Chapter 43: Exclusive to Jinjiang 2/2

And this time, when Song Fuzhi changed out of the character’s clothes, removed the makeup layer by layer, and returned to the usual unsmiling Teacher Song, he felt the process of this kind of loss even more clearly.

The beauty is always fleeting.

Actually, Song Fuzhi has always considered himself someone who lives in the present. He loves his work and his students, and seeing his students make progress gives him an unparalleled sense of accomplishment.

However, after trying cosplay for the first time, he seemed to step into another equally beautiful world.

a world that makes it hard to withdraw and hard to leave.

After leaving his own nest, Song Fuzhi went back to his original home first and placed the cosplay clothes and props in the room.

He asked Luo Luli how to deal with these props because he probably wouldn’t cosplay this character again.

Luo Luli said most people would sell the clothes on the second-hand market. Of course, if Teacher Song wants to keep the clothes as a memento, he can leave them at home.

Song Fuzhi decided to leave them at home first. If he’s sure he won’t need them in the future, he can sell them later.

Leaving his own little abode, Song Fuzhi returned to his and Shi Zhang’s current home.

Opening the door, it was dark, cold, and silent, with not a single light on.

Song Fuzhi was momentarily stunned, still not quite accustomed to this state of no one welcoming him after returning home.

It was already evening, and Song Fuzhi remembered the task Shi Zhang gave him in the morning.

Song Fuzhi casually slouched in the corner of the sofa and called Shi Zhang.

Shizhang quickly answered, his familiar voice accompanied by faint electromagnetic noise: “Fuzhi, you’re back?”

Song Fuzhi nodded. “I’m back. Is everything going well on your end? Have you started working?”

“Today, familiarize yourself with the environment, take half a day to rest, and officially start tomorrow.”

Shi Zhang paused after saying this, his voice gentle. “Is it convenient to open a video call?”

Song Fuzhi tucked himself into the sofa and softly responded with an “um.”

Probably because his voice was a bit low and the signal on Shi Zhang’s end wasn’t great, he didn’t hear it clearly. So, Shi Zhang added, “I want to see you.”

A numbness spread through half of Song Fuzhi’s body.

He thought to himself, It’s been less than a day, and Shi Zhang is speaking with such a tone, as if he really misses him.

Song Fuzhi adjusted his sitting posture and opened the video call.

Shi Zhang was wearing the pajamas that Song Fuzhi had brought for him, with a not-so-clean white wall behind him. The lighting in the room wasn’t great.

Song Fuzhi furrowed his brows slightly. “Turn the phone around; I want to see where you’re staying.”

“There’s nothing interesting.” Shi Zhang seemed a bit helpless.

Song Fuzhi repeated, “Let me see.”

Unable to refuse, Shizhang had to stand up and give Song Fuzhi a brief tour of his room.

Actually, there was no need to stand up; he could have just sat on the bed and turned the phone around in a circle to finish.

The room was quite small, with a bed, a desk, and the bathroom door open, revealing an old-fashioned water heater inside where hot water lasts for about twenty minutes.

Overall, it looked clean, but it was too small and incomparable to the conditions at home.

Song Fuzhi pursed his lips. “You’ve worked hard, staying there for so long.”

Shi Zhang shook his head, saying it wasn’t hard. This was the best place he could find locally, and he wasn’t picky. A place to sleep was a place to sleep.

Shi Zhang changed the topic. “How was Teacher Song’s day today?”

Song Fuzhi immediately revealed a smile. “Quite enjoyable.”

“Did you try something you hadn’t tried before?” Shi Zhang asked.

Song Fuzhi nodded with a smile.

“Let me show you what I received today.”

Song Fuzhi emptied his bag, showcasing the various things he bought, including merchandise and miscellaneous items related to anime. He specifically picked out the snacks and little trinkets others had given him.

Most of them were gifts from friends he met at the comic convention, and some were from students in the morning.

He pointed the camera at this pile of snacks, his tone slightly lifted. “These are all gifts I received today from others.”

Song Fuzhi had only told Shi Zhang that he would be attending the school carnival, so naturally, Shizhang thought these were all gifts Song Fuzhi received there.

Cotton candy, small biscuits, chocolates—all colorful.

“It’s all snacks,” Shi Zhang said in a plain tone. “Don’t eat too much; it’s not very healthy.”

“I know,” Song Fuzhi replied. He had planned to check everything first before deciding whether to eat them. Even though everyone was nice, there could be some ill-intentioned people at the convention who might hide harmful substances in the food.

Shi Zhang said, “Go to the refrigerator.”

“Okay.” Song Fuzhi walked to the kitchen, not sure why Shi Zhang suddenly wanted him to check the refrigerator.

Song Fuzhi opened the refrigerator door and was taken aback.

Neatly arranged inside were groceries, filling almost half the fridge. The refrigerated section had various washed and prepared vegetables, sealed marinated meats, and sliced fruits. The freezer contained some semi-finished dumplings and seafood that could be easily cooked with a bit of processing.

Shi Zhang said, “Finish the fruits quickly, and the rest is not urgent. It should last you for a week. You often work late, so just stir-frying some vegetables when you get home is enough, and make sure to have a proper meal alone.”

Song Fuzhi opened his mouth, taking a while to say, “Thank you.”

How could Professor Shi Zhang be so considerate, preparing so much for him before going on a business trip?

Not to exaggerate, but when Song Fuzhi was a child, his parents never prepared things for him in such a meticulous manner. The two busy parents didn’t even have time to eat, and it was him who reminded them to have a proper meal.

“When did you prepare all this?” Song Fuzhi asked gently.

“Yesterday afternoon,” Shi Zhang said, “while packing my luggage at home.”

Song Fuzhi smiled. “Actually, it’s not necessary. I’ve been living like this for over a decade, buying groceries and cooking by myself.”

Shi Zhang naturally stated, “But you’re married now.”

“You’re married; you have a husband, so naturally, you’ll be taken care of by another person, different from when you were single.”

Song Fuzhi thanked Professor Shi Zhang again, feeling warm inside.

Professor Shi Zhang summarized, “So, eat fewer snacks and satisfy your cravings with fruits.”

Song Fuzhi nodded in agreement.

“Have you taken a shower?” Shi Zhang asked.

“Not yet,” Song Fuzhi replied.

“Then go to the bathroom now.”

He added, “It’s the master bedroom, with a bathtub.”

Song Fuzhi entered the bathroom, and Shi Zhang directed him, “Open the cabinet on the first layer. I bought a few different handmade soaps that can soothe your nerves. You can give them a try.”

Song Fuzhi was a bit speechless.

Professor Shi Zhang went on a business trip and even prepared so many things for him at home, as if he were a little squirrel hoarding food for the winter.

The best way to thank Shi Zhang was to make good use of what he left behind.

Song Fuzhi looked at Shi Zhang on the screen with gentle eyes. “I’ll go take a bath now and try the new handmade soap you bought, Professor.”

Shi Zhang responded, “Hmm.”

Song Fuzhi went to the bedroom to get his pajamas and towel, waving at the camera. “I’ll hang up now, Professor. Rest early.”

Shizhang stopped him. “Fuzhi.”

Every time Shizhang called him like this, Song Fuzhi’s heart would flutter.

“What’s wrong?” Song Fuzhi asked.

Shi Zhang’s gaze was indifferent, but his voice suddenly became a bit lower. “Just take a shower like this.”

The tip of Song Fuzhi’s finger trembled.

“There is no need to turn on the video; just the audio is fine,” said Shi Zhang.

Song Fuzhi’s gaze flickered, and she asked, “What about you? Have you showered?”

Shi Zhang replied, “I have.”

“Don’t you need rest? You’ll be busy tomorrow.”

“Listening to Professor Song while bathing is a form of rest,” Shi Zhang said.

As he spoke, the camera shifted, and Shi Zhang lay down on the bed, nestled into soft pillows, with his hair casually scattered.

Song Fuzhi’s heart inexplicably quickened.

In certain situations, there’s an unspoken understanding among adults.

No need to elaborate; they just understand each other.

Neither of them spoke for a while. Song Fuzhi silently turned off the camera on his end, started filling the bathtub with water, and then leisurely undressed.

He wasn’t as refined as Professor Shi; there was no need to neatly fold the clothes after taking them off.

Song Fuzhi’s movements were casual. He pulled his clothes down with one hand, tossing them into the laundry basket.

Once undressed, the water was ready.

Song Fuzhi turned off the tap, and the bathroom suddenly fell silent. The sound of him stepping into the bathtub became distinct.

The phone was placed on a table beside the bathtub, and Shi Zhang’s steady voice came from inside.

“Are you in?”

Song Fuzhi, half reclined in the spacious bathtub, made a muffled “Hmm.”

“Do you remember how to use the foaming net?” Shi Zhang asked.

“What?” Song Fuzhi seemed puzzled. In his impression, you simply applied the soap directly to your body. Why would you need a net?

Shi Zhang explained, “There’s a small bag next to the handmade soap. Take out a foaming net, wet it, rub it on the surface of the soap, and you’ll get bubbles.”

Following his instructions, Song Fuzhi indeed created dense, fine white bubbles. The sweet fragrance immediately filled the steamy bathroom.

“So many bubbles.” Song Fuzhi held a handful of light bubbles in his hands, trembling slightly.

Shi Zhang remarked, “Yes, you can start now.”

The bubbles in his hands were so soft that it made him uncertain where to apply them.

Song Fuzhi hesitated and asked, “Uh, where should I apply this?”

Shi Zhang chuckled lightly. “Professor Song, do I need to teach you even this? Where do you think you should apply it?”

Song Fuzhi inquired, “Can it be applied to the face?”

Shi Zhang replied, “Face, hands, body—you can use it anywhere.”

“Do you want me to be more specific in my instructions?” Shi Zhang’s pace was slow.

Suppressing a smile, Song Fuzhi said, “Professor, please.”

“Sit up a bit, exposing the upper part of your body. Start from the neck, then shoulders and arms.”

Professor Shi’s voice remained calm and warm, yet it subtly stirred Song Fuzhi’s nerves.

Closing his eyes, Song Fuzhi involuntarily followed Shi Zhang’s instructions.

The lower part of his body was submerged in the water, and as the bubbles touched the water, they instantly melted.

After a while, he suddenly heard Shi Zhang’s gentle voice.

“Fuzhi, until I come back, don’t touch,” Shi Zhang softly commanded.