Extra 9: IF Childhood Friends (Part 3)

Zhu Zhixi spent his coming-of-age ceremony on the cold bench.

It wasn’t that no one invited him; this was the result of his own active and painstaking efforts.

His mother thought it was a very memorable day, so she woke him up early, dressed him up meticulously, and personally drove him to the school gate.

Zhu Zhixi didn’t want to disappoint her expectations, so he obediently listened. After getting out of the car, he gave his mother in the driver’s seat a somewhat contrived gentleman’s bow, excitedly entered the school gate, and then proceeded to fake a limp for the entire morning.

“Actually, I really want to dance with you, but you see, I practiced too hard at home and sprained my ankle. Sigh, it hurts so much,” he said to everyone who came to invite him.

He took many Polaroid pictures with his classmates, planning to show them to his mother at home, but he didn’t dance with anyone.

When the lights on the dance floor lit up and soft music began to play, Zhu Zhixi sat on the side, staring in a daze at the flying skirts and fluttering ties. When he looked up again, he would see a figure in a white suit in a trance.

And the owner of that figure was now standing right in front of him, asking him if he would, in a rarely gentle tone, as if it were as simple as asking for a dance.

But for reasons he couldn’t quite articulate, Zhu Zhixi directly refused, “No.”

After he said it, he glanced at Fu Rangyi and noticed his eyes dim very quickly. In his impression, such an expression was extremely rare.

For some reason, Zhu Zhixi began to try to justify his little tantrum. He scratched his cheek and said, “You’re so popular, it shouldn’t be hard to find a fake partner, right? Why do you have to ask me?”

As long as he can give me a reason, I’m not an unreasonable person. Maybe I’ll agree…

But Fu Rangyi asked back in a gentle tone, “Then why did you have to ask me back then?”

Zhu Zhixi was momentarily at a loss for words. He looked up and glared at him, wanting to say something but getting stuck. In the end, he practically stomped his foot and left the coffee shop entrance, walking towards the small woods.

He knew Fu Rangyi was following behind, so he deliberately retorted, “I was still young back then, I didn’t know any better. You’re already 22, a graduate student. Does your way of solving problems have to copy a 13-year-old kid?”

Fu Rangyi followed him step for step. “This only shows that a certain kid is exceptionally talented, to have thought of such a good method at 13. Learning has no age limit; the proficient comes first.”

This half-coaxing, half-not tone made Zhu Zhixi feel a little happy, yet also a little annoyed, like an itch that wasn’t being scratched in the right place. So he still didn’t stop, walking quickly towards the deepest part of the woods, his mouth not resting either. “Don’t think a few compliments will make me get carried away and agree. I’m not a kid anymore.”

Fu Rangyi let out a light laugh.

Zhu Zhixi’s ears were very sharp. He turned around directly, hands on his hips.

The two almost collided. Fu Rangyi took a step back, the smile not yet gone, but he said seriously, “I’m serious. You said borrowing pheromones back then was assistance. So, for the sake of us growing up together, isn’t it good for us to mutually assist each other now?”

“No.”

There was no one around here. Zhu Zhixi glanced elsewhere. “I don’t want to show my face. If one day you really start dating someone else, wouldn’t I be the superfluous one? Then I’d have to be passively broken up with in your social circle…”

Before Fu Rangyi could speak, he turned his head back.

His thin eyelids lifted, revealing translucent eyes.

He said in a low voice, “I’ve never been in a relationship before. If you mess things up like this, won’t my precious first love experience be socially dead? Who would I reason with then? How would I explain it?”

“Then?” Fu Rangyi was slightly taken aback, frowning, his focus still off-kilter. “When you find your real first love?”

Zhu Zhixi found it very strange. How could he turn the tables like that? Weren’t they talking about when you get a real partner?

“How can you…”

Before he could finish, Fu Rangyi conceded first.

He lowered his eyes and said quietly, “Alright.” Then, after a two-second silence, he said, “I wasn’t considerate enough. Forget it.”

Zhu Zhixi couldn’t catch his breath. It felt like encountering a bad dance partner who steps back when they should step forward, leaving him in an awkward position of not knowing where to place his next step.

“So you’re going to find someone else?” Zhu Zhixi started to talk nonsense.

Fu Rangyi still didn’t look up, saying in a low voice, “I won’t. Let’s just leave it. It’s not a big deal anyway. At most, I’ll just be bothered a bit. They don’t have any malicious intent.”

Hearing this, Zhu Zhixi inexplicably felt even more uncomfortable. He wanted to throw a bigger tantrum, to test the limits of Fu Rangyi’s patience. He had been like this since he was a child.

But before he could think of a trick, Fu Rangyi suddenly reached out and gently straightened the collar of his shirt.

His voice was also very soft. “How was the coming-of-age ceremony today? Was it fun? Did you take any pictures?”

His cool knuckles accidentally brushed against Zhu Zhixi’s collarbone, making his body stiffen for a second.

So strange.

What’s fun or not fun… A coming-of-age ceremony is just what it is. Haven’t you been to one?

Zhu Zhixi didn’t say anything. Fu Rangyi continued to ask lightly, “Who was your dance partner? What did they look like?”

With his head down, Zhu Zhixi stared at his fair knuckles, his gaze sliding down his hand, and said in a muffled voice, “You wouldn’t know them even if I told you. In any case, they’re better-looking than your dance partner.”

He thought this was already tap-dancing on Fu Rangyi’s bottom line.

But Fu Rangyi just let out a light laugh, looked up at him, and said in a light tone, “I don’t think so.”

After hearing this, Zhu Zhixi directly pushed Fu Rangyi’s hand away. “I know, I know! I know your dance partner at the ceremony was the most beautiful in the world. Why do you have to show off to me? Since she’s so beautiful and you’re so satisfied, why don’t you go ask her to pretend to be your partner and play house with you?”

After hearing this, Fu Rangyi tilted his head and said lightly, “But I did ask him.”

Zhu Zhixi was stunned, his eyes wide in a daze. “What?”

The light reflecting off the glasses flashed away, revealing Fu Rangyi’s eyes looking straight at him. He said, “I didn’t go to the coming-of-age ceremony. I took sick leave because I wasn’t feeling well. So, the only person I’ve danced the coming-of-age dance with is you.”

In that second, Zhu Zhixi felt a subtle change. The person in front of him was no longer the Fu Rangyi he had spent every day with. There was something new about him, something indescribable, like a floating silk thread that landed lightly on him, tying up his heart. When it pulled away, it took his intelligence and eloquence with it, turning him into a complete fool.

His heart started beating fast, abnormally fast. He stared blankly at Fu Rangyi. The afternoon sun made him a little dizzy. His mood floated up uncontrollably, with some secret joy, and also a bit of unwillingness.

“What about you?” Fu Rangyi lowered his gaze, his index finger flicking his bow tie. “You were so picky about my dance partner. You must have been even more careful with your own, right? I’m very curious, who was so lucky to dance with Zhu Zhixi, the top student of the ballroom dancing elective, at the coming-of-age ceremony?”

He was unwilling to be led and manipulated like this, like a child who knew nothing.

Just as Fu Rangyi’s hand was about to leave his bow tie, he spoke up awkwardly, “That would of course be… the first-place student’s final disciple.”

The finger stopped mid-air.

Zhu Zhixi reached out his hand, placing it under this hand. “Dance this dance with me, and I’ll agree to your request.”

Fu Rangyi stared at his hand, especially the one that was about to land on his waist, and smiled. “Princess Xixi wants to lead the dance today?”

“Fu Rangyi! Can you stop bringing up elementary school stuff?” Zhu Zhixi was a little angry, regretting that he had accepted the suggestion to cross-dress under the persuasion of his English teacher, and even more regretting letting Fu Rangyi watch the rehearsal of the fairy tale play, leaving such a huge piece of blackmail material.

“So annoying,” he complained in a low voice, wanting to pull his hand back.

But Fu Rangyi grabbed his hand and placed it back on his waist. “Annoyed again? I’m sorry.”

That was more like it.

In that sun-drenched afternoon, Zhu Zhixi also completed the most important dance of his life. Stepping from adolescence into adulthood, he dimly and chaotically realized that the person who grew up with him had undergone a metamorphosis earlier.

He was a little unaccustomed to it, and also a little uneasy, afraid that the fortress-like solid relationship between them would change, yet he was also faintly attracted to the new Fu Rangyi.

Naturally, after the summer vacation, he also entered S University, becoming Fu Rangyi’s junior, and began their fake couple life as each other’s shield.

Fu Rangyi would specially take a day off on the first day of school to lead him through various procedures, help him organize his luggage, make his bed, and eat with him.

When his roommates laughingly gossiped about their relationship, Fu Rangyi wouldn’t speak right away. The first thing he would do was look at him, as if asking with his eyes, “Do you want to grant this title?”

“He’s my… boyfriend,” Zhu Zhixi said, touching his nose and scratching his hair, very unaccustomed to it.

Fu Rangyi nodded and smiled at them. Seeing him smile, Zhu Zhixi felt the little balloon in his heart with the words “first love” printed on it get popped by Fu Rangyi’s shot with a pop.

But he also won a prize.

Perhaps it was because this time it was Fu Rangyi who had initiated the request for assistance, and he was the one in need, so he also showed more gentleness and initiative. He was no longer half-reluctant and unwilling like before, so stingy even when lending pheromones.

Now he had become somewhat at his beck and call, which made Zhu Zhixi very unaccustomed.

So this person could be very gentle.

His mood went up and down, and he began to imagine what Fu Rangyi would be like when he was truly in a relationship.

Fake was fake, after all.

Their interactions were actually no different from borrowing pheromones in the past, at most it was just hugging.

And hugging was the most common thing for them—at least that’s what Zhu Zhixi had thought before.

But one time, it was very different. It was before Fu Rangyi went on his fieldwork practicum.

That day, they ate together and walked on campus until very late. When they got back downstairs to the dorm, it was exactly 9:30 PM, the time when many students who had been studying returned. Although it was dark, people were coming and going.

Fu Rangyi walked him downstairs, then suddenly lowered his head and whispered in his ear, “The Omega who was chasing me before is in your dorm. He saw me.”

“Huh? Where?” Zhu Zhixi turned his head to look, but in the next second, he was pulled into an embrace.

His hand pressed against Zhu Zhixi’s back, his lips almost brushing against his ear, his voice deep. “Let me hug you for a moment.”

Many people passed by.

Their chests were pressed so tightly together, and his heart was beating so fast. He was so afraid that Fu Rangyi would feel it and tease him a little.

But Fu Rangyi didn’t.

He just gently moved the hand on his back, like a slow caress, just twice.

Finally, that hand landed on his lower back and patted it lightly. “Alright.” He even said thank you.

Zhu Zhixi became very strange. The way he left his embrace was like running away, but he ran away limply, his mind muddled, his steps light. He finally returned to his dorm and face-planted onto his pillow.

He had a vague dream. In the dream, he felt that hand caressing his back, as if he weren’t human, but an animal with fur, being stroked until he was sleek and glossy, purring with pleasure.

The next day, he had planned to see Fu Rangyi off early in the morning. After all, that seemed like what a competent boyfriend should do.

But a small accident happened. Zhu Zhixi spent his precious morning time in the laundry room. After struggling for a long time, he only sent a dry message.

[Little Thing: Be careful on your way.]

The message was replied to in seconds.

[King of Digging Dirt: Woke up so early? The sun hasn’t even set yet.]

[Little Thing: Is there a time difference? So you’re going abroad to dig dirt? Well then, congratulations to Master Fu. Remember to bring me back a souvenir when you return~]

Fu Rangyi really did bring him a gift when he came back.

However, it wasn’t anything very valuable. There was a famous pottery studio near the work site, and students went there for classes every day.

Before leaving, he also paid a visit. He spent two half-days and fired an apple-shaped cup and a small rabbit figurine.

The rabbit’s ear had a flaw, so he kept it for himself.

On the day he returned, he didn’t say anything in advance and went directly to Zhu Zhixi’s dorm. Only when he went up did he find that he wasn’t there.

But his roommate generously invited him in to sit. “He lost his card and went to get a replacement. He should be back soon.”

Fu Rangyi thanked him, familiarly walked to Zhu Zhixi’s bed space, and stood in front of his desk, tilting his head in some confusion.

On the desk was a hand-knitted scarf, red yarn, with a very festive Christmas atmosphere.

The scarf was narrow, and from the stitches, it looked like it was almost finished.

Although it was knitted crookedly, for a beginner, it couldn’t be considered ugly. On closer inspection, it was quite distinctive.

Fu Rangyi reached out, picked up the scarf, and felt it. The yarn was very soft, it probably wouldn’t be scratchy.

The only roommate in the room received a call and went out.

Fu Rangyi picked up the scarf, opened Zhu Zhixi’s closet door, and facing the mirror, wrapped it around his neck.

To avoid being poked by the knitting needles, his movements were very careful.

But this scarf… was too short. It just barely went around once, giving the feeling that he would be choked if he forced it on.

Maybe it’s not a scarf? Fu Rangyi took it off, examined it carefully, and wrapped it around his wrist.

A wristband? Or a knee guard?

Just as he bent down, about to try wrapping it around his knee, that roommate suddenly came back.

The door was slammed open. Fu Rangyi straightened up unnaturally and accidentally pulled out a knitting needle.

He carefully put it back, threading it through the fragile yarn holes one by one, while Zhu Zhixi’s roommate sucked in a breath of cold air.

“Ah, Zhu Zhixi just called. I forgot to tell him you were here, senior.”

Fu Rangyi breathed a sigh of relief, thinking he had been seen. “It’s fine.”

He put down the scarf. “Where is he?”

“He went to a club social gathering.”

Fu Rangyi nodded, noticed his roommate looking at the scarf on the table, and coughed twice. “Don’t tell him I saw this.”

He didn’t want to ruin Zhu Zhixi’s “surprise.”

The roommate said “oh” and nodded. “Okay.”

Only after Fu Rangyi left did he mutter to himself, “Why would he put the scarf Zhu Zhixi is knitting for a penguin on his knee…”

Half an hour later, Fu Rangyi arrived at the location of the social gathering. It was a small restaurant bar near the west gate of S University. Just as he pushed open the door, he saw Zhu Zhixi sitting at the innermost part of a large table by the window.

He was surrounded, propping his chin with his hand and listening to people talk with a smile. He was only wearing a loose, soft white sweater, and a silver hoop earring dangled gently from his reddened earlobe.

His hair had grown a little longer, half-covering his eyes, but his eyes, from drinking, were even more moist and bright than usual.

As if by some tacit understanding, Zhu Zhixi’s face turned slightly, and his eyes met his. He was clearly startled, then frowned and squinted, staring intently.

Fu Rangyi tilted his head.

Now he was sure. He stood up at once, so abruptly that he seemed a little dizzy. Zhu Zhixi swayed, held onto the back of the sofa, and gave him a silly smile.

“My boyfriend is here!” His voice was not quiet, and he asked the others to let him out.

Fu Rangyi walked over, originally intending to pick him up, but he was held back by the people from his club and forced to sit next to Zhu Zhixi and eat with them.

Many of them already knew Fu Rangyi one-sidedly, so a round of gossip was inevitable.

But Fu Rangyi didn’t participate. He noticed that there weren’t many dishes on the table that Zhu Zhixi liked, so he scanned the QR code on the table.

Zhu Zhixi saw this, leaned over woozily, and thud, rested his chin on Fu Rangyi’s shoulder.

Even though he was drunk, he knew what Fu Rangyi was about to do, so he said clingily, “No need~”

“You’ll feel uncomfortable if you only drink and don’t eat,” Fu Rangyi didn’t look up, choosing from the menu on his own.

“I ate.”

“This little bit isn’t even enough for you to throw up.”

“Then add a strawberry smoothie for me.”

“You already had one.”

“I didn’t have much…”

The club members sitting opposite were a little surprised. “Senior, how did you know he already ate? The bowl has been cleared away.”

“Yeah, listening to you two talk is like needing a translator, but your own communication is so smooth.”

Fu Rangyi showed a helpless expression and put down his phone. “The first thing he does when he sits down is order a strawberry smoothie, unless the menu shows it’s sold out.”

“Wow, you really live up to growing up together…”

Another girl also laughed and teased, “Senior, you have such a husbandly vibe at such a young age.”

Fu Rangyi was taken aback. He looked at the dizzy person beside him. The drunkard didn’t react, still playing with the buttons on his coat.

When they left, they were the last ones. Fu Rangyi half-supported Zhu Zhixi as he said goodbye to the others, then finally looked at the person in his arms and said in a low voice, “You didn’t see me off when I left, you didn’t pick me up when I came back, and you even got yourself this drunk.”

“I’ll… I’ll pick you up on my bike,” Zhu Zhixi giggled foolishly.

“Forget it. If you ride a bike, I’m the only one who’ll be embarrassed.”

Fu Rangyi saw that he was dressed thinly and his hands were cold, so he helped him to a chair by the door for waiting customers, held his shoulders to make him sit properly, took off his own coat and draped it over his shoulders, slowly put his arms through the sleeves, and then knelt down to button it up for him.

“Hmm?” Zhu Zhixi had a dazed expression, letting himself be arranged like a beautiful doll, his hazy eyes glued to him.

Until Fu Rangyi looked up at him. “You came to a gathering dressed so thinly. Is there someone you like here? Are you trying to show off to them?”

Zhu Zhixi still stared at him blankly, just smiling, not speaking. After a while, he raised his hand and touched Fu Rangyi’s eyebrow.

Fu Rangyi suddenly had a strong urge to hold his cool, restless hand and press it against his own cheek, just to warm him up. But he gave up.

But at this moment, Zhu Zhixi suddenly laughed and when he spoke, his voice was light and sticky. “I think you… are really handsome today.”

Fu Rangyi was a little surprised, his heart rate slowly accelerating.

However, in the next second, Zhu Zhixi tilted his head back, shook his head, and said, “I’ve learned. When I have someone I like in the future, I’ll be like this too. I’ll get food for him, take care of him, take off my clothes and give them to him… Thank you, Teacher Fu, for your personal instruction on these… slick little combo moves.”

These words were insincere, so Zhu Zhixi didn’t look at him when he said them, but looked up at the night sky instead.

Only after he finished speaking did he lower his head again.

However, in that instant, the Alpha kneeling in front of him suddenly moved closer, held his chin, and pressed his thumb on his lower lip.

Through the fingertip, a touch as light as a dragonfly skimming water sparked a fine electric current. Zhu Zhixi could no longer act. His whole body tingled, and he was about to slide off the chair.

He stared at Fu Rangyi, who was so close, and forgot to breathe.

Until Fu Rangyi let go of his hand but didn’t move away.

Their lips were so close, it seemed that every word spoken might accidentally result in a kiss. His voice was very soft, like silk brushing against the skin, cool, smooth, and impossible to grasp.

“This is the final step. Learn it.”