Chapter 137

In the first half of his senior year, Mo Yin was constantly experiencing new things: a new living environment, fights with people, outings, taking high-speed trains, participating in training camps, flying to other cities for competitions…

The national competition went smoothly. After finishing the competition, the teachers told them to relax and enjoy themselves in the city. After all, their flight wasn’t until late at night.

Everyone was extremely excited. The joy of finishing the competition made the group of older kids embrace and cheer. Teachers were lifted and hugged. Mo Yin, however, didn’t participate in these celebrations before knowing the results. Instead, he habitually stayed to the side. At that moment, his waist was lightly tapped.

Mo Yin turned around, and Li Xiu smiled at him. “Wanna go out?”

Mo Yin thought for a moment and declined.

He didn’t have extra money with him and didn’t want to spend Li Xiu’s money.

Li Xiu said, “Then let’s just rest at the hotel.”

They arrived at the hotel the day before, staying in the same room, but they had been studying the whole time without disturbing each other, barely even making eye contact.

Mo Yin adjusted the strap of his backpack and murmured in agreement.

Since it wasn’t time to check out yet, the room hadn’t been cleaned. They had hurriedly packed in the morning, with their suitcases still open. Mo Yin crouched down to tidy up, folding his school pants. As he did, Li Xiu hugged him from behind.

It felt like it had been a long time since they had been this intimate. Mo Yin felt inexplicably nervous, perhaps because he knew he also liked Li Xiu. This intimate gesture suddenly carried extra meaning, not just the closeness of two oddballs.

Li Xiu kissed the corner of his eye.

Mo Yin remained crouched, holding his school pants.

As Li Xiu kissed his cheek from the corner of his eye, Mo Yin turned and pushed him away.

Li Xiu’s arms opened slightly, and he stared at Mo Yin. Mo Yin lowered his head, so Li Xiu couldn’t see his eyes. Li Xiu lowered his head to find Mo Yin’s eyes. Mo Yin pushed him again and stood up straight.

They stood facing each other. Li Xiu cupped Mo Yin’s face in his hands, once again trying to find his eyes. This time he succeeded. Mo Yin’s gaze remained as cold as ever, tinged with avoidance.

At the same time, Li Xiu saw himself in Mo Yin’s eyes. He seemed to want to do something, whether it was appropriate or not.

In the void of emptiness, he actually found a point.

Li Xiu’s gaze softened. Mo Yin felt it, so when Li Xiu closed his eyes to kiss him, Mo Yin involuntarily closed his eyes too.

The two boys quickly embraced tightly.

Their bodies collided with warmth and strength.

Li Xiu held Mo Yin’s face and kissed his lips, gently but persistently. Each kiss made Mo Yin retreat a little, until he was against the wall.

They locked eyes, breaths intertwined, getting very close. Li Xiu’s lips were slightly parted, and his palm, still holding Mo Yin’s face, slid down a bit. His thumb touched Mo Yin’s lips, which were thin, soft, and dry. He said, “Why are your lips always so dry?”

“I don’t know…”

Mo Yin’s slightly chapped lips opened and closed slowly. Li Xiu lowered his head and kissed the tip of Mo Yin’s tongue.

Their kiss grew more passionate. Mo Yin’s hands moved to Li Xiu’s shoulders. Perhaps thinking Mo Yin was going to push him away again, Li Xiu held Mo Yin’s wrists and lifted them high, pressing them against the wall.

They gazed into each other’s eyes, their breaths hot. Mo Yin’s lips had become completely moist, and even his usually indifferent eyes seemed to shimmer with moisture.

As Li Xiu continued to kiss him, the palm holding Mo Yin’s wrists slowly moved up, following the slender bones and slipping into his long, distinct fingers. Li Xiu kissed slowly, their fingers intertwined until their hands were tightly locked together.

When Li Xiu kissed his neck, Mo Yin had a premonition of what was to come. But he let it continue as if he himself wanted it…

If they did anything in bed, they might be discovered by the cleaning aunt. Mo Yin pushed Li Xiu gently and whispered, “Let’s go to the bathroom.”

Li Xiu didn’t quite understand, and Mo Yin wasn’t entirely sure himself.

They did what they had done before in the darkness of their dorm room.

Though it was daytime, the bathroom was dimly lit. Li Xiu turned on the light, and they faced each other. Mo Yin leaned against the wall, holding onto Li Xiu’s shoulders, while Li Xiu embraced his waist. They both looked down, their breathing quickening, kissing deeply.

After a pause of two or three minutes, during which they didn’t say anything, they awkwardly embraced each other again. Then it was a messy, unstructured kiss, filled with confusion and pauses. They locked eyes, and Li Xiu said, “Lie down.”

Like conducting an experiment, they clumsily and awkwardly tried to coordinate.

Mo Yin lay on the sink, his slender body covered in a loose school shirt. His youthfulness lacked any hint of sophistication.

Li Xiu kissed the back of his neck, causing Mo Yin to shiver, and the tip of his shirt trembled along.

Li Xiu asked if he was uncomfortable.

Mo Yin said he was okay.

Li Xiu kept his arms firmly around him, kissing his ears and temples.

Mo Yin felt hot and sweaty. He bit his lip, and a drop of blood appeared. His mind spun, feeling like he was walking through humid, oppressive fog, struggling to breathe.

Li Xiu’s breathing was rapid as he held Mo Yin tightly, almost encasing his entire being.

Mo Yin glanced up at the mirror.

The mirror was fogged, irregular marks left by the warm breath from his mouth.

Looking up, he saw Li Xiu’s black hair swaying, the tips also moist with sweat. Mo Yin closed his eyes, leaning his hand that was gripping the sink backwards towards Li Xiu.

Li Xiu immediately grasped his hand, their fingers intertwining tightly, almost painfully so.

When they emerged from the bathroom, Mo Yin had washed his face, his cheeks flushed, and his hair damp and slightly disheveled. Li Xiu brushed his hair back, revealing his entire forehead. He smiled at Mo Yin and said, “You look cute with your forehead showing.”

Mo Yin swatted his hand away, looking a bit displeased.

Li Xiu hugged him and said something Mo Yin hadn’t expected at all: “We’ll never be apart.”

“Never?” Mo Yin couldn’t imagine someone as smart, rational, and good at physics as Li Xiu saying such an uncertain word.

Mo Yin argued back, saying it wasn’t possible.

Li Xiu smiled.

Mo Yin admitted to himself that he quite liked Li Xiu. He explained specifically, “We might not even go to the same university.”

“Which university do you want to go to?” Li Xiu asked.

Mo Yin named a very good university far from their city.

Li Xiu said, “That should work.”

Mo Yin pushed Li Xiu away, informing him that he would surpass Li Xiu in the mid-term, including their recent competition results. He believed he would do better than Li Xiu and asked him not to be too overconfident.

Li Xiu nodded, saying he wasn’t overly confident but believed Mo Yin would outperform him.

“If you beat me,” Li Xiu said, “I’ll care.”

Mo Yin hesitated and asked, “Why?”

“Because you’re amazing,” Li Xiu said.

Mo Yin thought to himself, “Of course.”

Li Xiu added, “Besides you, I can’t think of anyone else who could surpass me.”

Mo Yin simultaneously scorned Li Xiu’s confidence and somewhat acknowledged his statement inwardly. Beating an ordinary person wasn’t worth being proud of, but defeating Li Xiu would feel quite good. Mo Yin scrutinized Li Xiu’s slightly flushed face and guessed that feeling might be comparable to liking someone.

As they packed their belongings and chatted, time passed quickly. A notification in their group reminded them to gather. Mo Yin dragged his suitcase outside. His steps seemed unnaturally slow, and he refused when Li Xiu offered to help with the luggage.

“I’m not handicapped,” Mo Yin said coldly, his face stern, clearly drawing a line between himself and Li Xiu.

Li Xiu grabbed his arm and kissed his cheek. With a faint smile, Li Xiu looked at Mo Yin, who found himself no longer annoyed by Li Xiu’s smile.

The plane landed late at night.

At the customs exit, Mo Yin saw Li Xiu’s parents waiting to pick him up. He slowly distanced himself from Li Xiu while carrying his suitcase. Li Xiu didn’t follow.

“Dad, Mom,” Li Xiu greeted his parents. He glanced sideways, noticing Mo Yin with the teacher leading the group.

Mr. Li’s expression remained unchanged, but he didn’t seem as angry as he had during the training camp. He responded indifferently, “Hmm. Finished with your competition. Are you happy? Satisfied?”

Li Xiu smiled, “The results aren’t out yet.”

Mr. Li muttered under his breath.

“Enough,” Mrs. Li interrupted her husband’s reprimand, one arm around her husband and the other around her son. She smiled and said, “It’s been a long time since the family has been together like this. Let’s not talk about it. Let’s go back. There’s soup waiting at home to replenish you.”

Father and son consciously walked down the steps together, and the family atmosphere slowly returned to its harmonious appearance.

Li Xiu glanced back and saw Mo Yin, who was pushing the luggage cart with his head lowered, moving forward. He turned his head back, feeling an inexplicable urge to walk with Mo Yin.

On the way back, Li’s father lectured Li Xiu again on his self-willfulness and deceptive compliance, warning him not to think he could get away with his schemes.

“Even if they really grant you the guaranteed admission, I won’t allow it. You kids don’t understand. Shengda is the cradle of all…” Even in their own car, Li’s father’s speech remained cautious. “Don’t be stubborn. Regret will come too late.”

“I understand,” Li Xiu replied mildly.

“What do you understand? Do you understand that you still…”

“Alright, he said he understands,” Li’s mother interjected again, intentionally wearing a stern expression. “Anyone who says something I don’t want to hear will have no soup at home.”

Li’s father nodded with a smile. “Alright, alright, you’re the boss at home. I won’t say anymore,” he glanced sidelong at his son. “You’re different from that kid from the Zhong family. Our family’s foundation can make great things possible for you, understand?”

“I understand.”

After a series of knocks and admonishments, Li Xiu returned home, had some soup, and found a box with a ribbon and a card on his desk when he returned to his room, bearing his parents’ handwriting in both Chinese and English, with heartfelt messages.

Opening it, Li Xiu found souvenirs his parents had brought back from abroad.

Placing the souvenirs in the glass cabinet in his room, Li Xiu sat on his bed for a while. Unable to resist, he sent a text message.

—”I’ve arrived. How about you?”

Mo Yin didn’t reply, so Li Xiu sat and waited.

Because Mo Yin was a peculiar person, he wouldn’t say sweet things like ordinary people in relationships, reply promptly to messages, or smile at people. But Li Xiu liked Mo Yin’s peculiarity, so he was willing to wait. Not receiving a reply didn’t mean Mo Yin didn’t like him; it just meant Mo Yin didn’t want to reply to this message.

Fortunately, this message of his was probably somewhat to Mo Yin’s liking. Just about ten minutes later, Mo Yin replied.

—”No.”

—”Is there anywhere else you’re feeling unwell?”

Li Xiu’s question seemed to bother Mo Yin a bit, and he didn’t reply.

After waiting for ten minutes, Li Xiu sent another text.

—”I want to call you.”

Mo Yin still didn’t reply, so Li Xiu boldly called Mo Yin without mutual consent. After only half a minute, Mo Yin answered.

“Are you still on the road?”

“What do you think?”

Li Xiu smiled. Suddenly not knowing what to say, he fell silent, and Mo Yin on the other end of the phone didn’t say anything either.

After what seemed like a long time, Li Xiu suddenly said, “Do you want to listen to some music?”

Music flowed from the speakers in the room. Mo Yin put on his headphones; the melody and lyrics were unfamiliar, but Li Xiu’s breathing was familiar.

They lay quietly on their respective dormitory beds, neither hanging up the phone. Li Xiu said, “Are you tired?”

“A bit.”

“Then go to sleep.”

After a while, Li Xiu didn’t know whether Mo Yin had fallen asleep. Suddenly, he remembered that he hadn’t taken sleeping pills for a long time. He smiled gently and closed his eyes too.

The next morning, when Li Xiu reached for his phone, he noticed something strange: his phone by the bedside was missing. Sitting on the bed for a while, he glanced at the wall clock. It was 8:05 a.m. — he was late.

Though not particularly rushed, he was eager to see Mo Yin soon. So he quickly got out of bed, slipped on his slippers, and walked to the bedroom door, only to find another strange thing — the bedroom door wouldn’t open.