A Brief Farewell

Before turning off the lights, Shen Yanlang glanced at Duan Xu's bed.

I can't sleep holding Xuxu tonight.

Duan Xu had just climbed into bed when he heard that, and a small thrill ran through him. Finally, I won't have to face such an awkward situation first thing in the morning!

University winter breaks were long, lasting over twenty days. Some schools even gave students more than thirty days off.

Duan Xu's school did not have such a long break. Counting everything, it was twenty-eight days. Between this trip and waiting for Xue Jingshu to finish his exams, nine days had already passed. In another week, it would be New Year's.

It was already ten in the morning when Duan Xu finally got up at an unhurried pace. His high-speed rail ticket was for the afternoon, so there was no rush.

Zhou Zhou and Xiao Xu were both locals, so they were in even less of a hurry.

"Zhouzhou, when are you leaving?" Duan Xu asked as he climbed down from his bed and sat on a chair.

Zhou Zhou was already packing. "I have to leave soon. My parents are urging me to go home for dinner!"

"Oh, then what about Brother Xu?"

Xiao Xu said, "About the same. I'll leave once I finish packing."

Shen Yanlang was sitting beside Duan Xu. When he saw that Duan Xu had not asked about him, he could not help raising an eyebrow.

Is Xuxu shy? Is he afraid those two will tease him?

Shy, my ass!

Duan Xu had not asked because when they bought tickets last night, he had heard Shen Yanlang's thoughts. Shen Yanlang was planning to take him to the high-speed rail station before going home.

Zhou Zhou did not know that. Seeing that Duan Xu had not asked Shen Yanlang, he gave a meaningful smile. "Then when are you leaving, Brother Yan?"

"After lunch," Shen Yanlang replied blandly.

He had not told Duan Xu about his plan yet, afraid that Duan Xu would refuse.

However, Duan Xu already knew, and he had no intention of refusing. Having someone take him to the high-speed rail station for free was better than taking a taxi himself.

Zhou Zhou looked at Duan Xu. "So Xuxu will be the last one to leave?"

"Yeah." Duan Xu nodded.

Zhou Zhou chuckled. He did not believe Shen Yanlang's words at all. Shen Yanlang would definitely take Duan Xu to the high-speed rail station.

But he pretended not to know and said nothing more.

Once Zhou Zhou and Xiao Xu had finished packing, they said goodbye to Duan Xu and Shen Yanlang.

"We're off! See you after New Year's!"

"Yeah, see you after New Year's!"

The dorm room door closed, and Shen Yanlang immediately stood and walked over to Duan Xu. Duan Xu was still sitting facing the aisle, giving Shen Yanlang the perfect chance to pin him against the desk.

"What are you doing?" Duan Xu leaned back, glancing at the hand Shen Yanlang had braced on his desk.

Shen Yanlang's gaze darkened as it fell on Duan Xu's lips. "I'm leaving before you. Aren't you disappointed?"

This position is perfect for a kiss.

Duan Xu: "..."

"Not even a little!" Duan Xu huffed.

Shen Yanlang gave a low laugh and bent closer. "Really?"

A kiss before leaving wouldn't be bad. Otherwise, it'll be a long time before I get to kiss him again.

Duan Xu pressed both hands against Shen Yanlang's solid chest. "Shen Yanlang, I'm telling you, you'd better behave yourself. Otherwise, even if you wait your whole life, you still won't get one!"

"Hm?" Shen Yanlang looked puzzled. "How am I not behaving myself?"

"...In your head," Duan Xu said boldly.

Shen Yanlang fell silent. His thoughts really were far from proper, but...

How does Xuxu know?

Have I really made it that obvious?

At that thought, Shen Yanlang straightened and cautiously asked, "Does this make you uncomfortable?"

"Uh..."

Duan Xu did not know how to explain it. Judging solely by Shen Yanlang's outward behavior, it was actually fine. The problem was those thoughts in his head...

"Hm? Did I really make you uncomfortable?" Shen Yanlang frowned slightly.

If that's true, haven't I been pushing him away this whole time?

Could Xuxu go from liking me to hating me?

Hearing Shen Yanlang's thoughts grow more and more outrageous, Duan Xu hurriedly said, "No, I'm not uncomfortable!"

"Really?" Shen Yanlang doubted how credible that was.

Duan Xu nodded. "Really. It's just that sometimes... you need to rein in your gaze a little."

What else could he do? He could only use that excuse.

Shen Yanlang carefully studied Duan Xu's expression. Only when he saw that Duan Xu was not forcing himself did he relax. Then he said seriously, "If I make you uncomfortable, you have to tell me."

Thank goodness. Xuxu doesn't hate me yet.

"Yeah, I know." Duan Xu nodded.

Shen Yanlang had originally intended to kiss Duan Xu, but that exchange made him restrain himself for the time being.

At noon, the two ate together outside campus. Only then did Shen Yanlang say, "I have a car. I'll take you to the high-speed rail station."

"Oh, okay." Duan Xu agreed without hesitation.

Shen Yanlang glanced sideways at him. Seeing no unusual expression on Duan Xu's face, he could not help becoming suspicious.

Did Xuxu already guess I would take him?

That makes sense. How could I possibly leave Xuxu behind and go first?

Duan Xu awkwardly rubbed his ear. "The train is at two thirty. It takes half an hour to get there, so let's leave at one thirty."

"Okay."

The two sat in the dorm until one thirty, then left the school together.

Half an hour later, the car arrived at the high-speed rail station.

Duan Xu unfastened his seatbelt and got out. Shen Yanlang got out with him, took the suitcase from the trunk, and handed it to Duan Xu.

Duan Xu reached out to take it but could not pull it away. When he looked up, he found Shen Yanlang gazing at him reluctantly.

He had not felt particularly reluctant to part before, but under Shen Yanlang's gaze, he began to feel a little unwilling to leave too.

"Brother Yan, I need to go in," Duan Xu said softly.

Shen Yanlang hummed. "Can I hug you before you go?"

This time, Duan Xu did not refuse. He even stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Shen Yanlang first.

Shen Yanlang froze for a moment, then released the suitcase and circled Duan Xu with both arms, pulling him tightly into his embrace.

He could not help taking a deep breath. He caught an extremely faint trace of pheromones on Duan Xu. "Remember to go back to the hospital for a follow-up examination when you get home."

"I know." Duan Xu quietly inhaled a breath of Shen Yanlang's pheromones too.

At his last checkup, Xuxu was almost done differentiating. It should happen in the next few days.

I wonder if Xuxu can manage alone. If not, maybe I should still...

Afraid that Shen Yanlang would follow him home, Duan Xu spoke first. "My parents are back these next few days too. They'll go with me."

Hearing that, Shen Yanlang felt much more at ease. "Okay."

No matter how reluctant they were, they still had to part. Duan Xu tilted his head slightly and whispered in Shen Yanlang's ear, "Brother Yan, you have to come find me after New Year's. I'll be waiting for you!"

After saying that, Duan Xu pulled out of Shen Yanlang's embrace before he could react, grabbed his suitcase, and ran toward the entrance.

Shen Yanlang was stunned for an instant by Duan Xu's warm breath and the unspoken meaning behind his words. By the time he came back to himself, Duan Xu had already run off with his suitcase.

He watched that retreating figure and smiled softly, murmuring, "Xuxu, wait for me."

Duan Xu got home around four. After opening the door and changing his shoes, he called into the house, "Dad! Mom! I'm back!"

Hearing his voice, Qiu Shan and Duan Hu came out one after the other, both smiling.

"Xuxu is back! Come, let Mom hug you!" Qiu Shan said as she walked over and hugged Duan Xu. "Our Xuxu has grown taller!"

Qiu Shan was a beta and only five foot three. Duan Xu had already been taller than her in high school.

Duan Xu grinned. "I grew just a tiny bit."