Chapter 62: Exclusive on Jinjiang 2/2

Shi Zhang noted that down.

Luo Luli remembered that Song Fuzhi had told her their birthdays were only one day apart, with Shi Zhang’s being first, followed by Song Fuzhi’s. If that were the case, Shi Zhang would have seen Song Fuzhi cosplaying many characters before arriving at Song Fuzhi’s birthday. She wondered how Shi Zhang would react to Song Fuzhi’s gifts.

Luo Luli asked, “So, do you plan to cosplay and show him on Song Fuzhi’s birthday?”

Shi Zhang nodded and said a bit shyly, “Dress up as that character to accompany him for a day.”

It seemed that such arrangements were popular among young people nowadays, and as an older man, it felt awkward for him to propose such an idea.

Sitting up straight, Shi Zhang looked at Luo Luli earnestly. “Miss Luo, thank you for the information today. I must ask you to keep it confidential. If there are any arrangements on that day, I might trouble you to help.”

Luo Luli asked, “What kind of arrangements?”

“For example, when I’m preparing at home, I might need you to distract him if he comes looking for me,” Shi Zhang said with a smile.

Luo Luli chuckled. “That’s easy.”

As the two continued to chat, Luo Luli suddenly noticed a message from Song Fuzhi:

“Have you gone home? Professor Shi often comes to pick me up on Friday nights. If you run into him, quickly grab your clothes and run. Don’t accidentally spill the beans about me. Keep your mouth shut! Thank you, Your Highness.”

Across from her, Professor Shi clasped his hands together and said to Luo Luli, “Thank you, Miss Luo. Keeping things confidential can be challenging, but I appreciate your efforts. I will treat you to dinner to express my gratitude.”

These two had such great chemistry. Luo Luli suddenly felt a sense of collapse, wanting to ask—

Am I also a part of your play?

Luo Luli felt like she was being squeezed between a couple in the middle of a passionate kiss, being forced to watch without expressing any excitement.

Damn, this is ridiculous.

—

Song Fuzhi finished talking with Yao Xinxin’s parents, and it was nearly 10 p.m.

Yao Xinxin sat quietly in the classroom with a few other students who had voluntarily stayed on for self-study.

The classroom was brightly lit, giving it an almost surreal atmosphere.

Yao Xinxin looked up and saw Song Fuzhi standing outside the classroom door. Without any hesitation, she stood up and went outside.

Her parents were standing not far away. Yao Xinxin glanced at them, pouted, and then turned to ask Song Fuzhi, “Did they agree?”

Song Fuzhi didn’t directly say whether they agreed or not; he just remarked, “This is a significant life decision. You may think you’ve thought it through now, but a year later, you might regret it.”

“I won’t regret it,” Yao Xinxin quickly replied.

“If you can persist, that would be best,” Song Fuzhi said with a calm voice that exuded a reassuring strength. “But even if you regret it, it’s still a part of life.”

Yao Xinxin blinked her eyes but remained silent.

The young girl might not fully understand.

“I’ve discussed this with your parents. You don’t need to worry about your academic performance; you have a passion and talent for art. If you study well, the possibility of entering a top art school is high.”

“They can understand your choice now, at least not as opposed to before,” Song Fuzhi continued. “But the specifics need to be carefully communicated between you and your parents.”

The young girl quietly said, “Actually, I thought you wouldn’t agree.”

“Why?” Song Fuzhi asked.

“Because it seems so unrealistic,” Yao Xinxin’s voice got smaller. “And if there’s one less person in the TOP2, won’t your bonus decrease?”

 “Song Fuzhi couldn’t help but smile. ‘Quite confident in yourself, huh?’

Yao Xinxin lowered her head and remained silent.

‘But maybe I’ll have one more top scorer in the art college entrance exam,’ Song Fuzhi said.

Yao Xinxin suddenly looked up.

‘So young and already have something you want to pursue. It’s not easy,’ Song Fuzhi smiled. ‘Go back early. Teacher Song supports you. If you need anything, come find me.’

Song Fuzhi watched the family leave, then reminded the remaining children in the class to go home safely. Finally, she had time to check her phone.

There were two messages in her inbox.

Luo Luli: ‘I’ve already gone back. We can talk about the fitting later, but it needs to be soon, just in case it doesn’t fit and needs adjustments.’

Song Fuzhi replied, ‘Sure, try to find time.’

The second message was from Shi Zhang.

Shi Zhang: ‘It’s okay; I’ll finish work late today. I’ll come to the school to pick you up, probably around ten thirty.’

Song Fuzhi walked out of the school and indeed saw Shi Zhang waiting at the entrance, holding a bouquet of sunflowers.

Now, every time Song Fuzhi sees Shi Zhang holding flowers, his heart instinctively beats faster, as if it’s a premonition.

The premonition came true that night.

The bedroom curtains were not drawn, and moonlight poured in from the bay window, shimmering on the two figures.

Sunflowers face the sun during the day and the moon at night, falling from the bedside to the floor.

Song Fuzhi grabbed the pillow, furrowing his brows and panting, ‘Close the curtains…’

‘No need to bother.’ Shi Zhang leaned over, pressing down on him. ‘There are no tall buildings nearby. No one can see.’

Song Fuzhi looked at the bright window outside. The lights of distant buildings sparkled like stars. This exposure made him shrink a bit; his heartbeat was hotter than usual, and everything else seemed hotter.

Shi Zhang keenly sensed the subtle difference.

‘You seem energetic,’ he chuckled softly. ‘Does Teacher Song actually like keeping the curtains open? ‘

Blushing, Song Fuzhi covered her eyes and said with a false tone, ‘No.’

‘You’re lying.’ Professor Shi bluntly exposed him, whispering in Song Fuzhi’s ear as if pleading, ‘Tell me everything Teacher Song likes. Tell me more…’

At this point, Song Fuzhi was already a bit muddled, not understanding why Shi Zhang said this. He could only respond vaguely, ‘Um, why? ‘

But Shi Zhang seriously answered him, ‘Because I don’t want anyone to know more about you than I do.’

His eyes were deep and intense, revealing a hint of obsessive sharpness. Song Fuzhi tilted his head to breathe, unaware.

Sweating, Song Fuzhi felt a bit impatient. Confusedly, he confessed, grabbing Shi Zhang’s calf with his toes.

Responding to the signal, Shi Zhang reached for a small box from the bedside table, shaking out the last one.

Song Fuzhi made a sound: ‘Used up? ‘

Biting the plastic packaging with his canine teeth, Shi Zhang skillfully put it on, never taking his eyes off Song Fuzhi’s face.

His hand held the other’s slender waist, and Shi Zhang, while kissing, said, ‘…We’ll buy more later.’

Professor Shi has been busy lately.

After finishing experiments at night, he didn’t leave, sitting in the office and opening a long, unopened chat box.

Since leaving the circle, he has rarely chatted with the former makeup artist. She also had many other solo and professional responsibilities, so the chat box remained quiet.

Octopus: ‘Hi, Teacher Tongtong.’

The chat box remained silent for a long time, and after a while, the other party sent a long string of question marks.

Tongtong: ‘Who is this? ‘

Octopus: ‘I’m Octopus, the coser who has already left the circle. But soon, I need to earnestly request that Teacher Tongtong come out of retirement to help.’

Tongtong: ‘What? Teacher Zhang, are you coming back? Why is there no news at all? ‘

Octopus: ‘I don’t plan to come back temporarily.’

Octopus: ‘It’s my personal request.’

Tongtong: ‘Tell me, what do you want to do specifically? ‘

Octopus: ‘A few years ago, I cosplayed as a Hitman in a suit. I want to do it again, and I need Teacher Tong’s help with makeup, wig styling, and overall look.’

Octopus: ‘I’ve looked at several suits and matching accessories. Can you help me brainstorm? ‘

Octopus: ‘The original setting is a fictional city. Is it too much to have the Hitman treat his lover to Chinese food? Maybe I should learn Western cuisine; this Michelin dish doesn’t seem too difficult.’

Octopus: ‘What kind of gift would a refined Hitman give to his beloved? Flowers seem too ordinary. If he pulls the trigger and roses bloom from the muzzle, is it even more cliché? Ahhh.’

Tongtong: ‘…’

Tongtong: ‘Who the hell are you? Got hacked? ‘

Octopus: ‘? ‘

Tongtong: ‘You’ve never talked so much in the past ten years combined.’

Tongtong: ‘You never studied a character this thoroughly, even during cosplay competitions.’

Octopus: ‘.’

Tongtong: ‘Right, only using punctuation is the Octopus I know.’

Tongtong: ‘So, what kind of cosplay are you preparing for—a drama? ‘

Octopus: ‘Just consider it as me taking a cosplay commission, celebrating someone’s birthday.’

Tongtong sent thirty question marks.

Tongtong: ‘Which big shot can invite Zhangyu Teacher to take a birthday commission? Zhongzi? But how old are you guys, still playing this? ‘

Tongtong: ‘Your agreement with the single client is how much, at most, eating a meal together? You’re married; you can’t have any physical contact with the client, right? ‘

Octopus: ‘No limits, from the dining table to the bed.’

Tongtong was completely speechless.

Octopus: ‘Actually, no one commissioned me. I want to commission myself and celebrate my husband’s birthday.’

Tongtong: ‘.’

Tongtong: ‘You’re really strange. Clearly, you can directly smash me with dog food, but you gave me a job.’