Even as the phone's battery ran out, a rich warmth still hung in the air.
The lights dimmed.
Su Qing didn't know what to do, her arms still wrapped around Jiang Sui's back.
She could feel the boy's warmth, his breathing, his heartbeat.
Could he also feel hers?
As Su Qing's thoughts wandered, she could only hear the boy's Adam's apple move a few times.
"Qing Qing, go to bed. I guess the electricity's out because I haven't paid the bill long time. Go to bed first. I'll wake you up tomorrow so we can go see Officer Pei together."
In the darkness, he gently squeezed her fingers.
The warmth still lingered between them; she could even feel Jiang Sui's breath. They were very close, and he gently pushed her away, but not completely.
The young man was gentle, like a gentleman, making no unnecessary movements.
She could feel the scorching heat of his palm, yet he seemed very restrained.
Su Qing hadn't read many novels, but Liu Ranran would occasionally share some with her.
Perhaps it was the darkness that gave her courage, Su Qing pursed her lips for several seconds before slowly lifting them.
"Jiang Sui, your body very hot."
She asked with pure curiosity, untainted by any impurities, slowly drawing near the tall shadow in the darkness.
Jiang Sui felt a pair of cold, boneless hands lightly touch his Adam's apple.
Her movements were slow and agonizing, and in an instant, Jiang Sui pulled her away.
"Qing Qing, stop messing around. Be good and go to bed first."
The young man, planning to spend the night outside, suppressed his inner emotions. His throat rolled as he mumbled words, clutching Su Qing's hand, trying to get her to rest.
"Jiang Sui."
Su Qing's voice was insistent.
Jiang Sui paused as he half-stood, then heard the girl's voice.
"You also sleep in the bedroom too."
Her voice was clear and bright, and the curiosity was gone. The moment she said it, she felt her heart pounding.
Thoughts clashed in her mind. What had she said...
Ah.
The girl, eager to escape quickly, accidentally bumped her leg against the coffee table as she stood up and stood on the edge of the sofa.
The slight sting made Su Qing frown, but she didn't hesitate as she headed to the bedroom.
Jiang Sui grabbed her arm, holding her back as she nearly fell to the ground.
The tall young man stood beside her.
Su Qing tried to cover her face.
She had just spoken quite loudly, and she felt sure Jiang Sui had heard it.
"Qing Qing, are you scared?"
Thinking Su Qing was afraid, Jiang Sui, overwhelmed by the girl's flirtation, still stiffly restrained himself.
Su Qing pursed her lips for a long moment before nodding.
"Yes."
In reality, she just didn't want him to sleep on the sofa. Jiang Sui had long arms and legs, and the sofa was too small for him. Su Qing hadn't directly suggested that she sleep on sofa, as she assumed he wouldn't agree.
Hearing Jiang Sui ask if she was scared, Su Qing thought the boy must have misunderstood her, but she nodded.
Jiang Sui pinched her fingers and led her back to the bedroom.
Su Qing sat on the edge of the bed like a good child, letting the boy fumble in the closet for a set of quilts and place them on the bed.
He carried her to the bed and tucked her in.
The boy's footsteps were light.
"Jiang Sui..."
She thought it was time for him to leave.
Perhaps it was too dark, but Su Qing, who hadn't been particularly frightened before, actually felt a bit frightened. She reached out, trying to grab Jiang Sui, but she caught nothing.
"Don't be afraid, I'm not leaving."
Jiang Sui's heart moved, and he walked around the bed, lying on the other side. He wanted to reach out and stroke Su Qing's cheek, but he held back.
Feeling the presence of a figure beside her, Su Qing's heart instantly settled.
"Jiang Sui..."
Su Qing seemed especially clingy today, calling out to the young man from time to time.
Jiang Sui patiently responded, even a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
That deep, profound voice seemed to calm Su Qing's restless heart.
"Jiang Sui, we will succeed, right?"
Perhaps it was the boy's voice that instilled a surge of passion in her. Within Su Qing's heart, which had been about to let go, a turbulent wave erupted tonight.
"Yes."
Perhaps his worry couldn't soothe Su Qing, and the boy's long, drawn-out voice told her a story.
The story of light and darkness told her how light triumphs over darkness, and how, throughout life, one must always search for something.
As the boy's voice softened, Su Qing's slow breathing made his eyelashes flutter a few times. Only then did he dare reach out and touch her cheek.
He smoothed her furrowed brow.
The night passed quickly and long.
When Su Qing awoke from a restful night's sleep, the boy beside her was gone, the quilt neatly folded, and her former place was empty. Instead, her entire body covered the entire bed.
Su Qing was a little overwhelmed.
The dazed girl left without shoes.
The aproned boy emerged from the kitchen to see a sleepy girl, blinking, barefoot, staring at him and rubbing her eyes.
Su Qing was stunned for a long moment.
She hadn't really looked at Jiang Sui that closely last night.
The early morning sunlight now scattered across the living room.
The boy, having not seen him for several months, had changed the most, in fact, in his hair. It was shorter, and his skin was darker.
He seemed taller. Previously, it was at her chin, but now it seemed to be reaching her shoulders.
He was also a little thinner.
His home clothes were very loose on him.
Su Qing, sizing him up, looked at him intently. He took off his apron and placed it on the coffee table nearby, then picked her up and laid her on the sofa.
He went to the bedroom and came out with the shoes in his hand. His expression was gentle.
His elegant and noble demeanor was fully displayed on him.
"You can't walk barefoot anymore, but that's okay. Our house will be carpeted from now on."
Su Qing wanted to avoid the boy as he put on her shoes. Her mind was still picturing his slender fingers as he untied his apron, their fingers circling her waist.
A beautiful man, like a painting.
Su Qing was stunned for a moment after hearing the boy's words. She felt a moment of embarrassment, her cheeks flushed.
"Jiang Sui...!"
She motioned him to stop talking nonsense. The boy pursed his lips and smiled, unconcerned.
It was so heartwarming that Su Qing almost thought she was dreaming...