Desk-mate, Do You Like Me? - Chapter 76

Chapter 76

Li Mo hung up the phone, took one last look at Xu Qing’s farewell note 【17 Years Old】 on the computer screen, cleared his search history, and closed the laptop.

He walked to the mirror, tidying his slightly damp hair and collar. The youth in the mirror had calm features, and apart from a faint, hard-to-detect bloodshot trace deep in his eyes, there was almost no sign of the inner storm he had just weathered.

He needed to be calm. Impulsiveness would not solve any problems; instead, it would alert his family and make things worse.

…

Dinner was arranged at an elegant private restaurant. Yu Wenxiu was clearly in a good mood, constantly putting food on Li Mo’s plate, rambling about holiday travel plans, and even eagerly envisioning the bright future of his university life.

Ye Zhong was quiet, but his occasional glances at Li Mo were scrutinizing, as if trying to discern something beneath his overly calm exterior.

Li Mo’s performance was impeccable. He listened quietly, responded appropriately, and even managed a cooperative smile when Yu Wenxiu mentioned a certain European castle perfect for photos. He didn’t eat much, but he tasted every dish, his manners impeccable, like a perfectly programmed son who met all expectations.

Only he knew that the heart in his chest felt like it was simultaneously soaked in ice water and repeatedly roasted over a slow fire. The news that Xu Qing hadn’t taken the college entrance exam was like a poison barb, deeply embedded in his mind.

What the hell are those two jerks trying to achieve… He now felt that Xu Qing’s personal safety was an issue.

“Mo Mo,” Ye Zhong put down his teacup and asked, seemingly casually, “Now that the exams are over, do you have any short-term plans? Are you interested in the trip your mother mentioned?”

Li Mo snapped out of his thoughts and replied, “Ah, yes, sure. I’ll go with whatever Mom decides.”

He always subconsciously agreed to whatever Yu Wenxiu and Ye Zhong proposed, whether he wanted to do it or not.

But this time, it was active and voluntary.

Even though Li Mo had regained his phone, laptop, and other electronic devices, Yu Wenxiu still rigorously checked his phone every day without fail.

Chat logs on social media, browsing history on various short video and browser platforms, and even game matching teammates were scrutinized.

Yu Wenxiu was afraid. She was afraid that Li Mo would reconnect with that Xu Qing.

Ye Zhong asked him: “Mo Mo, is there any place you’d like to go?”

Li Mo scratched his head, his face showing the right amount of bewilderment and obedience: “Anywhere is fine… Mom, you decide.” He paused, as if suddenly remembering something, and added in a tone that was a mix of casualness and helplessness:

“It’s just that… I feel a bit disconnected from the world. The class has set up several group chats, all discussing graduation trips and filling out college applications, and I can’t see any of the news.”

After speaking, he lowered his head, gently nudging the glistening rice grains in his bowl with his chopsticks, his posture submissive and non-threatening.

A moment of silence fell over the dinner table.

Yu Wenxiu’s hand, holding the chopsticks, paused slightly. The smile on her face receded a bit as she scrutinized her son.

Ye Zhong picked up his teacup, blew away the foam, and didn’t speak, but his gaze deepened.

He knew this wasn’t a complaint; it was a request, or rather, a test.

Li Mo could feel the two searchlights of attention fixed on him, but he maintained his downward gaze, locking all his emotions beneath his calm exterior.

His heart was screaming silently, anxious for Xu Qing’s situation, but on the surface, he was just a harmless battery that needed to be reconnected to the world.

Finally, Ye Zhong put down his teacup with a crisp sound of porcelain hitting the table. Before Yu Wenxiu could speak, he made a decision with the steady tone of the head of the household:

“Yes, it’s time to communicate more with classmates. College applications are important; information cannot be blocked.” He looked at Yu Wenxiu with an undeniable finality. “After the trip, give him back his phone completely. The child is an adult, he must learn to handle things himself.”

Yu Wenxiu’s lips moved, as if she wanted to object, but seeing her husband’s calm yet firm gaze, and then her son’s “disconnected” obedient look, she ultimately swallowed her words.

She forced a smile: “Alright… Mom is just afraid you…”

She didn’t finish, but Li Mo knew what she was afraid of.

He raised his head, meeting his mother’s eyes, his gaze clean like a mountain spring. His tone even carried a slight, easygoing tease: “Mom, are you still afraid I’ll run off to dig wild vegetables? Don’t worry, I’m a big boy now.”

This joke cleverly diffused the tense atmosphere. Yu Wenxiu’s expression softened, and she chuckled, lightly scolding him: “Nonsense!”

Ye Zhong also bent his mouth in a barely noticeable smile.

Success.

Li Mo mentally gave himself a thumbs-up: I’m so damn good.

…

The final travel destination chosen was Malaysia, perfect for the season. Coincidentally, Ye Jinlun had also been clamoring for a trip recently.

The little brat was ten years old now, and his temper was as willful and tyrannical as ever.

As soon as he heard they were going on a trip, he became demanding, specifying a villa with a private pool, insisting on seeing “big lizards,” and throwing tantrums if the itinerary wasn’t to his liking.

Yu Wenxiu had always doted on her youngest son, indulging almost every request.

Li Mo watched with cold indifference, even feeling a little relieved. Ye Jinlun’s mischief perfectly distracted most of Yu Wenxiu’s attention, creating more space for him to operate without excessive scrutiny.

On the day of departure, Ye Jinlun ran around the airport VIP lounge, demanding juice one minute and complaining the chair was too hard the next. Yu Wenxiu rushed around, gently soothing him.

Ye Zhong frowned, dealing with work emails, occasionally casting a warning glance at his younger son, but with little effect.

Li Mo sat quietly in the corner, wearing noise-canceling headphones, holding a copy of Lonely Planet: Malaysia.

He read with unusual focus, as if genuinely excited about the family trip. Only he knew that he was studying the map, familiarizing himself with the geography, and… assessing the possibility of separating from the group if necessary.

During the flight, Ye Jinlun cried and fussed a bit due to air turbulence, and Yu Wenxiu constantly coddled him. Li Mo, meanwhile, gazed out the window at the rolling sea of clouds, his mind already drifting far away.

Xu Qing didn’t take the college entrance exam.

This fact haunted him like a ghost.

Where is Xu Qing now? Is he safe?

Each question caused his heart to sink further. He had to confirm Xu Qing’s safety as soon as possible; it was more important than anything.

…

They arrived in Kuala Lumpur and checked into the reserved luxury hotel suite. The tropical breeze, wrapped in humid heat, hit them. The noise and hustle of the foreign country were merely a blurred backdrop to Li Mo.

The next few days were packed with activities.

Photos at the Petronas Towers, check-in at Petaling Street, the rainbow steps at Batu Caves… Li Mo was the most dutiful tourist, cooperating for photos, helping his mother carry shopping bags, and even silently carrying Ye Jinlun when the boy threw a tantrum and refused to walk.

He performed flawlessly.

Only late at night, back in his hotel room, after the faint sounds of Ye Jinlun’s playing in the adjoining suite had died down, would he go to the balcony and light a cigarette he had secretly brought.

He didn’t know when he had quietly picked up those bad habits again.

In the flickering red light of the cigarette, he looked at the distant, unfamiliar city lights, repeatedly sketching Xu Qing’s face in his mind and envisioning the various scenarios he might face after finding him.

Beneath his calm exterior was a nearly uncontrollable anxiety.

One day in Penang, Ye Jinlun threw a huge fit and cried loudly in the street after being denied ice cream, drawing the attention of passersby.

Yu Wenxiu was embarrassed and helpless, and Ye Zhong’s face was grim.

Li Mo stood aside, watching the drama unfold, and suddenly said softly to Yu Wenxiu: “Mom, why don’t you take my brother over to that shaded area to calm him down? I’m a bit thirsty. I’ll go buy a bottle of water, and while I’m at it… I’ll just walk around for a bit and meet you back at the hotel later.”

This was the first time he had actively suggested “going alone.”

Yu Wenxiu was stunned, instinctively wanting to refuse. But looking at her older son’s calm eyes, then at her younger son who was crying hysterically in her arms, and the increasing number of onlookers, fatigue and awkwardness made her nod: “…Okay, don’t go far, and come back soon.”

“Mhm.” Li Mo replied, turning and melting into the crowd.

He didn’t go to buy water.

He quickly crossed a few streets until he found a relatively quiet public park. He sat on an empty bench. He needed these brief minutes completely to himself to catch his breath and clarify the increasingly concrete plan of action in his mind.

The Malaysian sun was scorching, and the tree shadows were dappled. Li Mo closed his eyes, feeling the foreign breeze against his cheek.

He had to play this role perfectly.

Then, he would go find Xu Qing. Find Xu Qing and get the real answers from him.

After sitting on the bench for about twenty minutes, Li Mo estimated the time was up. He got up and went to a nearby convenience store to buy a bottle of iced water. He unscrewed the cap and took several long gulps. The cold liquid slid down his throat, temporarily suppressing the surging anxiety in his heart.

When he returned to the hotel, Ye Jinlun had already been placated and was splashing around in the pool with a new toy. Yu Wenxiu visibly relaxed when she saw him, casually asking: “Where did you walk? Did you buy anything?”

“Just wandered around and looked at the street scenery. Nothing I wanted to buy.” Li Mo shook the half-empty water bottle in his hand, his tone natural. “It’s pretty hot here.”

He successfully used “boredom” and “heat” to mask the true purpose of those twenty minutes. Yu Wenxiu didn’t suspect anything, and her attention quickly returned to her youngest son.

In the last few days of the trip, Li Mo became even more “obedient” and “considerate.” He actively offered to take photos for Yu Wenxiu, gave “sound” advice when she was choosing souvenirs, and even responded to Ye Jinlun’s occasional provocations with a tolerant smile.

He was like an increasingly skilled actor, playing the role of “enjoying the family trip” to perfection.

Ye Zhong watched his eldest son become increasingly “cheerful” and “integrated.” The last hint of scrutiny in his eyes slowly dissipated, and he began discussing university major choices with him, his words suggesting he was ready to let go.

Li Mo responded to everything, but the cold blueprint of his plan in his heart became clearer and harder.

…

On the return flight, Ye Jinlun was still noisy, Yu Wenxiu was still busy, and Ye Zhong was still dealing with official business. Li Mo still looked out the window, but this time, he wasn’t looking at the sea of clouds, but at the gradually clearer silhouette of their city below.

He was back.

His battlefield had arrived.

After returning home, before the luggage was fully unpacked, Yu Wenxiu seemed to forget her husband’s promise from before the trip and habitually reached for Li Mo’s phone.

Li Mo didn’t move, only raised his eyes and calmly looked at Ye Zhong.

Ye Zhong cleared his throat and told Yu Wenxiu: “Enough. We agreed. Mo Mo will keep his phone himself from now on. Stop checking it.”

Yu Wenxiu’s hand froze mid-air. Her expression shifted several times, but she ultimately retracted it sullenly, mumbling: “I was just afraid he would…”

“Mom,” Li Mo spoke, his voice quiet but with an undeniable stability, “I will handle my own matters.”

He didn’t promise “not to contact Xu Qing,” which would have sounded too fake. He simply promised to “handle it well.” This vague promise was more convincing.

Yu Wenxiu looked at him and finally said nothing more.

The phone was finally, truly, back in Li Mo’s hands.

That night, Li Mo locked the door to his guest room.

Yes, he was still sleeping in the guest room after all these years. But as long as he could lock the door, he would be fine sleeping in the bathroom.

Li Mo ducked under the covers and covered his head, using his phone to search for information related to this year’s college entrance examination at Huaying No. 1 High School.

【#Predicted Huaying No. 1 High School Top Scorer—Student XXX!#】

It wasn’t Xu Qing, but the bookworm who had become the eternal second place after Bai Sheng transferred.

Right… Lin Yi and the others said Xu Qing didn’t take the college entrance exam. How could he be the top scorer?

Next entry:

【#Huaying No. 1 High School Undergraduate Acceptance Rate up 0.38% from last year#】

【#Relevant Links for Retaking the Exam#】

Li Mo turned off his phone and sighed: “Why am I acting like an idiot…”

Immediately after the college entrance exam, various news and consultations flooded in. It was a pipedream to find a report about a specific student amidst so much complex information.

After circling around, Li Mo finally returned to the first entry:

【#Predicted Huaying No. 1 High School Top Scorer—Student XXX!#】

Clicking it opened a video of the bookworm with thick-rimmed glasses being interviewed. He said:

“This year’s test was very easy; at least for me, it was…”

Li Mo: “…” Try to be more pretentious, I dare you.

This year’s test was neither extremely difficult nor simple. Li Mo estimated he could probably get into a top-tier university, albeit one lower down the list.

He continued watching.

The bookworm changed the subject: “However, one person definitely scored better than me. Of course, he didn’t take the exam; he was already admitted through recommendation. Alas, what a pity…”

Li Mo again: “…”

What a pity my ass! Being admitted through recommendation is awesome, okay? If you feel it’s a pity, why don’t you give me your spot?!

After complaining about the academic genius’s pretense, Li Mo realized: Who could be better than this bookworm? It couldn’t be that Bai Sheng.

It could only be… Xu Qing.

With this thought, Li Mo immediately checked the list of students admitted by recommendation at Huaying No. 1 High School this year.

In previous years, Huaying No. 1 High School had four spots for recommended admission, but this year there were only two.

One was Xu Qing.

Who the other one was didn’t matter.

Seeing the name and ID photo on the recommended admission list, Li Mo sighed in relief.

Scared me to death. So he was admitted through recommendation after all…

Damn, why couldn’t Lin Yi and the others give me accurate information… Li Mo thought with gritted teeth.