This Night, Bound to Be Long

As they walked, Chen Shuo felt two soft mounds pressing tightly against his back.

How exciting?

Su Xiyan hadn't noticed this at all, her entire body leaning on Chen Shuo's back.

Since getting together with Chen Shuo, Su Xiyan felt her whole being was no longer so tense, like a lonely sail that had been adrift for a long time and finally found its own harbor to dock.

She leaned on Chen Shuo's back, looking at the room not far ahead.

She thought, if only this path would never end.

That way, she could stay on Chen Shuo's back a little longer.

Arriving at the door, Chen Shuo asked Su Xiyan, "We're here. Which room are you sleeping in?"

Facing this question again?

Su Xiyan didn't play coy this time and said directly, "I want to be in the same room as you."

Chen Shuo: "...Ah...is that appropriate?"

"I don't mind, but you're a girl, and this is your family's territory, with your relatives and friends everywhere. If we share a room, what if in the future..."

Chen Shuo didn't finish the sentence.

What if they didn't end up together in the future? Wouldn't Su Xiyan's reputation be ruined?

It's quite normal nowadays for dating couples to live together. But Chen Shuo felt he should consider more for Su Xiyan.

He carefully protected everything about Su Xiyan, including her reputation.

Su Xiyan, like a little kitten, buried her head in the crook of Chen Shuo's neck.

Her voice was muffled: "I'm particular about beds."

"Without a familiar scent, I can't sleep."

Oh, so that's how it is?

Chen Shuo thought for a moment and said, "Then you can rest in my room first! After you fall asleep, I'll go to the room next door."

He cherished Su Xiyan's innocence so much that he couldn't bear to let her suffer even a bit of malice from the secular world.

Su Xiyan didn't answer, and Chen Shuo took it as agreement.

With a beep, he swiped the room card and opened the door.

Su Xiyan looked tired too. Chen Shuo put her on the sofa and gave her a cushion to lean on.

"I'll take a shower first."

Chen Shuo took his pajamas and went into the bathroom.

Soon, the sound of running water came from the bathroom.

Su Xiyan sat leaning on the sofa in Chen Shuo's room, hearing the water sounds from the bathroom, with Chen Shuo's familiar scent all around her.

The scene before her eyes became increasingly blurry. Her eyelids felt incredibly heavy, her mind invaded by sleepiness.

Finally, Su Xiyan closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

Chen Shuo came out of the bathroom, holding a soft towel and wiping the water from his hair: "Su Xiyan, I'm done. Do you want to take a shower here after all?"

"Don't worry, I won't peek at you."

There was another sentence Chen Shuo didn't say out loud - if I wanted to look, I'd do it openly.

If he really wanted to peek, he would have done so already when they were living at Haiyi Apartment. Why wait until tonight at the hotel?

Chen Shuo had almost finished drying his hair, but still hadn't heard a reply from Su Xiyan.

He turned to look and saw that Su Xiyan had fallen asleep, slumped on the sofa.

Her slender body leaned against the sofa, her small head tilted to one side, her curled eyelashes casting a fine, dense shadow on her fair face, like a crescent moon hanging on her eyelids.

Her breathing was even and long, indicating she was sleeping soundly.

Chen Shuo stood by the sofa in his bathrobe, still holding the towel he'd been using to dry his hair, forgetting to put it down.

He stood there looking at the sleeping Su Xiyan, his eyes filled with undisguised affection.

Today at the wedding venue, in that life-or-death moment, Su Xiyan's coordination with him had been truly flawless.

If she had been even a bit more delicate, Chen Shuo wouldn't have been able to be everyone's savior today.

It was precisely because he had a girl like Su Xiyan by his side that Chen Shuo could act freely to do what he wanted to do, becoming the young hero who saved everyone at the wedding.

It's no exaggeration to say that Su Xiyan deserves indelible credit for Chen Shuo gaining the approval of the three major families.

Now Chen Shuo had gained the approval of all of Su Xiyan's family, who couldn't wait for him and Su Xiyan to get married on the spot.

Even if something happened between him and Su Xiyan in the room tonight, it wouldn't be too out of line, right?

Moreover, they had already confessed their feelings to each other. Isn't it natural for young couples in love to experience more intimate moments as their feelings deepen?

But Chen Shuo really couldn't bear to disturb Su Xiyan's rest.

She was truly exhausted today, so let her rest well!

Who would have thought that Su Xiyan, such an ice-cold goddess, would be particular about beds?

Thinking of this, Chen Shuo couldn't help but chuckle softly.

Sleeping curled up on the sofa wasn't a good idea though.

Chen Shuo gently took the cushion from Su Xiyan's arms, bent down, and carried her towards the bed.

In her sleep, Su Xiyan's face was peaceful, like a sleeping infant, giving off a sense of fragility that made one want to protect her carefully.

Chen Shuo couldn't imagine that one day the word 'fragile' would be used to describe Su Xiyan.

Reaching the bedside, Chen Shuo laid Su Xiyan on the bed and covered her with the blanket.

As he was about to leave, the sleeping Su Xiyan seemed to sense something and reached out to grab Chen Shuo: "Chen Shuo..."

Chen Shuo thought Su Xiyan had woken up, but when he turned to look at her, he realized it was just an unconscious action in her sleep.

"Go to sleep," he said softly.

Chen Shuo gently pulled his hand out of Su Xiyan's grasp.

Su Xiyan's small mouth turned up slightly: "I haven't showered yet..."

Chen Shuo: "You can shower when you wake up."

Su Xiyan: "You won't help me shower."

Chen Shuo: ???

Fortunately, Su Xiyan turned to her side and fell back asleep.

If he had known earlier, he should have recorded that last sentence and played it back to Su Xiyan when she woke up the next day.

Wonder what expression she would have then?

It would surely be interesting, right?

Chen Shuo imagined the scene, a light smile in his eyes.

The sleeping Su Xiyan's profile was enchanting, making one want to look a bit longer, even unconsciously reach out to caress her delicate cheek.

Chen Shuo's hand stopped midair, afraid of disturbing Su Xiyan's rest.

She was like a beautiful flower, blooming with her own charm, making one want to pick her at every moment, to taste the sweetness emanating from her petals.

Chen Shuo took his own pillow and lay down on the nearby sofa.

In the quiet of the night, the room was filled with a romantic atmosphere.

Chen Shuo couldn't guarantee what uncontrollable things might happen if he continued to stay by Su Xiyan's side.

Lying on the sofa, though his body was very tired, Chen Shuo just couldn't fall asleep.

He turned to his side, just able to see Su Xiyan's face, also turned towards him.

Her thin lips were slightly parted, her whole face beautiful beyond words.

Damn it!

The urge he had just managed to suppress was stirring again!

This night was destined to be very long!