After The Beautiful Woman Moves Into The Jock's Dorm Room - Chapter 18

Chapter 18: Helmet – “The word ‘cozy’ suddenly popped up in his mind…”

The next day, Shen Qingyu attended classes from 8 AM until noon and then spent some time in the library in the afternoon. He returned to the dorm when he thought it was about time.

Before leaving, he didn’t forget to say goodbye to Song Yu.

He had run into Song Yu when he came to the library after lunch, and they sat together. It was undeniable that Shen Qingyu’s study efficiency increased significantly when facing an extremely disciplined high-achiever like Song Yu.

Worried about making noise and disturbing others, Shen Qingyu wrote on a piece of paper: “I’m heading out now ovo”

Song Yu stared at the note for two seconds, then pushed up his glasses, nodded at him, and silently mouthed two words: “Goodbye.”

Shen Qingyu smiled, waved at him, bounced the backpack on his back, and jogged to catch the elevator downstairs to the dorm building.

Lu Xiao had already changed clothes. He was still wearing a sleeveless shirt paired with black utility pants, but the outfit looked distinctly more formal than usual.

He paced restlessly in the dorm, impatiently checking his watch. He silently counted down ten seconds; if Shen Qingyu wasn’t back, he would call him directly.

On the eighth second, Shen Qingyu pushed the door open: “I’m back.”

The irritated mood vanished instantly. Lu Xiao stood with his hands in his pockets, tilting his neck: “Why are you back so late?”

“It’s not that late, is it? The timing is perfect.”

Forget it, too lazy to argue with him, Lu Xiao thought. “Let’s go then.”

“Are you in a hurry?”

Lu Xiao said: “Of course. I’m hungry.”

“Let me just confirm my class schedule one more time, wait a moment.” Shen Qingyu was cautious about this because, last semester, a class change occurred, and he forgot to update his schedule, almost resulting in an absence mark. Since then, he had been extra careful.

Lu Xiao leaned leisurely by his bed, looking down at Shen Qingyu’s focused profile.

“Okay, confirmed no class!” Shen Qingyu asked a question he had been wanting to ask: “Don’t you have classes?”

Since he moved into this dorm, Lu Xiao had attended class only a handful of times, usually just one class a day. Although he wasn’t often in the dorm, that was because he frequently went to the gym or played ball with Chen Qiming.

Lu Xiao looked unconcerned: “What’s wrong? Are you worried about me?”

“…You’re overthinking it. I just casually asked.” Shen Qingyu pouted.

Lu Xiao let out a faint chuckle. He thought Shen Qingyu was worried but was too embarrassed to admit it. So stubborn.

He narrowed his eyes and raised an eyebrow, carefully examining Shen Qingyu’s lips.

His lips were small and full, with prominent Cupid’s bows. Especially after he licked his lips, they were covered in a glistening sheen, looking soft and tender.

Just by looking at his lips, it was hard to imagine he was so stubborn.

Lu Xiao secretly felt pleased. He patted Shen Qingyu’s shoulder twice: “Hurry up.”

The two left the dorm building. Only then did Shen Qingyu remember to call a ride: “Wait up, I’ll call a car.”

Lu Xiao frowned: “Why call a car? I have one.”

He twirled the car key hanging on his finger, then showed it to him: “Motorbike. Have you ever ridden one?”

Shen Qingyu shook his head.

Lu Xiao smirked, boasting: “Then today’s your chance to try it.”

Wen University’s residential area had a dedicated parking lot, and Lu Xiao’s bike was parked there.

He led Shen Qingyu to his beloved bike, took one of the helmets off, and waved him over: “Come here. I’ll help you put on the helmet.”

The heavy helmet settled on his head. Shen Qingyu instinctively held both sides, afraid it would fall off. He felt the helmet was so heavy it made talking difficult, and he couldn’t hear clearly.

He muttered quietly: “It’s heavy.”

Lu Xiao quickly pushed the visor down with a snap, then swiftly put on his own helmet.

Shen Qingyu didn’t know how to get on the bike, so Lu Xiao pushed him onto the seat by grabbing his waist.

Before starting the cold engine, Lu Xiao warned: “It’s a bit loud.”

The next second, the roaring sound wave echoed throughout the parking lot. Everyone around them turned to look. Shen Qingyu heard boys expressing envy, the same sound he heard at the school gate last time.

Lu Xiao clearly enjoyed the attention, but Shen Qingyu felt differently; he just wanted to escape.

Lu Xiao leaned forward, tapping his helmet to signal “let’s go.” The next moment, the motorbike shot out of the parking lot. Shen Qingyu swayed from the inertia, pressing directly against his back.

“Hold on tight if you’re scared.”

His voice rang out in the wind, but was quickly drowned out by the noise. Shen Qingyu tightly gripped his clothes, feeling it wasn’t enough. A heart-pounding sensation that he might be swept away by the wind surged up. He simply wrapped his arms around Lu Xiao’s waist. The warmth transferred through the thin layer of clothing made him feel slightly safer.

Shen Qingyu shouted at the top of his lungs: “Slow down!”

Lu Xiao deliberately teased him: “This is a motorbike, not an electric scooter. It can’t go slow.”

The sound heard through the helmet was somewhat muffled. Shen Qingyu pressed his forehead against Lu Xiao’s back, his lips white, too scared to speak.

“Relax, I’m kidding,” Lu Xiao’s fragmented voice came through. “There’s a speed limit on this road.”

“Besides, would I take you out just to get killed?”

His voice carried a hint of jest and mockery. Shen Qingyu bit his lip, wishing he could pinch him hard.

Although his tense heart relaxed, his arms were wrapped even tighter around Lu Xiao.

Lu Xiao lowered his eyes and saw Shen Qingyu’s forearms pressed tightly against his abdomen. He smirked indulgently, in a wonderful mood.

Shen Qingyu gradually adapted to the speed. The wind rushed into his clothes, making it particularly cool, and his nervous heart began to calm down.

…

The bike stopped. Lu Xiao helped him take off the helmet.

There was a large supermarket near Shen Qingyu’s home. Lu Xiao carefully looked around. The last time he came was late at night, and he hadn’t properly observed anything.

Although he knew Shen Qingyu’s place was a one-bedroom apartment, likely occupied only by him, Lu Xiao still asked cautiously: “Is anyone home?”

If Shen Qingyu said his parents were home, Lu Xiao would need to quickly find something to bring as a visiting gift; he couldn’t show up empty-handed.

Shen Qingyu said calmly: “No, I live alone.”

Lu Xiao said “Oh,” put his phone away, and familiarly draped his arm over Shen Qingyu’s shoulder. The height difference between them was perfect, making the posture comfortable.

In the supermarket, Lu Xiao also pushed a cart. Passersby couldn’t help but stare at them curiously.

Shen Qingyu pulled his mask up, trying hard to ignore the strange looks: “What kind of dish do you want to eat?”

Lu Xiao randomly picked up a bundle of crown daisy and tossed it: “I don’t eat vegetables, only meat.”

Shen Qingyu: “…”

“Just grab whatever you want to eat. Anything is fine with me,” Lu Xiao said.

It was rare for him to be so easygoing, so Shen Qingyu quickly agreed. He picked out quite a few things, also grabbing a few bags of snacks.

At the checkout, Lu Xiao placed all the items on the conveyor belt, then pushed Shen Qingyu aside, telling the cashier: “Two more bags, please.”

Shen Qingyu paused: “Um… I can pay for the snacks myself.”

Lu Xiao didn’t even look at him, saying: “It’s not worth arguing over a little money.”

Shen Qingyu: “…” Fine, so you’re rich, but why act so arrogant? I know you have money.

Lu Xiao carried a large bag in each hand. As they walked out of the supermarket, they passed a couple. Shen Qingyu didn’t intend to eavesdrop, but their conversation was too loud:

“Look at his boyfriend, he knows to carry the bags actively. Look at you!”

That spoiled, affectionate tone caught Shen Qingyu completely off guard.

He subconsciously looked at Lu Xiao, whose mouth curved into a smile as he looked at Shen Qingyu’s reaction.

In the instant their eyes met, Shen Qingyu was the first to look away, slowly settling his gaze far off into the distance.

Lu Xiao noticed the redness spreading to his ears and was secretly pleased: “He’s quite cute when he blushes.”

…

Once home, Shen Qingyu told Lu Xiao to sit anywhere he liked, while he washed his hands and put on an apron.

But Lu Xiao didn’t listen. He stuck close behind him and even proactively helped him tie the apron.

Lu Xiao tied a standard bow, but when he released it, he realized he had tied it too tightly, emphasizing Shen Qingyu’s slender waist: “Is it too tight?”

Shen Qingyu said it wasn’t.

Lu Xiao then took out the vegetables and meat, preparing to wash them.

Shen Qingyu hesitated: “You know how to wash vegetables?”

Lu Xiao laughed at his doubt: “What’s there to know about washing vegetables? Doesn’t everyone with hands know how to do it?”

While that was technically true… What if he genuinely didn’t know how?

“I said you only need to cook; I’ll handle the rest.” He let the water run over his palms, washing the vegetables slowly and carefully. “Have you decided what to cook?”

Shen Qingyu “Mm-hmmed.” He had been craving chicken wings for a few days. It had been a while since he cooked for himself, so he definitely wanted to treat himself well.

For him, cooking was actually an enjoyable activity. If the school hadn’t explicitly forbidden it, he would definitely cook for himself in the dorm every now and then.

While the cafeteria food wasn’t expensive, he always ended up eating the same few things and was completely tired of it after one semester.

Lu Xiao was too tall. His forehead bumped the cabinets several times. Shen Qingyu, watching him from behind, was terrified, fearing this reckless man would accidentally crack his head open and blame him.

Fortunately, after bumping into things a few times, Lu Xiao learned his lesson. He slightly bent his waist and lowered his head, working quite quickly.

Shen Qingyu checked all the vegetables Lu Xiao had washed. Finding no issues, he officially started cooking.

Lu Xiao didn’t leave. He stayed by his side, occasionally helping out, but mainly observing his movements.

It was clear that Shen Qingyu genuinely knew how to cook, expertly controlling the heat and seasonings.

For some reason, the word “cozy” suddenly popped up in his mind.

He actually… felt this way around a man?

Lu Xiao stared at Shen Qingyu’s profile in disbelief. He lost himself in watching him, unconsciously drawn in.

Shen Qingyu picked up a chicken wing with his chopsticks and brought it to Lu Xiao’s mouth, his sparkling doe eyes wide with delight: “Try it!”

Lu Xiao was uncharacteristically startled by the action, stepping back half a step, his heart pounding loudly. He slowly lowered his head and bit into the chicken wing, saying blankly: “…It’s delicious.”

“Right?” Shen Qingyu smiled proudly: “I never fail when I make Coke chicken wings! The color is perfect too.”

Lu Xiao looked away, his heart rate taking a long time to return to normal. His breathing was somewhat ragged. He suddenly snatched the plate from Shen Qingyu’s hand and carried it to the dining table without a word.

What’s wrong now?

Shen Qingyu looked at his retreating figure, inexplicably sensing a feeling of “fleeing in panic.”

Lu Xiao took a picture of the three dishes and one soup Shen Qingyu made, deliberately including the two bowls of rice and two pairs of chopsticks in the frame. He posted the live photo with the caption “Dinner,” without any punctuation or emojis. It looked like an ordinary sharing of a meal, but only those familiar with the situation would find a hint of something unusual in the image.

It was evident that Lu Xiao was very satisfied with the dinner. He ate three bowls of rice in one sitting. By the end, Shen Qingyu was full and could only stare at him in astonishment.

“You…”

Lu Xiao looked up: “What?”

Shen Qingyu wanted to ask if he needed a digestive pill, but seeing him eating so heartily, he decided not to disturb him.

“Nothing. Keep eating.”

Lu Xiao, head down, wolfing down rice from his bowl, truly resembled the late-night mukbang hosts Shen Qingyu watched. He couldn’t help but smile.