Childhood Sweethearts (ABO) - Chapter 7

Brother, You’re So Red Right Here

7:00 AM.

The Suburban Base, Technology Chip Research Institute.

The Mountain Wilderness Villa was a quiet and deep estate, shrouded in lingering mist. It was the only residential area permitted to be built within the perimeter of the research institute. The employees living here were high-end researchers of the institute, including Xie Yun’s Omega Papa.

At this moment, Jin Yanlin was dressed in a simple black T-shirt, revealing lean, firm muscles. His body, honed by years of high-intensity exercise, was impeccable clearly belonging to another branch of the security system.

Standing at the dining table, he stirred a pot of porridge and served a small bowl to his superstar son. “Baby, come home to stay tonight.”

Xie Yun had a messy “chicken nest” hairstyle and was wearing pajamas worth tens of thousands of dollars gifted by a brand sponsor. His expensive suitcase sat in the corner, yet somehow didn’t look out of place in this simple unit dormitory.

Xie Yun: “No.”

Jin Yanlin: “Be good. Otherwise, you’ll be eating pickles and white porridge again tonight.”

The teenager’s stomach growled. He lowered his head and began to eat from the bowl. “But Dad, the porridge you cook smells better than any mountain delicacy or seafood.”

Jin Yanlin: “…”

“Listen to you. I’ll have to take you to the hospital to check your sense of taste one of these days.”

The father and son didn’t exchange many words. They tore open a package of spicy pickled mustard tubers and finished a large pot of white porridge together.

If a paparazzi ever caught this footage and paired it with an eye-catching headline, Xie Yun who was just sitting at home would likely trend for a whole day. For example: “Teen Superstar’s Private Life Exposed; Personality Changes Drastically as He Scrambles Over the Last Bowl of Porridge with His Special-Ops Parent.”

Fortunately, this was a classified base. Paparazzi wouldn’t have the skill to sneak a photo even if they broke their heads trying.

“Papa,” Xie Yun said muffledly while eating, “It’s quiet here, and the paparazzi don’t dare to come. I like living with you.”

Jin Yanlin: “Even so, you can’t keep running here. The conditions are too crude, and I can’t take good care of you usually.”

It was still more comfortable in the luxury flats and villas no worries about food or clothes, with high-end robot butlers for company. Compared to that, this was many times worse.

Xie Yun: “But I don’t feel like I need to be ‘taken care of’.”

Even in the entertainment industry, he never pursued high materialism. He was as easy to raise as a little stray dog; his portrayal of lower-class characters never felt forced.

When he was a child, Xie Su would go to film sets, and Xie Yun lived with Jin Yanlin. Life back then was “making do” to the extreme he nearly swallowed mud off the ground. Jin Yanlin was good-looking but was a genuine “rough man” at heart, raising Xie Yun to be jade-like on the outside but tough on the inside.

His work was special; while relatives weren’t banned from visiting, it was ultimately inconvenient.

“I’m going to find Brother Zhiyu to play today. If I invite him over as a guest, I can’t exactly have him come here to drink white porridge, can I?”

Jin Yanlin smoothed his son’s bangs and spoke earnestly, “That is the childhood sweetheart brother our cub has liked since he was little.”

At these words, Xie Yun was overcome with embarrassment. He didn’t refute it, burying his entire face in the bowl.

“I know.”

As a responsible Alpha, he had to be gentle and considerate toward the Omega he liked. He changed his tune: “Then I’ll move back.”

He thought for a moment and asked, “Old Dad is coming back next month. Will you two meet?”

“Don’t know.” Jin Yanlin didn’t look up, fiddling with his work wristband to clock in for his tasks early. “It’s been too busy lately. Baby, help me spend more time with him. Don’t let him come to the base to find me.”

Xie Yun was used to this. “Then I’ll let Old Dad know.”

Though they spent more time apart than together, the relationship between his father and papa was very stable. Xie Su had transitioned to behind-the-scenes work, while Jin Yanlin worked day and night for scientific research. Each was busy with their own career, giving each other plenty of freedom and security.

Perhaps it was this family dynamic that allowed Xie Yun, after entering the entertainment industry, to maintain a loose connection with Xi Zhiyu without seeing any problem with it.

Until recently, he felt as if he were being guided by a mysterious force; a certain urgent thought was quietly growing the secret crush of many years had reached the stage where he most wanted to confess.

Xie Yun was one month younger than Xi Zhiyu. Both were in the secondary differentiation period. In this stage, it was common for pheromone fluctuations to affect emotions. Reasonably, Xie Yun should have taken it seriously, but as an S-class Alpha, his rare and special status made him somewhat indifferent to it.

After breakfast.

Xie Yun cleaned himself up and carefully chose his OOTD: a denim jacket paired with American-style jeans. With a handsome face and model proportions, even his breathing seemed perfect.

He got into a pickup truck from his papa’s unit. The driver was a muscular uncle who sped toward the city.

As they drove along the mountain road, the teenager suppressed the corners of his curving lips and impatiently took out his phone to send a message.

Yun-zai: Brother, I’ve already left. Yun-zai: See you at Entrance A of the mall at twelve.

The journey from the base to the city wasn’t short. Because of the special roads, he had to leave two hours in advance. Meanwhile, the area where Xi Zhiyu lived was in a bustling downtown district; the mall was within walking distance.

The weather had turned cold, and the small animals at home were feeling lethargic. Xi Zhiyu spent the morning taking care of them and didn’t notice his phone immediately. Once the cats and dogs were in better shape, he prepared to change and head out, finally noticing the message.

xzy: Okay. See you at the usual place.

After replying, a warm burning sensation came from the gland at the back of his neck. Even after taking medicine, there was still a faint discomfort.

Xi Zhiyu raised his hand to press down on it. Looking at his wardrobe, he realized he was used to wearing school uniforms, and his private clothes were mostly shirts with high collars. Even with high-quality fabric, the friction against the skin of his neck made the gland uncomfortable.

He rummaged through his things and chose a crew-neck sweatshirt paired with washed jeans a simple outfit that looked like a natural “high-intelligence” look on his broad-shouldered, narrow-waisted frame.

Worried about making Xie Yun wait, he grabbed the car keys near the entrance. A ten-minute walk would only take half the time by car.

He parked his low-profile Porsche. Just as he was about to grab his phone and go upstairs, there were two thuds someone tapped on the car window.

Xi Zhiyu was slightly startled and rolled down the window.

Then, a pair of amber eyes met his, lingering on that familiar, handsome face he had only seen on screens lately.

“Brother Zhiyu.” The boy grinned at him and called out brightly, “Long time no see.”

In that instant, a sense of unreality enveloped him, but it was mostly the joy of a long-awaited reunion, like a warm current flowing through his chest.

Xi Zhiyu curled his lips slightly. “How did you know I was here?”

Xie Yun leaned his elbow on the car window. “You said you were driving over. I had nothing to do anyway, so I came down to the VIP area to wait for you.”

He shook his phone, the screen showing a later message that Xi Zhiyu hadn’t seen while driving.

Xi Zhiyu laughed, turned off the engine, and got out of the car.

Standing face to face, the distance between them closed. He could even smell the faint, exclusive scent on the other’s body.

“Brother.” Having not seen him for so long, Xie Yun stared at him, his tone carrying a slight uncertainty. “Did you get taller?”

Xi Zhiyu paused. He didn’t usually care about his height. He nodded slightly. “Maybe.”

“The school’s annual physical exam is next week.”

“…Okay.” Xie Yun whispered to himself, “Then I’ll know by then.”

Xi Zhiyu turned to lock the car. The sound covered the faint murmur, so he didn’t hear it clearly. He led Xie Yun toward the elevator. “Did you say something?”

“Nothing.” Xie Yun put his hands in his pockets and walked beside him into the elevator. “Just that it’s been too long; I want to tell you everything.”

Xi Zhiyu’s eyes curved. “Okay.”

Inside the enclosed elevator, the two were reflected in the mirror. They hadn’t seen each other for six months, and a clear height difference had emerged.

It wasn’t just Xie Yun who was shocked by the image; Xi Zhiyu was also secretly surprised. It was rare though it was common knowledge that Alphas were taller than Omegas, there were tall Omegas, though they usually didn’t exceed 180cm.

Xie Yun was 182cm tall. Compared to many actors in the industry, he was already superior, and he was still in his growing phase. But he never expected that he would only reach Xi Zhiyu’s temple. This undoubtedly meant his beloved Omega was likely around 185cm.

A certain top-tier Alpha teenager’s heart broke a little.

“I’m so hungry.” Xie Yun rubbed his high nose bridge, trying to suppress the awkwardness with conversation. “What are we eating later?”

Xi Zhiyu wasn’t picky. “Anything is fine.” But then, remembering his childhood friend hadn’t been back to Nancheng for a long time, he cast a gentle gaze. “Do you want to try local food? Did you miss it while you were on set?”

Xie Yun looked at his side profile, his warm breath close at hand. “I missed it every day…”

“Is that so?” Xi Zhiyu didn’t catch the hidden metaphor and smiled. “Then we’ll have local food for lunch.”

There was a high-end local restaurant on the top floor. This meal was supposed to be Xi Zhiyu’s treat to welcome him back. But Xie Yun’s Alpha chivalry kicked in, and he insisted on paying.

Xi Zhiyu suddenly remembered the trending topics. Thinking that Xie Yun’s excessive politeness was a sign of distance, a swirl of emotion appeared in his deep eyes.

“It’s okay,” Xi Zhiyu said softly. “Next time, it’ll be Yun-zai’s turn to treat. Then we can meet again.”

Hearing this, Xie Yun’s heart felt warm, focusing only on the fact that he wasn’t the only one looking forward to seeing the other.

They entered the private room.

Overlooking the entirety of Nancheng from above, the view level with the landmark buildings was like a still frame from a movie.

When looking at the menu together, Xie Yun sat like a large, attentive dog, his elbow propped on the chair as he openly stole glances at his favorite Omega brother. Even as a heartthrob known as a “visual king” in the industry, looking at this calm and gentle face made his heart throb uncontrollably.

They were two completely different styles. One was tough, cool, and commanding; the other was deep, soft, and all-encompassing. Anyone seeing them would say they were a perfect match.

To outsiders, Xie Yun was cold, arrogant, and laconic. In front of Xi Zhiyu, he was always talkative and clingy.

He talked about the interesting things that happened on set, but pointedly avoided the trending topics about his private life. Xi Zhiyu knew he didn’t want to mention it, so no matter how curious he was, he didn’t ask.

However, when the conversation turned to movies and the fact that his classmates in the competition group were following him, the atmosphere shifted instantly. The submissive, harmless aura Xie Yun had been emitting vanished, replaced momentarily by the aura of a dangerous predator.

“I was in a rush today, the signed photos are still with my older female cousin. Brother, you aren’t in a hurry for them, right?”

Xi Zhiyu: “No rush.” He planned to go to the private hospital next week and leave the photos at the front desk, so there was no hurry.

Xie Yun bit into an appetizer, crunching it loudly, looking like a stalking beast. “That’s good then.”

Xi Zhiyu: “…” He felt the tone implied: “Even if you were in a rush, I wouldn’t give them to him.”

The waiter served the dishes: four dishes, a soup, and pastries. Everything looked and smelled delicious. Xie Yun scanned the table; it was full of his favorite foods. Knowing Xi Zhiyu had ordered everything himself, the gap in his heart was instantly filled.

No matter how unhappy he was, as long as the “caregiver” brought out the beautiful bowl of food, some people would automatically turn into gentle puppies.

Seeing his face flush an unnatural red, Xi Zhiyu, being meticulous, thought there was an issue with the air conditioning and was about to call someone to adjust the temperature. Xie Yun suddenly choked and waved his hand, saying it wasn’t necessary.

Xi Zhiyu couldn’t help but worry more. While pouring water, he advised, “Eat slowly.” He sighed in his heart; it seemed the entertainment industry was too strict his childhood friend looked like he hadn’t had a decent meal in years.

Later, Xie Yun intentionally asked questions about school. Xi Zhiyu, who had served on the student union, realized these were things only freshmen or transfer students would care about. Though he found it odd, he didn’t overthink it.

The conversation only ended when, after paying the bill, Xie Yun insisted on buying him a gift to thank him for the meal.

“Going downstairs for a gift?” Xi Zhiyu snapped back to reality. “I don’t need anything, don’t waste your money.”

“It’s fine.” Xie Yun put on his mask and stepped into the elevator with him. “I have a new endorsement. Brother, just think of it as accompanying me for a stroll?”

Xi Zhiyu never refused him.

Before they even reached the first floor, a giant billboard for a trendy brand showed the glamorous teenager with a cool, stoic face. Anyone passing by would be struck by his high-level visuals.

Inside the store, Xi Zhiyu couldn’t help but praise, “Yun-zai is very photogenic.”

Xie Yun’s hand shook. The tips of his ears turned red. He grabbed the red heart scarf featured in the advertisement. “Really?”

Xi Zhiyu smiled. “Of course.”

“Then… does Brother like it?”

“Hmm?” Xi Zhiyu looked at the scarf he was holding. “It’s very beautiful.”

Xie Yun rambled a bit, mixing in his ulterior motives, his ears practically steaming. “It is beautiful, so I wanted to ask if you’d like to try this one on.”

The two stood before a full-length mirror. Xie Yun proactively handed it over, and Xi Zhiyu took it with a smile. “Is this the best-selling one?”

Xie Yun: “?!”

“How did you know, Brother?”

He remembered a news headline: #Xie Yun’s New Endorsement Scarf Sold Out Globally in One Second#. Although autumn had just passed, it wasn’t strange to buy a scarf early, but the endorsement was only announced last month. He couldn’t imagine Xi Zhiyu joining fans in a frantic online shopping spree.

Before Xie Yun’s brain could finish the thought, his eyes became completely glued to Xi Zhiyu. He was truly handsome the simple sweatshirt and the vintage red scarf complemented each other perfectly, making him look even warmer.

Xie Yun spoke cautiously, “In the future, you can tell me directly. I’m willing to do anything.”

His voice stopped.

Standing behind him, Xie Yun’s gaze accidentally brushed past the fair skin at the back of his neck, and he was bewildered.

“Brother,” he blurted out, not sensing anything wrong, “Why is it so red right here?”

Hearing those words, Xi Zhiyu subconsciously clenched his palms. His trembling fingertips turned a deathly, cold white, as if all the blood in his body had frozen.

“…Is it?”

In the mirror, Xi Zhiyu captured the danger. Xie Yun’s gaze was fixed exactly on the center of the back of his neck the fragile, sensitive area of a human’s gland.

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