C68

Xie Heng returned to the dorm first.

About ten minutes later, Ji Mian came in.

Knowing that Xie Heng preferred to shower after finishing all his tasks, Ji Mian took his change of clothes and headed to the bathroom first.

When he came out of the shower, the table at Bed Two was nearly empty. Before they left, Xie Heng had only a few things left to tidy up, and now he had completed the task in half an hour.

Compared to the beginning of the semester, Xie Heng’s belongings had definitely increased, especially since his parents had sent many autumn and winter clothes after the season changed. The suitcase he brought at the start of the semester was no longer sufficient. Ji Mian had lent him a small empty suitcase in the afternoon, but it was still not enough, and Xie Heng had to use a bag to pack his clothes.

Ji Mian was casually drying his hair with a towel and said, “I’m done showering; you can use the bathroom now.”

“Mm.” Xie Heng replied, his back turned, in a neutral tone.

“Have you packed everything?”

“Mm.”

Ji Mian raised his eyebrows.

Why so few words?

If it had been a few months ago, it would have been normal for Xie Heng to respond with two “mm”s in a row. But things were different now.

“Are you in a bad mood?” Ji Mian thought of something and leaned in, suddenly smiling, his sharp tiger teeth showing beautifully as he grinned. “Heh, are you reluctant to part with us?”

Xie Heng: ...

What kind of idiot is this?

He couldn't say he was in a bad mood, but indeed, since returning to the dorm, he had lost the desire to talk. Rather than being in a bad mood, it was more like a subtle annoyance.

So, what exactly was bothering him?

“Have to make two trips, right?” Ji Mian asked, looking at the packed suitcase.

Since Xie Heng hadn’t moved his bed, the only things he needed to take were the miscellaneous items below.

“Pretty much.”

Ji Mian’s suitcase was placed to the right of Xie Heng's. He leaned over and sat down on top of it, observing Xie Heng’s cleared-off desk.

Having just showered, Ji Mian's hair was damp, and the scent of shampoo was pleasant.

The lingering fragrance of dampness surrounded Xie Heng, causing him to glance over.

Ji Mian’s head was wrapped in a towel, with his hair half-dried and falling down, making him look somewhat adorable.

Before showering, Ji Mian had taken out his earrings, and the shape of his left earlobe looked nice.

“Let’s go together tomorrow, then you won’t have to make two trips,” Ji Mian suggested.

He didn’t notice that Xie Heng’s gaze had shifted from his earlobe to his lips the moment he started speaking.

Ji Mian continued, absorbed in his own thoughts, “And I’ll get to check out your new place.”

It took a few seconds for Xie Heng to process what Ji Mian had said, and he replied, “Okay.”

---

The next day at noon, Ji Mian and Xie Heng moved their things to Xie Heng's new apartment.

The place Xie Heng rented was indeed quite nice; it was well-ventilated, sunny, and fully equipped with various facilities. The decor was simple and clean.

The neighborhood where the apartment was located had plenty of small supermarkets and restaurants, making life very convenient.

After touring around, Ji Mian found that the best feature was the kitchen; not only was it spacious, but it also had all the necessary pots and tools. Next best was the bedroom, where the master bedroom had an attached bathroom.

“By the way,” he asked Xie Heng, “why did you rent a one-bedroom, two-living room place when you’re living alone?”

Xie Heng replied, “I want the other room to be a study.”

He preferred to separate his rest area from his study/work area. Since their campus was in a rather remote area with relatively low rent, a two-bedroom, two-living room place was only about two hundred yuan more expensive than a one-bedroom, one-living room place.

“Oh,” Ji Mian nodded, “I thought maybe you planned to live with a girlfriend.”

“I don’t have a girlfriend.”

“I know; I meant a future girlfriend.”

Xie Heng paused, “Not planning on that.”

Ji Mian didn’t say anything more. He could discuss romantic topics with Chen Xu and Jia Wenbo, but when it came to Xie Heng, he sensed the other wasn’t interested, so he rarely brought it up.

In Xie Heng’s suitcase, there was a box he had lent to him. Ji Mian figured he had some time, so he could help out, and once Xie Heng finished organizing the room, he could take the box back.

Thus, for the next two hours, Xie Heng began sorting through the items in his suitcase and arranging his new home.

Ji Mian helped mop the floor for a while, but just as he finished cleaning the living room, Xie Heng came out of the bedroom and spotted him.

He took the mop from Ji Mian's hands and said, “No need for you to help.”

After saying that, he tossed the mop into the master bedroom's bathroom and locked it from the outside.

Ji Mian: ...

Was that really necessary?

Ji Mian wasn’t the type to go looking for extra work. Since Xie Heng said he didn’t need help, Ji Mian simply settled on the couch in the living room to play on his phone.

By nearly five o'clock, the living room and bedroom had started to fill with Xie Heng's belongings, and the room finally had a bit of a lived-in feel.

Ji Mian's suitcase was also empty now.

“All done?” he put down his phone, getting ready to grab his suitcase to head back.

“Mm.” Xie Heng replied, “It’s almost mealtime. What do you want to eat? I’ll treat you.”

“No need.”

Xie Heng continued, “Not going out. I’ll cook.”

“Ah? You can cook?”

“Mm.”

Only then did Ji Mian remember that the most well-equipped part of the house was the kitchen, clearly chosen by Xie Heng.

“Anyway, I need to make myself dinner too. It’s easier to cook for two,” Xie Heng said, pausing for two seconds before adding, “You can have whatever you want; I’m a great cook.”

Ji Mian: “Pfft.”

It was the first time he heard Xie Heng bragging about himself. How shameless.

Xie Heng: …

Ji Mian thought for a moment and realized he wanted to eat fish. The fish served at school was quite mediocre, and when he went out with classmates or friends, they usually opted for barbecues or hotpots, rarely getting to eat fish.

But making fish was too troublesome, and since their campus was remote, the nearest large supermarket that sold live fish was quite far away, requiring a taxi ride.

“Just meat is fine; I’m not picky,” he said.

Xie Heng went downstairs to buy groceries.

Since there were no oil, salt, soy sauce, or vinegar in the kitchen, Xie Heng had to run back and forth to buy these miscellaneous items, taking a bit more time. By the time dinner was ready, it was already past six o'clock.

Xie Heng wasn’t exaggerating; he really could cook well.

Ji Mian couldn't help but eat more than usual, finishing a whole extra bowl of rice and feeling too full to move afterward.

After dinner, it was getting dark outside.

Ji Mian comfortably lounged on the couch and couldn't help but sigh, “The outside world is really great! When I just came over, I caught a glimpse and saw so many food options. Especially the breakfast place! So many varieties... Our school’s breakfast is just a few options.”

Xie Heng replied, “Is that so? I didn’t really pay attention.”

“There’s a place selling stuffed pancakes right downstairs from your apartment. I bought them a couple of times when I woke up early. The squid and eggplant fillings are delicious; you should try them.”

“Want to eat? I’ll bring some for you the day after tomorrow.”

“Really?” Ji Mian sat up straight, “Xie Ge! You’re like my real brother!!”

Xie Heng couldn't help but smile, “What do you want?”

“Teriyaki chicken legs.”

“Aren’t you saying that the squid and eggplant are delicious?”

Ji Mian sheepishly smiled, “Well, because I’ve only tried those two fillings.”

“…”

Ji Mian really was going to leave.

Before he left, Xie Heng politely added, “If you don’t want to go back, you can stay in the other bedroom.”

“Stay?” Ji Mian laughed as he looked at him, “Forget it; if I want to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, I’d have to get up and knock on your door.”

Xie Heng imagined that scene and couldn't help but smile slightly.

“Going now.” Ji Mian dragged his empty suitcase and waved at him.

“Mm.”

After closing the door, the house felt suddenly quiet.

Xie Heng frowned slightly.

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