The Muscle Memory of Climbing into Shen Nian's Bed

Sweeping away the sense of guilt and reclaiming oneself—this is something Snickers and Mizone can't achieve.

Even Red Bull would need three bottles to match.

To feel less guilty, the top priority was to straighten out her own mindset.

Thinking this, Xia Yanchun casually brushed off Shen Nian with a few words before turning around and strutting downstairs with full confidence.

Clad in slippers, she swaggered outside, casting a quick glance at the uncles and aunts, deliberately lingering for a moment in front of Shen Nian’s house.

Look at me, look at me—I’m not guilty at all. Isn’t it totally normal for me to enter Shen Nian’s house?

None of the adults paid her any attention, except for Shen Yue, who shot Xia Yanchun a strange look.

Girl, what are you doing? Standing in front of someone else’s house late at night?

Looking for Shen Nian, huh? I get it, I get it.

Her expression shifted from puzzled to understanding, and the corners of Shen Yue’s lips curled into a knowing smirk before she turned away. These two brats had been at it since childhood—nothing they did was surprising anymore.

Xia Yanchun was brimming with satisfaction as she clambered back upstairs.

Even during holidays, Shen Nian rarely came home. The entire summer break, he had stayed in the city while she had returned to their hometown.

When Shen Nian was around, she hardly ever visited his house, let alone when he wasn’t there.

It had been a long time since she’d stepped foot inside Shen Nian’s home. Even when she did drop by, she usually just chatted with his parents on the first floor. The third floor? That was practically uncharted territory.

The second floor was where Shen Nian’s parents and Shen Yue stayed, while the third floor belonged solely to Shen Nian.

Xia Yanchun remembered that the second floor was the heart of the house—big TV, plush sofa, everything. The first floor was for guests, and the third floor had two rooms: a guest room and Shen Nian’s bedroom. Unless you were Shen Nian, there was no reason to go up there.

Except for Xia Yanchun.

When she reached the third floor, the ceiling light was on. Shen Nian seemed to be waiting for her—his door wasn’t even closed, and a cool breeze drifted out from his room, tickling her warm cheeks.

"Keh keh keh, come in, come in."

Shen Nian’s tone made Xia Yanchun feel like she’d walked into a trap—except she was the one who had come willingly.

"Can you not laugh like that? How many Soul Palace elders do you eat for breakfast?"

"Ahem, sorry, force of habit." Shen Nian cleared his throat. He didn’t have any ill intentions—it was just that the thought of Yanchun willingly stepping into his room made him want to laugh.

No need to climb over the balcony anymore.

"Ew, your room is really..."

Xia Yanchun stood at the doorway, ready to unleash a barrage of insults to put Shen Nian in his place, but after a quick glance, she realized his room was unexpectedly clean. No weird smells either. Her prepared insults died in her throat.

"What about my room? I just cleaned it not too long ago."

Shen Nian stroked his chin. Sure, most guys’ rooms weren’t as neat as girls’, but with a little effort, they didn’t have to be complete disasters.

"I thought it’d be full of trash. Guess you’re not a total slob."

"Excuse you? When has my room ever been full of trash?"

Xia Yanchun tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and strolled around the room with her hands behind her back, inspecting the shelves, the desk—until her eyes landed on a towering stack of test papers. Unable to resist, she flipped through them.

All monthly exams, filled to the brim with answers...

"You wrote all these?"

"Nope. The pen did it while I was asleep."

"Who are you trying to fool? You think I’m stupid?"

Shen Nian’s lips twitched. "I thought you were stupid. These are test papers in my room. There aren’t any other high schoolers in this house—if I didn’t write them, who did?"

Xia Yanchun huffed. She hadn’t come here to be insulted.

Plonking herself on the edge of the bed with all the regality of an emperor addressing a eunuch, she commanded, "You—go pour me some water."

"Fine, fine. Yanchun is a guest, so Yanchun gets water." Shen Nian obediently fetched a glass, calling her "Yanchun" with every other word, making her ears burn.

"Good boy."

After taking a sip, she kicked off her slippers, her neatly trimmed toes curling slightly before she instinctively scooted to the center of Shen Nian’s bed—just like when they were kids. Only after settling in did she realize—

Oh no. Muscle memory.

"Yanchun, you’re way too good at this."

"Uh, there’s nowhere else to sit. What’s wrong with lying down for a bit?" Xia Yanchun blinked innocently.

She had a hundred ways to claim Shen Nian’s bed, all honed from years of practice. Before the age of twelve, Shen Nian and his bed had belonged to her—while her own bed remained exclusively hers. She could dance on Shen Nian’s mattress if she wanted, but if he dared set foot on hers? Two punches, no hesitation.

So domineering. So majestic. Truly, the bearing of an empress.

Even though Shen Nian always called her a "bad woman," she thought she’d been too soft back then.

If she’d known he’d grow up into this kind of weirdo, she should’ve disciplined him properly as a kid.

Too bad. No going back now. She kind of wanted to slap him for no reason.

But if she tried that now, he’d probably grab her wrist and taunt her mercilessly.

"I’m gonna crash on your bed tomorrow too."

"No."

"Oh, so you’re a hypocrite now? You can invade my bed, but I can’t invade yours?"

"It’s not the same! When I go to your bed, you never say no. But when you come to mine, I always refuse."

Xia Yanchun wasn’t wrong. Look—even now, as she lay there, pulling the blanket over her legs, Shen Nian hadn’t kicked her off. If he wasn’t stopping her, that meant she was allowed.

If he really didn’t want her there, she’d never force it.

Shen Nian couldn’t be bothered to argue. A guy’s room wasn’t some treasure trove of secrets—if she wanted to lie down, so be it.

Back then, he’d been reluctant whenever Xia Yanchun barged in. Now? Didn’t matter. Her presence meant he got to enjoy the faint, pleasant scent she carried. Weirdly addictive.

"Fine, lie down. This emperor permits it. But this emperor is sleepy now. Goodnight." Shen Nian made a move to join her.

"You said you were gonna study until 2 or 3 a.m.!"

You’re only sleepy because I’m here!

"Ugh, just looking at that math test made me tired."

"Liar! Since when does math make you sleepy?"

Worried he might pounce, Xia Yanchun sat up, clutching a pillow. If Shen Nian tried anything funny, she’d smack him with it, bite him, and bolt.

But Shen Nian just lay down, legs still dangling off the edge, staring at the ceiling.

"Feels like old times. Except back then, you’d boss me around to cut mangoes or peaches for you—and you’d dip them in chili salt."

"And? Deal with it."

"Wow." Shen Nian rolled onto his side to face her. "How are you—a tiny little thing with noodle arms and no escape plan—still so bold in a guy’s room? You know I could turn you into a cream puff with one punch, right?"

"Because I’d scream for your parents."

"You’re invincible."

Damn summoner. Terrifying.

Yanxi reminds you: Due to Tomato’s request for 3 million+ daily visits overwhelming the servers, we now recommend switching to other sources.