Desk-mate, Do You Like Me? - Chapter 22

Chapter 22

The cold war continued without end until the holiday began.

Even when cleaning the toilet, the two each cleaned one side, neither speaking to the other.

On Friday, when the holiday started, Li Mo didn’t linger and walk out with Xu Qing as he usually did. Instead, he quickly packed his things, grabbed his backpack, and headed out.

This break happened to coincide with the National Day holiday, lasting seven days. Homework for all subjects was flying everywhere, but it still couldn’t dampen the students’ enthusiasm for the break. Today was even more lively than previous holidays.

Watching Li Mo leave the classroom, Lin Yi narrowed his eyes: “Are those two really broken up?”

Shen Shuyi said: “They haven’t spoken to each other for a week. They act like they’re looking at air when they see each other. They probably really broke up.”

“But why? I haven’t seen them have any major argument.”

Tang Dawei said mysteriously: “I know why…”

After waiting for a long time, he still didn’t say why. Yang Di kicked him: “Are you sick? Why the mystery? Speak up, speak up.”

“Aiya, aiya, I was just trying to build up the atmosphere.” Tang Dawei cleared his throat and lowered his voice. “I heard that Brother Mo stole Xu Qing’s girlfriend.”

“…”

Yang Di and the other two looked at him like he was an idiot.

Lin Yi scoffed, one hundred percent unconvinced: “Do they look like the type to break up over a woman? Besides, how could Xu Qing possibly have a girlfriend?”

Yang Di nodded in agreement: “Exactly. If you’re going to make up stories, at least respect the real-life personalities.”

Tang Dawei pouted: “This is what I heard from others! They broke up the day of the sports meeting registration. Someone saw them come out of the equipment room. What other explanation could there be besides one of them finding out what the other was doing in the equipment room? It’s not like they fought over a piece of equipment, right?”

He was half right.

Something did happen between the two in the equipment room, but it had nothing to do with a girlfriend.

Li Mo carried his backpack on one shoulder and quickly walked out of the teaching building before slowing his pace, instantly feeling much more relaxed.

At the beginning of the cold war, Li Mo had tried to talk to Xu Qing and strike up conversations, but after being ignored a few times, Li Mo didn’t continue to look foolish, and the cold war officially began.

“Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey! Junior, why are you running?”

Li Mo didn’t want to deal with that big idiot behind him. The more he was called, the faster he walked.

Jian Anxun rushed up from behind and locked his arms tightly around Li Mo’s neck: “Junior, why are you running away like you saw a ghost when you see your upperclassman?”

Li Mo: Heh heh, you’re scarier than a ghost.

“Tell me, I sent you a note, so why didn’t you write back? Is carrier pigeon mail out of fashion now?”

“When was carrier pigeon mail ever a thing? My mom stopped using it when she was young.” Li Mo pushed away Jian Anxun’s hands and rubbed his neck. “I didn’t want to talk to you.”

“Aiya, you really hurt your upperclassman’s heart.”

“What are you doing? Is Grade 12 released today?”

“Yes, we’re only half a day later than you. But I need to see you urgently.”

Jian Anxun dragged Li Mo to a spacious area. One second he was all smiles, the next he was full of worry: “Shuyi rejected me again, again, and again…”

Li Mo waved his hand: “It’s not the first time. The more setbacks you have, the braver you get. Keep trying next time.”

“There won’t be a next time.” Jian Anxun paused, his expression gloomy. “Shuyi said he’ll never like men in his life. I guess I don’t have a chance… I have to fly abroad after this National Day.”

Li Mo was a bit surprised: “Weren’t you supposed to go abroad after the Gaokao? Why the early change?”

“My dad’s business has been doing great recently, and he decided to move the whole family abroad earlier. I had to plead for a long time just to get permission to leave after the National Day.”

Jian Anxun was on the verge of tears: “My upperclassman’s love life is truly miserable… Wail, wail…”

Wow, crying with your mouth moving but no tears…

Li Mo coughed twice and patted Jian Anxun’s shoulder: “It’s alright. You should create some beautiful memories for Shen Shuyi during the National Day. Maybe you can become his ‘Bai Yueguang’ after you go abroad. Isn’t that how it’s written in novels?”

Jian Anxun narrowed his eyes: “Are you saying everything you taught me before was learned from novels?”

Li Mo: “…”

“As compensation, you’re coming with me on a hike. Call Shuyi, too. That way, it won’t be awkward.”

Jian Anxun pulled out his phone, opened a prepared picture, and made the decision without giving Li Mo a chance to speak.

Li Mo: Shoot, the ellipsis I used earlier was too soon… Why is this guy so full of schemes?!

Jian Anxun smiled and patted Li Mo: “Don’t worry, your travel expenses are all covered by your upperclassman. You can also bring a friend, and I’ll pay for their expenses too. Good deal, right?”

“Alright then, for the sake of money…”

Li Mo didn’t want to be the third wheel in a party of three, but who could he bring along?

Xu Qing?

Li Mo first thought of Xu Qing, also because he saw Xu Qing in the crowd.

It might not be a good idea to call Xu Qing, considering they’re in a cold war. But maybe this could end the cold war?

Li Mo desperately wanted to end the cold war. After a week of not talking to Xu Qing, he felt his mouth itch terribly, and his heart was heavy.

Jian Anxun followed Li Mo’s gaze, wearing an “I understand everything” expression. The next second, he grabbed the quietly walking Xu Qing.

The three people looked at each other, extremely awkward.

Li Mo questioned with his expression: What are you doing?!

Jian Anxun raised an eyebrow, patted his chest, indicating no need for thanks.

…

Thanks for nothing!

Xu Qing frowned slightly: “Is something wrong?”

Jian Anxun: “Junior student~ Interested in joining us for a hike?”

“No.”

The answer was direct and decisive.

Xu Qing turned to leave but was pulled back by Jian Anxun: “I know you. You should have an impression of me too. So… coming out with us is a good choice for you.”

Li Mo blinked, watching the two of them suddenly start whispering to each other for some unknown reason. Xu Qing’s face was very unpleasant. Li Mo felt like digging a hole and hiding in it right there and then.

“Alright…”

Xu Qing actually agreed!

Li Mo looked up, staring at Xu Qing in astonishment.

Their eyes met, and Xu Qing quickly looked away: “But I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to leave.”

Jian Anxun waved his hand, indicating: “No problem. I’ll come pick you up then. You’ll definitely be able to come out.”

“I’m leaving now.”

Li Mo stared blankly as Xu Qing left, then turned to look at Jian Anxun, his expression growing more and more shocked.

Jian Anxun was extremely proud: “Heh heh, as expected, there’s nothing I can’t solve.”

Li Mo was dumbfounded. They only whispered for a moment, and Xu Qing agreed just like that?!

“Junior, what’s your relationship with him?”

“We’re good deskmates.”

“Don’t lie to me. He didn’t even look at you just now.”

“We’re in a cold war.”

“That’s perfect then!” Jian Anxun clapped his hands and grinned. “This mountain is a lovers’ sanctuary. It’s guarded by a God of Love Temple. Anyone who asks for a fortune there, whether you’re raw rice, cooked rice, in a big war, a cold war, or a business war, everything will turn into a clay pot rice in under three days!”

…

What kind of weird analogy is that?

“Alright, junior. We’ll leave tomorrow. We’re only going for two days. You decide whether or not to bring homework. Send me your home address later, and your upperclassman will personally pick you up~”

Jian Anxun walked away, hopping and skipping. Sometimes Li Mo wondered if his upperclassman was terrifyingly outgoing.

As soon as he got home, Li Mo received a message from Yu Wenxiu asking if he was coming home for the National Day holiday, as they were planning to travel.

Li Mo declined.

[Yu Wenxiu: We’re going to see the Northern Lights this time. Didn’t you want to see them the most?]

[Handsome Li Mo: I’ve made plans with my classmates. Maybe next time.]

It wasn’t that Li Mo truly didn’t want to go, he just didn’t want to travel with his stepfather and stepbrother. Li Mo felt uncomfortable even eating at the same table with them, let alone traveling together, sitting in the same car, and staying in the same hotel.

The Northern Lights would have to wait for the next time, if there ever was one.

The mountain they were going to tomorrow seemed to be very cold. They were still wearing short sleeves here, but he would need a jacket there.

Li Mo quickly packed his luggage. Since he was only going for two days, he didn’t need to bring much.

Going out with Xu Qing… Perhaps because they were still in a cold war, Li Mo felt very strange, an indescribable sense of unease.

[Bai Sheng: Do you have any plans for the holiday?]

Li Mo looked down and thought: Am I that popular? I received a bunch of invitations to hang out as soon as the holiday started.

[Handsome Li Mo: Yes, I’m extremely busy.]

Since the series of events that happened before, Li Mo’s favorable impression of Bai Sheng hadn’t necessarily dropped, but he subconsciously wanted to keep his distance. He just felt that Bai Sheng was someone not to be messed with…

[Bai Sheng: Aren’t you going back to C City? I’m checking the bus schedule right now.]

[Handsome Li Mo: No, I have a more important venture to pursue. You go back by yourself. Don’t worry about me.]

[Bai Sheng: Alright then.]

Although he would return the day after tomorrow, Li Mo wouldn’t go back to C City even if he stayed home bored for the remaining five days. There was no one at home anyway, and it would save him from running into Bai Sheng.

Both of them needed to cool off for a few days, and it was best if they didn’t see each other.

After packing, Li Mo felt bored. He pulled out his phone, opened a certain app, and went to stalk “Qingping_X” again.

[Qingping_X: Happy National Day, may all your wishes come true, and may the nation be prosperous and the people be safe.]

The accompanying photo was of that handsome long-haired guy, holding a small national flag and smiling.

Posted thirty-five minutes ago, the likes had already passed a hundred, and the comments were all “Same to you.”

On a whim, Li Mo also sent a message:

[Cosmic Invincible Mr. Handsome: Happy to you too.]

“Qingping” replied almost instantly: Thank you, you too.

Ah… I feel warm inside after reading that.

Li Mo happily scrolled through the app. He knew that the “Qingping” account belonged to Xu Qing. The person who was cold-faced and quiet during the day, and currently in a cold war with him, turned around and gently wished him well online. Who’s thrilled? I won’t say.