Frighten

"Make do with this..."

"Though it's just shampoo and body wash—definitely not as complete as your own stuff."

Shen Yi pointed toward the bathroom as he spoke.

For now, this would have to do.

Cheng Jun clutched the bedsheet, silent. She didn’t care about having everything—just being able to shower was enough.

Part of her wanted to dash straight into the bathroom, but she worried the steam would dampen his blanket.

Standing by the sofa, Cheng Jun steeled herself.

It’s not like he hasn’t seen before.

With that thought, she gritted her teeth and yanked the sheet off her body.

A sudden chill rushed over her, and she instinctively covered her chest. At least she still had her underwear—some modesty remained.

Tossing the thin blanket onto the sofa, she didn’t dare glance at Shen Yi’s reaction before hurrying to the bathroom.

Shen Yi wasn’t blind, of course—he saw everything. But he held his tongue, not wanting to embarrass her further.

Once Cheng Jun shut the bathroom door behind her, she finally exhaled in relief. A sense of security returned.

No matter how much she’d mentally prepared, baring herself in front of someone else was still mortifying. She wasn’t shameless—she could still feel the heat in her cheeks.

She carefully peeled off her clothes and hung them on the wall rack.

With her front door locked and no way to get in, she couldn’t afford to soak them.

Standing before the mirror, Cheng Jun stared at her flushed face and instinctively covered her chest again.

Even though she was alone, an odd sensation lingered—as if Shen Yi were watching from somewhere nearby.

After a day without washing and the sweat from last night, her skin felt sticky the moment she touched it. She couldn’t wait to rinse off.

Turning on the faucet, she let hot water flow before stepping under the stream, sighing in relief.

The warmth washed over her, leaving her refreshed.

She lathered herself with body wash, then picked up the facial cleanser and squinted at it.

"Men’s?"

"Whatever, it doesn’t matter..."

Of course Shen Yi would use men’s products. Cheng Jun shrugged, squeezed out a bit, and used it anyway.

After washing her face, she searched for a toothbrush.

Luckily, Shen Yi bought them in bulk—she found a new one in the drawer and tore it open.

Once she finished brushing, she turned off the water and hesitated.

A toothbrush was one thing, but a towel?

Shen Yi lived alone—having one bath towel was already a stretch. Expecting a spare was too much.

Dripping wet, she couldn’t just walk out—she couldn’t even put her clothes back on.

Cheng Jun reluctantly grabbed the hanging towel.

Like a thief, she glanced back at the door before sniffing it cautiously, her face burning.

"Not bad..."

No strange odors—just the faint scent of body wash.

She unfolded it and quickly dried herself, then used the hairdryer to blow-dry her hair thoroughly.

They’d lived together before, but back then, "cohabitation" mostly meant eating meals together.

Private matters? Each had their own bathroom. Boundaries were clear.

Once she’d put her underwear back on, Cheng Jun cracked the door open slightly.

Peeking out, she scanned the room.

The thin blanket was gone from the sofa, and so was Shen Yi. The apartment was small—he must’ve retreated to the bedroom.

"Perfect timing."

Without hesitation, she slipped out, tiptoed to the sofa, snatched her jacket, and bolted back to the bathroom, shutting the door behind her in one smooth motion.

Buttoning up her blouse, she tugged the zipper of her skirt and hopped into it.

After adjusting her collar in the mirror, she draped her suit jacket over her arm and finally stepped out with deliberate calm.

By then, Shen Yi was already at the table, unpacking takeout.

"Perfect timing—it’s just the right temperature, not too hot or cold."

Cheng Jun smoothed her long hair, her face still flushed from the steam.

"Okay."

She draped her jacket over the chair back before sitting—then froze.

Something felt off. She pulled out the fabric in her hand.

"Oh no..."

In her rush, she’d forgotten the stockings hanging there.

No wonder her legs felt chilly earlier—she’d assumed it was just Shen Yi’s body wash being extra refreshing.

Putting them on now would mean taking off her skirt—definitely not an option.

"Sit down, why are you just standing there?"

Shen Yi handed her a cup of soy milk with a straw.

Cheng Jun forced a smile and took it.

"Uh... yeah."

Crossing her legs, she tugged her skirt down and focused on breakfast.

I’ll deal with the stockings later.

After a sip of soy milk, she picked up a steamed bun.

"What’s the filling?"

Shen Yi, mid-bite, swallowed before answering.

"Different kinds—pork, green beans, tofu."

"I asked the auntie at the shop to mix a few. Variety’s better."

Cheng Jun nodded and took a bite. Aside from bean sprouts, she wasn’t picky.

Her appetite wasn’t huge—after two buns, she just sipped her soy milk.

Watching Shen Yi eat heartily, a strange calm settled over her.

This was all she wanted—nothing extravagant, just a quiet, ordinary life like this.

But the simplest things are often the hardest...

Her thoughts drifted. First Fu Nanzhi, now Shu Yunyi—she was stuck in the middle, unsure how to navigate it.

Speaking of Shu Yunyi—where was she now?

Cheng Jun studied Shen Yi’s face, wanting to ask, but realizing she had no right. The words died in her throat.

With a nearly imperceptible sigh, she shook off the gloom.

To break the silence, she asked,

"I took the bed last night—where did you sleep?"

Shen Yi looked up, exasperated.

"The sofa, obviously?"

"You were sprawled all over the bed—no space left for me."

Cheng Jun had only meant to make conversation, not get criticized.

Flushing, she retorted,

"Liar! Who has bad sleeping habits?"

Shen Yi smirked.

"You!"

"No way! Auntie Zhang, Aunt Li, even my Mom all say I sleep like an angel."

Clutching her soy milk, Cheng Jun scrambled for proof.

Shen Yi grinned and raised his phone threateningly.

"Oh yeah? I’ve got evidence."

"Want to see the photos? Then you’ll know exactly how you looked last night."

He tapped his screen, pretending to open his gallery.

Cheng Jun had blacked out from drinking—his confidence made her 80% convinced.

The idea of photographic evidence shattered her bravado. She shot up, flailing her hands.

"No, no, no—!"

"Delete them! Right now!"