Desk-mate, Do You Like Me? - Chapter 86

Chapter 86

Watching the girl’s retreating figure, Xu Qing couldn’t help but sigh, lightly nudging Li Mo with his elbow: “She was asking for your contact information, not selling anything.”

Li Mo belatedly registered with an “Huh?” a look of confusion on his face, then shrugged, not caring, and immediately refocused on Xu Qing, muttering: “Oh. Well, that’s even worse. I have you, Qing Qing.”

As he spoke, he rubbed his head against Xu Qing’s shoulder again, like a large canine, completely ignoring the occasional curious glances from passersby.

Xu Qing looked at his self-satisfied behavior, and the gloom in his heart caused by Bai Sheng and the impending separation was largely dissipated.

Li Mo’s train of thought was sometimes so baffling it was funny, but this undisguised, wholehearted reliance and possessiveness was exactly the stabilizer Xu Qing needed at this moment.

“Idiot,” Xu Qing muttered under his breath, a small, uncontrollable smile curving his lips.

Just then, Liu Lan and Chen Zewei returned with iced mineral water and drinks, handing them to the two boys. Liu Lan watched Li Mo practically hanging onto Xu Qing and teased with a smile: “Xiao Mo can’t be away from Xiao Qing, and it’s only been a few steps?”

Li Mo, utterly justified, took the water, twisted the cap, and offered it to Xu Qing first before taking a bottle for himself: “Auntie Lan, this is called ‘acclimatizing to missing him’ in advance.”

Chen Zewei chuckled: “It’s good to be young. Alright, all the formalities are done, and the dorm is tidied up. Let Xiao Mo familiarize himself with the campus environment. Xiao Qing is tired too; we should head back and let him prepare for the start of his semester.”

The moment of farewell had finally arrived.

Li Mo walked them to the school gate. He watched Xu Qing get into the car, his eyes pressed against the window, moist and full of reluctance.

“I’ll be here this weekend,” Xu Qing promised again through the car window.

“You must!” Li Mo nodded vigorously.

The car slowly started. Xu Qing watched Li Mo’s figure standing still through the rear window, getting smaller and smaller, eventually disappearing into the bustling crowd. He leaned back in his seat, feeling empty inside, but the warmth brought by Li Mo’s “foolishness” still lingered in his heart.

He took out his phone and saw Li Mo’s recent WeChat message: 【I’m leaving [crying kitten.jpg]】

Xu Qing replied: 【See you this weekend. Study hard.】

Putting down his phone, he looked out at the fleeting streetscape, his eyes gradually becoming resolute.

A new life was beginning, and challenges came with it. He had to grow faster and run harder to protect this simple yet precious warmth, and to show Yu Wenxiu and Bai Sheng that he and Li Mo would decide their own future.

…

On the other side, Li Mo watched Xu Qing’s car disappear from sight, the disappointment on his face slowly receding. He stood alone at the gate of A-University, taking a deep breath.

University life had officially begun. He, too, had to work hard here for their future. He turned and walked with firm steps, re-entering the unfamiliar campus.

However, Xu Qing’s words, “don’t pay attention to irrelevant people or matters,” remained like a tiny thorn in his heart. What exactly was that “sales call” about? He secretly resolved to be more vigilant.

University life unfolded like a slowly revealing scroll, busy and new. Li Mo quickly stood out in group projects and club activities, thanks to the experience he had gained during his company internship and a maturity far beyond his peers.

He deliberately kept a low profile, but his outstanding ability and steady demeanor still attracted attention, including both men and women who, like the girl on the first day, mustered the courage to approach him. Li Mo handled each one with clean-cut efficiency, explicitly mentioning that he “has a stable partner,” leaving no room for speculation.

He devoted most of his energy to studying and adapting to the new environment, but the thorn in his heart regarding the “sales call” did not vanish with time. Occasionally, during video calls with Xu Qing, he would casually ask, “Has anyone strange contacted you recently?” or “Are your projects progressing smoothly? Have you run into any trouble?”

Xu Qing always answered quickly, his tone calm, his eyes showing no sign of abnormality, simply saying everything was fine and that he should not worry.

Xu Qing was indeed giving his all. The academic pressure at Peking University was considerable, and the two projects he had taken on were at a critical stage. He often stayed at the library until late at night.

He was like a greedy sponge, desperately absorbing knowledge and improving his skills. Sometimes, on the way back to his dorm late at night, he would feel a profound exhaustion, but thinking of Li Mo and Yu Wenxiu’s cold phrase, “I hope your ability matches your integrity,” he found the strength to keep going.

He and Li Mo strictly adhered to their “meet on the weekend” pact. Usually, Xu Qing would take the subway to A-University, and Li Mo would be waiting at the school gate early. The moment he saw Xu Qing, his eyes would light up, and he would rush over to give him a big hug, regardless of the onlookers.

They would eat together, stroll on campus, or go to the movies, cherishing their brief time together like any normal couple. In those moments, Xu Qing would temporarily forget the pressure and hidden worries, only immersing himself in the warmth and happiness Li Mo brought him.

However, beneath the calm surface, undercurrents were always surging.

…

One Friday afternoon, Xu Qing had just finished his week’s classes and was packing up to go to A-University to see Li Mo. His phone vibrated. It was a text message from an unknown number:

【Xu Qing, I’m Bai Sheng. We need to talk. About Li Mo, and also… those things you don’t want Li Mo to know. I’m at the ‘Time Coffee Shop’ outside your school’s East Gate.】

Xu Qing’s heart instantly sank. His fingers clutching the phone tightened immediately, his knuckles turning white.

What had to come, had finally arrived. Moreover, Bai Sheng had precisely targeted his weakness—Li Mo, and the past he desperately wanted to conceal.

He could almost picture Bai Sheng sitting comfortably in the coffee shop, waiting at leisure, like a long-lurking spider waiting for its prey to walk into the trap. If he didn’t go, Bai Sheng might use a more direct, uncontrollable way to approach Li Mo.

Going meant facing the person he loathed and feared again, and not knowing what kind of terms the other party would propose or what words he would use.

Xu Qing stood rooted to the spot, his mind undergoing a fierce internal struggle. The sunlight outside the window was bright, but it couldn’t penetrate the instant coldness in his heart. To go, or not to go?

Xu Qing stared at the text message, as if trying to burn a hole through the screen. Nausea and anger churned in his chest, along with a hint of unignorable panic. Bai Sheng had accurately hit his weak spot—Li Mo, and the period of his past that held all his humiliation and foolishness, which he absolutely did not want Li Mo to know.

Evasion wouldn’t solve the problem. Since Bai Sheng could find his new number and Peking University, it meant he wouldn’t stop easily. If he didn’t go today, tomorrow he might show up directly in front of Li Mo. Rather than letting the bomb explode near Li Mo, it was better for him to face it himself. At least… he could try to control the situation.

Xu Qing took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the lump in his throat. He quickly sent a WeChat message to Li Mo: 【Something came up temporarily. I might be late. I’ll contact you when I arrive. Don’t worry.】

After sending the message, he immediately blocked the unknown number again, then slung his backpack over his shoulder and walked towards the East Gate. Each step felt incredibly heavy, as if he were heading not to a coffee shop, but to a thorny judgment seat.

“Time Coffee Shop” played soft background music, and the environment was quiet and secluded. Bai Sheng was indeed sitting in a corner by the window, wearing expensive casual clothes, leisurely stirring the coffee in front of him. Seeing Xu Qing enter, he looked up, a half-smile playing on his lips, and raised a hand to signal.

Xu Qing walked over and sat down opposite him, not ordering anything. He cut straight to the chase, his voice low, with a cold warning: “Bai Sheng, what exactly do you want?”

Bai Sheng scrutinized him, his gaze like a sticky snake’s tongue, carrying undisguised examination and a hint of amusement: “Long time no see. Your temper is still so aggressive? Looks like Li Mo hasn’t disciplined you much.”

He deliberately slowed his speech: “I’m just curious, how did you manage to hook up with Li Mo? How does it feel to be with him? Is it much more interesting than following me around back then…?”

The frivolity and insinuation in his words made Xu Qing’s stomach churn. His fingernails dug deep into his palm. “If you called me here just to talk nonsense, we have nothing to discuss.” Xu Qing made a move to stand up.

“Don’t rush,” Bai Sheng leaned forward, his voice also lowered, with a malicious intimacy. “Xu Qing, tell me, what if Li Mo knew how I tricked you back then, how you were a joke that I told Ziqi and the others, and even… those sickeningly sweet love letters you secretly wrote to me…”

“Shut up!” Xu Qing’s face instantly went pale, his breathing becoming ragged. Those deliberately buried details were being dug up by Bai Sheng in such a humiliating way, causing a surge of intense shame and dizziness.

“Can’t handle this already?” Bai Sheng looked at his reaction with satisfaction, leaning back against the chair, leisurely sipping his coffee. “I thought you’d matured a lot since you got with Li Mo.”

He put down the coffee cup, his eyes gradually turning gloomy, carrying a complex emotion mixed with jealousy and resentment: “Xu Qing, leave Li Mo.”

Xu Qing suddenly looked up, staring at him in disbelief.

Bai Sheng twitched his lips: “You don’t deserve to stand by his side. Your past, your family—they are all indelible stains on you. You will only become his burden, just like you burdened me back then…”

He paused, his tone taking on a hint of obsession that he himself hadn’t detected: “He deserves better.”

Xu Qing looked at him. After the initial shock and anger, an extreme sense of absurdity and cold clarity washed over him. He suddenly understood that Bai Sheng’s entanglement was not just due to Yu Wenxiu’s instigation, but also stemmed from his own twisted possessiveness and an unacknowledged covetousness that perhaps also existed for Li Mo.

He slowly stood up, looking down at Bai Sheng, his eyes filled with an unprecedented coldness and finality: “Bai Sheng, listen carefully.”

His voice was not loud, but it carried an absolute forcefulness that cut through the background music of the coffee shop.

“My relationship with Li Mo is none of your business. My past is embarrassing, but it is in the past. I will not leave him because of your threats and humiliation. As for the things you mentioned…” Xu Qing paused, his heart pounding in his chest, but he forced his voice to remain steady: “You can go and tell Li Mo. If you think that using such a vile method can destroy our relationship, then go ahead and try.”

He picked up his backpack, no longer looking at Bai Sheng’s instantly ugly expression, and turned to leave.

“Xu Qing!” Bai Sheng’s low growl, almost a hiss, followed him: “You will regret this!”

Xu Qing did not stop. He pushed the door and walked straight out of the coffee shop. The afternoon sun was somewhat blinding. He raised his hand to block it, only then realizing his hand was trembling slightly.

He did not regret his firmness just now, but fear still shadowed him. He didn’t know what Bai Sheng would do next, but he knew he had to quickly… quickly become stronger, strong enough to face any storm and protect his and Li Mo’s love.

He took out his phone. Li Mo had replied a few minutes ago: 【Okay, no rush, I’ll wait for you (heart sign.JPG) 】

Looking at the small heart icon, Xu Qing took a deep breath, suppressed the bitterness in his eyes, and quickened his pace toward the subway station. He had to see Li Mo, immediately, right now.