My straight roommate is so good - Chapter 36

“Ling Brother?” Qiao Song noticed that Ling Jianshu hadn’t retaliated and slowly opened his eyes, finding Ling Jianshu staring at him seriously.

Qiao Song’s lips moved slightly as he prepared to say something, but was interrupted by a voice from outside.

“Stop messing around! You two are in your third year of college, not third graders!” Qin Shuhan called from outside.

They snapped back to reality and stepped apart.

“It’s all Ling Brother’s fault; we got scolded by Auntie,” Qiao Song turned to start wiping the plates. “Let’s focus on washing up.”

Ling Jianshu watched his reaction, finding him irresistibly cute. Bringing him home for winter break was definitely the right choice.

After finishing the dishes, they chatted a bit more with Ling Jianshu’s parents in the living room before heading to their rooms to rest.

Their rooms were directly across from each other, and when they opened their doors, they could see each other’s rooms.

“Let’s agree that tomorrow morning we’ll go to my second uncle’s house together. I’ll come wake you up,” Ling Jianshu said as he was closing the door.

Qiao Song nodded, “Okay, Ling Brother.”

After finishing his nighttime routine and lying in bed, Qiao Song felt a bit surreal. Not only had he come to Ling Jianshu’s house, but he was also sharing a meal with his parents as if they were family, and just a wall away was Ling Jianshu.

As he let his thoughts wander, Qiao Song gradually drifted off to sleep, enjoying a restful night.

The next day, Ling Jianshu’s second uncle’s house wasn’t far from his own, and they decided to walk there. On the way, they passed a flower shop.

“Let’s buy a bouquet to take over,” Qiao Song suggested. “And when we head back, we should get something for Auntie too. I didn’t bring anything as a greeting gift since I was carrying luggage, and I feel… it’s just not right.”

“Alright.” Ling Jianshu didn’t quite understand these customs but naturally followed him into the flower shop.

“How about buying a bunch of red plums? They’ll look festive at home for the New Year,” Qiao Song suggested.

“You decide; whatever you choose is the best,” Ling Jianshu nodded slightly.

“Ling Brother, you really have a lot of confidence in me.”

After buying the flowers, Qiao Song held the vibrant red plums, which contrasted beautifully with his fair skin.

Ling Jianshu thought that when his relatives saw someone as striking as Qiao Song, they would surely be impressed.

And indeed, when they arrived, it was Ling Jianshu’s second aunt who opened the door.

At the moment she opened the door, her eyes lit up. Even Ling Xiaoxiao, usually a lively little girl, blushed slightly when she saw him, peeking out from behind her mother.

“Xiaoxiao, come meet your teacher,” Ling Jianshu’s uncle called, guiding the little girl from behind her mother.

The girl, with two cute braids and dressed in a bear onesie, looked round and adorable.

“Teacher Qiao, don’t be shy! Just treat this place like home. How about trying to give Xiaoxiao a lesson today?” Ling Jianshu’s second aunt suggested.

“Sure, I can try teaching her a lesson today, and I won’t charge for it,” Qiao Song replied.

“Not a chance! We have to pay for the lesson you give!” Ling Jianshu’s uncle hurriedly insisted.

“No, let’s consider it a trial lesson today,” Qiao Song shook his head and bent down, smiling gently at Ling Xiaoxiao. “Xiaoxiao, can you take me to your piano?”

“Mm!” she nodded vigorously, running a few steps ahead, then suddenly stopped and turned back to him, raising her little hand.

“Hmm?” Qiao Song paused, a bit confused by what she meant.

“Teacher Qiao, hold my hand; I’ll take you there!” the little girl said earnestly.

Seeing her adorable expression, Qiao Song took her soft little hand without a second thought.

The little girl was quite outgoing, leading him happily as she bounced ahead.

Ling Jianshu watched from behind, slightly raising an eyebrow, then followed.

“Jianshu, they’re going to class. Why don’t you join your uncle for a game of chess instead?” Ling Jianshu’s uncle suggested. With his break being so rare, Ling Jianshu didn’t refuse and went along.

Inside the room, simple yet beautiful piano melodies flowed as Qiao Song played. Soon after, individual notes sprang forth, indicating that Xiaoxiao was getting familiar with the piano.

Ling Jianshu was so absorbed in the music that he was distracted from the chess game.

His uncle, noticing the young ones’ budding romance, chuckled and said, “Alright, if you want to go join them, just go ahead.”

“Uncle…” Ling Jianshu glanced at him, then nodded. “I promise I’ll come back later to play a proper game.”

Once he finished speaking, he got up and walked towards the study.

His uncle couldn’t help but admire how earnest the young man was, wondering if he was putting on an act in front of him.

Inside the study, as Qiao Song taught Xiaoxiao piano, they closed the door for soundproofing. Ling Jianshu carefully opened the door from the outside, catching the attention of the two inside.

“Are you in class? What’s going on, Ling Brother?” Qiao Song raised an eyebrow curiously as he saw him enter.

“Teaching in progress; unauthorized persons are not allowed inside,” Ling Xiaoxiao declared dramatically, bobbing her head.

“Unauthorized persons?” Ling Jianshu raised an eyebrow, his expression slightly intimidating to anyone unfamiliar with him.

However, Xiaoxiao knew her brother would never harm her, and she smiled up at him cheerfully.

Ling Jianshu walked over and affectionately pinched her cheek.

“If I disturb the lesson, then I guess I’d be an unauthorized person,” Qiao Song joked lightly.

Ling Jianshu turned to him, smirking as he reached over to pinch Xiaoxiao’s cheek, “Then if I supervise the lesson, I shouldn’t count, right?”

The three of them shared a laugh for a moment before returning to the lesson.

He stood by, watching Qiao Song teach Xiaoxiao piano.

Qiao Song was extremely patient, explaining everything in detail. Even Ling Jianshu, who knew nothing about the piano, began to understand some of the intricacies.

It was clear that Qiao Song truly loved the piano and understood it well; such a teacher was rare and precious.

As the lesson concluded, Xiaoxiao was not only patient but seemed eager for more.

Qiao Song smiled and playfully tapped her little nose. “Practicing an instrument is very important; you must not forget!”

“I’ll practice diligently! Teacher Qiao, can you stay and practice with me every day?” Xiaoxiao’s big, watery eyes sparkled with hope.

“Of course not.” Ling Jianshu frowned, directly shattering her wish. “Teacher Qiao isn’t just for you.”

“Teacher Qiao isn’t just mine—does that mean he’s yours too?” the little girl protested, hands on her hips.

Ling Jianshu smirked slightly, “That’s right; Teacher Qiao belongs to me.”

Hearing Ling Jianshu’s slightly ambiguous tone, Qiao Song looked at him in surprise, only to see him joking with the child, and couldn’t help but think he was reading too much into it.