After My Childhood Friend Misunderstood That I Had a Boyfriend - Chapter 32

Chapter 32: A predatory kiss

But he couldn’t.

He even had to personally hand the phone over to Chu Xi and witness him answer it, watching the two of them chat sweetly while he—the “official” third wheel—was left to wallow in self-pity.

He had never seen a primary partner so utterly lacking in situational awareness!!

To interject right when Chu Xi was being affectionate with him and ruin the mood like this—it was no wonder this man couldn’t win Chu Xi’s favor and was being neglected. There were reasons for everything.

Zhou Jinyan looked at the caller ID on the screen and let out a silent, cold laugh. Since Chu Xi was already with him, could the day the other man got kicked to the curb be far off?

At this thought, Zhou Jinyan instantly felt like a rooster who had won a fight—spirited and head held high. Just thinking about how Chu Xi’s heart was slowly leaning toward him, and would eventually belong to him entirely, made him feel incredibly satisfied.

He just had to endure a little longer; he would take over that position sooner or later.

“Bao Bao.” Zhou Jinyan sat back down next to Chu Xi, crowding against him like a needy big dog. “Your phone.”

Chu Xi shifted his gaze from the small characters in the movie to the screen. Seeing it was a message from Fu Zhaosheng, he suddenly remembered: “Ah! I forgot to reply to his message this morning.”

Zhou Jinyan never thought those few words could sound so melodic.

It seemed Chu Xi didn’t care much about that man anymore if he could even forget to reply to his messages. Besides, Chu Xi’s heart had been pinned on him all day.

Zhou Jinyan even found the noisy characters on the screen much more pleasing to the eye now.

Chu Xi felt a bit embarrassed. He had seen the message and intended to reply, but as soon as he turned around and got stuck to Zhou Jinyan, he forgot everything. His whole heart was glued to the man beside him.

Chu Xi was about to answer the call, but as Zhou Jinyan squeezed against him, his hand slipped and he accidentally hung up.

Hiss.

He didn’t do it on purpose.

Chu Xi looked at the call interface and patted Zhou Jinyan’s thigh, signaling that he needed to step out: “I’m going to call him back.”

Zhou Jinyan released the arm holding him: “Go ahead.”

His arms suddenly felt light, the lingering warmth of where Chu Xi had been lying still present. Zhou Jinyan’s fingertips curled; he instinctively wanted to grab the hem of Chu Xi’s clothes, but his hand met only air.

He felt a piece of his heart go empty as well. The warmth in his embrace, no longer filled by his lover, dissipated, replaced by the encroaching winter chill. Zhou Jinyan pursed his lips and told himself that Chu Xi was just going to answer a phone call.

It wasn’t as if he were being abandoned for the embrace of another man.

Chu Xi didn’t realize that leaving for just a moment would make his clingy lover feel insecure. He walked out to the balcony, the oncoming cold wind making him frown. Suddenly, he wasn’t very willing to call Fu Zhaosheng back.

It was so cold. Chu Xi subconsciously called out Zhou Jinyan’s name. Only after the man responded did he realize how naturally he had begun to order Zhou Jinyan around.

After a moment, Chu Xi said, “Help me grab my coat.”

Zhou Jinyan: “Okay.”

Chu Xi’s gaze returned to the screen. Although he wasn’t very willing, it was his fault for not replying earlier. He could only dial the number back. After a few rings, the other party picked up.

Chu Xi asked perfunctorily, “What’s up?”

His tone was blunt; it was obvious he wasn’t in a good mood.

“Aren’t you going to the Jiangshang Film Festival?” Fu Zhaosheng’s deep voice came through with a slight static. He spoke in a matter-of-fact, business-like tone. “Your mother asked if you need a ride. I’ll take you.”

The Jiangshang Film Festival. Chu Xi froze for a moment. It felt like a lifetime ago. The last time he had mentioned this was a month ago when he was trying to get close to Zhou Jinyan to flirt with him. A month had passed in the blink of an eye, and he was now in a legitimate relationship with Zhou Jinyan.

A lot can happen in a month. Chu Xi sighed. It seemed that day had also been a rainy day. Moved by the memory, his mood improved slightly, and his harsh tone softened: “Sure.”

Zhou Jinyan happened to bring the coat over at that moment. Hearing Chu Xi’s spoiled tone, he nearly died inside.

Just thinking that Chu Xi used this same tone to act spoiled and call that man “Gége,” Zhou Jinyan grit his teeth. He felt himself breaking apart.

He truly wished Chu Xi would use that tone to call him “Gége.”

Just moments ago, Zhou Jinyan had been thinking that he only needed to let Chu Xi’s heart slowly lean toward him step-by-step without resorting to sowing discord—that such underhanded tactics would tarnish their relationship.

But right now, Zhou Jinyan felt he had spoken too soon.

He composed himself and walked slowly to Chu Xi’s side, his movements very light.

“Bao Bao,” Zhou Jinyan whispered. Jealousy was raging in his heart, and he desperately wanted to hang up the call. But as he approached Chu Xi, he kept his voice low, afraid the person on the other end would realize they were… together. “Your coat.”

Chu Xi was on the phone and didn’t have a free hand to take it. Zhou Jinyan was very “considerate,” tenderly draping the coat over Chu Xi’s shoulders. Chu Xi extended his arms, following Zhou Jinyan’s lead to put the coat on properly.

Chu Xi let Zhou Jinyan help him into the coat. The cold wind was neutralized by the warmth, and his delicate brows finally relaxed. He asked Fu Zhaosheng, “Then when are you coming to pick me up? Don’t be like last time; I have my own plans too!”

Chu Xi emphasized this pointedly. He was still brooding over the fact that a sudden gathering had caused him to miss a date with Zhou Jinyan.

They had only gone on a few dates before getting together. What a waste!

Chu Xi lowered his head. He had only just entered the “honey-moon phase,” yet he was already missing the initial “ambiguous phase.”

After helping Chu Xi with his coat, Zhou Jinyan didn’t walk away. Instead, he stood openly beside Chu Xi, eavesdropping on the conversation.

Chu Xi didn’t use the speakerphone, so Zhou Jinyan couldn’t hear the other side. But from the conversation, he could tell they were planning to go out on a date.

Zhou Jinyan’s expression was currently several degrees colder than the wind outside. If Chu Xi hadn’t been right there, he would have let out a cold laugh.

Neglected until now and finally learned to be afraid? Scared that Chu Xi really moved on, so now you’re rushing to repair the relationship?

Too late! Underneath Zhou Jinyan’s calm surface, currents were swirling as he thought about how to stop Chu Xi from going to this meeting.

He thought and thought. They say a good physique is a man’s capital for keeping a lover’s heart. Chu Xi had said he wanted to see his abs last time. Zhou Jinyan mused that the impact of seeing them in person would be much greater than in a photo.

He pondered for a moment and made up his mind. No matter what method he used, he had to keep Chu Xi’s heart from wandering.

Fu Zhaosheng mentioned a time. Hearing that he had to go out in the morning, Chu Xi almost didn’t want to go again. “So early? Can I arrive a bit later?”

Fu Zhaosheng was immune to Chu Xi’s acting spoiled: “You need to get your styling done.”

Fine. Hearing that, Chu Xi knew he couldn’t sleep in and had to get up early. His improved mood instantly soured. “Got it, got it. Just come pick me up then.”

Listening on the side, Zhou Jinyan noticed the impatience in Chu Xi’s voice and felt an immediate sense of schadenfreude. Just a few sentences and he’d already made Chu Xi angry; he couldn’t think of a single reason why this man deserved Chu Xi.

As expected, he and Chu Xi were the best match.

Zhou Jinyan shifted his body to block the wind for Chu Xi. He looked out at the rainy sky, silent for a while before he couldn’t help but start comparing again.

I would never make Chu Xi angry.

It was clear who the winner was.

“Bao Bao.” Once Chu Xi hung up, Zhou Jinyan naturally pulled him into his arms. The missing warmth finally returned to his embrace. Zhou Jinyan exhaled a sigh and whispered against Chu Xi’s ear, “Let’s go back and watch the movie.”

With the appearance of that phone call, Zhou Jinyan found even the noisy little characters on the screen pleasing. Better to watch a boring animated movie than have their time together interrupted.

The heater inside baked them both. After a while, Chu Xi felt hot again, so he took off his coat and leaned against Zhou Jinyan’s chest.

Compared to the indoor heating, the man behind him was a giant furnace. Chu Xi stared at the character “Anger” on the screen and couldn’t help but think: people say those with high body temperatures generally have a “fiery” liver (a high sex drive).

He wondered if Zhou Jinyan’s “liver fire” was high… The movie was half over, and Chu Xi took a rare moment to let his mind wander.

Stop, stop, stop! His thoughts were veering further into NSFW territory. Chu Xi quickly pulled his imagination back and tried to focus on the movie itself.

One minute later.

Chu Xi was really fed up with himself. He couldn’t focus on the movie at all, solely occupied with whether Zhou Jinyan’s “liver fire” was high.

Just then, the movie reached the end. The screen went black and the credits began to roll. Once it finished, the only sounds left were the breathing of the person beside him and the rain outside.

The rain pitter-pattered. Chu Xi leaned against Zhou Jinyan, close enough to hear his heartbeat. It was steady, yet heavy—thumping strongly, one beat after another.

Just sitting and holding each other, Chu Xi felt time moved so fast. It felt like they could stay like this until the end of time.

Zhou Jinyan checked the time: “It’s time for lunch.”

Only then did Chu Xi lazily lift his eyelids. He seemed to have lost his sense of time. He whispered, “Okay.”

It was his first time staying for lunch at his boyfriend’s house. Chu Xi followed behind Zhou Jinyan, a bit worried about his etiquette, so he whispered: “Do you guys have fixed seats for meals or anything?”

The movies he watched were all like that—large families with many rules, where even the seating for meals was strictly ordered. Asking someone such a personal family question was a bit intrusive, but Chu Xi had been wondering for a long time and just blurted it out today since he caught Zhou Jinyan.

Zhou Jinyan looked at Chu Xi with amusement: “No. You can sit wherever you want.”

“Oh.” Chu Xi nodded. He supposed such things varied from person to person. He reached out to take Zhou Jinyan’s hand and said stickily, “Then I want to sit next to you.”

Chu Xi never denied being clingy; he loved sticking to the person he liked. He gave Zhou Jinyan’s hand a little shake: “Is that okay?”

If Chu Xi had continued to lean against Zhou Jinyan, he might have heard how heavily the man’s heart was thumping. Zhou Jinyan’s Adam’s apple bobbed: “Okay.”

After saying it, Zhou Jinyan realized that regardless of the topic, Chu Xi would have sat next to him anyway. The request felt like a sweet whisper at that moment.

Their eyes met. After a long moment, as if they understood each other’s thoughts, they smiled at each other. Then, in the hallway, Zhou Jinyan kissed Chu Xi on the cheek.

When he wanted to go deeper, Chu Xi blocked him: “No, no. We’re about to eat. What if someone sees?”

Zhou Jinyan stopped there, but his eyes were filled with desire as they separated: “Fine.”

Chu Xi rubbed the man’s cheek and handed him a sweet date: “I’ll kiss you later, okay?”

Without waiting for a response, Chu Xi headed downstairs first: “Let’s go, time to eat.”

When they got downstairs, Zhou Siyuan was already at the table. She greeted Chu Xi. She looked a bit tired; it wasn’t hard to guess she had stayed up late last night.

Siyuan ate in small bites while scrolling through her phone. After Chu Xi sat down, she remembered something and handed her phone over: “Sister-in-law, look!”

On the screen was Siyuan’s Instagram page. The first post was a grid of nine photos from her birthday party last night. The post below it was the video clip Chu Xi had recorded for her.

Siyuan was enthusiastic: “Sister-in-law, let’s follow each other on Instagram!”

Chu Xi: “Sure.”

After lunch, the two returned to the room. Chu Xi remembered Siyuan saying their parents were traveling. He had been anxious all day only to find nothing happened, but that day would eventually come. At the thought of this, that mysterious sense of anxiety returned.

Chu Xi tried to prepare in advance. He poked Zhou Jinyan’s arm: “What are your parents like?”

Zhou Jinyan saw through his anxiety about meeting the family at a glance. He cupped Chu Xi’s face and kissed him. “Don’t worry. They’re very nice; they won’t make things difficult for you.”

Seeing that Chu Xi didn’t believe him, Zhou Jinyan added: “I managed to get such a beautiful wife; they’ll be too happy to complain.”

Chu Xi couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh at those words. He asked playfully, “What if they don’t agree to us being together?”

Zhou Jinyan held him and spoke the truth: “That won’t happen.”

Zhou Jinyan smiled and smoothed down a stray strand of Chu Xi’s hair, his tone steady yet casual: “Of course, if Bao Bao wants to hear sweet words—being with you doesn’t require anyone’s permission.”

What does he mean ‘if I want to hear sweet words’!

It made him look like some insecure drama queen who needed constant reassurance of love.

Chu Xi’s ears turned red at Zhou Jinyan’s words, but he certainly enjoyed hearing them. So, he gave a soft hum to show he understood.

The rain was still falling.

But being with him required no one’s permission.

Chu Xi recalled those words, and the winter rain outside drummed against his heart. He couldn’t help but smile.

Once his clothes were dry, Chu Xi went to the laundry room to collect them.

The rain outside hadn’t stopped all day. During dinner, Chu Xi saw the housekeeper bringing in the plants from outside; there was too much rain, and the flowers would drown if left out any longer.

He was staying over at Zhou Jinyan’s house again tonight. As the day passed, Zhou Jinyan had somehow found matching couple’s toothbrushes, cups, and slippers. As Chu Xi washed up in the evening, he had the strange illusion that he wasn’t just staying over, but had already moved in with him.

But Chu Xi didn’t mind the idea of living with Zhou Jinyan.

In fact, the thought of them living together sparked a faint sense of anticipation.

Although Zhou Jinyan had dumped most of the work on his older brother, some processes still needed to pass through him. Like yesterday, Chu Xi finished organizing his things and went to the study to find Zhou Jinyan.

Chu Xi walked over with a light step. Today, he wasn’t wearing Zhou Jinyan’s shirt, but a pair of couple’s pajamas Zhou Jinyan had found from somewhere.

As soon as he walked over, Zhou Jinyan pulled him into his lap. Chu Xi glanced at the computer screen and almost felt dizzy: “Not finished yet?”

The faint scent of coconut cake entered his nose. Zhou Jinyan bounced him lightly: “Almost. Are you sleepy? If you are, don’t wait for me. Go to sleep first.”

Chu Xi swayed from the movement and had to wrap his arms around the man’s neck to avoid falling.

Hearing Zhou Jinyan say that, he shook his head: “Not sleepy yet.”

Chu Xi leaned up and kissed the corner of Zhou Jinyan’s mouth: “I’ll ‘recharge’ you. I’ll wait and sleep with you.”

After the kiss, just as Chu Xi was about to leave Zhou Jinyan’s embrace and his feet hit the floor, the man grabbed his hand and pulled him back into his lap.

Then, a predatory kiss fell heavily, easily prying open Chu Xi’s teeth to plunder his breath.

Only when Chu Xi was struggling to breathe did the kiss finally end. Seeing him dazed from the kiss, Zhou Jinyan rubbed his thumb against Chu Xi’s lip: “Bao Bao, the ‘recharging’ effect is better this way.”