My straight roommate is so good

Qiao Song couldn’t help but laugh at his wild thoughts.

There was nothing ambiguous about those words. He was just… teasing a little kid on purpose.

Not taking it seriously anymore, the two siblings joked around about the matter of Qiao Song’s residence for a while longer, and in the end, Ling Jianshu emerged victorious.

“Ling Brother, how can you be this childish? Why argue with a kid?” Qiao Song shook his head with a helpless smile.

“I was just stating facts,” Ling Jianshu replied seriously, making it hard to believe he was bullying a child.

Hmm, sometimes it’s really hard to figure out what Ling Jianshu is thinking.

On the way back, the two of them stopped by the flower shop again. This time, Qiao Song picked out a bouquet made of roses, lilies, carnations, and eucalyptus leaves.

As soon as they got home, Qin Shuhan’s eyes lit up with joy.

“They’re so beautiful! As expected from someone who studies art—Qiao Qiao has such great taste,” Qin Shuhan praised as she turned to arrange the bouquet.

“As long as you like them. I didn’t really know what flowers you liked, so I just picked a few that I thought looked nice,” Qiao Song said with a smile.

“I love them, absolutely love them. Qiao Qiao, you’re always so thoughtful,” she praised, her affection for him growing as she looked at him, finding him more and more endearing.

The next day, Ling Jianshu’s second uncle called, saying that Ling Xiaoxiao really liked Qiao Song, and they confirmed the piano lessons.

It was arranged to be two lessons a week. Two days later, Qiao Song went back to give her her second lesson.

Ling Jianshu naturally followed behind him, ready to go along.

“Ling Brother? I already know the way to Second Uncle’s house, so you don’t need to come with me today,” Qiao Song assumed that he was worried he might get lost.

“No, I just want to go,” Ling Jianshu replied simply and directly.

Qiao Song glanced at his expression—Don’t you have your own life?

Of course, he couldn’t voice his real thoughts and figured maybe Ling Jianshu just wanted to hang out at his uncle’s house.

When they arrived at Second Uncle’s house, they found Ling Xiaoxiao already waiting at the door for them.

“Why did you come again, brother?” She pouted, showing her dissatisfaction.

“You little rascal, I can come whenever I want,” Ling Jianshu pinched her nose lightly, shaking it playfully.

She ran to Qiao Song, grabbed his hand, and tugged, signaling for him to lean down.

Naturally, Qiao Song lowered his head to hear what the little girl had to whisper.

“Teacher Qiao, I already know how to stay with you forever,” she said excitedly.

He looked puzzled, waiting for her to continue.

“You just have to be with Teacher Qiao @の~*#…” She mumbled something, and Qiao Song couldn’t catch what she said.

“What?” He asked instinctively.

“Aiya, I’m saying, I learned from my mom that if two people want to be together forever, they have to get married,” the little girl said seriously, no longer hiding her thoughts, shaking her head earnestly with childlike seriousness.

“This…” Qiao Song didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at her words.

“Teacher Qiao, marry me!” Ling Xiaoxiao was thrilled, thinking she had come up with the best idea ever. “If Teacher Qiao marries me, we can be together all the time!”

Meanwhile, Ling Jianshu’s face turned grim. He looked at her with a serious expression, saying, “Don’t talk nonsense.”

Ling Xiaoxiao, being perceptive, noticed his serious demeanor and stopped joking.

“You’re too young to say things like that,” Ling Jianshu’s expression softened, and he spoke in a gentler tone.

“Ling Brother, it’s just innocent talk from a kid,” Qiao Song wasn’t sure why Ling Jianshu’s face had suddenly darkened. Was there really a need to take a child’s words so seriously?

“Yeah, it’s nothing,” Ling Jianshu admitted, surprised at how much it bothered him. He wasn’t just upset with Ling Xiaoxiao—he didn’t know why, but hearing her talk about marrying Qiao Song made his thoughts spiral. He started wondering, who would he marry in the future? A woman? That didn’t seem likely anymore. So, would it be Xia Zhe? Or some other guy? For some reason, the more he thought about it, the angrier he got.

Qiao Song winked at Ling Xiaoxiao and smiled softly, easing the little girl’s mood. Silently, she pulled him away to the piano for their lesson.

On the way home, Ling Jianshu was silent, and Qiao Song walked quietly beside him.

His mind was a mess. He knew it was ridiculous to get mad at Ling Xiaoxiao like that, but he couldn’t help the fact that he didn’t like the idea of anyone having a relationship with Qiao Song that went beyond friendship. No one should have that.

He was Qiao Song’s best friend…

“Ling Brother! Watch out!” Qiao Song called out, noticing that he was walking absentmindedly and about to bump into a utility pole. He quickly grabbed him.

In that moment, as Ling Jianshu turned around instinctively, Qiao Song ended up falling into his arms.

Qiao Song froze for a second before quickly stepping back and rubbing his head where he had hit it. “Are you okay? What were you thinking about, Ling Brother?”

“Nothing,” Ling Jianshu shook his head, but his thoughts returned to the warmth of Qiao Song’s body when they collided.

He pressed his hand to his chest, feeling like he was beginning to understand something, but whenever he reached out to grasp it, it slipped away.

It felt like all his emotions were just waiting for someone to pierce through the veil. Once broken, everything would pour out.

The piano lessons for the week went smoothly.

After receiving his payment, Qiao Song immediately transferred his share of the monthly living expenses to Ling Jianshu, feeling that it wasn’t right to eat and drink at the Ling household for free.

Ling Jianshu immediately sent the money back with the message: “Full room and board for Teacher Qiao.”

Qiao Song smiled at the “Teacher Qiao” nickname.

“Alright, I won’t be polite then.” With that thought, he dedicated himself even more to teaching Xiaoxiao the piano.

And in the days that he taught her, Ling Jianshu never missed a lesson. He would sit quietly to the side, watching his serious expression and his long, white fingers dance effortlessly over the black-and-white keys. Even the simplest practice pieces sounded unique and beautiful when he played them.

“This year, you’ll be spending New Year’s with us. Have you already talked to your parents?” Qin Shuhan asked with concern.

At the mention of his parents, Qiao Song instinctively pressed his lips together. “Yeah, I’ve let them know.”

In fact, he hadn’t made that call yet. But deep down, he already knew what the outcome would be.

Spring Festival in China comes during the cold season, and his parents had probably already gone abroad on vacation. Even if they remembered the holiday, there was no guarantee they’d remember him.

“Since you’ve told them, just stay with us for New Year’s. Don’t worry, it’ll be more lively than any Spring Festival you’ve ever had,” Ling Jianshu said sincerely, looking into Qiao Song’s eyes.