Desk-mate, Do You Like Me? - Chapter 52

Chapter 52

Xu Qing was awakened by a subtle sound, different from the movie’s background noise.

He opened his eyes and found that the thin blanket on him had slipped off halfway at some point. The sun outside the window had begun to set, casting long shadows on the floor.

The movie had long finished, and the screen was dark. Li Mo was still asleep, his posture having shifted from leaning against the sofa to uncomfortably curled up on the carpet, but he was still in a deep sleep.

The subtle sound was coming from the kitchen.

Xu Qing gently got up, pulled the thin blanket back over Li Mo, and then, shuffling in his slippers, quietly walked toward the kitchen.

He saw that Yu Wencheng had returned. He was standing with his back to the door, washing something at the sink. A few supermarket shopping bags, the ones they had brought back in the afternoon, were on the counter.

“Professor Yu?” Xu Qing softly spoke, “You’re back.”

Yu Wencheng turned his head, his face showing a hint of fatigue, but his eyes were gentle: “You’re awake? Did I wake you up?”

“No,” Xu Qing shook his head and walked closer. “Let me help you.”

“No need, just washing some vegetables,” Yu Wencheng gestured toward the nearby bags. “You two bought quite a lot of things.”

Xu Qing felt a little embarrassed, as most of the “loot” was the snacks Li Mo had swept up. He picked up the bag containing vegetables: “Are you… making dinner tonight? I can help.”

Yu Wencheng looked at him with slight surprise, then smiled: “Alright. But Li Mo must have bragged about my cooking skills, right? Don’t have high expectations; I can only make simple things.”

“No,” Xu Qing also smiled, pulling out tomatoes and eggs. “He said your fried egg technique is first-rate.”

Yu Wencheng chuckled: “The fried egg is probably the only thing I can show off. So tonight… Tomato and egg noodles? And a stir-fried green vegetable?”

“Sounds good,” Xu Qing nodded, and proactively picked up the tomatoes to wash them.

Water ran, and the two worked harmoniously in the not-so-spacious kitchen. Yu Wencheng expertly beat the eggs. The egg liquid sizzled satisfyingly in the golden oil, and the aroma instantly filled the air.

Xu Qing placed the washed tomatoes on the cutting board, picked up a knife, and began to chop them into pieces with a slightly unfamiliar but extremely careful motion. His fingers were long, his grip on the handle a little stiff, but his cuts were steady, and the tomato pieces were reasonably uniform.

Yu Wencheng glanced over, a little surprised: “You can cook?”

Xu Qing’s movements paused for a moment. He lowered his gaze, his voice very soft: “A little. Before… when my mom was busy with the shop, I would fix myself something to eat.”

He spoke lightly, but Yu Wencheng could picture the scene—a small child, standing on a stool, clumsily preparing a meal for himself in front of the stove. His heart stirred slightly; he didn’t ask more, only said gently: “That’s very good, better than me. All Li Mo can do is boil instant noodles or boss me around.”

The corner of Xu Qing’s mouth curled up; he didn’t speak, just continued to chop the vegetables.

Yu Wencheng’s fried eggs were indeed as good as rumored, crispy edges with a runny yolk inside, looking appetizing. He then put the wok back on the stove with oil, preparing to stir-fry the tomatoes.

“Let me do it, Professor Yu,” Xu Qing suddenly offered.

Yu Wencheng paused, handing him the spatula: “Alright, be careful of the oil splatter.”

Xu Qing took the spatula, took a deep breath, and poured the cut tomato pieces into the hot oil. Another “sizzle” sounded; the oil splattered slightly, and he instinctively leaned back a little, but quickly steadied himself and skillfully began to stir-fry.

The red tomatoes quickly softened under the heat, releasing rich juice. Xu Qing then poured the cooked eggs back into the wok, seasoned with salt and a little sugar. His movements were fluid, indeed not those of a novice.

Yu Wencheng watched from the side, his eyes filled with increasing appreciation. He had initially thought Xu Qing was just being polite, but the boy truly knew how to cook.

The rich aroma of stir-fried tomatoes and eggs drifted out of the kitchen, spreading into the living room.

Li Mo, who had been sleeping profoundly on the carpet, twitched his nose twice, groggily opened his eyes, and mumbled vaguely: “…What’s that delicious smell? Did my uncle order takeout?”

He rubbed his eyes and sat up, the thin blanket sliding off. He picked up the blanket, then followed the aroma in his slippers to the kitchen doorway.

The sight made his eyes widen instantly, and all sleepiness vanished.

Xu Qing was there, wearing Yu Wencheng’s blue apron (though Yu Wencheng rarely used it), standing in front of the stove, his expression focused as he stir-fried the green vegetable in the wok. Yu Wencheng was leaning against the counter, arms crossed, watching, occasionally giving a hint like “the heat can be a bit higher.”

Under the warm yellow light, white steam with the aroma of food rose from the wok, making Xu Qing’s profile look soft and serious in the mist.

“I… Am I seeing things?” Li Mo rubbed his eyes in disbelief. “Xu Qing? You’re cooking?”

Xu Qing turned his head at the sound, seeing the dumbfounded Li Mo at the doorway. A trace of subtle shyness flashed across his face. He nodded: “Yeah. It’s almost ready, go wash your hands.”

Yu Wencheng also turned around, joking: “Awake? Did the smell wake you up? You’re lucky tonight; Xu Qing’s cooking looks much better than mine.”

Li Mo rushed into the kitchen, circling Xu Qing like a curious large dog: “Wow! You really can! You’ve been hiding your talent, Qingqing~ These greens are so vibrant, they look delicious!” He then leaned toward the already finished plate of stir-fried tomatoes and eggs, taking a deep breath. “It smells amazing! Can I have a taste first?”

Yu Wencheng slapped away his eager hand: “Go wash your hands! No manners.”

Li Mo chuckled, quickly darted to the bathroom, and ran back just as fast, enthusiastically helping with plates and bringing the food to the table.

A simple meal of two dishes and noodles was set on the dining table. The stir-fried tomatoes and eggs were a tempting red and yellow color with rich sauce; the quick-fried bok choy was green and crisp; the noodles were cooked perfectly, topped with the tomato and egg sauce, making it look irresistible.

“I’m eating!” Li Mo couldn’t wait, picked up a chopstick full of the tomatoes and eggs and put it in his mouth. He sucked in air because it was hot but refused to spit it out, exclaiming vaguely, “Mmm! Delicious! Truly delicious! Xu Qing, you’re amazing!”

Yu Wencheng also tasted it, nodding in affirmation: “The flavor is excellent, and the heat control is good.”

Xu Qing felt a little shy from the two men’s praise. He lowered his head, mixing the noodles in his bowl, and said softly, “…It’s been a while since I cooked, so I might be a bit rusty.”

“Not rusty at all!” Li Mo ate his noodles quickly, his cheeks puffed out. “It’s much better than my uncle’s cooking! Uncle, you have a successor now!”

Yu Wencheng laughed and scolded: “Can’t even keep your mouth shut while eating.”

The dinner atmosphere was even more relaxed and lively than breakfast. Li Mo’s exaggerated praise and Yu Wencheng’s gentle affirmation intermingled. The warmth of the food fogged Xu Qing’s glasses and warmed his heart.

He ate quietly, listening to Li Mo excitedly planning what other dishes to buy tomorrow so Xu Qing could show off his skills again, a shallow, genuine smile consistently gracing his lips.

After dinner, Li Mo volunteered to do the dishes, claiming “can’t eat for free,” though he was only prevented from getting soap everywhere under Yu Wencheng’s supervision.

Xu Qing stood at the kitchen door, watching Li Mo’s busy yet enthusiastic back, while Yu Wencheng patiently and amusedly guided him. Outside the window, the sky was completely dark, but the streetlights and the lights of the complex’s homes looked especially warm.

An unprecedented, steady, and fulfilling feeling enveloped him.

He could cook. It was a very small, insignificant thing.

But on this warm winter evening, cooking a simple meal for the elder who sheltered him, and for the friend who wholeheartedly pulled him into the sunshine, watching them enjoy the food—this small matter seemed to hold a different weight.

It was like a tiny seed that fell into new soil, silently sprouting a little confidence and sense of belonging.

The clear clatter of dishes and Li Mo’s humming an off-key tune blended together, forming a unique background sound in the kitchen. Yu Wencheng eventually couldn’t stand Li Mo’s “destructive” dishwashing method, rolled up his sleeves, and took over the final rinsing and putting away, chasing Li Mo away: “Stop making a mess.”

Li Mo was happy to be idle, shook his wet hands, and shuffled over to Xu Qing, his eyes sparkling: “Qingqing, I want to eat your cooking again tomorrow! Let’s go buy some other ingredients, okay? Can you make braised pork belly? Or sweet and sour pork ribs? Or fish?”

Xu Qing was a little overwhelmed by the string of dish names. He hesitated: “…A little, but I might not make them well.”

“It’ll definitely be delicious!” Li Mo was blindly confident. “Everything you make is delicious! Right, Uncle?” He sought support.

Yu Wencheng dried his hands and walked over, smiling and nodding: “It’s indeed good. Xu Qing, don’t feel pressured; anything goes for home cooking. However,” he changed the subject, looking at Li Mo, “Don’t just rely on Xu Qing; learn something, even if it’s just helping out.”

“I’ll learn, I’ll learn!” Li Mo readily agreed, excited. “I’ll be in charge of washing vegetables! Cutting… er, that might need some practice…” He remembered his glorious past of trying to cut potatoes and nearly cutting his finger.

The three sat in the living room for a while longer. Yu Wencheng asked about their day’s activities. He smiled throughout as he listened to Li Mo’s excited description of how Xu Qing “conquered” the complex’s extra-long slide (even though Xu Qing clarified he didn’t actually go up) and how he befriended the supermarket sample person to get two extra small cakes.

The night deepened. Yu Wencheng yawned and stood up: “You young people enjoy yourselves. I still have some papers to look at, and a class early tomorrow.” He paused, and said to Xu Qing, “Xu Qing, treat this place as your own home. If you need anything, tell Li Mo or me directly.”

“Thank you, Professor Yu,” Xu Qing said sincerely.

Yu Wencheng returned to his study, leaving only Xu Qing and Li Mo in the living room. Li Mo immediately reverted to his true form, collapsing onto the sofa, kicking Xu Qing’s calf: “Hey, movie? Games? Or… heh heh, should we study what to eat tomorrow? My uncle gave us money; we can buy something expensive!”

Xu Qing looked at his vibrant energy, and the last bit of his shyness completely dissipated. He thought for a moment and said, “Whatever you want.”

“Then let’s research the menu!” Li Mo sat up with a sudden burst of energy, pulled out his phone, and started browsing recipes. “This braised prawns in oil looks so good! This boiled sliced pork in chili oil is also nice! It’s a bit spicy though… Can you handle spice? Oh, right, I need to make a note, I still have to get a key cut for you tomorrow…”

He started rambling again, the light from the phone screen shining on his excited face. Xu Qing listened quietly, occasionally nodding or responding with an “Okay.”

The lights in the homes outside gradually went out, and the complex sank into the stillness of sleep. Inside the house, the heating and the lights created an independent, warm little world.

As Li Mo talked, his voice gradually grew quieter, and his head started to nod again—he was clearly tired from playing all day. The phone slipped from his hand, dropping into the sofa cushion.

Xu Qing gently picked up his phone. The screen was still on, paused on a food blog page. He turned off the screen and placed the phone on the coffee table.

Li Mo had already slumped against the armrest of the sofa, his breathing becoming steady and long; he had fallen asleep again.

Xu Qing didn’t wake him. He brought the blanket from last night and carefully covered Li Mo.

This time, his movements were much more practiced.

He looked at Li Mo’s unguarded sleeping face, remembering the sudden embrace this morning, the hotpot meat he missed in his dream, his puffed cheeks while eating, and his excitement when clamoring to learn how to cook.

A subtle, gentle emotion spread in his heart.

He turned off the main light in the living room, leaving only a warm wall lamp on. Then, he picked up his book, sat on the other side of the sofa, and quietly flipped through the pages in the light.

The night was very quiet. All that could be heard was the faint rustling of turning pages and Li Mo’s steady breathing.

Xu Qing knew that the seed that had quietly taken root was being wrapped in more warmth, growing inch by inch, reaching upwards.

It might still be very small, but it was full of strength.