Chapter 74: Unexpected Confessions and Hidden Identities

Despite his decision to prioritize leisure, Zhong Tian found himself at a loss for what to do.

Playing in the water was certainly out of the question.

Beach buggies were also a non-starter, as he couldn’t drive one and found them somewhat perilous.

Auntie Wang had likely taken full charge of the evening barbecue, leaving him with no opportunity to assist, even if he wished to.

It appeared… beyond simply lounging on a chair, there was truly nothing left for him to do.

“I’m going to lie down for a while,” Zhong Tian announced, “You all carry on with your fun.”

Having said his piece, Zhong Tian returned to his lounge chair, settling back to observe Li Jianren and Bai Ruijin’s “swimming lesson” once more.

“I’ll swim a lap to demonstrate,” Li Jianren offered.

Li Jianren, appearing utterly professional, removed his sunglasses and plunged into the sea with a resounding splash.

A moment later, amidst the rising spray, his head emerged from the water, roughly fifty meters from Bai Ruijin.

“Swim over and try!” he called out loudly, waving to Bai Ruijin.

“Okay!”

Bai Ruijin submerged herself, feigning a clumsy stroke, and slowly propelled herself in Li Jianren’s direction.

Submerged in the ocean, and lacking goggles, she dared not open her eyes.

Instead, she swam forward by instinct, and upon sensing she was close enough, she abruptly broke the surface—

—colliding forcefully with Li Jianren’s chin.

The impact of Bai Ruijin’s headbutt sent Li Jianren reeling backward, tumbling into the waves.

Clutching her head, Bai Ruijin paused in a daze before swiftly diving beneath the surface to grasp Li Jianren’s arm, pulling him back above the water.

“I-I’m so sorry!”

Li Jianren’s face bore an utterly bewildered expression, as if questioning his very existence and the events that had just transpired.

“Classmate Jianren, are you hurt?”

Bai Ruijin immediately closed the distance, cradling Li Jianren’s face as she meticulously inspected his chin.

“N-no, I’m fine…”

Gazing at Bai Ruijin, who was now so close and still cradling his face, Li Jianren’s eyes began to dart away nervously.

Bai Ruijin, too, became aware of the impropriety of her actions, and with a blush, she released his face, retreating two steps backward in the water.

‘Well done, Bai Ruijin!’

Zhong Tian inwardly pumped a fist in triumph.

He was unsure if her recent actions were intentional, yet she had undeniably succeeded in making that boy, Li Jianren, blush!

‘Excellent! Now was the time to press their advantage!’

Just as Zhong Tian was immersed in these thoughts, a subtle pressure began to build in his lower abdomen.

Setting aside his empty cola can, he rose from the lounge chair.

****

Auntie Wang, observing from the edge of the beach, had also noticed the unfolding situation between Bai Ruijin and Li Jianren, a faint frown creasing her brow.

Her gaze shifted to Zhong Tian, who stood nearby.

At present, he appeared somewhat agitated…

Zhong Tian rose from his lounge chair, turned, and departed the beach, taking the elevator back to the villa.

Auntie Wang’s frown deepened further.

Her eyes then returned to the two figures in the sea, her expression growing increasingly solemn.

****

He had consumed a little too much cola…

Upon returning to the villa and attending to his needs, Zhong Tian stood before the expansive floor-to-ceiling glass window, admiring the vast sea, the sun-kissed beach, and the azure sky.

He wished there were more clouds.

Zhong Tian particularly cherished the sight of a blue sky adorned with large, white clouds; it evoked feelings of purity, ethereal beauty, and a profound sense of grandeur within him.

His father, too, had a fondness for painting blue skies and white clouds.

Since going back down would merely mean lounging on a chair, he decided it was better to sit here for a while first.

After all, there was air conditioning here.

Zhong Tian settled onto the sofa, turning to gaze at the sky, appreciating the subtle shifts in color along the horizon.

Ding—

The elevator doors parted, revealing Auntie Wang, who had also returned to the villa from the beach.

“Auntie Wang,” Zhong Tian greeted.

“…Xiao Zhong, why have you returned by yourself?”

Auntie Wang’s voice was remarkably soft and gentle, a stark contrast to her usual demeanor, a difference Zhong Tian immediately noticed.

“It’s nothing,” Zhong Tian replied, “I’ll go back down later.”

Having spoken, Zhong Tian resumed gazing absently at the sky.

Auntie Wang observed Zhong Tian, her eyes brimming with concern and a touch of heartache.

‘It surely couldn’t be easy to see one’s boyfriend playing with another girl, especially when that girl happened to be a friend…’

‘Oh, Jianren…’

Auntie Wang settled beside Zhong Tian and began, “I know Jianren; he’s a good boy, but he truly doesn’t understand a girl’s heart.

It was wrong of him to leave his girlfriend to play with another girl, but I genuinely don’t believe his affections have shifted, Xiao Zhong.

Please, don’t worry.”

“I’ll have a word with him shortly, making sure he understands his error and rectifies it.

Does that sound acceptable to you?”

Auntie Wang spoke softly, gently stroking Zhong Tian’s head.

A question mark seemed to hover over Zhong Tian’s head.

He blinked, a flurry of thoughts storming through his mind, and then he seemed to grasp Auntie Wang’s train of thought.

‘She had witnessed the recent interaction between Li Jianren and Bai Ruijin, and had consequently assumed that ‘he,’ as Li Jianren’s “girlfriend,” was feeling jealous and had retreated in a foul mood.’

‘This…’

“Um… Auntie Wang,” Zhong Tian began hesitantly, “I’m actually not Li Jianren’s girlfriend…”

“…Oh?”

Auntie Wang froze for a moment, her hand, which had been gently stroking Zhong Tian’s head, now still.

“You… broke up?”

Observing Auntie Wang’s astonished expression, Zhong Tian felt a sudden urge to laugh.

He cleared his throat, then stated with a serious demeanor, “Rather, we were never actually together to begin with.”

“The truth is, I am a boy.”

Before uttering these words, Zhong Tian discreetly glanced around to ensure no one else was within earshot.

“Jianren and I have been like brothers since childhood,” he explained.

“I even recall seeing you in Haibin City when I was very young.”

“A b-boy?!”

Auntie Wang’s expression intensified into utter astonishment, her gaze flitting repeatedly between Zhong Tian’s face and chest, her features etched with disbelief.

“This part is fake,” Zhong Tian clarified.

Zhong Tian tugged down the collar of his shirt, revealing a portion of a prosthetic breast, distinctly different in texture and color from his natural skin.

“I was naturally born with a feminine appearance,” he elaborated.

“To avoid drawing undue attention, I’ve been pretending to be a girl at school.”

“For this gathering, three of our classmates are unaware of my true gender, which is why I’m wearing this and a skirt.

Let me be clear, it’s not by my personal preference.”

“But, Xiao Zhong, your appearance…” Auntie Wang’s astonishment persisted.

“You look more like a girl than actual girls do… and it’s truly natural?”

“Indeed, and without any makeup,” he confirmed.

Auntie Wang seemed to finally accept the revelation, shaking her head with a soft laugh.

“That truly is incredible…”

“Haha…” Zhong Tian chuckled softly.

Having finished explaining his own circumstances, Zhong Tian continued, “Auntie Wang, actually, the girl who was just playing with Jianren has harbored a long-standing crush on him.

A few friends and I are currently working to bring the two of them together.”

“Oh, so that’s the situation,” Auntie Wang remarked.

Upon hearing this, Auntie Wang smiled with relief.

“Haha, well, I certainly hope you succeed!”

“Yes,” Zhong Tian replied.

“Once they become a couple, I’ll pass on the owner’s card you gave me.

Would that be alright?”

“There’s no need for that,” Auntie Wang said with a smile.

“I’ll find another opportunity to give her one.

As Jianren’s closest friend, you should also have a card of your own.”

Zhong Tian paused, surprised by her words, before nodding slowly.

He looked at Auntie Wang, a fresh wave of questions welling up in his mind.

“Auntie Wang,” he ventured, “you’re surely more than just Jianren’s nanny, aren’t you?”

“To Jianren, I am indeed just his nanny,” Auntie Wang confirmed.

“However, if you’re wondering why I can so casually distribute owner’s cards… it’s because I happen to be one of the major shareholders of this villa complex.”

“And, coincidentally, I am also Jianren’s mother’s dearest friend.”

‘Holy smokes, a rich lady!’

“So that’s how it is…” Zhong Tian murmured.

Though inwardly astonished, Zhong Tian maintained a composed expression.

Rising to his feet, he announced, “Well then, Auntie Wang, I’ll head back to the beach now…”

“Alright, have a wonderful time,” Auntie Wang responded.