Chapter 2789: The Online Gaming Master's 'Straight' Roommate 35

The dreaded exam month for university students ended, and winter break arrived.

Cheng Lang and Jin Chen weren't in a hurry to go home.

Free of assignments and exam stress, the apartment became their private love nest.

Winter was bleak, with icy winds outside, while the two huddled together indoors.

Playing games, showing off their love in the guild, instances were no problem—doing dailies, running instances, then finding a scenic spot to AFK,

or researching new recipes, causing chaos in the kitchen, finally serving a dish that looked dubious but tasted okay, teasing each other while scrambling to finish it.

or doing nothing at all, just lying on the sofa.

The curtains were always half‑drawn; Cheng Lang read while Jin Chen leaned in his arms, scrolling news on a tablet, occasionally exchanging tender kisses.

Of course, more often it was Jin Chen who got restless, his fingertips tracing the firm lines beneath Cheng Lang's sweater, or leaning in to bite his earlobe, sparking passion that tangled them from the living room to the bedroom.

Their carefree days flew by, almost making them forget the passage of time.

But as the year's end approached, the traditional family reunion could not be avoided.

Cheng Lang's home was right in North City, making it easy to return—I won't dwell on that.

Jin Chen, however, needed to fly back to his home in the South, with his ticket booked for a week before the new year.

The closer Jin Chen's departure date came, the more Cheng Lang felt separation anxiety.

Since confirming their relationship, they had seen each other almost every day and slept in each other's arms every night.

Suddenly facing a separation of over ten days, imagining coming home to an empty room and waking up without a warm body beside him, Cheng Lang felt a hollow emptiness, as if a piece were missing.

He began unconsciously nagging: dress warmly for the damp cold in the South, video‑call daily once home, don't stay up late…

Jin Chen would smile and agree each time; sometimes finding him long‑winded, he'd lean in to kiss him silent, only parting when both were breathless.

On the day of seeing him off, North City drifted with fine snowflakes.

In the airport hall, Cheng Lang helped Jin Chen pull his luggage, walking toward the security checkpoint.

Jin Chen stopped, turned, and looked at Cheng Lang.

Cheng Lang pressed his lips, brows slightly furrowed, clearly reluctant.

Jin Chen's heart softened; he stepped forward, embraced him, buried his face in Cheng Lang's neck, kissed him, then rubbed noses.

"Brother," he coaxed, "I'll come see you after the New Year—soon, wait for me."

Cheng Lang hummed, lingered at the corner of his mouth, and rubbed against him for a while before reluctantly letting go.

"Send me a message when you arrive…"

Cheng Lang began to nag again, repeating those words over and over, yet he couldn't help himself.

After all the back‑and‑forth, it boiled down to three words: I can't bear to part.

Jin Chen listened patiently, nodding occasionally, then finally leaned in to kiss him once more before dragging his luggage and heading toward the security passage.

He passed through the gate, turned back, and waved at Cheng Lang.

Cheng Lang stood where he was until he could no longer see him, then turned and left.

He got into the car; the cabin was eerily quiet, the passenger seat empty.

Gripping the steering wheel, he watched the scenery rush by outside the window, suddenly yearning to talk to someone about his Jin Chen.

Cheng Lang pulled out his phone and dialed his mother.

The call was quickly answered, and his mother's cheerful voice came through: "Hey, Langzi? Where are you? When will you be home? Mom's still at your aunt's helping prepare New Year goods—if you don't want to come join the fuss, just go home first; Dad should be off work soon."

"Mom," Cheng Lang said, excited and earnest, "I'm in a relationship."

Nearing the end of his four years of college, he realized for the first time that his feelings could no longer be hidden; he was eager to share them with his family and gain their approval and blessing.

On the other end, his mother's tone rose with delight: "Really? Oh! I was wondering why you dawdled until just before the New Year to come home—turns out you're dating! Quickly tell me, where's the girl from? Local or elsewhere? Is she a classmate?"

Cheng Lang listened, his lips unconsciously curving upward, and answered patiently.

"Not local; his family is in 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 good‑looking."

There was a somewhat lengthy silence on the other end.

"Mom?" Cheng Lang called out.

"…Langzi," his mother's voice returned, "you just said it's a boy?"

"Mm." Cheng Lang replied without hesitation, his tone candid.

"…" His mother fell silent again.

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

"You little brat… after finally making it home, you give me such a big surprise."

"Langzi, tell me honestly—is this serious? Can't be changed, right?"

"Can't be changed, Mom." Cheng Lang answered firmly.

"I'm serious. Jin Chen is two years younger than me; sometimes he acts like a kid, but he's really good. Since I chose to be with him, I must take responsibility for our relationship."

His mother sighed again on the line, feeling more resigned and accommodating.

As the saying goes, a mother knows her child best; she heard the happiness in his tone.

"All right…" his mother's voice brightened again, "you little troublemaker, you've got big ideas."

"Fine. After the New Year, bring that little boyfriend of yours home for a meal, so your dad and I can see what kind of guy has you so bewitched."

Hearing his mother relent, Cheng Lang couldn't help laughing, his voice brightening: "Sure, I'll definitely bring him! Mom, you'll surely like him."

"As for you," his mother returned to her usual tone, "hurry up and get back home—don't wander about on the road!"

"Yes, ma'am." Cheng Lang replied with a laugh, exchanged a few more words, then hung up.

The emptiness in his heart was partially filled.

The rest would likely have to wait until after the New Year, when that person returns, to be completely filled.