My straight roommate is so good

【Ling Jianshu: Okay, just make sure to stay safe.】

He understood that Qiao Song’s response was somewhat calculated but chose not to confront him directly. Having been rejected once, he figured pushing the invitation might backfire and actually drive Qiao Song away.

After their conversation, his WeChat suddenly pinged with two @ notifications.

Opening it, he saw that someone in the family group was looking for him. After skimming through the chat, he discovered that his cousin’s daughter, his little cousin, was in third grade and preparing to learn a new extracurricular interest. The family had debated for a while and finally decided on piano, but now they were stuck on finding a teacher.

【Second Aunt: @Ling Jianshu, how about you help me search online for some good classes or teachers?】

【Dad: A learning center won’t work; they won’t teach well. We don’t need a famous teacher, but it must be one-on-one; if you’re going to learn, learn it well.】

【Ling Jianshu: My dad’s right. I have a good candidate; let me ask around.】

【Second Uncle: See, this is why we trust our  Jianshu; he’s proactive.】

【Second Aunt: Thank you, Jianshu! When you come back from break, I’ll make you something delicious.】

【Mom: It’s no trouble, just glad Jianshu can help.】

It was somewhat ironic; he had just been thinking about how to find a reason to invite Qiao Song, and now he had a perfect excuse.

Ling Jianshu couldn’t help but smile, realizing that this opportunity to bring someone along was coming easily.

【Ling Jianshu: Qiao Qiao, is it too late for a third grader to learn piano?】

【Qiao Song: Hmm? Not at all! While many kids start very young, that doesn’t mean it’s too late for others to begin at different ages.】

【Ling Jianshu: Qiao Qiao, I have a part-time job available. During the winter break, I need someone to teach a third grader the basics of piano, primarily to nurture her interest. Are you interested?】

【Qiao Song: Of course!】

Qiao Song felt a surge of excitement. He had been thinking about finding a part-time job, whether teaching cultural subjects or piano, and if given the choice, he’d prefer to teach piano.

【Ling Jianshu: Then it’s settled. You’re coming home with me for winter break.】

【Qiao Song: Huh? What?】

Why so suddenly to go home with him?

【Ling Jianshu: It’s my little cousin. She’s in third grade. The family wants to find a piano teacher, and it just so happens you’re available.】

As he spoke, he wore a light smile, but after waiting a while for Qiao Song’s reply, he didn’t receive one.

【Ling Jianshu : What’s wrong? Did you change your mind about teaching?】

【Qiao Song: Of course not. Alright, I’ll go home with you.】 Given that Ling Jianshu had invited him like that, it felt awkward to refuse any further.

【Ling Jianshu : Good.】

Qiao Song looked at the word “good” that Ling Jianshu sent, instinctively tightening his grip on his phone. Even though he hadn’t spoken it aloud, just typing that felt a little strange to him. It was just a casual joke, after all.

On the other end, Ling Jianshu opened the family group.

【Ling Jianshu : Found someone! This is my roommate; he’s not going home for winter break and is looking for a part-time job. He’s a nice, clean-cut guy and plays piano very well, with lots of awards.】

【Second Aunt: Oh, so it’s Jian shu’s friend! That’s great; we can trust him.】

【Dad: Rare to see him say so many nice things about a friend; they must be really close.】

【Mom: He’s looking for a part-time job, so he must be a good kid, wanting to lighten the family’s load.】

【Second Uncle: Let him come over for New Year; we’ll prepare a big red envelope for him.】

【Ling Jianshu : Thanks in advance, Second Uncle and Second Aunt.】

In the loving family chat, the discussion shifted back to the child learning piano, so Ling Jianshu closed the group and returned to his chat with Qiao Song.

【Ling Jianshu: It’s settled; just come over to teach. I’ll buy your train ticket home.】

Home…

Qiao Song looked at his message, a slight smile forming. Well, since he was going, he might as well make the best of it. He’d just focus on teaching the child well.

A few of them had dinner together, and Qiao Song and Ling Jianshu bought their train tickets for the next day. That night, Qiao Song suddenly found it hard to sleep.

He had initially planned to distance himself from someone like Ling Jianshu , who was such a straight guy. So why was it now that they’d be seeing each other every day during the break?

Ling Jianshu : “My family might be a bit too enthusiastic; just bear with it.”

“Ah?” Qiao Song was intrigued by Ling Jianshu’s words.

Enthusiastic? Given Ling Jianshu’s demeanor, Qiao Song had always thought his family atmosphere would be quite serious.

“But they’re all very nice, so don’t worry,” Ling Jianshu continued.

“Okay, I understand.” While Qiao Song initially assumed Ling Jianshu’s family environment was stern, he also knew they must be good people to have raised someone as genuine as him .

It was hard not to feel nervous. Qiao Song followed him with his luggage, feeling increasingly unsure about where to place his hands and feet as they approached the destination.

When they arrived at the door, Ling Jianshu stopped and didn’t knock immediately. Instead, he turned to look at Qiao Song, reaching out to hold his hand.

“Your palms are sweaty; you’re a bit nervous,” he stated.

“I usually get nervous around strangers, especially your parents,” Qiao Song admitted, not trying to hide his anxiety.

“Quite honest,” Ling Jianshu said, using his other hand to ruffle Qiao Song’s hair.

“You messed up my hair; I still have to meet your parents,” Qiao Song complained, shaking his head.

Ling Jianshu reassured him, “Don’t worry, I already told them not to come today to make it easier for you.”

“Why not let them come? It’s better for me to visit my Second Uncle and Aunt,” Qiao Song said, even though he hadn’t felt much family affection growing up and didn’t have close relatives like Ling Jianshu did, he understood basic etiquette.

“Alright, I’ll go with you tomorrow,” Ling Jianshu nodded. “I’ve arranged for a very pretty piano teacher for her; Ling Xiaoxiao is already excited to meet you.”

Ling Xiaoxiao was the student Qiao Song would be teaching, Ling Jianshu ’s little cousin in third grade.

As they chatted, the front door suddenly swung open.

Ling Li and Qin Shuhan stood at the door, looking at their son holding another handsome boy’s hand, the two appearing quite close as they chatted.

Qiao Song instinctively tried to pull his hand back, but Ling Jianshu firmly held it and pulled him forward.

He froze for a moment, marveling at how confidently Ling Jianshu acted. Did he not feel anything was amiss?

“Mom, Dad, this is Qiao Song. You can just call him Qiao,” Ling Jianshu introduced casually.

Qiao Song quickly bowed slightly to Ling’s father and mother. “Hello, Uncle and Aunt. I’m Qiao Song.”