Desk-mate, Do You Like Me? - Chapter 53

Chapter 53

The night flowed with exceptional stillness amidst the rustling of turning pages and the even breathing beside him. Xu Qing hadn’t actually absorbed many words; his attention was constantly and unconsciously drawn to Li Mo beside him.

Li Mo was in a deep sleep, occasionally smacking his lips or unconsciously tugging at the corner of the blanket, like a large animal that had found a safe nest, exuding an unreserved trust and dependence.

This feeling of being needed and closely connected was strange and precious to Xu Qing. He carefully maintained this tranquility, making his movements, even turning a page, as light as possible.

He didn’t know how much time had passed when the door to Yu Wencheng’s study gently opened. Yu Wencheng walked out with a water cup, seemingly intending to refill it, and paused when he saw the scene in the living room.

The soft light of the wall lamp outlined the silhouettes of the two teenagers on the sofa: one deeply asleep, wrapped in a blanket with only a fluffy head exposed; the other sitting upright, a book spread open on his lap, his profile appearing quiet and focused in the light.

Yu Wencheng’s gaze lingered on Xu Qing for a few seconds. A complex emotion flashed in his eyes, concern mixed with a barely perceptible pity. He didn’t make a sound, just quietly walked to the kitchen, got his water, and returned to the study as silently as he had come. The entire process was virtually noiseless.

Xu Qing had sensed Yu Wencheng coming out. He instinctively tensed his body, but Yu Wencheng’s thoughtful silence quickly allowed him to relax again. He looked up, just catching the moment the study door was gently closed. A corner of his heart was softly nudged by that feeling of security again.

In the latter half of the night, Xu Qing also felt tired. He closed his book, gently placed it on the coffee table, and then curled up in the other corner of the sofa, pulling a corner of Li Mo’s blanket over himself. The blanket smelled of sunlight and carried Li Mo’s clean, refreshing scent of sports shower gel, which was unexpectedly comforting.

He fell asleep quickly and slept without dreams.

The next day, Xu Qing was woken up by his internal clock. The sky outside the window was faintly bright, and the living room was still quiet. He found that an extra thin blanket had been placed over him, and Li Mo, who should have been sleeping at the other end, had somehow rolled closer to him again; only a cushion separated them.

Xu Qing gently got up without waking Li Mo. He folded the blankets and went to the bathroom to wash up. The cold water splashed on his face, driving away the last bit of sleepiness. He looked at his reflection in the mirror—his face was still somewhat pale, but his eyes were no longer as hollow as they were initially. He paused slightly.

Leaving the bathroom, he found that Yu Wencheng was already up, preparing breakfast in the kitchen. The low hum of the coffee machine sounded softly.

“Professor Yu, good morning,” Xu Qing walked over.

“Morning,” Yu Wencheng turned around and handed him a glass of warm water. “Why are you up so early? Li Mo must still be sleeping.”

“Yes, he’s sleeping soundly.” Xu Qing took the cup, the warm touch spreading from his palm. “Do you need any help?”

“No need, just heating milk and toasting bread.” Yu Wencheng said, observing Xu Qing’s complexion. “Did you sleep well last night? Li Mo is not a steady sleeper; he didn’t bother you, did he?”

“No, I slept very well.” Xu Qing shook his head. It was the truth.

Just as breakfast was nearly ready, Li Mo was finally woken up by the aroma of food and the sounds. He shuffled into the dining room, his hair a mess and his eyes bleary, slumping into a chair like a zombie, groaning weakly: “Morning… Smells so good…”

“Go wash your face and brush your teeth.” Yu Wencheng unceremoniously placed a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice in front of him. “Wake up.”

Li Mo let out a wail but obediently climbed up and went to the bathroom. When he returned, though his hair was still a little messy, he was much more awake, and his eyes were bright again.

“Uncle! It’s Saturday today, you don’t have class, right?” Li Mo asked with a mouthful of toasted bread.

“No, nothing this morning,” Yu Wencheng nodded.

“That’s great!” Li Mo slapped the table excitedly. “We’ll go get the key cut later! Then we’ll go to that bigger supermarket. Xu Qing’s cooking yesterday inspired me; we’re going on a major shopping trip!”

Xu Qing lowered his head, drinking his milk. His ears felt slightly hot upon hearing the words “Xu Qing’s cooking.”

Yu Wencheng smiled helplessly at Li Mo’s excitement: “Alright, you two make your own plans. Be careful.” He then looked at Xu Qing. “Xu Qing, keep an eye on him. Don’t let him buy a bunch of useless junk food.”

“Hey, Uncle! I have restraint, okay!” Li Mo protested.

Under Yu Wencheng’s gaze, Xu Qing gently nodded: “Okay.”

This simple promise sparked a strange sense of responsibility in his heart.

After breakfast, Yu Wencheng returned to his study to work. Li Mo, full of energy, began planning the itinerary: “First, to the hardware store at the complex gate for the key, then take three stops on the bus to that hypermarket. I checked; they have everything. How about that? Am I thoughtful or what?”

The key cutting process was quick. The old craftsman was efficient, and soon, a brand-new, metallic-gleaming key was placed in Xu Qing’s hand.

The key still held a little residual warmth from the machine; it felt heavy. Xu Qing held it tightly in his palm; the cold metal edges pressed against his skin but brought an immense sense of security.

This was a key. A key that could open a door. A door to a place he could temporarily call “home.”

Li Mo leaned over to look: “Done! Now you can come and go as you please!” He put his arm around Xu Qing’s shoulder. “Let’s go, next stop, the Supermarket Conquest Battle!”

The large supermarket was indeed crowded; Saturday mornings were bustling. Li Mo pushed the cart, like an untamed horse, weaving between the aisles.

This time, however, he was indeed more restrained. Although he still showed great interest in the snack aisle, every time he picked up a bag of chips or chocolate, he would turn and ask Xu Qing: “Do you want this? … Uh, it seems a little unhealthy, forget it.” Or, “This brand looks good, let’s just buy a little to try?”

More often, he was wandering in the fresh produce and cooking oil sections, consulting the recipes he had saved last night on his phone, seriously selecting ingredients.

“Pork belly needs to be this layered kind, right?”

“Wow, these shrimp are still jumping! Xu Qing, let’s buy some shrimp!”

“Is this the cooking wine to use? What’s the difference between dark and light soy sauce?”

Xu Qing walked beside him, watching him evolve from initial excited recklessness to gradually becoming serious, even consulting an elderly lady buying vegetables next to them on which ones were the most tender. His clumsy yet earnest look softened Xu Qing’s heart.

He patiently answered Li Mo’s various “beginner” questions, occasionally offering his own suggestions. The two discussed and finally settled on the dinner menu: the braised pork that Li Mo had been craving, a plate of steamed shrimp, a garlic stir-fried broccoli, and a tomato egg drop soup.

The shopping cart was gradually filled, not only with ingredients but also with some daily necessities, such as the laundry detergent Yu Wencheng had requested, and a cartoon-patterned mouthwash cup that Li Mo insisted on buying for Xu Qing.

While queuing to check out, Li Mo looked at the full cart, bursting with a sense of accomplishment: “Look! These are the cornerstones of our empire!”

Xu Qing looked at the items in the cart, all full of everyday life, and then at the brightly smiling Li Mo next to him. The corners of his mouth couldn’t help but turn up. He touched the new key in his pocket.

The sunlight streamed in through the supermarket’s massive glass windows, bright and warm. Xu Qing felt that the seed in his heart seemed to have quietly sprouted a small, tender green tip again.

Leaving the supermarket, both of them were carrying heavy shopping bags. Although Li Mo was complaining about how “heavy” the bags were, his face was beaming with satisfaction. He excitedly planned the dinner steps all the way home.

“When we get back, I’ll search online for a detailed tutorial on braised pork. They say caramelizing the sugar is key; can’t let it burn…”

“Steamed shrimp is easy; I’ll be in charge of making the dipping sauce…”

Xu Qing listened quietly, occasionally responding with an “Okay.” The plastic bag handles were cutting into his fingers, but this weight made him feel exceptionally grounded. It wasn’t just food inside; it was like a tangible blueprint for the shared life that was about to unfold.

Back at the complex downstairs, Li Mo’s keen eyes spotted a small, newly opened dessert shop near the unit door. A delicate strawberry cake was displayed in the window.

His steps paused, his eyes sparkling as he looked at Xu Qing: “Hey, Qingqing, let’s buy a cake to take back? Just to… celebrate you getting your new key?”

Xu Qing looked at the cream cake adorned with bright red strawberries, subconsciously wanting to refuse, feeling it was too extravagant. But Li Mo’s expectant gaze made him swallow his words. He nodded gently: “…Okay.”

“Yay! Boss, please pack this strawberry cake for us!” Li Mo immediately leaped into the shop with joy.

Arriving home, Yu Wencheng was just coming out of his study to pour water. Seeing them loaded with bags, especially the cake box Li Mo was carefully holding, he couldn’t help but chuckle: “Did you move the supermarket back here? And bought a cake?”

“Celebrating Xu Qing’s official move-in!” Li Mo put the cake in the refrigerator, then enthusiastically showed Yu Wencheng their “trophies” and formally announced the dinner menu.

Yu Wencheng looked at the ingredients spread across the table, then at his nephew’s bright, energetic eyes and the quiet but gentle-looking Xu Qing beside him, shaking his head with a smile: “Alright, then Li Mo and I will look forward to tasting Chef Xu’s skills tonight. Do you need me to help out?”

“No, no need!” Li Mo quickly answered, patting his chest. “I’m here! I’m the chief assistant today!”

In the afternoon, the sun was just right. Li Mo did indeed spend a long time studying the recipes on his phone, even jotting down the key steps in a small notebook. Then, he put on an apron, eager to jump into “battle.”

The sounds of running water, chopping, and Li Mo’s occasional exclamations and questions soon filled the kitchen.

“Xu Qing, should the meat be cut this big?”

“Wow, do I need to snip off these shrimp feelers? They seem to be moving!”

“Is this how you caramelize the sugar? Is the color right?”

Xu Qing, wearing the blue apron, stood in front of the stove, acting as the temporary “chief commander.” He didn’t speak much, but his instructions were clear, and his movements were efficient. Li Mo was clumsy, but his learning attitude was extremely serious; if told to wash vegetables, he wouldn’t dare touch the knife; if told to hand over seasonings, he wouldn’t grab the wrong one.

Yu Wencheng occasionally walked past the study door, seeing the two busy figures in the kitchen—one steady and focused, the other lively and active—working together with a surprising tacit understanding.

The aroma drifting from the wok gradually grew richer, mixed with Li Mo’s boisterous yet vital voice, filling this usually somewhat quiet house with an unprecedented sense of warmth and domestic life.

A smile unconsciously remained on Yu Wencheng’s face.

At dinner time, the food was finally on the table. The braised pork was a vibrant red, tender and tempting; the steamed shrimp was plump, with a fresh, savory dipping sauce; the garlic broccoli was bright green and crisp; and the tomato egg drop soup was steaming hot, sour and sweet, whetting the appetite. Although the presentation might not match a restaurant’s, every dish was the result of their combined effort.

“I declare, dinner officially begins!” Li Mo couldn’t wait, picking up a piece of braised pork and putting it in his mouth. He sucked in air from the heat but loudly praised, “Mmm! Unbelievable! So delicious! Xu Qing, you’re a genius!”

He then tasted the shrimp and broccoli, continuing his exaggerated praise: “Wow! The heat control! The flavor! Uncle, you have to try it! It’s better than a restaurant!”

Yu Wencheng tasted everything, giving a serious review: “It’s indeed great. The braised pork is tender without being greasy, the broccoli is cooked perfectly, and the shrimp is very fresh. Xu Qing, thank you for your effort. Li Mo, you should learn from him.”

Receiving his uncle’s affirmation, Li Mo was even more proud. Between bites, he didn’t forget to take several photos of the food with his phone, saying they were “mementos.”

After the meal, Li Mo once again volunteered to do the dishes, although he still required Yu Wencheng’s “technical guidance” to avoid a complete mess. Xu Qing, meanwhile, was responsible for wiping the table and cleaning the stovetop.

Once everything was tidied up, the three of them sat on the living room sofa and shared the strawberry cake. The cream was sweet but not greasy, and the strawberries were fresh and juicy, marking a perfectly sweet end to their fulfilling day.

Li Mo rubbed his full stomach, contentedly slouching on the sofa. He looked at Xu Qing, who was quietly eating the cake beside him, and suddenly said: “Qingqing, should we go to the library tomorrow? Or a bookstore? Didn’t you say last time you wanted to find some reference books?”

Xu Qing looked up, surprised that Li Mo remembered something he had casually mentioned. He nodded: “Okay.”

Outside, the night sky had deepened, and the lights of the homes were twinkling. Inside, the lamps were warm, and the air still carried the scent of food and the sweetness of the cake.

Xu Qing lowered his head, eating the cake, feeling the sweetness melting on his tongue, listening to Yu Wencheng and Li Mo chatting intermittently. Li Mo even started inviting Yu Wencheng to play badminton with him next week.

He touched the key in his pocket again; the cold metal had been warmed by his body temperature.

The sprout that had broken through the soil in his heart seemed to quietly unfold a new leaf in this atmosphere of warm, domestic life.