Did My Wife Break Up With Me Today? - Chapter 38

Chapter 38: “If Mr. Gu has something to say, you can say it to me.”

But on second thought… at least he wasn’t a nameless passerby. After all, they shared a kitten.

Xu Jingmo’s expression softened considerably. He replied: [Are you renting for a full month? It’s only 25 days until the Lunar New Year.]

Lnk: [I can pay for 25 days first.]

Xiao Man [Carrot Emoji]: [No need, I’ll rent for the full month.]

Looking at the reply, the man guessed that the rabbit was simply too thin-skinned and felt embarrassed to pay for only 25 days. He knew the rabbit had a strong sense of boundaries and didn’t want to owe him anything, which was why he acted this way. Thus, he accepted the transfer.

Afterward, he went onto a plush toy mall and ordered a brand-new “fresh carrot” body pillow.

At that moment, Chen Kongqing was hugging the carrot pillow that had accompanied him through countless moves. One leg was hooked over it, pressed tightly against him. The carrot no longer smelled like “vegetables”; instead, it had been marinated by his presence into a scent of Chinese herbal medicine.

His phone rang. It was Su Jingjing. This was their monthly, ironclad phone call—the only thread of kinship between mother and son.

“Xiao Man, have you eaten?” Su Jingjing’s voice was as gentle as ever, her tone upbeat. She sounded like she was in a good mood.

“I have. What about you, Mom?” Chen Kongqing replied, popping his head out from behind the pillow.

“I’ve eaten too,” the woman replied. After a second’s pause, her tone became cautious. “Are you coming back for New Year’s this year?”

Chen Kongqing didn’t actually plan on going back. Last year, he had accepted the invitation, but because his mother had long since remarried and started a new family with a new child, his presence had made the atmosphere incredibly awkward for everyone.

“Last year… your uncle only said those things because he had been drinking. I scolded him, and he said he wants you to come back this year…” Su Jingjing’s voice trailed off, sounding less and less confident.

His stepfather was a regular factory worker—not much money, but a great love for alcohol. Last New Year, while drunk and arguing with Su Jingjing, he had pointed at the tiny room specially cleared for Chen Kongqing and shouted, “Tell your son to get the hell out.”

Chen Kongqing had heard it. He packed his things the next morning and left on a train. Since then, the relationship with Su Jingjing had become even more strained. She had apologized, but he knew she had already done so much for him; there was no need for apologies. He understood her difficulties and didn’t blame her.

However, because they hadn’t lived together for many years, he couldn’t be naturally close or intimate with her. They had become like this: distant but mutually caring.

“I think I’ll skip it this year,” Chen Kongqing said, licking his lips, which tended to peel in the winter. “It’s not because of Uncle. I want to stay at school this year. There’s a lab project that needs results by the start of next semester. I won’t have time…”

Well, he subconsciously licked his lips whenever he lied.

“What experiment? You still need to celebrate New Year’s, Xiao Man.” The woman was still worried.

“It’s fine, Mom. Other students from my lab are staying too. We’ll celebrate together. Our professor even invited us to his house for New Year’s Eve dinner.” Fortunately… fortunately, she can’t see me. Otherwise, she’d see the tiny facial expressions that made his lying so obvious.

“Is that so?” Su Jingjing let out a sigh. “Well… it’s up to you. Mom knows… you aren’t comfortable or happy when you come here. If you want to stay at school, stay at school. I’ll mail you some dumplings and cured meat.”

Chen Kongqing declined. “Won’t that be too much trouble? I’ll just wrap some myself.”

“What’s ‘trouble’ between family?” Su Jingjing regained her cheer. “I’ll hang up then. I’ll send the food in a few days.”

“Okay.” After the call ended, the youth set his phone down.

It wasn’t entirely a lie. He did plan to work on a herbal compound project for treating Type 2 diabetes. His mentor wanted results by the start of next semester so they could submit it for an international award. A win would mean not just scholarships and grants, but a high probability of an opportunity to study for a Master’s degree abroad. So, he had already decided to stay in the lab through the holiday.

…

Once the weekend passed, the rabbit indeed buried himself in the lab, while also finishing his last required final exam of the semester.

“This professor… not a single question from the test bank!” Lao Mo scratched his head, looking as if he was about to rip out his few remaining curls. Lao Mo had been Chen Kongqing’s roommate and was in the same club; they were on good terms.

“Forget it, forget it. I won’t think about it anymore. Sigh.” Despite saying that, the intensity of his head-scratching didn’t decrease. “Let’s go eat something. I’ve been testing all day. Kongqing-er, let’s hit the cafeteria together.”

Chen Kongqing had left in a hurry this morning. Dr. Xu had stuffed two slices of toast into his hands to fill his stomach, but that energy was long gone. He patted his stomach through his padded coat; it felt completely flat.

“Okay. I’ll go back to the lab after eating.” You need a full stomach to have the strength to work.

Since everyone had just finished exams, the cafeteria was packed and slightly cramped. Chen Kongqing and Lao Mo finally found a place to sit.

“Kongqing, not to be a gossip, but…” Lao Mo coughed twice, looking a bit embarrassed. “Are you doing okay? Mentally?”

Chen Kongqing was busy tackling a mountain of rice. He took a huge bite, chewed, and swallowed. “Me? I’m… doing fine.” He had been so hungry that he asked the cafeteria lady for extra rice, and she had delivered a massive portion without a single tremor in her hand. He figured he could finish it all.

Lao Mo looked at the starving youth across from him. With an appetite like that, his mood probably wasn’t too bad.

“That’s good then…” Lao Mo shoveled some rice. “Man, we were all worried about you. Worried you’d be depressed after the breakup. Are you moving back to the dorms next semester? We can play games together again.”

“Probably.” Chen Kongqing felt his strength returning after a few bites. “I’m not in a bad mood. I’m actually quite happy.”

“That ex of yours… I saw him the other day with that guy from their team, all touchy-feely…” Lao Mo got angry again. “Is that even human behavior?”

Chen Kongqing didn’t actually want to know about Ling Xiao’s current life, but Lao Mo’s comment reminded him of Ling Xiao’s arrogant messages. He remembered Ling Xiao saying he had broken it off with Gu Chengjing for him. It sounded ridiculous. Out of curiosity, he asked, “When did you see them?”

“Just a couple of days ago. They were doing who-knows-what—probably arguing.” Lao Mo’s social awareness suddenly kicked in; he realized these details weren’t appropriate for Chen Kongqing. He quickly changed the subject. “Today’s tomato and eggs are great, try some!”

Chen Kongqing didn’t press further and tasted the eggs. After dinner, he headed to the lab building.

As evening fell, Dr. Xu sent a message.

Lnk: [Coming back for dinner tonight?] Azurite: [I am.] Lnk: [A friend sent a lobster. Let’s have it together.] Azurite: [Lobster? I’ve never made that. I might have to learn how.]

The rabbit instinctively thought Dr. Xu wanted him to cook.

Lnk: [No need to learn. I’ll do it. Just remember to come home early.]

Chen Kongqing stared at the message. Coming home to a ready-made meal, and a lobster at that? He felt a bit guilty. He decided to head back early to help out.

Half an hour later, he locked the lab door and headed downstairs with his backpack. Stepping outside, he realized it was raining in Kunming again. The weather forecast always promised sleet, but it was always just rain. He didn’t have an umbrella. He stood in the hall, thinking he’d wait for the rain to let up before hugging the walls to walk back.

“Chen Kongqing.” Suddenly, a figure emerged from behind a stone pillar in the lobby.

The youth looked over. It was Gu Chengjing. Chen Kongqing’s eyes immediately darkened. The scene in that dim lounge flashed through his mind. He gripped the straps of his backpack and stood his ground. “What is it?”

Gu Chengjing looked at the youth. A clear, handsome face, small-boned but well-proportioned, with a pair of signature willow-leaf eyes. Those eyes, which should have been gentle, were currently radiating a sharp coldness. He was indeed unique.

“I want to talk to you.” Gu Chengjing stepped forward.

Chen Kongqing remained still, his eyes flat. “Is there anything for us to talk about?”

Gu Chengjing: “Let’s talk about Ling Xiao. But before that, I should apologize. Although Ling Xiao and I have known each other for a long time and I don’t consider myself a ‘third party,’ I still owe you an apology for letting you get dragged into our emotional mess.”

Chen Kongqing almost wanted to laugh. “No need. I don’t want anything to do with Ling Xiao or you.” He prepared to leave. He didn’t care how hard it was raining; he just wanted to go.

But Gu Chengjing blocked his path again. “Do you really not love Ling Xiao anymore?”

Chen Kongqing was annoyed. He didn’t want to hear that name or see that face. “What do you think? Please move, I’m leaving.”

“I just wanted to… ask you to please stop leading Ling Xiao on. Okay?” Gu Chengjing paused, his eyes showing a hint of sadness. “He’s in a terrible state every day. Stop stringing him along.”

“…?” Chen Kongqing found it absurd; even his expression twisted in confusion. “This is ridiculous.”

He didn’t want to argue further and walked toward the exit. Gu Chengjing followed from behind. “You blocked him and avoid seeing him, yet you haven’t truly rejected him. Isn’t that stringing him along? Ling Xiao is a great catch, but you can’t…”

“Who says I haven’t rejected him? Was that slap I gave him too light?” The rabbit was getting angry. He turned slightly, his gaze cold, his voice rising. “Please stop approaching me with these nonsensical words. I want no further intersection with you or Ling Xiao.”

The huffy rabbit turned back. The rain was annoying enough already…

Through the downpour, a black umbrella suddenly appeared. It moved toward the rabbit, step by step. The low-tilted brim was slowly lifted.

In the cold rain, under the black umbrella, was a rugged, handsome face.

“Dr. Xu? Why are you here?” The angry rabbit froze for two seconds upon seeing that familiar handsome face.

In those two seconds, the man had already reached him. His sword-like brows were knit, his tone carrying a hint of reproach: “If I didn’t come, were you planning to just charge into the rain?”

Gu Chengjing could hear what lay beneath that reproach.

In the next instant, the frowning man shifted his gaze. His eyes suddenly filled with an icy, inescapable pressure.

“If Mr. Gu has something to say, you can say it to me.”