ABO: A Debt to Repay - Chapter 14
Xu Xi had seen the photos everyone was talking about.
Compared to the ones Zhao Yuran had secretly taken of her, these photos of Zhao Yuran with her so-called sugar daddy were blatantly explicit.
An overweight, greasy Alpha and a delicate, slender Omega — two pale, entangled bodies. Even though the images were censored, they were still unmistakably adult-rated.
Zhao Yuran’s face in the photos was disturbingly clear, far more so than the ones she had posted of Xu Xi. Her expression was dazed, cheeks flushed — it was obvious…
If Zhao Yuran had done this to herself, then the criticism and condemnation were consequences she had to bear. But if this was secretly orchestrated by He Lin as retaliation… then, for an Omega, this punishment might’ve gone too far.
Though Xu Xi resented Zhao Yuran’s constant targeting, she never wanted her to end up like this.
What no one expected was what happened after the first period’s morning exercises. The principal arrived at the school assembly ground with a student completely wrapped up — cap, mask, heavy clothing — only her eyes visible.
As the microphone buzzed to life, the student spoke:
“Hello everyone, I’m Zhao Yuran. Today, in front of the whole school, I want to offer a formal apology to Xu Xi.”
After speaking, she bowed deeply toward the students.
The field erupted into chatter and gasps. The principal had to take the mic again to remind everyone to maintain order, and only then did things quiet down a little.
What followed was Zhao Yuran’s full confession — admitting everything she’d done out of jealousy and offering sincere apologies to Xu Xi and the school for the harm she caused.
Only then did Xu Xi find out that even the people who had blocked her in the alley that day had been arranged by Zhao Yuran.
She couldn’t help but wonder — she and Zhao Yuran had never had any deep grudge. Why would Zhao Yuran go this far?
Was it really just jealousy?
After the confession, Zhao Yuran left. Xu Xi watched her back with a faint sense of unease.
She wasn’t trying to be some kind of saint, but just a few days ago, she had experienced firsthand what it felt like to be swallowed by rumors and malice. She feared Zhao Yuran might do something irreversible.
After school, Xu Xi was planning to go home and ask He Lin if he could help suppress the scandal. But as she passed by the alleyway, a familiar voice called out to her.
Zhao Yuran was standing at the entrance.
Xu Xi hesitated, then walked over.
“You—”
“He Lin ruined me,” Zhao Yuran said, staring at her. “Are you happy now?”
“I wouldn’t say I’m happy or not. We never really had a feud,” Xu Xi replied.
Zhao Yuran was silent for a long time, and Xu Xi began to grow uneasy. She still felt nervous about that alley. She said, “If you’re done, I’ll be leaving.”
But before she could take a step, Zhao Yuran suddenly dropped to her knees.
Xu Xi froze. When she came to her senses and tried to pull her up, Zhao Yuran refused to move.
“I want to beg you for help.”
“Help you? With what?”
Zhao Yuran raised her head, then took off her mask and hat. She pulled down her collar, revealing skin mottled with dark bruises — stark and shocking.
“I was jealous that you had a rich and handsome sugar daddy. I couldn’t get someone like that, so I went to a bar, hoping I’d meet someone the same way. But I got drugged. When I woke up, that man in the photos was threatening me. He said if I didn’t stay with him, he’d release the photos he took.”
“I was scared. I didn’t dare say no. But even then, the photos were leaked anyway. I want to get away from that man, but he’s rich, powerful. I can’t escape. Of everyone I know, only you… only you might be able to save me.”
Zhao Yuran bowed her head and said with heartbreaking sincerity, “I truly regret everything. Please, I’m begging you. Help me.”
Xu Xi tried again to pull her up, but Zhao Yuran was still watching her, waiting for an answer. Helpless, Xu Xi finally nodded.
“I don’t know if I can help you. But I’ll ask He Lin. I’ll do my best.”
Only then did Zhao Yuran’s tears fall freely.
“Thank you, Xu Xi.”
“I was jealous because you seemed to have everything without even trying — your mother’s love, your teachers’ and classmates’ admiration. My parents hated that I was an Omega. They abandoned me when I was young. If I don’t fight for myself, I get nothing…”
Zhao Yuran sobbed, tears running down her face. Xu Xi had always been the kind of person who could never stay cold in front of genuine emotion. Seeing her cry like that, she didn’t know what to do — so she handed her some tissues.
But Zhao Yuran pulled her into a tight hug.
“My life is over… I have nothing left…”
“No, no, don’t say that! I’ll help you — just don’t do anything drastic!”
“Xu Xi, you’re so kind. I don’t deserve it… sob sob…”
…
When Xu Xi got home, He Lin hadn’t returned yet. For the first time, Xu Xi messaged her first, asking when he’d be back.
He Lin was both surprised and delighted. He left work early, even brought back a little cake for Xu Xi. When he walked through the door and saw Xu Xi waiting for him, he couldn’t stop the warmth rising in his expression.
“What’s this? Missing me already?”
Xu Xi had never asked anyone for a favor before. She spent a long time silently preparing the words before finally saying:
“Well… there’s something I want to ask you for help with.”