Chapter 30
“Ling Brother, you haven’t been waiting outside all this time, have you?” Qiao Song realized that after Ling Jianshu left, he didn’t go back to the dorm. Did he really just wait outside for him? How stubborn can this person be?
“It’s nothing, it’s not a big deal.” Ling Jianshu said dismissively, “Just happened to be here when you needed me.”
Xia Zhe, standing beside them, was also surprised. He nudged Qiao Song with his elbow: “Your senior is even more dedicated than a professional bodyguard. How many hours has he been out here?”
Hearing his comment, Qiao Song felt a bit guilty. No matter how Ling Jianshu viewed him, just waiting here showed his concern for his safety. Being valued like this warmed his heart a little.
“Let’s go back,” Ling Jianshu said, naturally reaching out to pull him along.
Qiao Song was pulled to Ling Jianshu’s side and suggested, “Ling Brother, it might not be suitable to go back to the dorm at this time. How about we stay at a hotel for the night?”
Ling Jianshu thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.
But Xia Zhe jumped in before they could speak: “Why go to a hotel? Just come to my place. My apartment isn’t as spacious as a villa, but it’s easy to prepare two rooms for you.”
Since it was getting late, Qiao Song didn’t refuse his offer. With Ling Jianshu’s nod, they set off.
The three of them arrived at Xia Zhe’s place, which was bought by his family for him to use when he was abroad.
The apartment had three bedrooms and a living room, originally intended for three people. However, they discovered that one room had been converted into a storage room by the cleaning staff.
So now, the three of them had to share two bedrooms.
Xia Zhe suggested that Qiao Song and he could share a room, as they had done so many times before without issue.
But Ling Jianshu immediately objected, feeling it was inappropriate. “Wait, let’s just have Qiao Song and me share a room. After all, Xia Zhe is the host. It wouldn’t be right for guests to force the host to share a bed. We can manage with one room.”
Xia Zhe looked at Qiao Song with some confusion.
Ling Jianshu’s reasoning made sense. Qiao Song thought about it and nodded: “Alright then. Ling Brother and I will share a room. Since this is settled, let’s all get some rest. Especially Xia Zhe, you just got back and stayed out so late. You should rest well. We’re fine.”
“Got it. The bathroom has spare toiletries, and the closet has some of my clothes. Feel free to use them,” Xia Zhe said, then headed to his room.
Ling Jianshu sensed that Qiao Song’s attitude toward Xia Zhe was different from how he treated others. Was it because he liked him? Because of affection, Qiao Song seemed more concerned about him?
They were really close, Ling Jianshu thought. Can brotherhood compare to the affection someone has for another person?
For him, it would definitely be able to compare. In his heart, no girl could surpass him. But for Qiao Song, the answer seemed uncertain.
“Do you really like him that much?” Ling Jianshu asked as he followed him into the room.
Qiao Song was momentarily taken aback by the question. “Ah? Who?”
“Don’t you have a crush on Xia Zhe?” Ling Jianshu looked at him, a bit confused.
“Ah… yes, I do.” Qiao Song felt a bit embarrassed, realizing that a lie often requires many more lies to cover it up. He almost forgot about his crush on Xia Zhe after leaving the bar. He was indeed infatuated with him.
Ling Jianshu’s face darkened.
Sure enough, Qiao Song’s attitude towards him was so cold. Even with a close friend, there was such a difference compared to someone he had a crush on?
Thinking about this made him feel an inexplicable sourness in his heart.
“You should shower first. You smell of alcohol,” Ling Jianshu said, sitting on the edge of the bed, looking at him.
Qiao Song nodded. Even if he hadn’t drunk much, the smoke and alcohol from the bar clung to him, making him uncomfortable.
He grabbed two of Xia Zhe’s clothes and went to the bathroom.
Hearing the water in the bathroom, Ling Jianshu became a bit dazed, imagining droplets of water running down Qiao Song’s fair skin.
They were good friends, living in the same dorm. It shouldn’t be a big deal… Though he thought this, he knew Qiao Song was different from other men.
A short while later, the water stopped. Qiao Song came out of the bathroom, wearing clothes that were completely different from his usual style. He wore a loose T-shirt, a style Xia Zhe liked, which revealed his delicate collarbones as he moved his arms.
His hair, wet and smooth, had droplets of water sliding onto his collarbone and disappearing into his clothes.
The outfit made him look younger, and the light pink tone of his skin after the hot shower made him appear—adorable?
“Aren’t you going to shower?” Qiao Song asked, noticing Ling Jianshu’s dazed look.
“Hmm…” Ling Jianshu nodded and headed to the bathroom.
After drying his hair, Qiao Song lay down.
Ling Jianshu looked at his back, feeling a strange emotion and an unexplained restlessness in his chest.
Ling Jianshu lay down as well.
Qiao Song felt the bed sink slightly as Ling Jianshu lay down, which felt somewhat intimate. Even though they were roommates, sharing a bed seemed too close.
Moreover… A straight guy like him, who can’t accept homosexuality, would probably find it uncomfortable to lie on the same bed, right?
Not wanting to make him uncomfortable, he shifted slightly away from him.
Ling Jianshu noticed this and furrowed his brow. Was Qiao Song deliberately moving away from him? Was it because he had someone he liked, and wanted to avoid misunderstandings with Xia Zhe, so he was trying to stay away from him?
The more he thought about it, the more uncomfortable he felt. He moved closer to him.
Thinking Ling Jianshu was already asleep and moving unconsciously, Qiao Song shifted again, trying to distance himself. However, the more he moved, the closer Ling Jianshu came.
What’s going on? Is there a magnet in him or something? Why does Ling Jianshu keep moving closer?
Feeling drowsy, he gave up on thinking and soon fell into a deep sleep.
“Qiao Qiao, catch this, make sure to catch it,” Ling Jianshu stood at the edge of a cliff, holding a tabby cat and about to throw it to Qiao Song.
“No, don’t throw it,” he frantically waved his hands, refusing Ling Jianshu’s action.
“Catch my son,” Ling Jianshu said, throwing the tabby cat down.
Qiao Song’s eyes widened as he scrambled to catch the cat, but it suddenly turned into a huge stone and crushed his chest.
“Ugh…” he groaned in his sleep, waking up with a start. He looked at his arm pinned under Ling Jianshu, took a deep breath, and was relieved to find he could breathe.
That was an incredibly heavy blow.
“Ling Brother, wake up,” he said, gently pushing him.
“Ugh…” Ling Jianshu remained in deep sleep, his breathing steady.
“Ling Brother,” Qiao Song raised his voice, trying to wake him, but Ling Jianshu was too deep in sleep to respond.
Frustrated, he pushed him a bit harder.
Instead of moving away, Ling Jianshu pulled him into a tighter embrace.
His eyes widened as he found himself buried in his solid chest.
“Ling Brother…” Qiao Song murmured, his voice muffled.
“Stop making noise…” Ling Jianshu frowned, brushing Qiao Song’s hair away as if it were second nature.
“Ling Brother, this…” Qiao Song said helplessly, “How can I sleep like this?”
Ling Jianshu had had a poor night’s sleep, and so had Qiao Song.
He was overwhelmed by the scent of Ling Jianshu, wondering how desirable such a chest and embrace must be to some people. But for him, it felt like an eternity.
Ling Jianshu’s strength was too much, and he couldn’t break free.
Perhaps it would be better to wake him up.
Just as he was about to shout, the door was slowly pushed open from outside.
“Qiao Qiao, you guys…” Xia Zhe opened the door a crack, intending to ask what they wanted for breakfast. He had woken up hungry and planned to buy some breakfast for them as well.
To his shock, he saw the scene before him: Qiao Song was tightly embraced by the tall Ling Jianshu, with their bodies pressed close together.
“Sorry to interrupt,” he said quietly, lowering his head and quickly closing the door, showing thoughtful consideration for their privacy.
“Hey, Xia Zhe! No…” Qiao Song saw his mischievous grin and knew he must have misunderstood the situation.
Qiao Song struggled out of Ling Jianshu’s embrace, but Xia Zhe had already closed the door.
“Hmm?” Ling Jianshu rubbed his head, “What’s wrong, Qiao Qiao?”
“It’s nothing,” Qiao Song sighed, realizing he couldn’t tell him that Xia Zhe had misunderstood. It would only make things awkward for the straight guy.