After My Childhood Friend Misunderstood That I Had a Boyfriend - Chapter 16

Chapter 16: You have a boyfriend and you’re still flirting with him

The night scene was brilliantly lit, the bright lights illuminating the side of Zhou Jinyan’s face, but failing to reach the depths of his eyes.

Zhou Jinyan looked at the message sent by Xu Suizhao. He didn’t move for a long time, his face cold, not knowing what to think.

The silence seemed as if it were about to condense into solid ice. After a moment of suspended animation, Zhou Jinyan slowly moved. He inquired: “How could you tell?”

It was just the action of putting an arm around someone’s shoulder—how could Xu Suizhao tell that Chu Xi and that man were in a romantic relationship?

Although it could be called an intimate gesture, he had done the same with Chu Xi. Didn’t that mean they weren’t in a relationship either—Zhou Jinyan suddenly choked on his own thoughts. He couldn’t convince himself anymore. Although they weren’t in a relationship, Chu Xi liked him.

And he, too, had an unexpectedly strong fondness for Chu Xi.

Xu Suizhao was a bit curious about Zhou Jinyan’s persistence in getting to the bottom of this. He spoke the truth: “I heard him acting spoiled and calling the guy next to him ‘Gége’.”

Acting spoiled?

Chu Xi was acting spoiled toward that man?

And even called him ‘Gége’ in that cute way?

Almost subconsciously, Zhou Jinyan’s chest tightened. A burst of explosive emotion came from nowhere, enveloping him and forcing him to delve into a question he couldn’t help but scrutinize.

The way Chu Xi acted spoiled toward him was not only practiced but also very natural. If Chu Xi had a boyfriend, then… where did he rank among the people Chu Xi treated this way? Surely he wasn’t the first. What about the second? Or maybe… he didn’t even make the list?

Who else had Chu Xi acted spoiled for? Who else had he called “Gége”?

The veins in his temples were throbbing, making it impossible for him to calm down. His rationality was squeezed by explosive emotions until very little remained. Zhou Jinyan let out an unheralded, light laugh. Chu Xi had never even called him “Gége” while acting spoiled.

So, the photos Chu Xi sent that night were originally intended for the man in the picture?

If it weren’t for him accidentally initiating a video call because of Tangdou and delaying the time for Chu Xi to withdraw the message, perhaps those photos would have been for that man’s eyes only.

The thought of another man, who shared the same admiration for Chu Xi, seeing those photos of Chu Xi’s charm sent Zhou Jinyan’s self-contained, calm heart into a spiral of violent emotion.

As expected.

Chu Xi was obedient, cute, enthusiastic, and beautiful. Like a pool of spring water after the snow had melted, he made people yearn for him.

No one could resist being moved by Chu Xi.

With a thin waist and long legs, Zhou Jinyan couldn’t help but wonder: had that man put his arm around Chu Xi’s waist?

Had he touched Chu Xi’s legs? Or, done things even more excessive to him?

Zhou Jinyan felt a sourness in his heart. Switching back to his chat with Chu Xi, he looked through the photos, voice messages, videos, and emojis Chu Xi had sent over and over again. The more he looked, the less he could calm down.

Thinking that these words were shared not just with him, but with another man, Zhou Jinyan couldn’t help but laugh out of pure anger.

What exactly was Chu Xi thinking?

He had a boyfriend and yet he still came to flirt with him?

Acting spoiled, clinging to him, saying ambiguous words, and performing intimate actions that always left one’s mind in turmoil.

Actually, Chu Xi’s methods were clumsy, but Zhou Jinyan still couldn’t help but take the bait. He hadn’t even realized it at first, and it wasn’t until he was hooked tightly that he realized he needed to flee.

Even if Chu Xi had the capital to be indulged, why would he think he would definitely take the bait? He already had a boyfriend, yet he played this game of ambiguity and acted so boldly. Did he calculate that even if he were found out, Zhou Jinyan wouldn’t expose him to his boyfriend and embarrass him?

Or.

Had Chu Xi already used these same tricks on other men, so he was full of confidence that the same methods would work on him?

Did Chu Xi take it for granted that his beautiful face was enough to hook him with a single pull?

How could that be possible.

Ah. Why was I rejected?

He’s been very busy lately; is he busy with work?

Chu Xi could understand. Being too busy with work to walk a pet was normal. Sometimes he was so busy he didn’t have time to feed Xiannu either, so he had to hire a home-visiting cat-sitting service to take care of her.

Chu Xi was considerate of him and replied: Okay then.

Chu Xi waited for a while, but Zhou Jinyan didn’t reply.

Is Zhou Jinyan’s work very busy?

That must be why he hasn’t replied.

Chu Xi exited the app and clicked back in, but he couldn’t refresh any new messages from Zhou Jinyan.

Still no reply.

Chu Xi couldn’t find any more excuses. Why? Could I have said something wrong? It wasn’t like this before.

Chu Xi’s beautiful brows were tightly knit. His legs were tucked up, and his free hand had nowhere to go, so he pinched his thigh. He accidentally pinched too hard, leaving a red mark.

Chu Xi didn’t care about the redness. He scrolled up the chat history and saw the leg photo he had sent. He propped up his face with his hand, looking a bit puzzled as he speculated: Could it be that I flirted too much?

But they talked about pets afterward, so it shouldn’t be a problem of flirting too much.

That brought him back to the original question: why did Zhou Jinyan suddenly stop replying?

Chu Xi puffed out his cheeks as he searched for the reason.

After a long while.

Chu Xi rubbed his cheeks and, from his sitting position, fell straight back onto the soft sofa, burying his face in a throw pillow.

Ahhh, I can’t figure it out, I can’t figure it out!

Chu Xi was extremely depressed. Not long ago, he had felt like a “player,” but now, facing Zhou Jinyan’s impenetrable and elusive attitude, Chu Xi realized that he was actually still that same innocent idiot.

It made no sense at all! One second they were fine, so why was there suddenly a transparent wall between them?

Unable to figure it out, Chu Xi felt so frustrated he wanted to roll over and keep thinking. He forgot he wasn’t on a bed and there wasn’t enough room to roll violently. As a result, with one sharp turn, he fell directly onto the floor.

The floor was covered with a soft wool mat, so Chu Xi wasn’t hurt, but his figure as he sat up on the mat looked a bit lonely against the night.

The bouquet of Delphiniums and white roses had been brought inside by Chu Xi, placed exactly where he could see them as soon as he got up.

The flowers were delicate and beautiful, but Chu Xi’s eyes felt a bit sour.

He hated Zhou Jinyan to death!

The next day was Monday. Chu Xi had an elective class at 10:00 AM. Because he went to bed too late last night, the class was already half over by the time he woke up.

While Chu Xi was panicking, his friends told him not to worry. They had helped him cover it up, so he could take his time getting to school.

Chu Xi was moved to tears by them. He scavenged some snacks from home and stuffed them into his bag, planning to feed them to his friends at school.

The residential area was not far from the school. Chu Xi took a taxi and arrived at the West Gate twenty minutes later.

Chu Xi walked against the flow of various crowds. His tall, slender figure stood out like a crane among chickens, yet he moved through the crowd like a flexible fish. A light breeze caught the ends of his hair, revealing his smooth forehead.

He made it for the last period of the elective. When he came out after class he hadn’t noticed when he arrived because he was in too much of a hurry—Chu Xi now realized that this stairwell was the one where he had given Zhou Jinyan the materials half a month ago.

Chu Xi couldn’t help but slow his pace. Finally, he came to a stop under the parasol tree where Zhou Jinyan had stood. Looking up, he could see exactly where he himself had stood back then.

Speaking of which, would Zhou Jinyan also have a class here today?

Today was Monday, just like that day.

Chu Xi stared at the sunlight filtering through the gaps in the branches and falling on the ground. He unlocked his phone, found the contact saved as “AAA Professional Inquirer,” and clicked in to check Zhou Jinyan’s class schedule.

Confirmed. Zhou Jinyan indeed had class today.

Chu Xi felt like he was acting a bit crazy. He suddenly couldn’t move his feet. Since he came out early, he kept thinking inexplicably that if he stood here for a while, he might be able to wait for Zhou Jinyan.

The shadows of the trees swayed. The intense sun was hidden beneath pure white clouds, only casting down a thin light.

People began to trickle out of the practical training building. A girl from the same club as Chu Xi saw him and her eyes lit up: “Chu Xi? Are you waiting for your boyfriend?”

Chu Xi was stunned: “What boyfriend?”

How did he not know he had a boyfriend?

The girl’s name was Lin Yan, and they were on good terms. Hearing this, she whispered: “Your crush, Zhou Jinyan! He’s in the training building too. Our class just had a lecture with them.”

Lin Yan: “You guys must have made it official, otherwise you wouldn’t be waiting for him here, hahahaha.”

We haven’t even started… Chu Xi thought.

However, he was indeed waiting for him. His main goal was to ask clearly what was wrong with Zhou Jinyan and why his attitude had suddenly changed.

Chu Xi kept his eyes on the stairwell. A minute later, the slanted sunlight hit the ground, outlining a tall figure. Zhou Jinyan was tall, and Chu Xi found him instantly.

Chu Xi was still holding a grudge. After saying goodbye to Lin Yan, he walked up aggressively: “Zhou Jinyan!”

Chu Xi blocked his path, but as soon as he saw Zhou Jinyan’s face, his questioning words vanished. All that came out in the end was: “Did you… not sleep well last night?”

Why were the dark circles under his eyes so heavy?

Zhou Jinyan looked down at him: “I slept fine.”

His tone was calm, showing no signs of anything. His hand inside his trench coat pocket was curled, and he expressionlessly dug his fingernails into his palm, struggling to control his emotions.

Here it comes again.

It’s always like this. Always saying these things that make it impossible for one’s heart to stay cold.

Chu Xi was always like this.

Zhou Jinyan felt the pain from his palm, trying to use it to stay calm rather than just looking into Chu Xi’s eyes and letting his gradually hardening heart soften again.

Slept fine?

Chu Xi glanced at Zhou Jinyan. Fine, my foot. His complexion was so poor; it was obvious he was just brushing him off.

Chu Xi thought about how the invitation to walk the dog was rejected last night because he was “busy with work,” and seeing Zhou Jinyan’s clearly haggard appearance from balancing both studies and business, all his questions were instantly forgotten. His heart was filled with nothing but pity for Zhou Jinyan.

Chu Xi tugged at the corner of his coat, tilted his head slightly, and looked up at him. His protective feelings leaked through his voice: “Is work too busy?”

Zhou Jinyan: “Mm.”

Hearing this, Chu Xi’s tone took on a hint of gentle reproach: “Then you need to rest properly!”

Chu Xi shook the corner of his coat: “Promise me, no matter how busy you are, you’ll rest well, okay? Pretty please?”