After Marrying Professor Song 26

Chapter 26

Winter deepened, and Song Muqing’s university was now on break.

Lu Xuefeng was still busy with the dance drama, preparing for the final performance of the year.

But the weather was cold, the days short, and he often felt sleepy in the mornings. Even Lu Xuefeng, not usually one to linger in bed, found it difficult to get up.

He didn’t want to be sleepy at work, so he always bought a cup of hot coffee on his way to the theater.

Song Muqing drove him to work every morning. Although Lu Xuefeng had said it wasn’t necessary, Song Muqing insisted, claiming he had nothing else to do during his break, and Lu Xuefeng could nap in the car.

A few days later, Lu Xuefeng noticed a new coffee machine at home.

Clearly purchased by Song Muqing.

When Lu Xuefeng asked why he had suddenly bought it, Song Muqing simply said he wanted to try making coffee at home.

They both enjoyed coffee, so it wasn’t a wasteful purchase.

The coffee machine came with all the necessary accessories: a filter handle, a tamper, etc.

Song Muqing had also bought coffee beans and a grinder.

“Let’s figure out how to use this first.”

Song Muqing said, reading the instructions.

After showering and changing, Lu Xuefeng emerged from the bedroom to see Song Muqing still studying the manual.

He used the complimentary coffee grounds provided, following the instructions, and made a simple espresso.

Seeing Lu Xuefeng, he called him over.

“Try this.”

Lu Xuefeng hesitated, taking a small sip, savoring the flavor before commenting, “It’s alright.”

Drinkable.

But it tasted different from the coffee at the cafe, perhaps due to the different coffee grounds.

Song Muqing, hearing his hesitant tone, said, “This is my third attempt.”

He said this one tasted the best; the previous two hadn’t been good.

It seemed like a challenging endeavor.

Lu Xuefeng, not wanting to discourage him, amended his statement. “It’s actually quite good.”

Song Muqing looked at him.

“Really, it’s not bad.”

Lu Xuefeng took another sip, playing along.

Song Muqing, his eyes gentle, knew Lu Xuefeng was just being nice.

He took the cup back, not forcing him to finish it.

But he didn’t want to waste it, so he finished it himself and cleaned the coffee machine.

That night, Song Muqing couldn’t sleep, finally drifting off in the early hours of the morning, so he didn’t wake up in time to make coffee for Lu Xuefeng.

Lu Xuefeng remembered waking up briefly during the night, his hand brushing against Song Muqing. Song Muqing had taken his hand and adjusted their position.

Lu Xuefeng had assumed he had woken him up.

But Song Muqing, looking at him, had whispered, “I can’t sleep. Too much coffee.”

“…”

Lu Xuefeng had chuckled softly, not responding.

Song Muqing, feeling him stifling his laughter, said, “Don’t laugh at me.”

Lu Xuefeng, suppressing his amusement, leaned against him. “Who told you to drink so much?”

Song Muqing couldn’t argue.

Drinking coffee at night did make it difficult to sleep, and he had finished the entire cup.

Lu Xuefeng found the whole incident amusing.

But Song Muqing was a quick learner. Within a few days, he had mastered the art of coffee making.

He had watched numerous tutorials and could now make Lu Xuefeng’s favorite latte.

On the weekend, they went shopping for a new set of coffee cups and a cabinet.

They set up a coffee corner at home.

They also bought a few decorative items, making it look quite nice.

After setting everything up, Song Muqing decided to make two lattes.

Hot drinks were perfect for winter.

He had bought high-quality coffee beans, stored in a container, and was now ready to grind them.

The apartment was warm, and Song Muqing was wearing a light-colored, loose-fitting knit sweater over a t-shirt.

Despite the winter chill outside, the afternoon sun streamed in through the living room windows.

There was no need for thick clothing indoors.

Song Muqing had rolled up his sleeves while setting up the coffee corner, exposing his wrists and forearms.

He expertly measured out the coffee beans, knowing exactly how much he needed.

Then he poured the beans into the grinder.

Lu Xuefeng had never seen Song Muqing exercise, but his arms were toned, the veins visible.

Lu Xuefeng, having been a dancer, had also been muscular in his younger years, but after changing careers, his physique had become more slender.

“Do you work out?” Lu Xuefeng asked, noticing his gaze on Song Muqing’s arms.

Song Muqing, following his gaze, looked down at his arms. “Not anymore. I used to exercise more when I was a student.”

Lu Xuefeng nodded thoughtfully.

Song Muqing seemed like a gentle and calm person, likely a top student in his class, focused on his studies. He hadn’t expected him to be athletic.

Song Muqing seemed to sense his thoughts. “Young and restless, needed an outlet for my energy.”

“That makes sense,” Lu Xuefeng agreed.

“If you want to work out, we have a treadmill and dumbbells at home,” Song Muqing offered, then added, “Or we could go jogging when the weather gets warmer.”

Lu Xuefeng smiled. “I don’t have any plans to work out for now.”

“Alright,” Song Muqing chuckled softly, not pressing the matter. He paused, gesturing for Lu Xuefeng to come closer.

“Would you like to try?”

“Hmm?”

Lu Xuefeng walked over and saw the coffee beans in the grinder.

“Grinding coffee beans can be quite therapeutic.”

Song Muqing wanted him to experience it.

It didn’t require any special skills, and Lu Xuefeng simply turned the handle.

The manual grinder required some effort, the beans making a grinding sound.

As the ground coffee accumulated in the glass container below, Lu Xuefeng understood what Song Muqing meant.

He finished grinding the remaining beans.

“It’s quite satisfying.”

Song Muqing nodded. “It is.”

Then he used the ground coffee to make their lattes.

His movements were precise and efficient, following the same steps as baristas at cafes.

As the coffee flowed into the cups, the rich aroma filled the air.

Song Muqing purged the steam wand, then frothed the milk, patiently creating a layer of velvety foam.

Lu Xuefeng teased softly, “Professor Song is quite the expert.”

Song Muqing turned to look at him, a helpless smile on his face.

Whether he was an expert or not, Lu Xuefeng knew best.

Finally, he combined the frothed milk with the espresso, creating two lattes.

Song Muqing wasn’t skilled at latte art, the patterns on top somewhat random.

Lu Xuefeng didn’t mind, taking a sip under Song Muqing’s watchful gaze.

This one tasted much better than the previous attempt.

“Delicious,” he said sincerely.

“I’m glad you like it,” Song Muqing was pleased by the compliment.

Lu Xuefeng took another sip, and when he looked up, there was a bit of milk foam on his upper lip.

Not much, but noticeable.

Song Muqing pointed at his own philtrum.

Lu Xuefeng understood, licking it off.

“All gone?”

Song Muqing blinked, then hummed in affirmation, taking a sip of his own coffee, his gaze averted.

They sat on the sofa with their coffees, enjoying their weekend.

Song Muqing saw a notification from the city’s official account.

“There’s a fireworks display next weekend,” he said. “Would you like to go?”

“When?”

Song Muqing checked the date. “The same day as your performance.”

He showed Lu Xuefeng the notification.

It was an official announcement for the city’s annual New Year’s Eve fireworks festival, held every five years.

The location changed every year, and the city would announce the best viewing spots in advance.

Lu Xuefeng vaguely remembered such an event, but he hadn’t paid much attention before.

“Have you seen it before?” Song Muqing asked.

Lu Xuefeng shook his head, looking at the photos of the fireworks display, vibrant and beautiful. The timing was perfect.

“We could go,” he said.

“Then it’s settled.”

Lu Xuefeng agreed.

For the final dance drama performance of the year, they needed to be at their best, a perfect ending without regrets.

On the day of the performance, Lu Xuefeng was too busy to check his phone.

Song Muqing knew he was busy and didn’t message him.

Lu Xuefeng had previously offered to let him visit backstage, but Song Muqing knew it would be a distraction, so he didn’t mention it, simply saying he would see him after the performance.

Lu Xuefeng indeed didn’t have time. As the director, he was responsible for everything, offering words of encouragement to the dancers before they went on stage.

The two-hour performance concluded perfectly.

Lu Xuefeng, watching from the wings, was pleased with their performance. Even Xiao Yue and Zhong Ce had exceeded expectations, executing the movements he had coached them on flawlessly.

After the curtain call, Lu Xuefeng left the stage.

They had a brief post-performance meeting as usual.

The dancers, still in their costumes, with coats over them, gathered to listen to the instructors’ feedback.

The atmosphere was positive; there wasn’t much to criticize, just a few minor details.

Lu Xuefeng offered some praise, then concluded the meeting. “That’s all for today. Everyone worked hard. Go home and get some rest.”

They all thanked him and each other, returning backstage to remove their makeup and change clothes.

Their faces were alight with joy.

The theater’s winter break was approaching.

Lu Xuefeng, walking backstage, overheard some dancers discussing the fireworks display, excitedly planning to go.

He didn’t join their conversation.

Jin Hong asked about his plans for the evening.

“Watching the fireworks.”

Jin Hong was surprised. “Since when are you interested in such mundane things, Director Lu?”

His teasing remark wasn’t entirely unfounded. Lu Xuefeng had a following online, and many fans jokingly called him “detached from earthly concerns.” Jin Hong had seen these comments and remembered them.

Lu Xuefeng glanced at him indifferently, not understanding his strange remarks. “I’m not a hermit.”

Jin Hong chuckled. “Marriage changes a man.”

Lu Xuefeng looked down at his phone. Song Muqing had messaged him, saying he was waiting outside.

After finishing up, he and Jin Hong left the theater.

Jin Hong bid him farewell. “I’ll be going then. Have fun.”

Lu Xuefeng nodded, watching him leave, then continued walking.

They had lingered backstage, but the audience hadn’t completely dispersed yet; there were still quite a few people outside.

The night was chilly, and Lu Xuefeng didn’t see Song Muqing. He was about to message him when he heard the sound of running footsteps approaching, like a child running.

He didn’t pay much attention, but the sound was coming towards him.

Before he could send the message, someone hugged his leg tightly.

Yao Yao looked up at him, her eyes wide. “Little Uncle, I’ve been waiting for you!”

“Yao Yao?”

Lu Xuefeng was surprised.

“Didn’t you see us?” Yao Yao tugged on his hand, turning him around. “We’ve been here all along.”

We…?

Lu Xuefeng was about to ask who else was there when he saw Song Muqing walking towards him.

Accompanied by Mu Ting and Song Hongfan, strolling arm in arm, smiling warmly.

They didn’t seem bothered by the long wait in the cold, their faces alight with joy when they saw him.

Lu Xuefeng was momentarily speechless.

Mu Ting smiled. “Xuefeng, let’s go watch the fireworks together.”