Chapter 24:  Exclusive to Jinjiang 1/2

Both of them had quite a few belongings, and the moving company worked throughout the day. Song Fuzhi and Shi Zhang spent the better part of the day sorting and organizing their belongings.

During the process, they tacitly avoided squeezing into the same room. Song Fuzhi started by tidying the bedroom, while Shi Zhang took care of the bathroom. Both were focused on their tasks, not engaging in much conversation.

Song Fuzhi felt that he was slowly getting used to having someone else around while sorting things. He figured that Professor Shi probably felt the same.

As they reached the final stages of sorting, they coincidentally met in the study.

The study was quite spacious, with both of them being educators requiring desk work. Two desks were set up, with Song Fuzhi joking that it resembled their office layout—another immersive experience of working overtime at home.

Shi Zhang’s collection mainly consisted of books related to botany, occupying an entire bookshelf with substantial, weighty volumes. In comparison, Song Fuzhi’s collection seemed sparse, primarily consisting of high school mathematics textbooks and teaching materials.

By the time they finished, it was already late. Song Fuzhi, lifting the hem of his clothes, said, “Covered in sweat.”

“Go take a shower,” Shi Zhang suggested. “After that, rest.”

On their first day living together, the substantial advantage of having two bathrooms became apparent.

One person per bathroom—Song Fuzhi took a quick shower while Shi Zhang enjoyed his luxurious ten thousand yuan bathtub, undisturbed.

Usually, Song Fuzhi showered quite quickly, but today he extended the time washing his hair, even applying shower gel twice.

The only thing he was concerned about after the shower was the imminent situation—would they share a bed and blankets?

There was a high probability, as it was a default behavior after marriage.

If he felt nervous, it wasn’t too much. Song Fuzhi had shared a bed with straight, rough male roommates during college outings, so this was basically just sharing a room with a new roommate, right?

The only thing Song Fuzhi worried about was that Professor Shi might have a slight cleanliness obsession. Therefore, he made an effort to clean himself thoroughly.

except for that.

It was just their first day; things shouldn’t progress too quickly.

Song Fuzhi, wearing pajamas, walked out of the bathroom, only to be surprised to find that Shi Zhang had already finished showering. He was dressed in a neat long-sleeved shirt and long pants, in cotton home clothes. His hair tips were still moist, and he looked gentle overall.

“You finished your bath so quickly?” Song Fuzhi was a bit surprised.

Filling a bathtub with water would surely take more time than this.

“I didn’t use the bathtub,” Shi Zhang said. “I have a short video meeting with the lab in the United States shortly, so I didn’t have time for a bath.”

“Ah,” Song Fuzhi acknowledged.

So, Professor Shi still had work to do.

Shi Zhang glanced at the balcony and then turned to ask Song Fuzhi, “Do you have any extra hangers? I forgot to buy them.”

Moving into a new home naturally meant lacking some necessities.

Fortunately, Song Fuzhi had brought quite a few hangers from his previous home. He replied, “Yes,” and took out a few hangers from the closet, coincidentally needing them for drying clothes.

Song Fuzhi walked to the balcony and handed the hangers to Shi Zhang.

It was then that he realized both of them were on the balcony to hang their clothes, and considering the late hour, they would probably only be drying one type of clothing.

In an instant, Song Fuzhi remembered the dinner at his place—the time when Shi Zhang accidentally spilled cola all over his pants.

That day, he was wearing these pants.

Song Fuzhi quickly stopped that train of thought, lowered his head, and silently hung his pants. He felt his ears burning.

Fortunately, it was dark outside, and the other person probably couldn’t see.

“Professor Song.”

Shi Zhang suddenly called him, making Song Fuzhi feel uneasy.

“Hmm?”

However, Shi Zhang just wanted to ask, “Do you usually use the washing machine for your outerwear and pants? How often do you wash them?”

Song Fuzhi touched his ear and said, “Yes. In winter, maybe every two or three days. If it’s summer, then every day.”

“Should we wash our clothes together later?”

“Okay.” Song Fuzhi didn’t mind. “It can save water and electricity.”

Shi Zhang nodded. “Indeed.”

Now that the bath and clothes were taken care of, there was one more issue they couldn’t avoid.

Shi Zhang asked, “Shall we sleep together later?”

Professor Shi took the initiative to bring up the question, and Song Fuzhi didn’t have to find the right moment to say it.

Song Fuzhi asked, “Would Professor Shi prefer separate rooms?”

“It depends on your preference,” Shi Zhang replied gently. “I’m fine with either.”

Actually, Song Fuzhi had never thought about sleeping with someone else before. But if that person was Shi Zhang, he wouldn’t feel so opposed to it.

“I just got married, and living separately doesn’t seem right.”

Song Fuzhi smiled and said, “Let’s sleep together.”

“Then, do you want to go to sleep first?” Shi Zhang asked.

“I still have a short video meeting in the study.”

“Alright.”

Song Fuzhi responded, went to the master bedroom alone, partially closing the door, and let out a sigh of relief.

Thanks to the U.S. lab and the experimental project, he didn’t have to face the awkwardness of sharing a bed with his newlywed husband.

Song Fuzhi left a small night light on, took off his ring, placed it on the bedside table, and then slipped under the covers.

Originally, he was accustomed to unbuttoning his sleepwear, and the feeling of the silk fabric against his skin was undoubtedly pleasant. But soon, he stopped himself.

Just kidding, it was the first night sharing a bed with Professor Shi, so he needed to be proper.

So, Song Fuzhi obediently occupied only a small portion of the bed, covering only a small part of the blanket. Fully dressed, he laid flat, creating a military-like posture.

Although it was only eleven o’clock, Song Fuzhi usually spent this time watching anime or playing games. Suddenly being told to go to bed so early, he found it somewhat uncomfortable.

But he had no choice; he had to fall asleep before Shi Zhang returned.

However, the more he thought about falling asleep, the more difficult it became. From lying straight, he tossed and turned, tossing and turning for half an hour.

Even though this high-priced mattress was very comfortable, he still couldn’t fall asleep.

Restless, Song Fuzhi turned around just as Shi Zhang pushed the door open and entered. His steps were light but still audible.

Song Fuzhi stiffened, lying still in bed.

“Can’t I sleep?” Shi Zhang asked.

You might as well stop pretending. Song Fuzhi sat up, rubbed his messy hair, and said, “It’s too early; I’m not sleepy yet.”

Shi Zhang chuckled. “Then let’s sleep a bit later.”

“And why is the light still on?” Shi Zhang pointed to the small night light.

“Oh,” Song Fuzhi realized. “I left it on for when you come back.”

a casual remark, but Shi Zhang stood still for a few seconds before clearing his throat.

“By the way,” Shi Zhang turned and opened his wardrobe, taking out a pair of pants. “These are the pants I borrowed from you back at your place. I washed them but forgot to return them. Now that we’ve moved, it’s perfect timing.”

It had been a while, and it took Song Fuzhi two seconds to recognize these as his own pants.

“Thanks,” Song Fuzhi said. “Can you help me put them in my closet?”

Song Fuzhi quickly recalled that this was from the incident when cola was spilled. Simultaneously, he remembered the topic they never brought up again.

His sister had suggested they try living together before marriage, or else they wouldn’t know if they were compatible in bed. Then, Professor Shi earnestly assured him in the room that he would make an effort to make things work.

It was just a passing comment, but now, on the first night they shared a bed, it was hard not to think about related matters.

Shi Zhang sat on the edge of the bed, and the soft mattress sank a bit. Song Fuzhi felt the indentation slowly moving toward him before stopping at a certain distance.