Mr. Mu, stop bullying Professor Jian.

Jian Zhinian was a little confused. The cold air brought by opening the door made him shiver. He looked at Mu Qingyuan hazily.

"Why are you up? Aren't you used to it?"

Mu Qingyuan quickly closed the door to block out the wind and snow, and said, "No, I went out to smoke a cigarette."

"Oh, smoke less..."

Jian Zhinian half-closed his eyes and hid in the quilt.

Mu Qingyuan smiled, said nothing, and went to bed together.

The quilt was filled with Jian Zhinian's warm breath, and he wrapped himself in it with his cold body.

Jian Zhinian shivered from the cold, nestled in his arms, muttered something, and soon fell asleep.

Mu Qingyuan kissed his forehead, closed his eyes, and surprisingly, he never suffered from insomnia again.

In the early morning, when the morning light shone through the window, they both opened their eyes almost at the same time.

It seemed like they hadn't woken up at the same time for a long time. After their eyes met, they quickly looked away.

Next to the staff dormitory, there is a large playground where many students go jogging every morning, even after last night's heavy snow.

Mu Qingyuan went downstairs and regretted not bringing some loose clothes with him.

But I don’t regret it.

He doesn't have the time for that now.

After breakfast, Mu Qingyuan took the people back to the dormitory. His expression was less warm and more solemn.

Jian Zhinian, who was asked to boil water for tea, had a bad feeling.

He felt somewhat familiar with Mu Qingyuan like this.

This happened several times, and it happened unexpectedly at the sweetest moment.

"Qingyuan, do you have anything to say to me?" Jian Zhinian felt that he should speak first.

"Ah."

Mu Qingyuan unconsciously took out the cigarette box, took out a cigarette, turned it in his hand, but did not light it. He seemed to be thinking about how to start the conversation.

Jian Zhinian's heart sank to the bottom in an instant.

Why is this person always like this...

Jian Zhinian felt a little sad, wondering if Mu Qingyuan was going to push him away again this time?

"You've been away from school for so long, and your work has been somewhat delayed. The New Year is coming soon. Do you have any thoughts about staying in school for a while?"

Mu Qingyuan's tone was not that tough, giving the illusion that the matter could be discussed.

Jian Zhinian felt relieved and said, "Fortunately, the schools are all on holiday one after another. It would be best if I am still here to help with the project. If I am away for a while, it won't be too late to push it forward."

"Let's deal with it at school. I'll give you a month to catch up with the progress, and then I'll pick you up, okay?" Mu Qingyuan's expression was very serious.

Jian Zhinian thought for a moment and said, "Alright, what about you? Are you going back to S City?"

Mu Qingyuan nodded and said, "Well, I'll be a little busy recently and won't be able to take care of you."

Jian Zhinian's phoenix eyes flickered, fearing that this was the truth.

"Okay, I understand." Jian Zhinian nodded, unusually obedient.

Mu Qingyuan raised his eyes, a little surprised, and saw Jian Zhinian staring at him seriously.

"Qingyuan, I want to know, did I catch up with you today?"

Mu Qingyuan frowned. Why are you asking this again?

"What's the difference?"

Whether they succeed in catching up with her or not, the relationship between them remains the same.

Jian Zhinian said seriously: "Yes."

He had a lot to say to Mu Qingyuan, but if he didn't catch up, there would be no need to say it...

Mu Qingyuan remained silent and only said, "Be good, stay in school and live your life the same as before, don't run around, okay?"

"Still haven't caught up yet?"

Mu Qingyuan was silent.

Jian Zhinian lowered his eyes and replied, "I understand."

Mu Qingyuan found that forced smile annoying and stood there staring at him in a daze.

Mu Qingyuan said helplessly: "Be obedient."

Jian Zhinian found it a little funny. This tone... was a bit like the way he coaxed Nian Nian, like coaxing a child.

He is obviously three years older than Mu Qingyuan, but this man always coaxes him to be obedient.

He understood, so he just didn't want to cause him any trouble, but...

"Qingyuan, so you brought me to school last night specially, is it to make up for it?"

Are all these beautiful things because I want to keep him here today and give him tenderness in advance?

Mu Qingyuan was stunned, as if he had not expected the person in front of him to ask such a question. At that moment, he felt funny and sad. Jian Zhinian thought that his kindness to him was compensation for coaxing his lover?

"You, do you think I need you?"

Mu Qingyuan's eyes were defiant and cold.

Jian Zhinian's eyes flickered, and he realized belatedly that he had angered Mu Qingyuan again.

"I'm sorry...that's not what I meant..."

"It doesn't matter. Between you and me, we just get what we need. Don't expect too much!"

Mu Qingyuan's voice was cold. While warning Jian Zhinian, it also seemed like he was warning himself.

Jian Zhinian watched the dormitory door open and close. The water in the kettle was boiling and emitting billowing hot steam. He glanced at the cold tea on the desk last night, and a feeling of sourness appeared in his eyes.

The water is warm, but the person has left.

Jian Zhinian is still there.

Hearing the sound of an engine starting downstairs, Jian Zhinian's expression changed. He took a sharp step, opened the door, and ran out along the corridor.

However, before he could go downstairs, the car had already started.

He stood in the corner of the stair railing, facing the wind and snow, motionless, his face cold.

They had never met, but they had already separated.

Now, no matter what, Mu Qingyuan said that he would come back...

Jian Zhinian returned to the dormitory and resumed his previous life.

He called his mother, whom he hadn't contacted for a long time, to ask if she had put on more clothes because of the cold weather and if she was healthy; he also asked if Nian Nian was still well-behaved and obedient...

Shen Ruxin bought a scenic villa in the suburbs of H City. The air is fresh, life is simple, and days are peaceful.

Although I felt a little better after hearing my son's greetings on the phone, I still couldn't help but feel concerned.

"Zhi Nian, you haven't been home for more than a month. Do you have time this weekend?"

Jian Zhinian was silent for a moment, then said, "Mom, I'm a little busy lately."

Shen Ruxin asked tentatively, "Is there another key project that needs to produce results urgently?"

Jian Zhinian looked through the blurry glass of the dormitory. Outside the window, the snow on the road had left many footprints, but the roofs and trees were still covered in snow, so white that one wanted to pinch it.

He whispered, "Mom, I saw Mu Xingchen. He's back."

Shen Ruxin's breathing tightened, and the sound was clearly transmitted to Jian Zhinian's ears through the radio waves.

"Zhi Nian, have you... have you met?"

"Yeah, I've seen it."

Not only have we met, but we have also reconnected...

"So, I may go home less often recently." Jian Zhinian said truthfully.

Shen Ruxin sighed and said, "I understand, Zhinian, no matter what, take care of yourself."

"I will, thanks mom."

After hanging up the phone, Jian Zhinian felt relieved.

In the afternoon, Jian Zhinian received a call from Luo Jiushuai. Luo Jiushuai seemed to have just woken up from his sleep, and his voice was hoarse and dry, as if he had shouted himself hoarse.

"Zhi Nian... I'm sorry... I made you stay in a hotel that early morning..."

It was just a short sentence and Luo Jiushuai cleared his throat several times before he could speak clearly.

Jian Zhinian was left behind by Mu Qingyuan, and was not in a very good mood. He said, "It's okay. I've been in H City for so many years, so I don't have to stay in a hotel. You, just got up?"

Luo Jiushuai felt sore all over. Every movement affected his entire body, from head to toe, and he felt pain everywhere.

Hearing Jian Zhinian's hesitant greeting, Luo Jiushuai estimated that even if the other party didn't say it explicitly, he had guessed it almost clearly, so he simply gave up and complained at the top of his voice.

"Well, don't mention it. I didn't go to bed until eight last night. Huo Cheng was fucking a male dog in heat. I said he married me just to get my body for free!"