Childhood Sweethearts (ABO) - Chapter 5

The Person I Like is an Omega

7:00 PM.

Xi Zhiyu changed out of his school uniform into a formal shirt and trousers. Carrying a hastily prepared birthday gift, he arrived punctually at the villa complex where Yuan Zhoulu lived.

From a distance, he saw his childhood friend dressed meticulously in a dark brown small suit paired with a bowtie, his hair slicked back in a retro Hong Kong style. Having spent years living abroad and participating in countless parties for his peers, Yuan Zhoulu remained a social genius since returning to the country.

“Hello, classmate Xi Zhiyu! You look so handsome!” Yuan Zhoulu teased, mimicking a stranger’s accent. He leaned in to peek at the bag and said in surprise, “You actually prepared a gift for the birthday girl?”

Xi Zhiyu chuckled helplessly. “I’m attending a birthday party, after all. I also tucked that love letter for Yun-zai inside.”

The two walked along the streetlights toward a brilliantly lit villa. As they drew closer, the air became thick with a blend of music and the cheerful chatter of guests. The star of the night was Fei Chuqiong, the daughter of a top-tier hotel group in Nancheng.

Because they lived in the same neighborhood, Yuan Zhoulu and Fei Chuqiong were on decent terms as neighbors, but it was only recently that he learned she was also an actress in the entertainment industry. Currently, the Alpha junior had played supporting roles in several TV dramas and was looking to break into the film industry.

“I looked into it. That letter wasn’t a secret confession of love,” Yuan Zhoulu noted.

Xi Zhiyu blinked. “Oh?”

“She probably saw the forum posts and wanted you to pull some strings so she could become friends with Xie Yun. She’s hoping he might help elevate her career in the future,” Yuan Zhoulu explained. “Our Sister Qiong has a few ‘brothers’ at school who know you usually don’t accept love letters. They insisted on helping her deliver it, which resulted in that brainless move of stuffing it into your backpack. Kids these days are truly something else.”

Xi Zhiyu smiled resignedly. “I see.”

“Heh, she even said she didn’t know I was friends with Xie Yun, otherwise she would’ve asked me directly. I told her that shouting about having a superstar best friend would be a bit too much of a flex.”

Yuan Zhoulu, a chatterbox as always, nodded toward the grand, hall-like doors as they opened. “There she is.”

Xi Zhiyu followed his gaze and locked eyes with the female Alpha coming out to greet them. Holding up her skirt, she ran toward them with a bold, swaggering stride this was Fei Chuqiong.

The three stopped by the shimmering swimming pool. Fei Chuqiong forced a smile, greeting Yuan Zhoulu briefly before looking awkwardly at Xi Zhiyu. “Senior, I am so incredibly sorry! I only found out about the moronic thing my underlings did after Pai-zong told me.”

“It’s alright,” Xi Zhiyu handed over the gift. “Happy birthday.”

Fei Chuqiong smiled bashfully, accepting it with both hands as she led them inside. “Thanks! Make sure you eat plenty of cake later.”

Inside the Villa

Inside, high-end speakers blasted upbeat music, and multicolored light beams danced overhead like hundreds of sprites. Among the guests were many familiar faces from school, all dressed in suits and gowns. When they saw Xi Zhiyu, their jaws dropped in unison.

Xi Zhiyu was quiet by nature and appeared as cold as an iceberg to outsiders. He almost never attended parties, and even now, he remained detached from the rowdy atmosphere.

Now that the letter had been returned and the cake eaten, the boy was already thinking about going home to do practice problems. Yuan Zhoulu, sprawling on a tatami mat in the corner, grabbed him to keep him from leaving. “Don’t always stay cooped up at home.”

“Listen, Sister Qiong has a cousin she doesn’t get along with who’s also an actor. She’s been dying to meet Xie Yun, but that cousin refuses to share his contact info. The poor kid is fuming. Apparently, his stage name is Aaron, and he’s Xie Yun’s best friend in the industry.”

Xi Zhiyu replied absentmindedly, “Is that so?”

Yuan Zhoulu took a sly sip of his fruit cocktail, his tone turning mischievous. “Still thinking about what I told you this morning?”

Xi Zhiyu froze.

Yuan Zhoulu cleared his throat strategically. “So, you actually do want to know who Xie Yun likes, right?”

For no reason, Xi Zhiyu found himself at a loss for words. His ears rang slightly, and a strange warmth wrapped around his gland, causing his true thoughts to slip out. He asked, “Can you tell me?”

Yuan Zhoulu nearly turned red from holding back a laugh. “On a side note, I have a friend who is incredibly dense, even though he’s usually very smart.”

Xi Zhiyu was bewildered. “What?”

“Oh, forget it, I’ll be direct,” Yuan Zhoulu said. “The forums are saying that Xie Yun has a… what do you call it? An arranged childhood marriage?”

Xi Zhiyu coughed violently. “Pai-pai, don’t… don’t joke about that.”

Under the flashing lights, a visible blush crept onto the boy’s cheeks, though it was unclear if it was from embarrassment or shyness. But before he could recover, and before Yuan Zhoulv could pivot his strategy, a roar of excitement erupted around them.

Someone clutching a phone screamed, running from one end of the room to the other: “Is what your brother said true?!”

Fei Chuqiong stared at her screen in shock, her face turning pale then red. She shouted for the music to be turned down: “Fei Bo’an, that psychopath! He’s actually claiming my idol likes him? Has he lost his mind?!”

The giant screen in the room switched from the birthday backdrop to a live broadcast of the Berlin Film Festival. Yuan Zhoulv felt a bad omen, checked his Weibo, and let out a curse. Xi Zhiyu, completely lost, looked up at the screen and felt his body go rigid.

@FeiBoanAaron: Stop guessing, everyone. I’m the friend Xie Yun was chatting with. If he really has someone he likes, it’s probably me. ^_^

Berlin Film Festival

At the festival, an Asian multi-country collaboration spy film was being promoted. Xie Yun featured as the second male lead, starring alongside a veteran female Alpha martial arts star who was a contender for International Best Actress.

Xie Yun appeared on the red carpet with the production team, attending press conferences and industry parties. While new actors might be nervous, Xie Yun raised under the influence of his Best Actor father was as relaxed and poised as the veteran artists. Because of his family background, many seniors even went out of their way to be kind to him.

Dressed in a custom-tailored luxury suit and wearing a collector’s item brooch worth nine figures, he finished his walk. His handsome, youthful face shone under the cameras like a rising star.

Unlike previous interviews controlled by his team, he now faced nearly a hundred international journalists. Amidst the flashing lights, Xie Yun casually twisted a decorative ring on his finger. His chin was slightly raised, speaking with effortless grace. Once the film-related questions ended, the reporters exchanged looks and pounced.

“Yun-zai, are you planning to film a romance movie? Who would you most like to work with?” “As a second-generation star attending an international school, have you had a campus romance to draw inspiration from?” “You’re an adult now. Have you met any celebrities who fit your ideal type?” “Is your relationship with your close friend Aaron truly extraordinary?”

Xie Yun narrowed his eyes. To the reporters, he suddenly felt like a cold statue surrounded by a gathering storm.

“If you’re interested in my private life, you can find a different venue,” Xie Yun said, letting out a cold, low scoff. “Like in your dreams.”

The Aftermath

After the interview, Xie Yun’s schedule was packed with a formal press party. Rumors spread among the domestic seniors that the kid had quite a temper during his solo interview.

Who would have thought that the Fei family’s son, also a former child star, would loudly claim on Weibo that Xie Yun had confessed to him? It had turned the young star into a bristling tiger cub.

One respected veteran laughed. “Ah, to be young and impulsive.”

Beside him, a middle-aged investor glanced toward the front row where Xie Yun sat, holding his phone. “That’s the Xie family kid again. Always living on the trending searches. How can he go far in the industry like this?”

“That’s not fair,” the veteran said with a smile. “I’ve worked with the boy. Privately, he’s grounded and hardworking. His team never pulls those publicity stunts.”

“Really? He’s not a spoiled brat?”

The veteran shook his head. “Don’t let his arrogance fool you. On set, he’s humble and quiet. He treats the extras and stunt doubles well. He’s a very solid kid.”

The investor was surprised. “Then it seems I didn’t know enough about him…”

Even Aaron, who had met Xie Yun while filming, couldn’t help but message him.

Aaron: Looking back at when we first met, I feel like I was scammed. Aaron: I thought you were this harmless, humble kid who called everyone ‘Teacher.’ Remember that time you got beaten black and blue for a stunt and you were sniffing back tears? Aaron: I was so worried you’d suffer in this industry. I didn’t realize you were actually a little emperor who could command the wind and rain.

Xie Yun: “?”

His phone was currently undergoing its “darkest hour.” He tapped the screen with the force of someone playing Whac-A-Mole.

Yun-zai: Don’t change the subject. You better give me a logical explanation. Aaron: Eh? Aaron: Don’t you have a senior you’re secretly in love with? I know, I’m just giving you cover. Aaron: You don’t realize the impact back home. Everyone is guessing you’re in a relationship. It’s even reached my cousin’s school.

Aaron meant well, but Xie Yun’s fist was already clenching. His breathing grew heavy. If even Aaron’s cousin’s school was buzzing with rumors… then Zhiyu-ge likely knew too.

Yun-zai: Thanks for the ‘help.’ Yun-zai: But if this AA (Alpha-Alpha) label sticks and makes my ‘Ge’ misunderstand, we’re done being brothers. Aaron: Wait, you’re acting weird. Do you not want to keep it a secret from your crush anymore?

Yun-zai: Yeah. Aaron: ?

What do you mean?

Yun-zai: I’ve been having the urge to confess lately.

Aaron: …Sorry. I definitely messed up then.

Back in Nancheng, as the night grew late, the awards ceremony in Berlin was nearing its end. On the party screen, Xie Yun’s expressions were being broadcast in high definition.

The director kept cutting back to Xie Yun’s face. It was clear the cameras adored him. Meanwhile, Yuan Zhoulu and Fei Chuqiong were deep in conversation, united by a common enemy.

“My cousin is like that! He looks obedient but he’s got a wicked heart!” Fei Chuqiong yelled. “Why though?” Yuan Zhoulu asked. “He definitely thinks I like Yun-zai. God, I’m just a fan!” “So he’s just trying to annoy you?” “Exactly!”

Yuan Zhoulu was fuming. His master plan to matchmake a “lovestruck-but-stalled” friend and a “clueless-but-interested” childhood friend was being derailed.

None of this affected Xi Zhiyu, however. For the first time, he was actually surfing the internet. After hesitating, he opened a web browser to search for Aaron’s account. He read it as seriously as if it were a classic masterpiece.

Yuan Zhoulu leaned over, a cold sweat breaking out. “What are you doing?”

Xi Zhiyu’s voice was as light as a feather. “The person Yun-zai likes… is him, right?”

Yuan Zhoulu collapsed. “That is absolutely NOT the case!”

Xi Zhiyu said nothing. He successfully downloaded the Weibo app, registered an account, and accidentally stumbled into Xie Yun’s official fan group.

The kids are just playing around lol

Exactly, just two Alpha kids messing around. If you take it seriously, you lose.

Only an illiterate would believe that!

Xi Zhiyu: It was his first time being called illiterate.

Fans were analyzing that Xie Yun’s manager who was also his cousin wouldn’t let him respond recklessly. After snapping at the reporters at the festival, the matter should have died down.

Yuan Zhoulu watched Xi Zhiyu’s reaction closely. “What are you thinking?”

“Nothing,” Xi Zhiyu said, his lips tightening slightly. “If he’s the person Yun-zai likes, I should try to understand him better.” Just as his childhood friend was always busy worrying about the people around him.

“Zhiyu,” Yuan Zhoulu said earnestly, patting his shoulder. “I don’t know what else to say, but you should really think about who that ‘dense friend’ I mentioned is.”

The burning sensation in the gland at the back of his neck was spreading. Xi Zhiyu wondered if the physical symptoms were affecting his brain. “What do you actually mean?”

Yuan Zhoulu shrugged. “Never mind. Just don’t believe Aaron. Besides, with Xie Yun’s personality, he’ll probably clarify things.”

Xi Zhiyu held his breath instinctively. He looked back at the screen. The camera panned over others before settling on Xie Yun again. The blonde youth had his head slightly lowered, his elbow resting on the arm of his chair. His jaw was tense as he rubbed his cold phone, staring at the camera with a look of defiance.

There was a fire in his eyes. Xi Zhiyu felt as if they were making eye contact across the distance, reading the courage hidden in those familiar pupils.

Suddenly, his heart skipped a beat.

Buzz. Buzz buzz.

His phone felt like an alarm had gone off. Notifications from the fan group began flooding in so fast the interface started to lag. Around him, the party erupted in screams. Fei Chuqiong and Yuan Zhoulu were scrambling for their phones like scavengers in a melon field.

“Holy crap…” Yuan Zhoulu grabbed his phone and shouted in Xi Zhiyu’s ear, “Look at what Xie Yun just posted on Weibo!”

Xi Zhiyu focused his gaze. His breath hitched. At the top of the trending searches was a post his childhood friend had made just seconds ago:

@XieYun: Aaron and I are just good friends. Also, the person I like is an Omega.

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