Chapter 27 - I’ve got this Scholar’s back (9)
Chapter 27 I’ve got this Scholar’s back
“Jingmo!”
Gu Chuanbai panicked. He hurriedly wrapped him in his jacket and took him in his arms along with it. He carefully patted his back. “Are you feeling sick? Let’s go to the school doctor’s first–”
“Chuanbai, I’m fine.”
Supporting himself with a hand on the other’s shoulder, Lu Jingmo raised his hand to hold his wrist and shook his head as he waited for the coughing to gradually stop.
What Gu Chuanbai needed now was a quiet space where he could be alone. His throat was just feeling uncomfortable. It was feeling a little unwell because he’d suddenly said so many things and he’d been buffeted by the cold winds on top of that.
It wasn’t a big deal. It will be better once he gets a good rest.
Gu Chuanbai’s arms around him were still strangely strained. Lu Jingmo raised his head slightly. He pressed his palm behind Gu Chuanbai’s shoulder and slowly stroked downward.
The gentle force covering his back made Gu Chuanbai gradually relax once again. Facing those seemingly constantly sleek and gentle black eyes, his chest was slightly suffocated with distress. “Jingmo…”
Being wrapped tightly in a thick jacket, the coldness of the night breeze was finally blocked out. Lu Jingmo smiled in his arms. He raised his hand and ruffled his hair. He wanted to speak but then frowned from the distinct burning pain in his throat.
“I know, let’s go back. Let’s buy some medicine before we go back, okay?”
Gu Chuanbai had already understood what he meant and quickly stopped the conversation. He carefully helped Lu Jingmo pull the jacket tight around him. He also straightened the collar and warmly consulted with a hand on his shoulder.
Lu Jingmo’s eyes quickly curved into smiles. Lu Jingmo nodded, looked down at the obviously oversized jacket and shook the sleeves dangling past his hands, amused. His thin lips also curled up softly.
When he showed none of the self-consciousness of being a teacher, his little professor could much too easily make people’s hearts go soft.
The light from the streetlight barely reached their dim corner. They stood between the light and darkness. According to the precious experiences gathered by the students of Z University, this place happened to be in the absolute blind spot of the surveillance cameras and office windows.
Gu Chuanbai gave a quiet chuckle, confidently holding the other in a half-embrace. Resting his chin on Lu Jingmo’s shoulders, he patiently folded the cuffs for him. He grabbed the other’s hand and put both into the jacket’s side pocket.
He tried his best to focus his mind completely on these small and trivial movements and it was unexpectedly effective. Lu Jingmo leaned peacefully between his arms and looked up at him. His hair would rubbed along his cheeks and he could feel that warm gaze without even raising his head.
Lu Jingmo turned his hand inside the pocket. He held his hand back and didn’t let go.
The laboratory building was not far from the school’s infirmary and very few people were on the road. Gu Chuanbai completely let go of his worries and clenched that still cool hand in his pocket. Together they walked towards the school infirmary.
When Lu Jingmo ran out, the sky was already dark. After buying the medicine and returning to the administration building, the night was completely dark.
The corridors were dark and quiet but the office was still faintly bright. Gu Chuanbai fumbled for the key and opened the door. The familiar warmth and brightness slammed into his chest, making his eyes suddenly blur.
The lights were still on. The food on the table was only reduced by a few mouthfuls. His coat was still on the hanger. You could tell at a glance how hurriedly the owner had left.
The two had walked all the way back. Lu Jingmo’s body had warmed up under the jacket but he still couldn’t stop coughing from time to time. Gu Chuanbai raised the heater by another two degrees. He had the other sit on the sofa and he hurriedly poured water and got medicine for him. He finally felt relieved when he saw Lu Jingmo swallow the medicine.
The swallowing motion still caused him some pain. Lu Jingmo relaxed for a while and took another two sips of water, letting it immerse his burning throat. He pulled Gu Chuanbai’s wrist.
“I’ll warmed up the food. It’s already gone cold.”
Gu Chuanbai was pulled over. He turned around and squatted down. He raised his hand to fix Lu Jingmo’s short hair. He raised his head slightly, explaining in a soft voice.
His little professor hadn’t even had time to eat.
It was obviously supposed to be a nice surprise.
The emotions in the bottom of his heart quietly sprouted up. Gu Chuanbai’s jaw muscles tightened and his gaze fell on the plant specimens neatly stacked in the corner of the room. He forced himself to abandon those thoughts and his eyes calmed down again.
Lu Jingmo didn’t seem to notice. He still held his hand quietly. He waited until Gu Chuanbai turned his gaze back before he nodded and released his hand.
The foundation was broken and smashed. This wasn’t such an easy thing to bear.
He had pulled Gu Chuanbai out as much as he could but Gu Chuanbai will have to rely on his own determination to make it the rest of the way.
Lu Jingmo knew that the other party could do it but it will take time after all.
After such a big incident, Gu Chuanbai will undoubtedly not be going to the cyro-electron microscopy center again. Zhan Pei was so scared he’d be unable to fend even for himself. He was probably racking his brains how best to minimize the impact. In the short term, let alone looking for Gu Chuanbai to make trouble for him, he probably wouldn’t even want to see this student’s face.
Gu Chuanbai was safe for the near future.
This thought lingered in Lu Jingmo’s mind for a while and his mind relaxed. He leaned back on the sofa, took his laptop and turned it on.
Gu Chuanbai got up and started to get busy. It didn’t take long before the rich aroma of food reappeared in the office.
Thinking of Lu Jingmo’s sore throat, he specially made some rice porridge. He set the golden millet porridge aside to cool a bit. He also sprinkled it with some white sugar. Lu Jingmo tried a couple of mouthfuls and his eyes brightened in pleasant surprise.
“Does your throat hurt when you eat this?”
Seeing his little professor so happy, a gentle warmth appeared in Gu Chuanbai’s eyes. He ladled out half a bowl of porridge for him and put it on the side to cool. “Eat well and then take another shower. After a good night’s sleep, you’ll definitely be all better.”
His tone was confident and Lu Jingmo nodded obediently. He pulled the rice bowl in front of Gu Chuanbai over and poured a full ladle-full of stew on it.
Staring blankly at how the little professor was forcibly serving him stew, Gu Chuanbai was astonished for a moment. Finally, he couldn’t help but be too surprised to utter a word. He stretched out his arms and took the person into his arms. He lowered his head and rested it against the hollow of his neck. “Thank you…”
“It’s delicious this way.”
Lu Jingmo explained to him earnestly, adding five or six more spoonful of stew for him, thoroughly soaking the bowl of rice before pushing it back in satisfaction.
The sweet and sour tomato scent mixed with the steaming heat. It made even his eyes feel hot.
Gu Chuanbai met his gaze. He pulled the corners of his lips into a little smile and nodded lightly. He bowed his head and concentrated on digging into his meal. He suddenly choked hard and let out a cough.
Lu Deng lightly bumped against the tableware as he placed the porridge bowl on the table. He placed one hand hand on Gu Chuanbai’s back, slowly patting and caressing. It was a long while before he spoke gently, “Chuanbai…”
Gu Chuanbai’s chest was burning hot but for some reason he didn’t have the courage to raise his head. He just buried it deeper and deeper. His hand holding the chopsticks was turning faintly pale.
In the end, he still couldn’t stop himself from considering those possibilities — completely get rid of Zhan Pei and immediately go be Lu Jingmo’s graduate student. He had read the “CELL” paper that Lu Jingmo had mentioned and he hadn’t seen any problems. But if Zhan Pei would allow him to be taken away so easily, it showed that that was Zhan Pei’s Achilles’ heel…
The chaotic thoughts mixed in his mind, all intertwined and chaotic.
The warm palms covered his hand, taking those chopsticks and handing over a stack of printed paper.
Gu Chuanbai looked at the papers in his hand. A dense cloud of ink was the only thing he could be seen through his blurred vision. He raised his hand and hurriedly rubbed his eyes. He looked at them intently. Lu Jingmo had already started to speak softly, unhurriedly finishing the remaining half his sentence.
“…even if you cry you still have to do your homework.”
Gu Chuanbai was stunned. He flipped through the fifty essay questions in his hand. Agape and tongue-tied, he raised his head.
His little professor smiled and pushed away his finished bowl of porridge. He cleared a space for him, pushed his shoulder and added, “You can’t sleep until you finish writing.”
…
Next time, Gu Chuanbai was going to stop talking before he thinks.
No matter how complicated his thoughts were, they all disappeared under the high pressure of homework. Gu Chuanbai’s thoughts were instantly swept clear. He took the stack of printed paper with both hands and took a deep breath with a light tremble. “Professor…”
“This professor has just eaten and is going to take a bath and then head to bed.”
Lu Jingmo unexpectedly listened to him conscientiously but simply rubbed his head. Lu Jingmo watched the haze in those dark pupils gradually dissipate and raised the corners of his lips in satisfaction. “Now, get to writing.”
Dealing with Zhan Pei was his business. Gu Chuanbai only needed to study hard and do his research well. He didn’t need to worry himself over too much about this darkness and filth hidden under the light.
It won’t be too long before this whole matter will be completely resolved.
Leaving a figure at the table who was stricken because of homework, Lu Jingmo smiled and got up. He took off the jacket and carefully hung it up, before walking briskly into the shower room.
*
Gu Chuanbai was no longer feeling the slightest bit unwell.
Even for a scholar-tyrant, when faced with fifty essay questions, it was difficult to produce even half an ounce of any emotions other than despair.
After a hurried meal and tidying up the office, Gu Chuanbai planted himself in front of the desk and focused on answering the questions. He was about to turn the page when his pen hesitated.
The questions on paper were obviously much more difficult than those in class, and the difficulty increased as it went on, some even indicated that open-book searching was allowed. What was on the table wasn’t the familiar “Chinese Flora” book but a few new cutting-edge periodicals. These have been well-read through and many pages had been marked.
His eyes fell on that familiar and handsome writing. Gu Chuanbai’s eyes gradually cleared up and a faint light flashed in them.
It seemed that he was beginning to understand what Lu Jingmo wanted to do.
The professor said that he wasn’t allowed to sleep until he finished writing. Gu Chuanbai took a deep breath, focused and continued to answer them with his full concentration.
The conflicted thoughts in his heart were stripped away little by little, until there was gradually only a clear and straight path left, leading directly to a light in the distance.
He knew what he wanted.
It’s always been clear.
He was a long way off from finishing the fifty questions, but his lips already showed a slight curve and his eyes gradually brightened.
After a while, the sound of water from the bathroom stopped and he could hear the sound of footsteps heading towards the bedroom. Gu Chuanbai left on a desk lamp and got up to turn off the ceiling light in the office. Warm light came out through the crack of the door to the break room.
Gu Chuanbai put his hand down. He quietly watched the warm light coming from the gap for a while before stepping lightly back to the desk.
His little professor didn’t like turning off the lights. Although the light was on, Lu Jingmo might have already fallen asleep.
The medicine that he took didn’t seem to have much effect. Occasionally, a low cough could be heard coming from the bedroom. Gu Chuanbai was a little worried. There were a few times when he wanted to put down his pen and take a look. He turned his eyes back to the questions that were taking him longer and longer to answer. He sat back down sadly and continued to write with passion.
It was already very late in the evening and he was now half-way through the questions.
He’s not allowed to sleep until he finishes. But if he does half, it should be enough for permission to enter the break room.
Moving around his numb wrist, Gu Chuanbai put down the pen in his hand and gently pushed open the break room door, but he suddenly halted in his steps.
Lu Jingmo still wasn’t asleep either.
The young professor was wrapped in a quilt and leaning against the bed. In his hand was the experiment plan that Zhan Pei threw on the floor and stomped heavily on. Lu Jingmo narrowed his eyes slightly. Under the bedroom’s dim light, he wrote out amendments to his plan.
As if he didn’t expect him to come in suddenly, Lu Jingmo raised his head, a bit surprised. His black eyes appeared to have a glossy sheen under the light.
Gu Chuanbai’s heart sank slightly. He quickly walked over. He slowed down a bit and pulled those pages from his hand. “Don’t read it anymore, Jingmo. This is a biochemical experiment. I won’t do it anymore…”
This experiment was designed based on the data of Zhan Pei’s laboratory. It had absolutely no overlap with botany. If Lu Jingmo really wanted him to work in the botany laboratory, Zhan Pei will take that as an opportunity to report him for misusing public funds for private use.
For his own sake, Lu Jingmo had already set himself completely against Zhan Pei. If he leaves Zhan Pei any loophole, he will definitely harass him.
It’s just an experiment. He’ll be able to do more of them. It doesn’t matter if he just gives up on this one.
“It’s okay. I can understand it.”
Lu Jingmo shook his head, lightly pushing his hand to stop. He did not let go of the papers he was holding in his hand. “I have my own laboratory. Go to my place to do it. I want to see you do it…”
Saying so much caused him to let out another cough.
Lu Jingmo’s body couldn’t stop from folding over. Gu Chuanbai raised his hand to embrace him. When he touched his exposed skin, his heart suddenly tightened. “Jingmo!”
Lu Jingmo didn’t give any response. He was leaning over his arm, coughing so fiercely he couldn’t speak. His cheeks were flushed. His black eyes that used to be warm and sleek were tightly closed, and there were fine lines between his brows.
Gu Chuanbai hugged the person tightly. He examined his forehead. His throat seized by the high heat he found there. His expression finally sank.
Taking advantage of Lu Jingmo’s loss of strength causing him to loosen his hold, Gu Chuanbai finally took back the pieces of paper. He wanted to throw them away altogether but his eyes fell on the extremely detailed comments.
The delicate blue writing was densely packed between the lines. Not only did it have amendments and additions, but it also lists possible unexpected situations, substitute plans and materials that he could refer to.
Where he wrote well, he even changed the color and circled it carefully, drawing for him small red flowers.
Suddenly, Gu Chuanbai finally couldn’t keep standing. He embraced him and slowly sat down.
Lu Jingmo had gotten through his fit of coughing. Waiting for the white light in front of him to dissipate, Lu Jingmo raised his head and wanted to speak, but was firmly wrapped in a warm embrace.
He was feeling extremely dizzy and his body felt cold.
His eyelids felt heavy. It took Lu Jingmo a lot of effort to keep blinking. Despite that, he still raised his hand to search for the few pages of paper. But Gu Chuanbai gripped his hand. His palm let out a barely discernible tremble.
“Teacher……”
Hearing his voice, Lu Jingmo struggled to shake off some of his drowsiness but he couldn’t give a clear response. He could only grip his hand as best he could.
The fingertips moved but very little actual strength behind it.
The hand holding his immediately gripped back. A cool and soft touch alighted gently against his hot forehead, as though it was touching something precious. It carefully touched his cheeks, bringing a rare coolness to his scorching skin.
Under the comfort that came from who knows where, his original obsession also gradually loosened. Lu Jingmo coughed and finally closed his eyes, giving a sigh overflowing with satisfaction.
A hand covered his forehead. A voice, low, soft and a little hoarse sounded in his ears. “Teacher, let’s go to the doctor, okay?”
Lu Jingmo wanted to ask him about his homework, but he couldn’t open his eyes anymore. His throat was hot, his body was cold. He furrowed his brows and leaned against the other’s bosom once again.
“You’ll be okay. We’ll just see a doctor. It’ll be fine…”
Gu Chuanbai felt his forehead that was now even hotter. He stood up, holding Lu Jingmo. He neatly packed the things they were going to bring. He then wrapped the other tightly in his coat and left through the door, carrying the other in his arms.
*
When Lu Jingmo woke up again, he was already lying in a separate compartment in the school infirmary.
The sky was already bright, and the weather today seemed to be particularly sunny. The sunlight fell through the half-closed curtains and jumped onto the almost white wall, dazzlingly bright.
The fever had subsided. Except for the pain in his throat, there was no other discomfort anymore. Although, his body still felt tired and sluggish.
Lu Jingmo blinked. He wanted to sleep again but a warm palm lightly covered his forehead.
Suddenly remembering the situation before he had fallen asleep, Lu Jingmo immediately sobered up. His eyes trailed up along that hand, meeting those dark, bloodshot eyes. He couldn’t help but call out, “Chuanbai…”
His throat seemed to be less uncomfortable. Although his voice was still hoarse, at least he was no longer overcome by a coughing fit every couple of words.
Seeing him fully awake, Gu Chuanbai finally breathed a sigh of relief. His brow smoothed out and he carefully embraced the other and sat down. He held him firmly. “Don’t move, be careful or the needle might fall out.”
The warmth covering him lightened and relaxed. Lu Jingmo then realized that he had been holding his wrist. He looking down at his hand with the needle in it. He couldn’t help being confused. “Have I been sleeping for long?”
“Not long. One day and two nights.”
Gu Chuanbai smiled helplessly. He poured some warm water into a cup and carefully fed it to his lips. He deliberately stretched out his words slightly.
“I heard from the doctor that it’s possible that Professor Lu hasn’t had a good rest for many days…”
These past few days, he’d been busy bringing his project step by step closer to perfection. On top of that, he wasn’t used to Gu Chuanbai not being around, so he really hadn’t been sleeping well.
Lu Jingmo pursed his lips with a guilty conscience. He took two sips of water and forcibly changed the subject. “Have you finished your homework?”
“It’s finished. I’m waiting for the professor to check it.”
Seeing him suddenly assume the bearing of a professor, Gu Chuanbai’s eyes revealed slight surprise. Then suddenly, his smile turned even deeper.
Noticing that he didn’t appear imposing enough, Lu Jingmo supported himself using his arms and wanted to sit upright. But Gu Chuanbai stretched his arms and carried his from under his armpits. He embraced him and sat him up a bit. He then added a pillow behind him. “Question no. 49 is wrong. Does the professor know?”
Lu Jingmo raised his eyes slightly, a sharp light in them. His lips curved up in a bright smile and he answered firmly, “I know.”
The questions he gave to Gu Chuanbai weren’t the test questions for this semester’s botany course, but a collection of interview test questions for the graduate students he would be admitting.
On the penultimate question, he deliberately left a loophole. But if you don’t have a thorough holistic grasp of the overall content or if you were really numb to answering the questions and blindly just wrote down the answers, you wouldn’t notice the error.
Just noticing the error in the 49th question was enough to pass his exam. There was no need to check his answers.
Gu Chuanbai’s grades have always been good and his talent was outstanding. Even if it wasn’t because of their close relationship, he can still be admitted as his graduate student by his strength alone.
He must clearly communicate this to the other party.
Gu Chuanbai’s chest moved slightly. He sat on the edge of the bed, watching him quietly.
His little professor was still smiling. The light in his eyes stretched clear and wide. His warm and handsome eyes clearly revealed a very determined and calm light.
Gu Chuanbai couldn’t help the corners of his lips from ticking up. He squeezed his hand, leaned forward, and lowered his head against the other’s warm forehead.
“Then you’ll have to check each and every one of my answers. I really did spend an entire night and day answering it…”