Chapter 73

Chapter 73

When leaving the dormitory for the library, Xie Heng didn’t speak much along the way. But since he usually didn’t talk much, Ji Mian didn’t notice anything unusual.

As the end of the semester approached, the library seats were in high demand, with students everywhere holding textbooks and lecture notes for review.

They searched the study areas from the first to the third floor before finally finding a double seat.

Ji Mian flipped open the textbook, took one look at the exam scope, and instantly deflated. "Ugh, there’s so much…"

Xie Heng glanced at him. Knowing there’s so much, how did you still find time to help others at noon?

"The computation problems aren’t difficult. The types from past final exams are quite similar. Practicing a few types a couple of times should help you avoid losing points. Focus on reviewing the sections for term definitions and short answers," he said, then took out a stack of bound past exam papers from his bag and handed them to Ji Mian. "I printed a copy for you. Start with the calculations."

Compared to the scattered test points in other question types, computations were indeed the easiest to score on.

Ji Mian took them, staring at the unfamiliar professional terms, and began to struggle through the problems.

After just two hours of studying, he felt like he’d already used up all his brainpower for the day.

Plus, helping Jia Wenbo revise the speech draft took longer than expected, so he missed his noon nap.

The library was cranked up with heat. Ji Mian took off his coat, leaving just a thin sweater, but his ears were still flushed from the heat. The warmth only made him sleepier.

Ji Mian was so sleepy he kept nodding off, finally just plopping his forehead onto the book. "I’m done, Brother Heng, I’m too sleepy."

Xie Heng, mid-problem, glanced at him. "You were pretty lively helping someone with their speech draft at noon."

"Huh?" Ji Mian tilted his head slightly, his cheek pressed against the book, looking at Xie Heng sideways.

Why did that sound a little off, like there was a dig in it?

But no matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t pinpoint what was off.

Probably just my imagination?

He was so exhausted his gaze at Xie Heng was hazy, his expression blank.

Xie Heng lowered his voice. "Take a twenty-minute nap, I’ll wake you."

Ji Mian relaxed, burying his face back into the book, and fell asleep.

Xie Heng finished the problem, checked the answers, then put down his pen and took three minutes to relax.

His gaze, casually drifting to the side, stopped when it landed on the expanse of pale skin on Ji Mian’s neck.

Ji Mian’s down jacket hung on the chair, leaving him in just a white, low-cut thin sweater.

As he leaned forward, his slender neck was fully exposed.

It was so white.

Xie Heng recalled a heavy snowfall at school a few nights ago.

The snow had started while everyone was asleep. Xie Heng had woken up early, and the snow below the building was untouched by human footprints.

The silver-white snow was like a blank canvas, inviting someone to leave a mark.

A strange feeling rose in Xie Heng’s heart, thinking that his idea of associating someone’s neck with a snowfield was quite absurd, without any logic or reason.

Ji Mian's finals week was nothing short of a nightmare.

After two weeks of intense studying, Ji Mian, who was usually full of life, was completely drained.

By the last few exams, Ji Mian was so exhausted he could barely manage to wash up before collapsing in bed, let alone play basketball at night.

Luckily, he managed to pass all his classes without any issues.

A few days after finals week, students started trickling out of the dorm.

Of the four roommates, Ji Mian left first, followed by Xie Hang the next day.

Xie Hang arrived home on a weekend, and both his parents, Xie Hui and Qin Xiuzi, were there to greet him.

The moment Xie Hang walked in, his mother hugged him and shot her husband a knowing glance. Xie Hui stepped in to take the suitcase from him.

"Dinner’s almost ready. Want some oranges?"

Xie Hang nodded, "Are they in the fridge? I’ll grab them."

"Let your dad handle it. You just got home—relax."

Xie Hang hung up his coat, pulled out his phone, and sent a quick message.

He sent just one message before locking his phone. But Qin Xiuzi, sharp as ever, caught a glimpse of the message—it didn’t sound like her son at all.

"Xie Hang": I'm home.

She blinked. Wait, what?

Qin Xiuzi had a hunch her son was seeing someone.

*

That "I’m home" text seemed like something you’d send to a girlfriend.

She didn’t want to pry, but she couldn’t help wondering who this "girl" was.

It was odd. Both she and Xie Hui were outgoing, and they’d always raised Xie Hang with an open mind.

Yet, as their son, Xie Hang had always been a loner, and even his teachers had noted his solitary nature since he was a kid.

This often worried Qin Xiuzi.

She didn’t mind that Xie Hang preferred solitude, but she feared he’d end up spending his life alone.

Now, seeing Xie Hang had someone to share his life with, she was overjoyed.

What Qin Xiuzi didn’t know was that Xie Hang’s message was actually sent to a guy.

This New Year’s Eve, Xie Hang spent with his parents.

The grandparents lived far away, and because of Xie Hui’s work, they couldn’t make it back for New Year’s Eve, so they planned to visit on New Year’s Day instead.

Around ten, the Spring Festival Gala was on TV, and the Xie couple were snuggled up, looking cozy.

Xie Hang was used to his parents’ PDA and sat off to the side, unfazed.

His phone, placed beside him, vibrated.

He opened it to find a message from Lu Zhou: "Happy New Year, Brother Heng."

Xie Hang's eyes shifted slightly.

After the break, Ji Mian reached out to him much less often than when they were at school, maybe sending a few random rants every couple of days.

This was normal. After leaving school, they suddenly had fewer common topics to talk about.

Besides, Ji Mian was never short on friends.

Xie Hang had been sitting next to Ji Mian in class for a while and had the chance to see Ji Mian responding to messages.

Ji Mian had many friends, and among them were many chatty social butterflies. Sometimes, when they all happened to message at the same time, there could be more than ten people sending messages. Ji Mian would switch between various chat interfaces repeatedly, typing at an incredibly fast speed, like a player.

Of course, it only seemed that way. Xie Hang knew Ji Mian's character better than anyone.

But he still wouldn't message Ji Mian first. For some reason, he didn't want to be just another chat window Ji Mian was flipping through.

He thought for a moment, then typed a few teasing words in the chat box.

"Xie Hang": Is this a group text?

"Lu Zhou": ??!!

[Lu Zhou]: Did you see the last two words? "Brother Heng"! This can't be a group text!

Xie Hang's lips curved slightly, and his eyes lit up with a smile.

Qin Xiuzi was in the middle of watching a comedy show when she turned her head and saw the gentle smile on her son's face. She was stunned for a few seconds.

She stopped caring if the comedy show was funny, as her curiosity grew stronger: "Are you texting a friend?"

"Mm."

Qin Xiuzi smiled and said, "You look so happy, are you texting your girlfriend?"

Xie Hang was stunned, "No, it's my dorm roommate."

Qin Xiuzi chuckled, covering her mouth.

Xie Hang explained helplessly, "Really, it's not her."

"Sure, if you say so." Qin Xiuzi raised her eyebrows, clearly not buying it.

Xie Hang: ...

He was about to reply when another message popped up.

"Lu Zhou": You're my Brother Heng, I wouldn't group text you!

Xie Han paused his fingertip when he saw this.

Did this mean he was special?

"Lu Zhou": Hehe, the group texts will go out at midnight tonight.

"Lu Zhou": Don't you sleep early? Wishing you a great year two hours early.

Xie Hang suddenly felt a warmth in his heart.

He typed a few words.

"Xie Heng": Happy New Year.

After sending this message, he felt something was missing. But he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was.

On impulse, he made a voice call.

A second after dialing, Xie Heng realized what he was doing and was about to hang up, but the call was already answered.

"Hello?" A youthful voice came through the receiver, laced with surprise.

Xie Heng pursed his lips, brought the phone to his ear, and replied, "Hello."

Qin Xiuzi was too excited to speak, staring at her husband in astonishment.

Was her son actually on the phone with someone?

Xie Hui was equally surprised.

Not hearing Ji Mian's voice on the phone, they both thought it was a girl. They exchanged glances, understanding each other's thoughts.

Our boy's all grown up!

Xie Heng had no idea what his parents were imagining.

When he and Ji Mian were face to face, they had plenty to talk about, but now, talking over the phone, he felt awkward and at a loss for words.

But he didn't want to hang up immediately.

"I never thought Brother Heng would actually call?" the person on the other end said.

"No," Xie Heng lowered his eyes, not telling the truth, "My hand slipped and I hit the wrong button."

The other person chuckled upon hearing Xie Heng's explanation, not questioning his words. Because Ji Mian also thought that Xie Heng wasn't the type to make voice calls.

Xie Heng's phone receiver was close to his ear, the laughter seemed as if Ji Mian was right beside him.

He also heard that the background noise on the other end was the Spring Festival Gala, just like here.

His chest tightened suddenly, a warmth that made it hard to breathe. Xie Heng suddenly understood the charm of the Spring Festival, sharing the same sounds, it felt like everything was connected.

"Brother Heng? Why aren't you saying anything?"

"..."

Xie Heng wanted to say "Happy New Year," but with his parents around, he felt oddly self-conscious, so he got up and walked away to continue the call.

He walked to a corner of the dining room, didn't turn on the light, his silhouette blending into the darkness, but amidst the sounds of the Spring Festival Gala, it didn't feel lonely.

Xie Heng stood with his back to the two in the living room, facing the wall as he spoke. He looked just like a young boy experiencing his first crush.

Qin Xiuzi looked at Xie Heng's figure, head bowed in the darkness, and couldn't help but smile.

Oh my...