ABO: A Debt to Repay - Chapter 5
The villa was decorated in classic European style—opulent, elegant, and unmistakably luxurious. The thick carpet underfoot muffled all sound as Xu Xi padded softly through the hallway. Hearing voices coming from ahead, she instinctively walked toward them.
She knew He Lin managed a vast business empire. As the top executive, he didn’t need to handle day-to-day matters—only the trickiest problems or key decisions were brought to his attention, compiled and reported by his assistants.
After a few days of backlog, his assistants Zhang Heng and Wu Feng were now briefing him on urgent matters.
Xu Xi approached the doorway and, upon realizing they were discussing work, intended to wait outside quietly. But just as she turned to leave, a strong arm encircled her waist.
Startled, she nearly cried out, but a hand quickly covered her mouth, followed by a familiar voice whispering by her ear:
“Zhao Zhao, what are you doing here?”
He Lin turned Xu Xi around and lightly pinched her cheek.
“I thought you were working,” Xu Xi mumbled.
“What could be more important than my Omega?”
Xu Xi’s cheeks flushed, and she fell silent again. He Lin smiled and asked, “Well, what is it? Why are you looking for me?”
“I… I wanted to ask if I can go back to school tomorrow.”
School was important—crucial, even. The college entrance exam was drawing near, and Xu Xi had already missed a few days. She couldn’t afford to fall further behind.
“Of course,” He Lin replied. “I have a property near your school. You’ll stay there, and I’ll have someone take care of you.”
He gently ran his fingers through Xu Xi’s soft hair and added warmly, “If you need anything, tell me. I’ll come keep you company when I finish my work.”
That very day, Xu Xi moved into the new place—a spacious four-bedroom apartment. It would’ve felt too big and lonely for her alone, but fortunately, He Lin arranged for a housekeeper to stay as well.
The housekeeper, Auntie Wang, was gentle and kind, and her cooking was delicious.
Seeing a table full of her favorite dishes, Xu Xi snapped a photo and sent it to her mother, hoping to ease her worries.
Soon after, He Fang replied, telling her to eat well. Xu Xi then opened He Lin’s WeChat but hesitated.
Before leaving, He Lin had made a specific request: Xu Xi had to say good morning and good night each day and send photos of all three meals.
Xu Xi understood it wasn’t a big deal—but for some reason, she still felt nervous. Just as she was summoning the courage to send a photo, He Lin initiated a video call.
Xu Xi tensed. After taking a deep breath, she answered.
Even through the phone screen, He Lin’s handsome face was arresting. His presence seemed to transcend the screen, leaving Xu Xi momentarily speechless.
Noticing her visible fluster, He Lin chuckled and asked, “Have you eaten?”
“I’m… eating now. I was just about to send you a photo.”
Xu Xi rushed to explain, afraid He Lin would question her.
“Let me see. What are you eating?”
Xu Xi flipped the camera and showed the dishes on the table. “Kung Pao chicken, sweet and sour pork, stir-fried vegetables with mushrooms, and beef soup.”
It was a lavish meal. When she’d lived at home, she loved to eat but rarely had meals this elaborate.
“Mmm, all your favorites. Looks good.”
“How do you know what I like?”
Xu Xi asked without thinking. He Lin just smiled and changed the subject.
“Do you miss me?”
“No.”
Xu Xi replied too quickly. But He Lin wasn’t angry. He laughed and teased, “Aren’t you going to ask if I’ve eaten?”
“…Did you eat?”
“Nope. What should I do?”
What should he do? Xu Xi had no idea what He Lin wanted to hear and stumbled through a response. “Then… then you should go eat now.”
He Lin stared at her through the screen for a while before finally letting her off the hook. “Alright, go eat.”
Once the call ended, Xu Xi breathed a sigh of relief. The food was no longer piping hot, but it hadn’t gone cold either.
With a full table before her, she stopped overthinking and focused on eating.
He Lin had arranged for all her daily necessities to be delivered. After packing her schoolbag for tomorrow, Xu Xi showered and climbed into bed early.
It was a large double bed. For the past few days, she had slept nestled in He Lin’s arms. Though she once thought she’d prefer sleeping alone, she now found the empty bed oddly cold and vast.
She felt safest when surrounded by He Lin’s alpha pheromones, but this apartment carried none of the familiar scent of pine.
A strange loneliness crept in. Xu Xi closed her eyes, tossing and turning restlessly.
Just then, someone knocked on the door.
“Young master, I brought something for you.”
“Come in.”
Sitting up, Xu Xi switched on the bedside lamp and saw Auntie Wang entering with a piece of clothing in her hands.
“This was just sent by Mr. He. Please sleep early. Good night.”
She handed her the shirt and left, gently closing the door behind her.
Xu Xi didn’t need to ask—she could already smell He Lin’s pine-scented pheromones clinging to the fabric. The uneasiness in her heart instantly calmed.
Her phone lit up. It was a message from He Lin: “Good night.”
Only then did Xu Xi realize she’d forgotten to say it first. She quickly replied with a “Good night” of her own.
Turning off the light and hugging the shirt close, she took a deep breath of He Lin’s scent.
As sleep slowly crept in, she couldn’t help but wonder—if He Lin was her creditor, someone who could easily take whatever he wanted… why did he treat her with such gentle restraint?