"Ah, it's so late already. Tong Tong, why not let Dad come in?" Little Jingshi tugged at Ming Yutong's hand. "It's so cold outside."
The weather was getting close to winter, and the night temperatures had already dropped near freezing.
Earlier, Fu Yinxiu had been standing outside, and if he hadn't been allowed in, who knew how long he'd have to stay out there.
Little Jingshi rubbed his arms. He had changed into his pajamas earlier.
When Ming Yutong opened the door, the cold wind from outside rushed in.
Seeing Little Jingshi in his thin pajamas without a jacket, Ming Yutong didn't want to delay at the door any longer.
She reluctantly told Fu Yinxiu, "Alright, you can come in."
If Fu Yinxiu's butt had a tail at that moment, it would surely be wagging happily.
"Tong Tong, don't worry. I'll definitely not disturb you," Fu Yinxiu said as he entered, casually glancing around before pointing to the carpet in the living room. "I can sleep here."
Ming Yutong gave him a complicated look, and Fu Yinxiu immediately flashed her a charming smile.
"Tong Tong, thank you for letting me in. This place is great," Fu Yinxiu said with a grin. "If I could come here every day, I'd be happy to sleep on the floor."
Little Jingshi covered his face. Dad really has no image in front of Tong Tong!
Ming Yutong sighed, so she went to get some blankets for him.
Fortunately, the carpet was already thick and soft, and with three layers of down blankets on top, it was almost as comfortable as a mattress.
"You can just make do tonight," Ming Yutong said helplessly.
Fu Yinxiu's eyes lit up. "You mean I can stay here in the future? Will you prepare a room for me?"
Ming Yutong: "…"
What a lovely thought!
"I didn't mean that. I'm just letting you stay tonight. I didn't plan for you to stay here permanently," Ming Yutong said blandly.
"Oh," Fu Yinxiu lowered his head, rubbing the blankets on the carpet with his fingers. "I don't feel it's making do. It's quite good. As long as I can be with you, even if it's just the floor, I'd be happy."
He looked up at Ming Yutong.
Gone was the playful and charming expression, replaced by serious, deep eyes.
Ming Yutong almost felt like she was being drawn into his intense gaze.
She blinked, looked away, and said, "Get some rest."
"Good night," Fu Yinxiu said softly.
Ming Yutong murmured "good night" and left the living room.
As she was about to head back to her bedroom, she suddenly stopped.
Remembering something, she went to the kitchen and took out a box of instant brown sugar ginger tea.
She hadn't realized that Fu Yinxiu had been standing outside for so long.
Although it was inside the building, the temperature outside was low, and the walls felt chilly, not much better than being outside.
She prepared a cup of ginger tea for Fu Yinxiu and, when she returned to the living room, saw that the lights were already off. The faint outline of a figure lying on the floor was visible.
It felt odd to see Fu Yinxiu lying on her floor.
In the dim light of the night, she could just barely make out Fu Yinxiu turning over.
Even with the thick, soft carpet and three layers of blankets, sleeping on the floor was still uncomfortable.
This man, who was accustomed to comfort, was enduring this just to stay here.
Even now, seeing it with her own eyes, Ming Yutong found it hard to associate his face with this situation because it was so unlike his usual demeanor.
Ming Yutong walked over. Fu Yinxiu wasn't asleep yet, and as soon as he heard her footsteps, he opened his eyes.
In the dark, Fu Yinxiu's vision was much better than Ming Yutong's. The night posed no hindrance for him.
She hadn't changed into her comfortable sleepwear and was still in her shirt and long pants.
Ming Yutong's fitted shirt accentuated her slim waist, emphasizing every curve. The moonlight, streaming through the undrawn curtains, cast a soft glow on her, making the atmosphere subtly intimate in the darkness.
"Tong Tong?" Fu Yinxiu's raspy whisper cut through the quiet night, brushing against Ming Yutong's exposed skin and causing a shiver to run through her.
"You were standing outside for a long time. It's cold at night, so I made some ginger tea to warm you up and help prevent a cold," Ming Yutong said.
Fu Yinxiu eagerly took the cup, his hands wrapping around Ming Yutong's, warming them as well.
"Tong Tong, are you worried about me?" His voice was soft and controlled, but the tremor of excitement was evident.
"Finish the tea and get some rest," Ming Yutong replied, avoiding eye contact.
Fu Yinxiu placed the cup aside and pulled Ming Yutong into his embrace, holding her tightly.
"Tong Tong…" he murmured, burying his face in her shoulder.
Ming Yutong was startled and tried to push him away. "Fu Yinxiu, you said—"
"I just want to hold you for a little while. Please, just let me hold you for a bit," Fu Yinxiu said, not daring to hold her too tightly, afraid she might be upset, but not wanting to loosen his grip either, worried she might slip away.
Even without words, Ming Yutong could feel his conflicted emotions. She could sense his trembling arms and uneven breathing.
After a moment of hesitation, Ming Yutong gradually relaxed, allowing the embrace.
When it seemed Fu Yinxiu had no intention of letting go, she gently reminded him.
Fu Yinxiu reluctantly released her, feeling as though he had earned this brief embrace.
Even though he was reluctant, he slowly let go.
Ming Yutong quickly said, "Finish your tea and get some rest."
With that, she hurriedly left.
Fu Yinxiu carefully sipped the ginger tea, savoring each sip and feeling his heart warm up at the thought of Ming Yutong.
Once he finished, he placed the empty cup aside and seemed lost in thought for a while.
Suddenly, he crawled out of the blanket, rolled up the bottom layer, and quietly moved to the door of Ming Yutong's bedroom.
After arranging the blanket by the door, he contentedly curled up and settled in.
Although he couldn't share the same room with Ming Yutong, guarding her bedroom door felt comforting.
***
Early the next morning, as the first light of dawn appeared, Ming Yutong woke up.
She got up quietly, careful not to wake Little Jingshi.
Seeing him sleep soundly warmed Ming Yutong's heart. She kissed his cheek and went to open the door, only to almost trip over something.
Looking down, she saw Fu Yinxiu lying across her bedroom door.
"…" Ming Yutong stared at him in surprise.
"Tong Tong," Fu Yinxiu woke up immediately.