In April, as the weather began to warm, the day started early.

Chu Xingning, wearing slippers, walked to Chu Tao’s door and knocked lightly.

Chu Tao, his short hair messy, opened the door, stifling a yawn.

It was rare for Chu Xingning to wake up earlier than him. Rubbing his tired eyes, Chu Tao asked drowsily, “Brother, why are you up so early?”

In the kitchen, Song Mian was already preparing breakfast, with Chu Jiangmin helping by making soy milk.

Chu Xingning made a mysterious “hush” gesture, then said to Chu Tao, “I wanted to tell you this last night, but you were asleep. I couldn’t wait, so I had to come find you first thing this morning.”

Chu Tao, now more awake, opened his eyes wide, looking at Chu Xingning with a mix of curiosity and adorableness.

Chu Xingning smiled. “Let’s have dinner together tonight. You bring Jiang She, and I’ll bring Pei Jiang.”

Chu Tao tilted his head, staying quiet for a moment before muttering, “You’re… introducing me to your special someone?”

Chu Xingning nodded solemnly.

“Because I really like him, and I think he’s the one. I want to introduce him to the family and give him a sense of security,” he explained.

Chu Tao pouted slightly, catching onto the keyword. “Sense of security?”

Although it was a common topic in relationships, Chu Tao had never worried about it much.

He found it odd, too—despite his brother already spending so much time with this “special someone,” why did Pei Jiang still lack a sense of security?

Chu Xingning shrugged. “Maybe most Omegas are more sensitive and delicate. He seems to always worry about me breaking up with him, but it’s nothing serious. It’ll get better with time.”

Chu Tao sighed. “This isn’t some prank, is it? Today *is* April Fools’ Day.”

He was skeptical because his brother had avoided discussing Pei Jiang before. Recently, Chu Tao had become curious and asked about him a few times, but Chu Xingning always dodged the questions.

Yet here he was, suddenly inviting Chu Tao to dinner.

Chu Xingning replied earnestly, “I honestly forgot today was April Fools’. But I’m not joking. It’s Pei Jiang’s birthday today. While it’s dinner, it’s also a small birthday celebration for him.”

Chu Tao blinked. “He’s not spending it with his parents?”

Chu Xingning shook his head. “No, his dad passed away in a car accident years ago, and his mom works far away. He’s all alone at home.”

Understanding dawned on Chu Tao.

Being alone really was lonely.

He was reminded of Jiang She, whose parents often forgot his birthday. It was always the same kind of solitude.

“I see. I’ll ask Jiang She at school,” Chu Tao replied.

Because of the similar circumstances, Chu Tao couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for this boy he hadn’t even met yet.

Chu Xingning smiled, satisfied. “Pei Jiang suggested celebrating at his place since it feels cozier. I’ll order the food and cake. After evening study, I’ll take you and Jiang She over.”

With exams approaching, Friday evening study sessions had been shortened to half a period, ending at 7:50 PM to allow students more rest.

Chu Tao hesitated. “But Jiang She might not agree!”

Chu Xingning’s eyes curved with amusement. “If you ask, he’ll definitely agree.”

Chu Tao puffed his cheeks, making his face look round and puffy like a ball. He mumbled to himself, “A birthday on April Fools’ Day…”

From the kitchen, Song Mian called out, “Hurry up and brush your teeth! Breakfast is ready!”

“Okay!” Chu Tao scratched his head and ran to the bathroom to wash up.

At school, Chu Tao had just entered the classroom when Fang Sheng rushed over, exclaiming, “Class leader! Why are you so late? The homeroom teacher asked for you in the office!”

Chu Tao stopped in his tracks, gave him a calm look for a few seconds, then snorted lightly. Tossing his bag onto the chair, he sat down nonchalantly.

Fang Sheng froze. “Huh?”

Jiang She smirked. “With your acting skills, you think anyone would believe that?”

Fang Sheng was puzzled. “What? My performance wasn’t convincing? I thought it was pretty good!”

Chu Tao turned, shaking his head helplessly. “That kind of lie doesn’t work in our class. Everyone knows that Teacher Yang is always on the verge of being late herself. There’s no way she’s already in the office.”

Fang Sheng: “…”

Chu Tao teased Fang Sheng for a bit before turning to Jiang She with a serious tone. “By the way, my brother said we’re having dinner together tonight—with his boyfriend. Do you want to come?”

Jiang She raised an eyebrow.

“It’s not a joke; it’s real,” Chu Tao explained. “It’s his boyfriend’s birthday today.”

Fang Sheng immediately put on a heartbroken expression. “What? The dream alpha of the entire school has a boyfriend? Whose ancestor’s grave is emitting smoke from sheer luck?”

Chu Tao covered Fang Sheng’s face with his hand, ignoring him while waiting for Jiang She’s response.

Jiang She froze for a moment, lost in thought, but quickly shrugged it off with a casual smile. “I don’t mind. Sure, I’ll go.”

With the plan set, both Chu Tao and Chu Xingning sent a message to Song Mian, asking for permission to stay at school for extra study, claiming they might be home late.

Trusting her sons completely, Song Mian only reminded them to stay safe and offered to pick them up if it got too late.

The two brushed off her concerns, relieved to have resolved one potential issue.

Chu Tao sighed in relief and remarked to Chu Xingning, “I thought this would only happen after the college entrance exams. I didn’t expect it to be before.”

Leaning against the railing, Chu Xingning looked down at the tiled floor below and smiled. “It’s just coincidence. But it’s fine—either way, we’re going to do well on the exams.”

Chu Tao nodded solemnly. “True.”

After years of hard work and studying, success seemed inevitable. Nothing could stand in their way now.

Chu Xingning gave his brother an encouraging pat on the shoulder.

As soon as the first evening study session ended, Jiang She and Chu Tao packed their bags early, managing to beat the after-school crowd. They met up with Chu Xingning at the entrance of the teaching building.

Chu Xingning greeted Jiang She, “Long time no see.”

With an arm around Chu Tao, Jiang She smirked. “It hasn’t been that long, has it?”

Chu Xingning nodded. “True. It hasn’t been long since your grand stunt at the hundred-day pledge rally.”

A vein on Chu Tao’s forehead twitched. “Brother…”

Chu Xingning teased, “Can’t I bring it up?”

Chu Tao pressed his lips together and said, “Let’s go already. Are we picking up your ‘special someone’ from the middle school?”

Chu Xingning shook his head. “No need. He doesn’t have evening study and went home early to prepare.”

Outside the school gate, Chu Xingning found the car he had pre-booked. The three of them got in, with Chu Tao and Jiang She sitting in the back while Chu Xingning took the front passenger seat.

Chu Tao turned to Jiang She and asked, “Should we get him a birthday gift? We can stop by a supermarket and grab some snacks.”

Chu Xingning quickly interjected, “No need. I’ve already prepared something. You’re my brother; no need to be so formal.”

“That’s not right,” Chu Tao argued. “It’s still a birthday. If you’d told me earlier, I could’ve looked up ideas online.”

Jiang She lightly pinched Chu Tao’s earlobe, soothing him. “I already asked my driver to prepare something this afternoon. I wasn’t sure what he’d like, so I got him a watch—something practical he can use.”

“Jiang She…” Chu Tao was touched. Jiang She had thought of something he hadn’t.

Chu Xingning protested, “It’s just a casual meeting. No need to be so formal. A watch is too much. Let’s just stop by a supermarket and grab some coconut milk. He loves that.”

He was well aware of Jiang She’s wealth, and he suspected that what Jiang She called “just a watch” was likely an expensive luxury item.

Even though Chu Tao and Jiang She weren’t married, and even if they were, accepting such an extravagant gift was inappropriate. It might also pressure Pei Jiang.

Playing with Chu Tao’s earlobe, Jiang She noticed Chu Xingning’s hesitant expression and calmly explained, “It’s a trendy and affordable design. Nothing too extravagant—he should like it.”

Hearing this, Chu Xingning finally relaxed.

Chu Tao squirmed from Jiang She’s playful pinch, unable to resist shrinking away. Taking advantage of the dim light in the car, he leaned over and gently bit Jiang She’s shoulder—a small gesture of gratitude.

Jiang She’s hand paused, and then he pressed against the gland at the nape of Chu Tao’s neck, massaging it just firmly enough to make Chu Tao shiver from the sensation.

Taking the opportunity, Jiang She asked, “Where exactly are we headed?”

Chu Xingning answered, “His place, in the residential area near Changxing Road.”

Having lived in Huai City for many years, Jiang She was familiar with the city’s layout. “An old neighborhood, right? It’s near Binhe Park.”

Chu Xingning nodded. “Yeah, the environment there is pretty good.”

The car soon arrived, and Chu Xingning paid through the app. The three of them got out.

Under the streetlight’s glow, Chu Tao took in his surroundings. Though it was an older neighborhood, it had been renovated, and the area looked far from outdated.

The property management clearly did a great job—the community was well-maintained, with greenery kept at a high standard year after year. Plus, being close to a park and in a good school district, the property values were likely quite high.

Chu Xingning led them deeper into the neighborhood.

Chu Tao found himself feeling unexpectedly nervous. He couldn’t replicate Jiang She’s calm demeanor and whispered, “What should I say when we meet? What do middle schoolers like these days?”

Jiang She couldn’t help but laugh at him. “What’s this about? You sound like you’re meeting your future in-laws. He’s in middle school, you’re in high school—you’re only two years older than him. There’s no generation gap.”

“Oh.” Chu Tao suddenly understood, though he still felt that middle school and high school seemed worlds apart. In reality, it was just a two-year difference.

Since older neighborhoods typically had low buildings, there were no elevators. Pei Jiang’s family lived on the sixth floor, and the climb left all three of them slightly sweaty by the time they reached the top.

The motion-activated light in the sixth-floor hallway was broken, so they had to rely on the dim light from the fifth floor. They could barely make out the Spring Festival couplets still pasted on the door.

Chu Xingning knocked lightly, his voice soft and cheerful. “Pei Jiang, we’re here.”

Hearing that name, Jiang She’s expression froze, and his smile vanished instantly.

Moments later, the door opened, and a lively figure darted out, throwing his arms around Chu Xingning’s neck. Though tall, the boy still clung to Chu Xingning’s face with a childish affection.

“Gege! I’ve been waiting forever—I’m starving.”

Chu Xingning staggered back under Pei Jiang’s weight and helplessly patted his back. “Hey, don’t get so clingy.”

But Pei Jiang ignored him completely, pouting stubbornly. “No, I want to hold onto you forever.”

Jiang She stood quietly outside the door, watching Pei Jiang with a faintly cold expression as the boy displayed his usual fake innocence—acting sweet, clingy, and naive.

It took some effort for Chu Xingning to pry Pei Jiang off himself. He stepped aside and caught his breath before introducing the others. “I haven’t introduced you yet. This is my brother, Chu Tao, and on the right is his boyfriend, Jiang She. They’re from my school, same grade as me.”

Pei Jiang froze, his body going stiff. Slowly, he lifted his eyes, and in the faint light, he finally saw Jiang She standing in the shadows.