Chapter 74 He Just Wants to Stay by Song Jingmo’s Side

After hesitating again and again, Lu Er finally gathered the courage. His voice was soft, carrying a hint of probing and barely concealed anticipation. “Um… can I stay at your place?”

He paused, then added what he thought was a reasonable excuse, “That way you can rest earlier. Don’t you still have work tomorrow?”

After saying that, he nervously gripped the seatbelt, waiting for Song Jingmo’s response.

Song Jingmo’s fingers on the steering wheel twitched almost imperceptibly. His gaze remained fixed ahead. After a few seconds, he simply gave a faint “Mm.”

The heavy weight in Lu Er’s chest instantly lifted. A quiet joy spread through him, and the corners of his lips couldn’t help but curl up slightly.

Song Jingmo first took him out for a late-night snack before driving home.

As the door opened, a familiar cool and austere atmosphere greeted them.

Song Jingmo bent down, took out a brand-new pair of slippers with a little deer pattern from the shoe cabinet, and placed them by Lu Er’s feet.

They were different from the pair Lu Er had worn last time.

“Which room do you want to stay in?”

Song Jingmo asked while changing his shoes, his tone as casual as if he were asking about the weather.

But Lu Er’s heart sank slightly at the question.

The master bedroom in Song Jingmo’s house was huge—about fifty square meters. The custom-made three-meter-wide bed inside was spacious enough to roll around on.

The last time Lu Er stayed here, he had slept in the master bedroom… and had almost crossed the line with Song Jingmo.

Thinking back to that ambiguous and chaotic moment, Lu Er’s ears grew hot.

Now that Song Jingmo asked this, the meaning was obvious: he didn’t want to share the master bedroom with him.

Was it because of last time’s awkwardness? Or was he still angry—or deliberately keeping his distance?

Lu Er felt a little disappointed and didn’t dare bring up sleeping in the master bedroom again.

He casually pointed to the guest room next to it, his voice slightly muffled, “This one.”

Song Jingmo glanced at him but said nothing. He carried the suitcase into the guest room. “Go take a shower first.”

The guest room had its own bathroom. By the time Lu Er finished showering and came out, Song Jingmo was no longer there.

The once bare bed had already been made with soft bedding, and even the pillows were neatly arranged.

Lu Er walked into the walk-in closet and opened the wardrobe. Inside hung all kinds of bathrobes and pajamas.

They were printed with various cartoon designs he liked, along with some slightly vintage, palace-style ones.

It was obvious—they had all been prepared by Song Jingmo.

Lu Er’s heart felt as if something had gently bumped into it, leaving it soft and a little aching.

He picked a blue cotton pajama set with a cool Conan design. It fit him perfectly.

With his hair still dripping, he stepped out of the room—just in time to see Song Jingmo coming out of the master bedroom.

In his hand was a clean towel. He placed it over Lu Er’s head.

“Dry your hair before sleeping.”

Song Jingmo’s tone was still flat. After saying that, he turned and went back into the master bedroom, closing the door.

Catching the clean, fresh scent from the towel, Lu Er rubbed his hair haphazardly.

The small grievance in his heart vanished instantly, replaced by a quiet happiness at being taken care of.

“Oh…” Lu Er responded softly, obediently drying his hair.

Having slept too much on the plane during the day, Lu Er lay in the soft bed tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.

He picked up his phone and scrolled aimlessly. It wasn’t until two or three in the morning that he finally felt sleepy and drifted off.

The next morning, sunlight had already streamed in through the gaps in the curtains.

Lu Er grabbed his phone and saw it was almost 10:30.

The room was quiet. Slipping into his slippers, he walked out—Song Jingmo had already gone to work.

On the dining table was a sticky note, written in strong, neat handwriting: “Breakfast is warm.”

Holding the note, Lu Er felt warmth spread in his chest. He obediently ate breakfast and sent Song Jingmo a message:

[I’m awake, eating breakfast~]

Not long after sending it, his phone rang—it was Song Jingmo calling.

“Hello?” Lu Er mumbled, a half slice of bacon still in his mouth.

“You’re awake?” On the other end, Song Jingmo’s voice carried the fatigue of just stepping out of surgery. “Getting ready to leave?”

“Not yet. I haven’t finished breakfast.”

Seeing Lu Er puffing his cheeks on the screen, Song Jingmo’s brows knitted slightly.

After a pause, he asked, “Any plans this afternoon?”

Lu Er immediately shook his head, his eyes bright. “Nope, I’m free these next few days.”

He looked at him expectantly. “Are you… free for lunch?”

“Not at noon. Just finished a surgery, and I have clinic hours in the afternoon.”

Song Jingmo refused cleanly, but then added, “Evening is fine.”

Having learned from the last time Lu Er ran off midway, Song Jingmo didn’t dare leave him alone at home again.

So he suggested, “Do you want to come hang out at the hospital? We can have dinner together after I get off work.”

Lu Er froze for a moment, then nodded eagerly, his voice full of excitement: “Okay! I’ll come right away!”

Twenty minutes later, Lu Er changed into a low-key but still undeniably handsome casual outfit and headed to the hospital.

As soon as he reached the entrance, he saw Song Jingmo already waiting there.

Without his white coat, dressed in a simple shirt and trousers, his tall figure stood out among the crowd.

Song Jingmo glanced over Lu Er, whose face was well-covered. “I’m going to the cafeteria to grab lunch first.”

The afternoon clinic started at two, so there was still time.

He looked at Lu Er and gave him two options, “Come eat with me, or look around the hospital on your own first?”

Seeing the faint tiredness in Song Jingmo’s eyes, Lu Er immediately stepped closer, almost brushing against his arm.

His voice came muffled through the mask, tinged with dependence: “I’ll go with you.”

There was no way he wanted to wander around alone.

He just wanted to stay by Song Jingmo’s side.

Song Jingmo naturally walked beside him, subtly shielding him from the crowd. “The cafeteria’s crab roe buns are pretty good. Eat a bit more so you won’t get hungry this afternoon.”

At the cafeteria, Song Jingmo went to get food while Lu Er sat waiting.

In less than two minutes, Liu Yuan, sharp-eyed, recognized him. “I’m your fan! Last time I forgot to ask for an autograph—can I…”

Lu Er recognized her, smiled, and quickly signed his name.

“Thanks a lot for last time. When my concert comes around, I’ll give you two VIP tickets. You can bring a friend.”

Liu Yuan grew even more excited, rubbing her hands shyly. “Actually, it was Doctor Song who called me last time.”

“I even thought he was secretly following me… turns out you two know each other…”

Lu Er looked toward Song Jingmo walking back from a distance—and his smile grew even sweeter.