My straight roommate is so good

“Qiao Qiao, stop it. I’ve said we’re good brothers; brotherly loyalty is worth more than any of that nonsense,” Ling Jianshu frowned, clearly displeased with his expression. “If you don’t want to smile, you don’t have to force yourself. I never do anything with you in mind.”

Sometimes it’s just me overthinking, so you can’t be blamed. But he kept that thought to himself, letting it linger in his heart.

Qiao Song paused for a moment, bit his lip, and replied, “Ling Brother, I don’t know what’s bothering you, but I understand that since you’ve told me not to force myself to smile when I don’t want to, I hope you don’t feel pressured to act okay either.”

Ling Jianshu appeared cold on the outside, but inside he was warm. Qiao Song knew that people like him were genuinely good.

As for his discomfort with homosexuality… everyone has different triggers, and Qiao Song understood his feelings.

“I’m not forcing myself,” Ling Jianshu said.

“Actually, I have an idea… With the semester ending soon, I’m considering moving out of our dorm next semester,” Qiao Song stated calmly.

“No way,” Ling Jianshu immediately refused.

“What if it’s just my own idea? There’s no specific reason; I just want to move out,” he continued explaining, hoping this might lighten the mood for everyone.

“I still won’t allow it,” Ling Jianshu’s tone grew firmer, emphasizing his “I” in the rejection.

“Ling Brother, are you saying that if I really want to move out, you’ll find a way to keep me?” Qiao Song tested.

“Of course,” Ling Jianshu replied without hesitation.

“Do you really not want me to leave?” he couldn’t help but look into Ling Jianshu’s eyes, trying to confirm whether he genuinely wanted him to stay or if he was just forcing himself.

“If you dare to move out without saying a word, I’ll chase you to the ends of the earth and bring you back,” Ling Jianshu declared dramatically.

Qiao Song felt a slight shock. He hadn’t expected him to say that, which meant he probably meant it.

“Why do you insist on me staying?” he still didn’t understand. For someone who felt uncomfortable with homosexuality, wouldn’t saying he wanted to leave be a form of relief? Why would Ling Jianshu want to keep him? Plus, moving out wasn’t something he felt pressured about.

“Why are there so many questions?” This time, Ling Jianshu didn’t answer and showed a hint of impatience.

In truth, it wasn’t impatience but perhaps a sense of anxiety, likely because he couldn’t answer Qiao Song’s question himself.

He didn’t want him to leave the dorm, even if it was voluntary; he wanted him to stay and hoped he would stay because of his insistence.

“Anyway, don’t mention leaving again,” Ling Jianshu interrupted any further conversation on the topic.

Once they had talked it out, things felt a bit lighter, and Qiao Song realized his plans to move out would have to be shelved for now.

Well, they wouldn’t see each other during the winter break anyway, so it was fine. They could discuss next semester later.

Before long, the other two returned to the dorm.

Cheng Yuan noticed everyone was there and suddenly asked, “Hey, by the way, winter break is coming soon. Do you have any plans?”

“I know! Junming will definitely go back to spend time with his girlfriend, so I won’t ask you,” he turned to glance at Ling Jianshu. “Ling Brother will definitely go home; if you don’t, your family will be on your case about it, so I won’t ask either.”

“What about Qiao Song?” Ling Jianshu ignored Cheng Yuan’s one-man show and directly asked Qiao Song.

“I… I haven’t thought about it yet,” Qiao Song replied.

Not having made a decision… it was true he hadn’t. Although it didn’t really matter whether he went back or not, he figured he should make a call to confirm.

“Let me know once you decide,” Ling Jianshu said, patting his shoulder.

“Okay.” Even though he wasn’t sure why he needed to report this to him, he agreed.

“Alright, since not many of us will stay at school, let’s plan a gathering in a couple of days,” Cheng Yuan suggested.

Everyone agreed and settled on a time.

Making that call home, Qiao Song hesitated for a long time. But parents are parents, after all; they’re not just anyone else. They’re the people he cannot change or replace, the ones he’s been destined to have since the moment he opened his eyes.

He first called his father. After a long wait with the ringing tone, someone finally picked up.

“Hello? Qiao Qiao, your dad is busy. What’s up? I can pass on a message,” came Uncle Zhang’s voice on the other end.

“Oh… it’s nothing.” Qiao Song dialed his father Qiao Cheng’s personal number. If it weren’t for Qiao Cheng’s specific request, the assistant wouldn’t have picked up at all.

Most likely, he didn’t want to hear what he had to say.

So, he hung up without further ado.

Switching to another number, he surprisingly felt more courageous today. Having already received a silent rejection, what’s one more rejection?

This time, the call was answered quickly.

“Mom…” For some reason, even though it was a word that felt very warm, he found it strange to say.

“Qiao Song, what’s up? Are you needing money for school? How much? Just tell me, and I’ll send it to you,” his mother interrupted.

“No, Mom… I wanted to tell you that school is about to break for winter…” 

“Oh, winter break is coming, huh? With how busy I’ve been, I completely forgot. We might not have anyone at home during the break. I’ll send you 30,000 yuan. Why don’t you travel somewhere? If that’s not enough, just let me know,” Lu Yunxian didn’t wait for him to finish and cut him off.

Not wanting to continue the conversation, Qiao Song quickly hung up.

Holding the phone, he found himself in a daze.

Well… originally, he should have expected this outcome. He didn’t need to make that call.

He sighed softly, and for some reason, the image of Ling Jianshu patting his shoulder, urging him to make a decision and let him know, flashed in his mind.

A warm feeling spread through his heart as he opened WeChat and sent a message.

【Qiao Song: Ling Brother, I might not go back for winter break.】

【Ling Jianshu: Are you going to stay at school? Alone?】

【Qiao Song: Yes, alone. If I have nothing to do, I might look for a part-time job.】

In fact, he hadn’t really thought about what to do; he was just making small talk.

【Ling Jianshu: Then… do you want to come home with me? Think of it as a vacation.】

Seeing Ling Jianshu’s reply, Qiao Song’s fingers paused mid-type. He found himself at a loss for how to respond.

Should he just agree? But… his situation was too complicated; he was just a roommate. It felt inappropriate to run off to another roommate’s house during the break when he wasn’t going home.

【Qiao Song: No, I’ve already decided on a place.】

On the other end, Ling Jianshu raised an eyebrow, holding his phone. Qiao Song had just mentioned looking for a part-time job, and now he claimed to have already decided on a place, which felt like a clear dismissal.