Qiao Xuyang teased.

Song Fuzhi wanted to curse him on the spot but restrained himself. He coldly shouted, “Qiao Xuyang.”

Qiao Xuyang behaved himself, but his eyes drifted towards Shi Zhang, a provocative look in them.

“Big brother, look, Fuzhi called me by my name. He even came to watch me skateboard.” Qiao Xuyang joked again, “I haven’t contacted you lately. Are you still secretly thinking about me?”

Song Fuzhi wanted to call him out on his nonsense, but he held back. He coldly shouted, “Qiao Xuyang.”

Qiao Xuyang, seemingly realizing something, looked at the current state of the two and began to feel a bit awkward.

These two are not that familiar with each other.

His smile widened, and his voice became more confident: “Brother Fuzhi, what a coincidence. Let’s meet at the usual place tonight.”

There was no such thing as a “usual place” at all. Song Fuzhi frowned, and the veins on his neck stood out.

Suddenly, a hand lightly rested on the back of his neck, warm and gentle.

“Do you want to chat with a friend alone?”

Shi Zhang lowered his head slightly, his voice and warmth enveloping Song Fuzhi’s ear.

Song Fuzhi turned to look at him, still carrying a bit of coldness on his face, with a somewhat conflicted expression, explaining, “He is…”

“I’ll go browse around over there.” Shi Zhang gently interrupted him. “I’ll come find you later.”

“Professor Shi,” Song Fuzhi softly called him. “I’ll talk to you when I get back.”

Shi Zhang gently pinched the side of Song Fuzhi’s neck, added a little pressure, then released his hand, turning to walk away.