Chapter 2790 The Online Game Master's "Straight Male" Roommate 35

The most difficult month of final exams for college students has come to an end, and winter break is here.

Neither Cheng Lang nor Jin Chen was in a hurry to go home.

Without the worries of assignments and exams, the apartment became their own private haven.

The winter was bleak, and the wind was biting outside, but the two people huddled together inside.

Playing games, showing off your love in the guild, dungeons are a piece of cake, doing daily quests, running dungeons, and then finding a scenic spot to AFK (away from keyboard)

Or they might research new recipes, causing chaos in the kitchen, and finally bring out a dish that looks questionable but tastes passable, laughing at each other while scrambling to finish it.

Or do nothing at all, just lie on the sofa.

The curtains were always half-drawn. Cheng Lang read a book, while Jin Chen leaned against him, browsing the news on her tablet. They occasionally exchanged tender kisses.

Of course, more often than not, it was Jin Chen who was the one to get restless, her fingertips tracing the firm lines under his sweater, or she would lean in and bite his earlobe, and thus, like thunder and lightning igniting fire, they would entangle from the living room to the bedroom.

The carefree days flew by, almost making us forget the passage of time.

But with the Lunar New Year approaching, the traditional family reunion is ultimately unavoidable.

Cheng Lang's family lives in Beicheng, so it's convenient for him to go back. We won't go into that for now.

Jin Chen needs to fly back to her home in the south; her flight is scheduled for a week before the Lunar New Year.

As the day of Jinchen's departure drew closer, Cheng Lang felt increasingly anxious about the separation.

Since confirming their relationship, the two have met almost every day and slept in each other's arms every night.

Suddenly having to be separated for ten days or so, the thought of returning home to an empty room and waking up to find no warm body beside him made Cheng Lang feel empty inside, as if a piece of him was missing.

He unconsciously started giving instructions: Southern winters are damp and cold, so wear more clothes; once you get home, video chat every day; don't stay up late...

Jin Chen always agreed with a smile. Sometimes, when she found him nagging, she would lean in and kiss him until they were both out of breath before they separated.

On the day of the send-off, fine snowflakes drifted down from the northern part of the city.

In the airport terminal, Cheng Lang helped Jin Chen pull his carry-on suitcase to the vicinity of the security checkpoint.

Jin Chen stopped and turned to look at Cheng Lang.

Cheng Lang pursed his lips and furrowed his brows slightly, looking genuinely reluctant to part.

Jin Chen's heart softened, and she stepped forward to hug him, burying her face in Cheng Lang's neck, kissing him, and then rubbing her nose against his.

“Brother,” he coaxed, “I’ll come to see you after the New Year, very soon, just wait for me.”

Cheng Lang hummed in agreement, then lingered on the corner of his lips, caressing them for a while before reluctantly letting go.

"Message me when you arrive..."

Cheng Lang started muttering again, repeating those words over and over again, but he still couldn't help it.

In the end, it all boils down to those three words: reluctant to part with.

Jin Chen listened patiently, nodding occasionally, and finally leaned in to kiss him before dragging her carry-on suitcase and turning to walk towards the security checkpoint.

He passed through the turnstile and turned back to wave at Cheng Lang.

Cheng Lang stood there until he was completely out of sight before turning and leaving.

Once inside the car, the cabin was unusually quiet, and the passenger seat was empty.

He gripped the steering wheel, watching the scenery rushing past the window, and suddenly felt a strong urge to talk to someone, to tell them about his Jin Chen.

Cheng Lang took out his phone and dialed his mother's number.

The call was quickly answered, and Cheng's mother's cheerful voice came from the other end, "Hello, Langzi? Where are you? When will you be home? Mom is still at your aunt's house helping to prepare for the New Year. If you don't want to come over and join the fun, go home first. Your dad will probably be off work soon."

"Mom," Cheng Lang said excitedly and solemnly, "I'm in love."

As he approached graduation after four years of university, he realized for the first time that his feelings for someone were impossible to hide, and he couldn't wait to share them with his family and receive their approval and blessings.

On the other end of the phone, Cheng's mother's tone rose, full of surprise, "Really? Oh my! I was wondering why you were so slow to come home until almost the New Year. So you've been dating! Tell me, where is she from? Is she local or from out of town? Is she your classmate?"

As Cheng Lang listened, the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up, and he answered patiently.

"He's not from here; he's from the south. He's my junior, a sophomore in the finance department."

His voice softened, filled with pride and affection, "His name is Jin Chen, and he's exceptionally handsome."

There was a long silence on the other end of the phone.

"Mom?" Cheng Lang called out.

“…Langzi,” Cheng’s mother’s voice came again, “you just said it was a boy?”

"Yes." Cheng Lang answered without hesitation, his tone frank.

"..." Cheng's mother fell silent again.

After a long while, Cheng's mother's voice finally came through the receiver again.

"You little rascal... You finally come home and give your mom such a big surprise."

"Langzi, tell me the truth, are you serious about this? It can't be changed, right?"

“It can’t be changed, Mom,” Cheng Lang replied decisively.

“I’m serious. Jinchen is two years younger than me. He’s sometimes like a child, but he’s really good. Since I’ve chosen to be with him, I have to be responsible for our relationship.”

Cheng's mother sighed again on the other end of the phone, sounding more relieved and resigned.

No one knows a son better than his mother; she could hear the happiness in her son's voice.

“Alright…” Cheng’s mother’s voice became cheerful again, “You brat, you have big ideas.”

"Alright, after the New Year, bring your little boyfriend over for a meal so your dad and I can see what kind of kid has our Langzi so infatuated."

Hearing his mother agree, Cheng Lang couldn't help but laugh out loud, his voice brightening: "Okay, I'll definitely bring him! Mom, you'll definitely like him."

"As for you," Cheng's mother resumed her usual tone, "now, get your ass home and stop loitering around on the street!"

"Yes, ma'am." Cheng Lang replied with a smile, then spoke a few more words to his mother before hanging up the phone.

The emptiness in my heart was partially filled.

The rest will probably only be completely filled after the New Year when that person comes back.