MBBBA Chapter 21

Zhang Peng and Qiao Qiao walked hand in hand to visit Qiao Qiao’s elementary school—well, at least the front gate.

It was holiday break, and the school gate was firmly shut, so they could only take a look from outside.

Qiao Qiao pointed at the school’s peeling iron gates, the faded plastic track that stretched out ahead, and the five-story teaching building with its dust-covered, dull golden letters that spelled out “Diligence Can Make Up for Clumsiness” and excitedly told Zhang Peng, “It hasn’t changed a bit after all these years.”

In reality, it had changed a lot.

Twenty years ago, this elementary school was brand new. The bright red flag of China was raised every morning in the early light, and the words “Diligence Can Make Up for Clumsiness” gleamed under the stirring sound of the national anthem.

The passage of time had left its marks, yet the school now matched the nostalgia of childhood memories.

The old building stood quietly and steadily, bringing a gentle, welcoming feeling to those who had returned home.

Zhang Peng followed Qiao Qiao, watching as he ran toward what had once been his happy place.

But the small basketball court seemed to have been abandoned for a long time. The worn-out hoop was tilted to one side, rubble covered half the court, and the word “Demolition” was scrawled in blood-red on the nearby wall.

Qiao Qiao was slightly taken aback. “I thought I’d see some kids playing ball.” He scratched his head, feeling a bit disappointed.

Zhang Peng teased him, “I didn’t know you liked basketball. You’re always at home playing video games.”

“I haven’t played since I got to college,” Qiao Qiao admitted, a little embarrassed. “Back in middle school, I was on the basketball team, but then everyone started growing in high school. One of my roommates even grew five centimeters after graduating. Can you believe that?”

Zhang Peng said, “Not just after high school. Even after all these years since I graduated college, I’ve grown a bit recently.”

“I know,” Qiao Qiao said, holding up his hand in a stop gesture. “I already said you’re an exception, like the Skytree, so you don’t count.”

Sleeping in the same bed as Zhang Peng, of course, he knew Zhang Peng had grown.

He was just envious, jealous, and a bit resentful.

Zhang Peng said, “You don’t always have to play serious games. If you want, we can just shoot some hoops for fun.”

Qiao Qiao joked, “I’m too old for that now.”

Zhang Peng put his arm around Qiao Qiao’s waist, with a hint of suggestion in his tone, “Really? Too old?”

Qiao Qiao immediately corrected himself, “Not old! Full of youth, full of energy.”

Zhang Peng chuckled softly.

“I used to be on the basketball team too,” he suddenly remembered.

Qiao Qiao stepped onto an uneven stone, wobbling a bit, finding it amusing.

Zhang Peng held onto his waist, making sure he didn’t fall, while Qiao Qiao leaned on Zhang Peng’s shoulder, thinking how solid his boyfriend felt.

“And then?” Qiao Qiao asked, “Were you the center? You’re tall, so I’m guessing you were.”

“I was at first,” Zhang Peng said. “But in my second year of high school, some classmates started differentiating. The coach said a beta wasn’t suited for the center position, so they replaced me with an alpha.”

Qiao Qiao touched the back of Zhang Peng’s neck. “Why do people always think gender determines ability?”

“I don’t know,” Zhang Peng replied. “Before I differentiated, it was really hard to get investors. Now,” he smiled, “it’s like they’re lining up to throw money at me, as if being an alpha automatically means I’ll succeed.”

Qiao Qiao said, “I don’t think it’s just because you became an alpha.” He smiled. “I think they know our Zhang Zong has a sharp eye, and they just want to follow you and take a cut.”

Zhang Peng also smiled. “I just happened to catch the right wave.”

Qiao Qiao didn’t agree. “It wasn’t just luck. You worked hard for years before that.” He thought for a moment. “You know what this reminds me of? ‘When you’re poor, no one asks about you in the bustling city; when you’re rich, you have distant relatives in the deep mountains.’”

Zhang Peng sighed, “You stayed by my side all these years. When things were toughest, you’d eat plain buns and drink the free soup at school, saving all the money you could to help me out.”

He had been angry when he found out, the only time he had ever been upset with Qiao Qiao.

Qiao Qiao remembered how Zhang Peng nearly sold his company over that incident and felt a wave of fear. “Thank goodness we pulled through. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be where we are now.”

A hundred billion yuan! Just thinking about it felt unreal.

After all, they still took second-class seats on the train, only used basic ride-hailing services, and bought regular cherries instead of the expensive ones.

Zhang Peng sincerely said, “Thank you for always believing in me.”

Qiao Qiao jumped down from the stone and into Zhang Peng’s arms.

“What’s there to thank?” He looked up and said, “I just… I believed in you because I liked you.”

He hugged Zhang Peng’s waist, then quietly confessed, “Honestly, I didn’t have such long-term vision. I was ready to eat whatever we had.”

Zhang Peng hugged Qiao Qiao back, holding him tightly, imprinting this moment in his heart.

He knew that Qiao Qiao did all of this simply because he loved him.

Likewise, Zhang Peng knew that he had been so nervous and obedient in front of Qiao Qiao’s parents simply because he loved Qiao Qiao.

After holding each other for a while, they started heading back home, hand in hand.

Qiao Qiao’s phone rang. He took it out and saw it was his mom calling.

“Hello, Su Laoshi?”

Su Ya’s voice came through, “You’ve been gone forever. Are you planning to come home for New Year’s dinner? Your grandparents are here, asking where Xiao Qiao is!”

In the background, he heard his aunt’s voice, “Xiao Qiao, Auntie’s got a red envelope for you!”

Qiao Qiao quickly responded, “We were just about to head back when you called!”

Su Ya urged, “Hurry up!”

With Mom’s orders, Qiao Qiao and Zhang Peng didn’t dare delay, so they rushed home.

Having just cleaned up nicely, they were now covered in sweat again.

The cola scent on Zhang Peng’s body became more pronounced, so they stood in the hallway for a moment to let it dissipate.

Qiao Qiao blew on the back of Zhang Peng’s neck, trying to cool him down faster.

“Getting all hot and bothered in the middle of winter,” Qiao Qiao whispered. “What a waste.”

The sound of a door opening startled Qiao Qiao, making him think his inappropriate comment had been overheard by his family.

But when he turned around, it wasn’t their door that had opened.

Instead, he caught a faint whiff of floral fragrance.

Though the scent was subtle, it seemed highly enticing, burrowing into one’s heart and stirring deep desires.

Qiao Qiao followed the source of the scent with his eyes.

An omega was leaning against the wall under the dim light, his skin so pale it was almost translucent, like a delicate, fragile porcelain vase.

Dressed in a cashmere sweater and linen-colored home pants, he exuded a gentle demeanor that made one want to protect him.

Qiao Qiao thought, Is this the omega from next door who suddenly went into heat and caused such a commotion?

He gave the omega a polite smile and pulled Zhang Peng back inside.

The omega curved his lips slightly.

Zhang Peng frowned.

The omega’s gaze clung to his back, making him feel a bit uncomfortable, even disgusted.

“What’s wrong?” Qiao Qiao noticed something was off.

Zhang Peng shook his head. “Nothing.”

Qiao Qiao rang the doorbell, and his mother’s voice called out from inside, “Coming!”

In the few seconds they waited for her to open the door, Qiao Qiao felt a chill run down his spine.

He turned back in confusion, only to see the omega’s back as he retreated into his own apartment.

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