The night passed quietly, without urgency or excess. The candle burnt down to nothing, leaving only faint traces of warmth in the room as sleep eventually claimed them both.
Morning arrived gently.
Soft light filtered through the window lattice, brushing across the curtains and creeping over the bed.
Li Shixin stirred first.
For a brief moment, she was disoriented. Then she became aware of the steady warmth beside her, the familiar presence far too close to ignore. She opened her eyes slowly and realised she was half-curled against Feng Yun, her head resting against his shoulder, one arm loosely draped across his chest.
She froze.
Carefully—very carefully—she lifted her head just enough to look at him.
Feng Yun was still asleep, his expression relaxed in a way she rarely saw. No calculating gaze. No faint smile. Just quiet, unguarded calm.
"…You really have no defences when you sleep," she muttered softly.
