Lin An had forgotten how he’d coaxed Su Yuejin to sleep last night. This girl was a clingy little temptress. She was always trying to tangle herself around him, teasing him, her soft body twisting against his side. But in the end, she still fell asleep obediently.

Maybe she just liked that gentle warmth of being held while she slept. But that kind of tenderness usually came at a price—Lin An’s arm would go numb. So when he woke up, he could barely lift it. He looked at the sleeping girl’s profile.

This time, there wasn’t that same panic on her face. Instead, there seemed to be the faintest curve at the corner of her lips, as if she were dreaming of something fun, something happy. The clock on the wall pointed to six. It was still early.

So the two of them had only slept for two or three hours. Lin An looked at her bare body, then at the white nightdress tossed to the side. It all looked very much like the aftermath of something. But in truth, he really hadn’t done anything. Oh—now he remembered what he’d said last night...

Was it love, or was it desire? Both he and she needed to sort that out. So, to prove something, Su Yuejin had obediently rested her head against his chest and fallen asleep sweetly.

Now Lin An slowly got up. This time, though, he wasn’t trying to pull some post-hookup escape act. After getting a certain kind of permission from Xu Qinghuan, he’d gotten a lot bolder. But being bolder didn’t mean he suddenly desired Su Yuejin.

If it was pure desire, then yes, of course there was some. But love wasn’t just pure desire. Love also included possessiveness, and the urge to give.

He got out of bed first and pulled the curtains open a little. He glanced outside. The sky still hadn’t brightened. It had rained last night, so the air was damp and fresh. Late autumn was great weather. Just a little chilly, but in exactly the right way.

But it was only six. Going home now felt a little too early. And more importantly, today was Saturday—a Saturday with no school and no makeup classes.

Lin An had already started planning out his day. In the morning, he could go flirt with Chacha and play games. In the afternoon, he could happily write at home. He’d crack open a can of ice-cold cola. At night, he could read by himself. He could also buy groceries and eat together with someone. He thought the plan was great. And he definitely had to coax her a little. She said she didn’t care on the surface, but deep down, she’d definitely still be a bit jealous.

If she wasn’t jealous at all, that would be what really made Lin An panic.

Just as he sat at the edge of the bed spacing out and looking at his phone, Su Yuejin slowly woke up. She opened her eyes a little. Light slipped into her pupils, and then Lin An came into view.

“You’re up so early?” she said.

But even she was startled by her own voice. It was especially hoarse.

Both Lin An and Su Yuejin froze for a moment. Then Su Yuejin realized her throat hurt a little. It was probably tonsillitis. Her head felt a little dizzy too. Lin An frowned and gently stroked her cheek with his hand.

It was a little warm.

“No way. I think you’ve got a fever, Su Yuejin.” Lin An looked at her helplessly.

“Looks like it... Then are you going to leave me behind and go?”

“I don’t want medicine. I want you to stay with me.” Su Yuejin reached out weakly and grabbed the corner of his shirt. But Lin An easily slipped free of her hand. “Be good. I’m going to ask at the pharmacy. You drank at two last night, so I don’t dare let you take whatever’s in your house.”

“You’re going to lie to me... The moment you go out, you won’t come back.” Her eyes were dim and quiet. Her voice was weak, but full of grievance.

Lin An lowered his head and looked into her bright eyes. He reached out, pinched her cheek, then lightly tapped a kiss onto her soft pink lips, a little pale from sickness.

“Then take this as a promise. Wait for me like a good girl.”

Su Yuejin froze for real this time. She wanted to grab his shoulders and kiss him back, but Lin An had already pulled away. Her hand was weak, but Lin An caught the look in her eyes and lowered his head again. Su Yuejin got her wish and planted a loud kiss on his cheek.

Then Lin An put on his coat and went out.

The sky outside was still dim, but some pharmacies were already open. Lin An pulled up the map and searched for a while until he found one. He explained Su Yuejin’s age, and made sure to mention that she’d been drinking at two last night. In the end, he bought two boxes of medicine. Then he followed the navigation back, went upstairs, and returned home.

But Su Yuejin wasn’t in the room.

He heard running water from the bathroom. The door was open. Lin An glanced over and saw her brushing her teeth, white foam still in her mouth.

Lin An waited quietly. She finished brushing, washed her face, then asked if he wanted to brush his teeth too.

“Huh?”

“You can use my toothbrush.” As she said that, she padded over barefoot and lightly poked his chest with one finger. “You’re not allowed to think it’s gross.”

So Lin An went to brush his teeth and wash his face. When he came back, Su Yuejin was studying the dosage instructions on the medicine while sitting on the sofa. Lin An asked where the thermometer was, took it, and had her tuck it under her arm.

A few minutes later, Lin An took it out and checked it. Thankfully, her temperature was still normal. No fever. Then he went to boil some hot water for her. After it cooled down, Su Yuejin still looked very unwilling to take the medicine.

“It’s bitter.”

“What era do you think this is? You toss it in, shut your eyes, drink some water, and it’s over. How bitter could it be?”

“I don’t want to. It’s bitter.” The girl was acting spoiled without the slightest restraint.

“You’re not listening.” Lin An looked into her eyes, helplessness showing on his face. She was being willfully disobedient, sitting there on the sofa, looking at him with innocent, crystal-clear eyes, as if she’d done nothing wrong.

Lin An kissed her on the lips. Bright light flickered in the girl’s eyes.

“Can you take the medicine now?”

“One more.”

“Take the medicine first.” Lin An rubbed her head.

Only then did Su Yuejin obediently pop the pills into her mouth, take a sip of warm water, and swallow. Her brows immediately scrunched together. “It really is bitter.”

“How could it be?”

“If you don’t believe me, try it.” That was what she said.

Lin An froze slightly, because the next second his vision was blocked, and his lips were sealed by two soft, cool petals. There was a faint fragrance to them. Not strong, but especially enchanting, enough to make anyone dizzy.

It made his heart itch.

But there wasn’t even the slightest bitter taste.

It was the girl’s kiss.

“Won’t you get tired of kissing me over and over?” Lin An asked after she pulled back, looking at the glistening trace of moisture at the corner of her lips.

“But you blushed.” Su Yuejin’s eyes sparkled with sly amusement. Lin An didn’t believe that for a second. He touched his own cheek, only to find it really did feel a little hot.

Suggestion. It was definitely just suggestion.

“So, do you want to sleep a little more?” Lin An asked, his gaze drifting away.

“Are you trying to trick me into sleeping early... so you can leave early?”

“Yeah, yeah.” Lin An nodded at lightning speed.

“No way. I’m not sleeping. It’s Saturday, I don’t have school. What’s wrong with you staying with me a little longer?” Su Yuejin lightly, very lightly, thumped his chest with her little fist.

“But I’ve got stuff to do.”

“What stuff?”

“A cute little someone asked me to play games with her.” Lin An spread his hands.

“But aren’t I your cute little someone?”

“You are.”

“Then if you stay at my place, you can keep me company and play with me too. Why go play games instead?”

“Because games are more fun.”

“I don’t care. You’re not allowed to leave.”

“...Then let me carry you back to bed first. Once you get sleepy, you’ll know to sleep.” Lin An held out his arms to her.

Su Yuejin immediately wrapped her arms around his shoulders, then practically jumped onto him, her legs clamping around his waist. She wasn’t caring about her image at all anymore.

Lin An carried her into the bedroom and set her down on the bed. Then he pulled the blanket over her. He had just drawn the curtains, making the room dim, when Su Yuejin turned on the light.

“You just want the room dark so I’ll get sleepy. I’m not sleeping!”

She was being unreasonable. She was acting spoiled as she pleased. Lin An sat at the bedside and looked at her helplessly. “It’s fine. I won’t leave until you fall asleep.”

He glanced around Su Yuejin’s room. It was actually kind of messy. Underwear, skirts, perfume, jewelry, skincare products—everything was scattered around without much order. He was a little obsessive about neatness, so he started putting things away one by one, sorting and organizing them. It took him ten minutes total. Along the way, he also got a look at Su Yuejin’s wardrobe.

This girl’s clothes were all that so-called pure-but-seductive style. If you called them innocent, they showed too much skin. If you called them sexy, the style was still unmistakably girlish.

“What kind of clothes do you like seeing me wear?”

“I like 2D stuff. I like white thigh-highs. I like maid dresses.”

“Then... if you make me happy next time, I’ll wear them for you, okay?”

“Huh? No, you can’t. You wouldn’t have the right vibe.”

“Why not?” Su Yuejin sat up restlessly again, hugged him from behind, leaned close to his ear, and in a deliberately soft, tempting, syrupy voice, gently called out, “Master~ Come sleep with me already.”

“...Cut it out.”

“How could I? If anyone’s doing anything... it should be you, Master. Doing me.”

“...”

“Aren’t you sleepy? You only slept three hours.”

“But when I think that if I fall asleep, then when I wake up you’ll be gone... I don’t feel that sleepy anymore.” Su Yuejin let go of him, then lightly poked at his back with one finger, again and again.

At last, Lin An turned around.

“Then let’s sleep together,” he said.

“Mhm?”

“I’ll hold you while you sleep. Once you’re asleep, I’ll leave.”

“So you really think I’m some toy you can summon and dismiss whenever you want? You think one hug is enough to coax me?”

“Huh? Then I’ll just go first. I’m kind of dumb, so that’s the only method I’ve got.” Lin An said that and stood up, about to slip away, but Su Yuejin hooked her feet around his waist.

“N-no, you’re not allowed to go!”

“Huh?”

“Get up here.”

“Oh.”

So Lin An climbed back onto the bed. But Su Yuejin wanted him to take off his shirt, because it was uncomfortable to hug him otherwise. Lin An had the strange feeling he was being stared at by a female hooligan, but he still took off his shirt and lay down.

Su Yuejin immediately scooted over and hugged him, rubbing her cheek against his chest.

Like a dog hugging a bone.

“I really love hugging something when I sleep, so you’d better remember that.”

“...Why?”

“Because I’m going to hug you in the future too. Once I get used to you, I won’t be able to sleep without holding you.”

“Then it’s better to keep that to a minimum.”

Lin An lowered his head. She happened to lift hers at the same time. Their eyes met and held.

“Because I’ll leave eventually.”

“I’ll keep you here. And then... you’ll only be good to me.”

“You can’t do that.”

“But I can learn. And you’re not allowed to call me stupid or dumb anymore. I’m not incapable. I just never wanted to learn. If I want to, I can definitely do it best.”

“Classic childish chuuni line.”

“You’re still insulting me?!” Su Yuejin bit his chest lightly, like she was pouting in anger.

“Alright, alright. Go to sleep.” Lin An gently stroked her hair.

“I can’t sleep.” Her voice was sweet and sticky, and her eyes shone bright as stars.