Shang Wang was taken aback as well.
“You really didn’t know?” he thought. “I figured Tang Chen would have noticed by now.”
But now that he thought about it, hadn’t he inadvertently helped Tang Chen’s little childhood-friend crush a bit?
That made him feel… a tiny bit annoyed.
After all, just that one hour of nonstop chaos should’ve been enough for someone to hold a grudge.
But then he shook his head. No, forget it.
Shang Wang maintained a neutral expression, but curiosity got the better of him.
“Right! You really don’t know? I mean, I said before, everyone must’ve assumed I was the top. He didn’t feel at ease letting you run off, so he specifically went to play waiter for an hour. If that wasn’t jealousy, I wouldn’t believe it.”
“You’re totally right!” Tang Chen’s eyes lit up.
Haha!
Hahaha!
Hahaha ha!
The more he thought about it, the prouder he felt.
Zhang Taining!
Zhang Taining, who always acted contrary to him!
The thought that Zhang Taining secretly liked him had Tang Chen covering his mouth and rolling on the bed.
Ah, this feeling—this must be what it’s like to be on top!
It was absolutely incredible!
The more he thought, the more excited he got. He chatted with Shang Wang a few more minutes, got an address from him, and hung up—he wanted to send Shang Wang a little gift as a thank-you!
As a proper token of appreciation!
Meanwhile, on the other end, Shang Wang’s expression and mood were extremely complicated.
Had he just… sold himself out for a few glimpses of Tang Chen’s butt?
Once the call ended, Tang Chen eagerly wanted to go confront Zhang Taining.
Then he thought again. Wait—if he just stormed over, wouldn’t he give everything away?
Zhang Taining wasn’t stupid; he’d definitely notice something!
Exactly!
It needed a long-term strategy.
But how? How to reveal Zhang Taining’s feelings?
Tang Chen thought and thought. Then suddenly, a light went off in his head.
He didn’t need to reveal anything!
He could just pretend not to know, and watch Zhang Taining chase him!
How fun would that be?
And he could still make Zhang Taining help him with training!
Pick the bones out of fish for him!
Even toss the fat he didn’t like directly into Zhang Taining’s bowl!
He was so naughty!
The more he thought about it, the more satisfied he felt. Changing into his pajamas, he flopped onto the pillow and quickly fell into a deep sleep.
Knocks at the door came several times during the night, but he didn’t even stir.
The next morning—
Wake up! Today is a whole new day!
Tang Chen lazily lay in bed, deciding to wait for Zhang Taining’s “wake-up service.”
Five minutes passed.
Ten minutes.
Twenty minutes.
He quietly got up himself. Almost forgot—Zhang Taining always slept later than him. There was no way he’d get up to wake him!
Brushing his teeth in front of the mirror, Tang Chen blew bubbles and expressed his inner annoyance.
Why was Zhang Taining so useless? How infuriating!
After washing up, Tang Chen changed into an outfit even nicer than yesterday’s and spritzed on some perfume. Only then did he head out.
Perfect—this would definitely drive Zhang Taining wild!
Stepping outside, he bumped into Zhang Taining coming out of the opposite door.
Zhang Taining, hair sticking up from sleep, yawning, immediately snapped awake when he saw Tang Chen’s outfit.
He sniffed the air warily, frowning.
“So early… Did someone… invite you to breakfast?”
Tang Chen: “?”
“Where did you get that idea?”
Zhang Taining scowled.
“If not, why dress like that?”
Clearly, Tang Chen had specially dressed up!
Never once had he dressed like this for breakfast with him!
Tang Chen: “?”
But… wasn’t Zhang Taining’s reaction… a little off?
Just thinking about it made him annoyed.
Stupid Zhang Taining!
Tang Chen rolled his eyes and turned to leave.
Zhang Taining immediately ran after him.
“Where are you going? I’ll come with you!”
Tang Chen didn’t even spare him a glance.
“Where else? Breakfast and training! I’m going to find Sanyue!”
Sanyue again?
Why did he need to dress so well even to meet Sanyue? Spritz on perfume, too?
Zhang Taining felt a little resentful.
Tang Chen never dressed like this when he was with him! Why now?
Sure enough, Tang Chen went to find Sanyue, who as always agreed and started training with him.
While training, Tang Chen couldn’t resist whispering a few things.
He secretly glanced at Sanyue.
Sanyue’s lips seemed pretty tight, didn’t they?
Maybe… he should try talking to Sanyue?
“Is something wrong?”
Sanyue looked up at him.
Since just now, Tang Chen had been sneaking glances at him—what was going on?
“Uh…”
Caught in the act, Tang Chen decided to throw caution to the wind.
“Well, um… who do you think has the closest relationship with me in BZ? I mean, who can’t bear to be without me, gets restless when I’m not around?”
Hmm, that should be foolproof!
Tang Chen was very satisfied with his own emotional intelligence.
“Huh? Do I even need to ask?”
Without hesitation, Sanyue said, “I think you get along with everyone really well.”
Tang Chen: “???”
Why not give the “expected” answer?
He couldn’t hold back and tried to hint further.
“Then… who’s the one who can’t be without me? Like, if I’m not there, they feel completely unsettled?”
Sanyue paused, thinking carefully.
“Could it be… me?”
Every time Tang Chen wasn’t around, he didn’t really know how to get along with the others.
But when Tang Chen was there, everyone seemed a little easier to deal with?
Meow…?
Tang Chen froze completely.
This wasn’t exactly how he had imagined it.
He stared at Sanyue with a baffled expression.
“Why would you feel uneasy when I’m not there?”
Just then, Zhang Taining, who had finally finished washing up and grabbed two breakfasts, stopped dead in his tracks.
What?
Tang Chen was asking Sanyue… what?
What did he mean by “you feel uneasy when I’m not around”?
Could it be… Sanyue likes Tang Chen too?
Zhang Taining ground his teeth and swore silently in his heart.
What’s going on?
He had spent the whole night wondering whether he himself was straight, and now… Tang Chen’s “flowers” were already blooming in two directions?
Why wasn’t one of them blooming toward him?
The more he thought about it, the more frustrated he became.
No way!
What if Sanyue confessed later? Then from that point on, Tang Chen would be having breakfast with Sanyue, training with Sanyue, and maybe…
Tang Chen… getting helped with something by Sanyue?!
That absolutely couldn’t happen!
Zhang Taining dashed forward and shoved the breakfast into Sanyue’s hands.
“Here! Eat this! I have some business with Tang Chen, I’m taking him away first!”
“Huh?”
Sanyue looked confused. He had already eaten breakfast…
Tang Chen, dragged along, was equally dumbfounded.
Finally, when Zhang Taining stopped, Tang Chen’s foot immediately went forward!
“What are you doing? I’m still asking Sanyue something!”
Zhang Taining didn’t dodge, letting out a muffled grunt and kicking him back.
Tang Chen’s kick landed, and he was shocked.
“You idiot??? Why didn’t you dodge?”
Damn! If this kick had gone a little lower, Zhang Taining…
He’d be completely below!
Thinking that, Tang Chen broke out in a cold sweat.
No way was he going to be on the bottom, crying through it—absolutely not!
“It doesn’t even hurt.” Zhang Taining straightened his neck. “Why were you asking Sanyue? If you have something to ask, why not ask me first?”
Tang Chen slowly typed out a question mark.
“Ask you? Ask you what?”
Was Zhang Taining a little dumb? Otherwise, why couldn’t Tang Chen understand what he was saying?
What did talking with Sanyue have to do with Zhang Taining?
“Just… the same question as with Sanyue!”
Zhang Taining originally wanted to say: Of course it’s to ask me if I like you!
But when it came to it, he felt a little embarrassed.
Well… saying it like that, Tang Chen would understand, right?
…Right?
The same question as with Sanyue?
Tang Chen blinked, blinked again.
Suddenly, inspiration struck him.
Oh ho?
Wow~
Could it be…?
No way…
Could it really be?
He circled around Zhang Taining twice, feeling a little smug inside.
No way, no way, no way…
Zhang Taining could be jealous even when he talks with Sanyue?
He really didn’t see that coming!
Zhang Taining was a total jealousy king!
“Tsk, tsk, tsk.”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk, what are you tsk-ing about?”
Zhang Taining felt a bit guilty under his gaze.
Tang Chen? What was he up to?
“Hehe, nothing.”
Tang Chen covered his mouth to hide a laugh, then coughed twice, putting on a serious face.
“But are you sure you want me to ask you the same question I asked Sanyue just now?”
“Ask! It’s just one question…”
Zhang Taining froze. He stared at Tang Chen’s little face, full of mischief and plotting, and finally realized…
Tang Chen was scheming?
What did he want to do?
Zhang Taining immediately went on guard.
But as soon as he did, he relaxed again.
It’s just that one question, right?
Could Tang Chen really trick him?
Impossible!
Thinking that, he calmed down again.
“Go ahead, ask. If I don’t answer, I’m not a man.”
“Your words!”
Tang Chen grinned. Someone had just set a trap for themselves, and he couldn’t be happier!
He immediately leaned close to Zhang Taining.
“Then I’ll ask you.”
“Hm?”
Zhang Taining feigned calm, hands clasped behind his back, secretly clenching.
In just a few seconds, his palms were damp with sweat.
Zhang Taining didn’t even realize—he was this nervous and concerned about Tang Chen!
Tang Chen blinked, his gaze mischievous and expectant.
“I’m asking you—do you… like me?”
Hehe.
Hehehehe.
Zhang Taining would definitely be shy!
Blushing!
Then jump up and say no!
Hahaha!
Then Tang Chen could take out his phone!
Snap a picture! Keep it for showing Zhang Taining later!
Hahaha! Perfect!
Zhang Taining looked at this little face, already full of smugness and mischief, eyes sparkling like they could light up.
His heart skipped two beats. His face flushed.
“…Yes. I like you.”
Tang Chen froze.
Totally dumbfounded.
Zhang… Zhang Taining just admitted it?
This wasn’t what he expected!
He instinctively stepped back a few steps, and Zhang Taining came closer.
His nose almost brushed Tang Chen’s, eyes serious and burning—Tang Chen had only seen Zhang Taining look this focused during finals.
“I like you, and I’ll only ever like you. Don’t like anyone else, okay?”
He paused, then added:
“I… I can still help you with the butt mask?”
Tang Chen, already flustered, immediately turned red with embarrassment and fury, delivering a flying kick!
“Forget the butt mask! Your mind is way too wild!!!”
Zhang Taining… you little rascal!