Maybe they were actually right. Professor Lin wasn't a child to went missing all of a sudden.
Our so called missing professor, now in a secluded corner near bunch of trees, sat crouching on a stone only thinking about how to avoid his colleagues as much as possible.
Previously, when he was walking, his foot slipped on the slippery grass resulting in a sprained ankle. He couldn't walk too fast but can manage at least. One more reason was that, he knew professor Qing will make a great fuss over this small injury and he didn't wanted to create more misunderstandings like that.
At least, not after what already happened.
He knew, he was kind of overreacting but he really couldn't help it. When things comes like this, his mind always malfunctions.
Of course right now he was overthinking, with one ear attentive to the sound of engine starting. He didn't wanted to spend the night in jungle, after all. Who's going to even think about him anyways if he went missing for some moment.
After reaching the site, he has to again take the attendance of stu- crunch.
He abruptly turned his head, almost spraining his neck too. But the newcomer was faster and he latched themselves onto him, hugging him tightly.
Professor Lin was too startled to process everything.
Professor Qing.
He was strangled in the tight hug, but didn't hug back. He struggled to get free but of course other one was much stronger. So strong that he got chills, because he couldn't think what will happen if the other male really decided to force himself on him.
No- no, what I'm thinking. He can never do that.
Nevertheless, he panicked a bit, enough for the next person to detect it. Professor Qing didn't broke the hug, instead his large hands caressed the small of the back of professor Lin, trying to pacify him.
He softly said in his ear, " Are you scared? What happened, and why are you here?"
Finally breaking the hug, he held his both shoulders and said, worry written all over his face, "You know how much you make me- us worried? It's almost time for departing and you weren't anywhere, my phone lost network and I wasn't abl-"
Professor Lin covered his hand, which was clasping his shoulder, with his own palm, and said reassuringly, "It's ok. I'm alright. Calm down, okay? I'm not a kid that will get lost."
Now it was confirmed that professor Qing will never do such a thing, however much strong he was.
Professor Qing sighed at his words, but said nothing else. His hand traced professor Lin's shoulder, shoulder to arm and then finally clasped his hand with his own. Apparently, the sensation sent shivers to professor Lin.
In his haste of not getting involved again, professor Lin snatched his hand back and tried to take a step back, forgetting his sprained ankle. As a result, he tumbled backwards, wincing in pain.
Professor Qing's eyes got widened. He stabled him by placing his hands on his back and further tightly clasping the other's hand.
"What happened? Are you hurt? Why didn't you said anything earlier?" A bombardment of questions again.
Professor Lin almost facepalmed, if not for his hands clutching professor Qing's arms. He knew if had told earlier, his reaction would be like this. He had actually planned to walk behind him slowly so as to not make him notice.
But, alas !
"Lin Huang. How can you be so irresponsible?"
Professor Lin looked up at the other professor. His worried expression was laying everything right in front of him, like it was not his own ankle, but the other's.
"Its not a big deal. I can still walk." Professor Lin strained himself to say without gnashing his teeth.
"Yeah, that's why you just stumbled right now, right?" Professor Qing chided, his eyes still wide from shock.
Why are you so shocked though? Is it that surprising that I sprained my ankle?
Professor Lin thought with a bitter expression. But soon that expression turned to one of bewilderness, once he found his feet floating mid air.
Professor Qing held him horizontally in a princess carry, one hand tightly clasping his waist. "What are you doing? Unhand me right now." The one being manhandled, shouted at him.
"How are you going to walk like this? Stay still, otherwise you will fall." Professor Qing again chided.
But how can Lin Manly Huang bear such a thing. For him, its better to fall than being carried like this. As a result, he again shouted, "Qing Lan, I'm telling you last time to unhand me. Right. Now."
Sighing professor Qing finally led him down, still keeping his hand at his waist to support him. "Hmph." After saying this professor Lin went ahead, with the other man in tow.
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