A Not-So-Innocent Childhood Friend

Some people just have the talent to bring up exactly what shouldn’t be brought up.

Xu Shuche was not someone who judged others by appearance easily.

But when he saw the delicate-looking boy for the first time, a thought immediately surfaced in his mind.

This person is definitely not simple.

“This is my senior, Xu Shuche. He came to my house to hang out during the winter vacation.”

Jian Yixun seemed to have completely ignored the delicate boy’s question.

He wrapped an arm around Xu Shuche’s shoulder and said to Xing Bai, “This is the senior I mentioned to you last time.”

Xing Bai hummed and subtly looked Xu Shuche up and down.

Among all the people he had seen growing up, the delicate boy beside him should have been considered the best-looking.

But when placed beside Xu Shuche for comparison, he somehow seemed much less impressive.

“Since everyone is meeting for the first time, don’t be too reserved,” he said.

“This is Song Jiatang. We grew up together. We’ve been childhood friends since we were little.”

Xu Shuche politely extended his hand to the boy called Song Jiatang.

“Hello.”

But unexpectedly, the well-mannered-looking boy simply ignored his hand.

With a bright smile, he moved closer to Jian Yixun and complained coquettishly, “Brother Xun, why are you ignoring me?”

Jian Yixun raised an eyebrow and looked at him.

He lifted his hand and pressed it onto his shoulder.

Song Jiatang thought Jian Yixun was about to interact with him and leaned closer again.

But instead, Jian Yixun turned him toward Xu Shuche.

“My senior is greeting you,” Jian Yixun said.

There wasn’t the slightest warmth in his voice.

“Why aren’t you responding?”

Song Jiatang’s delicate face instantly fell.

Reluctantly, he shook Xu Shuche’s hand.

“Hello, Brother Xu.”

Xu Shuche felt a little awkward.

It was obvious that Song Jiatang didn’t really want to deal with him.

Xu Shuche actually didn’t mind.

But after Jian Yixun forced the situation like this, it made him look as if he were being unreasonable.

Xing Bai seemed to notice the subtle tension among the three of them.

He stepped in to smooth things over and lightly punched Jian Yixun’s shoulder.

“When did you get back home? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Mm, today.”

Jian Yixun lazily leaned against Xu Shuche.

“I just got back and you already dragged me out. I originally wanted to rest for a while.”

“Rest? Forget resting,” Xing Bai said.

“It’s not easy that Jiatang finally came back. Let’s go give him a welcome dinner.”

Jian Yixun’s displeasure was written clearly across his face.

He obviously didn’t want to go celebrate for Song Jiatang.

But perhaps out of consideration for Xing Bai, he reluctantly followed the two of them.

And conveniently dragged Xu Shuche along too.

Xu Shuche was actually a little curious about the relationship between Jian Yixun and Song Jiatang.

Before he could ask, the phone in his pocket vibrated.

【Jian Yixun】: This is so annoying.

【Jian Yixun】: I originally planned to bring you home and play a really classic game.

【Jian Yixun】: My grandma was even bringing the dog over tonight. Our dog is super cute and really clingy. Don’t you especially like puppies? I wanted to take you to pet the dog.

【Jian Yixun】: And our housekeeper’s cooking is amazing. Way better than restaurants. No gutter oil or weird additives either.

【Jian Yixun】: So annoying so annoying so annoying.

It was obvious Jian Yixun was really irritated.

Before Xu Shuche even had a chance to reply, new messages kept popping up one after another.

Xu Shuche chuckled softly and sent him a “patting your head” emoji.

Xing Bai sat in the passenger seat.

The three of them sat in the back.

Song Jiatang insisted on sitting between the two of them.

But listening to their phones vibrating back and forth on both sides, his face gradually turned pale.

“I say, you two,” Xing Bai coughed lightly.

“What secret conversation are you having that we’re not allowed to hear? Why do you have to secretly message each other?”

Jian Yixun lazily opened his mouth.

His voice sounded half-dead with boredom.

“We’re talking about school stuff. Do school matters also need to be reported to you?”

He leaned against the window.

There was a clear gap between him and Song Jiatang.

Song Jiatang was extremely curious and wanted to peek at Jian Yixun’s phone.

But he was afraid that obvious movements would make people dislike him.

So he changed targets and tried to sneak a glance at Xu Shuche’s phone.

But Xu Shuche had a privacy screen protector.

The screen looked completely black. Nothing could be seen.

Song Jiatang sighed in frustration.

He looked pitifully at Jian Yixun.

“Brother Xun, these past few years while I was abroad, I…”

Before he could finish speaking, Jian Yixun decisively put on his earphones.

Clearly, he had no intention of talking to him.

Although Xu Shuche seemed indifferent to everything at school, everyone had curiosity.

He had seen Jian Yixun treat his pursuers coldly before.

But those were strangers.

Song Jiatang had said they were childhood friends.

So why was Jian Yixun’s attitude so bad toward him?

He was really curious.

Before Xu Shuche even asked, Jian Yixun spilled everything through messages.

【Jian Yixun】: This kid looks innocent but actually has tons of scheming ideas.

【Jian Yixun】: When we were little he set traps for classmates and even tried to scheme against me. I caught him. His brain never gets used for anything proper.

【Jian Yixun】: Oh right. Back then I was straight. But he tried to morally pressure me and almost made me fail my college entrance exams.

【Jian Yixun】: Didn’t you ask why I hate gay people? It’s because of him.

【Jian Yixun】: But I don’t hate you! Not at all! Absolutely not QAQ

Seeing the last sentence, Xu Shuche’s lips curved slightly.

At that moment, Song Jiatang finally couldn’t hold back and asked, “Brother Xun, what are you chatting with Brother Xu about?”

“Already told you. School stuff.”

Jian Yixun typed another message to Xu Shuche.

【Jian Yixun】: If you don’t like talking to him then don’t. It’s fine. Xing Bai is blind as hell for bringing him here.

Soon the car stopped in front of a Western restaurant.

Xing Bai got out and introduced it.

“This is a restaurant I really like. I brought you guys here to try it today.”

It was just after seven in the evening.

Office workers had gotten off work, and the next day was the weekend.

Many people had chosen this time to gather with family and friends.

The restaurant entrance was packed with people waiting in line.

Xu Shuche thought they would have to queue too.

But Xing Bai spoke a few words to the waiter at the entrance.

The waiter tapped on the screen and welcomed them in.

“I expected there would be a lot of people,” Xing Bai said.

“So I asked them to reserve a table for me.”

Privilege.

Looking at Xing Bai, this word suddenly appeared in Xu Shuche’s mind.

Only then did he barely connect Jian Yixun with that concept as well.

At school, Jian Yixun either stayed with the research group or hung out with the basketball team.

He ate and lived together with his teammates and group members.

He could sit outside a cheap street stall eating barbecue for ten yuan per person.

He could also accompany Xu Shuche to the terrible steak restaurant on campus.

He didn’t have even the slightest air of a spoiled young master.

Xing Bai, however, was completely different.

He was someone who used privilege to its fullest extent.

The four of them followed the waiter through the crowded hall and arrived at the private dining area.

The noise outside was completely isolated by the private room.

Song Jiatang wanted to sit next to Jian Yixun.

But Jian Yixun blocked him.

“Senior, sit inside,” Jian Yixun said.

“I’ll sit outside.”

Xu Shuche glanced at Song Jiatang and softly replied, “Okay.”

“Order whatever you want. I’ll pay today,” Xing Bai said as he handed them the menu.

“I’m fine with anything. No food restrictions. You guys order first. I’m going to the restroom.”

He stood up and lifted the curtain of the private room.

Song Jiatang glanced at his back and quickly followed him out.

“Why are you following me?” Xing Bai stopped in the hallway and turned around.

“I can’t help you chase someone. What’s the point of following me?”

Song Jiatang bit his lip, eyes filled with unwillingness.

“During the years I was gone… did he ever like anyone?”

Xing Bai shrugged.

“No idea. Don’t know. Sorry.”

“Didn’t he say he doesn’t like men?”

Song Jiatang whispered angrily.

“Then why is there a man following him around now? And that kind of man?”

“What kind of man?” Xing Bai raised an eyebrow.

“I think Brother Xu is pretty great. Let me warn you—watch what you say. Jian Yixun treasures his senior a lot.”

Song Jiatang nearly bit his teeth apart.

He was gay.

Naturally, he could tell who else was gay.

With a face like Xu Shuche’s, if he wasn’t planning to seduce Jian Yixun and stay close to him, then what else could it be?

But Jian Yixun hated gay people.

Burning with jealousy, Song Jiatang suddenly had a flash of inspiration.

What if Jian Yixun found out Xu Shuche liked men?

Would Jian Yixun drive him away?

Song Jiatang suddenly felt enlightened.

So getting rid of a rival in love was actually this simple.

He barely maintained the expression that had almost cracked earlier and smiled at Xing Bai.

“Thanks for the reminder, Brother Xing.”

Xing Bai had no idea what he was thinking.

Seeing him suddenly go from resentment to smiling brightly, he simply shook his head and went to the restroom.

After all, no matter how good Jian Yixun’s relationship with Xu Shuche was, there were many things he would never do to Xu Shuche.

Thinking about the things that happened when he and Jian Yixun were still close in high school, Song Jiatang’s heart began beating faster.

Jian Yixun had once picked food for him.

He had brought him meals.

With that kind of relationship, even if things had become tense over the years, Jian Yixun would never completely ignore their childhood bond.

Thinking this, Song Jiatang walked lightly back to the private room.

He lifted the curtain warmly.

“Brother Xun, I’m back—”

His movement suddenly froze.

Xu Shuche was looking down at his phone, replying to messages from his supervisor.

Meanwhile, Jian Yixun was peeling a plate of boiled edamame.

He peeled the beans one by one and placed them neatly on the plate in front of him.

“Senior, have some. They’re pretty tasty.”

Xu Shuche responded with a small “Mm,” but his eyes remained on his phone.

He showed no intention of looking up.

Jian Yixun sighed.

He picked up a few beans and held them to Xu Shuche’s lips.

“Here, Senior. Stop looking at your phone.”

Xu Shuche lowered his head slightly.

The tip of his tongue swept the beans into his mouth.

At that exact moment, Song Jiatang lifted the curtain of the private room.

And saw the entire scene.