Coconut Milk Squares
In one day, not only did Lu Xingjia find out that he passed the preliminary exam, but he also hugged Qin Mudong. On his way home, he felt light as if he were walking on air.
After returning home, he showed the results to He Xi, who was stunned at first, then began calling all her friends and relatives.
The first person she called was Uncle Xiang: “Yizi, I have good news to share—Jia Jia passed his exam! The physics competition exam! Yeah, our Jia Jia is amazing… Great, great, let’s go eat together sometime!”
Then she called all her other friends and colleagues.
“Hello, Lao Li?”
“Hello, Xiao Zhang?”
…
Lu Xingjia choked a little, suddenly reminded of how, in his past life, whenever Qin Mudong won an award or published a paper, he would go on and on, eagerly telling all his friends how outstanding his “Mudong Ge” was.
In some ways, it was true that like mother, like son.
After calling all her relatives and friends, He Xi held the phone, smiling at Lu Xingjia: “Jia Jia, I was thinking, how about we hang a banner at our door? It’d be so impressive, so eye-catching, and everyone in the neighborhood would see it.”
Lu Xingjia: “…”
He quickly retracted his previous thought, clearly, He Xi was one step ahead.
“No, no, don’t do that!” He hurriedly waved his hands. “It’d be so embarrassing.”
“What’s so embarrassing about that?” He Xi glanced at him with a proud smile on her face.
“Let those people see just how outstanding my son is!”
That one sentence made Lu Xingjia’s nose sting with emotion.
From childhood to now, he’d endured his share of bullying, but thanks to gentle people like He Xi around him, he was able to grow up healthy and happy.
“So? Are you tempted?” He Xi widened her eyes, looking serious.
“…No way!”
Though he was touched, there was absolutely no negotiating about hanging up a banner. Lu Xingjia forced back his tears and firmly refused.
“You really are becoming less and less lovable, you know.”
He Xi complained, but the smile in her eyes couldn’t be hidden. She looked over his report card again and again.
Over the past year, she had personally witnessed her son’s transformation.
He had always been obedient and sensible, but one day, it was as if he suddenly grew up. His eyes were still as clear as spring water, yet now held deep, hidden complexities.
She had once jokingly asked if something had happened to him. Lu Xingjia had scratched his head and smiled, looking away:
“Maybe I had a bad dream. I dreamed that you were all gone and only I was left. It rained heavily in the dream… the whole sky turned black…”
His voice grew quieter and quieter, until finally, he suddenly looked up and flashed a bright smile:
“So I made up my mind—I’m going to make sure reality is different from that dream.”
His amber-like eyes had somehow become misty, sparkling yet making one’s heart ache.
He Xi looked away from the report card, sighing softly with a smile:
“Our Jia Jia has truly grown up.”
Lu Xingjia had always been shy about compliments. His doughy white cheeks flushed red, and he looked away without replying—but the corners of his mouth curved up on their own.
After all the happiness, there was still something important to prepare for.
The physics competition was different from the other three subjects. There was only a two-week gap between the preliminary and final rounds. As per tradition, his school and other local high schools would begin an intensive, closed two-week training session to prepare for the finals.
After chatting for a while longer, He Xi helped Lu Xingjia pack his clothes and then busied herself in the kitchen, wanting to make some snacks for him to eat during the trip.
There weren’t many ingredients left at home, so He Xi thought for a moment and decided to make coconut milk squares.
She poured coconut milk, milk, cornstarch, and sugar into a pot, then stirred it over low heat. As bubbles began to form, a rich aroma quickly filled the small kitchen and drifted into Lu Xingjia’s room.
Still packing his books, he sniffed the air and ran to the kitchen, leaning on the doorway and watching eagerly.
The mixture in the pot was just about done. He Xi turned off the heat skillfully and poured the thick mixture into a mold to cool.
“What’s up?” She glanced at him with a smile as she worked. “Craving some? You’ll have to wait a bit longer.”
“Mmhmm!” Lu Xingjia nodded eagerly, his voice soft.
“Mom, could you maybe make a bit more? I want to bring some extra.”
He Xi chuckled: “Isn’t this enough for you to eat?”
“No, no,” Lu Xingjia scratched his head. “It’s for Mudong Ge too.”
He smiled a little bashfully:
“He has never tried your coconut milk squares before. I want to bring him some to taste.”
Knowing the two were close, He Xi smoothed out the mixture in the mold and gently tapped it to get rid of air bubbles. Then, she casually teased:
“What’s the deal with you two? You’re always so nice to him—do you like him or something?”
Lu Xingjia’s face turned beet red in an instant, and he quickly waved his hands:
“H-how could that be! We’re both boys!”
“Besides…” he glanced at He Xi’s back cautiously and said in a probing tone,
“Even if I did like him, you wouldn’t approve, would you?”
He Xi’s hands trembled slightly, almost spilling the mold.
A flicker of uncertainty passed through her heart, but she quickly suppressed it.
“What nonsense,” she said after a pause, smiling faintly as she placed the mold into the fridge, then changed the topic lightly:
“Finished packing? You’re leaving early tomorrow, right? Go pack up.”
“Got it—” Lu Xingjia responded playfully, but deep down, he let out a small sigh.
He had noticed that brief moment of stiffness from He Xi. It seemed the road ahead was still a long one.
…..
The Next Morning
Bright and early, Lu Xingjia appeared at the meeting point, loaded with bags.
By comparison, Qin Mudong had much less—just a hiking backpack with some change of clothes inside.
At 8:00 AM, everyone had arrived. The group boarded the bus and headed to their destination.
Lu Xingjia unzipped his backpack and pulled out a large box.
The box was transparent, revealing it was packed full of white squares.
Qiu Ruifeng, sitting beside him with sharp eyes, immediately noticed.
“Jia Jia,” he nudged Lu Xingjia’s shoulder with his elbow,
“Whatcha got there? If it’s good, share the love!”
Lu Xingjia gave the box a little shake:
“Coconut milk squares. Want some?”
“Of course!” Qiu Ruifeng took the box and opened it, revealing rows of neatly packed white cubes.
Even though He Xi didn’t say so, she had clearly made more than enough.
The little white coconut milk squares were coated in a thick layer of shredded coconut, so tempting it made your mouth water just looking at them.
Qiu Ruifeng picked up a disposable toothpick from the edge of the box, skewered one piece, and popped it into his mouth. A moment later, he stuffed in another one, then another.
“Mmm, so good!” he mumbled with his mouth full, raising a thumb with one hand and naturally pushing the box toward Ji Angran. “You try some too!”
Ji Angran looked tentatively at Lu Xingjia. Seeing him nod with a smile, he then skewered a piece and put it into his mouth.
“Delicious!” Ji Angran’s eyes lit up.
The commotion quickly caught the attention of others nearby. Lu Xingjia generously waved his hand, “There’s plenty—everyone have a taste! My mom made these coconut milk squares.”
He Xi’s cooking won widespread praise. In no time, the small box had made its way around the entire bus. Even Zhang Chuchu, sitting in the front row, couldn’t resist eating two pieces.
By the time the box made it back to Lu Xingjia, it was already empty.
Qin Mudong glanced at the empty box with a slight frown.
“Hehe, I saved some just for you!” Lu Xingjia smiled slyly like a little fox. He unzipped his backpack again and carefully pulled out another plastic container like it was a treasure.
This box was slightly smaller than the last one, but more refined.
He wanted to give the best to him.
“Wanna try it?” He opened the lid cautiously, his eyes sparkling like stars.
After spending so much time together, Lu Xingjia had come to know Qin Mudong’s tastes very well. He knew Qin Mudong liked dairy products just like he did, so he was sure he’d enjoy He Xi’s coconut milk squares.
Inside the opened box, the white squares were neatly arranged and packed full.
Lu Xingjia picked up a fork first, quickly forked two pieces, and shoved them into his mouth. “Mmm, it’s seriously so good!” he said with a mouthful.
He handed the fork to Qin Mudong, gesturing for him to try a piece too.
There were still specks of creamy yellow shredded coconut on the corner of Lu Xingjia’s lips, like a little animal sneaking food.
Qin Mudong’s eyes darkened as he took the fork, speared a piece, and put it into his mouth.
The moment it entered, a rich coconut flavor bloomed. It was soft, melting instantly, and the milky sweetness spread across his mouth, evoking thoughts of other soft things.
Like the tender, pink lips of the boy before him.
Qin Mudong’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He stuck out his tongue to lick off the remaining bits of coconut from the fork.
The stainless steel fork glinted with a metallic sheen as it moved between his lips and tongue. Watching this, Lu Xingjia’s face suddenly turned red.
Wait—he had just… licked that fork too?
Did this count as… an indirect kiss?
Lu Xingjia suddenly felt incredibly flustered.
Technically, he’d been an adult for a while, but having fallen for Qin Mudong and never dated before, his love life was a blank slate. He’d never experienced anything like this.
Avoiding eye contact, he snatched the fork from Qin Mudong’s hand and stuffed several more coconut milk squares into his mouth in quick succession.
The milky sweetness lingered on his tongue. His teeth bumped against the cool metal fork, and his face only grew redder—until it felt like it was on fire.
“Here, you eat it,” he finally said, shoving the box into Qin Mudong’s hands awkwardly before turning his head away. “I’m sleepy. Gonna take a nap!”
And with that, he actually pulled a jacket over his head and leaned sideways, pretending to sleep.
Qin Mudong silently picked up the fork from the box and continued eating the coconut milk squares one by one.
The same creamy flavor lingered on his tongue. His cool features softened, and the corners of his lips lifted slightly.
The bus swayed gently. Darkness filled the space ahead. Before long, Lu Xingjia really had fallen asleep.
Asleep, he had little awareness. The jacket that had been draped over his head slipped off and tangled loosely around his body. Half-reclined against the seat, he slept in a daze.
After finishing half the box, Qin Mudong closed the lid and tucked the rest into his backpack. When he looked up again, he saw Lu Xingjia’s completely unguarded sleeping face.
The boy looked peaceful. His eyelids rested gently shut, and the corners of his mouth curved slightly, as if dreaming a sweet dream.
With each breath, his rosy lips parted slightly—making it hard to resist…
Qin Mudong’s breathing suddenly quickened, his exhale mingling with Lu Xingjia’s.
He leaned down, until their lips were no more than two centimeters apart.
Lu Xingjia’s breath fell softly against his face, like the tip of a kitten’s tail brushing by—ticklish and electrifying.
He wanted him. He wanted him so badly.
To kiss him, to bite him, to hide him away where no one else could find him.
Once that thought emerged, it couldn’t be stopped.
His eyes darkened with intensity, his mind shouting wildly. Qin Mudong braced his elbow against the seatback and leaned in slowly, just about to touch Lu Xingjia.
“Mm…”
Maybe sensing something, Lu Xingjia let out a sleepy hum and unconsciously smacked his lips.
Qin Mudong suddenly snapped back to reality. His slender fingers clenched tightly, knuckles going pale.
After a moment, he shifted aside and gently leaned Lu Xingjia’s head against his own shoulder.
“Sleep well, Xingxing,” he whispered, as if making a promise, “I won’t… hurt you.”
That was the nickname he gave Lu Xingjia.
Everyone else called him “Jia Jia,” but he wanted to call him Xingxing—Star.
A name only he could use.
Author’s Note:
Late-night snack suggestion for tonight: Coconut milk squares.
P.S. There’s a reason why Qin Mudong feels insecure and has this desire to hide Jia Jia away—I’ll be writing about it very soon.