CoP 40

Sui Cannong had never felt his life to be so difficult.

Although he was the one being pursued, his task was the most challenging, as he now had to make Ji Ling believe that he had successfully won Sui Cannong’s heart.

Ever since he learned that Ji Ling had never had suicidal thoughts, Sui Cannong genuinely felt a weight lifted from his heart. Who knew how many restless nights he had spent before that.

However, even though he no longer felt as tormented, Sui Cannong was far from feeling at ease.

He was being pursued, and Ji Ling had indeed made some moves that resembled courting, such as cooking for Sui Cannong and placing beautiful flowers in his bedroom.

But he never moved into Sui Cannong’s bedroom.

Ji Ling maintained a perfect distance between them. Even when the atmosphere became intensely intimate, he would always pause just before the final step. Sui Cannong felt truly frustrated.

He felt as if he were the passive one, being pulled along clearly.

Sui Cannong realized that instead of passively waiting for Ji Ling to pursue him, he needed to take the initiative.

After some thought, he quickly ordered many mushroom planters online. He had a plan and didn’t fill in his home address for delivery; instead, he chose the school.

When he brought a large new mushroom kit to Ji Ling’s classroom, Ji Ling’s face clearly showed some hesitation.

“Quick, help me… I can’t carry it anymore,” Sui Cannong said.

Ji Ling helped Sui Cannong place the mushroom kit down, and Sui Cannong, panting, said, “The mushrooms in my classroom… they’ve already bloomed, so I bought a few more.”

“This time, there are more varieties,” Sui Cannong said, “and I didn’t buy them for the students or for any other reason.”

“It’s because I know you like mushrooms, so I wanted to give them to you,” he said.

Sui Cannong looked into Ji Ling’s eyes, “So, I’ll put these mushrooms in your classroom and come to water them every day. Is that okay?”

Ji Ling stared at Sui Cannong’s face for a moment, then very softly said, “Sure.”

Sui Cannong was silent for a moment, then dryly said, “So, I’ll go now?”

Ji Ling said, “Wait.”

Ji Ling stood up, walked to Sui Cannong, tilted his head slightly, and then raised his hands to gently wrap them around Sui Cannong’s neck.

With Ji Ling’s hands around his neck, the distance between them suddenly became very close, as if they were embracing.

Sui Cannong’s body stiffened, but Ji Ling’s expression was very serious.

After a while, Ji Ling let go of his hands. Sui Cannong saw him lower his eyes, tilt his head, and use his fingers to indicate a certain length before looking up.

“The weather has been a bit cold lately, so I thought I’d knit a scarf for you,” Ji Ling said, “but I’m not sure what length would be best for you.”

He thought for a moment and added, “And I’m not sure if you even need a scarf.”

Sui Cannong’s heart went through a rollercoaster in just a few seconds.

Sui Cannong immediately became alert, “I do, I really need one. I’m missing a scarf, and the wind has been so strong lately, it keeps blowing into my neck…”

Ji Ling nodded.

Ji Ling’s expression then became somewhat troubled, “But I think knitting a pair of gloves might also be nice.”

Sui Cannong exclaimed, “Ah.”

Ji Ling thought seriously and said, “So, can I knit both for you?”

After a moment, Sui Cannong said hoarsely, “Of course.”

Sui Cannong felt that something about Ji Ling was different.

He wasn’t sure why, as Ji Ling hadn’t done anything out of the ordinary. Sometimes, he even seemed to be subtly increasing the distance between them.

But the more he felt this distance, the more Sui Cannong felt as if his heart was being tugged by something.

February arrived quickly.

Sui Cannong’s international school had its main campus in the UK, and every year at this time, a few teachers from the main campus would visit the branch for communication, which was also a form of mutual learning.

Although Sui Cannong always felt it was a waste of time, more like a paid trip for the main campus teachers to China.

This year, Sui Cannong and Thomas were paired with a female biology teacher from the main campus. After a brief conversation, they discovered that the teacher and Thomas were even from the same hometown.

Thomas made exaggerated facial expressions, and Sui Cannong understood, suggesting they have lunch together.

On the way to the cafeteria, Thomas and the female teacher walked ahead, chatting, while Sui Cannong stood behind them, maintaining a small distance.

Because of the main campus teacher’s visit, the cafeteria’s Chinese food section had specially prepared dumplings, a rare treat.

However, after getting their food, the female teacher was suddenly called away by the other teachers, and Thomas became dejected.

Sui Cannong found it a bit amusing, but as he lifted his eyes, he saw Ji Ling and a tall, handsome man with brown hair walking into the cafeteria together.

Sui Cannong was taken aback.

The British man’s face was unfamiliar, indicating he was likely a teacher from the main campus, but he and Ji Ling seemed to be chatting very warmly.

As if sensing something, Ji Ling also lifted his eyes, his gaze meeting Sui Cannong’s briefly through the crowd.

After a moment, Sui Cannong saw Ji Ling continue his conversation with the man, and they both joined the queue.

Sui Cannong asked Thomas, “Who’s the person with Ji Ling?”

Thomas, always well-informed, said, “Adam from the main campus, he teaches calculus. He actually came here for an exchange a few years ago, but Ji Ling hadn’t joined the school then.”

“But apparently, they are alumni from the same university,” Thomas said, taking a couple of bites of his dumplings, “and he’s the one who recommended Ji Ling for this job.”

Sui Cannong didn’t say anything.

Thomas, not noticing anything amiss, continued eating his dumplings and then frowned, “Oh, I forgot the vinegar. I see you have plenty, can I dip one in yours?”

Ji Ling said, “At nine o’clock, tall guy, don’t look directly.”

Adam responded, and after a moment, he subtly glanced over, “Wow, he’s handsome.”

Ji Ling agreed, “Yes.”

Adam was one of Ji Ling’s few good friends from his time in the UK.

While studying in the UK, Ji Ling was the type who clearly wrote “no socializing, keep your distance” on his face, but Adam had been very proactive in approaching him.

Noticing something was off, Ji Ling immediately and clearly expressed his discomfort.

Adam then sheepishly said, “Sorry, it’s just that every sweater you wear is so beautiful, they look like they’re designed by someone. I’ve always wanted to ask where you bought them, but it seemed impolite to just ask…”

Ji Ling realized his instincts were correct; this tall man was indeed his kindred spirit.

He had a pink, girlish heart and a love for fashion, but he always took the passive role.

They later became good friends, and after Ji Ling graduated, Adam introduced him to this job.

Adam glanced at Sui Cannong’s back and smiled, “So, is it because of him that you’ve been reluctant to go to the main campus?”

Ji Ling thought for a moment and said, “When I made that decision, it was mainly due to the climate, food, and work visa issues.”

He paused and added, “But now, it’s mainly because of him.”

Adam laughed heartily.

The cafeteria was crowded, and Ji Ling and Sui Cannong’s gazes met again from a distance.

After a while, Sui Cannong turned and walked towards the stairwell.

“You seem to really care about each other,” Adam keenly observed, “So, how’s it going? What’s your relationship now?”

Ji Ling nodded and said, “I’m pursuing him.”

Adam exclaimed, “You’re not already in a relationship?”

Ji Ling was taken aback and didn’t respond.

After lunch, Ji Ling showed Adam around his classroom.

Adam immediately noticed the long row of mushroom planters on the balcony and exclaimed, “How cute! I didn’t know you were into this kind of thing.”

Ji Ling said, “Actually, they’re from him.”

Adam was initially stunned but then smiled and shook his head. Even without words, Ji Ling knew what he was thinking.

Adam took out his phone to take photos, saying he wanted to post them on Instagram because the mushrooms were so cute.

Ji Ling was used to this and turned to tidy up his desk. However, when he looked up, he saw Sui Cannong standing at the classroom door.

Sui Cannong didn’t move, just quietly watching him.

They made eye contact for a second before Sui Cannong nodded and said, “I’m here to water the mushrooms.”

Ji Ling was a bit confused because Sui Cannong usually came to water the mushrooms after school, not during lunch break.

Adam didn’t notice the commotion behind him and continued taking photos from different angles, saying, “Ji, these mushrooms are so cute. Can I take a few with me?”

Before Ji Ling could respond, Adam added, “Ah, but it won’t do me any good since I’m staying at a hotel and can’t cook—wait, Ji, are these posters made by your students?”

Before Ji Ling could say “yes,” he heard a strange sound behind him.

Ji Ling turned around in confusion and saw Sui Cannong with a blank expression, holding a pair of scissors and cutting the mature mushrooms.

The scissors were sharp, so cutting the mushrooms was much faster than picking them by hand. Sui Cannong’s movements were very efficient, and with a single snip, a large cluster of mushrooms fell.

Adam finally noticed Sui Cannong.

He exclaimed, “Ah,” looked at Ji Ling, then at Sui Cannong, and enthusiastically extended his hand, “Hi, I’m Adam.”

Sui Cannong shook Adam’s hand, smiled, and introduced himself.

“Sorry, I might have made a bit of noise,” Sui Cannong said with a smile, “Don’t mind me, continue your conversation.”

Adam was taken aback, “Ah, okay…”

“Ah, wait, I have one more thing to add,” Sui Cannong turned back, looked at Ji Ling, and asked casually, “Can I make you some mushroom soup tonight?”

Sui Cannong’s tone was gentle.

Strangely, although he was speaking to Ji Ling, he chose to ask in English and slightly raised his voice.

“But there are different types of mushroom soup,” Sui Cannong looked into Ji Ling’s eyes, “I can make cream of mushroom or egg and mushroom soup.”

“So, which one would you like, Teacher Ji?” he asked.