Desk-mate, Do You Like Me? - Chapter 78

Chapter 78

During the days of college application advising, Li Mo displayed unprecedented cooperation.

He showed up in the study on time, with thick admission brochures from various schools spread out before him. He meticulously inquired about the detailed curriculum of the top-tier universities (985s) in other cities recommended by Teacher Zhou, even listing the pros and cons in his notebook.

Ye Zhong peeked through the slightly ajar door several times. Li Mo’s profile, head bowed while taking notes, reminded him of the most diligent intern in his office.

“Does this major require programming?”

“If I pursue a second major, will the course load be too heavy?”

“What is the school’s policy on changing majors?”

His questions were specific and practical, a departure from the teenager who had initially dismissed everything with a simple “whatever.”

Teacher Zhou was satisfied. In his feedback to Ye Zhong, he wrote: “Li Mo has high comprehension and is starting to seriously consider his future.”

Only Li Mo knew what was hidden beneath this “seriousness.” Every inquiry about an out-of-town school was paving the way for his “return to A City”—he needed these concrete options to convince Ye Zhong that he was indeed considering “moving away.”

…

On the day the scores were released, the system was jammed for half an hour. Li Mo refreshed the page, his palms slick with sweat. When the number popped up—632.

It was even higher than his estimate—he let out a long breath.

Not for the score itself, but for the “pass” this score earned him.

Ye Zhong patted his shoulder, his eyes showing approval: “Very good. With this score, you have a lot of choices.”

On the final application form, the first choice was Financial Engineering at a 985 university in A City, and the second was Information Management at another 985 in a neighboring province. Both were directions Ye Zhong approved of, and both were schools that required him to leave home.

As he clicked “Submit,” Li Mo knew he had secured the ticket for Phase One.

The acceptance letter arrived without suspense. First choice: Financial Engineering.

Ye Zhong was delighted and suggested the whole family go out to celebrate. Yu Wenxiu had returned with Ye Jinlun, and during the meal, she kept saying things like “Finance has a future” and “You can help Dad manage the company later.”

Li Mo smiled cooperatively, and under the table, he sent a message to his uncle:

【Uncle, I got accepted! A University, Financial Engineering. I’ll come see you in a few days. (Flower.JPG)】

After getting his phone back, Li Mo first sent a message to Yu Wencheng, briefly explaining the situation. At the time, he didn’t mention Xu Qing. Yu Wencheng seemed to understand but didn’t press for details.

Yu Wencheng quickly replied: 【You’re amazing, kid, such great improvement.】

Li Mo: 【Hehe, I’ve also become a man with ambition.】

The uncle and nephew chatted casually for a few more sentences, and the conversation ended with Yu Wencheng excusing himself to attend to consulting parents.

Li Mo pressed the screen off and took a sip of his fruit juice. It was sickly sweet.

…

The night before his departure, Ye Zhong called him into the study and handed him an envelope.

“Inside is a card, not a high limit, for emergencies. There’s also a car key for that old SUV parked in the garage. You’re grown up now; you should have your own transportation.”

Li Mo gripped the envelope. The thickness was just right, a measure of careful consideration.

“Thank you, Dad.”

“Remember my words,” Ye Zhong looked at him. “Before making a decision, think clearly about whether you can bear the consequences.”

Li Mo nodded. He understood this was the maximum level of support and warning Ye Zhong could offer.

Early the next morning, Yu Wenxiu was still asleep. Li Mo only grabbed his backpack and tiptoed down to the garage.

The black SUV was old but well-maintained. He started the car and rolled down the window. The summer wind rushed in, carrying the scent of morning dew.

The navigation was set to A City. The place he had left two years ago but never stopped thinking about.

The car drove out of the villa complex and merged into the morning rush hour traffic. In the rearview mirror, the place called “home” became increasingly distant.

He turned off the air conditioning, letting the wind mess up his hair. The radio was playing an old song. The singer sang hoarsely: “The world outside is wonderful, the world outside is helpless…”

Li Mo hummed along for a couple of lines, then suddenly smiled.

He didn’t know what awaited him. Whether Xu Qing was okay, what was hidden behind that breakup text, or if there was any future left for them.

But he knew that this time, he was not the boy from two years ago who could only passively accept arrangements.

The car smoothly merged onto the highway. The scenery outside the window gradually changed from city buildings to open fields. Li Mo steered with one hand, the other unconsciously stroking the edge of his phone.

He reread the chat history with Yu Wencheng. His uncle’s reply seemed casual, but concern was evident between the lines: 【Text me when you arrive. Call me anytime if you need anything.】

Li Mo understood this was his uncle’s silent support.

It was a two-hour drive, and he only stopped briefly at a service area halfway.

The closer he got to A City, the more uncontrollably his heart rate accelerated. The memories he had deliberately suppressed for two years surfaced little by little with the familiar streetscapes.

He remembered squatting outside the office writing self-criticisms with Xu Qing, remembered the days they lived together during the winter break, and remembered the slight downward curve of Xu Qing’s eyes when he smiled.

He also remembered that rushed farewell two years ago, and the trembling of his fingers when he was forced to delete Xu Qing’s contact information.

When the navigation prompted, “You have entered A City,” Li Mo took a deep breath. He didn’t drive directly to Xu Qing’s home but went to Jinmeigui Residential Area first.

Yu Wencheng was sitting in the living room, fiddling with his laptop. Many parents had come to congratulate him, their children having been accepted into good universities, specifically to thank Teacher Yu for his guidance.

Seeing his nephew push the door open, dusty from the road, he was surprised: “So fast? How did you get here?”

“Drove. No traffic jams on the way.” Li Mo threw his backpack onto the sofa and poured himself a glass of water. “Uncle, I want to take a shower first.”

Yu Wencheng looked him over, his gaze sharp: “And then?”

Li Mo tightened his grip on the water glass, but his voice was calm: “Then I’m going to find him.”

“Have you thought it through?” Yu Wencheng put down his pen. “Do you know about his family’s situation?”

“I know some things,” Li Mo nodded. “We’ve both met those two pieces of work… but I have to see Xu Qing with my own eyes.”

Yu Wencheng was silent for a moment, then took a key from the drawer and slid it across: “I locked your room. It hasn’t been touched. Go tidy up first. Act after you’ve rested. Remember, no matter what situation you encounter, stay calm.”

Li Mo took the key, his heart warming: “Thank you, Uncle.”

“Go on.” Yu Wencheng waved his hand, his gaze returning to the computer. “Call me if you need anything. Don’t be shy with your uncle.”

…

An hour later, Li Mo had changed into clean clothes and started the car again. This time, the navigation destination was clearly set for Xu Qing’s residential area.

It was two in the afternoon, and the sun was scorching. The security guard at the gate of Sunlight Residential Area lazily scanned his license plate and raised the boom barrier.

Li Mo parked the car at a distance that was neither too near nor too far from Xu Qing’s building. He rolled down the window and observed quietly.

Sunlight Residential Area is still not very sunny.

He sat in the car, waiting patiently. His palms were slightly sweaty from nervousness, but he forced himself to stay calm.

Time ticked by. Residents occasionally entered and exited the complex, mostly elderly people and children, peaceful and ordinary.

It wasn’t until past four in the afternoon that a familiar figure walked into the complex.

Xu Daning looked much more haggard compared to two years ago, but the same unreasonable arrogance hadn’t dissipated, making anyone who saw him want to punch him.

Seeing Xu Daning about to walk into the unit building, Li Mo opened the door, got out of the car, and covered the distance in a few long strides. He reached out and grabbed the back of Xu Daning’s collar.

Li Mo had grown a few centimeters taller and was more muscular than Xu Daning, easily yanking Xu Daning and making him stumble.

Xu Daning turned his head, ready to curse, but froze when he saw Li Mo’s face.

After a long moment, he finally reacted and angrily cursed: “Why is it you, you pretty boy?!”

Li Mo couldn’t be bothered to talk to him and went straight to the point: “Where is Xu Qing? Where is he?”

Despite being grabbed by the collar, Xu Daning’s arrogance was undiminished: “Bah! Why the hell should I tell you just because you want to know? Pretty boy, I’m telling you, I’m not afraid of anything…”

“Bro, Bro… I’m sorry, Bro…”

It was still that familiar small alley.

Li Mo beat Xu Daning for over an hour, and only then did the deadbeat finally beg for mercy, kneeling on the ground and pleading with Li Mo to stop.

“Useless.” Li Mo kicked him, slowly crouched down, his eyes, which usually held a smile, now filled with icy coldness: “I’ll ask you one last time. Where is Xu Qing? What the hell did you and your idiot dad do?”

Xu Daning was reluctant to speak.

Seeing Li Mo raise his fist again, Xu Daning shrank back in fear.

Only two years had passed, but this guy’s fists were harder, and he didn’t hold back at all when fighting.

Xu Daning stammered: “Th… that… a few months ago, my dad and I urgently needed money, and that bitch wouldn’t give it to us… so my dad… my dad found a rich old man… he’s really rich, but… but he has a bit of a problem, he likes delicate little boys…”

“Xu… Xu Qing that lamb looks good. To exchange for money… we… we sent him over… it’s not like we hadn’t taken him to see them before… who knew that little bastard would still…”

Hearing this, a vein bulged on Li Mo’s forehead, and he cursed: “Can your damn mouth talk properly?! Call him ‘little bastard’ one more time, and I swear I’ll cut your dick off!”

Those words did not sound like a joke…

Xu Daning swallowed hard and continued: “Well… a few months before the college entrance exam, that kid kept running home. I thought he’d dropped out… so we sent him over again…”

Li Mo’s head hurt listening to him.

The more he peeled back, the more monstrous it got.

Li Mo interrupted him: “Get to the point. Where is he now?”

“He was picked up by his mom… don’t know where the hell she moved to…”

“You son of a bitch.” Li Mo stood up, kicked the still-kneeling Xu Daning, and walked away, swearing under his breath.

Xu Daning was enraged but dared not speak.

Just by looking at the car Li Mo was driving and the aura surrounding him, he knew this guy was not to be messed with now.

His face still hurt…

Li Mo drove to the city center. The roads were heavily congested now.

Xu Qing was picked up by Liu Lan, so he should be with Uncle Chen.

But he didn’t even know Uncle Chen’s name, let alone how to find their home.

“F*ck!”

Li Mo angrily slapped the steering wheel, slowly lowering his head.