Chapter 17
It was hard not to interpret his words as showing off. Zhao Qi, seeing the look in his eyes, waved him off, urging him to leave.
He was newly married; they understood.
So, they didn’t give him a hard time.
Song Muqing didn’t linger, returning to his office briefly before heading towards the school gate.
Lu Xuefeng had told him where he was parked, so Song Muqing found him easily upon leaving the university.
It was the afternoon break, and many students were milling about.
Lu Xuefeng, waiting outside his car, attracted several glances from passersby.
Song Muqing felt the same as he walked towards him.
Lu Xuefeng was too striking.
Both his temperament and appearance were too outstanding.
Song Muqing stopped in front of Lu Xuefeng, meeting his gaze, not speaking immediately.
Lu Xuefeng felt a sense of anticipation. “What is it?”
Song Muqing’s eyes crinkled with a smile, not explaining, simply saying, “Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“I just arrived.”
They got into the car. This was the university district, with heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic, so he drove slowly.
Song Muqing noticed the faint tea fragrance in the car.
He glanced over; the car air freshener he had given Lu Xuefeng was being used.
So, Lu Xuefeng had been sincere when he said he liked it.
They decided to go to the nearest supermarket to the Lanyuan district.
Lu Xuefeng had done grocery shopping before, but he wasn’t good at choosing ingredients, usually just grabbing a few simple items before checking out.
Grocery shopping with Song Muqing felt strangely novel.
Especially with him dressed formally, wearing his refined glasses, selecting ingredients in the mundane setting of a supermarket, it created an intriguing contrast.
But Song Muqing didn’t seem to mind.
Lu Xuefeng glanced at him, a smile playing on his lips.
“What are you smiling about?” Song Muqing turned his head, noticing the amusement in his eyes.
“Nothing,” Lu Xuefeng didn’t elaborate.
Song Muqing looked at him intently for a moment, then smiled faintly as well.
He didn’t seem to care what Lu Xuefeng found amusing, but he was willing to share the same emotion.
“I just think your attire isn’t quite suitable for grocery shopping.”
Song Muqing looked down at himself, asking, “Too formal?”
He was wearing a thick overcoat over his suit, although he had removed his tie, he still looked rather formal.
Lu Xuefeng replied, “It’s quite a contrast.”
Song Muqing smiled.
“I’m not very good at coordinating outfits,” he looked at Lu Xuefeng. “Perhaps you could help me next time.”
Lu Xuefeng assumed he was joking.
“I just throw things on randomly.”
He didn’t pay much attention to his clothing, except for specific occasions that required a more polished look. Most of the time, he dressed casually.
Comfort was his priority.
“Really?”
Song Muqing considered this, seemingly questioning the veracity of his statement, then said with a hint of confusion, “But I think you always look good.”
Lu Xuefeng met his gaze for a few seconds before looking away.
He pushed the shopping cart slowly. “You always say nice things.”
“It’s the truth,” Song Muqing added, fearing he might think he was being insincere.
They reached the fresh produce section, and Song Muqing asked about his preferences and any food allergies.
Lu Xuefeng said anything was fine; he had no allergies.
Song Muqing saw a wide variety of seafood and asked, “Do you prefer fish or shrimp?”
“I prefer shrimp.”
Lu Xuefeng didn’t hesitate, and Song Muqing replied with an “Okay,” then said, “Wait for me here and see if there’s anything else you want. I’ll be right back.”
He went to get some shrimp and have them weighed, which would take a few minutes.
Lu Xuefeng browsed the selection. There were pre-cut fish fillets, quite convenient, and a wide variety to choose from.
“…Lu Xuefeng?”
A voice called out, and Lu Xuefeng looked up to see Feng Xi, whom he hadn’t seen since graduation.
The man beside her, presumably her husband, was holding a small child.
“It really is you,” Feng Xi smiled at him. “I thought I was mistaken.”
Feng Xi had been his classmate in graduate school.
Lu Xuefeng looked at her, exchanging pleasantries. “Long time no see.”
“It has been a long time.” Feng Xi observed him; he hadn’t changed much. She looked down, prompting her daughter to greet him politely. “Hello, Uncle.”
The little girl, shy and slightly embarrassed, likely because she didn’t recognize him, hid in her father’s arms.
Lu Xuefeng smiled. “Hello.”
He asked, “How old is she?”
“Three years old. Quite a handful, always wanting to be carried.”
Feng Xi had married shortly after graduation, so it made sense.
Lu Xuefeng had attended their wedding, giving them a gift, but he had left early due to a prior engagement. They hadn’t been in close contact since, so he wasn’t aware of their recent developments.
Lu Xuefeng smiled.
They looked like a happy family.
“Do you live around here?”
Feng Xi asked, having never seen him in the area before.
“I just moved here.”
Feng Xi was surprised. “That’s great! We live nearby too.”
She thought for a moment, then asked, “Are you alone?”
“No,” Lu Xuefeng denied this, turning his head just as Song Muqing returned. “I’m with my husband.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Song Muqing walked over, placing the shrimp in the shopping cart. “Yes, we’re together.”
“You…?”
Feng Xi was surprised, looking at Song Muqing. She didn’t recognize him. She had initially assumed he was Lu Xuefeng’s boyfriend, but hearing him say “husband,” she found it hard to believe.
Lu Xuefeng explained calmly, “We’re married.”
“Oh…” Feng Xi was momentarily speechless, then said, “I’m sorry, I didn’t know. Congratulations.”
Song Muqing replied with a “Thank you.”
Feng Xi, being tactful, didn’t ask further questions, simply saying they should chat again another time before ending the conversation.
Lu Xuefeng bid them farewell, and he and Song Muqing pushed their shopping cart past them.
Feng Xi looked at her husband, sighing. “Oh no, Feng Boyu will be heartbroken.”
The little girl, puzzled, asked innocently, “Mommy, why would Uncle Feng Boyu be heartbroken?”
Feng Xi had whispered her previous comment.
But Lu Xuefeng had heard it. He wasn’t sure if Song Muqing had noticed, but then again, Song Muqing didn’t know Feng Boyu, so it probably didn’t matter.
“Anything else you want to buy?” Song Muqing asked casually.
Lu Xuefeng looked at the items in their cart. They had vegetables, fruits, and most of the essentials. They didn’t need anything else for now.
“No, that’s all,” he replied.
They proceeded to the checkout, their groceries packed in a large bag, which Song Muqing carried.
“Is it heavy?”
Lu Xuefeng’s hands were empty; he couldn’t help carry anything.
“It’s not heavy. I can manage.”
Song Muqing replied, switching the bag to his other hand, extending his right hand towards Lu Xuefeng with a look of invitation.
“Hmm?” Lu Xuefeng didn’t understand.
Song Muqing smiled. “I want to hold your hand.”
Lu Xuefeng complied.
Song Muqing took his hand.
They walked towards the parking garage.
Lu Xuefeng was now accustomed to holding Song Muqing’s hand, the feel of his palm and the warmth of his skin, so he didn’t feel anything unusual.
“Feng Boyu…” After a while, Song Muqing finally spoke the name, recalling it from memory. He asked softly, “Who is he?”
Lu Xuefeng hesitated. “The younger brother of the classmate we just met.”
Song Muqing nodded slightly, then after a few minutes, glanced over. “Actually, I wanted to ask about your relationship with him.”
“A junior from school,” Lu Xuefeng replied.
Not even in the same major.
He had met him through Feng Xi, his classmate.
“Anything else?” Song Muqing asked patiently.
He had a hunch but wanted to hear it from Lu Xuefeng himself.
“He pursued me.”
Lu Xuefeng had nothing to hide; it was in the past.
Moreover, he was married now.
After he said this, he felt Song Muqing’s grip tighten slightly, his fingers moving to rest on Lu Xuefeng’s ring finger.
His fingers were long and clean, without any jewelry.
From Feng Xi’s words, it seemed this person still had feelings for Lu Xuefeng, hadn’t given up.
Song Muqing gently squeezed Lu Xuefeng’s ring finger, his gaze fixed on him. “It seems this finger really needs a ring.”
