Assigning an entire semester's worth of homework during a single class; doing something like this once was fine but the students would be overwhelmed if this keeps up.
Teaching assistant Gu thought for two whole days and finally made up his mind that weekend evening. He took out his treasured ice cream ingredients and went straight to Lu Jingmo's office.
Z University has allocated a special laboratory to the newly-employed distinguished professor, but they were still recruiting a sufficiently qualified laboratory assistant. Right now, only Lu Jingmo was working in the laboratory. The weather was getting hotter and hotter in recent days. It was a good time to make ice cream.
"Is this all right?"
Hearing that he was going to make ice cream, Lu Jingmo especially brought over a whole new set of high-temperature sterilized equipment. He followed behind Gu Chuanbai and enthusiastically helped stir the cream in the beaker.
"Yes, that's it."
Gu Chuanbai nodded and looked at the young professor beside him, a smile came unbidden on his face.
The white lab coat Lu Jingmo had on seemed to be half a size too big but he wore it properly. The collar was put up neatly, the cuffs covered a part of his palms. It was almost impossible to tell whether it was his skin or his coat that was whiter.
Like this, he seemed to completely lack the prestige of a distinguished professor.
Before the lab class, he must make sure to find another lab coat for Lu Jingmo.
Lu Jingmo didn't know what he was planning in his head. He looked up at him slightly and raised the beaker in his hand.
Meeting his gaze, Gu Chuanbai smiled, took the beaker and added some vanilla essence. He held his wrist and helped him carefully put on the heat-resistant gloves. "Pour in the liquid nitrogen. Be careful not to get frostbite."
An expectant light flashed in his black eyes immediately. Lu Jingmo nodded happily and according to his instructions, carefully poured liquid nitrogen into the beaker at a steady stream.
The cold white air evaporated in a flash. Gu Chuanbai stirred the ingredients in the beaker. As the resistance gradually increased, he slowed down a bit, stirring as evenly as possible to allow sufficient time for the ice crystals to freeze.
Making ice cream with liquid nitrogen didn't require any special ingredients but the method to make it was a bit particular. The mixing technique and timing were particularly important.
Feeling that the liquid in the beaker had almost solidified, Gu Chuanbai stopped stirring, signaling Lu Jingmo to stop pouring, and placed the beaker on the test bench.
The milky white ice cream didn't look very eye-catching. Its aroma also wasn't strong. It's easy for people to think it's very ordinary and they would only know how special it is once they taste it.
Looking at the little professor still following him around with that expectant look on his face, the look in Gu Chuanbai's eyes became warmer and he couldn't help but curl his lips. He unhurried took a small, clean, sterilized beaker and transformed it into an ice cream scoop. He meticulously scooped the ice cream in the beaker into a complete spherical shape.
Waiting for him to finally insert a slice of yellow peach as decoration, Lu Jing's eyes brightened. He couldn't wait to pick it up.
In the beginning, when Lu Deng himself had to do homework, he had also suffered a lot. Now, that he'd been able to assign homework once, his craving had been sated. Putting himself in their shoes, after a moment's hesitation, he nodded, "Okay, I won't assign any next time."
Unexpectedly, he managed to get his agreement so easily. Gu Chuanbai wasn't able to use his the long-winded speech he'd prepared to talk Lu Jingmo around. He couldn't help feeling a bit startled, "You won't?"
"I won't. And they don't need to hand in their last homework until the end of the month."
Professor Lu truly was open to persuasion. He smiled and nodded. He met his gaze and the corners of his lips rose quickly even higher. "As for yours, I'll delay your deadline until tomorrow."
…
The turn in events caught him completely unprepared. Gu Chuanbai, who was burdened with twice the amount of homework, let go of his hand, feeling very conflicted. He watched the little professor happily sit back at the table with a beaker in his hand, taking small bites of ice cream.
The ice cream made with liquid nitrogen was soft and delicate. Although only a little bit of flavoring was added, the taste was improved by several levels, appearing much more distinct.
Lu Jingmo was obviously satisfied with his food. His delicate eyebrows were slightly curved.
While his little professor was happily eating, Gu Chuanbai couldn't help but raise his hand, tentatively setting it down on their head and gently giving it a couple of rubs.
It was the first time that he had touched his head while the other party wasn't asleep. Gu Chuanbai felt a little nervous, but not only did Lu Jingmo not avoid him but he also took the initiative to rub against his palm. He took a scoop of ice cream and made as if to feed it to him.
Gu Chuanbai's throat bobbed but he still had a gentle smile on his face. He rubbed the top of his head again, "You eat first, I'll make some other flavors later."
He also especially brought over a bottle of red wine today, intending to try making red wine ice cream. Maybe if he gave Lu Jingmo a couple of tastes, he could get half of his own homework reduced.
At that time, he had happily agreed. It took a few days of writing homework for him to realize that it wasn't easy. After winning concessions for the students, Teaching Assistant Gu, who has to hand in his homework tomorrow, was in a complicated mood. While preparing the new ice cream ingredients, he was thinking about how to back out of the agreement while seeming like he wasn't as much as possible.
A small beaker wasn't bigger than the palm of his hand. After Lu Jingmo finished his share of the ice cream, he began to trail after Gu Chuanbai.
Seeing the little professor who usually didn't like trailing after him, going this way and that, Gu Chuanbai could hardly hide his smile. He deliberately walked around the laboratory a few times, put the beaker in his hand on the table, and waited for the red wine to be thoroughly absorbed before he stopped and turned around.
Lu Jingmo's gaze followed after the beaker. Unable to stop his feet in time, he slammed against Gu Chuanbai's sturdy and broad chest. Gu Chuanbai's held him in his arms to steady him.
Different from that last hug made during a hurried moment, both of their hands were empty this time. Gu Chuanbai turned his arms around him tightly, and lowered his head to meet those dark, clear eyes that made people's hearts turn soft.
It was already dusk when he arrived. By this time, the sky had completely gone dark and the laboratory suddenly fell silent. They could almost hear the cries of insects outside the window.
Originally he wanted to tease the little professor and take advantage of the opportunity to act shamelessly, but at this moment when Gu Chuanbai really had the young man's warm body in his arms, he found that he really couldn't say anything.
This seemed like a dream from long, long, long ago — so long ago that he himself couldn't remember exactly when he gave birth to such a wish.
He wanted to hold this person in his arms. He didn't feel the need to do anything else, just hold him in his arms. He wanted to be strong enough to make promises and keep them. He wanted to have a sufficiently promising future.
The bodies were close together, separated by their clothing. His little professor quietly let him hold him. His heart was pounding through his chest, gently causing his chest to arch up.
Gu Chuanbai stared at him. He raised his hand to comb through the soft hair ends of the person in his arms. When his fingers passed through his hair, he gently pressed it against the back of the other's head. He couldn't help sighing lightly.
…
"You can subtract one question."
The clear voice instantly broke the quiet and contemplative atmosphere. Gu Chuanbai came back to his senses, only to realize what he was doing. He hurriedly let him go. "Jingmo——"
"En?"
Lu Jingmo raised his eyebrows in response. He was so relaxed, he almost let out a soft and gentle nasal sound. He brought out the tablet and poke at it. He opened a page of the courseware, and pointed generously at the first question. He said to Gu Chuanbai, "You don't need to do this question."
Back in the previous world, when he tried to change the workbook with a kiss, he only got one question reduced. Professor Lu has always known clearly to whom to show gratitude and against whom to feel resentment. He would never deliberately retaliate for personal gain. Now he reduced one question for a hug; he was clearly being a lot more lenient.
One question though that Gu Chuanbai had already completed.
Gu Chuanbai didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He didn't know if he should be happy that the other party had at least had the good intention of reducing his homework or if he should he worried that Lu Jingmo seemed to be extremely slow to react; he was completely unaware that there was anything wrong with overly intimate contact such as this.
His original pure expression of kindly regard now suddenly appeared as though he was taking advantage of Lu Jingmo's precarious position.
His heartbeat was still running fast. Gu Chuanbai calmed down after a while and decided to allow the person in his arms some time to grow up for now. He'll wait until the other person fully understands the meaning of these things before he leads the other back, openly and aboveboard.
Then, looks like he'll have to stand a little firmer.
His little professor likes to watch people do their homework so he'll have to show him just how seriously he does his homework. Others got their homework reduced and that only meant they missed the opportunity to get closer to the professor.
Thinking about it this way, he suddenly felt a whole lot better.
Teaching Assistant Gu, who still had two whole pages worth of essays, reignited his spirits and was determined to outperform himself. He made a fine and densely fragrant red wine ice cream, which resulted in him having one more question deducted from him homework — the second one which he had also already finished.
He still didn't know how much alcohol Lu Jingmo could tolerate. Gu Chuanbai gave him a small beaker of ice cream and told him to eat it slowly. He also filled out a cup for himself and put the rest in a thermos. He then went about tidying up the laboratory.
He washed and heat dried the beaker, put back the liquid nitrogen jug and cleaned the test bench. Gu Chuanbai was methodically busying about. Looking at the little professor who was sitting and obediently eating his ice cream, a gentle expression came unbidden into his eyes, "Who is it? Is it good?"
Lu Jingmo instantly narrow his eyes into happy crescents. He nodded without hesitation, looked at him seriously and said, "I knew that you would definitely be amazing."
"No, I—"
Gu Chuanbai was slightly startled. Looking at the young professor's earnest and sincere gaze, his heart stirred and he smiled lightly, "It's you who are amazing."
All of Zhan Pei's graduate students had entered into the program right after they completed their undergraduate degree. He had spent an entire vacation period under Zhan Pei. He didn't learn much of anything useful but he did become very proficient in tidying up.
In the cryo-electron microscope laboratory, they dried test tubes a bit slower. They were all trained to keep their heads down and just focus on work. Before, he used to enjoy the feeling of soaking in the laboratory but during the past few months, he had gradually began to instinctively avoid that harsh environment where he could hear the instruments beeping.
Even now, the image of that confident figure standing in front of the screen in the electron microscope laboratory, was still so clear in his mind.
If he hadn't seen Lu Jingmo at that time, he would have almost forgotten why he'd chosen to study Biology in the first place.
Looking at the young professor who was still contentedly eating ice cream, Gu Chuanbai smiled and rubbed his hair. "I promise, I'll work hard."
Biology included the field of Botany. Even if it was too late for his master's degree, he can be his little professor's true and proper student once he studies for his Ph.D and has produced sufficiently outstanding results.
It was still much too early to have such thoughts and it wasn't easy to bring up those things right now. In his heart, Gu Chuanbai made up his mind but he didn't speak much of it any more. He skillfully cleaned up the laboratory until it was almost spotless and returned to the office with Lu Jingmo.
He didn't know if maybe he'd put in too much of the red wine but the young professor was even quieter than usual as he led him back.
Gu Chuanbai opened the door and set the other up on the sofa. He let Lu Jingmo hang on to his glass of red wine ice cream as he put away all the things they brought back. When he turned back, he found nothing but an empty cup.
"Did you eat it all?"
Gu Chuanbai laughed involuntarily. He looked at the little professor who seemed to be a bit dizzy. He squatted in front of him, raised his hand and shook it in front of his face. "Jingmo?"
Hearing his voice, Lu Jingmo raised his head and looked at him. His dark eyes seemed a bit misty as they curved with a gentle smile. He stretched out both arms to hug him.
It seemed that he had added a bit too much wine.
Gu Chuanbai couldn't help but let out a chuckle. Thinking he might as well, he relaxed. He confidently opened his arms and wrapped the other in his embrace. He sat sideways on the sofa, "Aren't you tired?"
When he had put in the wine, he only thought about ensuring the taste and texture. Now he's found that Lu Jingmo was a lot more sensitive to alcohol than the average person. The body in his arms, lay close against him, all nice and warm. The top of his head rubbed lightly against his chin. It felt so comfortable, it made him reluctant to let go.
When they go out, he must remember not to let Lu Jingmo touch alcohol.
Although he was drunk from the little bit of alcohol, Lu Jingmo was not at all a noisy drunk. He was simply content to lay in a familiar embrace. After a while, he suddenly had a new idea. He grabbed onto Gu Chuanbai's collar and tugged.
Gu Chuanbai looked down at him and gently held his hand, rescuing his collar that was about to be torn apart. He rubbed the edge of his lips against the other's hairline and without batting an eyelid said quietly, "What do you want to do?"
"Have a bath and do homework."
Lu Jingmo blinked, raised his head and let out an extraordinarily bright smile. He then pulled away from his arms and walked to the break room.
His office was tidy and his steps were steady. He probably won't run into the door. Gu Chuanbai retracted his arm. Noticing that the warmth in his arms suddenly moved away, his heart gave a couple of little jumps.
Lu Jingmo came back very quickly, holding a casual T-shirt and pair of shorts in his arms. Clothes in hand, he threw himself back into Gu Chuanbai's arms, the smile in his eyes going even deeper.
Suddenly guessing what was going on, Gu Chuanbai embraced him with one arm and took the clothes with his other hand to take a look. Suddenly, a warm and choked feeling surged through his chest.
Given the size, this was obviously not Lu Jingmo's own clothes. It also still had the crispness distinct to new clothes. Although it was a very simple basic style, the fabric is particularly soft and comfortable. The shape was loose so there was no problem wearing it to sleep.
He could feel his eyes going slightly damp but it slowly went away. Gu Chuanbai closed his arms around the other, holding him in his embrace. He said softly, "Jingmo."
The person in his arms raised his head towards his voice. Gu Chuanbai rubbed his hair. He wanted to say something but he suddenly hesitated. It took a long while before he let out a gentle laugh.
"When I study for my PhD, will you take me in?"
Lu Jingmo blinked between his arms and raised his arms to encircle around him.
Lu Jingmo's thoughts were running a little slow under the influence of alcohol. It wasn't until Gu Chuanbai's expression was already a little nervous that his eyes curved with a smile and said, "Okay."
Hearing his response, Gu Chuanbai's eyes revealed bright warmth. That arms that embraced Lu Jingmo tightened and he stood up still with the other in his arms.
"Go, take a shower first."
Although he was being a lot more intimate than when he was when he was awake, Lu Jingmo was still very open to persuasion. Lu Jingmo nodded and let go of his arm. He allowed himself to be led to the bathroom.
He hadn't put a lot of the wine in the ice cream, but seeing Lu Jingmo's situation at the moment, Gu Chuanbai didn't dare let him take a shower by himself. He helped him take off his shirt. He turn on the shower and tested the water flow before he led the other to stand under the spray.
Lu Jingmo was obediently let himself be led under the spray of water. He felt even dizzier under the warm spray. He relaxed both physically and mentally and his eyes almost closed shut.
Gu Chuanbai was worried that he would hit himself against the cold ceramic tiles. He pulled the other to lean against him. He poured some shampoo into his palm and rubbing it patiently into his hair.
Once the thin layer of snow-white foam had covered his short hair, Gu Chuanbai moved his hand to shield his eyes and then raised his head slightly while holding his cheek.
The fine eyelashes brushed softly against his palm, quietly teasing his heart. The sound of his heart racing thundered even louder in his ears.
Gu Chuanbai held his breath for a while and focused his attention on Lu Jingmo's soaking wet short hair. He carefully washed off the foam for him and leaned him back against his chest.
Normally, botanists should often go up and down the mountain to collect new samples. Maybe it was because Lu Jingmo didn't specialize in taxonomy so his complexion was so fair. The body was slightly thin but not frail. The water flowed down his back and he could vaguely make out his smooth and beautiful muscle lines.
…
At this time, he mustn't take advantage of his position. He still had to hand in his homework tomorrow.
After washing him well, he wrapped the other in a bath towel and sent him out of the bathroom. Gu Chaunbai then bitterly plunged under the ice-cold shower and pondered.
At least Lu Jingmo still knew how to change his clothes. Gu Chuanbai took a cold shower and hurried out. His little professor had changed into pajamas and was leaning against the bed, dozing off.
The clothes on his body were soft and fit well. They were so comfortable, he never wanted to take them off against. The look in Gu Chuanbai's eyes turned warmer. He helped the professor to lay down and covered him with the thin, summer quilt. He then turned off the lights and returned to the office outside.
If he was going to hand it in tomorrow, he could probably finish it after an all-nighter.
Pulling an all-nighter to write a paper was worth it.
The corners of his lips couldn't help ticking up into a gentle arc. Gu Chuanbai took a deep breath and raised his spirits. He plugged in the computer. When he lifted his pen, there was the sound of something heavy falling inside the break room.
After all, Lu Jingmo was still drunk. Gu Chuanbai's heart suddenly jumped. He hurriedly got up and rushed into the break room. He raised his hand to turn on the light and was met with the uneasiness in the young professor's eyes that had yet to disappear.
Probably because he suddenly woke up in the dark and the bed was not wide enough, Lu Jingmo fell straight over the edge of the bed. He looked fixedly at him with seemingly unknown pain, his expression faintly dazed.
Gu Chuanbai's heart tightened, taken by surprise. All thoughts were driven from Gu Chaunbai's mind. He hurried over to pick him up and then realize that his body, which had still been warm just now, was now cold. A fine layer of cold sweat also covered his forehead.
"It's okay, I'm here. I'm just doing homework outside—"
Holding him firmly in his arms, Gu Chuanbai comforted him in a gentle voice. He was about to say something more when he was caught by surprise and he suddenly stopped.
Lu Jingmo had suddenly threw himself at him. He took the initiative to hug his neck. He bowed his head and buried it into the hollow of his neck.
When he was awake, Lu Jingmo never appeared to be so clearly uneasy. The last time he had hypoglycemia, just a few words of comfort for enough for him to reveal a calm and unobstructed smile once again. Because of it, people weren't able to notice that fleeting ray of light in the depths of his sleek, raven-dark eyes.
The sudden leap and tight embrace made Gu Chuanbai's chest, for reasons he himself didn't know, tighten in pain. His voice subconsciously turned a little hoarse. He patted his back consolingly. "I'm here, I'm here. It's okay… …"
He didn't know how long it took, but his tight shoulders gradually relaxed. A touch of warmth finally returned to the body between his arms.
Although it is not clear whether the other party had a nightmare, he could at least guess that Lu Jingmo didn't like the dark. After a moment's hesitation, Gu Chuanbai stood up, holding the person in arms and gently rubbing his hair.
"I wasn't able to listen in on the entire lecture for that day. There are a few questions I can't quite answer. Can Professor Lu teach me?"
The head against his neck moved and looked up at him. There weren't any tears but his eyes were slightly red.
Gu Chuanbai's chest tightened painfully but the smile on his face became softer and calmer. He stroked his hair patiently and took him straight out of the break room to sit at the desk together.
During the past few days, he had already previewed most of the book "Botany". There weren't really any questions he couldn't answer. He merely said that because he didn't feel at ease leaving the other back there once again.
Holding the person in his arms, Gu Chuanbai asked a few token questions. He unfolded his notebook and began to earnestly do his homework under the lamplight.
Lu Jingmo leaned against his bosom, watching the bold handwriting flowing from the tip of his pen. The anxiety in his heart finally disappeared completely, that somewhat vivid feeling faded and the tipsy, drowsy tiredness surged up again.
Seeing that the little professor in his arms was starting to nod off, Gu Chuanbai stopped writing, a helpless, gentle smile appeared on his lips.
Despite Lu Jingmo's half asleep and half-awake state, he still clutched the corner of his clothes tightly. Gu Chuanbai, movements light, carefully held the other and adjusted his posture, letting him lean more comfortably in his arms.
Remembering that Lu Jingmo had eaten a lot of ice cream today, fearing that his stomach would be cold, Gu Chuanbai wrote his homework and deliberately warmed his empty hand, using it to slowly rub the other's stomach.
It would be nice if he got assigned more homework in the future.