Chapter 20: Exclusive on Jinjiang 4/4

When she woke up, the car had been stopped for, who knows, how long.

Shi Zhang was beside her, looking at a tablet. When he heard movement, he leaned slightly and asked, “Awake?”

The car’s interior was not spacious to begin with, and with Shi Zhang leaning in, their breaths mingled. Song Fuzhi, not fully awake yet, felt a tingling sensation behind her ears.

Shi Zhang quickly sat back, taking away a portion of the air in front of Song Fuzhi.

“Sorry, how long did I sleep? Are we running late?” She rubbed the back of her ear, her eyes still foggy.

“Not too long,” Shi Zhang said. “We’re right on time.”

After getting out of the car, Song Fuzhi felt a bit embarrassed. She had fallen asleep in someone else’s car, treating Professor Shi like a chauffeur.

“Are you tired this week?” Shi Zhang asked her.

“Finals are approaching, and things are a bit hectic.”

“Take a good rest.”

Song Fuzhi blinked. “Next time, Professor Shi, just wake me up directly to avoid delaying things.”

“But you weren’t delayed.” Shi Zhang smiled gently.

It had to be said that Professor Shi’s care was always subtle and comforting, like a silent spring rain.

The young man from the sales department led them upstairs to see the house. He was talkative, enthusiastically introducing the neighborhood and the house. Shi Zhang responded to him, while Song Fuzhi stood there without saying a word, eyelids drooping, feeling a bit sleepy.

However, as soon as they entered the house, Song Fuzhi’s drowsiness vanished in an instant.

A spacious living room was adorned with floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing golden sunlight to pour in, creating a honey-like glow in half the room.

It was this wonderful sunlight that dispelled Song Fuzhi’s sleepiness.

The house had a good layout, with no wasted space like long corridors. Each room was spacious and practical.

The salesman guided them through the rooms, and Song Fuzhi couldn’t hide her liking. She asked many questions, all of which Shi Zhang noticed.

“The bedroom has a bay window design, and with the high floor, you can overlook the city skyline from here. It’s very romantic at night,” the sales guy explained.

“And there are no tall buildings around, so the privacy is excellent. You can sleep with the curtains open at night.”

Shi Zhang stopped in front of the bay window, overlooking the tiny cityscape below, squinting slightly.

Song Fuzhi stopped beside him, asking quietly, “Does Professor Shi like it?”

Shi Zhang nodded. “Yes.”

They stayed in this house for a long time, and the salesman sensed their positive inclination. He covered all aspects in his introduction.

After returning downstairs, Song Fuzhi had a smile on her face. Excitedly, she said, “I think I don’t need to write a summary of the house-hunting today.”

This house was indeed excellent in various aspects.

The community was conveniently located between the middle school and the university, making it easy for both of them to commute. The surrounding facilities were complete, and it was close to the subway station. The layout was also satisfying for both of them: Song Fuzhi liked the high ceilings and orientation of the house, while Professor Shi seemed to prefer the bay window in the bedroom.

The only drawback was the not-so-attractive price, but the two of them could afford it together. Overall, the cost performance was high.

Finding a house you like is as exciting as meeting someone you like.

The day had started off tiring, and Song Fuzhi didn’t expect it to end so joyfully.

They both got in the car, ready to go home. Suddenly, Song Fuzhi, filled with remorse, said, “Professor Shi, wait for me. I need to use the restroom. I was too happy just now and forgot.”

“Go ahead; I’ll wait for you.”

Shi Zhang nodded.

On the way to the restroom, Song Fuzhi didn’t forget to update Luo Luli on their progress, telling her that they had finally found their dream house, and both of them were very satisfied.

Shi Zhang, sitting relaxed in the car, looked down at the ring on his ring finger, feeling a surge of fulfillment. They had met the parents, got married, and were now about to buy a house.

Although there were still procedures to be done later, such as buying furniture and decorating, as long as he did it with Song Fuzhi, Shi Zhang felt it would be enjoyable.

After gazing out of the window for a while, he took out his phone, opened Weibo, and posted a pre-edited announcement from his drafts.

Song Fuzhi, in a good mood, replied to Luo Luli’s casual remarks.

“Oh, your location in the neighborhood is great. There’s a popular bubble tea shop right below your building. It usually has a three-hour queue. Get up early and buy me a cup.”

They hadn’t even paid for the house yet, and Luo Luli was already giving orders.

Song Fuzhi replied, “Sure thing, madam.”

“After the decoration is done, I’ll invite you to come over.” She was about to finish typing when a barrage of question marks from Luo Luli filled five rows.

Even after the question marks, Luo Luli sent over more than ten shocked emojis.

Song Fuzhi had gotten used to Luo Luli occasionally going crazy. Seeing the flood of messages, Song Fuzhi didn’t even raise an eyebrow.

He calmly cleared the input box and casually asked her, “Your Majesty, what’s happening?”

Luo Luli suddenly stopped using emojis and sent two words, “Haha.”

Song Fuzhi: ?

Luo Luli: Looking at your current ignorant and innocent appearance, I feel so sorry for you.

Song Fuzhi: …

Luo Luli: I really want to see your expression after you hear this news. (Smiling)

Song Fuzhi: Is it related to me?

Luo Luli: It’s related to a part of your anatomy.

Song Fuzhi: ??

Luo Luli: [Sharing Weibo]

Luo Luli: Just take a look yourself, hahaha.

Song Fuzhi casually opened Weibo, and after reading the words on the post, the smile on his face suddenly disappeared.

Professor Octopus had posted a text-only Weibo post, a short paragraph.

@ProfessorOctopus: Unknowingly, it’s been 20 years since I started cosplaying. What a terrifying number. Thank you all for your love over the years. Remembering all the joy and excitement it brought. But I’m sorry; everything has its final chapter. After the summer exhibition, I will temporarily not participate in any activities. Always remember you all.

Song Fuzhi read the passage three times, finally extracting the meaning.

Octopus was retiring from the cosplay scene.

He numbly scrolled down; the comments section was already flooded with hundreds of comments. Most people, like Luo Luli, replied with a string of question marks.

In this short time, everyone was still immersed in shock.

– ??? This is too sudden!

Professor Octopus, why did you suddenly announce your retirement without warning?

I was casually scrolling through Weibo to find something to eat and suddenly saw this… Do you know how desperate I am now, Octopus?

– Fake!! I’m not listening! I’m not listening!

There were also some rational replies, at least in Chinese characters.

Ah, Professor Octopus is probably in his thirties now. An uncle approaching forty is still persistently playing, so it is indeed time to return to family life.

Watching Little Octopus turn into Big Brother Octopus, then into Uncle Octopus, I’ve also gone from being a second-year brat to a mom of two. It’s quite emotional. Who hasn’t said goodbye to their youth? I hope Professor Octopus is happy in the three-dimensional world.

Professor Octopus, how can we live without you retiring from the scene?

Waaah, Professor Octopus, did you get married? Did you choose a wife over us?

Song Fuzhi refreshed, and he saw Professor Octopus just reply to the last comment.

Octopus replied, “Yes, I got married.”

…

Song Fuzhi put his phone down, his mind blank.

To be honest, he didn’t have much emotional fluctuation at the moment. He wasn’t as excited as those young fans in the comments.

Perhaps he just hadn’t fully processed it yet.

Maybe it’s because Song Fuzhi has always considered himself the kind of “onlooker” who silently views the pictures, not a fan in the strict sense.

And he’s also in his thirties, so he can understand the necessity of returning to reality.

For Professor Octopus, he had just entered another stage in life, slowly transforming into a different life state.

And wasn’t Song Fuzhi going through similar changes?

Luo Luli insisted on teasing him, provocatively asking, “Professor Song, may I interview your current emotions?”

Song Fuzhi coldly typed, “A second-dimensional wife retiring from the scene and returning to the three-dimensional world is too common.”

Luo Luli: “You’re so calm?”

Song Fuzhi felt quite composed. He walked back to the car, where Shi Zhang was already waiting for him.

Sitting in the car, he fastened his seatbelt and turned on the car’s radio.

Routine actions are quite composed.

Shi Zhang furrowed his brows slightly, wondering why Song Fuzhi had changed like this after going to the restroom.

The car stopped at a red light, and Shi Zhang looked at Song Fuzhi’s face, softly asking, “Did something happen?”

Song Fuzhi, confused, uttered a vague “Hmm”: “Do I look like something happened?”

“Yes,” Shi Zhang was a bit concerned, “your complexion doesn’t look good.”

Song Fuzhi twitched his lips slightly. “Is it that obvious?”

“I could tell at a glance.”

Shi Zhang softened his voice. “Did something happen? Can you tell me?”

“Nothing, really.”

Song Fuzhi smiled and shook his head.

Shi Zhang didn’t ask any further.

After a moment of silence, Song Fuzhi spoke again.

“It’s just that I suddenly got news that a restaurant I used to go to frequently closed down. The owner ran away with his niece.”

Unexpectedly, hearing such a down-to-earth joke from Professor Song, Shi Zhang was a bit surprised and couldn’t help but laugh.

“Just because a restaurant closed down?”

Song Fuzhi nodded slowly. “Yeah. So, it’s not a big deal.”

“You used to eat there often?”

“Kind of.”

“What type of cuisine did that restaurant serve? I can learn it.” Professor Shi showed that serious and earnest expression again.

“If you learn it, I’ll cook it for you.”

Song Fuzhi genuinely laughed this time, genuinely amused.

If Professor Shi knew he was sad because he couldn’t see other men’s muscles anymore, would he think about divorcing immediately?

Shaking his head with a smile, Song Fuzhi, relying on the fact that Professor Shi couldn’t understand, said with a hidden meaning, “No need. Anyway, I’m tired of that restaurant.”