From a nobody online dating to a top love brain - Chapter 8

Yu Nan was engrossed in a comic when a voice call popped up. Seeing it was Bei Bei, he immediately sat up in bed.

His hand fumbled around the pillow, searching for his earphones. The ringtone was like an alarm, pounding in his heart.

Every time he had a voice or video call with Bei Bei, he got very nervous. Only after putting on his earphones did he answer the call.

“Baby, did you miss me?”

Bei Bei’s voice, tinged with laughter, felt like a whisper right in his ear.

Yu Nan touched his ear, and sure enough, it was heating up again. Every time Bei Bei spoke, he would get shy.

Nan Nan: “I’m getting shy.”

Bei Bei’s tone rose: “Hmm?”

Yu Nan buried his face in the blanket: “Whenever I hear you speak, my ears turn red.”

Bei Bei, hearing the muffled voice, knew without thinking that Nan Nan had buried himself in the blanket again—a unique habit of his whenever he got shy.

Yu Nan asked about the drawing from yesterday: “How was my drawing? Did you like it?”

“Nan Nan, do you really like collars? You even drew one in yesterday’s picture,” Bei Yuye asked.

He wanted to wait until the package arrived to talk about it, hoping to surprise him, but he just couldn’t hold it in.

Yu Nan remembered the group chat where Kitty had Doggo agree to wear a collar. He felt a bit envious. 

Not knowing if Bei Bei would be willing to wear one, he asked, “What about you? If I bought you one, would you wear it?”

“I would, I would! Would you buy one for me?” Bei Yuye said excitedly.

Before Yu Nan could reply, he continued, “Actually, I’ve already bought some because I thought you’d like them.”

Yu Nan imagined the scene. Reality would surely be more exciting than his imagination. He couldn’t wait and asked, “Baby, how about Friday night? Can we video chat?”

“Sure! I’ve bought many types, and we can try them slowly on Friday night!” Bei Yuye had an apartment near the school. On Fridays and Saturdays, they didn’t have dorm checks, so he planned to spend those nights there and video chat with Nan Nan.

Yu Nan started looking forward to Friday, feeling unusually cheerful: “Baby, I love you so much.”

“I love you too, and Friday is also our first anniversary,” Bei Yuye laughed.

Anniversary? Yu Nan paused.

“Can’t wait,” he forced a laugh, quickly checking the calendar. There were no holidays or special days.

He felt a bit lost but sensed Bei Bei was genuinely excited.

Bei Bei laughed even more happily: “Yes, yes, it’s our 100th day together, and then 200, 300!”

He was stunned. He didn’t expect Bei Bei to remember this. His heart softened, and he smiled, “I’m also looking forward to our one-year anniversary.”

After chatting a bit more, Bei Bei hung up, saying he had to go to class.

Thinking of him trying on various collars on Friday made Yu Nan secretly delighted.

Yu Nan: My partner is also getting a collar, so happy.

Kitty: I picked a really kinky one for Doggo.

Milk Tea: Affectionate Guy picked a kinky one for himself too.

Kitty: My Doggo will definitely look kinkier wearing it.

Yu Nan: Disagree, my partner is a gem, way kinkier.

Milk Tea: Disagree, Affectionate Guy is kinkier!

Rain is quietly falling popped up: I look away for a moment and you all go this wild?

Yu Nan typed: I can’t imagine how happy I’ll be seeing my baby wearing it.

Kitty copied: I can’t imagine how happy I’ll be seeing my baby wearing it.

Milk Tea followed: I can’t imagine how happy I’ll be seeing my friend wearing it.

Doggo quickly added: I can’t imagine how happy I’ll be wearing it for my baby.

Rainis quietly falling: @Watch the Sword @Dreams are everything, we’ve lost this race thoroughly.

Milk Tea: I’m no longer bothered by the love-brain. At first, I couldn’t accept that my friend changed so much just because of a relationship.

Milk Tea: I even bought gifts for them.

It’s only Tuesday, feeling so miserable but eagerly waiting for Friday, Yu Nan tossed and turned in bed, unable to calm his excitement.

Yu Nan messaged Bei Bei: Baby, I’m so excited, just thinking of you in a collar, hehe.

He clicked on Bei Bei’s profile picture and saw a red dot on his Moments. He clicked in.

The latest post was his drawing, captioned: “My baby drew this, love it.”

He covered his face, feeling a bit embarrassed.

But then he thought, Bei Bei must have blocked many people, maybe it was only visible to him?

He reminded himself daily not to get too carried away.

Then Bei Bei sent a screenshot of comments on that post.

Bei Bei: My friend doesn’t seem to approve of my relationship, but it looks like he’s come around.

Yu Nan opened the image, seeing many likes and comments. He had misunderstood; it wasn’t just visible to him. He then looked for Bei Bei’s so-called friend.

Little Fairy: Wearing a collar would definitely make you look so kinky, surely you’ll mesmerize your partner.

Yu Nan nodded to himself, thinking it would indeed be kinky and mesmerizing, but then he started overthinking.

Why was the nickname “Little Fairy”? If it was a close friend, wouldn’t it be their real name?

Moreover, Bei Bei had mentioned before that this friend was a guy. What kind of guy? Knowing he liked guys, could this friend like guys too?

Feeling frustrated, he pounded the bed and asked: Is that Fairy nickname his original name or just a special note?

Bei Bei: It’s a note I haven’t changed for a while.

Yu Nan felt a pang in his heart. He couldn’t describe this feeling.

He sent a voice message: “What’s my note then?”

Bei Bei immediately sent a screenshot. The note was “Nan Nan Baby.”

Nan Nan: Are you in class now?

Bei Bei: Just finished.

Nan Nan: Can we talk?

The call interface popped up immediately, and Yu Nan answered in a second.

“What’s up, baby? Missing me already?” Bei Bei asked happily.

Yu Nan, feeling a bit down: “Why did you note him as Fairy?”

Bei Bei clearly hesitated, his voice stumbling: “Just… you know… he’s in a group called ‘Seven Fairies,’ so I used that note.”

It seemed strange, changing a note because of a group name didn’t make sense on deeper thought.

“Oh, then I’m hanging up.” he left a quick remark and hung up.

Asking made him feel worse. He suddenly thought he was being petty. He said it was just an online relationship, but he still cared a lot.

Bei Bei sent another voice message, which Yu Nan ignored, then directly said: I also have a group called ‘Seven Fairies,’ change my note too.

Bei Bei sent another screenshot; the note was now “Nan Nan Baby Little Fairy.”

Bei Bei then sent a sad puppy emoji and a weak voice message: “Is this the note you wanted?”

Yu Nan decided to clear things up: Does that friend like guys?

Sitting in class, Bei Yuye suddenly realized the issue and quickly called back.

This time, Yu Nan answered.

Bei Yuye said directly: “Straight. He’s straight.”

“Oh.”

Yu Nan’s voice was faint, with a hint of nasal sound.

Bei Yuye panicked: “Baby, are you crying? Please don’t overthink, I only love you.”

“He doesn’t like guys, and the note was a joke from a few years ago,” Bei Yuye tried to explain.

Yu Nan hadn’t realized he was crying until he heard Bei Bei’s voice. All his grievances seemed magnified.

He decided to go all out: “Then why did he say you wearing a collar would be kinky? Is that visible to only me or everyone?”

This situation was spiraling beyond Bei Yuye’s control. He wanted Nan Nan to focus on the latter part of the comment: surely you’ll mesmerize your partner.

He understood his bond with Pei Yunchuan was purely platonic, but Nan Nan didn’t know that. It was his fault.

“I’m not being unreasonable.”

Nan Nan’s voice still held a sob, making him feel even more heartbroken.

“I really am just friends with him. The note was initially a joke to mock him,” he explained earnestly.

“Why did he say wearing it would be kinky? I’ll ask him right now. Baby, please don’t cry, okay? I love you so much, really,” Bei Yuye’s voice was urgent, fearing Nan Nan might say he didn’t love him anymore.

He lowered his voice, speaking more gently: “I was a bit rushed earlier, but I wasn’t mad at you, really. I just spoke quickly. I love you so much.”

The class bell rang, which Yu Nan heard too.

“Let’s talk later. Don’t message during class. I’m going to sleep,”he  said, taking off his earphones and hanging up.

He wiped his eyes, trying to convince himself he wasn’t crying.

Bei Bei: We’ll talk tonight, baby. You get some good sleep first.

Yu Nan switched back to the comic app, feeling both sad and distracted.

Meanwhile, Pei Yunchuan was getting scolded.

Bei Yuye: Why would you say I’d look kinky in a collar?

Pei Yunchuan: ???

Bei Yuye: Why? Tell me.

Pei Yunchuan: What’s going on with you?

Pei Yunchuan: I’ve come to terms with it, just focus on your relationship, even if you’re love-brained.

Pei Yunchuan: I bought lots of stuff as gifts for you two. Didn’t you say it’s your 100th day anniversary soon?

Pei Yunchuan: I filled out the address for the apartment, hope you two have fun.

Pei Yunchuan sent a series of messages, accepting the love-brain phase.

He had looked up the term this morning, finding a slew of things that exceeded his understanding.

It was his first time using his phone in class, being cautious of others seeing, hoping his gift would please the couple.