Chapter 20 – Holding Hands
Qiao Huaiyao chuckled and replied to Bai Jinyan: [Hug.jpg]
After thinking for a moment, he typed: [There was a notification in the group just now that there will be a meeting after noon class to distribute the military training uniforms. I might be back a little late.]
Qingda’s military training is synchronized with other schools, but because the school started early, the military training will only begin after entering September.
Qiao Huaiyao calculated that this week’s classes would end, and next week the military training would begin on the first day of September.
The military training lasts for ten days, and the good news is that there will be a five-day break after the training.
Even before the military training started, Qiao Huaiyao had already planned how to arrange his holidays after the training.
Bai Jinyan: [No rush.]
The break time between classes was short, and the professor came back with a cup of hot water, preparing to start the class.
Seeing this, Qiao Huaiyao quickly sent a message: [I have to attend the class now, we’ll talk after class.]
After sending the message, he checked his phone, put it on silent, and placed the screen facing down on the table.
“Classmate, classmate…”
The person speaking deliberately lowered their voice, sounding a bit cautious.
Qiao Huaiyao looked suspiciously over and saw the nearby student quietly moving two seats closer.
The male student leaned on the table, trying to use the front row students as a cover and asked in a low voice, “Do you have any spare pens? Can you lend me one?”
He shook the broken pen in his hand and said, “My pen is broken.”
Qiao Huaiyao had the habit of carrying pens with him, but the pen Bai Jinyan prepared for him was not something he could lend to others. He handed over his own pen for signing.
“Thank you. You’re a lifesaver,” the male student said, taking the pen and clasping his hands together in a sincere gesture of thanks.
The professor was adjusting the PowerPoint, and the male student didn’t rush back to his seat. He smiled and said, “What’s your name, classmate? I’m Qiu Shufeng.”
Qiao Huaiyao replied indifferently, “Qiao Huaiyao.”
Qiu Shufeng was stunned, his eyes widened suddenly, “Are you the science champion who was chased and caught by the school’s admissions office?”
Qiao Huaiyao: “…?”
Caught?
Seemingly because Qiao Huaiyao’s gaze was too focused, the doubt he revealed was quite apparent.
Qiu Shufeng cleared his throat and said, “I’ve been following the school forum before the start of the semester, and you were quite famous. People were chasing after the admissions office to enroll you. Rumor has it that even before the results were announced, they got wind of it and directly took a plane to compete with the neighboring school for you.”
Qiao Huaiyao rarely went online to search for information about Qingda, so he naturally didn’t know about this. “It’s not that exaggerated.”
Qiu Shufeng smirked and didn’t delve further. “We are in the same class. I helped the teacher distribute the books during yesterday’s class meeting. Do you remember?”
Qiao Huaiyao replied casually, “Yeah.”
In his previous life, Qiu Shufeng served as a teaching assistant and class monitor. He was used to being alone, plus he lived in a single dormitory, so he rarely had any interactions with classmates. Compared to others, he had more contact with Qiu Shufeng.
Qiu Shufeng wanted to say more, but seeing the professor taking a sip of water, getting ready to start the lecture, he quickly said, “The lecture is starting, I’ll go back now. Thanks for the pen. I’ll treat you to lunch.”
Qiu Shufeng nodded, giving a look that said ‘I’m counting on you,’ then quietly walked back, bowing slightly.
Qiao Huaiyao didn’t have time to refuse—
There was no classroom change after the noon class.
All the freshmen from their department were gathered here, and as soon as the second-year students’ class ended, they left.
The instructor was on the podium, explaining matters related to military training.
He covered every detail, probably fearing that some students might try to escape midway. The military uniforms remained covered until the instructor finished explaining everything, then they were distributed.
The uniforms were tailor-made according to the size submitted by each student, and the packaging bags were sealed with the student IDs written on them.
After the meeting, Qiao Huaiyao had just stood up when Qiu Shufeng approached him, “Let’s go, to the cafeteria, my treat.”
“No need, I…”
“The cafeteria has freshly made crispy crab, a famous dish at Qingda, specially made. You can’t find it outside,” Qiu Shufeng said. “Many students from other schools come to Qingda just to get a taste of the crispy crab. It’s become quite famous. Aren’t you curious?”
This dish was legendary on the forum, and Qiu Shufeng had long been interested in trying it.
Seeing Qiao Huaiyao not saying anything, he added, “It’s not available every day. If you miss it, who knows how long you’ll have to wait.”
Qiao Huaiyao wasn’t interested in this dish, as he had heard about it in his previous life and knew it was famous and well-reviewed, but he wouldn’t go to the cafeteria specifically to try it.
However…
He could buy some and take it back for his brother to taste.
Qiao Huaiyao picked up his book, “I have something else to take care of.”
Qiu Shufeng scratched his head. “Okay then, next time I’ll treat you.”
The cafeteria was much less crowded after the mealtime.
When Qiao Huaiyao arrived, there weren’t many people in the cafeteria. The windows where food was served were mostly empty, with only a few students buying food here and there.
The crispy crab was sold through a small window, but it was easy to spot as soon as you entered the cafeteria, as the aroma of crab filled the air.
Luckily, there were still a few portions left when he arrived.
Each person was limited to one portion of crispy crab, and considering that they were going to eat it together, Qiao Huaiyao chose the larger size.
The single dormitory was quite far from the cafeteria, so Qiao Huaiyao took the campus bus back to save time. Additionally, fried food loses its taste when it cools down.
Back in the dormitory, the crispy crab was still hot.
“Brother, I brought you something delicious,” Qiao Huaiyao smiled as he placed the crispy crab on the table. “It’s famous at Qingda, they say it tastes great. Come and try it.”
Bai Jinyan raised an eyebrow, and there was a meaningful smile on his face.
“What’s the matter?” Qiao Huaiyao was about to ask, but then he saw Bai Jinyan take out a bag of lunch boxes from the kitchen. The packaging was exactly the same as the one he had for the crispy crab.
Qiao Huaiyao was startled for a moment and couldn’t help but laugh.
In the live chat, viewers typed furiously.
[“Dmn! I can’t take this sweetness!”]
[“Bai Jinyan set an alarm to go downstairs and buy crispy crab on purpose, and his wife went all the way to the cafeteria after class to buy it for him. This is what we call the celestial love of mutual dedication!”]
[“Damn… Just when I was shipping them, this topic comes up?”]
[“Moms, you don’t need to cook lunch for me anymore. I’m full of dog food.”]
[“Seriously, you guys getting married or not? This can’t go on forever.”]
[“Someone bring the Civil Affairs Bureau here!”]
…
Two large portions of crispy crab were poured onto plates, and there was still quite a lot of it.
The soft-shell crab was coated in batter and deep-fried to a golden crisp on the outside, while the crab meat inside remained juicy and tender.
In fact, there wasn’t that much meat inside each crab.
The special seasoning of the batter was unique, not too thin or thick, fragrant and crispy, with the essence of crab flavor. It was no wonder this snack was so famous.
Bai Jinyan peeled a small bowl of crab meat and placed it next to Qiao Huaiyao.
Qiao Huaiyao didn’t pay attention, and he removed two crab legs, then suddenly remembered Bai Jinyan’s flight tomorrow and asked, “Brother, have you decided on the time for tomorrow’s departure?”
“Yes, the flight is in the morning.”
In the blink of an eye, the live chat went from Bai Jinyan peeling crab meat to discussing whether the ending of this CP was going to be a happy or tragic one.
[“I can’t take this… Why are you discussing this at such a sweet moment?”]
[“No, I can’t allow this. You guys stick together all the time and can’t be apart, aaah!”]
[“To be honest, we really can’t have you turn your wife into an accessory for Bai Jinyan to carry around?”]
[“Speaking of which, will the next live stream only have Bai Jinyan alone? Family variety show, and he’s the only one appearing. Sigh, so tragic.”]
…
Qiao Huaiyao checked the time and realized that he might not be able to go and see Bai Jinyan off tomorrow because he had a class at that time.
“Let’s eat first.” Qiao Huaiyao suppressed the disappointment in his heart and smiled, “Let’s take a stroll nearby later.”
The time was short, and they probably wouldn’t be able to visit many tourist spots.
They first walked around Qingda, exploring the nearby areas.
Before leaving, Qiao Huaiyao took out the prepared travel guide to be prepared.
As soon as the dormitory door closed, the live chat exploded:
[“Wife, did you forget something? I’ll give you three seconds to remember.”]
[“…Don’t go, you didn’t bring a camera.”]
[“Wait, wait a minute!”]
[“The smiles are fading away. I take back what I said earlier. We’re the more tragic ones.”]
[“Photography teacher, do you still want your chicken leg?!”]
Walking on the road at the school gate.
Qiao Huaiyao strolled under the shade of the trees, centered around Qingda, slowly walking away from the campus with Bai Jinyan.
The autumn breeze was cool but not cold, not like the summer wind with warmth, lifting fallen leaves and letting them drift down.
Qiao Huaiyao only wore a thin jacket and didn’t feel cold.
The surroundings were quiet, even the passing cars at the intersection didn’t make loud roars.
Walking on the road side by side, their hands would inevitably brush against each other.
Their hands touched at the back, and the brief contact made their fingertips slightly curl. His sleeves were already long enough to cover half of his hand, which effectively shielded his hand inside.
Qiao Huaiyao sneakily glanced at Bai Jinyan and saw him looking calmly ahead, absentmindedly rubbing his hidden fingertips.
There was no camera here, and no one on the small path by the road.
Some things were futile when done in place.
The cool breeze teased his clothes, disturbing Qiao Huaiyao’s thoughts. He fixed his mind, glanced at his hand, and seemingly unintentionally moved closer. In the next moment, he slyly shifted his gaze away, as if he hadn’t done anything.
The hand that was getting closer under the sleeve, trying to hold Bai Jinyan’s hand, was almost able to sense Bai Jinyan’s warmth from the touch on their backs. His fingertips trembled lightly, almost making a fist, but he couldn’t stretch his hand out.
Qiao Huaiyao sighed with regret, furrowing his brow.
Suddenly, a warmth appeared on his wrist. He raised his head abruptly, and his heart thumped as if his hidden thoughts had been revealed. Feeling restless, he tentatively and doubtfully said, “Brother…?”
Bai Jinyan pulled Qiao Huaiyao in front of him. At this moment, the leaves on the trees were falling, and with a gust of autumn wind, the leaves rustled and landed on the ground.
A large number of leaves fell on Bai Jinyan, but he calmly picked up the one that was on Qiao Huaiyao’s collar. Then, he held his hand and said, “Leaves are constantly falling here. Let’s take the side path ahead.”
Qiao Huaiyao stared at their hands, still a bit dazed, but after a moment, he slowly retracted his fingertips, holding Bai Jinyan’s hand tighter.
He pursed his lips, and a hint of a smile spread in his eyes as he softly said, “Alright…”