Childhood Sweethearts (ABO) - Chapter 10

This Unrequited Love is Dangerous!

Even though the Beginning of Autumn had passed, the temperature wasn’t particularly cool. The air was thick with a warm, lingering humidity that seemed to crawl directly onto the back of one’s neck.

At the nape of his neck, the gland which had been controlled by medication for several consecutive days was heating up slightly, feeling like an expanding hydrogen balloon.

“I really love this gift.”

Xi Zhiyu took the initiative to walk toward him, his steps steady and his breathing deep. “But even if you had told me in advance, this surprise would have lasted just as long.”

He wasn’t someone who easily revealed his emotions.

When he reached Xie Yun, those gentle, misty black eyes gazed at him, appearing brighter and more translucent than usual.

Xie Yun’s heart skipped a beat, but he maintained his radiant expression: “Yeah.”

“I was super happy about it, too.”

Behind the two of them, a breeze like spring air rushed in.

The temperature climbed up the back of his neck like a vine, its tip pricking the gland. Xie Yun’s smile faltered for a moment; he subconsciously raised his hand and lightly rubbed the spot.

Xi Zhiyu caught sight of his fair fingertips tugging at the back collar of his school uniform to scratch the skin a couple of times, leaving a faint trace of red.

He asked, “Are you uncomfortable?”

Xie Yun was a straight Alpha through and through. Had an Omega done the same to an Alpha, it wouldn’t have seemed like an issue.

He continued to rub the itchy side of his neck, his fingers accidentally brushing the skin near the gland. His tone was utterly nonchalant: “It’s nothing.”

“It’s always like this when I wear unwashed clothes on set.”

To prepare for this reunion, he had dyed his hair in advance, yet he had forgotten to tell Peanut to wash this new school uniform.

But Xi Zhiyu seemed overly concerned. His brows knitted slightly as he leaned in closer to inspect the skin. Xie Yun instantly held his breath, his body leaning back slightly.

He even had the fleeting illusion that Xi Zhiyu was going to lean down and kiss him, but the older boy’s gaze was too sharp like a doctor anxious to catch a symptom.

“It doesn’t look serious,” Xi Zhiyu said soothingly. “I happened to bring allergy medicine today. It should be effective once you apply it later.”

They were in the teachers’ office, where instructors could walk in at any moment. Coincidentally, no one was there right now, allowing the atmosphere to ferment into something sweet.

The air froze for a moment.

From the corner of his eye, Xi Zhiyu noticed Xie Yun’s naturally hanging hand clenching into a fist, making him realize the tension a beat too late.

He stepped back, his voice dropping lower: “Sorry. If you feel any discomfort, you must tell me immediately, okay?”

Xie Yun stammered, “…Why is Ge saying sorry?”

“Mm,” Xi Zhiyu let out a soft laugh. “Let’s go to the classroom first.”

He looked down at his wristband; it was exactly time for morning self-study. He added, “The course load isn’t heavy today. At noon, I can show you around the campus, and you can try the cafeteria food.”

“Okay.”

Xie Yun put on a submissive act, his handsome face sporting a bright smile. “I’ll be troubling Ge from now on.”

Perhaps because he had spent too much time playing with the dog at home, for a split second, Xi Zhiyu almost reached out to ruffle the boy’s fluffy hair.

But the thought only flickered in his mind; he didn’t act on it.

His eyes crinkled slightly with the gentleness of an older brother as he whispered, “How could it be a trouble?”

“I’m clearly very happy about it.”

They walked through the corridor.

As expected, a crowd of peers looked him over curiously in the hallways, in the neighboring classrooms, the stares were constant.

The new classmates in Class S were usually calm and composed, so they didn’t gossip loudly, but they couldn’t help but cast enthusiastic glances at the popular young actor who had just transferred into their class.

Xi Zhiyu had Xie Yun apply the medicine first, then officially introduced the new student from the podium.

Standing beside the older boy, Xie Yun caught a scent from him and dazed off for a moment. It was a floral scent light, with the faint, refreshing crispness of morning dew.

The whole class clapped in welcome. Xie Yun snapped back to reality in an instant, his expression turning cool and polite: “Please look after me from now on.”

He was a man of few words.

On the first day of his transfer, attending classes and solving problems wasn’t nearly as interesting to Xie Yun as immersive acting on a film set.

However.

Since the class monitor was leading a team for an international competition, the seat reserved for him was toward the back.

During the break, he lay prone on his desk, quietly lifting his eyes. As long as he could see Xi Zhiyu, a restless stir would rise in his heart.

By the same token, there was nothing more blissful than this.

However, during Xie Yun’s relentless “stalking,” he discovered that Xi Zhiyu was very busy. He had many tedious tasks to handle during breaks, and no suspicious Alpha or Omega rivals appeared.

Without him noticing, Yuan Zhoulu dragged a chair over and sat down, shamelessly asking, “Peanut Boy.”

“Long time no see.”

Xie Yun lazily lifted an eyelid: “Yeah.”

Yuan Zhoulu folded his hands over the back of the chair, his tone dissatisfied: “We’re childhood friends too. This double standard is a bit much, don’t you think?”

Xie Yun replied flatly, “Didn’t we just chat a few days ago?”

Yuan Zhoulu: “?”

Xie Yun: “Lava-centered blueberry pie.”

Yuan Zhoulu looked horrified: “How are you so terrifying! You knew it was me and you still played dumb?”

Xie Yun propped up his face nonchalantly, spinning a pen with his other hand as he sized him up: “Speak. What’s your motive?”

Yuan Zhoulu cleared his throat: “Aren’t I here to be your military counselor? Can’t you even see that?”

“I don’t believe you.”

Xie Yun stopped spinning the pen and looked over coldly: “You’ve been at odds with me since we were kids. You definitely have another motive.”

Yuan Zhoulu: “Fine, don’t believe me then.”

Xie Yun didn’t speak. Hearing movement not far away, he instinctively looked toward the front row.

Yuan Zhoulu tilted his head, following his gaze. Sure enough, his eyes landed on Xi Zhiyu.

The boy, who was currently handing out physical examination forms, finished handling the miscellaneous chores only to be called away by the study representative to discuss a competition problem. He was incredibly busy.

Yuan Zhoulu: “Only someone as dense as Zhiyu wouldn’t realize you like him.”

Xie Yun took a deep breath: “Keep your voice down.”

Yuan Zhoulu: “Oh please, all the classmates nearby have gone to the restroom, and Zhiyu is super far away. No one will hear anything.”

“Then what do you want to say?”

Xie Yun had lost his temper with him. “In any case, you are not allowed to tell my Ge.”

Yuan Zhoulu avoided his gaze quite guiltily, scratched the bridge of his nose, and whispered, “You already confessed on Weibo, do I even need to say anything?”

Xie Yun narrowed his eyes: “Huh?”

Yuan Zhoulu performed a tactical retreat with his chair, leaving behind a “Guess for yourself” before turning and bolting away.

Xie Yun stared at that irritating retreating back, clenching his fist. He repeatedly mulled over that ambiguous sentence, a bad premonition rising within him.

Lunch Time

The cafeteria was packed with a swarming army of hungry students. Two younger students, carrying meal trays, were looking for seats while excitedly chatting about their favorite actor transferring to the school.

The moment they turned their heads, they came face-to-face with the subject of their conversation sitting right in front of them. They almost sprayed their milk tea.

Blushing with embarrassment, the two didn’t dare ask for an autograph. Instead, they reflexively ran upstairs, their screams suppressed in their throats.

Xie Yun had no reaction, as if the person being discussed wasn’t him.

After a while.

Xi Zhiyu returned holding two identical cups of milk tea and sat down opposite him.

Just seconds ago, that “don’t-come-near-me” Alpha youth seemed to have turned into a completely different person.

“Ge.”

Xie Yun’s features became vivid. He took the milk tea, warmth flowing through his palm. “I wanted to go with you.”

Xi Zhiyu smiled: “Paipai wasn’t feeling well and went home for lunch. If both of us went to the canteen shop, there would be no one to save our seats.”

In reality, it was because there were too many people. If Xie Yun walked around, it would easily cause a scene.

The cafeteria was crowded during peak hours, but South No. 1 Middle School had a reservation and diversion system. If students didn’t grab a corresponding seat and occupy it in time, they weren’t allowed to linger for long.

The two started eating and chatting. Despite the recent campus rumors, it didn’t affect their close relationship.

Xi Zhiyu, being the class monitor and more importantly the “older brother,” was concerned about Xie Yun’s experience at the new school, worrying he might face difficulties in his studies.

Xie Yun stated plainly that there was nothing he couldn’t handle.

He was smart and a quick learner. He had always had academic tutors within his team; he was by no means the type of actor who neglected school for filming.

Except.

The words Yuan Zhoulu said kept echoing in his head. Xie Yun couldn’t resist testing the waters: “By the way.”

“Does Ge really not use Weibo now?”

For some reason.

After hesitating for a long while, Xi Zhiyu told the truth: “I am using it.”

Xie Yun: “!!?”

The young man stood up instantly. The students eating nearby, who had been secretly peeking, were startled.

Xi Zhiyu was equally shocked, looking up slightly: “…”

The Alpha boy’s face was flushed red. Ignoring the gazes of others, his eyes were fixed entirely on the Omega who held a special meaning for him.

“Then… did Ge see anything.”

Xie Yun’s lips moved as if he were catching his breath, “Anything… strange?”

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