Desk-mate, Do You Like Me? - Chapter 45

Chapter 45

As night deepened, the lights in the boys’ dormitory building blazed brightly, and muffled clamor faintly penetrated the door.

Inside Room 315, however, the atmosphere was unusually agitated.

“So! Brother Mo really! Just! Kissed him?!” Tang Dawei sat cross-legged on his bed, excitedly pounding the bed board with a bang, bang sound, his expression as if he had just witnessed the winning goal in a World Cup final.

“Absolutely true! I swear on my name Di Renjie!” Yang Di stood in the center of the dorm, gesturing wildly to recreate the scene, “Like this! Xu Qing bent down to pick up the book, and Li Mo just leaned in! Fast! Accurate! Ruthless! And then… tsk!” He dramatically covered his mouth, making a vague “mua” sound.

Shen Shuyi adjusted his glasses and calmly added: “And it didn’t look like the first time. They even interlaced their fingers…”

Lin Yi hugged his pillow, his eyes wide, still processing the bombshell: “My goodness… Xu Qing actually didn’t fight back? That’s not like him! Is Li Mo okay? I mean… his mouth is okay?”

“He’s perfectly fine! He was even showing off to us later!” Tang Dawei said sourly, “And he threatened me not to dedicate a song at the broadcast station! Friend-neglecting!”

“But Xu Qing’s vocabulary book…” Yang Di rubbed his chin, a detective-like expression on his face, “‘I’m such a fool for you’… Holy crap, I never thought that beneath Xu Qing’s icy exterior hid such a… outwardly reserved, inwardly passionate heart!”

“That’s a contrast charm!” Tang Dawei slapped his thigh, “No wonder Brother Mo is so cocky. If it were me, I’d also… uh, never mind, I wouldn’t dare.” The thought of Xu Qing’s cold gaze instantly made him timid.

“So, is it official now?” Lin Yi finally grasped the situation, “They’re… a couple?”

“Brother Mo unilaterally declared victory,” Shen Shuyi pointed to Li Mo’s cocky messages in the group chat, “But considering Xu Qing didn’t refute, and tacitly allowed him to bring breakfast, it’s probably… a done deal.”

“Aww! When will sweet romance ever be my turn!” Tang Dawei lamented, rolling around on his bed.

“First,” Yang Di mercilessly struck him down, “you need to have Li Mo’s face and guts, or Xu Qing’s ‘reserved’ charm.”

“Get lost!” Tang Dawei threw a pillow at him.

Meanwhile, in Room 318.

Xu Qing closed the door, cutting off the noise from the hallway. The world instantly became quiet.

The advantage of a single room was evident at this moment. He didn’t have to face the curious or probing gazes of roommates, nor explain anything.

He leaned against the cool door, letting out a long, slow breath. His nerves, taut throughout the journey back, were finally able to relax.

The room lights weren’t on; only the glow of the streetlamp outside the window filtered in, outlining the simple contours of the furniture and hiding the lingering blush on his face in the shadows.

In the quiet air, his senses seemed infinitely amplified.

His wrist still seemed to feel the touch of Li Mo gently pulling it.

The brief but undeniably clear, soft touch on his lips, with its subtle prickle and scorching warmth, replayed again and again.

And… the fervent, damp, and pulsating tremor when their fingertips intertwined and their palms tightly pressed together, like a shared heartbeat.

Xu Qing closed his eyes, his Adam’s apple bobbing slightly. He walked to his desk, putting down his backpack, his movements a little sluggish.

The vocabulary book, which he had frantically shoved into the bottom of his backpack, felt like a hot potato.

He hesitated, but still took it out. The book lay quietly on the desk, its cover a simple black, looking calm and restrained, a stark contrast to the astonishing sentence inside.

He didn’t open it.

Just looking at it, he could almost hear Li Mo’s low, smiling voice again—”When did you write it?”

When did he write it?

Xu Qing couldn’t exactly recall either. Maybe in the dead of night after his mind was numb from studying, maybe on an afternoon staring out the window at the rain, or maybe… that time Li Mo stood by the window, the sunset gilding the handsome, firm lines of the boy’s face, so dazzling that he couldn’t look away.

It was an unconscious overflow from his pen tip when his mind was troubled.

He never thought it would be discovered by the person in question in such a way.

So sudden, so… humiliating.

Xu Qing raised a hand, touching his lips with cool fingertips. A strange, heart-stirring tingling sensation seemed to linger there.

“Demonstrate my ass…” He softly repeated the extremely embarrassing mumble from the classroom. Thinking back now, it sounded utterly weak.

He should have… punched him right then.

But why didn’t he?

Not only did he not fight back, but… when Li Mo came close, when that sudden kiss happened, when his fingers were hooked and his palm was filled… aside from overwhelming panic and shame, he didn’t seem to feel… genuine revulsion.

This realization made Xu Qing’s heart skip another beat, and his earlobes began to burn again in the darkness.

He irritably grabbed his hair, deciding not to think about it anymore. He turned, grabbed his change of clothes, and walked straight into the bathroom.

The warm water streamed down, and the rising steam slightly relaxed his taut nerves. He closed his eyes, tilting his face into the water flow, trying to wash away the chaotic images and sensations from his mind.

But some things, once they happen, can no longer be ignored.

Like Li Mo’s eyes when he looked at him, always carrying a hint of mockery, but now unusually serious. Like that low, clear phrase, “I’m very happy, Qingqing.”

The sound of the rushing water drowned out an extremely light, helpless sigh.

After showering, Xu Qing felt much clearer. Drying his hair, he walked to the window and looked out at the city outside the campus, brightly lit.

The noise from the hallway seeped through the door panel.

I wonder if that guy… went back.

The thought was quickly extinguished. He drew the curtains, blocking the view.

Sitting down at his desk, he took out a practice test, attempting to use math problems to completely calm himself down.

However, the formulas and theorems that usually allowed him to quickly immerse himself seemed to have lost their magic. His pen tip unconsciously scribbled on the scratch paper. When he came back to his senses, he found a scattering of English letters on the paper.

L, M.

The initials of Li Mo’s name.

Xu Qing reacted as if he had been burned, quickly crumpling the scratch paper into a ball and accurately tossing it into the distant trash can.

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to concentrate, and re-read the problem.

Just then, his phone screen lit up.

It wasn’t a group message, but a private notification tone.

Xu Qing’s heart inexplicably quickened. He paused, then picked up his phone.

It was Li Mo, as expected.

Li Mo: [Made it to the dorm?]

Three simple words, followed by a small emoji: a smile.

Xu Qing stared at the smiley face, feeling as though he could see the other person’s smug “I’m extremely pleased” expression through the screen. He pursed his lips, his finger hovering for a moment, and finally replied with two words:

Xu Qing: [Mhm.]

Almost the moment the message was successfully sent, the reply from the other side popped up.

Li Mo: [I’m home. Just finished showering.]

Li Mo: [(Image)]

The picture, when opened, was a casual shot of a corner of Li Mo’s desk, with an open physics workbook and a steaming cup of milk.

It seemed ordinary, yet every detail showed a deliberate intention of “I’m diligently doing my homework, but I just want to tell you what I’m doing.”

Xu Qing: “…”

He didn’t reply.

Another message arrived: [I’ll wait for you downstairs at the dorm at 7:20 tomorrow morning? The porridge will be delivered on time.]

Xu Qing’s fingertip moved, wanting to reply “No need to wait” or “I’ll go to the cafeteria myself,” but he typed and deleted. In the end, he only replied:

[Up to you.]

This was practically an approval.

Li Mo, as expected, sent a satisfied emoji: a cartoon rabbit holding a carrot and nodding furiously.

Xu Qing turned off the screen, placed his phone face down on the desk, and decided not to engage further.

But the disobedient heart in his chest quietly accelerated its rhythm because of this insignificant, simple arrangement.

He picked up his pen again, took a deep breath, and once more attempted to tackle the math problem before him.

This time, the numbers and symbols seemed a little more compliant.

The night grew deeper.

The commotion in Room 315 gradually subsided. Tang Dawei and Yang Di were still whispering, dreaming about a future where “hugging Brother Mo and Brother Qing’s thighs would grant them late-night snack freedom,” which was mercilessly suppressed by Shen Shuyi’s warning to “be careful not to be silenced.” Lin Yi had already put on a face mask and was ready for sleep.

In Room 318, Xu Qing had finally fully entered study mode, his profile looking quiet and focused under the desk lamp. Only occasionally, during pauses in his writing, would his gaze inadvertently sweep towards the silent phone before quickly retracting.

Li Mo leaned against the headboard of his bedroom, flipping through his physics book, the smile on his face never fading. He picked up his phone from time to time, the simple “Up to you” still at the top of the chat window, and he could stare at it for a long time.

The moonlight outside the window was bright and gentle, enveloping the tranquil campus and the hearts of the teenagers in a night of sweet turmoil, carefulness, and burgeoning emotion after their first clear acknowledgment of their feelings.

On this night, some tossed and turned, some slept soundly, and more waited with anticipation for the arrival of tomorrow.

Tomorrow, the sun would rise as usual, but some things would be different.

The next morning, the sunlight filtered through the curtains of Room 318, casting a bright streak on the floor.

Xu Qing woke up slightly earlier than usual. He opened his eyes, staring at the ceiling for a few seconds. The chaotic yet heart-stirring images from last night instantly rushed back, making his heartbeat sound particularly clear in the morning stillness.

He sat up, rubbed his hair, and instinctively looked at his phone.

No new messages.

There was still some time before the agreed 7:20 AM. He got up to wash, his movements slower than usual, his gaze occasionally drifting towards the window, looking at the small path below the dormitory building.

A strange emotion, carrying a subtle anticipation, lightly tickled his heart like a feather.

At 7:10 AM, he was ready and picked up his backpack. He hesitated, not immediately going downstairs.

He sat at his desk for a while, idly flipping through a vocabulary book, but not taking in a single word. His fingertips unconsciously rubbed the edge of the pages.

7:15 AM. The sounds of other students moving and closing doors gradually began in the hallway.

Xu Qing took a deep breath, finally getting up and leaving.

He walked down the stairs, deliberately maintaining his usual pace, neither fast nor slow. However, when he rounded the stairwell corner and instantly spotted the familiar figure leaning against the wall column outside the dormitory building entrance, his breathing almost imperceptibly hitched.

Li Mo was there, as expected.

He wore his neat school uniform, his backpack slung over one shoulder, and held a transparent plastic bag containing a packed bowl of porridge.

The morning sun outlined his sharp, short hair and his smiling profile. He was looking down at his cast, his toe kicking at a small pebble.

Almost simultaneously with Xu Qing’s appearance, Li Mo looked up as if by telepathy.

Their eyes met.

Li Mo’s eyes instantly lit up, his mouth stretching into a wide smile, filled with undisguised joy and a slight, self-satisfied look of “I succeeded.”

“Morning, Qingqing,” he straightened up and walked toward him, his voice clear and full of morning vitality.

“…Morning,” Xu Qing replied, his gaze falling on the porridge in his hand, then quickly moving away, his earlobes slightly warm. He hadn’t expected Li Mo to be so punctual, and… he looked like he had been waiting for a while.

“Here you go, preserved egg and lean meat porridge, no green onion or cilantro,” Li Mo handed over the bag, his fingertip unintentionally brushing against the back of Xu Qing’s hand.

The warm sensation passed quickly.

Xu Qing took the bag, murmuring, “Thank you.”

“Why be polite with me,” Li Mo smiled widely, naturally walking beside him as they headed toward the teaching building, “Did you sleep well?”

“…It was alright.” Xu Qing kept his gaze forward, trying to maintain a calm facade, but his quickened heartbeat betrayed him.

Li Mo’s presence was too strong, and he was walking too close. The faint scent of his shampoo drifted over with the morning breeze, unsettling him.

“I didn’t sleep well,” Li Mo turned his head to look at him, his tone slightly complaining, but his eyes were sparkling, “Thought about a certain someone half the night.”

Xu Qing: “…Shut up.”

Li Mo chuckled softly, obediently not pursuing the topic, but a pleasant atmosphere permeated the space between them.

They walked side-by-side in the gentle morning light of the campus, appearing no different from the other students rushing to class, yet somehow different in every way.

Li Mo occasionally turned his head to talk to Xu Qing, the content usually about homework or the upcoming class, but the warmth in his eyes was always scorching.

Xu Qing mostly listened, occasionally responding with one or two brief words, but the aloofness that usually kept others at bay had, without him noticing, significantly melted away.

When they reached the base of the teaching building, Li Mo suddenly remembered something, pulled a carton of milk from his backpack’s side pocket, expertly inserted a straw with one hand, and handed it to Xu Qing: “Porridge alone might not be enough, here.”

Xu Qing was startled, looking at the carton of milk, not immediately taking it.

“Don’t worry, it’s sweet,” Li Mo added, a mischievous glint in his eyes, “I know you’re afraid of bitter things.”

Xu Qing pursed his lips, finally taking it. Their fingertips briefly touched again, both pausing in tacit understanding.

“Your left hand is that agile now?” Xu Qing asked.

“I’ve gotten used to it,” Li Mo said, wiggling his left hand, “My adaptation ability is simply terrifyingly strong.”

Xu Qing: “…”

Just then, a series of deliberately suppressed, yet clearly audible gasps and whispers came from behind them.

“Holy crap… Confirmed, confirmed!”

“Bringing breakfast! And milk! Brother Mo is awesome!”

“Look, Xu Qing actually took it! He didn’t reject it with a cold face!”

“How is this any different from an official announcement?!”

Xu Qing and Li Mo turned around simultaneously, only to see Tang Dawei, Yang Di, Lin Yi, and Shen Shuyi squeezed together by the staircase, their eyes wide as copper bells, their faces filled with the excitement and shock of “witnessing a grand public display of affection.”

Tang Dawei was even secretly holding up his phone, seemingly taking pictures.

Li Mo raised an eyebrow. Instead of hiding, he deliberately moved half a step closer to Xu Qing, then flashed an incredibly brilliant smile filled with pride and warning at the four “witnesses.”

Xu Qing’s face instantly tightened, his earlobes crimson.

He abruptly withdrew the hand holding the milk, glared fiercely at Li Mo, and muttered: “This is all your doing.” Then, ignoring the crowd watching the spectacle, he turned and quickly headed up the stairs.

Li Mo watched his retreating figure, in no hurry, and slowly followed.

As he passed the petrified 315 group, he paused, lowered his voice, and said with a smile: “Take nice pictures, and send me a copy. Also…” He paused, a hint of “kind” warning in his eyes, “The wise understand, don’t say anything you shouldn’t.”

Tang Dawei and Yang Di nodded frantically, making zipping motions over their mouths.

Shen Shuyi adjusted his glasses: “Tsk, tsk, tsk, it hasn’t been long, and he’s already being so protective.”

Lin Yi whispered in admiration: “They’re perfect for each other…”

Li Mo nodded with satisfaction, then quickly went to catch up with the already distant Xu Qing.

The classroom was already half full before the early reading class. Xu Qing walked to his seat, placed the porridge and milk in his desk, took out his textbook, and tried to ignore the subtle, curious, and gossipy glances thrown his way.

Li Mo followed, walking unreservedly to the empty seat next to Xu Qing and sitting down.

“Qingqing, the last reading comprehension on the English paper…” Li Mo took out his paper, leaned closer, his voice low and smiling, “Can you explain it to me now? Are we close enough?”

Xu Qing’s brow twitched. Unable to endure it any longer, he pushed him away slightly with his elbow: “I can explain it even from a distance!”

“Oh,” Li Mo agreed verbally, but his body didn’t move. Instead, he rested his chin on his arm, tilting his head to look at Xu Qing, his gaze focused and bright, “Then you explain, and I’ll listen.”

Xu Qing: “…”

He took a deep breath, trying hard to ignore the major distraction next to him, picked up his red pen, and began to explain the reading comprehension with an expressionless face. However, his slightly reddened earlobes and slightly faster than usual speech betrayed a heart far from the calm exterior he presented.

The sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the tiny dust motes dancing in the air, and illuminating the morning of one boy feigning composure with a pounding heart, and the other seemingly obedient yet his eyes full of laughter.