Chapter 39: Exclusive on Jinjiang 2/2

Suddenly, Shi Zhang remembered something. He propped himself up on the edge of the bathtub, revealing large, mountainous, well-defined back muscles.

He stretched his arm and took a bunch of things from the cabinet in front of the bathtub.

Song Fuzhi watched the water-droplet-covered male body, reminiscent of a sea god from mythology.

But when he saw what Shi Zhang was holding, Song Fuzhi burst into laughter.

Shi Zhang had taken out a net bag containing a bunch of bath toys!

There were rubber ducks, sea stars, seals, goldfish, etc.

Song Fuzhi stared in astonishment as Shi Zhang took them out one by one and placed them in the bathtub.

It was incredible—absolutely unbelievable.

“Professor, Professor. Did you buy these?”

Seeing rubber ducks, leopards, and fish surrounding the two grown men, Song Fuzhi felt a bit overwhelmed.

Shi Zhang laughed. “Yes, I bought them. Surprised, aren’t you?”

“Hahaha.”

Song Fuzhi burst into the most carefree laughter he had had in a long time.

“You’re going to make me laugh to death, Shi Zhang.”

Shi Zhang said, “My childhood wish was to have a big bathtub and buy a bunch of toys of my own. I’d play with them while taking a bath so that I wouldn’t get bored.”

Now that the atmosphere was so good, Shi Zhang didn’t mention it further.

When he was little, no one paid attention to him, and no one bought him toys. What he envied most was the kid in the public swimming pool who played with a plastic duck. His parents surrounded him, making him so happy.

So, when Shi Zhang had money, he bought them himself. Although he might not take them out every time he bathed, there was always a bag of plastic animals at home.

“No wonder you took such a long bath earlier,” Song Fuzhi said, laughing until his head hurt.

Shi Zhang also laughed. “Childish, right?”

Song Fuzhi nodded. “Really childish.”

Two grown men in their thirties are playing with rubber ducks in the bathtub. Who wouldn’t call it childish?

“So, everyone has a childish side. Why should the things you like be restricted by age?” Shi Zhang said.

“Let me ask you a question. Is what you want to do something you like and have always wanted to do?”

Song Fuzhi looked at Shi Zhang, gradually understanding his point. He nodded slowly, the smile on his face fading a bit.

“I’ve actually wanted to do it since I was a child, but I’ve never dared to try until today.”

“Then go ahead and do it. You won’t regret it once you’ve done it.” Shi Zhang’s tone was gentle but firm, providing a lot of strength.

“As long as it’s something you like, it’s meaningful, and no one can dictate to you.”

Suppressing his emotions, Song Fuzhi played with a small seal that swam in front of him and asked, “You don’t even want to know what it is?”

“No need,” Shi Zhang said, shaking his head. “But if you think I can help you, be sure to find me.”

Song Fuzhi thought about consulting the botany professor about cosplay, and it would undoubtedly be a comical scene.

“Thank you,” Song Fuzhi said sincerely.

Shi Zhang seemed like a deep and profound body of water, not asking for reasons, not inquiring about cause and effect, just lifting up Song Fuzhi’s small boat with generosity.

*

They spent a long time in the bath. Fortunately, the luxurious bathtub had a constant temperature function, and the water remained comfortable.

Staying in the foamy water for too long became uncomfortable. Song Fuzhi said, “Let’s rinse off.”

“Hmm,” Shi Zhang agreed but didn’t move.

He looked at Song Fuzhi and asked, “Together?”

After spending so much time together in the bathtub, our recent closeness was limited to a kiss and a hug.

But if they were to say they were going to shower separately now, it wouldn’t be justifiable.

Song Fuzhi remembered what Professor Shi had taught about the controls, pressed a switch on the panel, and the bathtub automatically started to drain.

The overhead shower also turned on, and a curtain of water droplets fell, showering both of them.

The water level in the bathtub receded rapidly with a gurgling sound, and the small animals spun around in the turbulent water. The overhead water swiftly carried away the foam from their bodies.

The water flow washed away the pent-up feelings in their chests, but it also swept away all the subtlety and concealment from earlier, leaving the two exposed.

With the sound of rushing water in their ears, Song Fuzhi closed his eyes and tilted his head back, feeling the water droplets fall from his eyelashes.

Shi Zhang’s voice was close, shrouded in a mist of water. “Still not daring to open your eyes?”

Song Fuzhi opened his eyes, and what he saw was Shi Zhang’s chest. Water slid down the curves, gliding into the depths that Song Fuzhi dared not scrutinize.

“Do you feel better now?” Shi Zhang asked.

Looking into his eyes, Song Fuzhi replied, “Yes.”

Shi Zhang used the pad of his finger to gently wipe Song Fuzhi’s eyes. “But you still look tired.”

“I need to recharge.”

Song Fuzhi smiled without saying anything, allowing Shi Zhang to come closer, supporting him, and then leaning down slightly, he kissed him.

If the night in the tent still retained a bit of haze, tonight was entirely different.

Song Fuzhi’s hand slid down Shi Zhang’s shoulder.

However, Shi Zhang suddenly grabbed his wrist, gently but with a force that brooked no refusal, and pushed Song Fuzhi, making him sit on the platform connected to the bathtub.

He reminded him in a gentle tone, “Today, at home.”

–

The bathroom must have been too hot, lacking oxygen.

In the slowly steaming mist, Song Fuzhi half-closed his eyes, recalling everything Shi Zhang had discussed with him.

Shi Zhang so naturally noticed his bad mood, and with such a natural approach, he made him talk about his troubles. He even gave him ample respect, not probing into what exactly Song Fuzhi wanted to do. Instead, he encouraged him with rubber ducks, giving him courage.

Honestly, in Song Fuzhi’s long life, no one had given him such delicate comfort and understanding.

Song Fuzhi was obedient when he was a child; being “good” was enough to conceal many problems from his parents.

His parents were busy, and during his teenage years, he encountered quite a few unhappy things, but he got through them with his own coping mechanisms.

He wasn’t used to seeking help from others, nor did he like to open up, but in front of Shi Zhang, he did.

Shi Zhang seemed to fill a small missing piece of his childhood with the most appropriate understanding and care from a family member.

Song Fuzhi smiled, feeling it was quite miraculous.

Shi Zhang paused for a moment, raising his arm from bottom to top. Comfortingly, he said, “At home, it’s fine.”

Song Fuzhi tilted his head with closed eyes.

He thought that yes, Shi Zhang always caught him with such an inclusive attitude; even though it seemed low-key, Shi Zhang willingly accepted it.

“What about you?” Song Fuzhi frowned slightly.

Shi Zhang spoke softly, “I can’t bear it. It’s too tiring. I still have to go to school tomorrow.”

Seeing Shi Zhang’s hesitation, Song Fuzhi blinked, gently grabbing Shi Zhang’s wrist and placing it on his lower back.

Shi Zhang immediately understood, and his fingers, stimulated, pressed against Song Fuzhi and then instantly let go.

His voice became hoarse. “Are you sure?”

Song Fuzhi nodded.

Shi Zhang looked at Song Fuzhi’s eyes seriously, finding no signs of reluctance. He felt relieved.

–

The bottom of the bathtub was covered with a thin layer of water, and the colorful little animals leisurely swam.

“…Damn.”

Song Fuzhi looked at the bathtub, laughing and cursing.

Shi Zhang lazily responded with a questioning tone, “Hmm?”

Song Fuzhi closed his eyes, feeling a bit at a loss. “I’m sorry for your little seals and ducks.”

Shi Zhang was silent for a few seconds, buried in laughter against Song Fuzhi’s shoulder. His chest vibrated, and his laughter was low and magnetic.

“Wash them together later.”

“You’re too disrespectful to the little animals.” Song Fuzhi felt a bit overwhelmed.

This bath was very quick, with half the time spent washing plastic ducks.

Song Fuzhi wiped away the liquid, apologizing with each cleaned duck.

It’s really too cute. Shi Zhang couldn’t help but laugh. “If we’re apologizing, let’s apologize together. We’re all culprits.”

Song Fuzhi handed the round little seal in her hand to Shi Zhang. “Then apologize quickly.”

When Song Fuzhi lay in bed today, there was a long-lost sense of relaxation.

Only the presence of his legs’ skin became increasingly strong, making him uncomfortable in pajamas.

Shi Zhang tidied up the bathroom again before coming. He saw Song Fuzhi tossing and turning in bed and went directly to the bedside.

“Uncomfortable?” Shi Zhang asked.

Song Fuzhi raised her head slightly, stared at him, remained silent for a while, and lay down again.

“Sorry,” Shi Zhang propped up the bed surface and gently lifted the blanket covering Song Fuzhi. “Let me see.”

Song Fuzhi immediately pulled up his knees and said, “It’s okay, I have tough skin.”

Shi Zhang glanced at him with a smile that seemed not entirely convinced.

Song Fuzhi raised his head slightly to see, and he was stunned too.

All red.

Shi Zhang: “You hit the table that day and didn’t even get a bruise; what’s happening now?”

Song Fuzhi pulled Shi Zhang’s arm to let him onto the bed. “Don’t mention it.”

Shi Zhang laughed and sat on the bed. It was then that Song Fuzhi noticed that he was holding a rubber duck.

In Song Fuzhi’s surprised gaze, Shi Zhang placed the little duck at the head of Song Fuzhi’s bed.

“Is it a gift for me?” Song Fuzhi asked.

Shi Zhang said seriously, “To accompany you.”

Song Fuzhi wanted to ask what was there to accompany, but Shi Zhang pulled him into his arms and gently combed his hair.

In just a short while, Song Fuzhi felt sleepy.

It was a happy fatigue where all the pressure had been released, and he could finally rest peacefully.

“I want to sleep.”

When Song Fuzhi said this, his eyes were almost closed.

Shi Zhang smiled and made a sound of agreement.

At the moment of slowly falling asleep, Song Fuzhi heard Shi Zhang’s deep voice in his ear, saying,

“I hope Fuzhi can do anything he wants. Unrestrained and carefree.”