Desk-mate, Do You Like Me? - Chapter 56

Chapter 56

The phrase “boyfriend” acted like a key, unlocking a hidden switch in Li Mo. The preceding period of cautious probing and restrained unspoken desires dissolved like morning mist in the sun, replaced by a confident closeness and ubiquitous clinginess.

In the early morning, Xu Qing usually woke earlier. The moment he stirred, the furry head next to him would restlessly rub against him. An arm, with an unrefusable force, would wrap around his waist, a voice thick with sleep murmuring near his ear: “Five more minutes…”

Warm breath tickled his neck, carrying Li Mo’s unique, sun-kissed, refreshing scent. Xu Qing would remain stiff for a moment, but eventually, he would compromise and lie back down, allowing the large “pendant” behind him to use him as a human bolster.

In the gradually brightening morning light outside the window, he could clearly hear Li Mo’s steady heartbeat and feel the solid warmth radiating from his back. An unprecedented sense of security and belonging quietly took root.

Yu Wencheng’s room officially became Xu Qing’s bedroom, but Li Mo’s pillow and a few frequently worn clothes always appeared in that room as if by magic.

Initially, Li Mo offered excuses like “The AC in my room is broken” or “Listening to stories helps me sleep.” Later, he became completely unapologetic.

One weekend morning, Yu Wencheng briefly returned to fetch something. He saw the two teenagers in the kitchen, wearing matching pajamas of different colors, preparing breakfast together. Li Mo was casually hugging Xu Qing from behind, instructing him on the heat for frying eggs.

Yu Wencheng was startled at first, then smiled knowingly. He said nothing, took what he needed, and quickly left, leaving behind a red-eared Xu Qing and a proudly “my boyfriend is amazing” looking Li Mo.

The details of their shared life in the same room also took on more colors of a romantic relationship. Toothbrushes side-by-side on the sink, towels hanging together on the rack, and clothes gradually mixing in the closet.

Li Mo was keen to discover and expand these “shared” traces. He would secretly spray his cologne on Xu Qing’s scarf, calling it “marking territory”; he would also forcefully squeeze onto the single armchair while Xu Qing was reading, calling it “saving space.”

Xu Qing progressed from initial discomfort and slight resistance to helpless indulgence, and now, he would even subconsciously make room for Li Mo when he came over, or gently cover his mouth with his hand when he wouldn’t stop chattering, receiving a soft kiss in the center of his palm in return.

Of course, intimacy was not without friction.

Li Mo was outgoing and loved to share, eager to announce every little detail of their relationship to the world, with an extraordinary enthusiasm for physical contact. Xu Qing, on the other hand, was reserved and preferred quiet, always feeling a bit uncomfortable with overly direct expressions and public intimacy.

Once, while Li Mo and Xu Qing were shopping at the supermarket, in the crowd, Li Mo naturally leaned down to kiss Xu Qing’s cheek but was instinctively evaded by Xu Qing turning his head away.

Li Mo’s movement froze mid-air, his eyes instantly darkening. He looked like a scolded large dog, his grievance almost visibly overflowing.

“Too many people…” Xu Qing explained in a low voice, feeling a pang in his heart at Li Mo’s sudden dejection.

On the way back, Li Mo was unusually silent. Once they got home, Xu Qing put down his things, walked up to Li Mo, who was sitting on the sofa with his head down, and crouched down, looking up at him.

“Are you angry?” Xu Qing asked softly.

Li Mo shook his head, his voice muffled: “No. Just… a little disappointed.” He looked up into Xu Qing’s clear eyes. “I know you’re not used to it, but I just… can’t help wanting to be close to you. I want everyone to know you’re mine.” He paused and added, “Of course, I’m yours too.”

Xu Qing’s heart felt gently tickled by a feather, soft and slightly bittersweet. He proactively reached out and covered Li Mo’s hand on his knee. “I know.” He paused, seeming to make a great decision, his voice even softer. “Give me some time to adjust… boyfriend.”

This “boyfriend” seemed to possess a magical power, instantly soothing all of Li Mo’s small emotions. He turned his hand to hold Xu Qing’s, his eyes lighting up again, and he nodded vigorously: “Mhm!”

This small incident led them to start more seriously adjusting to each other’s pace. Li Mo learned to hold back slightly in public, expressing affection more through glances and subtle gestures, such as tightly holding hands when crossing the street, or instinctively shielding him in a crowd.

Xu Qing was also trying to slowly let go, such as accepting the kind teasing and blessings when Li Mo introduced him at friend gatherings, or proactively hooking his fingers with Li Mo’s when they walked side-by-side alone.

Nights remained their most cherished time. Sometimes they would handle things separately—Li Mo playing games, Xu Qing reading or drawing—not disturbing each other, but able to see the other’s figure with a sense of quiet reassurance flowing in the air.

Other times, they would cuddle on the sofa watching a movie. Li Mo’s commentary was still plentiful, but his voice would be lowered, more like whispering in Xu Qing’s ear. At touching moments, Xu Qing would feel a weight on his shoulder—Li Mo had leaned over, his breathing even, having fallen asleep at some point.

Xu Qing would carefully adjust his posture to make him more comfortable, then continue watching the screen, feeling the heavy weight and warmth on his shoulder, finding the entire world incredibly peaceful and complete.

Days slipped by quietly in this intimate and natural adjustment. The chill of winter was kept outside the windows; the inside of the house was always enveloped in a warm, cozy atmosphere.

One evening, Li Mo was pulled into an online gaming session with several classmates, shouting loudly in the living room with his headphones on. Xu Qing was in Yu Wencheng’s study, dealing with some online assignments from school on the computer screen, his brows slightly furrowed.

When he finally finished, rubbing his slightly sore eyes as he walked out of the study, he found the living room quiet. Li Mo was slumped on the sofa, his headphones having slipped to his neck, his phone screen still showing the game over screen, but he was asleep. The recent intense battle must have tired him out; the hair on his forehead was damp with sweat.

Xu Qing walked over softly, picked up the remote control to turn up the air conditioning, and then bent down to pick up the dropped headphones and phone. Just as he was about to cover him with a blanket as usual, his gaze lingered on Li Mo’s quiet sleeping face and paused.

The soft wall lamp light outlined his smooth jawline. Long eyelashes cast a small shadow beneath his eyes. His lips were slightly parted, looking completely defenseless, even somewhat childlike.

Xu Qing’s heart inexplicably skipped a beat.

He thought of Li Mo enthusiastically planning a short trip for the winter break, of him secretly buying a cake for afternoon tea just because Xu Qing casually complimented the storefront display, of him clumsily trying to learn to cook but making a mess of the kitchen, then scratching his head and smiling foolishly at him…

An impulse surged without warning.

Xu Qing leaned down very lightly, held his breath, and pressed a feather-light kiss on that smooth forehead.

The touch was warm, carrying Li Mo’s familiar, comforting scent.

After performing the action, Xu Qing himself was stunned, a faint flush quickly spreading to his ears. He straightened up almost frantically, instinctively looking around, as if he had done something wrong and was afraid of being caught.

Fortunately, the room was silent, with only Li Mo’s steady breathing.

He calmed himself, trying to suppress the slightly disordered heartbeat in his chest, before gently placing the thin blanket over Li Mo.

Just as he was about to turn to wash up, the person under the blanket suddenly moved, letting out a muffled mumble. Li Mo’s eyes opened a slit, his gaze blurry, not entirely awake. He raised a hand to rub his eyes, looked at Xu Qing standing by the sofa, and the corner of his mouth unconsciously curled up into a soft, sleepy smile.

“Qingqing…” he mumbled, his voice sticky, filled with utter dependence and trust. He reached out and accurately grabbed a corner of Xu Qing’s pajamas, clutching it in his hand as if he had found a safety object, then closed his eyes contentedly. His breathing quickly became even and long again.

He seemed completely unaware of the stolen kiss, or perhaps, in his half-asleep state, he took it as a natural intimacy.

Xu Qing stood rooted to the spot, his clothing corner tightly held by Li Mo, unable to move. He looked at Li Mo’s cloudless sleeping face, and the ripple that had just been stirred by the stolen kiss was gradually replaced by a deeper, warmer emotion.

It was like holding a cup of hot tea to warm one’s hands in winter; the warmth spread from his fingertips all the way to the softest corner of his heart.

He eventually didn’t pull away his shirt corner. Instead, he maintained that slightly awkward posture, sat down on the rug beside the sofa, allowing Li Mo to clutch his shirt corner like a safety rope tethering a small boat.

Outside the window, the moonlight was cool; inside, the lights were warm.

Xu Qing looked at Li Mo’s sleeping face and suddenly felt that the intimacy he thought he needed time to adjust to, that he needed to muster courage to accept, had actually, unknowingly, permeated every crevice of his life, becoming as natural as breathing.

And he, it seemed, had succumbed to it earlier and deeper than he himself had realized.

This realization brought no panic, only a settled calm and… a secret joy.

He turned his head slightly, gently leaning his cheek against the edge of the sofa, close to Li Mo’s hand, and closed his eyes as well.

Xu Qing didn’t know when he fell asleep. He was woken by the soreness in his neck and the gradually brightening morning light outside the window.

He groggily opened his eyes and found himself still in the awkward position from last night—sitting on the rug, his upper body draped over the edge of the sofa, his cheek pressed against the fabric near Li Mo’s hand. And Li Mo, having woken up at some point, was lying on his side, propped up on one hand, staring intently at him, a gentle and triumphant smile playing on his lips.

Seeing him awake, Li Mo’s eyes curved into crescent moons. His voice was hoarse from sleep but clearly stated: “Good morning, my boyfriend who sneaks kisses.”

All of Xu Qing’s sleepiness instantly vanished. His cheeks flushed crimson, the redness spreading even to his earlobes. He instinctively wanted to deny it, but crumbled under Li Mo’s knowing, amused gaze. He could only awkwardly look away, trying to stand up, only to realize his shirt corner was still loosely held by Li Mo’s other hand.

“I… I didn’t…” His defense was a whisper, completely unconvincing.

Li Mo chuckled softly, his chest vibrating with pleasurable resonance. Instead of letting go, he used the hand clutching the shirt corner to gently pull Xu Qing closer.

“I felt it,” Li Mo’s voice lowered even more, carrying a slight, spoiled accusation, yet his eyes were startlingly bright. “Like a butterfly landing, very soft, very ticklish.” He reached out with his free hand, gently touched his own forehead, and then pointed to Xu Qing’s heart. “Here, and here, both felt it.”

Xu Qing was overwhelmed by his direct words and actions. His heart pounded like a drum; it was as if the impulsive kiss from last night was truly starting to ferment now, belatedly stirring up a storm. He opened his mouth but couldn’t utter a sound.

Li Mo looked at his flushed face and flickering eyes, his heart melting completely. He stopped teasing him, released the hand holding the shirt corner, and instead cupped Xu Qing’s face, his thumb gently stroking his burning cheek.

“I’m very happy, Qingqing.” Li Mo dropped his joking demeanor, his gaze focused and sincere. “Truly, incredibly happy.”

These words seemed to have a magical power, instantly soothing all of Xu Qing’s panic and shyness. He looked up, meeting Li Mo’s sincere, love-filled gaze, and his restless heart slowly settled.

He saw himself reflected in Li Mo’s eyes, small, but perfectly clear.

Xu Qing no longer avoided him, nor did he speak. He simply turned his head slightly, burying his hot cheek deeper into Li Mo’s warm palm, like a tired bird finally finding its roost, and gently rubbed against it.

This was a silent admission, and a complete surrender.

Li Mo’s heart felt as if it were filled with honey, sweetly swollen. He leaned down, and this time, with clear intent and gentleness, kissed Xu Qing on the lips.

Unlike the fleeting, cautious stolen kiss from last night, this was a true kiss between lovers. It carried the fresh air of the morning and the sweetness of mutual confirmation, tender and firm.

The morning light streamed relentlessly through the gaps in the curtains, bathing the two young men in a warm, golden glow as they embraced and kissed.

Tiny dust motes floated in the air, like a silent blessing.

This morning, something was fundamentally different. No longer cautious probing and adjustment, but an unspoken understanding and certainty.

They belonged to each other, from heartbeat to breath, from dawn to dusk.