Chapter 66: Exclusive to Jinjiang 2/2

In mid-sentence, Ouyang Xi suddenly stopped.

Shi Zhang’s expression was difficult to describe and contradictory, something Ouyang Xi had never seen before.

Dark, calm, but with a silent madness, like a bloodthirsty killer about to start a hunt.

‘…’

Ouyang Xi hesitated for a long time and cautiously said, ‘Uh, from now on, entering the role… Isn’t it a bit too early? ‘

Shi Zhang silently threw clothes and various accessories into the back seat, not saying a word. His mind was clearly not here.

Finally, it became Ouyang Xi driving, and he was a bit worried. ‘Damn it, Shi Zhang, are you okay? ‘

Shi Zhang looked out of the window and suddenly, out of nowhere, asked, ‘If you found out that you’ve liked someone for a very, very long time, and it turns out that person has also liked you for a very long time, what would your feelings be? ‘

Ouyang Xi blurted out, ‘Happy! Why wouldn’t I be happy? ‘

Shi Zhang lowered his head and looked at his own hands, veins protruding fiercely from his arm.

He couldn’t bear it and ground his molars, the veins in his neck moving along, full of restrained explosive force.

Happy?

Shi Zhang scooped up a handful of emotions from his own state of mind, feeling the impulse filling his palm.

On the way, Shi Zhang answered a call from Song Fuzhi.

Song Fuzhi’s voice was so gentle, asking, ‘Where are you guys? My friends, Chang’an, as well as Sister Zhong and Xiao Jin, have all arrived. They’re having a great time playing mahjong on the side.’

Shi Zhang, with lowered eyes, replied politely, ‘We’ll be there soon.’

After hanging up the phone, Ouyang Xi couldn’t help but say, ‘You haven’t been normal since you took those things out. What’s going on? ‘…”

“Nothin’,” Shi Zhang’s voice was calm, “just gettin’ into character.”

Ouyang Xi chuckled, cursed, and said, “Damn, you’re really messed up. Do you think you’re a psycho killer or something? You look weird and scary. Don’t scare your husband later.”

When the two arrived at the teahouse, a tasteful place, they could already hear laughter coming from the stairs.

“Sis won!” Luo Luli pounded the table triumphantly. “Come on, let’s settle the bill!”

“Freaking unbelievable, seriously,” Zhong Ziyan scribbled on paper, full of unwillingness and excitement about encountering a worthy opponent.

Song Fuzhi smiled. “I told you she’s good; don’t compare your card skills to Mrs. Luo’s.”

Changan pushed the mahjong tiles to the center with a calm demeanor. “Next round.”

This was the scene Shi Zhang walked into when he went upstairs.

Three ladies and Song Fuzhi are playing cards that are joyous and harmonious. The tall and thin boy sat in a chair next to Zhong Ziyan, helplessly tapping on the computer.

Ouyang Xi, in an instant, felt a pang of affection. He asked Jin Xiaonan, “Do you play cards?”

“A little,” Jin Xiaonan said, tilting her head. “But I need to catch up on school projects.”

Ouyang Xi pointed at Zhong Ziyan’s nose and scolded with a smile, “This kid hasn’t finished her homework, and you’re here disturbing her with cards?”

“No,” Jin Xiaonan smiled, “I volunteered to sit here.”

“You see, she volunteered,” Zhong Ziyan repeated, glanced up at Shi Zhang, and casually said, “Happy birthday, Uncle.”

With just that glance, Shi Zhang’s motion of pushing the tiles paused.

Sitting next to Song Fuzhi, Shi Zhang dragged a chair close, his face looking calm and almost expressionless, yet his gaze remained fixed on Song Fuzhi.

His eyes were pitch-black, as if trying to absorb people into them.

It was hard not to notice such an intense gaze, and Song Fuzhi turned his head with a light laugh, asking Shi Zhang, “What’s wrong?”

Shi Zhang blinked slowly, and the obsession in his eyes was gradually suppressed.

“Nothin’,” Shi Zhang said hoarsely, “just watchin’ you.”

Luo Luli was truly engrossed in the game. When she was happy, even a hundred lovey-dovey couples couldn’t shake her unyielding heart.

The group of people of similar age quickly became acquainted. Luo Luli seamlessly integrated into their circle, calling each other brothers and sisters very smoothly.

Playing cards, the afternoon passed quickly.

As they left the teahouse, getting ready to go to the restaurant for dinner, Commander Luo’s mind became clearer. He remembered that he still had an important mission to fulfill.

Taking advantage of Shi Zhang and Song Fuzhi discussing the menu at the restaurant’s front desk, Luo Luli quietly gathered Zhong Ziyan and Ouyang Xi.

“Ladies and gentlemen, you should know that Shi Zhang plans to surprise Teacher Song with a COS performance as a birthday gift, right?”

Both nodded.

“Well, Teacher Song also has a surprise planned for Shi Zhang.”

Zhong Ziyan and Ouyang Xi looked at each other, eyes wide.

Luo Commander continued, “So, I need your help. We might have to act as double agents together.”

…

The dinner was lively, and everyone enjoyed themselves.

Although it was supposed to be Shi Zhang’s birthday banquet, after a while, Shi Zhang spoke the least and had the fewest expressions, quietly picking food for Song Fuzhi and watching him eat.

Throughout the afternoon and evening, Shi Zhang’s gaze almost never left Song Fuzhi.

Song Fuzhi noticed Shi Zhang’s abnormality since he returned in the afternoon.

But he couldn’t pinpoint what was wrong—just that something felt off.

Shi Zhang’s usual composure was not an act; he genuinely kept his cool.

But tonight, it seemed like there was something in Shi Zhang’s body that he couldn’t control—something ferocious surging out.

Song Fuzhi wanted to ask what was wrong, but every time he turned around, he only saw Shi Zhang’s gentle eyes, making him feel like he might be overthinking.

But countless times tonight, he caught Shi Zhang staring at him again.

Finally, Song Fuzhi couldn’t resist and leaned closer, whispering, “What are you looking at?”

The refreshing scent of Song Fuzhi struck Shi Zhang’s ears like a spark thrown into a firecracker, nearly igniting him on the spot.

Shi Zhang brought his hand behind him and clenched his fist, the muscles in his throat trembling uncontrollably.

Just the thought that Song Fuzhi might have liked him for a long time, even if it was just the “false” side of him as an anime character, Shi Zhang couldn’t contain the burning fire within.

Shi Zhang didn’t say anything, and Song Fuzhi gradually felt uncomfortable.

Today was supposed to be Shi Zhang’s birthday, and everything was normal in the morning. Why did things change in the afternoon?

Everyone toasted him, but he didn’t drink much. Jokes were made, but he didn’t laugh much.

Song Fuzhi felt that he might not be very happy tonight, but he couldn’t figure out why.

Yet, Shi Zhang kept staring at him with that profound gaze, making it impossible for Song Fuzhi to get angry.

After dinner, Song Fuzhi gradually lost interest in figuring out why Shi Zhang was acting strangely because he had a mission.

He hoped that when Shi Zhang saw the COS videos he had prepared in homage to Teacher Octopus, he would genuinely feel happy.

The friends parted ways at the intersection, saying goodbye, yet each one knew they would meet again later. This wasn’t a farewell.

The first thing Song Fuzhi did when he returned home was to rush into the study while Shi Zhang was washing his hands.

Seeing the cosplay photo books spread out on the desk, Song Fuzhi gasped.

Damn!

He had been in a hurry to take out the leaf in the morning, then got distracted by the photos on Shi Zhang’s desk, rushed out in a hurry, and actually forgot to tidy up this mess!

In three seconds, Song Fuzhi swiftly threw the photo books into the drawer, walked out as if nothing happened, and washed his hands.

Fortunately, Shi Zhang just gave him a faint glance, saying nothing, seemingly without suspicion.

Now it was quite late, and both of them were harboring secrets, their hearts pounding independently.

So, on the surface, an eerie sense of warmth and tranquility prevailed.

They even took showers separately, for some reason, in perfect sync.

After finishing their showers, they sat quietly on the sofa, watching anime. Suddenly, Shi Zhang’s phone rang.

Shi Zhang thought, “Here it comes.”

Song Fuzhi also thought, “Here it comes.”

Shi Zhang pretended to answer the call, expressed surprise, said a few words, and then hung up.

He told Song Fuzhi, “Zhong Ziyan said Ouyang had too much to drink and vomited on the roadside. She wants me to check on him.”

“Ah,” Song Fuzhi responded thoughtfully, “you should go then.”

As Shi Zhang left the house, Song Fuzhi quickly messaged Luo Luli, “Is this the opportunity your friends, along with Shi Zhang, created for me? I hope Ouyang didn’t actually vomit!”

Luo Luli replied, “He just needs to pretend he’s not feeling well. Don’t worry, we’ll stall for time. You try setting up the screen at home.”

So, Song Fuzhi began setting up the wireless screen.

Shi Zhang went downstairs and got into Zhong Boss’s luxurious car, finding everyone seated neatly inside. Oh, wait, there was also a child.

“Clothes are here; hurry and change,” the child urged him. “After changing, I’ll do your makeup!”

In the past, during rush times for comic conventions, Teacher Octopus had faced all sorts of urgent situations. He had even done makeup in less than ten minutes before.

Shi Zhang quietly sat down as the child started doing his makeup, and his heart thumped rapidly.

Zhong Ziyan, holding her phone, approached Luo Luli and sighed, “I told you, Sister Luo, how did you end up being the one drunk in the end?”

Luo Luli said, “I’m not drunk,” excitedly adding, “I had a great time today and made lots of new friends.”

Luckily, Luo Luli had briefed them on the plan in advance, so the messages sent just now were secretly from Zhong Ziyan, on behalf of Luo Luli, to Song Fuzhi.

Commander Luo turned out to be unreliable at a critical moment, causing some hair-pulling.

While the child did Shi Zhang’s makeup and chatted, Zhong Ziyan asked, “Why did you choose this character? I think it’s quite ordinary, handsome, but not stunning.”

Shi Zhang glanced at Luo Luli and said, “It’s what Teacher Song likes the most. I trust her.”

“Really? This is the character Teacher Song likes the most!” Luo Luli couldn’t hold back her disagreement.

She grabbed her phone, showing it off. “Look, this is his favorite character. The chat log is from a few years ago, and I still keep it!”

Black text on a white screen, Shi Zhang looked at the chat log:

Song Fuzhi: Ah, ah, ah, the suited thug is so handsome! I declare him the most handsome of the year!

Song Fuzhi: Damn, it’s because Teacher Octopus is so good. Our company is exploding.

[Two hours later]

Song Fuzhi: I came twice; I’m satisfied.

In the car, Shi Zhang gradually widened his eyes, the pulse on his neck throbbing violently.

His aura instantly intensified, and his eyes changed.

The child remained oblivious, taking out several bottles of perfume from the bag.

“Which one do you want to use? I forgot,” the child asked.

Shi Zhang tersely said, “Don’t need it.”

He then picked up the bouquet of roses on his seat and grabbed a prop gun. Stone-faced, he opened the car door and walked out.

Leaving a car full of bewildered onlookers, the child’s hand holding the perfume trembled in the air, and Luo Luli yawned, holding her phone.

“Look, the assassin is in a hurry to get home.”

In the night, the man’s elegant yet stern figure moved like a beast that had been lurking for a long time, finally breaking free from its cage.

The red roses blended into the dark night, brewing a madness of romance—a romantic madness.