Chapter Seven: Who Told You I Was Going to Sleep on the Sofa?

Song Chengyi paused, his hand tangled in his hair, and glanced at the opened suitcase on the floor. It had been rummaged through, clothes scattered everywhere in a chaotic mess. Unable to help himself, Song Chengyi squatted down, gathered the clothes, packed them neatly into the suitcase, and dragged it into his bedroom.

After showering and getting dressed, Luo Yixia felt awkward and uncomfortable. She realized the clothes she’d grabbed weren’t suitable for sleeping—the tight jeans alone made her feel incredibly uneasy. But what could she do? Her suitcase was devoid of pajamas; knowing her mother’s temperament, two sets of clothes was already a luxury.

She opened the bathroom door to find Song Chengyi sitting on the sofa, working on his computer. He looked up at her, his gaze lingering on her outfit, and frowned. Without saying a word, he rose and went to his bedroom. When he emerged, he was holding one of his own shirts and a pair of loose pants.

He handed them to Luo Yixia. “Wear these.”

Luo Yixia obediently took the clothes and retreated to the bathroom to change. When she came out, she was dressed in oversized, ill-fitting garments—there was nothing remotely graceful about her appearance.

Song Chengyi glanced at her once, then lowered his head and closed his laptop. Standing, he said, “Time to sleep,” and walked toward his bedroom.

Luo Yixia glanced at the sofa. “Is there a blanket? Even though it’s summer, I’ll catch a cold if I don’t cover up.”

Song Chengyi halted at the bedroom door and turned back, his voice carrying a subtle undertone. “Sleep in the bedroom.”

Luo Yixia hesitated. “But this is your house. Isn’t it better for you to sleep on the sofa?”

Song Chengyi approached Luo Yixia, and her heart began to race as he drew closer.

“Who told you I’d sleep on the sofa?” His words ended with a playful lilt.

“Huh?” Luo Yixia was momentarily confused.

Before she could think further, Song Chengyi took her arm and led her into the bedroom. Luo Yixia immediately noticed the large bed in the center of the room. Her mind couldn’t help but conjure up blush-inducing, heart-pounding scenarios. Had she and Song Chengyi ever been like this before?

“What are you daydreaming about?”

Snapping back to reality, Luo Yixia saw Song Chengyi already seated on the bed.

“Am I really supposed to sleep here?” she asked.

“Where else?” Song Chengyi looked straight at her. He sighed and added, “If I made you sleep on the sofa or the floor and my parents found out, do you think I’d have any peace in the future?”

“Oh, okay.” Luo Yixia felt a vague sense of disappointment; so this was just to avoid getting scolded. She lifted the quilt on the other side and settled onto the bed.

Song Chengyi casually switched off the main light and turned on the bedside lamp. The room became dim and intimate, the atmosphere tinged with ambiguity.

“I—I’m going to grab my phone,” Luo Yixia stammered, hurriedly getting off the bed and running out of the bedroom. She fetched her phone from the sofa, then slowly returned.

Song Chengyi was leaning against the headboard, reading. Not wanting to disturb him, Luo Yixia sat quietly beside him, playing on her phone. Soon, she saw a reply from her friend.

Yanyan: Xiaxia, I was just eating out. Did you call me for something?

Luo Yixia’s fingers flew across the screen: “No, nothing. Nothing really matters anymore.”