Desk-mate, Do You Like Me? - Chapter 69

Chapter 69

Li Mo grimaced from the stomp but still stubbornly leaned against Xu Qing, refusing to get up, whimpering: “Qingqing, how could you be so cruel? I specially trained these abs for you…”

Xu Qing didn’t bother to reply, increasing the pressure slightly under his foot.

“Ow—!” This time, Li Mo genuinely jumped up in pain, hopping on one foot. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, Professor Xu! My abs belong to the nation, to the people. You can deal with them however you like!”

Only then did Xu Qing withdraw his foot and put his slipper back on, a faint, fleeting curve appearing at the corner of his mouth.

Li Mo rubbed his sore instep, sucking air through his teeth while secretly observing Xu Qing’s expression. Seeing that he didn’t seem truly angry, his courage inflated again. He scooted back to the desk, but instead of sitting down immediately, he leaned over, supporting himself on the armrests of Xu Qing’s chair, semi-circling the other boy in an embrace.

“So…” Li Mo lowered his voice, with a hint of probing, “Does that question still count?”

Xu Qing looked up at him. The youth’s fervent breath washed over him, and those eyes, which were always smiling, were now filled with earnest anticipation. He was silent for a few seconds. Just when Li Mo thought he was about to be rejected again, Xu Qing softly “Mhm’d.”

The sound was as light as a feather, but it made Li Mo’s heart skip a beat.

“So…” Li Mo’s throat bobbed, his voice slightly tight, “We are… now a couple?”

Xu Qing lowered his eyelashes, not answering directly, but reached out to lightly push his shoulder: “Get up first, you’re leaning on my book.”

Li Mo then realized he was indeed pressing down on Xu Qing’s open workbook. He quickly straightened up, but his eyes were still fixed on Xu Qing, waiting for a definitive answer.

Xu Qing straightened the crumpled pages, his tone sounding calm, but his slightly reddened ear tips betrayed him: “What do you think?”

“I think yes!” Li Mo immediately jumped in, his eyes shining brightly.

Xu Qing finally looked up, meeting his ardent gaze, and gently nodded.

“YES!” Li Mo punched the air fiercely, excited enough to leap up, but quickly suppressed his elation for fear of attracting attention from next door. He leaned close to Xu Qing, grinning widely. “Then… boyfriend, can I exercise a boyfriend’s privilege now?”

As he spoke, his gaze involuntarily fell on Xu Qing’s pale lips.

Xu Qing looked at his eager expression, finding it both amusing and helpless.

He reached out and pushed against Li Mo’s constantly approaching forehead, his tone holding a warning: “Know your limits. Don’t forget what you just said—you need to become ‘stronger’—in all aspects.”

Li Mo, with his forehead blocked, couldn’t get any closer, but he wasn’t annoyed. He used the position to say with a chuckle: “Absolutely! To be worthy of my excellent boyfriend, I will study diligently, strengthen my body, practice techniques…”

Xu Qing swore: “Go to hell.”

“Now,” Xu Qing withdrew his hand and pointed to the chair beside him, “fulfill your first duty as a boyfriend—help me finish this physics paper.”

“Yes, sir!” Li Mo immediately sat up straight, picked up his pen with twelve points of enthusiasm. “Boyfriend, don’t worry, I promise not to bother you. I’ll just quietly… admire your heroic posture while solving problems.”

Xu Qing didn’t bother with his smooth talk and returned to the sea of problems. This time, however, the presence of a large organism who was nominally his “boyfriend,” though still noisy, seemed to inject a warmth into this somewhat cold single dorm room.

Li Mo was indeed much quieter, though he couldn’t help but sneak glances at Xu Qing during breaks. Watching his focused profile, his slightly furrowed brow, his right hand writing smoothly… the more he looked, the more he liked him. His heart felt like it held a honey pot, bubbling with sweetness.

So this is what it feels like to be official? It’s wonderful.

He lowered his head, looking at the red crosses still on his paper, and secretly gripped his pen tighter. The revolution is not yet successful, comrades must still work hard! He had to catch up quickly so he could stand beside Xu Qing with confidence, and so he could… exercise more boyfriend privileges!

At this thought, Li Mo was even more motivated to study. Even the physics formulas he usually hated seemed much more agreeable now.

Studying is indeed for a better future! Li Mo thought firmly, his pen flying across the scratch paper.

…

Sunlight, mischievous, fell on Li Mo’s eyelids through a gap in the curtain. He groggily opened his eyes, taking a few seconds to realize where he was—not his home, where he was a day student, but Xu Qing’s single dorm room.

They had studied quite late last night, and he had simply decided to stay, squeezing onto Xu Qing’s not-so-spacious single bed for the night.

Li Mo instinctively turned his head to look at his side.

Xu Qing was still asleep, facing him, breathing lightly and evenly. The morning light cast soft shadows on his face. His usually cool expression was particularly gentle in sleep, his eyelashes like two small fans leaving faint shadows beneath his eyes.

Li Mo’s heart instantly melted into a puddle.

This is my boyfriend. Mine.

This realization filled Li Mo’s chest with an indescribable satisfaction and joy. He carefully propped himself up, afraid of waking the person beside him, and just watched quietly, feeling that he couldn’t look enough.

As he watched, his gaze involuntarily fell on Xu Qing’s lightly pressed lips. Remembering the fleeting kiss last night and Xu Qing’s slightly reddened ears when they confirmed their relationship, Li Mo’s heart felt tickled by a feather, itchy and sweet.

On a whim, he leaned closer, little by little.

Just as his lips were about to touch that softness again, Xu Qing’s dense eyelashes fluttered, and he slowly opened his eyes.

Their eyes met.

Li Mo’s movement instantly froze. Caught in the act of sneaking a kiss, he was completely stunned. He remained in the leaned-in posture, unable to move forward or backward, his cheeks rapidly turning red at a visible rate.

Xu Qing had obviously just woken up, his eyes still hazy with sleep, but after clearly seeing the magnified handsome face in front of him and their close proximity, he first froze, then a look of understanding flashed in his eyes, and then…

He gently closed his eyes.

This silent consent was like a special pardon, instantly igniting Li Mo’s courage. He no longer hesitated, lowered his head, and kissed him gently and preciously.

This kiss was different from the fleeting “reward” of last night, and different from any previous kiss driven by tentative impulse. This morning kiss was tender and lingering, carrying the shyness of a fully confirmed relationship and a heart full of nowhere-to-be-placed affection.

Li Mo could feel Xu Qing’s hand, placed by his side, slightly clench, then slowly relax. He could even count Xu Qing’s subtly trembling eyelashes.

After an unknown amount of time, until both were slightly breathless, Li Mo reluctantly pulled back a little.

Xu Qing opened his eyes again, a light blush on his face, but his eyes were much clearer. He looked at Li Mo, who had red ears, averted his gaze but couldn’t help but steal glances, and gently sighed, his voice raspy from just waking up and a hint of helplessness:

“…Not honest first thing in the morning.”

Li Mo chuckled foolishly, scratched his head, and retorted with unwarranted confidence: “A boyfriend’s privilege must be protected starting from dawn.”

Xu Qing didn’t bother with his witty remarks. He sat up and rubbed his slightly messy hair: “Get up, it’s time to roll back to your own den.”

“Oh,” Li Mo answered, but his movements were slow, his gaze still glued to Xu Qing. “No studying today?”

Xu Qing had returned to his usual calmness. He threw off the covers, got out of bed, and started tidying the sheets. Li Mo watched his back, his heart filled with a great sense of happiness.

Xu Qing said without looking up: “I have something to do today. I need to go out.”

Li Mo acknowledged this.

He jumped off the bed briskly, went over to Xu Qing, and grabbed a corner of the quilt: “Let me! Leave this heavy lifting to the boyfriend!”

Xu Qing let him, turning to the washroom.

The sound of running water came from the washroom. Li Mo clumsily folded the quilt, listening to the sounds inside, unable to suppress the smile on his face.

So this is what being in love feels like. It felt like the whole world had become bright and gentle, and even the tedious morning reading and heavy homework were filled with anticipation because there was one more person by his side.

…

When they were both ready and walked out of the dorm building one after the other, bathed in the morning sunlight, Li Mo quickly walked two steps to catch up with Xu Qing.

He quietly reached out his hand, hooking his pinky finger around Xu Qing’s hand that was hanging by his side.

Xu Qing paused slightly, glanced at him sideways, neither pulling away nor moving closer, just letting him hook his finger.

The warm touch from their fingertips felt like a faint current, instantly spreading through Li Mo’s whole body.

He broke into an infinitely brilliant smile.

There weren’t many students staying on the weekend, but not none at all. The school gate was locked, and the security guard in the guard booth was lying in his chair, listening to a noisy storytelling program on the radio.

Li Mo easily walked to the familiar wall, climbed up the top in a few quick moves, and looked down at Xu Qing below, reaching out his hand: “Qingqing, I’ll pull you up…”

Before he could finish, Xu Qing had already flipped over the wall smoothly and landed steadily on the ground. He didn’t forget to look up at his boyfriend still sitting on the wall top, raising an eyebrow: “What is it? Boyfriend.”

Li Mo’s “I’ll pull you up” was still stuck in his throat when he saw Xu Qing land cleanly and turn back to look at him with a raised eyebrow. He immediately felt a bit awkward, sheepishly retracting his hand, muttering: “…Nothing, boyfriend is agile, impressive, impressive.”

He quickly jumped down from the wall as well, intentionally wobbling a bit upon landing, hoping to attract some attention, but Xu Qing had already turned and walked forward.

“Hey! Wait for me!” Li Mo caught up in three steps, but couldn’t help asking, “Where are you going, anyway? All mysterious.”

Xu Qing kept walking: “To run an errand.”

“What errand can’t you take me along for?” Li Mo leaned closer, half-pouting, half-probing, “I’m officially certified as your boyfriend now. Is there anything I can’t know?”

Xu Qing glanced at him sideways, a look that clearly said, Precisely because you are my boyfriend I shouldn’t let you know. But he just said plainly: “I’ll be back soon. Remember to correct your mistakes.”

As he spoke, the two had reached the street corner. Xu Qing stopped: “This is far enough.”

Although Li Mo was filled with reluctance and curiosity, he knew it would be tactless to ask further. He nodded: “Then… come back early. Should I wait for you for lunch?”

“No need to wait. I’m not sure when I’ll be back.” Xu Qing said. Seeing Li Mo’s immediately crestfallen expression, he paused, then added, “I’ll text you when I’m on my way back.”

“Alright.” Li Mo reluctantly accepted the arrangement, watching Xu Qing turn and merge into the sparse crowd of the weekend morning until the lean, tall figure disappeared from view. Only then did he reluctantly look away.

He walked back slowly, looking listless even when climbing back over the wall into school. As he landed, the security guard from the booth happened to come out to pour water. Seeing him, he eyed him suspiciously: “Kid, did you just go out?”

Li Mo’s heart skipped a beat, but he plastered a smile on his face: “How could I, grandpa? I was out for a morning run. I just finished.” He even pretended to wipe away non-existent sweat.

The old man looked at him with suspicion for a while, but finally waved his hand: “Go back quickly, don’t wander around the wall.”

“Sure thing, grandpa!” Li Mo felt reprieved and scurried back to the dorm area.

Returning to Xu Qing’s empty single dorm, Li Mo immediately felt that something was wrong. Although only one person was missing, it felt like all the liveliness and vitality had been taken away.

He picked up his phone, wanting to send Xu Qing a message, but was afraid of disturbing him. He opened the screen and locked it again, repeating the process several times. Finally, he sighed and resignedly pulled out the chemistry paper.

“Correct mistakes, correct mistakes…” he muttered, trying to focus, but his gaze constantly darted to the door, and his ears strained to catch any possible footsteps in the hallway.

The chemical equations that usually seemed obscure and difficult were like an ancient script today. He chewed on his pen, staring blankly at a multiple-choice question about electrolytes for ten minutes, his mind wandering: What exactly is Xu Qing doing? Who is he meeting? Could it be dangerous?… Okay, danger is probably overthinking it, but that guy is so good-looking, could someone hit on him?

At this thought, Li Mo couldn’t sit still and paced back and forth in the small dorm.

Time passed incredibly slowly. The wall clock ticked, each second feeling stretched out.

He checked his phone again. Only half an hour had passed.

“Why is it so slow…” Li Mo wailed, collapsing onto Xu Qing’s bed, burying his face in the pillow that still smelled like Xu Qing, and took a deep breath. The clean, crisp scent calmed his restless heart slightly.

No, I can’t be so pathetic. Li Mo suddenly sat up, slapping his face. Xu Qing told him to correct his mistakes, and he needed to properly complete the task assigned by his boyfriend!

He sat back at the desk, forcing himself to concentrate on the paper, picking up the red pen to analyze the problems one by one.

At first, he was still restless, but slowly, as he immersed himself in the questions, time seemed to pass a bit faster. When he finally finished organizing all the incorrect problems on the entire paper and re-calculated them on a piece of scratch paper, he looked up to see that it was already almost noon.

The phone was still silent.

Li Mo tapped the screen, confirmed there were no new messages, feeling a bit disappointed and worried. He hesitated for a moment, but couldn’t resist sending a message:

【Qingqing, did everything go smoothly? Have you had lunch?】

After sending it, he tossed the phone aside, pretending not to care, but his ears were constantly alert for the notification sound.

A few minutes later, the phone chimed.

Li Mo snatched the phone in a split second.

Xu Qing’s reply was very short: 【It went fine. I ate.】

Although it was only three characters, Li Mo was relieved. He held the phone, carefully considering his words, wanting to chat a little more:

【I ate too. I finished correcting the mistakes. Does Professor Xu want to check them when he gets back?】

This time, he waited a while before Xu Qing replied: 【Mhm. Later.】

Li Mo looked at the “Later” and his heart started to itch with anxiety again. How much later? Afternoon? Evening?

But he didn’t press further, just replied obediently: 【Okay, waiting for you.】

Putting down the phone, Li Mo looked at the bright sunlight outside the window and suddenly felt that this first solo weekend after officially starting their relationship was a bit hard to endure.

So this is what missing someone feels like. Even though they had only been apart for a few hours, it felt like a very long time.

He sighed and picked up his pen again. It seemed the only way to temporarily forget this sweet trouble was to dive back into the ocean of knowledge.