ABO: A Debt to Repay - Chapter 17
Time flowed like sand through one’s fingers, and in the blink of an eye, summer had arrived.
Summer was a season of passion and intensity.
The skies were a clear blue, dotted with white clouds. The trees stood tall and verdant, cicadas chirped in waves, and the scorching sun baked the ground beneath. Even the breeze that blew carried a touch of heat.
Inside the school, students were taking the college entrance exams. Outside the school gates, parents waited anxiously, their eyes glued to the entrance with hope and nervous anticipation.
The final exam was nearly over. The gaokao—a test comprised of just a few sheets of paper and a handful of numbers—was about to conclude. Yet, its results would influence the course of an entire life.
As the final bell rang, students began pouring out through the school gates. Parents rushed forward, scanning for their children.
He Lin checked the time and, seeing that it was almost over, grabbed a bouquet of flowers and stepped out of the car, leaning casually against it to wait for Xu Xi.
Earlier that afternoon, He Lin had told Xu Xi that he would pick her up. Xu Xi had been worried that she wouldn’t make it, but that concern quickly faded.
He Lin stood out effortlessly in the crowd—whether it was his height, looks, or aura.
With a bouquet of sunflowers in his arms, He Lin’s previously cold eyes lit up the moment he saw Xu Xi.
Xu Xi ran toward him, and He Lin opened his arms, pulling her into a tight embrace.
“You did well. Congratulations, my little Zhao Zhao, on finishing high school!”
“Thank you!”
After the hug, Xu Xi took the bouquet from He Lin. He Lin asked, “Do you like it?”
Xu Xi nodded, eyes crinkling into a smile. “I love it!”
“As long as you do. Come on, let’s get in the car—I’m taking you to a feast.”
He Lin had made a reservation at a seaside restaurant. He drove them straight there. By the time they arrived, the sea breeze had cooled, brushing softly against their skin.
They sat down at a table with a perfect view of the setting sun. The golden hues of the sunset scattered like glitter across the ocean, the waves shimmering in the light—it was a breathtaking scene.
As Xu Xi gazed out over the vast sea, she felt a strange emptiness inside. He Lin stood beside her.
“What did you feel after you finished your gaokao?” Xu Xi asked.
He Lin thought for a moment. “Honestly… I don’t think I felt much.”
“To me, it was just one inevitable stage of life. Once it was over, it was time to move on to the next. Nothing particularly special about it.”
Xu Xi looked at him, then said, “Even though my high school life wasn’t exactly amazing, now that it’s over, I can’t help but feel a little reluctant to let go.”
She’d been with He Lin for more than half a year now. Under He Lin’s indulgent care, Xu Xi had grown much more comfortable around him. She was no longer as cautious as before. She would share her thoughts with He Lin, talk about what upset her or made her happy, and the two had become extremely close.
As Su Huaizhi once joked, they didn’t feel like a pair of young lovers—they were more like an old married couple who had been together for years.
But neither of them seemed to notice, or perhaps, they just didn’t mind.
“That’s normal,” He Lin said. “But you should believe this—your future will be even more exciting.”
Xu Xi smiled at him. He Lin gently pinched her cheek and said, “Come on, the food should be ready.”
…
That night, after washing up, Xu Xi lay on the bed scrolling through her class group chat. He Lin, freshly out of the shower, climbed into bed and took the phone out of Xu Xi’s hands, then began placing soft kisses along her neck.
“Zhao Zhao, you smell so good.”
Usually, Xu Xi didn’t resist moments like this, but this time she blushed and pushed him away slightly, placing a hand over He Lin’s lips.
He Lin was caught off guard. He gently held Xu Xi’s hand in his own, their eyes meeting. His voice was low and husky as he asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Our class reunion is tomorrow. I’m worried… you won’t be able to get up in the morning.”
He Lin chuckled softly, kissed Xu Xi’s soft hand, and whispered, “I’ll be gentle. It won’t delay anything.”
Xu Xi stared at him with eyes that clearly said: I don’t believe you.
And she had every reason to doubt—He Lin had a long track record. Xu Xi had learned the hard way: never believe anything an Alpha says in bed.
He Lin knew his credibility with Xu Xi was low. But now that his desire was sparked, he didn’t want to stop.
“Then I’ll let you decide how to help me out. It’s not like there’s only one way, right?”
Indeed, there wasn’t. Blushing fiercely, Xu Xi reached down…
That night, He Lin spared Xu Xi’s body—but not his hand.
The next morning, when Xu Xi got up, her hand was still sore. As He Lin prepared to leave for work, Xu Xi stopped him and raised her aching arm with a pitiful look.
Seeing Xu Xi’s furrowed brow and little pout, He Lin sat by the bed and massaged her arm for a while.
Eventually, Xu Xi dozed off mid-massage, and only then did He Lin leave for work.
Glancing at the time as she stepped out, He Lin shook his head with a smile. If this were ancient times, he thought, Xu Xi would definitely be the kind of seductress who could ruin a kingdom, making this emperor skip court just to stay in bed.
…
The class reunion was scheduled for noon. It wasn’t just a farewell gathering—it was also a teacher appreciation banquet.
Though Xu Xi wasn’t particularly close with her classmates, three years of shared high school life still warranted a proper goodbye.
The private room had been selected by the whole class. When Xu Xi arrived, quite a few students were already there, chatting in small groups about their scores, dream universities, and summer vacation plans.
As soon as they saw Xu Xi walk in, they greeted her warmly.
“Class rep! Come sit here with us—let’s chat!”