After My Childhood Friend Misunderstood That I Had a Boyfriend - Chapter 5

Chapter 5: We Look Quite Good Together

“Checking your phone so many times… what’s up, Zhou Jinyan? Are you in a relationship?

The banquet was a flurry of social climbing and clinking glasses. Jiang Yi, wearing a playful smirk, sat down heavily in the seat next to Zhou Jinyan.

Jiang Yi leaned in to peek: Being checked up on? The tone seems pretty sweet. So, you like the ‘sweet girl’ type?

Zhou Jinyan tilted his screen away, clearly displeased by Jiang Yi’s intrusion. His tone carried a hint of annoyance: No, he’s a guy.

Seeing Jiang Yi gearing up to tease him, Zhou Jinyan added: “Don’t overthink it. He’s my roommate.”

Jiang Yi: Does a roommate usually ask if you’re willing to come back to the dorm to keep him company?

Zhou Jinyan froze. His intended explanation stalled as a faded memory suddenly became vivid.

In his mind, he saw a little “sticky rice ball” half a head shorter than him, wearing a Golden Shaded cat onesie, clutching the hem of his shirt. The boy had called him Brother Xiao Zhou and asked if they could sleep together because he was scared to sleep alone.

These were memories from when he was five or six years old. Over the decade or so they had spent without contact, this memory had been forgotten, but in the last few days, it had become increasingly clear.

Zhou Jinyan instinctively made an excuse for Chu Xi: “Everyone has a different personality. He’s timid; he’s likely just looking for psychological comfort.”

Jiang Yi thought to himself: Keep telling yourself that. He teased: Oh… ‘timid,’ I see.

Halfway through the teasing, he saw Zhou Jinyan stand up and grab his car keys. Jiang Yi blinked: What are you doing?

Zhou Jinyan glanced at him: Driving home. You think I’m going to stay up all night with you guys?

This gathering was originally for an investment talk. Now that the objective had been achieved, it was perfectly reasonable for Zhou Jinyan to leave. But choosing to leave now definitely suggested a problem involving his “little roommate.”

Jiang Yi snickered: Yes, yes, yes. Don’t stay up with us; go stay up with your little roommate instead.

Zhou Jinyan ignored him. Before starting the car, he sent a clear message to Chu Xi: “I’m coming back. But it’ll be a bit late. You can turn off the lights and go to sleep first.”

A moment later, he added: I’ll try to keep the noise down so I don’t disturb your rest.

Chu Xi was huddled in his duvet. When he heard the ding-dong from his phone, he poked his head out. Seeing Zhou Jinyan’s message, he replied immediately: It’s okay, I don’t sleep that early.

Chu Xi: I’ll wait for you to come back.

Several minutes passed without a reply. Chu Xi turned his screen off and on repeatedly. Instead of a message from Zhou Jinyan, he received a text from a photographer friend asking if he was willing to be a model.

This photographer was skilled at highlighting a model’s best features and was quite famous in their circle.

 Song Shiyu: Hi Xiao Xi, I want to shoot a series with a specific vibe, and after thinking it over, you’re the best fit. Shooting the day after tomorrow. Willing to be my model? Pretty please.jpg

 Song Shiyu: Quick, say you’re willing.jpg

Chu Xi looked at the reference photos Song Shiyu sent. The theme was “Forest Elf.” The hazy, youthful tones left Chu Xi momentarily stunned. After checking his schedule for the day after tomorrow and seeing he was free, he agreed immediately.

 Chu Xi: Sure, I’m in! Cat proudly tilting its head.jpg

 Song Shiyu: Sent! Here’s the location Dongcheng XX Road Forest Park.

 Chu Xi: Got it.

After replying to Song Shiyu, Zhou Jinyan still hadn’t messaged back. Chu Xi propped up his chin; it seemed Zhou Jinyan was truly busy.

Chu Xi waited until he was drowsy, yet Zhou Jinyan still hadn’t returned. Time ticked away. Chu Xi really couldn’t stay up any longer; after washing up, he prepared to turn off the lights.

He had just clicked the switch when, the next moment, the dorm door was pushed open with a “thud.”

The dim light from the corridor flooded into the dark room, but because it was blocked by the tall figure of the newcomer, it only illuminated a small patch of floor.

It was Zhou Jinyan, returning in a hurry.

Chu Xi was startled. Wait, does Zhou Jinyan walk without making any sound?

But soon, his calm heart began to thump wildly from the sudden surprise.

Zhou Jinyan stood by the door. Chu Xi instinctively looked up at him, and his eyes happened to collide with the other’s gaze. He seemed to see a flash of surprise in Zhou Jinyan’s eyes—as if he hadn’t expected Chu Xi to be right there at the door.

Their gazes locked, yet for a moment, neither spoke.

After a long pause, Chu Xi said: “You’re back.”

Zhou Jinyan looked travel-worn, carrying the chill of a late autumn night. He was wearing a pair of glasses on his high nose bridge; the light reflecting off the lenses obscured the emotions in his eyes.

Zhou Jinyan’s cold voice was flat: Mm.

Zhou Jinyan: Were you about to sleep?

Chu Xi was dying of sleepiness but remained stubborn: “Not yet.” He had a sudden flash of inspiration: I wanted to turn off the lights and play on my phone in bed.

Hearing this, Zhou Jinyan disapproved: “Playing on your phone in the dark is bad for your eyes.”

Chu Xi: Mm-hmm.

The dorm lights, which had just been turned off, were switched back on.

The door was closed, sealing out the cold air. The rustling sound of Zhou Jinyan taking off his jacket added a sense of life to the room. Chu Xi tugged at his pajama sleeves, listening to the movement. Tonight, he wasn’t alone in the dorm.

Zhou Jinyan actually came back!

Chu Xi poked his head out from the bed curtain and looked at the glasses on Zhou Jinyan’s nose: “Hey Brother Zhou, I didn’t know you wore glasses?”

Chu Xi’s eyes crinkled into a smile. Zhou Jinyan turned around, unintentionally catching that smile that looked like the spring thaw.

Zhou Jinyan nodded: “Yeah, my prescription is low. I don’t usually wear them, but I do when I drive.”

Zhou Jinyan took off the glasses: “I forgot to take them off.”

Whether he actually forgot, or was in such a rush to get back that he didn’t have time to take them off, Zhou Jinyan hid the truth by rubbing his brow. Seeing Chu Xi still staring, he asked: What?

Chu Xi: Nothing, it’s just that I’ve never seen you in glasses. It’s new.

He wanted to stare at this different version of Zhou Jinyan a bit longer, but unfortunately, Zhou Jinyan “restored his original skin” too quickly.

Zhou Jinyan: …Mm.

The two fell into silence. After a while, sleepiness hit Chu Xi again. He didn’t want to get out of bed, so seeing Zhou Jinyan still on the floor, he called out: “Zhou Jinyan.”

Chu Xi’s voice was subconsciously “sticky” and soft: “Can you help me turn off the light? I want to sleep.”

Zhou Jinyan found it funny. Didn’t you say ten minutes ago you weren’t sleepy?

His face remained unchanged: Okay.

After a few footsteps, the room fell back into darkness.

“Thank you,” Chu Xi whispered. He then saw Zhou Jinyan return to his desk and turn on his computer and a small night light.

Chu Xi was confused: “It’s so late, aren’t you sleeping?”

Seeing where he was looking, Zhou Jinyan said calmly: I’ll try to be quiet.

Meaning he wouldn’t disturb Chu Xi’s sleep.

I didn’t mean it like that!

Chu Xi widened his eyes to clarify: “That’s not what I meant!”

Since they were exchanging “Good mornings” and “Good nights”… a spark of inspiration hit Chu Xi’s not-so-bright brain. He tried to fix it: “I mean, it’s late, maybe you should sleep early too.”

God, that was such a perfect save. Chu Xi, you’re a little genius.

Chu Xi praised himself inwardly and pulled his curtain shut. After lying down, he intentionally made loud breathing sounds to pretend he was asleep.

Closing his eyes, he thought he heard a very faint chuckle from behind him.

Mm. Good night.

Chu Xi didn’t respond.

He really is sleepy. Zhou Jinyan retracted his gaze. His WeChat was logged in on the computer, and Jiang Yi’s chat box had a red notification. Without using the mouse, he scrolled on the trackpad.

 Jiang Yi: Hello? Anyone there? Fallen into a ‘gentle trap’ with the beauty? Still remember your brothers?

Zhou Jinyan: “What is it?”

Jiang Yi: You replied within an hour? No way.” Jiang Yi: “Old Gu said thanks for the investment in that M-City tourism project. He’s calling us for a dinner the day after tomorrow.” Jiang Yi: “Eating at that famous forest park in Dongcheng. Quite atmospheric.

Zhou Jinyan: Got it. What time?

Jiang Yi: Arrive around 6 PM.

The next day, Chu Xi had a full schedule of classes and was wilted all day. After showering that evening, he collapsed onto the bed. In the blink of an eye, it was the day of the shoot with Song Shiyu.

Song Shiyu was in charge of both makeup and photography. Chu Xi took a taxi to his studio. Upon arrival, he let the stylist and makeup artist work on him.

Half an hour later, Chu Xi looked in the mirror. He wore a white shirt resembling a medieval noble—exquisite in texture—with a long white neckpiece wrapped around his slender neck, falling to his ankles like the delicate wings of an elf. He wore pine-green trousers that made his legs look impossibly long. The makeup deepened his features, and his ice-blue contact lenses gave him an air of deep affection whenever he looked at someone.

Chu Xi was stunned by his own beauty. He couldn’t help but take a flurry of mirror selfies, intending to post them on WeChat, Little Red Book, and Instagram as “behind-the-scenes” once the final photos were out.

Chu Xi sent a photo to Jian Yu: Which one looks better?

Jian Yu: They all look good.

Chu Xi was conflicted: No, I have to pick the best one.

Jian Yu didn’t reply immediately. After a while, he said: “Why don’t you post on Little Red Book? Title it ‘Which photo should I send to my crush?’ Let the netizens help you out.”

Seeing how transparent he was, Chu Xi was secretly amazed. Is my little scheme that easy to guess?

Indeed, he was planning to send a photo to Zhou Jinyan.

Chu Xi didn’t hesitate for long before Song Shiyu drove him to the location for the shoot. It was 5:30 PM. Besides the hazy forest atmosphere, both Song Shiyu and Chu Xi were willing to wait for the “blue hour” that only happened once a day.

Chu Xi had watched the artistic youth films his father, Chu Chengfeng, directed in his early years. Those films used the blue hour to express the emotions between the protagonists, giving Chu Xi a strange yearning for that time of day.

Chu Xi was natural and light in front of the camera. Since it wasn’t his first time working with Song Shiyu, the shoot went smoothly.

As evening approached in late autumn, the temperature dropped sharply. A cold wind rustled the leaves. Chu Xi, who was sensitive to the cold, wore a coffee-brown trench coat over his costume as he huddled with Song Shiyu to review the sample shots.

On the nearby road, a silver-gray Cullinan slowly approached. There were many pedestrians here, so Zhou Jinyan slowed down to observe the surroundings.

Looking to the left, he saw Chu Xi standing extremely close to a man. To an outsider, they looked incredibly intimate.

Dressed up exquisitely. Sunset. Forest park.

Zhou Jinyan’s gaze darkened. Is this Chu Xi’s boyfriend? Are they on a date?

After a long pause, he looked away, his gaze heavy.

They look quite good together.