Love Me, Please Look - Chapter 8
Chapter 8: Routines, Ribs, and Blueberries
Back at the campus gates, the two boys got out of the car.
Qi Junhe insisted on walking Zhang Shixu all the way to the dorm building, dragging out his goodbye like it was the last time they’d see each other.
Zhang Shixu raised an eyebrow at him. “Alright, go back already. We’ll see each other tomorrow.”
Only then did Qi Junhe seem to let himself turn around. He waved.
‘Bye.’
Without much fuss, Zhang Shixu turned and headed upstairs.
Inside the dorm, Chen Nan was gaming in full-on pajama mode with Zhang Yan, who was similarly dressed like it was mid-winter—even though it wasn’t.
“You’re back?” Chen Nan asked distractedly, eyes still glued to the screen.
“Yeah. Aren’t you hot in that get-up?”
Chen Nan looked down at his tightly bundled pajamas, confused. “Not really?”
“Where’s Jin Heng?” Zhang Shixu asked, opening the box of blueberries he had brought back and tossing a few to each of his roommates.
“Shower,” Chen Nan muttered without missing a beat.
Zhang Yan, still facing his screen, grabbed a handful of berries and popped a couple into his mouth. “These are really sweet. Where’d you get ‘em? I wanna buy some for my girlfriend.”
“They were a gift,” Zhang Shixu replied simply.
He joked around with them for a bit until Jin Heng came out of the bathroom. Then, Zhang Shixu quickly jumped in to wash up and get some rest.
…
Later, just after class ended, Zhang Shixu saw a message from Qi Junhe. He wanted to grab lunch together at the second canteen—and even offered to come pick him up from class.
As he walked out of the lecture hall, Chen Nan caught up with him. “What’s for lunch?”
“Second canteen,” Zhang Shixu said, slipping his phone into his pocket.
Chen Nan turned to Zhang Yan. “You?”
“My girlfriend ordered food for me—it’s at the south gate,” Zhang Yan said hurriedly, already jogging off. “I gotta go before someone swipes it!”
As Zhang Shixu walked off too, Chen Nan grabbed his arm. “You’re going by yourself?”
“No. I’m meeting a junior,” Zhang Shixu answered honestly.
“A junior? What about me?” Chen Nan whined like an abandoned puppy.
Zhang Shixu glanced at him, puzzled. “Isn’t Jin Heng always tagging along with you anyway?” He pulled his arm free and continued walking.
Chen Nan huffed in frustration. “Everyone’s ditching me for love.”
Jin Heng appeared out of nowhere. “So… what are we eating?”
Still annoyed, Chen Nan snapped back. “You, apparently.”
Jin Heng raised his eyebrows as if it was a genuine offer. “Not against it.”
“Get lost.”
…
Outside, under the harsh summer sun, Zhang Shixu spotted Qi Junhe waiting beneath a tree, holding a black umbrella and something else in his hand.
“Why didn’t you wait inside the building? You’ll roast out here,” Zhang Shixu said as he stepped under the umbrella with him.
Qi Junhe silently held up the item he’d been carrying—a neat little blueberry cake.
Zhang Shixu leaned in. “How’d you know I liked blueberries?”
His smile was childlike, gleeful, like someone handed him candy. Qi Junhe flushed slightly but played it cool.
‘Just a guess.’
That’s one accurate guess, Zhang Shixu thought with amusement.
At the canteen, Zhang Shixu showed Qi Junhe where to leave his umbrella and led him through the queue. He ordered sweet and sour ribs and bitter melon with scrambled eggs, grabbing some seaweed soup too.
Back at the table, Qi Junhe was clearly struggling with the bitter melon dish.
“Do you actually like bitter melon?” Zhang Shixu asked.
‘My dad says it’s good for me.’
“So you don’t like it.”
Qi Junhe didn’t confirm or deny it, but the hesitation was obvious.
Without a word, Zhang Shixu scooped all the bitter melon from Qi Junhe’s plate and replaced it with a generous heap of plain eggs.
“If you hate it, just don’t eat it. You’re not gonna offend me by avoiding what’s on my plate.”
Qi Junhe quickly shook his head, cheeks turning pink again.
During lunch, Zhang Shixu did most of the talking. Qi Junhe just listened quietly, his gaze fixed on him the entire time.
After the meal, Qi Junhe tried the soup. One sip in, he gave Zhang Shixu a tragic look.
Zhang Shixu burst out laughing. “Yeah, can’t compete with your mom’s homemade soup. Canteen stuff’s basically dishwater.”
He pulled two tissues from his bag and handed one over.
“You have class this afternoon?” he asked.
Qi Junhe shook his head.
‘You?’
“Nope. Didn’t you ask for my schedule last night? Why are you asking again?”
As they walked out side by side, Zhang Shixu still holding the cake box, Qi Junhe signed:
‘Can we go for a walk?’
Zhang Shixu glanced up at the blistering sun and was about to decline, but when he saw the hopeful look on Qi Junhe’s face, he caved.
“Alright.”
Qi Junhe lit up like a kid told he could pick two toys, not just one.
He led Zhang Shixu through the Art Department buildings, showing him the studio where he painted and the music room where he practiced cello.
Only then did Zhang Shixu realize that on top of being good-looking, Qi Junhe could also draw and play an instrument. Some people really didn’t leave much talent for the rest of the world.
…
By the time they returned to the dorm, most students were stirring from their nap breaks and getting ready for class again.
Zhang Shixu turned to look at Qi Junhe, who once again seemed reluctant to leave.
“You’ve gotta stop looking like I’m abandoning you every time we say goodbye,” he teased, grinning.
Qi Junhe stood under the black umbrella, the sun casting a soft glow on his pale skin. His nose was straight, lips pursed, and cheeks flushed lightly from the heat.
He hesitated, then gave a soft wave.
‘See you tomorrow.’
His smile was bright, eyes full of warmth.
Zhang Shixu waved back. “Tomorrow.”
Back in the dorm, the AC blasted blissful cold air. Zhang Shixu exhaled in relief. Cool at last.
Chen Nan peeked out from behind his curtain. “It’s scorching out. Where’d you run off to?”
Zhang Shixu wiped the sweat from his forehead. “Nowhere special. Why aren’t you napping?”
“I was—until you came in and slammed the door,” Chen Nan grumbled, yanking the curtain closed again.
Zhang Shixu: “…”
From another bunk, Zhang Yan whispered, “He’s been acting like he’s on edge since you stopped hanging out with him.”
Zhang Shixu nodded slightly. He looked around. “Where’s Jin Heng?”
“Can I please get some sleep?” Chen Nan yelled. “I’m gonna report you to the dorm lady for disturbing the peace!”
Zhang Yan just gave Zhang Shixu a helpless shrug. What can you do?
…
After washing up and climbing into bed, Zhang Shixu checked his phone and found several messages from Qi Junhe:
Qi Junhe: Can I have lunch with you every day? 🌹🥺
Qi Junhe: Only if it’s convenient for you!
Qi Junhe: Totally fine if it’s not… 🥀
Zhang Shixu could practically see the dramatic pout behind those messages.
Zhang Shixu: Sure. But I’ve got more classes than you. Okay if we play it by ear?
The reply came back instantly.
Qi Junhe: Of course! Rain or shine! 🐇🌹
Zhang Shixu: Go to bed early.
Qi Junhe replied with a silly, overly dramatic sticker, hinting for one more response.
This guy’s a little too attentive, Zhang Shixu thought, amused.