Before turning out the lights, Shen Yanlang glanced at Duan Xu's bed.
I won't be able to hold Xuxu while sleeping tonight.
Duan Xu had just climbed into bed when he heard that thought, and a small thrill rose in his heart. Finally, he would not have to face such an awkward situation first thing in the morning!
University winter breaks were long, lasting more than twenty days. Some schools even had breaks of over thirty days.
Duan Xu's school did not have such a long break. At most, 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 the New Year.
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 got out of bed and sat on a chair.
Zhou Zhou was already packing. "I have to leave in a bit. My parents are urging me to go home for dinner!"
"Oh, then what about Xu-ge?"
Xiao Xu said, "About the same. I'll leave once I finish packing."
Shen Yanlang was sitting beside Duan Xu. Seeing 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 he bought his ticket last night, he had heard Shen Yanlang's thoughts. Shen Yanlang planned to take him to the high-speed rail station before going home himself.
Zhou Zhou did not know that. Seeing Duan Xu not ask Shen Yanlang, he gave a meaningful smile. "Then when is Yan-ge leaving?"
"After lunch," Shen Yanlang replied blandly.
He had not told Duan Xu about his plan yet, afraid Duan Xu would refuse.
But 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, not believing 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 did not say anything more.
Once Zhou Zhou and Xiao Xu had packed up, they said goodbye to Duan Xu and Shen Yanlang.
"We're off! See you after the New Year!"
"Yeah, see you after the New Year!"
The dorm room door closed, and Shen Yanlang immediately stood and walked over to Duan Xu. Duan Xu was still seated facing the aisle, giving Shen Yanlang the perfect chance to box him in against the desk.
"What are you doing?" Duan Xu leaned back, glancing at Shen Yanlang's hand braced against 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 snorted.
Shen Yanlang chuckled softly and bent closer. "Really?"
A kiss before leaving would be nice too. 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, you can wait your whole life and still not get one!"
"Hm?" Shen Yanlang did not understand. "How am I not behaving myself?"
"...In your head," Duan Xu said boldly.
Shen Yanlang fell silent. His thoughts really were not proper, but...
How does Xuxu know?
Have I really made it that obvious?
Thinking that, Shen Yanlang straightened up and asked tentatively, "Does this make you uncomfortable?"
"Uh..."
Duan Xu did not know how to explain it. Judging only by Shen Yanlang's outward behavior, it was actually fine. The problem was the things going through his mind...
"Hm? Did it really make you uncomfortable?" Shen Yanlang frowned slightly.
If that's the case, haven't I been pushing him away all this time?
Could Xuxu go from liking me to hating me?
Hearing Shen Yanlang's thoughts grow more and more ridiculous, Duan Xu hurriedly said, "No, it doesn't make me uncomfortable!"
"Really?" Shen Yanlang doubted the truth of that statement.
Duan Xu nodded. "Really. It's just that sometimes... you should rein in your gaze a little."
What else could he do? He could only use that as an 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 ever make you uncomfortable, you have to tell me."
Good. Xuxu doesn't hate me yet.
"Mm, I know." Duan Xu nodded.
Shen Yanlang had originally intended to kiss Duan Xu, but after that exchange, he reined himself in 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 not the slightest unusual expression on Duan Xu's face, he could not help growing suspicious.
Did Xuxu guess I was going to take him?
Of course. How could I possibly leave Xuxu behind and go first?
Duan Xu rubbed his ear awkwardly. "The train leaves at two thirty. It takes half an hour to get there, so let's leave at one thirty."
"Okay."
The two stayed in the dorm until one thirty, then left campus together.
Half an hour later, the car arrived at the high-speed rail station.
Duan Xu unfastened his seat belt and got out. Shen Yanlang got out with him, taking the suitcase from the trunk and handing 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 either, but under Shen Yanlang's gaze, he began to feel a little reluctant too.
"Yan-ge, I should go in now," Duan Xu said quietly.
Shen Yanlang gave a soft hum. "Can I have a hug before you go?"
This time, Duan Xu did not refuse. He even stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Shen Yanlang.
Shen Yanlang froze for a moment, then released the suitcase and encircled Duan Xu with both arms, pulling him tightly into his embrace.
He could not help taking a deep breath, catching the faintest trace of Duan Xu's pheromones. "Remember to go to the hospital for your follow-up after you get home."
"I know." Duan Xu also quietly took in a breath of Shen Yanlang's pheromones.
At his last follow-up, Xuxu was almost finished differentiating. It should happen within the next few days.
I wonder if Xuxu can handle it alone. If not, maybe I should still...
Afraid Shen Yanlang would follow him home, Duan Xu spoke first. "My parents came back these past 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, "Yan-ge, you have to come see me after the New Year. I'll be waiting for you!"
After saying that, before Shen Yanlang could react, Duan Xu pulled away from the embrace and ran toward the station entrance with his suitcase.
Shen Yanlang was dazed for a moment by Duan Xu's warm breath and the hidden meaning in 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 under his breath, "Xuxu, wait for me."
Duan Xu arrived 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's back! Come, let Mom hug you!" Qiu Shan said as she walked over and embraced Duan Xu. "Our Xuxu has gotten taller!"
Qiu Shan was a beta and only around five foot three. Duan Xu had already been taller than her in high school.
Duan Xu grinned. "Just a tiny bit."
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