After My Childhood Friend Misunderstood That I Had a Boyfriend - Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Autumn Rain Falls Into His Heart Like the Beat of a Drum

Cold air swept in, and temperatures plummeted overnight. With the rustling autumn wind, one had to add an extra layer of clothing before heading out.

Chu Xi had just finished tidying up his dorm. He had moved into Room E411 today, filling the long-vacant Bed No. 4 with his personal belongings. He was the only one in the room at the moment; a roommate had returned briefly earlier—a very enthusiastic guy who chatted for a bit before pulling Chu Xi into the dormitory group chat.

The phone on the desk buzzed incessantly. Chu Xi ignored it at first, but after a dozen vibrations, he finally lost his patience. Putting down his work, he grabbed the phone and unlocked it.

 Fish: How is it? How is it?! – Fish: Did you see your crush? Did you use those flirting techniques we talked about? – Fish: Where are you? Hello? Respond when you receive this!

The messages from his best friend, Jian Yu, came in a bombardment. Chu Xi looked up at the empty dorm, about to reply that it wasn’t going to happen that fast.

Just as he finished editing the text, several messages popped up in the E411 group chat. Chu Xi stared at them, and his calm heartbeat suddenly quickened.

He replied to Jian Yu: “Can’t see him now, but I’ll see Zhou Jinyan in a moment.”

E411 Dorm Group – week: Anyone in the dorm? – week: I left some materials on my desk. Can anyone help bring them to me?

Seeing it was a message from his crush, Chu Xi’s excitement was palpable through his typing: “I’m here! I can bring them!”

So you finally added Zhou Jinyan on WeChat?

Chu Xi found the materials Zhou Jinyan needed and put on an extra coat before heading out. Hearing his bro Jian Yu’s question through his Bluetooth earbuds, Chu Xi answered, “Yep.”

Chu Xi was beaming: “He left his stuff in the dorm and needed help. The opportunity literally walked right up to me!”

His phone alerted him that rain was expected in ten minutes. Before leaving the building, Chu Xi hesitated for a moment but decided to bring an umbrella anyway. Zhou Jinyan’s practical training building was a bit far, so Chu Xi scanned a shared e-scooter and glided leisurely down the tree-lined campus path.

Jian Yu: “Nice. First roommates, now WeChat friends. Success is just around the corner!”

Chu Xi smiled: Not that fast. It’ll take at least half a year.

Jian Yu: “True. After all, you had his ID for a year and didn’t dare add him until today.”

As a pure-hearted “idiot” with zero romantic experience, Chu Xi had pined for a year before daring to officially pursue him. He had long memorized Zhou Jinyan’s WeChat ID, but he hadn’t dared to add him without a “legitimate” reason. To add someone out of the blue felt too frivolous to him; he preferred a slow approach—like today, which was just right.

Move into his dorm, become his roommate, and then naturally add him on WeChat. Before acting, Chu Xi had researched plenty of pursuit methods and decided that “boiling a frog in lukewarm water” suited him best.

Step one of the pursuit: Start as roommates. [Checked] √

The e-scooter carried Chu Xi to his destination. He locked the bike at the parking spot, and within a few steps, he spotted that tall, slender figure at the stairwell. His heart pounded like a drum; he was inexplicably nervous.

Chu Xi: “I’m a bit nervous, what do I do?” Jian Yu (ever the instigator): “Charge!” Chu Xi (speechless): “…I can’t count on you. You’re officially fired from your position as military advisor.” Jian Yu: “?” Jian Yu: “Oh right, remember what we discussed yesterday? Create some ‘accidental’ physical contact and see how he reacts, then plan the next move!” Chu Xi: Mm-hmm.

Once the advisor finished his suggestions, Chu Xi hung up. He used his black phone screen to check his reflection. Good, looking fine. But did the wind mess up my hair? Chu Xi fretted for a second, then gave up. Whatever, let’s go!

The Stairwell

Zhou Jinyan was tall. Even his trench coat couldn’t hide his strikingly long legs. His aura seemed to blend perfectly with the biting, deep-autumn wind. He had excellent bone structure—a high bridge of the nose and features that looked like a standard “CGI handsome guy.” His gaze was indifferent; when he wasn’t looking at anyone, he seemed almost condescending.

A random gust of wind caught the hem of his coat, fluttering like a late autumn leaf, momentarily dazing Chu Xi. Looking at him, Chu Xi’s first thought was: As expected of the man I’ve crushed on for so long. He fits my aesthetic perfectly.

A ding from his phone snapped him back to reality. He unlocked it to see a message from Zhou Jinyan.

– week: Message me when you arrive. Chu Xi replied: Okay. I’m already here.

Just as the message sent, Chu Xi felt a scrutinizing gaze land on him. Sensing it, he looked up to see Zhou Jinyan walking toward him.

Chu Xi: !!

His heart rate spiked. He regretted hanging up on Jian Yu—God knew how much he wanted to express his excitement right now. My crush is looking at me!

Chu Xi screamed internally while forcing himself to look calm. He walked over stiffly. Facing his crush’s strong, cold aura, he felt inexplicably intimidated, and his words tripped over themselves.

Chu Xi (stuttering): “Th-that…”

Ugh! So stupid, Chu Xi! Why can’t you talk right now?! No, no, I have to save this.

Chu Xi (getting straight to the point): “Here are your materials.”

As he got closer, he realized Zhou Jinyan was much taller than him—about a head and a half taller. He had to look up to see him. The moment their eyes met, Chu Xi couldn’t handle it; he flinched away, lowering his head.

Zhou Jinyan looked down. From his perspective, he could only see Chu Xi’s soft, thick hair with its two cowlicks, and his nose tip, which was reddened by the cold. Zhou Jinyan’s gaze lingered on Chu Xi’s hair and nose for a moment, his eyes showing a flash of curiosity before quickly returning to indifference.

Chu Xi felt Zhou Jinyan’s gaze heavy upon him, making him even more nervous. Why isn’t he saying anything? He began to fear the worst: “…Did I bring the wrong files?”

“No.”

Chu Xi let out a breath of cool air, his long, crow-feather lashes blinking awkwardly. Suddenly, the weight in his hands vanished.

“Ah… mmm, that’s good then.” Zhou Jinyan took the document bag. Chu Xi felt as relieved as if he had successfully passed off a hot potato.

Zhou Jinyan told Chu Xi to wait a moment. Ten minutes later, he returned from the East Canteen with two cups of hot coffee, handing one to Chu Xi: “Thanks for bringing the files.”

Why is he so stingy with his words?! Chu Xi thought. The coffee was hot, but the man was cold. He held the cup, brooding: He’s so icy. When will my ‘lukewarm water’ ever reach a boil?

Evening

Carrying that “meaningful” cup of coffee, Chu Xi spent the afternoon in a daze. By evening, Jian Yu invited him to a restaurant outside the school for dinner.

Chu Xi recounted the afternoon’s events, saying pessimistically: “I don’t think I can catch him in six months. It’ll take at least a year!”

Moreover, Chu Xi realized something tragic: he had wasted such a good opportunity! It was a file delivery! I could have ‘accidentally’ touched his hand or something! Instead, my mind went blank the second I saw him.

Chu Xi: “Aaah, I’m so useless!” Jian Yu (comforting him): “Don’t talk about yourself like that. You’ve got me, your advisor!”

Chu Xi had some alcohol—the alcohol content wasn’t high, but his tolerance was poor. He was already feeling a bit woozy. Hearing this, he grumbled: “Liar! I don’t see you catching your Senior yet.”

Jian Yu (not arguing with a drunk): “At least I’ve taken action! We even had an ambiguous phase; it’s just that Senior is too ‘straight.’ Regardless, my experience is very rich!” Chu Xi: “Mm-hmm.” Jian Yu: “So, I’ve tailored a pursuit plan for you… wait, I think I hear Senior’s voice.”

Chu Xi tilted his head in confusion. Why didn’t I hear it? He propped up his face: “You’re drunk, right?” You’re hallucinating. Jian Yu: “…I haven’t even had a drink. You know what? You should stay away from alcohol from now on.”

Jian Yu fiddled with his phone without hiding it from Chu Xi. Chu Xi leaned in and saw Jian Yu looking at his Senior’s social media—the location tag was this very restaurant. Suddenly, the Senior called him. Jian Yu was pleasantly surprised: “Oh! Senior is eating here too. Baby, sit here for a bit, I’m going to go talk to him…”

Chu Xi watched Jian Yu stand up and look around. The buzz of the alcohol made him sleepy; his head began to nod rhythmically. For a split second before falling asleep, he thought he saw Jian Yu leave the table and stand side-by-side with his Senior, chatting about something.

That’s nice, Chu Xi thought muddledly.

Chu Xi was woken up by the sound of rain.

An autumn rain had started falling during the night. Chu Xi, still groggy, felt cool raindrops hit the tip of his nose before realizing he was being half-supported, half-carried by someone.

Jian Yu definitely wasn’t strong enough to carry him. Chu Xi’s mind went blank for a second, and instinct made him struggle.

The person holding him was bothered by his movement and snapped: “Don’t move around.”

A very familiar voice. He had just heard it this afternoon. Did I not actually wake up? Am I in a dream?

Chu Xi stopped moving and called out tentatively: “…Zhou Jinyan?” Zhou Jinyan: “Mm.”

He didn’t know if it was his imagination, but in that “mm,” Chu Xi thought he heard a trace of… gentleness? It was different from his tone in the afternoon. That had been polite but distant. Could my helpfulness today have left a good impression?

By the time he finished thinking that, his alcohol-clouded brain finally wondered why Zhou Jinyan was even here. He couldn’t have appeared out of thin air. He wanted to ask, but it felt like a stupid question, so he shut his mouth.

After a few seconds of silence, curiosity won: “Why are you here?”

Zhou Jinyan (explaining briefly): “I had a project. We finished near dinner time, so we found a restaurant nearby. I ran into your friend. Once he knew I was your roommate, he asked if I could give you a lift.”

It had to be Jian Yu. Jian Yu is so reliable!

“Oh, I see,” Chu Xi said. After a few more steps, he felt embarrassed: “I’m awake now, I can walk myself.” Zhou Jinyan: “Mm.”

As they walked, Chu Xi was glad the umbrella was just the right size—they weren’t walking so close that their shoulders touched. However, to avoid the rain and deep puddles, their shoulders and arms occasionally brushed against each other.

Chu Xi’s arm felt a tingle, and his face grew warm. The autumn rain fell into his heart like the beat of a drum.

Zhou Jinyan had a car—a silver-grey Cullinan. Chu Xi nodded inwardly; the car was as steady as the man. He suggested Zhou Jinyan get in first: “Let me hold the umbrella.” Zhou Jinyan: “Okay.”

The rain was heavy that night. The silver-grey Cullinan drove through the streets, the wipers working rhythmically to clear the beads of water from the glass. Zhou Jinyan sat in the driver’s seat, catching glimpses of Chu Xi, who had fallen asleep again shortly after getting into the passenger seat.

Zhou Jinyan turned off the car music. The interior was quiet, save for the occasional click of the turn signal and Chu Xi’s quiet, steady breathing.

Chu Xi didn’t wake up for the rest of the trip and let Zhou Jinyan carry him back to the dorm. Chu Xi was a “good drunk”—he just slept without making a scene.

A good drunk.

In Zhou Jinyan’s memory, the little kid from years ago overlapped with the sleeping Chu Xi. He curled his lips slightly; he was just as well-behaved as he was when he was small.

The Next Day

Chu Xi woke up with a headache. He stared blankly at his bed curtains for several minutes before coming to his senses. He checked his phone; it was only 7:30 AM. It wasn’t even fully light out, and the dorm was eerily quiet.

There were many messages on WeChat. Muscle memory took him to the app—most of them were from Jian Yu.

– Fish: How is it? How is it! Am I reliable or what?! – Fish: My Senior happened to be eating with your crush! I went over and asked if he could give you a lift, and he agreed immediately! – Fish: There’s a spark! There’s a spark! … – Fish: Holy crap, holy crap! He was half-supporting, half-carrying you away! Look! [Image] [Image] – Fish: Took these without permission, but I figured you’d need them.

The latest one was from half an hour ago.

– Fish: Baby, stop sleeping and wake up! Tell me everything that happened after!!

Chu Xi: “…”

He didn’t know what happened either! He had slept like the dead the moment he got in the car!

While feeling regretful, Chu Xi carefully saved the photos Jian Yu had “paparazzi’d” and categorized them into a special album.

– xixi: What about you and your Senior?

Jian Yu replied instantly: “We just chatted for a bit. I’m at a loss with him.”

Chu Xi suddenly wondered if making Jian Yu his advisor was a mistake.

– xixi: Your advisor position remains suspended. – Fish: ? What’s that supposed to mean! Is this how you treat the pursuit plan I stayed up all night organizing for you?!

With that, Jian Yu sent over a Word document. It was literally titled “Pursuit Plan.” Chu Xi thought it was too blunt, but when he clicked in, the first rule was: Say “Good Morning” and “Good Night” to each other.

Exchange morning and night greetings… Chu Xi blinked. He imagined if they were as close as they had been last night, and Zhou Jinyan said “Good morning” to him…

Chu Xi’s face instantly turned bright red.