AMMSCF Chapter 38

Ever since Duan Baisui told Zuo Nian to come find him for lunch at noon, the little fool had shown up without fail, come rain or shine. He still brought dishes he had cooked himself, but he would always explain to Duan Baisui that he had done his recitations in the morning and hadn’t delayed his studies. He really was very obedient.

These peaceful days continued until the second semester. In the first year of high school, students had to choose between the liberal arts and the sciences. Zuo Nian chose liberal arts without the slightest hesitation. This came as no surprise to Duan Baisui. After all, Zuo Nian’s grades in science were an absolute mess.

At noon, Zuo Nian came to eat with him as usual. But unlike his usual cheerful self, today he seemed preoccupied.

Duan Baisui set out the food and asked offhandedly, “Still getting used to the new class?”

Zuo Nian glanced at him and nodded with his eyes downcast.

“Made any new friends?” Duan Baisui continued asking.

Zuo Nian pressed his lips together and nodded again.

“Then what’s wrong? Shouldn’t making new friends make you happy?” Zhou Xu chimed in from the side.

Zuo Nian held his chopsticks tightly. After a long while, he finally spoke: “Nian Nian is very bad, not worthy of being his friend.”

“Why? Our little Nian’er is so well-behaved. How could he be bad?” Zhou Xu coaxed with a smile.

Zuo Nian lifted his head and looked at Duan Baisui. “He treats Nian Nian very well. Since Nian Nian started high school, he’s the only one willing to talk to Nian Nian, the only one willing to play with Nian Nian. But… but…”

“But what?” Duan Baisui was also curious.

To Duan Baisui, this was a good thing. Ever since Zuo Nian was little, he hadn’t had many friends apart from him. Duan Baisui hoped Zuo Nian wouldn’t always revolve around him, and would have more of his own life. A new friend could surely bring him a different kind of joy.

“But today, he asked Nian Nian to pass a message to Gege… and Nian Nian refused.” Zuo Nian’s voice grew softer and softer, until he completely lowered his head.

“Oh, that’s nothing. It’s not your fault,” Zhou Xu comforted. “He probably really thinks Alex is your biological brother, and doesn’t know he’s actually your… love-brother…”

Duan Baisui cut him off. “Can’t you shut your mouth even when eating?”

Zhou Xu muttered under his breath, “Well, it’s true.”

Zuo Nian: “He probably won’t want to be friends with me anymore.”

Duan Baisui: “No matter whose message it was, I wouldn’t have accepted it. You don’t need to feel guilty. Not delivering it was the right thing to do. It was better than having it returned without being read.”

Zuo Nian looked a little lost. He truly treasured the hard-won friendship, but at the same time, he didn’t want anyone getting close to Duan Baisui. He felt like he was being a bit “choosing love over friends”.

“Gege, do you think if I buy him an ice cream later and explain things properly, he’ll forgive me?” Zuo Nian sought his opinion.

“Mhm.” Duan Baisui gave a definite answer.

Zuo Nian only brought fifty yuan with him whenever he went out. In truth, his living allowance was quite generous, but he saved most of it in his little piggy bank. He had a firm belief that he had to save up a lot of money to buy a tank for Duan Baisui. That was a promise they had made when they were kids.

Normally, fifty yuan was more than enough. But today, Zuo Nian bought a Häagen-Dazs for his friend that cost sixty-nine yuan. He even borrowed nineteen yuan from Duan Baisui. His peace offering was anything but half-hearted.

Duan Baisui didn’t know whether Zuo Nian had made up with his friend or not. But a few times during group exercises, he had seen Zuo Nian entering and leaving the campus convenience store with another boy. He figured that must be the friend. Duan Baisui thought this was a good thing. At least Zuo Nian wouldn’t be isolated and helpless in class anymore.

Not long after, the school held the spring sports meet.

Duan Baisui signed up for a short-distance relay and shot put as a formality. Neither event posed any real challenge for him.

The shot put was scheduled for the afternoon of the second day of the sports meet. Duan Baisui did well. When he returned to class, Zhou Xu came up and said, “Holy crap, Little Nian’er’s got guts. He actually signed up for the three-thousand-meter run.”

Duan Baisui froze mid-sip of water. He clearly remembered Zuo Nian saying he had signed up for the long jump and high jump.

Zhou Xu pointed toward the track. “Look, it’s already started.”

Only then did Duan Baisui notice that Zuo Nian really was in the long-distance running group. Ever since he was a child, Zuo Nian had a weak constitution. He’d been raised with extra care at home, so athletic ability was never his strength.

After just the first lap, Zuo Nian was already far behind the others.

To Duan Baisui, it looked like every step Zuo Nian took, he was on the verge of collapsing.

Even if Zuo Nian gave up halfway, it would be understandable. He was an Omega, being made to compete in a stamina event against several Alphas. It was indeed too much for him.

As time passed, runners began to cross the finish line one after another, while Zuo Nian was still on the track. By then, quite a few people had started booing at him.

Duan Baisui couldn’t keep watching. It was getting hard to bear. To maintain order and ensure the safety of the participants, the referees didn’t allow anyone to run alongside the competitors.

Duan Baisui picked up a bottle of water and went to the finish line. He had just arrived and barely gotten into position when an Omega suddenly appeared beside him and greeted him sweetly, “Hello, Senior Duan~ I’m Nian Nian’s friend, Peng Chu.”

“Mhm.” Duan Baisui glanced at him, then shifted his gaze back to the track.

“You’re here to pick up Nian Nian, too? So am I,” the Omega continued chatting.

On the entire track, only Zuo Nian’s figure remained—thin and small, yet still gritting his teeth, pressing forward bit by bit toward the finish line.

“Nian Nian is amazing. No matter what he does, he always draws everyone’s attention. Actually, quite a few Alphas in our class like him.”

Duan Baisui only found the noise annoying. He had no interest in talking to the person beside him.

Finally, Zuo Nian crossed the finish line. Duan Baisui stepped forward just in time and pulled him into his arms.

Zuo Nian was panting heavily, his legs heavy as if filled with lead. He wanted to sit down on the ground, but Duan Baisui held him up and said, “Don’t sit yet. Walk a little first.”

Zuo Nian had no strength to speak, but he nodded obediently.

Peng Chu stepped forward, considerately handing Zuo Nian the water. “Nian Nian, you were pushing yourself way too hard. Why didn’t you tell me you signed up for the 3000 meters~? Look how worried Senior Duan was. It’s nice having a big brother. Unlike me, if I ran that, no one would even come to meet me.”

Zuo Nian felt like even breathing hurt at this point. He waved his hand, unable to speak. Only then did Duan Baisui give Peng Chu a proper look. He was completely different from Zuo Nian.

Peng Chu’s beauty was the striking, showy kind. Even at his young age, his upturned fox-like eyes already carried a natural charm. He was clearly someone sharp and clever at a glance.

Duan Baisui said coolly, “I’ll walk with him for a bit. You can go back.”

“Alright~” Peng Chu drew out the syllable with a bright smile. “Nian Nian, don’t forget to drink your water~ I’ll be waiting for you in class~ Goodbye, Senior Duan.”

The Omega walked away, looking back every few steps. Duan Baisui stayed by Zuo Nian’s side, slowly helping him move along beside the fountain in front of the teaching building.

After catching his breath, Zuo Nian said weakly, “It wasn’t… Nian Nian who signed up. Maybe… no one else in class wanted to run, so they made Nian Nian fill the spot.”

Duan Baisui felt a pang in his chest. Zuo Nian still wasn’t being treated fairly. Even if it was just to fill the numbers, they should’ve at least informed him, instead of putting his name down without his permission.

“But it’s okay. Nian Nian finished the race. Even if it was in last place…” Zuo Nian didn’t seem like he minded much.

“You did great,” Duan Baisui said in response.

“Huh?”

“You ran against a bunch of Alphas and only ended up one lap behind. That’s really impressive.”

Zuo Nian was quiet for a moment before asking, “Gege, are you praising me?”

“Mhm.”

From this sports meet, Duan Baisui gained a new understanding of Zuo Nian. The Omega, who had always seemed delicate and fragile in his eyes, had remarkable determination. He couldn’t be underestimated.

As summer break approached, the school held a “Midsummer Night” arts festival performance.

That day during lunch, Zuo Nian said to Duan Baisui with excitement, “Gege, I’m going to perform this time!”

“Oh?” Duan Baisui’s voice remained calm as always.

“Mhm! Peng Chu is the class arts committee rep. He takes really good care of me.”

“What kind of performance is your class doing?” Zhou Xu asked.

“The Frog Prince.” Zuo Nian scratched his head. “Peng Chu said he’d give me a really important role. I’m so nervous… I’m afraid I’ll mess it up.”

It was obvious Zuo Nian was looking forward to this performance. Duan Baisui reassured him, “You won’t. Just do your best.”

With that one sentence, Zuo Nian’s confidence instantly doubled. He clenched his fists and said, “Mhm! Nian Nian will do his best!”

After that, Zuo Nian started eating lunch in a hurry every day. He said he had to get to rehearsals.

Zhou Xu asked curiously, “Little Nian’er, what role are you playing anyway?”

Zuo Nian smiled brightly. “The frog.”

Since the play was The Frog Prince, and Zuo Nian was playing the frog… didn’t that mean he was the main character?

“Where’s that friend of yours?” Zhou Xu kept asking.

“He’s the princess. The one who turns the frog into a prince.”

It really did seem like they were good friends, each playing the male and female lead.

But when the day of the performance finally arrived, Duan Baisui realized that the “frog” Zuo Nian had mentioned… was an actual frog.

He wore a full frog mascot costume, with only his face peeking out—his cheeks smudged with makeup. The entire performance, he just hopped around on stage. He barely had any lines, saying only one sentence: asking the princess to become his bride.

Originally, the story was supposed to have the frog transformed back into a human by a kiss of true love. But the plot had been changed. Instead, the princess gave the frog a hard kick in the butt, sending him flying offstage. That was when the “prince” in a white suit made his entrance.

Duan Baisui’s face darkened. He felt like Zuo Nian had been made fun of again. He stood up and made his way to the backstage area.

Still in his thick frog costume, Zuo Nian was waiting for the curtain call. But as the emcee read off the cast names one by one, each actor went out to take their bow—except Zuo Nian. He was left behind, standing alone in the wings.

When it became clear his name wasn’t going to be called, Zuo Nian looked a little disappointed and turned to leave.

As he turned around, he saw Duan Baisui standing right behind him. Zuo Nian’s disappointment vanished instantly, and he beamed as he called out, “Gege!”

There were other students backstage, getting ready for the next performance. They greeted Duan Baisui politely and gathered near the entrance.

Duan Baisui beckoned to Zuo Nian, and Zuo Nian ran toward him with a small trot. Because of the frog costume, his movements looked a little clumsy.

“Hehe, how did I do just now?”

Duan Baisui looked at him and said, “You did great.”

“Did that kick hurt you?”

Zuo Nian rubbed his butt and said, “Not at all~”

But Duan Baisui was sure that kick had looked pretty rough.

Just then, the cast members who had finished their curtain call returned. Peng Chu, with his immaculate makeup and costume, looked dazzling under the lights. He truly did resemble a little princess.

He lifted the hem of his dress and ran over, apologizing, “Xiao Nian, I’m sorry. When they were registering the names, they missed yours~ You’re not mad at me, are you?”

Zuo Nian waved his hand. “Of course not~”

“Oh? Senior Duan is here too~” Peng Chu smiled brightly. “Senior Duan, could we take a photo together?”

Duan Baisui coldly rejected, “No.”

He didn’t spare even a shred of face. Grabbing Zuo Nian’s wrist, he said, “Let’s go.”

“Oh, okay.” Zuo Nian obediently followed behind Duan Baisui.

Outside the auditorium, Duan Baisui helped Zuo Nian take off the mascot costume. The costume was filthy and reeked of sweat—clearly something cheaply rented to save costs. But Peng Chu’s princess gown had been lavish and exquisite.

Zuo Nian was drenched in sweat, his bangs soaked and plastered to his forehead. In this kind of heat, who knew how long he had been wearing that damned costume?

His makeup had run. Zuo Nian went to the restroom to wash it off and use the toilet.

Just then, Peng Chu followed after him. He asked cautiously, “Senior Duan, are you angry? Because I kicked Xiao Nian?”

Duan Baisui shot back, “Don’t you already know?”

“You might’ve misunderstood me. The reason I changed it to a kick was because Xiao Nian wouldn’t accept a kiss. He said he’s your Omega, that you two made a promise, and he won’t get close to anyone else. Of course… I had my own selfish reasons, too. For better dramatic effect, and to make it easier for the next actor to come on, I made that change.”

Duan Baisui lowered his eyes to look at him, his gaze filled with cold contempt, as if he could see through him completely.

Peng Chu tucked his hair behind his ear. “Senior Duan, even though Xiao Nian calls you ‘Gege’ on the surface, in his heart, he feels differently. He’s been telling people everywhere that the two of you are engaged. I even reminded him that telling lies isn’t right…”

“He didn’t lie,” Duan Baisui interrupted.

“There really is an engagement between us. So I suggest you rein in your little thoughts and your pheromones right now.”

Feeling that wasn’t enough, Duan Baisui abandoned all gentlemanly restraint and added, “Disgusting.”

Peng Chu stared at him in disbelief, unable to believe Duan Baisui would say something so blunt. Clutching the hem of his dress, he looked like he was on the verge of tears. “Senior Duan…”

“I hope you come to see yourself clearly soon. Stop clinging to unrealistic fantasies. Enough with the posturing… And stay away from Zuo Nian. This is the last warning. If you do it again, especially with how you recklessly released enticing pheromones in front of an Alpha today, I can make sure your reputation at school is completely ruined.”

It was rare for Duan Baisui to speak so many words to a stranger, but every word struck deep.

In the end, Peng Chu was still a young Omega. After being scolded like that, he was already sobbing uncontrollably. As he ran off, he accidentally stepped on his own skirt and stumbled out, falling in a pitiful heap.

When Zuo Nian came out after washing his face, Duan Baisui was still waiting for him at the door.

“Gege, sorry to keep you waiting~”

“Not at all,” Duan Baisui said. “Let’s go home together in a bit.”

Zuo Nian beamed. “Okay~”

After the performance ended, every class’s homeroom teacher gathered the students to say a few brief words.

Duan Baisui waited for Zuo Nian at the school gate. The little fool was limping again, hobbling his way over to him.

“Gege, look!” He held up a small frog keychain in front of Duan Baisui’s face. “It’s a prize Nian Nian got from the performance! The teacher gave it to me~ She even said Nian Nian was the cutest little frog~”

Duan Baisui smiled. “Mhm. What happened to your leg? Did you hurt it when you fell earlier?”

“It just hurts a tiny bit~” Zuo Nian pinched his fingers together to show how small, then shook the frog keychain in his hand. “I’m giving it to Gege. This way, whenever you see the little frog, you’ll think of Nian Nian~”

Duan Baisui was stunned for a moment. Under Zuo Nian’s expectant gaze, he reached out and took it. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome~” Zuo Nian waved his hand and walked alongside Duan Baisui. “Gege, I’m not going to be friends with Xiao Chu anymore.”

“Mhm.” Duan Baisui didn’t ask for a reason and simply agreed.

“Actually, I already knew… He never treated Nian Nian like a real friend. He’d get mad for no reason and make Nian Nian buy him snacks to cheer him up. He just thought Nian Nian was a pushover. Nian Nian overheard what he said to his classmates. He left Nian Nian’s name off the cast list on purpose. And he made Nian Nian play an ugly frog on purpose…”

Saying that, Zuo Nian tilted his little head and changed the tone. “But Nian Nian thinks little frogs aren’t ugly at all.”

Duan Baisui reached out his large hand and patted the top of his head. “Mhm. Very cute.”

“Hehe,” Zuo Nian let out a shy little laugh. “See? Gege said I’m cute too.”

“Does your leg still hurt? Come on, I’ll carry you.” Duan Baisui crouched down in front of him.

“Ah—no, it’s fine…” Zuo Nian waved his hands in a fluster.

Duan Baisui repeated, “Get on.”

Only then did Zuo Nian obediently climb onto Duan Baisui’s back.

The evening breeze was soft and gentle. As Zuo Nian held onto Duan Baisui’s neck, he asked, “Gege, is Nian Nian heavy?”

“No. Very light.”

“Gege, can Nian Nian ask you one more question?”

“Mhm.”

“What university do you want to go to?”

“Beijing University.”

“Ah… Beijing University…” Zuo Nian repeated quietly to himself. “Then Nian Nian definitely won’t be able to get in… But—Nian Nian can work hard to get into X University. That one’s closest to Beijing University. That way, Nian Nian can still come find Gege to have lunch.”

“Mhm.”

“Gege, do you think Nian Nian is annoying?”

“No. Not at all.”

Duan Baisui’s tone was still calm and flat, but Zuo Nian could feel something had changed about him. What was it exactly that had changed?

That night, Zuo Nian opened his green-covered diary again.

June 30th, 20XX

The “stranded” frog was carried home by the little prince. I hope that one day, the frog can become a “princess”…and stay with the little prince forever~

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