AAWOMAHI Chapter78

For a while now, whenever Lu Xingmian had free time, his attention was completely consumed by the game. The first thing he saw when he woke up in the morning was the game. He’d even log on to take a quick look before going to bed. He was determined to do a good job after promising Meng Xun he would.

 

Whenever he didn’t understand something, he would go and ask Lu Shiran, who would give him surprisingly brilliant suggestions. Lu Xingmian was thoroughly impressed that Lu Shiran also knew so much about the gaming world.

 

When Lu Shiran had some free time, Lu Xingmian would also ask him to play for a while and then ask him about his gaming experience. As Lu Shiran spoke, Lu Xingmian would take notes like a studious and obedient student.

 

Lu Shiran said, “Zai Zai, you don’t need to write it down. I’ll help you write it later.”

 

“Really?” Lu Xingmian’s eyes lit up. He could finally see Lu Shiran’s powerful and handsome handwriting again.

 

Last time, Lu Shiran had said he would often write notes for Lu Xingmian, and he really kept his word. Sometimes, Lu Xingmian would wake up and find a note next to him even though no one was there.

 

[Mian Zai, you’re awake. Good morning.]

 

When he went to the bathroom to wash up, there was a note stuck on the mirror.

 

[Zai Zai, breakfast is in the pot. If it’s cold, just warm it up. Eat well.]

 

When he went to the kitchen, there was a note on the refrigerator.

 

[Eat breakfast after you warm it up. Eat more. I’ll be back early for lunch.]

 

As he went through the notes, Lu Xingmian pictured how pleasant it would be if Lu Shiran were the one reading them aloud. Lu Xingmian treasured these notes, putting them away like precious items. The number of sticky notes in his little box was growing.

 

When Lu Shiran sent his gaming feedback to Lu Xingmian, Lu Xingmian stared at the computer for a long time before looking at Lu Shiran. “Ge, I thought you would handwrite it.”

 

Lu Shiran asked, “You don’t want it?”

 

“Yes, yes, I want!” Lu Xingmian quickly said. “Ge, you write really well.”

 

–

 

Like Lu Xingmian, Jiang Ran had also been spending his free time these past few days playing the game. Senior Meng Xun said they would also get a commemorative gift in the end, and there was someone he wanted to give that gift to.

 

After class, as Jiang Ran walked across campus, he glanced at his phone and accidentally bumped into someone.

 

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean it,” Jiang Ran quickly apologized. “Are you okay?”

 

The person he bumped into looked at him quietly. Jiang Ran suddenly froze. The person’s figure was so familiar, and so was the scent.

 

Jiang Ran slowly looked up. When he saw who was in front of him, he froze, his expression full of panic. He quickly said sorry and then ran away.

 

The boy chased after him. “Jiang Ran, you’ve been avoiding me for so long. Are you still going to keep hiding?”

 

“Jiang Ran, can you please stop avoiding me? Can we just talk?”

 

It was a voice he was all too familiar with.

 

Jiang Ran took two steps back, trying his best to control his emotions, but his voice still trembled slightly. “I’m sorry, there’s nothing left for us to talk about. Shen Sheng, don’t come looking for me anymore.”

 

His sudden appearance brought back a flood of memories of his past mistakes. Jiang Ran felt he didn’t have the face to see Shen Sheng again, let alone ask for his forgiveness. He didn’t deserve to be forgiven. He thought Shen Sheng shouldn’t be looking for him and that he wasn’t worthy of such kindness.

 

After a club activity, Lu Xingmian saw Jiang Ran being blocked by a guy. They seemed to be in a heated discussion. He rarely saw Jiang Ran get so agitated, so he quickly stepped forward and stood between the two of them.

 

Knowing Lu Xingmian might have misunderstood, Jiang Ran gently tugged on his arm. “He’s not bullying me.”

 

Relieved, Lu Xingmian asked, “Are you really alright?”

 

Jiang Ran glanced over at Senior Meng Xun in the distance. “I’m really fine. Senior is waiting for you over there.”

 

Noting Jiang Ran’s reddish eyes, Lu Xingmian said, “Okay. Call me anytime if you need anything.”

 

After Lu Xingmian left, Shen Sheng grabbed Jiang Ran’s wrist. “Jiang Ran, we never broke up. We’ve never broken up.”

 

After a long search, he had finally found Jiang Ran. He knew Jiang Ran had been avoiding him, but this time, he wouldn’t let him get away.

 

“Jiang Ran, please don’t leave me, okay?”

 

Seeing the look of stubborn desperation in Shen Sheng’s eyes, Jiang Ran’s eyes welled up instantly. He knew that was the look Shen Sheng only had when he was most heartbroken. Jiang Ran’s tears began to fall.

 

Meng Xun looked at Jiang Ran and the guy next to him. “Is your friend alright?”

 

Lu Xingmian said, “He’s fine.”

 

He guessed that this guy was the best friend Jiang Ran had mentioned, the one he felt so guilty about. Although he didn’t know what had happened between them, he could tell they cared deeply for each other. Jiang Ran especially couldn’t let go of him; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so worried when Lu Xingmian was being gossiped about.

 

“Meng Xun Ge, are you still busy with things at school?”

 

Lately, Lu Xingmian kept seeing Meng Xun at school. He said he had to come back to deal with a lot of things since he was about to graduate.

 

Lu Xingmian thought he was so busy, dealing with both company matters and graduation.

 

They were both holding bubble tea, which Meng Xun had bought. He remembered that Lu Xingmian liked sweet things, so his bubble tea was only 70% sweet.

 

When they were kids, Meng Xun often bought him snacks and would always tell him not to take things from strangers or drink anything a stranger gave him.

 

At the memory, Lu Xingmian laughed. “Meng Xun Ge, you were so long-winded back then. You’d tell me not to take things from strangers and not to go with strangers every day. I wasn’t a kid anymore.”

 

Meng Xun chuckled. “Not a kid? Back then, you weren’t even as tall as my chest. You were such a little guy. I even worried you wouldn’t grow very tall, but now you’ve grown so big.”

 

Meng Xun looked at Lu Xingmian. Lu Xingmian was no longer as distant as he was when they first met. He was a lot closer to him now, giving him the glimmer of the kid he used to be.

 

After finishing their bubble tea, the two arrived at the school gate. Meng Xun was about to drive him home, but he received a call from his assistant saying something at the company needed his immediate attention.

 

Just like when he was a child, Meng Xun ruffled his hair. “Go home safely. Once I’m not so busy, I’ll invite you to my place for dinner. I’ll cook for you myself.”

 

He was really all grown up. His hair was even softer and silkier than it was when he was little.

 

As he watched Meng Xun’s car drive away, Lu Xingmian had a sudden realization that something about what Meng Xun had said was a little strange, but he quickly dismissed the thought. He must be overthinking it. Meng Xun just saw him as a younger brother. He was just an ordinary guy; not that many people could like him. He just needed Lu Shiran to like him, and he also only liked Lu Shiran.

 

Lu Xingmian was about to head to the bus stop when he spotted Lu Shiran’s car, Lu Shiran waiting for him by the roadside. Lu Xingmian ran over and threw himself into his arms. “Ge, you’re here.”

 

Lu Shiran hadn’t mentioned he was coming to pick him up today.

 

Lu Shiran hugged him back. “Right in front of your school. Aren’t you afraid your classmates will see?”

 

“What’s there to be afraid of? It’s not a crime to hug my own boyfriend.”

 

“Did you miss me?”

 

“En, I did.”

 

When he saw Jiang Ran and that guy, his first thought was of himself and Lu Shiran, remembering how Lu Shiran had also come looking for him like that.

 

After getting in the car, Lu Xingmian took a few sniffs and smelled the aroma of takoyaki and bread. He craned his neck to look around, then Lu Shiran took a paper bag from the side. “You have a good nose.”

 

The takoyaki was still warm, with a layer of mustard sauce on top. The filling was generous, the octopus chunks were chewy, and the batter was golden brown. It was incredibly delicious.

 

As he ate the takoyaki, Lu Shiran kept ruffling his hair, seeming to be especially interested in it today.

 

“Ge, why do you keep ruffling my hair today?”

 

“You don’t like it?”

 

“I do.”

 

Lu Shiran’s palms were wide, and his fingers were long. Lu Xingmian felt especially comfortable and relaxed when Lu Shiran was ruffling his hair. He tilted his head up and enjoyed it, like a cute little cat.

 

Lu Xingmian was wearing a pink hoodie, and the color made him look even softer and more adorable, especially when he held up the takoyaki.

 

He held up a piece of takoyaki. “Ge, you have some too.”

 

Lu Shiran took a bite, and Lu Xingmian naturally ate the other half that was left. His eyes sparkled with happiness. Lu Shiran’s mood inexplicably brightened, and he ruffled his hair again.

 

His phone vibrated, and as he looked down, the takoyaki he was holding fell. It landed right on Lu Shiran’s thigh—in between his legs.

 

Knowing that Lu Xingmian liked these snacks, Lu Shiran had asked for extra sauce. Lu Shiran was wearing smoke-gray pants, and the sauce left a very noticeable brown stain on them.

 

Lu Xingmian quickly grabbed a napkin and started rubbing the spot.

 

Lu Shiran held his wrist. “Zai Zai, don’t rub it anymore.”

 

Lu Xingmian misunderstood him. “Ge, don’t worry, it’ll come off. It’s already so much better now.”

 

Lu Shiran looked at him. Lu Xingmian’s entire upper body was practically on his lap. Lu Shiran gently squeezed his wrist. “Zai Zai, seriously, stop rubbing.”

 

Lu Xingmian’s hands didn’t stop. “Just a little bit left. I’ll be done in a second.”

 

“Zai Zai,” Lu Shiran’s voice was low and husky as he pulled him up. “If you keep rubbing, I’m going to get a reaction.”

 

Lu Xingmian stiffened, lowered his gaze, and noticed that the only part left untainted was between his legs, and it was already beginning to become noticeable.

 

This…

 

Lu Xingmian blinked. “There’s just a little bit left. Can you just bear with it?”

 

Lu Shiran leaned into his ear and chuckled. “Zai Zai, you’re the one who’s going to get disciplined when we get home. Are you sure?”

 

Under Lu Shiran’s gaze, Lu Xingmian rubbed the sauce off his pants. This time, he went very slowly, wiping every spot carefully. Then he looked up at Lu Shiran, smiled, and said, “Yes, I’m sure.”

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T/N: Sorry, I got the schedule date for yesterday’s chapter wrong and didn’t notice🥲so two chaps today