BDBE 8

Chapter 8 Chocolate

When a regular guest entered the guest room that had been empty for years, the chill was immediately dispelled and the space was filled with warmth.

Shen Wanchao sat beside the mobile desk temporarily moved into the room, a high school English workbook open in front of him. The high school student, who should have been diligently studying, had no attention on the workbook; instead, his thoughts were drifting far away. 

Shen Wanchao hadn’t expected Zhou Hui to be willing to personally take his parents to the hospital for a checkup. 

Since the documentary filming began, Shen Wanchao had been busy, and had neglected many things at home. Those things he had overlooked naturally fell on another person’s shoulders. 

Before, Shen Wanchao wouldn’t have thought anything of Zhou Hui doing this, but now, after so many things had happened, he hadn’t expected Zhou Hui to still act the same as before. Why? 

To prevent outsiders from noticing the changes in their relationship? 

He was truly meticulous; if he wasn’t directly involved, he wouldn’t have been able to tell what had happened at home. 

That photo crossed his mind. 

Under the cover of night, at the hotel entrance, the shadows were ambiguous, and two figures intertwined. 

Thinking about this gave Shen Wanchao a headache. He massaged his temples, and finally got up and left his room. 

He went to the kitchen to pour himself a glass of water, then turned and headed towards Zhou Mingchen’s room. 

As soon as the door opened, the clatter of a keyboard filled the room. 

Zhou Mingchen was wearing headphones, engrossed in a shooting game. Shen Wanchao briefly paused. He was surprised to find such a chaotic and intense scene in Zhou Mingchen’s room so early in the morning. 

He stepped forward, placed the glass of water on the table, and asked earnestly, “Aren’t you doing your homework?” 

Zhou Mingchen glanced at him, continued aiming at the enemy, and replied, “It’s only Saturday, no rush.” 

Shen Wanchao kindly reminded him, “There are six worksheets and two workbooks this week.” 

Zhou Mingchen shot the opponent in the head, his grin revealing a small tiger tooth: “Don’t worry, Teacher Dou¹ will save me from this predicament.”

Shen Wanchao blinked: “Who is Teacher Dou?” 

After the game ended, Zhou Mingchen was in high spirits, so he didn’t hesitate to give Shen Wanchao a detailed explanation of Teacher Dou’s uses. 

Shen Wanchao: “…” 

He slapped a workbook on Zhou Mingchen’s forehead and ruthlessly announced, “Do your homework with me.” 

Ten minutes later, Shen Wanchao and Zhou Mingchen moved their battlefield to the small study. 

There was a table there, big enough for two people to do their homework together. 

Zhou Mingchen leaned back in his chair while reflecting on why he had introduced Teacher Dou to a good student, which caused Teacher Dou on his phone to heroically sacrifice itself (uninstalled).

Zhou Mingchen was then confused. Why did he always listen to Shen Chao? It was as if some kind of natural, blood-based pressure made him unable to resist… 

Was it just because Shen Chao was his uncle? 

Zhou Mingchen yawned while looking at the English-filled workbook; he thought he could probably be diagnosed with dyslexia. 

Between finishing another problem, Shen Wanchao looked up at Zhou Mingchen. 

After finishing his math test, he had also checked Zhou Mingchen’s work; a few questions were left blank, a few were wrong, but overall it was quite good. 

So Shen Wanchao didn’t need to worry too much, and the two of them peacefully completed their homework for the morning. 

Around lunchtime, Zhou Mingchen received a phone call. 

After hanging up the phone, Shen Wanchao was about to ask Zhou Mingchen what he wanted for lunch when Zhou Mingchen said, 

“I’m going out for a bit.” He paused, then looked at Shen Wanchao, “Want to come along?” 

Shen Wanchao was momentarily flattered. After all, not long ago, when he was on vacation at home, Zhou Mingchen had completely ignored him. He barely said a word to him, let alone suggesting they go out together. 

It really was convenient to be the same age as him. 

“It’s almost lunchtime, what are you going out for?” Shen Wanchao asked. 

Zhou Mingchen was already sitting in the entryway changing his shoes, “Fang Chi asked me to go to the arcade.” 

Shen Wanchao hesitated, “Can’t we eat first?” 

Zhou Mingchen finished putting on his shoes and looked at him, “He must have something to ask me; otherwise, he wouldn’t have invited me to the arcade.” 

… 

Half an hour later, Shen Wanchao followed Zhou Mingchen to the entrance of an arcade. 

The arcade was spacious, with various games clattering and jingling, a vibrant display of colors. It was the weekend, and many adults had brought their children to play, which contributed to the noisy atmosphere. 

Zhou Mingchen entered and walked straight towards the claw machine without looking to either side, seemingly not a first-timer. As he got closer, Shen Wanchao recognized the bald boy in the school uniform next to the claw machine. 

Fang Chi smiled and waved to them. Beside him stood a little girl with pigtails waiting for the right moment to press the button. 

The mechanical arm wobbled down, then grabbed a cotton doll, and trembled again. 

The doll fell into the opening and rolled out. 

“Yay!” the little girl cheered, and took out the doll before showing it off to the little boy next to her, “See? I got it! I’m better than you.” 

The little boy was very unconvinced: “My mom said winning a doll is all about luck, you just got lucky!” 

The little girl stuck out her tongue and made a face: “Heh, who cares about you, you weakling, weakling, weakling…!” 

The little boy burst into tears and ran to his mother. 

After witnessing this, Fang Chi had no choice but to say to the little girl in a patient and earnest way, “Little miss, please don’t cause me any trouble, okay? What if his dad comes and beats me up?” 

The little girl snorted and said matter-of-factly, “Then beat him up back!” 

As she spoke, Shen Wanchao and Zhou Mingchen had already arrived beside them. 

The moment the little girl saw Shen Wanchao, she suddenly stopped being fierce. She hugged the cotton doll, lowered her head, and then raised her big eyes.

Shen Wanchao noticed her actions, and smiled gently at her. 

The little girl immediately blushed and hid behind Fang Chi, only half of her head was visible. 

When Zhou Mingchen received Fang Chi’s call, he had a rough idea of what had happened. He was confident now that he had seen the young girl.

“Your dad again?” he asked Fang Chi. 

Fang Chi rolled his eyes in annoyance: “Yeah, he insisted on talking to my mom, so I had to bring my sister out to avoid the storm.” 

Zhou Mingchen nodded, and didn’t ask any further questions. Shen Wanchao sensed something from their unspoken understanding, but since it was Fang Chi’s family matter, he didn’t intend to ask. 

Shen Wanchao squatted down at eye level with the little girl: “Sweetie, what’s your name?”

The little girl remained hidden behind Fang Chi; she answered softly, “My name is… Tian Tian.” 

Shen Wanchao patted Tian Tian’s head: “You’re so cute.” 

Tian Tian blushed and said, “Brother, you’re handsome too.” 

Fang Chi’s little sister, seven years old this year, usually had a pure, high-pitched elementary school student voice, the kind that could only be produced by years of exposure to spicy snacks. Occasionally, she would shout phrases like “666²” and “Holy crap!” picked up from the internet, making her mother clench her fists. 

In short, she had zero resemblance to the shy girl in front of him with a honeyed voice. 

Fang Chi was surprised by his little sister’s sudden change: “What happened to you? Did you get your voice caught in a door?” 

Tian Tian smiled and pinched her older brother’s waist. 

Fang Chi: “Ouch! My kidneys!” 

“Let’s find a place to sit down and talk.” Zhou Mingchen glanced at his watch. “It’s about time to eat.” 

It was the weekend, and it was lunchtime. Restaurants in the mall rarely had no queues. After some deliberation, they found a less crowded Western restaurant. 

Shen Wanchao handed the menu to Tian Tian, ​​letting the little girl order first. 

Tian Tian had never been to a Western restaurant before, and the dishes on the menu were all unfamiliar to her. She didn’t know what they tasted like, so she couldn’t choose anything she wanted. 

Until she turned to the dessert page and saw the picture of a silky, lava-filled chocolate cake, Tian Tian said without hesitation, “I want this!” 

Shen Wanchao’s eyes lit up with a smile when he saw the overflowing chocolate.

He remembered that Zhou Mingchen also loved chocolate. 

Around Tian Tian’s age, Zhou Mingchen often got chocolate all over his face and mouth, looking like he’d rolled around in mud and drunk a few mouthfuls of it, it was very cute. 

Shen Wanchao looked at Zhou Mingchen across from him and asked, “Do you want some?” 

Zhou Mingchen was looking at his phone and hadn’t had a chance to answer yet, so Fang Chi spoke up for him, “No need, I remember he doesn’t like sweets. One piece is enough for Tian Tian.” Shen Wanchao was taken aback and continued looking at Zhou Mingchen. 

Zhou Mingchen saw doubt and persistence in his eyes. He didn’t understand, and replied, “Yes, I don’t like sweets, don’t worry about me.” 

This time, Shen Wanchao was genuinely surprised and couldn’t help but ask, “Didn’t you used to like them?” 

Zhou Mingchen felt his question was strange, but didn’t think much of it and just said, “No, I’ve never liked them.” 

The light in Shen Wanchao’s eyes dimmed slightly, and he didn’t insist further. 

… 

After lunch, Fang Chi received a message from his mother: the alarm was over, and he could take his sister home. 

The four of them stood at the mall entrance, ready to part ways. After saying goodbye, Tian Tian suddenly let go of Fang Chi’s hand, ran to Shen Wanchao, and made him squat down. 

Shen Wanchao obediently squatted down, and the little girl pulled out a bear sticker from somewhere and stuck it on his cheek. 

The little girl said sweetly, “This is my favorite sticker, I’m giving it to you.” 

After doing this, Tian Tian quickly ran back to Fang Chi’s side. 

Fang Chi chuckled, “Brother Shen, you’re quite popular with kids. Chen’er has seen this little girl several times and never received this treatment.” 

Tian Tian blushed, “Because he is handsome.” 

“Where’s mine?” Fang Chi squatted down and pointed to himself, “Am I handsome?” 

Tian Tian pushed his face away, “You shouldn’t ask that question.” 

Fang Chi wailed, “You heartless brat! My looks have declined because you ruined my hair, and you, the culprit, won’t even comfort me!” 

The sounds of the two siblings bickering gradually subsided and eventually disappeared by the roadside. 

Shen Wanchao stood up with the sticker still stuck on his face, and walked back with Zhou Mingchen. 

On their way towards the subway station, something kept nagging at Shen Wanchao’s mind. After hesitating for a long time, he finally asked, 

“Uncle Zhou… told me that you really liked chocolate when you were little, so I asked you about it during lunch. I didn’t expect you didn’t like it.” 

“When I was little?” Zhou Mingchen stopped, he found it rather strange. “Why would he tell you that?” 

Shen Wanchao could only make up an excuse: “We chatted at breakfast.” 

Zhou Mingchen had one hand in his pocket; he didn’t pay much attention to this explanation, and his reply was also nonchalant. He treated it as just casual conversation during an after-lunch walk. 

“It’s not that I don’t like it, it’s just so-so. It’s my dad… my Omega father. He used to restrict my sweets very strictly. Then one time, my Alpha father brought back a box of chocolates from a business trip and told me to eat them before Dad got home. But I only ate a few. Maybe he was in a good mood that day, he didn’t say anything to me. And I ate the whole box. Later, he probably thought I liked chocolate, so he would occasionally bring me all kinds of chocolates.” 

The dappled sunlight from the trees cast shadows on Zhou Mingchen’s face. He suddenly chuckled: 

“I was stupid too. In order not to spoil his mood, I always acted like I really liked chocolate, just because he would laugh every time he saw me wolfing down the chocolates…” 

He would also gently wipe the stains from his mouth with a handkerchief. 

“But mainly it’s because he always limits my sugar intake, so I take every opportunity to eat as much as I can.” Zhou Mingchen paused for a moment, then shrugged. “Now I’m just so-so about chocolate. Maybe because of him, I genuinely liked chocolate? But it doesn’t matter anymore; I’m past the age of being foolish.” 

Zhou Mingchen continued walking, unaware that Shen Wanchao had stopped and remained where he was after he finished speaking. 

Shen Wanchao had never heard Zhou Mingchen say anything like this before. His mind went blank for a moment, and he stared at his figure for a long while.

1. 豆老师, Dòu Lǎoshī refers to a homework-answering app or AI study tool, most likely the Chinese app “Doubao” ↩︎
2. The Chinese internet slang 666 (liù liù liù) basically means “awesome” because the number six in Chinese sounds like “溜” (liù), meaning “smooth”. 666 started as gaming slang to praise a skilled player, like “GG” in English, but is now used generally to praise someone for doing something very impressively or “smoothly”. ↩︎