After My Childhood Friend Misunderstood That I Had a Boyfriend - Chapter 24

Chapter 24: One look and it’s clear he’s fallen in love

Seeing Zhou Jinyan’s face suddenly cloud over, Chu Xi had a second thought. Oh right, his phone was smashed, and the chat history wasn’t backed up. This is a bit too difficult for him.

Chu Xi, being considerate, prepared to lower the difficulty level: “Then let me give you a hint.”

Just as Chu Xi was about to speak, he was interrupted by Zhou Jinyan’s calm tone: “No need.”

“No need to lower the difficulty for me.” In just a few seconds of cold analysis, Zhou Jinyan already had a plan. Having nearly revealed his true feelings, he was no longer reserved or restrained. “If I answer correctly, will there be a reward?”

Huh? A reward?

Chu Xi raised his head in surprise. How did Zhou Jinyan learn to push his luck so quickly!

What kind of reward…

Chu Xi thought for a few seconds but couldn’t think of anything he could give. He decided to kick the ball back to Zhou Jinyan: “You can have whatever you want.”

Wait. That sounded a bit strange.

What if Zhou Jinyan made a particularly outrageous request?

After a moment of silence, Chu Xi urgently added a disclaimer: “It has to be within my capabilities! Any reward beyond my power is invalid!”

Even though the two of them were just a hair’s breadth away from piercing the paper-thin barrier between their feelings, they hadn’t officially started dating yet. Things that should only happen after they were together couldn’t be used as a reward.

Chu Xi had never been in a relationship before. His ears turned bright red. He couldn’t help but wonder: if there was an official confession, who would mention it first? If he brought it up, would it be too forward?

Ah! How agonizing!

Chu Xi couldn’t hide his feelings. His mind was a whirlwind of stray thoughts. He must have blinked a dozen times in one minute. Combined with his crimson ears and shy expression, the sight made Zhou Jinyan’s lips curl upward.

A trace of wicked intent rose in Zhou Jinyan’s heart. His dark eyes deepened, and without warning, he reached out and brushed his thumb against the corner of Chu Xi’s mouth.

As Zhou Jinyan withdrew his hand, he thought casually: Just as soft as I imagined.

Feeling the slightly rough pad of a finger press against his lip, Chu Xi, who was already lost in thought, suddenly widened his eyes: “What… what are you doing?”

Is he hinting that the reward he wants is a kiss?

Isn’t that too fast? We haven’t even confessed yet!!

Zhou Jinyan said nonchalantly, “There was some porridge stuck to your mouth. What’s wrong?”

Oh, just porridge. Ugh, he thought Zhou Jinyan wanted to kiss him!

Realizing he had overthought it, Chu Xi shook his head: “Nothing.”

Ahhhh, this is terrible!!

It was a disaster. It hadn’t even been a full day since he confirmed the other’s feelings, and he was already imagining kissing Zhou Jinyan and even more intimate things.

How could this be! He wasn’t a “love-brain”!

No, no, he couldn’t be like that. He needed to keep some distance from Zhou Jinyan for a moment.

Chu Xi made the excuse that he was going to sleep. He stood up and rubbed his burning cheeks, trying to banish those messy fantasies.

Just as his hands gripped the ladder to the upper bunk, he heard the man ask in a flat tone: “Still need help?”

Chu Xi almost repeated his mistake of slipping. Last time it was because the fever left him weak; this time, it was purely because he was flustered by Zhou Jinyan’s words.

Can Zhou Jinyan please stop using such a calm voice to say things that spark such fantasies!?

And “helping” was just a convenient way for the other to wrap an arm around his waist. Ahhh, how did he only just notice Zhou Jinyan’s sneaky little intentions?

Could it be that the fever really turned him into an idiot?

Impossible. He couldn’t be an idiot, so Zhou Jinyan must just be highly skilled! Damn it, how can this man play with an “idiot” like this!

It was too much! Clearly, he had been giving him too much “good face.” He needed to reflect.

Chu Xi glared at Zhou Jinyan and said fiercely, “I don’t need it!”

Chu Xi scrambled up to bed, grabbed the quilt, and rolled himself into a custard bun. Seeing that Zhou Jinyan intended to say more, he said very sharply: “Don’t talk to me!”

Who knew what kind of overwhelming things Zhou Jinyan would say next.

Quite fierce, like a kitten grumbling.

Zhou Jinyan laughed softly: “I just wanted to say goodnight.”

Chu Xi endured for a second, but ultimately couldn’t help himself. He replied quite pathetically: “Oh. Goodnight.”

No matter how much he grumbled, he would still walk over and tilt his head up for a nuzzle while complaining.

It was enough to make someone faint from the cuteness.

Zhou Jinyan suppressed the urge to pull Chu Xi into his arms and loosened his clenched fist. His hints were obvious enough; there was no rush. He would take it slow, step by step.

And looking at Chu Xi’s reaction

After the silent confession, the corners of the young man’s eyes and brows were stained red. March peach blossoms seemed to bloom on his cheeks in late autumn, and his eyes were like spring water. One look and it was clear he had fallen in love.

It was two days later when he finally made up that delayed lunch with Jian Yu.

After the rain two days ago, the weather forecast had listed ten days of clouds or bright sun. Today happened to be cloudless with a scorching sun.

Chu Xi folded his umbrella and left it in the storage rack at the shop entrance.

As he took his seat, he was met with Jian Yu’s strong condemnation: “You’re one minute late! Waaa, as expected, now that you have a boyfriend, you don’t care about me anymore.”

“Stop fake-crying,” Chu Xi corrected him. “We aren’t together yet. He’s not my boyfriend yet.”

Jian Yu had ordered in advance, and the food arrived just as Chu Xi sat down. Chu Xi moved his portion of “pretty food” in front of him and heard: “Mm-hmm, not together yet.”

“By the way.” Halfway through the meal, Jian Yu thought of a small question. “Does Zhou Jinyan know you have a crush on him?”

Chu Xi was busy adjusting the angle of his food for a photo. Hearing Jian Yu, he said: “He doesn’t know. I haven’t said it yet, but I feel like there’s not much need to say it.”

Jian Yu saw Chu Xi take a photo and start typing with a beaming face. Chu Xi never looked this happy even when posting to Xiaohongshu or WeChat Moments before. There was only one truth.

Jian Yu teased: “Not together yet, huh? Then why are you reporting your itinerary already?”

Jian Yu continued: “Is Zhou Jinyan that possessive? Checking up on you even before you’re official.”

Chu Xi was embarrassed: “He’s not. He started reporting to me first…”

Jian Yu understood immediately: “So you started reporting back to him?”

Chu Xi put down his phone: “Mm.”

“Love-brain,” Jian Yu teased. Seeing they were at this stage but not yet official, he assumed Chu Xi had his own rhythm, so he asked: “So what are you thinking? When are you going to break the silence?”

Chu Xi used his spoon to dejectedly cut the food on his plate into pieces: “I don’t know. I can’t find the right time.”

As soon as his mood dipped, even the “pretty food” didn’t look pretty anymore. “And we’re both going to be quite busy soon.”

Zhou Jinyan had work, and he had a photography collaboration. They hadn’t seen each other since the night they parted.

Perhaps fearing Chu Xi would overthink again, Zhou Jinyan had proactively reported his itinerary since the first day they were apart.

Chu Xi was deathly happy inside, but on the surface, he pretended not to care much: “Why are you sharing so much with me?” -Chu Xi: It makes me look like a control freak

 Chu Xi: Won’t it make you feel like you have no private space?

Zhou Jinyan’s reply was as brief as his usual speech: “No.”

“Bao Bao.” For the rest, Zhou Jinyan didn’t send text. For once, he sent a voice message: “I want you to know what I’m doing. I’m very happy to let you look after me.”

Ahhhh, why send a voice message!

Chu Xi cupped his face; it was so hot. Even though the sound came through his earphones, he felt like Zhou Jinyan was whispering in his ear.

Was “Bao Bao” Baby meant for him? The way he said it was so lingering. Waaa, that’s cheating!

They weren’t even dating yet, how could he call him Bao Bao?

Despite what Chu Xi thought, he actually played that “Bao Bao” message over and over again.

His crush called him Bao Bao! Heavens, was there anyone happier than him?

The phone dinged. Chu Xi gave up on cutting his food and unlocked his phone to see Zhou Jinyan’s reply.

Chu Xi: I’m eating right now. You should eat well too Image Gége: Okay Image Gége: Don’t be a picky eater.

Chu Xi guiltily glanced at the food he had shredded into pieces and replied with a straight face: I’m not being picky. I’m going to eat now, talk later. [Meme: Cat eating.jpg]

Chu Xi put his phone aside. Looking up, he met Jian Yu’s teasing gaze.

Jian Yu weighed his words: “And you’re still not dating?”

Chu Xi sighed: “Right, not yet. But I’m already feeling the agony of a long-distance relationship.”

However, Jian Yu had reminded him since they were already at this stage, it was time to find the right moment to make it official.

As Chu Xi’s mood improved, even the messy food looked acceptable. He thought while eating: How exactly should I confess?

Chu Xi thought they would see each other in two days, but in reality, it had been almost a week. Their most frequent communication was hanging on a voice call every night, falling asleep to the sound of each other’s breathing.

Chu Xi was so tired he could barely keep his eyes open. Thinking that tomorrow was Friday, he said in a muffled voice: “How about I walk Tangdou tomorrow?”

Xiannu (his cat) had been taken home by Ms. Meng. Chu Xi missed the feeling of fur, but more importantly he hadn’t been to Zhou Jinyan’s home yet.

A private place like a home made Chu Xi feel like he was truly integrating into Zhou Jinyan’s life.

Zhou Jinyan’s car had just reached his hotel. The slight breathing in his earphone ebbed and flowed, accompanied by a sticky tone that seemed to sweep away all his fatigue.

Zhou Jinyan’s heart softened: “Okay.”

Chu Xi buried his head in his sheep plushie and asked stickily: “When are you coming back?”

Just as Zhou Jinyan was about to reply, Chu Xi’s voice came through again: “I really hope you come back tomorrow.”

Zhou Jinyan’s footsteps paused. His heart felt as if it were being squeezed, a slight heat rising. The date on the tip of his tongue changed to: “Why?”

Chu Xi was half-dead with sleepiness. He rolled over, and the round black eyes of the squeezed sheep plushie reflected the screen light.

Why is he still asking why?

Chu Xi woke up a little, pouted, and said because his reason for wanting Zhou Jinyan back early was obviously

Chu Xi said in a soft voice, like a gentle sleep-talk: “Because I miss you.”

Thump.

Zhou Jinyan heard his own heart skip a heavy beat.

The world went silent at that moment.

The only thing Zhou Jinyan could hear or care about was Chu Xi’s voice. He took a deep breath. Chu Xi always knew instinctively how to make his heart soften and fall further in love.

Tonight the moon was bright and stars were few. Zhou Jinyan wished he was by Chu Xi’s side right this instant.

The next day.

Chu Xi entered the door code Zhou Jinyan gave him. As soon as the door opened, he saw Tangdou wagging her tail frantically by the entrance.

So cute!

Chu Xi knelt down to rub the dog’s head: “Hello, Tangdou Bao Bao.”

Tangdou’s tail wagged even faster, her tongue out in a fawning expression. Chu Xi cupped her face and praised her: “Aww, Tangdou Bao Bao is so good. You’re the best little baby.”

If it weren’t for Tangdou’s mischief, he wouldn’t have seen Zhou Jinyan’s abs and V-line.

Water droplets slowly flowing down those defined muscles… The scene from that day appeared in Chu Xi’s mind again, and his ears turned red once more.

Hmph, now Zhou Jinyan effectively belonged to him, so what if he thought about it? When the man came back, he wouldn’t just be thinking—he could touch whatever he wanted!

He was no longer the Chu Xi who had just moved into the dorm, a “shameless” college student peeking at Zhou Jinyan’s abs!

He could look openly now!

Chu Xi found Tangdou’s leash, put it on, and opened the door: “Let’s go, Tangdou, time to play.”

Two hours later, Chu Xi brought an exhausted Tangdou home.

Tangdou had her own room. She collapsed in her bed, listlessly pressing her “dog-talk” buttons: “Tired.” “Tired.” “Hungry.”

Chu Xi brought out the dog food prepared by the housekeeper and poked Tangdou’s nose: “Little pig.”

“Don’t listen.” “Eat.”

Chu Xi laughed: “Alright, alright, take your time.” He needed to rest too.

Zhou Jinyan said the housekeeper had bought snacks. Chu Xi went to the kitchen, cut some fruit for himself, and played games on his iPad. When Tangdou was finished, he tidied up.

Looking at Tangdou’s guilty face, Chu Xi couldn’t help but laugh again. So Zhou Jinyan hadn’t framed her on purpose that day; her expression was exactly the same as in the photo, even more vivid in person.

Chu Xi poked Tangdou’s nose, remembering Zhou Jinyan said he’d be back tonight.

Chu Xi blinked, took out a Border Collie needle-felted figure from his bag, placed it on the table, and found a piece of paper to write on.

Once finished, he placed the paper in front of the felted dog, creating a visual effect as if the dog were delivering a note. Chu Xi looked at his work with satisfaction.

Perfect.

The paper delivered by the “Border Collie” clearly read: Gége, let me see your abs