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The distant sound of the clock tower has signaled to Mo Ran that it is now 11 PM. Mo Ran can hear the snow gently tapping his office window. It’s December 24th. All of Sisheng University’s students, and most of the faculty, have gone home for the holidays. I wonder what Professor Chu is doing…
Mo Ran usually goes home during winter break, but this year his uncle decided to visit family overseas. Uncle Xue did invite him, but it felt kind of odd joining. Therefore, this year Mo Ran will be celebrating alone in his on-campus apartment.
It’s been about a year since Mo Ran has started teaching at Sisheng University. It’s the same college he earned his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from. Those days studying under Dr. Chu Wanning are days he looks back fondly on.
Mo Ran has been in love with Chu Wanning since he was in undergrad. He can still recall the moment they met. It was the first day of his 3rd year. The weather outside was still rather hot for late summer. He walked into the lecture hall, picked a seat in the middle, and pulled out his notebook. Mo Ran glanced at his watch. It read 9:54 AM. Just as he started to relax, he saw the professor walk toward the front of the room. From the back, Professor Chu looked about 5’10. He’s a slim man with a lean build, and has long black hair that reached his mid-back. Professor Chu turned around when he got to the front. This was the first time Mo Ran had seen such a beautiful man. And this was also the first time he started to believe in love at first sight.
…
It's getting late now. He can see the snow start to pile up outside. Mo Ran finally finished grading his last exam. Ahhh yes. I’ll enter in this grade and I’ll go home. A few clicks later, he stretches lazily in his seat and puts on his puffer. Walking through the empty halls of Sisheng University reminds him of those days pulling all nighters as a grad student. How nostalgic. Just as he’s about to pass Chu Wanning’s office, he sees the door open. Mo Ran’s hear skips a beat. Could it be that Chu Wanning hasn’t left yet?
Out walks Professor Chu, in a long light grey overcoat and a white cashmere scarf. The oversized scarf is looped around his neck twice, reaching up to his ears, making him look a little frumpy. Aww how adorable! Mo Ran’s mood instantly brightens, as if the fatigue from grading papers all day has vanished into thin air. Mo Ran calls out to him: “Professor Chu! Are you heading out?”
Mo Ran and Chu Wanning live in the same apartment building. When Mo Ran was picking a place to live, he asked Chu Wanning for a recommendation. Not because he actually needed one, but because he wanted to “accidentally” bump into him all the time.
Chu Wanning looks over in surprise. He didn’t think anyone was at the university.
“Yes. I’m going to wait for the shuttle. Why aren’t you home with your family?”
“I decided to stay on campus this year. I’m also going to the shuttle. Lets walk together.”
Mo Ran’s heart is tingling. He’s spending time alone with Chu Wanning! Mo Ran attempts to strike up some small talk.
“Professor Chu, how are you spending winter break?”
“I’ll be at my apartment.”
“Doing anything fun?”
“No.”
…
They walk out of the building in silence. As the door opens, the frigid air hits them both in the face. The wind isn’t blowing hard, but combined with the snow, it makes his face sting a little. Not that he’s paying it much mind. His attention is all on the person walking beside him. In this freezing cold day, Mo Ran is kept warm by his burning passion for Chu Wanning. He has yearned for his man for the past several years. In his previous role as a student, Mo Ran did not dare make a move. He knows the taboo nature of a student-teacher dynamic. Therefore, he made it his goal to obtain a teaching position, so that he could be Chu Wanning’s equal. Mo Ran has come a long way to this spot, yet his goal is so close but also so far. Chu Wanning is so attractive, and intelligent. Mo Ran has overheard people whispering about his good looks multiple times. How could he compete with that many people? How could he possibly woo the man of his dreams?
Little does Mo Ran know, that the man walking beside him also harbors hidden feelings of his own. Chu Wanning has been attracted to Mo Ran since the first time he’s had him as a student. Mo Ran is tall and handsome. As the semesters went by, Mo Ran had only gotten taller, and his shoulders more broad. Not only is he Chu Wanning’s type, Mo Ran is also a brilliant student. Many times, Chu Wanning had to remind himself that it is not appropriate to think this way of a student. But now that they’re both professors… perhaps its okay to imagine sometimes? Under his massive scarf, Chu Wanning’s face is tinted red.
The shuttle shelter acts as a beacon in the sea of white. The wind has subsided, though the fluttering snowflakes show no signs of ceasing. The only sound in the night is the fresh snow crunching under their steps. As they approach the shelter, Mo Ran can see that there is nobody waiting there. The two people walk into the shelter. They both sit down on the single bench, under the radiating warmth of the heat lamp, both unaware that they are thinking about each other. Chu Wanning leans back on the glass wall and sets his hands down on the bench. It’s been a long day of grading papers for them both. Mo Ran notices his bare hand. He wondered what it would be like to take them into his own. Would it be so bad if he reached out and grabbed it?
There have been times in the past where Mo Ran let his affection for Chu Wanning show through. However, whether it be the subtle flirting this past year, or the blushing at Wanning’s comments, Chu Wanning has never shown any reaction aside from looking away. But Chu Wanning has not shown any adverse reaction either. Could it be that Mo Ran has a chance?
The snow has turned the bushes outside into little humps of white. The luminaires dot the landscape, highlighting the falling snow in their cones of rays. The world is silent, aside from the humming of the heat lamp. Right now, Mo Ran feels like him and Chu Wanning are the only people in the world. Mo Ran whispers softly, “Wanning…-”
Mo Ran is interrupted by the sound of the clock tower. It’s now Christmas.
In this moment, he has decided something. Mo Ran turns to face Chu Wanning. The soft silhouette of Chu Wanning’s side profile glows against the dark landscape. This time a little louder, he says “Wanning, would you like to spend Christmas with me?”