Desk-mate, Do You Like Me? - Chapter 81

Chapter 81

Yu Wenxiu looking for Li Mo was, inevitably, about Xu Qing.

When Li Mo saw the message from his mother at Xu Qing’s place, there was a moment when he wanted to evade it, pretending he hadn’t seen anything.

But problems must eventually be solved.

Once downstairs, Li Mo got into the car and dialed his mother’s number.

The phone rang twice before being answered: “Hello.”

Judging by her tone, Yu Wenxiu was very upset.

Yu Wenxiu’s voice, suppressing anger, came through the phone: “You still know how to answer the phone?”

Li Mo took a deep breath and held the phone slightly away from his ear: “Mom, I just saw the message.”

“Saw the message?” Yu Wenxiu’s voice suddenly rose. “Li Mo, did you go looking for that Xu Qing again? Do you only stop when you’ve managed to drive me to death?”

Li Mo gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles turning white: “Mom, I just came to A City to check out the school.”

“Check out the school? You think I don’t know what you’re thinking?” Yu Wenxiu sneered. “I’m telling you, as long as I’m alive, you can forget about being with that Xu Qing!”

Outside the car window, the night deepened. Li Mo looked at the warm light emanating from Xu Qing’s window, his voice calm yet firm: “Mom, I am an adult now.”

“Adult? You think being an adult means you can do whatever you want?” Yu Wenxiu’s tone became more agitated. “Do you know what others will say about you? Two men together—you might not be ashamed, but I am ashamed!”

Li Mo closed his eyes, the memory of Xu Qing’s tear-filled eyes flashing in his mind.

“Mom,” he said softly, “I am not asking for your permission.”

The other end of the phone suddenly went silent.

This was the first time Li Mo had spoken to Yu Wenxiu in this tone. It was no longer the defiance of an adolescent in rebellion, but the firmness of an adult.

“You… what did you say?” Yu Wenxiu’s voice was tinged with disbelief.

“I said, I am not asking for your permission,” Li Mo repeated, his voice clear and steady. “I am simply informing you of my decision.”

“Li Mo! Do you know what you’re saying? Do you insist on following your father’s old path? Insist on messing around with a man, making our family a laughingstock for everyone?”

“He and I are different,” Li Mo’s voice turned cold. “I won’t commit domestic violence, I won’t cheat, and I certainly won’t abandon my responsibilities like he did.”

“Responsibilities? Do you know what responsibility is? Your responsibility is to study hard, take over your Uncle Ye’s company later, marry and have children, and live a normal life!”

Li Mo gently shook his head, even though Yu Wenxiu couldn’t see: “That’s not the life I want.”

“Then what do you want? To be with a man? Do you know how difficult that path is? Do you know how others will look at you?”

“I know,” Li Mo’s voice was very soft, yet carried undeniable strength. “But I would rather face the gaze of the whole world than lose him again.”

The sound of Yu Wenxiu’s hurried breathing came through the phone, clearly furious.

“Mom,” Li Mo softened his tone, “I’m not trying to oppose you. I just hope you can understand that this is my life, my choice.”

“Understand? How can I understand?” Yu Wenxiu’s voice was tearful. “I worked so hard to raise you, only to watch you walk down this path of no return?”

Li Mo was silent for a moment, then said softly: “I’m sorry to disappoint you. But I won’t change my mind.”

With that, he hung up the phone.

Silence instantly enveloped the car. Li Mo leaned back in the seat, feeling all his strength had been drained. Confronting his mother was not easy, but he knew it was a necessary step.

He looked up at the window with the light on; Xu Qing’s figure was faintly visible behind the curtain.

This time, he would not let go again.

The phone screen lit up again, Yu Wenxiu’s name flashing repeatedly, but Li Mo didn’t answer. He just quietly stared at the name until the screen went dark.

He knew his mother wouldn’t give up easily. There was never the word “compromise” in Yu Wenxiu’s life philosophy, especially concerning what she deemed “good” for Li Mo.

Sure enough, a few minutes later, Ye Zhong’s call came in.

Li Mo stared at the screen for a few seconds before answering: “Uncle Ye.”

“Did you argue with your mother?” Ye Zhong’s voice was as steady as ever, giving away no emotion.

Li Mo rubbed his brow: “Yes.”

“She said you want to be with Xu Qing.”

“Yes.”

The other end was silent for a moment before Ye Zhong spoke: “Have you thought it through? This path isn’t easy.”

“I’ve been thinking about it for two years,” Li Mo said. “Every single day.”

Ye Zhong sighed lightly: “Your mother is very hurt.”

“I know,” Li Mo’s voice was low. “But I can’t ruin my own life just to make her happy.”

“Have you considered that you might regret it in a few years? If that happens, it won’t just be you who gets hurt, but Xu Qing as well.”

Li Mo looked out the window. Xu Qing’s silhouette was still by the window. He seemed to be waiting, or perhaps worrying.

“Uncle Ye, I remember you told me that a true man must take responsibility for his choices,” Li Mo said softly. “That’s what I’m doing now.”

Ye Zhong fell silent. The sentence clearly resonated with him.

“I will try to talk to your mother,” Ye Zhong finally said after a long pause. “But don’t hold out too much hope. You know her temper.”

“Thank you, Uncle Ye.”

“But Li Mo,” Ye Zhong’s tone became serious, “Since you’ve chosen this path, you must be prepared to bear all the consequences. Your mother might cut off your financial source and won’t give you any more support. Are you sure you can handle it?”

Li Mo’s gaze fell on the backpack on the passenger seat, containing the money he had secretly saved over the years, and the card Ye Zhong had given him.

“I can,” he said.

After hanging up, Li Mo sat in the car for a long time. The night deepened, and the lights in the complex went out one by one, only the light in Xu Qing’s window remaining on.

He knew that from today on, his life would take a completely different path. Without his mother’s blessing, without family support, and perhaps even facing the scrutiny of the world.

But as he opened the car door and walked toward the building, his steps were exceptionally firm.

He had already composed himself while knocking on the door.

…

The next morning, when Li Mo woke up, Xu Qing was no longer beside him. He walked out of the bedroom and found Xu Qing busy in the kitchen, a simple breakfast set out on the dining table.

“You’re awake?” Xu Qing turned and smiled at him, though he had faint dark circles under his eyes. “I made breakfast. Come and eat.”

Li Mo sat down at the dining table, watching Xu Qing’s busy back, a surge of warmth in his heart. This was the person he wanted to protect, the ordinary warmth he wanted to spend his life with.

While eating, Xu Qing casually asked: “Do you have any plans for today?”

“I need to go to the school to sort out some formalities,” Li Mo said. “I’ll probably be back in the afternoon.”

Xu Qing nodded, saying nothing more.

After Li Mo left, the smile on Xu Qing’s face gradually disappeared. He walked to the window, watching Li Mo’s retreating figure, his eyes full of worry.

At ten in the morning, the doorbell suddenly rang. Xu Qing thought Li Mo had forgotten something and quickly went to open the door.

Standing outside, however, was an elegant middle-aged woman. She was wearing a well-tailored suit, carrying a designer bag, and her gaze was cold as she scrutinized Xu Qing.

“You must be Xu Qing?” Yu Wenxiu’s voice was as cold as her eyes.

Xu Qing instantly understood the visitor’s identity, his heart rate spiking, though he maintained his composure: “Hello, Auntie.”

Yu Wenxiu ignored his greeting and walked straight into the house, her gaze sweeping every corner of the living room, finally settling on the framed photo of him and Li Mo on the coffee table.

“It seems my son really is staying here,” she said with a sarcastic tone as she picked up the photo frame.

Xu Qing tightly gripped the corner of his clothes, his face pale: “Auntie, please have a seat. I’ll pour you some water.”

“No need,” Yu Wenxiu put down the photo frame and turned to face Xu Qing directly. “I’ll be brief. Please leave my son.”

Xu Qing’s face went white: “Auntie, Li Mo and I truly love each other.”

“Love?” Yu Wenxiu sneered. “What kind of love are two men talking about? It’s just a momentary infatuation. Li Mo is still young, foolish, and inexperienced. But what about you? Having grown up in that environment, you should be sensible. This path is a dead end for you both. It will only lead to mutual destruction.”

Xu Qing took a deep breath, trying hard to remain composed: “Auntie, I understand your concern. But Li Mo and I are serious. We will prove to you that our feelings are real.”

“Prove it? How?” Yu Wenxiu’s eyes were sharp. “By secretly cohabiting like this? Do you know how many opportunities Li Mo has given up for you? He should have gone abroad for further studies, returned to take over the family business, married and had children, and lived a normal life. And you will only become a stain on his life!”

“I am not a stain on his life!” Xu Qing couldn’t help but raise his voice. “Our decision to be together was carefully considered. No one would be foolish enough to walk down a dead-end road.”

Yu Wenxiu stared at him for a long time, then suddenly sighed, her tone softening slightly: “Xu Qing, I’m not targeting you. As a mother, I simply want my son to live the smoothest, happiest life. And the path you’ve chosen is destined to be full of thorns. Can you truly bear to see him being judged, ostracized by society, and possibly having his career prospects affected?”

This hit Xu Qing’s deepest fear. He lowered his head, remaining silent for a long time.

Yu Wenxiu placed the check on the table: “Think about it carefully. If you truly love him, you should know what choice is best for him.”

With that, she turned and left.

The moment the door closed, Xu Qing’s strength gave out. He slumped onto the sofa, looking at the check, and the tears he had been holding back finally streamed down.

…

In the evening, when Li Mo returned home, he found the apartment dark.

“Xu Qing?” He turned on the lights and saw Xu Qing sitting on the sofa, his eyes red and swollen, clearly having cried.

“What’s wrong?” Li Mo quickly walked over, asking nervously.

Xu Qing looked up, his voice hoarse: “Your mother came today.”

Li Mo’s face instantly changed color: “What did she say to you?”

Xu Qing didn’t answer directly but asked softly: “Li Mo, did you give up the opportunity to study abroad for my sake?”

Li Mo was silent for a moment, then nodded.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because it was my own choice,” Li Mo held his hand. “To me, the place where you are is the most important.”

Xu Qing looked at his determined eyes, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

He reached out and hugged Li Mo, burying his face in his chest, muffledly saying: “Promise me, don’t argue with your mother for me anymore, okay?”

Li Mo gently stroked his back: “Okay, I promise you.”

But Xu Qing knew that the storm had just begun.

That night, while Li Mo was showering, Xu Qing quietly went to the balcony and made a phone call.

“Hello, is this Uncle Ye? I’m Xu Qing… I’d like to talk to you about Li Mo.”