Shu Nian was completely hidden under the blanket, instantly becoming motionless. Because her entire body was lifted, she felt insecure and instinctively pressed her hands against his chest.
The blanket wasn’t thick, and she could vaguely see white light filtering through.
She hadn’t quite processed what was happening yet, looking at Xie Ruhe who appeared in a dark shape blurred by the blanket, and cautiously asked, “What are you trying to get? Am I in your way…?”
Hearing this, Xie Ruhe’s movements seemed to pause for a moment, but it didn’t last long—so brief it felt like Shu Nian’s imagination. He didn’t answer and carried her out.
Shu Nian wanted to ask more.
Soon, she noticed her current state.
Wrapped in a blanket, curled into a small ball, being carried by him like an object.
Shu Nian immediately closed her mouth.
Xie Ruhe carried her to a bed in another room.
When her feet touched the ground and her body was no longer weightless, Shu Nian’s body wasn’t as tense as before. She held her breath, pulled the blanket down, and saw Xie Ruhe standing beside her, looking confused.
He took the blanket that covered her and placed it on a nearby chair.
“The blanket is wet,” Xie Ruhe draped the towel that was hanging around his neck over her head. “Don’t use it anymore. I’ll get you a new one.”
Shu Nian followed his gaze toward the blanket, her expression stunned. A second later, she lowered her head and saw her wet clothes, finally coming to her senses.
She had just finished showering and, in her panic and fear, had jumped into bed without drying herself with a towel, hiding under the covers. Her hair and body were still dripping with water.
The bedsheet in the other room was probably also soaked by her.
Shu Nian let out a small “Ah” and stumbled through an apology: “I’m sorry…”
Xie Ruhe took out a new blanket from the wardrobe, tilted his head, and asked, “Sorry for what?”
She kept her head down, her voice so low it seemed to have fallen into dust.
“I’m too much trouble.”
Xie Ruhe stood still for a moment, then tossed the blanket onto the bed and sat down in front of her. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and with lowered eyes, he played with her small hand.
Shu Nian wanted to pull her hand back, but he immediately tightened his grip, not letting her move.
Shu Nian stopped fidgeting.
This room had probably never been used much. Though clean, it looked empty, with only the necessary furniture and no other items. It was also about half the size of Xie Ruhe’s room.
Neither of them spoke, the silence so complete they could almost hear the air itself.
After saying that one phrase, Xie Ruhe remained silent.
Shu Nian felt somewhat awkward.
She felt he was probably brewing something to say, perhaps something difficult for him to express, which was why he remained silent for so long. This made the atmosphere excessively serious.
Her eyelashes fluttered as she said, “You can just say whatever you want to say. It’s okay.”
Hearing this, Xie Ruhe released her hand and brushed his nose with the back of his hand, appearing somewhat uncomfortable.
“You’ll sleep here tonight.”
Shu Nian paused, not understanding why it took him so long to say just this one sentence.
She relaxed a little and nodded, “Okay.”
Then, Xie Ruhe added: “I’ll sleep here too.”
“…” Shu Nian’s eyes widened, and she asked in disbelief, “What?”
Xie Ruhe’s ears reddened, but he calmly explained, “Two blankets.”
There was already one blanket on the bed, and Xie Ruhe had just taken another one from the wardrobe. Shu Nian couldn’t understand the logic between these two things, but his serious expression left her at a loss for how to respond.
Her face flushed red: “We can’t do that…”
Xie Ruhe licked his lips and answered honestly: “I can’t sleep soundly if you’re not beside me.”
Shu Nian looked at him and asked without much conviction: “Is it because of me…?”
“No, it’s because my leg hurts at night,” Xie Ruhe knew she easily believed others’ words, and calmly lied, “I might wake up from the pain.”
Shu Nian immediately believed him: “What should we do then…?”
The corners of Xie Ruhe’s mouth curved up imperceptibly, and he continued with a straight face: “If I wake up in pain, you can help massage it. I won’t have the strength.”
“Okay.” Shu Nian was still worried and asked anxiously, “Will it hurt badly?”
Xie Ruhe thought for a moment and nodded: “Mm.”
“…”
“So we’re helping each other.” Xie Ruhe reached out to touch her face, his voice hoarse and toned as if he were coaxing her, “I’m quite troublesome too. Fortunately, I have you.”
Shu Nian sniffled and mumbled: “You’re not that troublesome.”
Xie Ruhe stared at her and suddenly let out a soft laugh.
“Mm, and you’re not troublesome either.”
Shu Nian tacitly accepted the arrangement to sleep together.