FLC - Extra 5

First Love Code: Main Story, Side Story – Parallel Alternate Story

Sheng Li heard that Rong Hua had signed a very handsome boy. The key detail was that this boy was only 13 years old, named Yu Chi, and he was now the youngest artist in the company. This news came to her via a WeChat message from Lu Xingyu, who was 15—three years younger than her. Both of them had joined the company around the same time. Initially, they thought Rong Hua would mentor them together, but for some unknown reason, Rong Hua didn’t take on Lu Xingyu and only personally mentored Sheng Li.

Before Yu Chi arrived, Lu Xingyu had been the youngest in the company. Now that title belonged to Yu Chi.

The next day, when Sheng Li went to the company, Rong Hua mentioned it to her. “From now on, I’ll be mentoring both of you. You’ll often work together in the future. You’re five years older than him, so look after him.”

Sheng Li was curious. “Is he really that talented?”

Rong Hua raised an eyebrow and smiled. “He starred in He Yuanren’s movie Flower Assassin . It was He Yuanren who recommended him to me, saying he has a lot of talent in acting. I watched some of his footage—it’s undeniable; he’s a genius.”

Sheng Li felt a little down. Rong Hua had never praised her like that. Could she be biased toward Yu Chi?

Sheng Li’s first meeting with Yu Chi was on set, where Rong Hua brought him to visit. At the time, Sheng Li was still filming. Yu Chi stood behind the monitor with Rong Hua, quietly observing. When the director called “cut,” his lips twitched slightly. Rong Hua noticed and turned to ask him, “This is your senior, how do you think she performed?”

Yu Chi was young, and due to his upbringing, he was adept at reading people and knew how to phrase things diplomatically. He was more mature than most boys his age, less naive, and more polished.

He said, “This director’s standards are lower than Director He’s.”

Unfortunately, Sheng Li overheard this as she walked over. She stopped abruptly, her eyes locking onto Yu Chi.

She had seen pictures of Yu Chi before and knew he was good-looking. At just 13, his height seemed to rival hers—they were probably around the same. Standing at 166 cm, Sheng Li’s beauty was undeniable, especially her strikingly lively eyes. Her acting skills were certainly above average for her age group; otherwise, Rong Hua, the top-tier agent, wouldn’t have taken her under his wing.

But what did this boy just say? That the director’s standards were low?

Wasn’t that a veiled insult to her acting?

Her lips pressed into a thin line as she glared at him, unimpressed. “What do you mean?”

A teenage girl’s beauty could be intimidating, especially when she was glaring with such authority. Though Yu Chi was only 13, he knew she was his senior. On the car ride over, Rong Hua had instructed him to get along well with his senior.

He looked at her. “Am I wrong?”

Sheng Li: “….”

She couldn’t refute it. Generally speaking, TV directors weren’t as strict as film directors, especially someone like He Yuanren, who was infamous for his high standards.

And as for her—she hadn’t acted in any films yet.

Meanwhile, Yu Chi had already starred in Flower Assassin , directed by He Yuanren and co-starring with Wei Cheng, an acclaimed actor. That was quite the impressive start.

Their first meeting wasn’t pleasant. Sheng Li didn’t feel particularly fond of this junior. She thought he was far too arrogant for his age, lacking humility. Was this how all geniuses behaved?

After finishing her scene, Sheng Li was done for the day.

Rong Hua took the two of them to a nearby restaurant for dinner, discussing future work arrangements. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a good relationship, especially in public, to create the image of a loving, supportive sibling dynamic.

Sheng Li glanced at Yu Chi. His obedient demeanor stirred a protective instinct in her.

With a sweet smile, she said to him, “Alright then, Yu Xiaochi. Call me ‘sister,’ and I’ll take care of you.”

Yu Chi looked up and said a flat “no.” After a pause, he corrected himself, “Alright, thank you.”

“Thank me for what?” Sheng Li asked with a teasing smile.

Yu Chi: “Thank you, Sister Sheng Li.”

Sheng Li: “….”

Would it kill him to call her sister? Stubborn kid.

There was a significant age gap between them. At 13, Yu Chi’s roles were limited, and Rong Hua intended to steer him toward the film industry. He rarely accepted TV drama offers, so Yu Chi didn’t have many appearances. However, every time he did appear, he left a lasting impression.

For instance, when Flower Assassin premiered at the end of the year, his outstanding performance quickly gained audience recognition. The director circle wasn’t that big, and He Yuanren never hesitated to praise talented actors. Soon, major directors became aware of Yu Chi, and he was the first person they thought of whenever a suitable role came up.

Still, his age was a limiting factor. His range of roles wasn’t as broad as Sheng Li’s, whose career was thriving at this stage. Some netizens commented, “Child stars often grow up to be disappointing. Yu Chi is only 13—who knows if he’ll turn out okay?” But others countered, “People said the same about Sheng Li when she debuted. Look at her now—she’s only gotten more beautiful. I trust Rong Hua’s judgment!”

Because of these comments, Sheng Li and Yu Chi suddenly became linked in the public eye.

Of course, this was undoubtedly part of Rong Hua’s behind-the-scenes strategy.

In the past two years, they hadn’t found a suitable script to collaborate on, only working together on a few commercials and appearing on some variety shows. It wasn’t until Yu Chi turned 16 that winter that a fitting project came along—a historical drama where Sheng Li, now 21 and a rising star, played the female lead. She had already portrayed several leading roles and enjoyed immense popularity.

Yu Chi played a young general in the drama, while Sheng Li portrayed his sister-in-law. Their scenes together were limited, but Yu Chi had a substantial role, requiring nearly two months of filming in Hengdian. Coincidentally, Lu Xingyu was filming in a neighboring studio and often dropped by during breaks to invite Sheng Li to meals.

Lu Xingyu had just turned 18. Kids in this industry matured early, and he was no exception. Sheng Li could tell he was pursuing her, though he hadn’t explicitly confessed. She didn’t know how to reject him outright.

Every time Lu Xingyu invited her to eat, she would bring Yu Chi along.

Initially, Sheng Li assumed Yu Chi would decline. After all, their relationship over the past two years hadn’t been particularly close. Rong Hua’s plan to promote their “close sibling cp” hadn’t gained much traction—partly because they hadn’t collaborated much, and partly because… Sheng Li thought it was because Yu Chi simply didn’t know how to act cute or affectionate!

Look at other juniors! They’d call her “sister” obediently, but Yu Chi? His demeanor didn’t scream “playful puppy” or “charming brat.” Instead, he exuded a cold, aloof aura. No matter how you looked at it, he was a lone genius destined for success.

Even without being tied to Sheng Li, he would thrive.

The same went for Sheng Li. By now, she had become a leading actress in numerous productions. Whether or not their cp gained popularity made little difference to her career.

In this light, Rong Hua’s plan seemed to have failed.

But to everyone’s surprise, every time Sheng Li invited Yu Chi to join them for meals, he agreed.

After a few instances, Lu Xingyu grew dissatisfied. One day, while waiting outside the dressing room for Sheng Li to change, he directly confronted Yu Chi. “Yu Chi, I didn’t invite you. Aren’t you embarrassed to keep tagging along for free meals?”

Yu Chi glanced at him. “I’ll pay next time.”

Lu Xingyu’s expression darkened. “Do you think this is about money? Are you really that clueless or just pretending?”

“What is it about, then?” Yu Chi asked calmly.

Lu Xingyu: “….”

No matter how you looked at him, Yu Chi didn’t seem like the oblivious type. Though reluctant to admit it, Lu Xingyu had to concede that Yu Chi was incredibly attractive. At 16, he was already over 180 cm tall, nearly matching Lu Xingyu’s height. Leaning closer, Lu Xingyu patted his shoulder and whispered into his ear, “Kid, I’m courting our sister. Stop being such a nuisance.”

Yu Chi stared at him expressionlessly, saying nothing.

Just then, Sheng Li emerged from the dressing room and stood beside Yu Chi. Casually, she said, “Let’s go.”

Yu Chi kept his hands in his pockets and didn’t move. He lowered his gaze to her for a few seconds, then leaned in and whispered into her ear, “Sister, Lu Xingyu says he’s pursuing you and that I shouldn’t ruin the mood by being here. Should I stay or leave?”

Sheng Li: “….”

She froze, realizing his voice, though soft, was loud enough for Lu Xingyu, who stood nearby, to hear. Judging by his incredulous glare and subsequent death stare at Yu Chi, he must have caught every word.

The atmosphere became unbearably awkward.

For a moment, Sheng Li didn’t know what to say. Yu Chi, however, remained calm, his focus entirely on her as if waiting for her response.

Lu Xingyu, unable to contain his frustration, looked at her pleadingly. “Sister…”

Sheng Li cleared her throat and turned to Lu Xingyu. “Are you really pursuing me?”

Lu Xingyu had planned to make a heartfelt confession, but Yu Chi’s interference ruined any sense of romance. Unsure whether he still had a chance based on Sheng Li’s expression, he took a deep breath. “Sister, can we talk privately?”

Sheng Li considered for a moment, then replied composedly, “Sure, let’s talk in the dressing room.”

Sheng Li turned back into the dressing room, and as Lu Xingyu passed by Yu Chi, he shot him another venomous glare.

While the two were talking inside, Yu Chi didn’t leave. He plugged in his earphones and lazily leaned against the wall outside the dressing room. A few minutes later, Lu Xingyu emerged. He paused at the door, glaring icily at Yu Chi.

Yu Chi met his gaze without flinching. Lu Xingyu muttered something under his breath, then turned and left.

Sheng Li had rejected Lu Xingyu.

At noon, Sheng Li and Yu Chi ate lunch together in the dressing room. Sheng Li casually asked, “Young man, did you do that on purpose?”

Yu Chi looked up. “I told you not to call me ‘young man.’”

“Yu Xiaochi,” Sheng Li corrected smoothly, meeting his gaze.

Yu Chi: “….”

Fine, Yu Xiaochi was better than “young man.”

“Does it matter? You don’t like him anyway. It’s better to reject him sooner,” Yu Chi said, lowering his head to take another bite of food, seemingly avoiding her gaze.

Sheng Li raised an eyebrow. “Can you really tell who I like or dislike?”

“I don’t know about others, but Lu Xingyu is different. If you were really interested in him, why call me along to be a third wheel every time?” Yu Chi looked up at her, his tone slightly cold. “Sister, if you don’t like someone, reject them early. I don’t want to be your shield.”

Sheng Li blinked. He refused to let her call him “young man,” yet suddenly insisted on calling her “sister.” Moreover, he didn’t usually seem to care about her personal life, so why did this feel so strange? She couldn’t pinpoint exactly what was off.

After finishing his meal, Yu Chi saw she wasn’t speaking, got up, and walked out.

From that day on, Lu Xingyu stopped coming to eat with Sheng Li for a long time. Meanwhile, Sheng Li and Yu Chi spent more time together alone. With their recent increase in shared scenes, Yu Chi began spending more and more time in Sheng Li’s dressing room. Sometimes, he even left his bag there, unwilling to move elsewhere.

One evening after dinner, Sheng Li stared at Yu Chi as he leaned back in a chair, solving math problems. Dressed in his ancient noble costume, he was tall and striking, radiating elegance and charm. Only then did she realize—the once small boy had grown up. Far from growing into disappointment, he had only become more handsome…

She suddenly remembered that his grades seemed to be quite good.

Sheng Li called out to him, “Little brother, what’s your rank in the class for the final exams?”

His pen paused for a moment, but he didn’t look up. “Second.”

Yu Chi was in his second year of high school, enrolled in an advanced science class. Ranking second in his class likely meant he was among the top ten in the entire grade. For someone juggling acting and schoolwork like him, maintaining such excellent grades was rare. Sheng Li naturally had a soft spot for academic overachievers, and her resistance was even lower when it came to handsome younger brothers with brains. She became instantly intrigued. “So, is your grade ranking pretty high too?”

Yu Chi continued writing, his tone indifferent. “Third.”

“Wow, impressive,” Sheng Li exclaimed, leaning closer to peek at his math problems.

She leaned in too close—her hair almost brushing his face.

Yu Chi’s body stiffened slightly, and he subtly shifted back, creating some distance. The movement was subtle, but Sheng Li noticed. She immediately asked, “Why are you pulling away? I’m just looking at your practice problems—are you afraid I’ll bite you or something?”

“I’m not used to being this close to women,” Yu Chi replied, his tone somewhat rigid.

Sheng Li raised an eyebrow. “Then what will you do when it comes time to film kissing scenes? Should Rong Hua hire a stunt double for you?”

Yu Chi frowned. “That’s different. Acting is acting.”

“So you’re very clear about separating the two, huh? You probably won’t fall in love because of a role then,” Sheng Li said teasingly, leaning back slightly. As she looked at the handsome profile of the young man, she suddenly recalled the trending topic she’d seen on Weibo last night. It had started when fans visiting the set secretly took some behind-the-scenes photos of Yu Chi, which were naturally praised to no end.

One particularly eye-catching comment read, “Such a handsome little brother will have to film kissing scenes one day—it’s heartbreaking to think about.” Beneath it, countless replies speculated who Yu Chi’s first on-screen kiss would be with. Thinking about this, Sheng Li let out a few clicks of her tongue and said with mock regret, “Such a handsome little brother, I wonder who will get your first on-screen kiss.”

Yu Chi paused. He had seen last night’s trending topic too. He turned his head to look at her. “Sister, judging by your tone, it seems like you’re very interested in my first kiss.”

Sheng Li: “….”

She wasn’t—not at all.

Hastily, she clarified, “Don’t misunderstand. You’re still so young. No matter what, I wouldn’t dare lay a hand on an underage boy.”

“Seventeen.”

“?”

Yu Chi’s expression darkened as he stared at her blankly. “I’ll turn seventeen after the New Year. I’m not a kid anymore.”

Sheng Li thought to herself, I’ll turn 22 after the New Year—I’m five years older than you. How does that make you not a kid? After pondering for a moment, she said, “Maybe it’s because the first time I met you, you were only thirteen, so small and young. That’s why I’ve always thought of you as a child.”

Yu Chi frowned, about to say something, but Sheng Li casually added, “It wasn’t until I saw the trending topic last night that I realized—you’re no longer a kid. Since when do kids grow to be 180 cm tall?”

Yu Chi: “….”

He gave her a cold glance, closed his workbook, and stuffed it into his bag. Glancing at her script, he remembered she had a kissing scene with the male lead tonight. With a swift motion, he zipped up his bag forcefully, tossed it aside, and stood up to leave.

Sheng Li was baffled. Pointing at his retreating figure at the door, she asked her assistant, Yuan Yuan, “Yuan Yuan, do you think Yu Xiaochi might be going through a rebellious phase?”

Yuan Yuan was staring blankly at the door, her gaze lingering on Yu Chi as he walked away.

“Yuan Yuan?”

“Huh?”

Yuan Yuan snapped back to reality and blinked, confused. “What did you say?”

Sheng Li rolled her eyes, crossing her arms as she teased, “You’ve been staring at Yu Xiaochi a lot lately. Are you starting to fangirl over him?”

“I… uh…” Yuan Yuan laughed awkwardly, scratching her cheek nervously. Carefully, she asked, “Lili, have you checked the super-topic about you and Yu Chi recently? Like the Carp CP super-topic?”

“Hmm? What about it? Is someone cursing me out?”

Sheng Li knew about the super-topic, though she hadn’t looked at it in a long time. The fanbase wasn’t huge, but now that Yu Chi was older, the number of sister-fans and girlfriend-fans had grown significantly. Some of them might feel hostile toward her since she was the closest person to him.

Yuan Yuan shook her head, speaking mysteriously. “No, it’s that a lot of people have started shipping you two.”

“Shipping me and Yu Chi?” Sheng Li was surprised.

Yuan Yuan nodded, explaining that ever since the costume reveal and the start of filming for their current drama, the number of frames featuring the two of them together had increased. Fans began noticing that Yu Chi, the once-little brother, had grown up! Standing next to her, he actually seemed… compatible?

During this period, activity in the CP super-topic had surged several times over. Artists, writers, and editors had gone all out, magnifying every detail of Yu Chi and Sheng Li’s interactions over the past year, extracting plenty of “sugar” moments. Suddenly, there were many fans shipping them, and even Yuan Yuan found herself getting into it.

The idea of a younger brother growing up under the care of an older sister was simply too irresistible!

Of course, she didn’t dare say this directly to Sheng Li. Instead, she showed her a few saved videos and a bunch of edited images.

As a result, Sheng Li spent a full forty minutes in the dressing room watching fan-edited videos of herself and Yu Chi, suddenly recalling certain details. Ever since Yu Chi entered high school, he really had become much more attentive toward her. In the past, she treated him like a little brother, taking care of him during events and activities. But gradually, the roles reversed. Now, Yu Chi was the one taking care of her—adjusting her skirt hem, shielding her from overly enthusiastic fans, and even stepping in to defuse awkward situations during interviews.

Especially when it came to rumors about her relationships, he almost always stepped in to help. His most common line was, “Sister has a boyfriend? How come I don’t know about it? Fake news.”

CP fans even made a meme of him with the caption, “Professional Myth-Buster.”

Staring at the meme, Sheng Li burst into laughter. The usually cool and aloof Yu Chi looked hilariously out of place in such a playful image. She handed her phone to Yuan Yuan. “Send me this meme, will you?”

Yuan Yuan blinked. “Lili, you just spent so much time watching those videos and indulging in all that ‘sugar.’ Don’t you feel anything?”

“Don’t push me to commit a crime, okay? Yu Chi isn’t even seventeen yet. While I may have a thing for younger brothers, I’m not about to act on it with someone so young. Besides, I’ve watched him grow up—he’s practically family. I’m not that kind of person,” Sheng Li said lazily.

“But…” Yuan Yuan hesitated.

“What ‘but’?” Sheng Li pressed.

Yuan Yuan wanted to say, But it seems like Yu Chi likes you!

The next second, she froze, her gaze fixed on the doorway.

Following Yuan Yuan’s line of sight, Sheng Li spotted Yu Chi standing at the door, holding two cups of hot cocoa. His expressionless face was clearly directed at her—he must have heard everything. Flustered, Sheng Li coughed awkwardly to cover her embarrassment. Yu Chi walked in silently, placed the hot cocoa beside her, and left without a word.

Sheng Li: “?”

I’m rejecting the idea of being a predator—why are you mad? Do you want me to be one instead? Could it be that this guy actually likes me?

Half an hour later, they were filming a scene together. Yu Chi had returned to normal, performing flawlessly with no trace of emotion. Sheng Li tapped her forehead with the script, convincing herself she was overthinking things.

That evening, after wrapping up for the day, they shared a car back to the hotel. Sheng Li tentatively asked, “Little brother, do you ever check our super-topic?”

Yu Chi replied indifferently, “No.”

If he didn’t check, then he wouldn’t know. Smiling sweetly, Sheng Li said, “Good, because those things aren’t pure.”

Yu Chi: “….”

He turned his face toward the window, clearly unwilling to engage with her.

The two maintained a delicate, unspoken calm until Yu Chi finished filming his parts for the drama.

Yu Chi and Sheng Li lived in the same residential complex, in the same building but on different floors. However, both were busy—Yu Chi balancing school, acting, and appearances, while Sheng Li was in the prime of her career, working tirelessly. Over the past two years, she had practically lived on set. Even though they lived so close, they rarely crossed paths at home.

Back home, Yu Chi placed the wrap-up gift Sheng Li had given him into a cabinet. This cabinet was dedicated to all the gifts Sheng Li had given him over the years—quite a few, but mostly accessories like hats, watches, bracelets, and earrings.

In the past, he had wanted to grow up quickly to escape his mother and stepfather. Now that he had, he still felt so young. At sixteen, did he even have the right to pursue her?

What about when he turned eighteen? Would she still see him as a little brother?

Frustrated, Yu Chi slammed the cabinet shut.

Four months later, a new gift appeared in the cabinet—Sheng Li’s birthday present for Yu Chi’s seventeenth birthday. The gift had been mailed to him, and once again, it was a watch. Yu Chi stared at the cabinet, expressionless, and snapped a photo, sending it to Sheng Li.

Yu Chi: [Sister, put some thought into your next gift.]

Sheng Li replied quickly: [Why do you keep calling me sister lately?]

Yu Chi thought, Isn’t this what you like? He snorted and typed back: [Don’t change the subject.]

Sheng Li: [I do put thought into it.]

Sheng Li: [But your cabinet is a mess. Watches and hats shouldn’t be mixed together. Organize it properly, little brother.]

At the time, Sheng Li was waiting in the VIP lounge at the airport, preparing to fly out for a program. By the time she boarded the plane, she still hadn’t received a reply from Yu Chi. Opening the photo again, she studied it closely and realized—everything in this cabinet seemed to be gifts from her.

She zoomed in and counted carefully. Sure enough, it was all from her.

This guy had set aside an entire cabinet just for her gifts…

Sheng Li pursed her lips. She had experienced the bittersweet pangs of first love at sixteen or seventeen too, secretly crushing on a handsome, intelligent classmate. But with Rong Hua and her parents keeping a tight leash on her, and her busy schedule leaving her little time at school, her crush remained unspoken and eventually faded.

She never expected that Yu Xiaochi’s first stirrings of love would be directed at her…

Were the girls at his school not pretty or cute enough?

Or did he have a thing for older sisters?

Perhaps it was just a fleeting infatuation? Like her own experience with first love—a quiet crush that passed without any real desire to pursue a relationship. Once that phase ended, the feelings simply faded away.

Thus, Sheng Li decided to continue pretending to be unaware and wait for Yu Chi’s youthful impulsive phase to pass.

Or, maybe she would find a boyfriend during this period?

Summer vacation came, and Yu Chi joined the filming crew for several months. Time flew by, and it was already nearing the end of the year. The drama they had previously collaborated on was scheduled for release, and as it entered the promotional phase, their schedules overlapped heavily. Before the promotion began, Rong Hua arranged for them to do a dual-person magazine feature.

Sheng Li hadn’t seen Yu Chi for three or four months. When she saw him in the photography studio, she was momentarily dazed. Perhaps because they hadn’t met frequently over the past year, every time they met, she felt the same way: Wow, how did this younger brother get even better looking?!

Every single time, she genuinely felt that Yu Chi had become more handsome—his facial features were sharper and more defined, and it seemed like he had grown taller too.

Yu Chi had come with Rong Hua. Upon seeing Sheng Li, he walked over to her. Sheng Li looked up and asked, “Did you grow taller? Let me guess... 185 cm?”

“Hmm, good eye,” Yu Chi smiled slightly.

“And you’ve gotten more handsome.”

Without holding back, Sheng Li complimented him, but she was soon called away by the stylist.

This wasn’t their first time doing a dual-person photoshoot, but in the past, Yu Chi was younger, and the theme and styling of their shoots weren’t aimed at creating a strong CP (couple) vibe. They focused more on atmosphere, leaving fans to interpret things however they wanted.

But this time was different. Yu Chi had clearly matured, and standing next to Sheng Li, he now exuded a palpable CP chemistry. The moment their outfits for the day were revealed, even Rong Hua was stunned. She had only intended for them to give it a try, but she didn’t expect them to have such strong CP chemistry. She began to question whether their previous approach of promoting a sibling-like relationship was wrong. Maybe they could pivot to pushing a romantic couple dynamic instead—but Yu Chi was still a few months away from turning 18, so that could wait.

Of course, she didn’t want them to actually start dating; it was just about riding the wave of popularity. After all, these days, nothing drew fans in like CP fever.

Once the shoot began, the photographer instructed Yu Chi and Sheng Li to strike a few relatively intimate poses. Considering Yu Chi’s age—he was still underage—they couldn’t go for anything overtly suggestive. What the photographer wanted was a pure yet subtly seductive effect.

After shooting for a while, the photographer had Yu Chi lie down on the floor, slightly arching his upper body, and asked Sheng Li to lean against his chest. Yu Chi’s position offered a unique angle, and as Sheng Li leaned down, her neckline exposed a stunning view of her décolletage. He instinctively averted his eyes, his ears turning slightly red.

Sheng Li realized what was happening, but she couldn’t exactly cover herself. Besides… many of the dresses female celebrities wore were designed with less fabric. She had worn revealing gowns at red carpet events before, including deep backless ones. In a soft, teasing tone, she said, “Younger brother, just pretend this is acting. Are you saying you can’t look at me while we’re acting?”

The next second, Yu Chi turned his head to look at her, his gaze slightly heated.

He said in a low voice, “Sister, don’t tease me.”

Sheng Li feigned innocence. “I’m not teasing you.”

“We can keep talking,” the photographer called out. “Xiao Chi, put your hand on Lili’s body, and turn your face slightly toward the camera.”

Sheng Li: “….”

She suddenly didn’t know what to say.

Yu Chi placed his hand on her waist, tilted his face slightly toward the lens, and whispered almost inaudibly into Sheng Li’s ear, “If you’re teasing me, you’ll have to take responsibility.”

Sheng Li: “….”

She froze for a few seconds.

Yu Chi continued, “Sister, have you been avoiding me this past year? Or did you think it was just a fleeting impulse on my part, so you decided to ignore it and pretend everything was fine?”

Sheng Li: “….”

His voice was low, audible only to the two of them.

The photographer chimed in, “Sheng Li, stop spacing out. Look at the camera.”

Sheng Li quickly adjusted her emotions and directed her gaze toward the lens. Yu Chi fell silent, and the two of them professionally finished the magazine shoot.

Afterward, Rong Hua took them to a pre-booked restaurant for dinner. Yu Chi behaved completely normally, as if the person who had whispered those words into Sheng Li’s ear earlier wasn’t him. Seeing an 18-year-old act so composed, Sheng Li naturally couldn’t afford to show weakness either.

So, she acted even more nonchalantly than he did.

Rong Hua remarked, “Why are you two being so polite today? Don’t you usually bicker with each other?”

Sheng Li sipped some tea and used the excuse, “My throat hurts a bit, so I don’t feel like talking much.”

“You’ve had your house renovated for a few months now. When do you plan to move in?” Rong Hua asked.

Sheng Li had earned quite a bit of money since her debut. She bought the apartment two years ago—it was over 200 square meters, and since she purchased it early, the price was relatively affordable. It had been fully renovated at the beginning of the year. Originally, she planned to move in around the Mid-Autumn Festival, but her mother consulted the calendar and decided it would be better to move in at the end of the year.

Yu Chi looked up, his cold gaze piercing straight into her.

Caught off guard by his stare, Sheng Li felt guilty. She hadn’t told Yu Chi about the move yet. She had planned to invite him over for a housewarming dinner once she was ready to move. Now, she suddenly felt as if she had done something wrong. Lowering her head, she said, “I’ll move in on New Year’s Day. My parents are coming.”

That was just over ten days away.

Both Sheng Li and Yu Chi currently lived in rented apartments in the same well-managed, conveniently located complex. Her lease was set to expire in a few months, and Rong Hua asked if she wanted to sublet it. Sheng Li glanced at Yu Chi and replied, “No need.”

When they returned to the complex, they both stepped into the elevator together.

Sheng Li lived on the 12th floor, while Yu Chi lived on the 15th. He pressed the button, hands in his pockets, staring expressionlessly at the changing numbers.

Sheng Li stole a few glances at him, wanting to say something but unable to gather her thoughts before the elevator dinged, signaling the 12th floor.

She gave Yu Chi a quick smile. “Goodnight, Yu Xiao Chi.”

Yu Chi pressed his hand against the elevator door to stop it from closing, looked down at her, and said in a cold tone, “Do you need help moving?”

“No…”

“Not telling me about the move—did you want to distance yourself from me? From now on, unless it’s work-related, are you planning to avoid me altogether?” Yu Chi was clearly angry, his face dark and brooding as he pressed her with each word. “Didn’t you say you watched me grow up? But you wouldn’t even tell me about your move. Are you afraid I’d cling to you or something? Lu Xingyu treated you to over a dozen meals, and I haven’t said or done anything. Yet you’ve already drawn a line between us. Isn’t that unfair?”

Sheng Li had always thought that Yu Chi, when he was 13 or 14, had a somewhat gloomy aura and an unlikable personality—moody, aloof, and far from cute. As they spent more time together, she found this younger brother pretty cool. Perhaps being away from his birth family for so long had softened his personality, making him less cold. Still, he wasn’t exactly a sunny personality, remaining a cool guy who worked hard and spoke little.

After saying his piece, he let his hand drop.

Sheng Li watched as the elevator doors slowly, painfully slowly, began to close…

If she didn’t step out, she’d be forced to ride the elevator up to his floor with him.

This brat was cornering her!

Her body moved faster than her mind. She quickly stepped out of the elevator, then turned to block the closing doors, causing them to retreat again.

Sheng Li looked at Yu Chi and spoke honestly. “I haven’t told anyone else about the move. Only Sister Rong knows because I asked her for help. As for avoiding you… well, it’s not really that. We’re both busy, and you’re in your final year of high school. Not seeing each other for months is normal.” She paused. “Lu Xingyu went wild after I rejected him. You’re different from him. How could I possibly draw a line with you?”

Yu Chi stood in the elevator, expressionless, looking at her with clear disbelief.

Blocking the elevator like this, she wondered if people waiting for it might scold them…

After some thought, Sheng Li said, “Can we talk about this after your college entrance exam?”

Yu Chi’s expression softened slightly, and he finally nodded.

It was just a few months until the exam. Rong Hua hadn’t booked many gigs for Yu Chi lately. He had been recommended by He Yuan Ren, and after signing with Rong Hua, Yu Chi maintained contact with him, addressing him as “Teacher.”

Over the years, whenever there were roles suitable for Yu Chi, He Yuan Ren would reach out to Rong Hua. Yu Chi had starred in numerous films, and now that he was older, his range as an actor had expanded, and more scripts were coming his way. For He Yuan Ren’s new movie Rose , Yu Chi secured one of the dual male lead roles, with filming scheduled to begin shortly after his college entrance exam.

The box office performance was sure to be decent, but if the film blew up, Yu Chi’s fame might overshadow Sheng Li’s, given his status as a rising movie star.

Good grades, excellent acting skills, handsome looks, and the potential to become a massive star…

Sheng Li thought that if she were ever to date a younger guy, Yu Chi would undoubtedly be the top contender. The only issue was getting past the mental hurdle of having watched him grow up. Maybe after his college entrance exam or after he turned 18, she wouldn’t feel this psychological burden anymore?

—

When Yu Chi’s college entrance exam scores were released, they trended on social media for a full day because his scores were incredibly high, solidifying his image as a top-tier academic achiever.

At the time, Sheng Li was promoting her new drama, and reporters seized the opportunity to ask her, “Yu Chi scored so well. As his senior, don’t you feel proud?”

“Of course,” Sheng Li smiled. “After all, everyone loves a smart younger brother, right?”

The reporter followed up, “Will you celebrate with him?”

“Definitely,” Sheng Li replied. “I’ve prepared a gift for him, but since I’ve been busy with promotions lately, I’ll give it to him when we meet. Consider it… a celebration for finishing the college entrance exam and also his coming-of-age gift.”

On the third day after the exam ended, Yu Chi reported to the set of his next project. Sheng Li had expected him to chase her for answers immediately after the exam, but to her surprise, this younger brother remained composed. On Weibo, he reposted her new drama, and on WeChat, he sent her a brief message: [“Finished the exam. Reporting to set in three days. Sister, come visit if you have time.”]

And that was it. Not another word. He was even calmer than she was.

Sheng Li had spent months mentally preparing herself. On the night of his exam’s conclusion, she stayed up worrying.

The night before Yu Chi’s 18th birthday, Sheng Li brought her dog, Yuan Yuan, to visit him on set. By the time she arrived, it was already past 9 PM. Yu Chi was shooting a night scene, and his assistant informed her that filming would continue until around midnight.

The crew treated her as Yu Chi’s senior and were very courteous. Sheng Li didn’t hold back either, ordering late-night snacks for the entire team.

After finishing a take, Yu Chi walked over to her, casually glancing at her as he teased, “Thanks, Senior Sister.”

“You’re welcome,” Sheng Li smiled warmly. “Since my promotional schedule wrapped up, I figured I’d come by. Your set isn’t far—just a two- or three-hour drive.” She added cheerfully, “Tomorrow’s your 18th birthday, so I had to come see you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be a proper senior sister, right?”

These words were meant for the benefit of others.

Yu Chi glanced at her, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “Right.”

Sheng Li handed him a plate of steamed dumplings. “Your favorite—beef filling.”

“Thank you.” Yu Chi accepted the plate, and Sheng Li broke apart a pair of disposable chopsticks for him. He glanced at her before taking them. As he bit into a dumpling, his voice was muffled but low. “Sister, are you being nice to me now because you genuinely care, or is this compensation for rejecting me?”

Sheng Li responded calmly, “Eat your food and don’t overthink it.”

Yu Chi said in a low voice, “It’s impossible not to overthink, I can’t control it.”

“Then... shall I wait for you in the lounge? Out of sight, out of mind, so you don’t NG,” Sheng Li suggested kindly.

“...”

Yu Chi turned his head to look at her, his face expressionless.

Sheng Li smiled at him, then turned and left.

This time, Sheng Li’s visit to the set was not deliberately concealed, she was very open about it. Rong Hua also knew and supported her visiting. Along the way, she was also photographed by fans and paparazzi. As soon as Sheng Li sat down in the lounge, Yuan Yuan said, “Li Li, you’re trending.”

Top trending: #ShengLiVisitsYuChi#

It trended so quickly, Rong Hua probably bought some promotion, which was perfect for bringing attention to Sheng Li’s new drama and Yu Chi’s movie.

Photos of the two were posted on Weibo, and the Koi CP supertopic became lively again.

Sheng Li scrolled through the trending topics for a while and inexplicably clicked into the supertopic. The supertopic was full of fan content of all kinds... Sheng Li watched some videos and casually liked a popular nine-grid fanfiction post. She was curious about what these fanfictions were about.

Not bad, actually...

No, it should be said, quite well-written.

As she kept reading...

She actually saw some inappropriate content for children. Sheng Li’s face flushed slightly. Seeing an entire page of explicit fanfiction with her and Yu Chi as the main characters... it was simply too embarrassing. She couldn’t take it after reading a few lines and was about to close it when her phone rang.

It was a call from Rong Hua. Rong Hua said, “Wait a bit and then celebrate Yu Chi’s birthday, it’d be best if you could take a group photo.”

Sheng Li took a deep breath and patted her cheeks. “Okay, but he hasn’t finished filming yet, I don’t know if he can come over before 12 o’clock.”

Rong Hua said, “Posting old photos is also fine.”

Just as Sheng Li agreed, Yu Chi walked into the lounge.

“He’s back.”

“Let me say a few words to him.”

Sheng Li handed the phone to Yu Chi. “Sister Rong.”

Yu Chi took the phone. At this moment, it was only a few minutes away from June 29th, his 18th birthday.

Sheng Li didn’t know what Rong Hua said to Yu Chi, she only heard him say “Mmm,” and then “Okay,” before hanging up.

As soon as the phone was hung up, the entire page of explicit fanfiction that hadn’t been closed yet was exposed in front of Yu Chi. He glanced down, then looked up at Sheng Li with a stiff expression and a strange look in his eyes.

Sheng Li felt a sense of suffocation, her face flushed as she quickly snatched back her phone. “I... I saw it in the supertopic, just looking around...”

She prayed in her heart that Yu Chi had only seen it for a second or two and wouldn’t be able to make out the content, right?

But this guy was too abnormal, with a photographic memory...

Yu Chi glanced at Yuan Yuan. Yuan Yuan understood immediately and slipped out, “I’m going to the bathroom.”

She also thoughtfully closed the door behind her.

“Jiejie,” Yu Chi said casually, a smirk playing on his lips as he walked up to her, looking down at her face. “You even read our fanfiction smut, are you craving my body?”

“...” Sheng Li felt that anything she said now would only make her look more guilty.

Yu Chi took another step closer. Sheng Li felt extremely embarrassed and subconsciously took a step back, tripping over the chair. She fell into the chair, and Yu Chi pressed his advantage, leaning in. He placed one hand on the back of the chair and the other on the armrest, trapping her within his reach. He lowered his eyes to look at her and asked in a low voice, “It’s come to this, Jiejie, aren’t you going to date me?”

Sheng Li didn’t like being suppressed. She took a deep breath, raised her hand to hook his neck, and tilted her head up to kiss his lips.

Yu Chi was stunned for a moment, then quickly lowered his head and kissed her deeply.

The young man’s kiss was hot, filled with a joyful frenzy.

Time ticked by, minute by minute, until it reached exactly 00:00 on June 29th.

On his 18th birthday, Yu Chi received the gift he loved the most and that was the most important in his life.

<First Love Code> The End.