After My Childhood Friend Misunderstood That I Had a Boyfriend - Chapter 13

Chapter 13: Chu Xi’s warm fingertips pressed against the corner of his lips

They had bought quite a lot of things. When they returned to the neighborhood, Chu Xi didn’t get off at the entrance as he usually did. After Zhou Jinyan parked the car, he took the initiative to carry a large bag of ingredients and walked Chu Xi to the bottom of his building.

Chu Xi felt a bit conflicted. Reason dictated that he should invite Zhou Jinyan up for a visit, but remembering Zhou Jinyan’s recent avoidance, he felt it wasn’t the right time to speak up.

The neighborhood streetlights glowed with a quiet orange light, and the leaves rustled in the wind.

Suddenly, Zhou Jinyan leaned in. Chu Xi felt a powerful presence sweep over him, and a hot breath brushed past his ear: “Chu Xi.”

His ear, cooled by the night breeze, was scalded by the warmth of that breath.

Chu Xi’s heart skipped a beat. Just as he was about to ask what was wrong, he saw Zhou Jinyan handing him the bottle of Safflower Oil they had bought at the pharmacy, asking naturally, “Is my forehead still red?”

Zhou Jinyan lowered his gaze: “Let me see.”

The light was too dim. Zhou Jinyan turned on his flashlight and raised his hand to brush away the stray hairs on Chu Xi’s forehead. He paused just before touching him, and after a moment, only made a light gesture of tucking the hair aside.

Zhou Jinyan took a look: “It’s still a bit red, but it’s not serious.”

Chu Xi: “Oh.” Then he’d go back and apply the medicine.

Zhou Jinyan’s hand dropped back down. Chu Xi blinked, suddenly remembering that while they were waiting for the elevator earlier, he had noticed one side of Zhou Jinyan’s jaw was also a bit red.

Without thinking, Chu Xi asked, “What about you? Let me see…”

Zhou Jinyan was puzzled: “See what?”

Chu Xi said as if it were obvious: “To see if the spot where I bumped into you turned red.”

Before Zhou Jinyan could react, Chu Xi’s delicate fingertips suddenly pressed against the corner of his mouth.

The warm pads of his fingers rested firmly against the corner of his lips. Zhou Jinyan’s Adam’s apple shifted; he was about to ask what Chu Xi was doing, but Chu Xi’s next move made his body stiffen.

The delicate fingertips, like soft goose feathers, quickly brushed across his lower lip. The gentle touch was gone as soon as it landed, leaving behind only a tingling sensation.

Zhou Jinyan’s chest heaved twice: “You.” What exactly are you trying to do?

Chu Xi, however, tilted his head: “It seems to be here. Does it hurt?”

Chu Xi looked up with such a natural and innocent expression, his eyes reflecting the orange glow of the streetlights as if he had hidden flames in his gaze. Sparks of fire drifted invisibly, waiting for the right moment to start a wildfire.

In primitive times, people gathered around fires for warmth; fire carries a seductive quality, much like Chu Xi’s current behavior.

But looking at Chu Xi’s expression, he seemed to have no such intention at all.

Zhou Jinyan flinched away imperceptibly: “It doesn’t hurt.”

Being dodged, Chu Xi’s fingertips suddenly felt empty. He froze for a moment, then slowly curled his fingers and let his hand fall back to his side.

Why did he suddenly dodge me?

The light in Chu Xi’s eyes dimmed. Before he could puzzle it out, Zhou Jinyan spoke up: “Go home. I’m heading back.”

Chu Xi was stunned: “Ah, oh.”

Zhou Jinyan gave a small response, then said softly after a moment: “Then, goodnight?”

Chu Xi’s voice sounded muffled, his delicate brows still furrowed in confusion: “Goodnight.”

Zhou Jinyan hummed: “Remember to apply the medicine.”

Chu Xi was in a bad mood and interpreted it maliciously: Did Zhou Jinyan mean he was ugly now because of the mark?

Even if he wasn’t good looking anymore, it was none of Zhou Jinyan’s business!

Chu Xi gave a huff of annoyance: “I know, just go back already.”

Only after Zhou Jinyan was out of sight did Chu Xi enter the elevator. Once home, he stuffed all the ingredients into the fridge, washed a bunch of grapes, and sat on the sofa to eat.

The story “Little Moon” ended in a “Bad Ending” (BE), and coupled with the way Zhou Jinyan avoided his touch tonight—emotions are always magnified at night—Chu Xi felt inexplicably unhappy.

After posting a photo of the moon on his WeChat Moments with a vague, unhappy caption, Chu Xi exited the app and finished the grapes with his legs tucked up.

Xiannv the cat sensed Chu Xi’s unhappy mood and came over to lean against him, meowing a few times.

It seemed to say: Human! What’s wrong with you!

Chu Xi picked up Xiannv and gave her a kiss: “I’m fine, little fairy.”

Xiannv’s paw lightly tapped Chu Xi’s forehead. Chu Xi suddenly remembered—wait, he needed to apply the medicine!

He was so good-looking; he couldn’t let his face be ruined!

He rushed into the walk-in closet to find a mirror and unscrewed the cap of the Safflower Oil. The scent of the medicine wafted out. Chu Xi used a cotton swab dipped in the oil to slowly apply it to himself.

Speaking of which, Zhou Jinyan gave the medicine to him and told him to use it did he have any medicine to use?

Chu Xi was suddenly struck with alarm. Would this cause Zhou Jinyan’s face to be ruined?

It would be such a pity for a face so handsome it made one’s legs go weak to be scarred. Chu Xi thought, No way, he had to tell Zhou Jinyan to apply medicine too and be kinder to his own face!

Chu Xi clicked on their chat interface. He had just finished typing when he remembered Zhou Jinyan dodging him, and his finger paused over the send button.

Wait, what does Zhou Jinyan’s face being ruined have to do with me?

Chu Xi calmed down. He told himself he was just advocating for the “Appearance Association” (fans of good-looking people); this reason was so perfect he felt no psychological burden as he sent the message.

Chu Xi: I’ve finished applying the medicine.

Chu Xi: You should apply it too!

A minute later.

Brother: Got it.

Hmph, good that you know.

Chu Xi played with Xiannv for a while and his mood improved. Feeling energized, he began to carefully select photos for his Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book) profile.

He picked a few behind-the-scenes shots from his “Forest Elf” shoot. Just as he was wondering what else to add to make a nine-grid post, he scrolled to the photos Zhou Jinyan had taken of him. His secret desire to show off became irresistible. He added the photo of the “Top-tier Fortune Slip” and the profile shot of him with the fireworks.

Chu Xi had muted the “Live Photos” of the Forest Elf shoot, but he left the sound on for the fortune slip and firework photos. If you listened closely, you could even hear Zhou Jinyan calling Chu Xi’s name.

Once the new post was successfully sent, Chu Xi gave himself a like. Then he exited Xiaohongshu to find a friend on WeChat who was into photography.

Chu Xi sent over his requirements, and about ten minutes later, he got a reply.

Taro Paste: Get a Canon R5.

Chu Xi didn’t know much about these things. After getting the reply, he sent a puppy “thank you” emoji and said he’d treat the friend to dinner next time they met.

Chu Xi’s Xiaohongshu traffic was quite good; in just ten minutes, the likes and bookmarks were soaring. When he checked the app again, there were already over a hundred comments.

Most of the comments were praising his looks. Chu Xi scrolled through the comment section and spotted one that stood out; his eyes lit up as he prepared to reply.

Little Bear Sister: Where did Xiao Xi go to play? You look so happy in those firework photos, hahahaha. Who took them? They feel different from your previous ones.

Yes, yes, yes! That’s exactly what I wanted you to ask!

Chu Xi was instantly overjoyed. He clicked on the comment, unable to hide his desire to show off: “They were taken by my exclusive photographer.”

What’s the harm in saying it? Zhou Jinyan won’t see it anyway.

As for the rest of the comments, Chu Xi just scanned them briefly. If he hadn’t been clinging to his last bit of rationality, he would have pinned Little Bear Sister’s comment to the top.

Chu Xi closed Xiaohongshu in a great mood. It was late, so he washed up and went to bed.

The next day.

There was a gathering of friends at his house. Chu Xi was busy preparing ingredients. When he finally had a moment to rest, he remembered the comment he replied to last night and lay on the sofa to see if there were any follow-up replies.

12 hours ago.

Little Bear Sister: Exclusive photographer?? Ahhhhh, baby, are you in a relationship?

Little Bear Sister: Even though I talk about finding you a husband every day, I didn’t mean for you to actually find one crying crying

8 hours ago.

Little Bear Sister: I’ve processed the news. Best wishes to Xiao Xi and your exclusive photographer for a long life together (99).

Chu Xi really did want to be with Zhou Jinyan for a long time (99).

Chu Xi didn’t reply further to Little Bear Sister; this silence was somewhat like a tacit admission.

Below, many people were following the thread, wishing him and his “exclusive photographer” a long life together. Chu Xi felt a bit melancholy, thinking about how Zhou Jinyan clearly felt something last night but then dodged his touch. Sigh, “99” isn’t even in the cards yet.

Chu Xi opened his schedule. His upcoming days off were packed. There were new shoots with photographers he had worked with before, and a childhood friend who started a light luxury brand wanted him to be their model.

Chu Xi was a low-energy person; the mere thought of having so many things to do made him feel tired. Combined with the busyness from earlier, he unintentionally fell asleep on the sofa.

The curtains fluttered in the breeze. Chu Xi hugged a pillow printed with Xiannv’s face. The azure sky had been dyed orange by the setting sun when he finally woke up.

Chu Xi was dazed for a moment in the dim living room before remembering he had to host friends. He struggled to overcome his procrastination, got up, and washed his face.

This gathering was something he had privately arranged with a few close friends from high school when he attended the school anniversary last time. Their small group chat was already at 99+ messages. Chu Xi checked and saw that basically everyone was on their way.

Someone tagged Fu Ling: “Are you bringing a ‘plus one’ again this time? Hahahaha.”

Fu Ling replied: “What’s up? You can bring one too if you want.”

Bringing a family member? Was Zhou Siyuan coming too?

Chu Xi was scratching Xiannv’s head and hadn’t thought deeply about it when his smart home robot said: “A guest has arrived, a guest has arrived.”

Chu Xi snapped out of it. He saw a private message from Fu Ling saying he was at the door.

Not only that, because Fu Ling had a car, he had picked up several other friends along the way. Now, everyone was standing neatly at the door waiting for him to open it.

Chu Xi quickly and gently put down Xiannv, who was nesting on his lap, put on his slippers, and hurried to open the door.

When the door opened, five or six people were gathered at Chu Xi’s entrance. At first glance, one might think they were there to collect a debt. But debt collectors don’t bring flowers.

Fu Ling handed a bouquet to Chu Xi. The Larkspur purple, roses, and Lisianthus white complemented each other, creating a fresh look that perfectly hit Chu Xi’s aesthetic preferences.

Chu Xi took them, unable to put them down: “Why did you bring flowers?”

Zhou Siyuan poked her head out from beside Fu Ling: “Because my brother said you can’t go to someone’s house for dinner empty-handed.”

Zhou Jinyan said that? Chu Xi wanted to be sure: “Did he order the flowers too?”

Zhou Siyuan nodded vigorously: “Yes, yes! I said ‘how about I bring flowers,’ and my brother helped pick the arrangement!”

Chu Xi inhaled the fragrance of the fresh flowers, feeling quite confused about what Zhou Jinyan’s attitude actually was.

Chu Xi let the group into his house. Fearing Xiannv might get stressed meeting so many strangers, he moved her to his bedroom beforehand.

Chu Xi found a transparent glass vase in the cupboard, added some water, placed the bouquet inside, and set it on the balcony.

Chu Xi’s habit of taking photos kicked in again. He took several shots of the flowers from different angles. He poked a delicate petal with his fingertip, hesitating over the chat interface with Zhou Jinyan, wondering if he should say thank you.

While Chu Xi was hesitating, two messages popped up from the other side.

Brother: Did you receive the flowers?

Brother: Are you still unhappy?