The Silent Struggle

The dull sound of knocking echoed through the empty hallway.

The motion-sensor light in the corridor flickered on, casting the shadows of three figures at their feet.

No one answered.

After a pause of over ten seconds, Shu Yunyi stepped forward and reached out to knock on the door again.

Still, there was no response.

"She might be asleep," Shu Yunyi guessed, lowering her hand.

Standing nearby, Shen Yi tried to dissuade them. "No, she’s probably just not home."

"It’s late. Making too much noise will disturb the neighbors. Let’s go back."

With no other options, Fu Nanzhi reluctantly turned away and gave up.

Seeing this, Shen Yi secretly sighed in relief.

He had been genuinely worried that if the door opened and Cheng Jun’s face appeared, things would escalate beyond control.

The three of them would surely argue until his head exploded.

This was the downside of coming clean—nothing would ever go smoothly again.

Back inside, the two women sat down again, showing no intention of leaving.

Shen Yi checked the time—it was already midnight—and tried once more to persuade them.

"You should go rest. It’s late."

If they kept dragging this out, he’d be the one suffering in the end. His best bet was to convince them to go home.

"You’re right," Fu Nanzhi said, feigning ignorance of his hint. She stood and slipped off her cardigan, making a show of preparing for bed.

"Time really is getting late. Darling, we should rest now."

Even though Cheng Jun wasn’t here, Fu Nanzhi wasn’t about to let Shu Yunyi off the hook. She was determined to drive her away.

'You want me to leave? Well, I won’t.'

Shu Yunyi thought to herself.

They were practically an old married couple by now—she had no reason to feel embarrassed about staying. Calmly, she stood and asked Shen Yi,

"Xiao Yi, is the bathroom over there?"

"Uh…"

"Yeah, this way."

Watching the two women lock horns again, Shen Yi could only point silently to the left.

As soon as Shu Yunyi closed the bathroom door behind her, Fu Nanzhi swiftly crossed the room and stood before Shen Yi.

"Hiss—"

Shen Yi sucked in a sharp breath.

Looking down, he saw Fu Nanzhi’s fingers pinching the tender skin at his side with brutal force. The fact that he didn’t cry out was a testament to his endurance.

"Serves you right!"

Fu Nanzhi knew she’d been harsh, but she hardened her heart and glared at him.

She loved him so much, yet he had betrayed her like this. The thought alone made her teeth ache with fury.

"Nanzhi, I’m sorry."

"I never meant for this to happen..."

Love was never logical. The more he explained, the worse it would sound. Right now, all Shen Yi could do was apologize.

He had chosen multiple answers on a question that only allowed one. What teacher wouldn’t give him a zero?

Fu Nanzhi’s heart was a mess.

Of course she was furious, but what could she really do to Shen Yi? All she could manage was to vent her frustration.

Just as she opened her mouth to speak, Shu Yunyi’s voice drifted from the bathroom.

"Xiao Yi, these toiletries are yours, right?"

Before Shen Yi could answer, the sound of running water followed.

She had already started washing up, clearly signaling her intention to stay the night.

Fu Nanzhi had just declared she was staying, and now Shu Yunyi was countering without backing down an inch.

If their earlier confrontation had been an open battle, this was now a covert war.

Recognizing the blatant provocation, Fu Nanzhi stomped her foot and tossed her cardigan into Shen Yi’s arms before storming off toward the bedroom.

"Hey—Nanzhi!"

Shen Yi called after her, but she ignored him.

Hanging her clothes on the hook by the wall, Shen Yi peered into the bedroom.

Fu Nanzhi was already on the bed, shoes off, reclining against the headboard.

If you respect me an inch, I’ll respect you a mile.

Fu Nanzhi didn’t care what tricks Shu Yunyi had up her sleeve—she had claimed the bed first.

The message was clear: If you’re so clever, Shu Yunyi, conjure up another bed. Otherwise, get lost.

Just then, the bathroom door opened.

Freshly washed and teeth brushed, Shu Yunyi felt invigorated.

Noticing Fu Nanzhi’s absence from the living room, she frowned in suspicion.

Hearing the noise outside, Fu Nanzhi deliberately patted the empty space beside her and called out,

"Darling, come here. I saved this spot just for you."

"Nanzhi… what are you doing?"

Shen Yi sighed, rubbing his temples.

Shu Yunyi wasn’t deaf. She heard the words meant for her loud and clear.

But she wasn’t one to back down either. Sitting back on the sofa, she remarked pointedly,

"Who goes to bed without washing up first?"

"That’s just unhygienic. Xiao Yi, don’t follow her example. Go clean up."

Even as she spoke, Shu Yunyi subtly gestured for Shen Yi to come closer, as if she had something to say.

Confused but compliant, Shen Yi leaned in.

Before he knew it, Fu Nanzhi suddenly sat up, wrapped her arms around his shoulders, and bit down.

This time, Shen Yi braced himself, enduring the pain without a sound.

Her teeth clenched tightly, refusing to let go. Even through his clothes, he knew the mark would be deep.

"Haah…"

Shu Yunyi finally released him, her warm breath brushing against his ear.

Her lips parted, and she spoke slowly but firmly:

"Xiao Yi, you’re mine. No one can take you away."

Without waiting for a response, she settled back onto the sofa, propping her chin on her hand and closing her eyes.

She had no intention of fighting Fu Nanzhi for the bed—she would rest right here.

One woman inside, the other outside. Neither was willing to leave.

Caught between two goddesses at war, Shen Yi’s suffering was unimaginable.

Perhaps noticing how long he’d been standing there, Fu Nanzhi’s voice floated from the bedroom.

"I’ve already warmed up the blankets for you, darling. What are you still doing out there?"

"Come in already."

Shen Yi was still massaging the bite mark on his shoulder when Shu Yunyi cut in sharply,

"Don’t you dare go!"

"Sit here with me instead."

Their demands were completely opposite. Agreeing to one would upset the other, and vice versa. Shen Yi couldn’t split himself in two.

Finally, with no other choice, he positioned himself in the bedroom doorway—half his body inside, the other half in the living room.

Neutral yet visible to both women, he had gone to great lengths to keep the peace.

Shen Yi had known it would be hard, but not this hard.

Slowly, the clock ticked past midnight.

Both women had risen early and exhausted themselves all day. Now, drowsiness crept in.

One lay in bed, her phone slipping from her fingers. The other dozed on the sofa, nodding off.

Seeing that these two tormentors were finally asleep, Shen Yi finally found a sliver of peace in the chaos.