Li Qingze’s second-year graduate courses were relatively light, with very few theoretical classes. Professors left students to their own devices for the most part.

After confirming that there would be no classes this week, Li Qingze packed his laptop and the peripherals he used for drawing and headed to B City to visit Yan Han.

After all, homework could be done anywhere, but being in a long-distance relationship and sleeping in the same bed were two entirely different experiences.

Yan Han arrived at the airport early to pick him up, wearing a gray hoodie and dark blue jeans. He had his hands in his pockets, coolly waiting. But the moment he saw Li Qingze, his face lit up like a bright sunflower, and he spread his arms wide, pulling him into a tight hug.

“Baby!”

Li Qingze had taken a red-eye flight on a budget airline just to see Yan Han a few hours earlier. He didn’t check any luggage, only brought a large backpack.

When Yan Han tried to lift the bag, he hadn’t expected it to be so heavy and nearly dropped it.

“Why is this so heavy?”

Li Qingze cheerfully clung to his other arm. “It’s my drawing equipment. I need to do homework.”

Such a small person carrying such a heavy bag, Yan Han’s heart ached for him.

But Li Qingze didn’t mind at all. The moment he saw Yan Han, all the troubles from the journey disappeared.

The two began a week-long cohabitation.

Yan Han was very busy this semester, spending almost five days a week at school.

To spend more time with him, Li Qingze brought his heavy backpack every day and followed Yan Han to their department’s study room to do his homework. That way, they could carve out time to be together during breaks and lunch.

But whenever Yan Han was around, Li Qingze didn’t have to carry his backpack himself, his husband would do it for him.

Every morning, Yan Han would even prepare a bottle of passion fruit honey water for him to take along.

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Because of his excellent grades and strong English skills, Yan Han had secured a position as a teaching assistant for a freshman-level management course. He was responsible for three small classes, totaling around a hundred students.

During lectures, Yan Han would dress more formally. After all, he wasn’t much older than the undergrads, and it helped him maintain authority.

Li Qingze sat in the study room, watching as Yan Han, just finishing a class, walked down the hallway from a distance with two cups of coffee in hand.

He was wearing a light blue dress shirt, his broad shoulders and slim waist neatly tucked into his dress pants, highlighting his tall and striking figure. His dark brows and eyes looked even more handsome with his bangs brushed back, giving him a refined and composed aura. Among the tall white students around him, he stood out with his uniquely graceful presence, not at all overshadowed.

When Yan Han saw Li Qingze resting his chin in his hand and looking in his direction, he smiled indulgently and shook the coffee cup in his hand.

It was the mocha Li Qingze had mentioned he wanted that morning—he understood immediately.

Yan Han always remembered everything he said.

“Teacher…” Before Yan Han could walk over, three Chinese girls stopped him. All three were quite pretty, dressed in trendy designer brands, carrying high-end luxury bags. Their polished appearance showed their meticulous care, right down to their hair. Two of them stayed behind, nudging the long-haired girl in front forward.

“Teacher, I’m a student in MNGT1001. I don’t know if you remember me?” The girl gathered her courage and spoke to Yan Han.

Yan Han was momentarily surprised. He glanced at Li Qingze first, then replied to the girl, “I remember. You guys are in the Wednesday class.”

“Yes, yes.” The girl was delighted and quickly followed up, “I’m having a bit of trouble understanding the material. Can I add you on WeChat… to ask questions…”

Even she probably didn’t believe her own excuse, but she forced herself to say it anyway. The two girls behind her bowed their heads, giggling.

Yan Han had already guessed what she was getting at before she even opened her mouth, but he didn’t reject her directly. Instead, he said, “You all have my staff email. If you have any questions, just email me, and I’ll reply when I see it.”

“Ah…” Disappointment showed on the girl’s face. She looked like she wanted to say more, but Yan Han cut her off.

“I usually use email for work-related matters.”

If she still couldn’t understand what he meant by that, then her emotional intelligence would be truly lacking. Fortunately, she did get the message and was tactful enough to back off.

The three girls thanked him and said their goodbyes.

“See you next Wednesday!”

“Mm.” Yan Han nodded. “See you Wednesday.”

Yan Han walked over and handed the coffee to Li Qingze.

Li Qingze gave a theatrical sigh. “Sigh, after half a day of chatting,  the coffee’s gone cold.”

“No, it hasn’t.” Yan Han found it amusing and poked his wife’s soft, delicate hand. “Angry?”

“I’m not that petty,” Li Qingze huffed and took a sip of the mocha. The milk foam clung to his soft pink lips. “That response was acceptable. Say the same thing next time too, oh.”

The two of them didn’t head home until the sun had set.

Yan Han was in the kitchen making dinner, having changed into his loungewear. Meanwhile, Li Qingze ran into the room and put on the blue dress shirt Yan Han had just taken off. With his long, fair legs exposed and the collar hanging wide open, he tiptoed into the kitchen and leaned against the island counter.

“Teacher Yan, can you give me a high score on this week’s quiz?”

Yan Han turned around and saw Li Qingze propping himself up on the island counter. His long, pale legs were crossed—his calves were slender and delicate, but his thighs were still soft and had a pleasant amount of flesh. The way they pressed together as he crossed them gave off a kind of sweet, indulgent allure.

Forget dinner, might as well eat this little treat first.