Sheng Xia stood in the hotel lobby, utterly stunned.
How was it already 1 a.m.?
If not for the midnight fireworks surprise at the bar, she would have thought it was still around 8 or 9 p.m.
She hadn’t paid attention to the time all night, nor had she checked her phone much. Her roommates had been frantically calling her in the dorm group chat, but she hadn’t responded at all. If they hadn’t known she was out on a date with Zhang Shu, they probably would have called the police by now.
After replying to their messages and assuring them she was safe, the dorm group’s tone instantly shifted—now they were wishing her an early pregnancy and a happy family.
Reading those words, Sheng Xia felt her entire body burn with embarrassment.
If it had only been midnight, she might have been able to sweet-talk the dorm supervisor into letting her in. But at this hour, not only would she get scolded, but she might even get reported if she was unlucky.
On top of that, Xiao Mo’s battery wasn’t enough to ride back to campus, and if she took a taxi, she’d have to come back tomorrow to retrieve the bike.
All things considered, Sheng Xia was destined to spend the night outside the dorm.
When they left the bar, Zhang Shu’s blunt “Let’s get a room” had left her completely dumbfounded.
Get a room?
Get. A. Room?!
Perhaps her panic was too obvious, because Zhang Shu gently brushed her cheek and said, “If you’re uncomfortable, I’ll go back to campus and pick you up tomorrow morning.”
He hadn’t brought his ID, and Haiyan’s dorm had no curfew—he could return anytime.
Sheng Xia’s mind was a tangled mess, and she hadn’t figured out what to do yet, so she stayed silent.
Zhang Shu took her silence as agreement.
The two walked to the hotel in complete silence. The moment they stepped inside, Sheng Xia kept her head so low it nearly touched the ground, not daring to meet the receptionist’s eyes.
Amused, Zhang Shu took her ID and checked her in for her.
“Ma’am, please look here for facial verification,” the receptionist reminded.
Sheng Xia had no choice but to lift her head. Seeing the receptionist’s professional, indifferent expression, her tense nerves relaxed slightly.
Zhang Shu took the room key, registered as a visitor, and accompanied her upstairs to inspect the room.
Inside the elevator, they stood at opposite corners.
From the mirrored walls, Sheng Xia stole glances at him. He held the bouquet of French tulips in one hand, the other resting casually on the elevator railing as he leaned slightly against it, head bowed, toes tapping lightly now and then.
Was he thinking? Annoyed? Upset?
Back in high school, during that blackout on the sports field, he had also stood like this, staring at his feet.
When they reached their floor, Zhang Shu stepped out of the elevator. Noticing she hadn’t followed, he turned back and held the door open with one hand. “What’s wrong? Don’t want to stay?”
Sheng Xia shook her head and hurried after him.
Zhang Shu naturally took her hand.
The hallway mirrors reflected the image of a couple walking hand in hand, one slightly ahead of the other. Even though they were still just holding hands, Sheng Xia couldn’t shake the feeling that something was different.
Silence always gave thoughts too much room to wander.
Staring at his broad back, Sheng Xia felt a pang of unease.
Had he been upset that she hadn’t immediately agreed to stay together?
Truthfully, she wasn’t scared, nor was she particularly resistant—she was just nervous. He had said she seemed uncomfortable, and he really did understand her well. But this discomfort wasn’t because it was him. It was because…
Sheng Xia couldn’t even explain it to herself. A vague, sour ache washed over her, and she couldn’t pinpoint where it came from.
The sharp “beep” of the door unlocking made her tense up all over again.
Zhang Shu inserted the keycard, and the lights flickered on. He walked in, set the flowers on the desk, then methodically checked the appliances, bathroom mirror, and doors.Sheng Xia stood by the door watching him busy himself, the two little figures in her mind locked in battle. She was utterly torn—should she ask him to stay or not?
If she did, how should she bring it up?
This was a king-sized room, after all.
Zhang Shu lifted the blanket to inspect it, then clapped his hands together. "Everything looks fine, you can rest—"
He looked up, cutting himself off mid-sentence when he saw her still standing by the open door, as if ready to usher him out at any moment.
Zhang Shu let out an exasperated laugh, crossing his arms as he silently studied her.
The two of them locked eyes for a few inexplicable seconds before Zhang Shu finally stepped forward. When he reached her, he tilted her chin up and pressed a light kiss to her lips. "I’ll head back first, then. Call me if you need anything."
Sheng Xia felt his lips weren’t as warm as before.
Cold.
The word popped into her mind unbidden, sending a slight chill down her spine.
She thought she understood the source of that ache now—he felt distant. No, not just him. The atmosphere between them had cooled abruptly, as if a sudden frost had settled in.
When she didn’t respond, Zhang Shu bent slightly to peer at her face, his tone urgent. "What’s wrong?"
Summoning courage from somewhere, Sheng Xia met his gaze and asked, "Are you mad at me?"
Zhang Shu looked baffled. "Why would I be? What would I be mad about?"
"Mad that I didn’t ask you to... to stay and sleep..." The words were so embarrassing she nearly stumbled over them.
Zhang Shu froze, clearly not expecting her to go there. Cupping her face, he said, "How could I ever let you think that? That’s on me. Tell me, why do you think I’m angry?"
His open expression and anxious tone made it clear—she might have been overthinking.
But women were never easily comforted. Her emotions, once abstract, now took concrete form under his concern. The lump in her throat formed almost instantly. "You’ve been quiet this whole time. In the elevator, you were staring at your feet, you—you—"
As she tried to articulate her grievances, Sheng Xia realized there wasn’t much substance to them.
Flustered, she mumbled, "I don’t know, it just feels like... you’ve suddenly become so distant..."
Just then, a guest walked past in the hallway, peering curiously into the room.
Zhang Shu reached out to shut the door, then pulled her into his arms without preamble. "Distant? I’d tie you to my belt if I could. I was just thinking about something earlier."
"Did you have to think for that long?" Sheng Xia challenged. He’d been lost in thought since they left the bar!
Zhang Shu suddenly laughed, sounding utterly resigned. "I’ll probably be thinking about it all night, actually."
Did she even realize how much willpower it took to book a room for his girlfriend and then slink back to his dorm alone?
"Thinking about what?"
Zhang Shu wasn’t sure how to explain without alarming her further.
"Let’s just call it... one of humanity’s eternal dilemmas."
Sheng Xia: "..."
Only when he felt her relax slightly did he release her. "And what’s this about me looking at my feet?"
"The last time you stood like that—head down, silent, staring at your feet—was at the high school sports field. Right before you told me 'let’s end things here.'"
Zhang Shu hadn’t expected that answer.
He’d always known Sheng Xia was observant and sensitive, but not to this degree.
It was just a habitual gesture when he was conflicted—one he’d never paid much attention to himself.Along the way, there were no overly intimate gestures, all because he was worried she might overthink, worried she might feel he was warming up to something, worried she might feel pressured. But it wasn’t that distant either—they had been holding hands the whole time, hadn’t they?
The things men and women care about and focus on really are quite different.
This kind of difference needs to be understood in intimate relationships.
Ultimately, it was because he hadn’t given her enough sense of security.
Zhang Shu pulled her closer again, removing her cumbersome hat and smoothing his hand over the back of her head. "I won’t do that again, I won’t."
Even as he said it, he found his words hollow. He really wasn’t good at sweet talk, so he switched tactics to coax her: "Today was my fault. You did great. If you’re unhappy, just say it. If you don’t understand, just ask. You didn’t make me guess all night—I’m endlessly grateful."
If you’re unhappy, just say it. If you don’t understand, just ask.
She did great.
Sheng Xia hadn’t expected him to think this way. She was still agonizing over whether she had made too big a deal out of it, whether she was being too melodramatic.
"You don’t think I’m being troublesome like this?"
Zhang Shu blurted out, "This is troublesome? No way. I already know your thought process is a bit unique."
Sheng Xia’s face darkened.
"Two people need time to adjust to each other—it’s normal," Zhang Shu added belatedly, realizing he’d spoken too quickly and scrambling to make amends. "Though I think we’re a perfect match, a hundred percent made for each other."
Sheng Xia was amused by his slightly smug tone again.
He hadn’t really said much, but somehow, she felt much better.
She raised her hand, slipping her arm inside his open coat to wrap around his waist, nuzzling her head against his chest as if trying to hold him even tighter.
From above, she heard his helpless laugh. "Sheng Xia, stop moving. Just one hug—I have to go."
Did she really not know how dangerous it felt to be this close?
After holding each other quietly for a while, Zhang Shu let her go. "It’s late. Get some sleep. Call me when you wake up, and call me anytime if anything comes up."
Sheng Xia wanted to tell him to be careful on the road but worried it might sound like she was rushing him, so she just nodded.
Zhang Shu opened the door and stepped out, then turned back suddenly, pinching her chin to plant a quick kiss. "I’m leaving."
"Mm."
"Mm. Remember to call."
"Mm."
"Alright, go to sleep."
"Mm."
Zhang Shu pressed his lips into a thin line, glancing back every few steps until he reached the corner, where he waved. "Close the door and lock it."
Only after watching her shut the door did he press the elevator button to go downstairs.
Sheng Xia leaned against the door, staring at the empty room, her heart feeling just as hollow. The heater hummed noisily, the sound jarring in the silent space.
She wasn’t sure how long she stood there before finally gathering her things to shower. With no spare clothes, she had to wear a bathrobe, washing her underwear and hanging it under the vent. The winter air was dry enough that it would be ready by morning.
By the time she finished, it was past two. As she was about to lie down, she noticed her phone was almost dead, so she called the front desk to borrow a charger.
The girl at the front desk replied, "There’s one in the bedside drawer—it works with any port."
"Okay, thanks."
"You’re welcome, ma’am," the receptionist said, her voice lowering as her professional tone suddenly shifted. "Um… your friend is resting in the lobby. There’s heating, but it might get too cold by early morning…"
Sheng Xia felt something explode in her mind. She froze. "What? He didn’t leave?"The receptionist hesitated to say anything too personal and replied formulaically, "Would you like the hotel to provide any assistance?"
"Thank you, but no need."
After hanging up, Sheng Xia slipped on her slippers and was about to head downstairs when she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror—wrapped in a bathrobe with nothing underneath. She paused, then dialed Zhang Shu's number instead. He answered after just one ring, "What's wrong? Why aren't you asleep? Did something happen?"
Sheng Xia was momentarily at a loss. Should she accuse him of deceit or order him to return to school immediately?
Her silence lasted only a few seconds before she heard hurried footsteps and the "ding" of an elevator on his end.
In the quiet of the night, even the sound of the ascending elevator was unusually clear.
Sheng Xia stopped speaking altogether, pressing her ear against the door. She couldn't hear a thing—whether he was being overly cautious or the carpet was too thick.
But she was certain he was rushing toward her, and now he had arrived.
Sheng Xia opened the door.
Outside, a tall, handsome man blocked the overhead hallway light, his phone still pressed to his ear. His chest heaved slightly from exertion.
Zhang Shu was clearly stunned. He hadn't even knocked before she opened the door.
They stared at each other in silence, neither lowering their phones.
Sheng Xia's gaze was unwavering, asking nothing.
What was there to ask? Why hadn't he gone back? The answer was obvious, wasn't it?
A silent phone call had sent him rushing over in a panic—just how uneasy was he about leaving her alone here?
Lowering her voice, she spoke into the phone, "Um, there seems to be something dirty outside the window. I'm... a little scared."
She didn't ask, and he didn't explain why he could appear at her door at this hour.
He hung up first, his eyes flickering with hesitation. "So, what do you want to—"
Before he could finish, she took his hand and tugged him inside.
Sheng Xia kept her head down, leaving Zhang Shu with only the view of her high bun, damp nape, and flushed ears.
They stood there in silence for who knows how long until the electronic door emitted a "beep—" alarm from being left open too long.
Zhang Shu felt another tug on his hand as her head dipped even lower.
His Adam's apple bobbed as he stepped inside, using his foot to kick the door shut with a "bang," silencing the alarm.
Unsure of what to say, Sheng Xia avoided his gaze and turned toward the room, mumbling awkwardly, "Uh, you should freshen up first. It's late."
Zhang Shu naturally didn't ask about the "dirty thing" outside the window.
In truth, he had been nearly asleep when her call came. Her silence had unsettled him, and now seeing her in a bathrobe left him unusually dazed, as if in a dream.
So he said nothing more, changed into slippers, took off his coat, and prepared to shower to clear his head. But the moment he entered the bathroom, he froze again.
What was that hanging on the clothesline?
"Sheng Xia," his voice came out hoarse.
She approached, standing outside the door. "Hmm?"
Zhang Shu opened the bathroom door, his expression dark. "Your things."
Sheng Xia looked up, her barely cooled face burning once more.
Her underwear!
Though they were plain black cotton, devoid of any suggestive undertones, still...
God, help me."Oh, I'll take these. You just wash them." She feigned composure, quickly stepping in to grab the hangers as well, then shut the door behind her with a slam.
Amid the swirling steam, Zhang Shu pressed a clenched fist against the wall, head bowed as the water cascaded over his scalp and down his sturdy shoulders—warm, almost comforting. Someone had once said that water was like a woman's touch.
He hadn’t understood that before. Growing up, he was used to cold showers, no matter the season. It was only after his injury that he was forced to switch to hot water, yet he’d never had such thoughts—until today. Damn it all.
Something felt off. Her hands were softer than water.
He suddenly let out a low laugh, pushing back the damp hair clinging to his forehead before roughly scrubbing his face with both hands.
Fuck.
This was really going to kill him.
Sheng Xia, wrapped in a thick, damp bathrobe, burrowed under the covers. Her phone screen flicked from the dorm group chat to the smaller one with Xin Xiaohe and Tao Zhizhi, then back again. In the dead of night, who could she turn to?
Why did it feel like no one could save her?
The little voices in her head were at war again. Should she pretend to be asleep now? Or wait until he came out and calmly tell him, "There’s only one bed—you take the floor"? And when he refused, with no extra bedding in the room, would she reluctantly let him share the other half of the bed?
Ugh, someone save her.
Before she could settle on a decision, the bathroom door swung open, steam billowing out. Instinctively, Sheng Xia tossed her phone aside and squeezed her eyes shut.
Ugh, the latter plan required way too much composure. She couldn’t do it.
A shadow fell over her, warmth radiating toward her. Sheng Xia tensed, her toes curling under the blanket.
Was he looking at her? What would he do?
But after what felt like an eternity, he still hadn’t moved. So long that her eyelids began to droop from the strain. Then, the scorching presence retreated. The overhead light flicked off, and the right side of the bed dipped slightly.
He had climbed in.
After a faint rustling, everything fell silent.
Sheng Xia’s eyelids fluttered slightly as she peeked, cautiously checking if he was asleep—only to meet his dark, gleaming eyes head-on. She snapped them shut again!
Why was he facing her?!
And why was he still awake?!
He didn’t see that!
With only the dim glow of the floor lamp, he definitely hadn’t noticed!
Her heart pounded so violently it felt like it might leap out of her throat.
Still, he made no move.
Had he really not seen?
Curiosity killed the cat. She slowly cracked her eyes open again, but before she could fully assess the situation, his presence surged toward her!
A strong arm hooked around her waist, yanking her against a firm yet yielding "wall." Then her chin was tilted up, and a fierce kiss crashed into her.
The entire sequence was seamless—she had no time to react before she melted into the familiar rhythm of his lips.
His mouth moved over hers with urgent, relentless pressure, alternating between tender nips and deep, devouring pulls. In an instant, his tongue slipped past her defenses, sweeping through her mouth with reckless abandon, leaving no corner untouched. Their tongues tangled wildly, breath mingling until the air itself tasted like him.
They’d shared countless kisses, but none like this.
Beneath her was the bed. Above her, the scorching heat of his chest pressed down—so intimate it made her heart tremble.
It was as if he was pouring everything into this moment, holding nothing back.
Every brush of his lips, every possessive suck, every sharp nip left its mark. The arm around her waist tightened with bruising force, as though he wanted to fuse her into his very body. Sheng Xia had never seen Zhang Shu like this—a caged beast, desperate and unrestrained.She could barely breathe, her tongue root being fiercely sucked, the pain turning numb. Sheng Xia let out a muffled whimper, "Mmm—"
The next second, the blanket was abruptly thrown aside, the sash of her bathrobe nowhere to be found. The chill made her shiver... He quietly pressed down, pausing for a long moment.
Sheng Xia suddenly opened her eyes!
"Mmm, A-Shu—" She reached out, only for her hand to be swiftly pinned above her head by his. His hand was like a spark to tinder.
"Mmm—" Her upper body completely restrained, she could only twist her lower half.
Her body felt so strange. Sheng Xia couldn't understand it, so she always had to do something to ease the tension.
Zhang Shu's lips finally left hers. Propping himself up with one arm, he gazed at her with intoxicated intensity.
His eyes were slightly reddened, his entire body burning with heat.
Sheng Xia's dazed eyes shifted to startled bashfulness, yet there was no trace of resistance in them.
In an instant, his lips descended again, gently capturing her lower lip, tender as a kiss upon clouds.
Wind swept through mountain valleys, sparks crackling across the wilderness.
"A-Shu—" she called weakly.
"Mmm..." he responded vaguely.
"A-Shu, mmm..."
"Be good, don't call me that."
Zhang Shu couldn't bear hearing that name. Breaking the kiss, he pulled the blanket over her in one swift motion, then collapsed atop her through the covers, burying his face in the crook of her neck to steady his breathing.
Sheng Xia stared blankly at the ceiling, gasping for air.
So heavy.
After what felt like an eternity, their breathing gradually evened out. Zhang Shu reached up to find her head—fluffy and tousled.
Still nestled in the hollow of her neck, unwilling to move, his hand absently stroked her hair.
"There, there, don't be afraid, don't be afraid..." he soothed softly.
Even if he wouldn't recover tonight.
After a while, he finally propped himself up, looking down at her.
She saw his slightly lifted eyelids revealing bloodshot eyes. Sheng Xia froze—his eyes hadn't looked like this when he first entered the room...
His gaze roamed her face as his arm encircled her head, fingers tracing her eyes, eyebrows, forehead...
His lips brushed a kiss against her forehead. "Sleep?"
Sheng Xia pulled the blanket over her eyes and nodded beneath it. "Mmm, mmm!"
Even that single syllable came out hoarse beyond recognition.
Zhang Shu rolled back onto his own pillow, hand cushioning his head as he turned toward her.
Sheng Xia felt suffocated but had no idea what awaited above the covers, too afraid to emerge recklessly.
Just as she was about to reach her limit, a slender hand tugged the blanket down, freeing her nose. "Sleeping in a bathrobe will give you eczema. I promise not to touch you—take it off to sleep."
Sheng Xia remained motionless.
She never slept naked, let alone with someone beside her.
Thinking she was merely shy, Zhang Shu fanned the flames further: "It's already halfway off anyway."
Sheng Xia felt her brain might explode!
Could he just shut up?!
The slight hesitation she'd felt earlier now gave way to sheer defiance—she refused to budge.
Suddenly, she heard him sigh with amusement. Though she couldn't see his face, she knew he was smiling—mocking her!
Infuriating!
Then the man who'd just promised not to touch her wrapped his arms around her again. "Ah—!" Sheng Xia instinctively cried out as he gripped her waist and flipped her sideways, swiftly pulling the bathrobe from beneath her. His muscular arm effortlessly tossed it onto a chair before releasing her, letting her fall back into place.Throughout the process, the blanket kept covering her front, but when she turned sideways just now, her back and legs were completely exposed.
Did he see when he pulled the robe?
Did he or didn't he?!
Ahhh!
"Sleep." This time, he didn't turn toward her again, properly closing his eyes and lying flat.
Instead, it was Sheng Xia who remained half-turned toward him because of his earlier movement.
The room fell into silence.
Sheng Xia closed her eyes, but sleep was nowhere to be found.
How was she supposed to sleep?
Her mind was flooded with what had just happened, replaying in third-person perspective like a film reel.
She could even picture the firm lines of his back.
Ahhh!
Her spatial imagination had never been this vivid, not even during math class!
The more she thought about it, the more restless she became.
She was burning up!
Now he lay beside her, just inches away, sharing the same blanket. The dip in the middle of the blanket acted like a dividing line, cutting off the air between them beneath the covers.
Otherwise, he would definitely know just how hot she was right now.
What about him? Was he hot too?
Before her brain could catch up, Sheng Xia’s body moved first—her foot cautiously inching toward his side. But the moment she crossed the "dividing line," her toes bumped against his leg.
Sheng Xia froze.
Sure enough, Zhang Shu turned his head. The rustling sound of his hair against the pillow was sharp in her ears, like the whisper of a reaper.
"Don’t feel like sleeping?" His voice was rough, barely recognizable.
Sheng Xia shook her head violently, eyes still squeezed shut.
Another rustle—he must have turned back.
Only then did she slowly open her eyes, but just as she did, he suddenly turned again. She snapped them shut before their gazes could meet.
This time, even if thunder roared and hail fell, she wouldn’t open her eyes again!
Zhang Shu let out a quiet, exasperated laugh through his nose.
Sheng Xia had no idea how she eventually fell asleep—probably from sheer exhaustion.
Listening to her steady breathing, Zhang Shu resisted the urge to turn and look at her, afraid the slightest movement might wake her. So he lay there, eyes open, waiting for his restless, feverish body to calm down.
Soft.
That wasn’t quite the right word.
Soft, yes—but not in a yielding way. The elastic modulus of its deformation was probably over 1 MPa.
Was this what pure fat felt like?
Like holding a warm, squishy bag of water dumplings—unbreakable, unshapable, the knot at the top occasionally brushing against his palm…
Forgetting everything took only an instant.
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