Desk-mate, Do You Like Me? - Chapter 54

Chapter 54

The night deepened. Yu Wencheng retired to his bedroom, leaving only Xu Qing and Li Mo in the living room. A slow-paced old movie played on the TV, serving as background noise, but neither of them was truly watching.

Li Mo was feeling lazy after eating his fill. He was sprawled inelegantly on one end of the long sofa, yawning, a few physiological tears welling up in the corners of his eyes. He tilted his head, watching Xu Qing, who was sitting in the single armchair reading under the floor lamp. The warm yellow light outlined Xu Qing’s lowered lashes, casting a small, fan-shaped shadow beneath his eyes, making him look exceptionally quiet and well-behaved.

Li Mo suddenly felt a light tickle in his heart, as if a feather had brushed it. Impulsively, he stood up, shuffled over in his slippers, and very naturally squeezed himself onto the already small single armchair.

Xu Qing was startled by the movement. He looked up, slightly surprised, at the suddenly close Li Mo. Their arms were touching, their thighs pressed together. The sofa space instantly became cramped, and body heat transferred through the thin clothing.

“Squeeze a bit, it’s warmer,” Li Mo said with a cheeky grin, offering a seemingly plausible reason, and deliberately rubbed against Xu Qing again. He was extremely close; Xu Qing could even smell the faint scent of the same shower gel on him, mixed with a hint of the cake’s sweetness from earlier.

Xu Qing’s body stiffened for a moment. The fingers holding the book tightened slightly. He wasn’t accustomed to such close proximity, especially Li Mo’s approach, which carried a blazing body heat and vibrant energy. Strangely, though, he didn’t feel repulsed; instead, there was a subtle, heart-racing sensation.

He didn’t push Li Mo away, only shifted his body slightly, trying to create a bit of insignificant extra space between them, and murmured, “It’s a little cramped.”

“It’s fine, I don’t mind the squeeze.” Li Mo pressed his advantage, tilting his head until it was almost resting on Xu Qing’s shoulder, his gaze falling onto the book page. “What are you reading? You’re so engrossed.”

His breath gently brushed against Xu Qing’s ear, causing a slight itch. Xu Qing felt his ears starting to redden uncontrollably again, and the heat spread across half of his cheek. He tried hard to keep his voice steady: “…A novel.”

“Oh.” Li Mo hadn’t actually caught the title. His attention was completely focused on Xu Qing’s slightly flushed ear tip. That hint of red was particularly noticeable in the light, like white jade brushed with rouge. Li Mo found it amusing, yet also felt a vague restlessness, an urge to get closer and see more clearly.

The movie dialogue continued, but the air between them seemed to have solidified, flowing with a silent, heavy atmosphere. Xu Qing could clearly hear his own accelerated heartbeat, thump-thump-thump, pounding against his eardrums. He wondered if Li Mo could hear it too.

Li Mo did feel the tension in Xu Qing’s body, and the subtle, eventually abandoned struggle to create distance. This tacit acquiescence filled him with an unusual satisfaction. He stopped talking and moving, just resting quietly, enjoying this intimate, almost embrace-like proximity.

The book in Xu Qing’s hand did not turn another page. All his senses seemed to be captured by the heat source beside him. Li Mo’s body temperature, the frequency of his breathing, even his smallest movements, were magnified infinitely. He stayed rigid, afraid to move, fearing he would shatter this delicate yet unsettling balance.

After an unknown amount of time, Li Mo’s voice sounded again, lower than before, carrying a lazy sleepiness: “Qingqing, when we go to the library tomorrow, let me treat you to that beef noodle place you said you wanted to try for lunch, okay?”

Xu Qing softly murmured, “Mhm,” his voice a little dry.

“And in the afternoon, how about we browse a stationery store? I see your pen is running out of ink,” Li Mo continued planning, his tone as natural as if he were discussing the most ordinary thing, yet remembering every detail clearly.

“…Okay.” Xu Qing’s heart was once again filled with that soft emotion. He realized that Li Mo remembered many small things about him, things he might have overlooked himself.

Li Mo seemed satisfied, sighing softly. His head finally rested completely on Xu Qing’s shoulder, and he mumbled, “Getting sleepy…”

The weight descended, bringing with it complete trust and reliance. Xu Qing’s body initially tensed up even more, but then an ineffable protective instinct and warmth slowly surged up, washing away the initial discomfort. He gradually relaxed, adjusting his posture to make Li Mo more comfortable.

He didn’t push him away.

The movie neared its end, and the end credits music played softly. The only light in the living room was the hazy glow from the wall lamp, enveloping the two teenagers nestled together on the sofa.

Xu Qing only needed to lower his head to see Li Mo’s fuzzy hair and his unguarded sleeping face. Long lashes like little fans cast shadows on his face; the face that was usually so animated was now exceptionally quiet and gentle.

Xu Qing’s heart rate gradually normalized, replaced by an unprecedented sense of peace and contentment. He quietly raised the hand that wasn’t holding the book and very, very lightly touched a strand of Li Mo’s hair that had fallen onto his forehead. A soft, slightly cool sensation transmitted to his fingertips.

It was like touching a fragile dream, carefully, and with full of cherish.

Li Mo seemed to sense it in his sleep, unconsciously rubbing his head against Xu Qing’s neck, searching for a warmer position.

Xu Qing silently curled the corners of his mouth.

The tender sprout in his heart, as if injected with sweet nourishment, quietly sent out branches in the unnoticed darkness, entwining a thread of inexplicable, heart-fluttering vine.

Xu Qing eventually fell asleep leaning against the back of the sofa as well. He was awakened by the brightening morning light filtering through the window and a soreness in his shoulder.

Opening his eyes, the first thing he saw was Li Mo’s sleeping profile. They had, unexpectedly, spent the entire night nestled together on the sofa. Li Mo was practically leaning his entire body against him, his breathing even and long, the warm air gently brushing against Xu Qing’s neck.

Xu Qing didn’t dare to move, afraid of waking the person deep in a sweet dream. In the faint morning light, Li Mo’s outline was bathed in a soft, pale gold, making even the tiny fuzz on his face clearly visible.

Xu Qing’s heart began to beat irregularly again, this time not from nervousness, but from a softer, more fulfilling emotion.

He watched quietly until Li Mo’s eyelashes fluttered and he groggily opened his eyes.

Their eyes met.

Li Mo’s gaze was initially confused. Once it focused, he realized he was practically draped over Xu Qing. He instantly sobered up, a rare look of embarrassment flashing across his face, and he scrambled to sit upright. “Uh… I… how did I fall asleep… Did I make your arm go numb?”

In his movement, his fingers inadvertently brushed against Xu Qing’s hand, sending a tiny electric current through both of them. Both paused.

“It’s nothing.” Xu Qing lowered his gaze to hide the emotion in his eyes, taking the opportunity to stretch his stiff shoulder.

A subtle awkwardness, mixed with an ineffable intimacy, hung in the air. Li Mo scratched his head, trying to cover up his momentary lapse with a casual demeanor: “Ahem, well, then… I’m going to wash up! And then we’ll head to the library!” With that, he practically fled towards the bathroom.

Xu Qing watched his retreating back, gently rubbing his numb shoulder, which seemed to still retain Li Mo’s warmth and weight. He looked down at the back of his hand; the spot where he’d been touched still felt a little scorched.

On the way to the library, Li Mo regained his usual liveliness, chirping about all sorts of interesting things, but whenever his eyes flickered towards Xu Qing, there was a tiny, barely perceptible nervousness.

Xu Qing was quiet as always, but in the pauses in his listening, his gaze would subconsciously fall on Li Mo’s hands gesturing as he spoke, or the strands of hair blowing in the wind.

The library was quiet, with only the sounds of turning pages and the air conditioner humming. They found a corner by the window to sit. Sunlight streamed through the huge glass panes, casting bright spots of light on the table.

Li Mo predictably had little patience for academic books. After flipping through a few, he grew restless and started looking around. His gaze eventually settled on Xu Qing opposite him, who was engrossed in his reading.

The sunlight fell perfectly on Xu Qing’s profile, illuminating his fair skin until it was almost translucent. His long eyelashes, like butterfly wings, cast clear shadows in the light. His lips were slightly pursed, his expression focused and serene. The whole person seemed enveloped in a soft halo of light.

Li Mo watched him, lost in thought. He suddenly realized that Xu Qing looked really good when he was reading—a quiet, scholarly beauty that was different from his usual appearance. He instinctively softened his breath, as if afraid of disturbing the scene.

Xu Qing noticed his gaze, looked up from the page, and silently asked with his eyes: What’s wrong?

Li Mo looked like a child caught in the act, his face slightly heating up. He quickly pointed vaguely at the pen by Xu Qing’s hand: “That… pen, it’s quite good, isn’t it?” As soon as he said it, he wanted to bite his tongue off—what a ridiculous excuse.

Xu Qing glanced at the most ordinary gel pen in his hand, then at Li Mo’s clearly unnatural expression, and seemed to understand something. He didn’t expose him, only gave a soft “Mhm,” and lowered his head again, but the corners of his mouth lifted into a small, barely noticeable smile.

Li Mo breathed a sigh of relief, yet his heart felt like it was being scratched by a kitten. He forced himself to focus back on his book, but the corner of his eye kept straying towards the person opposite him.

At noon, they went to the beef noodle shop Xu Qing had mentioned. The shop was small but smelled wonderful. Li Mo rushed to pay and pushed the largest bowl of noodles, with extra meat and egg, towards Xu Qing. “Eat more, look how thin you are.”

While eating, Li Mo slurped loudly, completely lacking in table manners, yet he didn’t forget to pick a few slices of beef from his own bowl and put them into Xu Qing’s. “Try this one, it’s stewed really tender.”

Xu Qing looked at the extra beef in his bowl, paused, then quietly said, “Thank you.”

“What’s there to thank, hurry up and eat.” Li Mo waved it off carelessly, but his ears were slightly red.

The afternoon trip to the stationery store was also filled with similar small moments. Li Mo would pick up a simply designed fountain pen and ask Xu Qing, “Is this suitable for you?” When Xu Qing was selecting a notebook, he would lean over to offer completely unhelpful but enthusiastic advice, and naturally paid for everything at the checkout.

On the bus ride back, the sun was setting, and warm light and shadows swayed in the carriage. They sat side by side, their shoulders occasionally brushing as the bus moved. Each accidental touch was like a small stone tossed into a lake, creating ripples in both their hearts.

Li Mo pretended to look at the scenery outside the window, but his hand was secretly placed on the seat, very, very close to Xu Qing’s. Xu Qing looked straight ahead, seemingly oblivious, but the fingers of his hand resting on his lap curled slightly.

Neither of them spoke, allowing a silent, bittersweet ambiguity to flow quietly in the air.

Back home, Yu Wencheng smiled knowingly at the two who walked in together, sensing the slightly different atmosphere, and asked no questions.

Night fell once more. When Li Mo habitually grabbed a pillow and made to head towards the living room sofa, Yu Wencheng finally couldn’t help but speak. “Li Mo, Xu Qing can’t keep sleeping on the sofa. I checked the nearby hotels. If necessary, I’ll move out, and you two young men can have one room each.”

Li Mo let out an “Ah,” a clear flash of disappointment crossing his face. He mumbled, “The sofa’s quite good though… Besides, it’s too much trouble to go to a hotel. And and, we could just share a room too.”

Yu Wencheng massaged his forehead. “Wouldn’t it be too cramped for the two of you?”

“Uncle, you really don’t have to…”

Xu Qing stood aside, and hearing this, a strange emptiness also opened up inside him. He looked at the room belonging to Yu Wencheng, and then at Li Mo, who looked a little lost in the middle of the living room.

An independent room meant more privacy and space, which was what he would have expected at home. But at this moment, he found that he had already begun to miss the shared warmth of the cramped sofa, and the body heat, smelling of shower gel, that would unconsciously lean over to him.

The tender sprout in his heart, entwined with the vine of fluttering emotions, while welcoming a broader space, seemed to feel a subtle, intangible sense of… loss.