Xie Ci: So, that's basically how things are. I'm sorry for telling her about your situation. Um... how should I put this… when she learned that your skills are good, she also wants to play together.

Misty vapor filled the bathroom as Xie Ci was completely submerged in an enormous bathtub. The temperature was just right, with some cherry blossom petals floating on the water's surface, releasing a fragrant aroma.

But Xie Ci's heart was filled only with anxiety.

Without paying attention, I spilled everything about Ling Xi. At the time, not even a trace of other thoughts crossed my mind.

When Ling Xi asked about Ye Li, I immediately thought to get the person's consent first.

Just as he was struggling with these thoughts, a message notification sounded.

Ling Xi: Has she been playing games with you this whole time?

Xie Ci: No, starting from about a month ago... and even then we only played together occasionally for entertainment.

Ling Xi: Why didn't I know?!

Xie Ci: Um, you two like different types of games. And besides, you never asked.

This was followed by a long silence.

Ling Xi: So tonight when you ditched me, you went to play with her?!

Xie Ci: Sorry...

Xie Ci suddenly felt like a husband coming home late at night being questioned by his wife.

Behind the screen, the blonde girl bit her lower lip and stared intently at the screen for a long time, repeatedly typing and deleting text in the chat box.

After all, she's Xie Ci's friend. Even though she's female, but... it should be fine.

Ling Xi: Fine, tomorrow then. Any game is okay.

Perfect chance for me to see what this woman living in his reality is trying to do.

Just as Xie Ci was about to leave the bathroom, his phone suddenly vibrated continuously, with several [Message recalled] notifications flashing in the notification bar.

Ling Xi: What time tomorrow?

Xie Ci: I'll message you when the time comes.

Ling Xi: Don't you dare ditch me again this time!

Seeing that Ling Xi had agreed, Xie Ci breathed a sigh of relief.

But he inexplicably felt a chill down his spine.

I have a feeling something big is coming.

Xie Ci put on his pajamas, stepped across the oak flooring, walked through the long corridor, and returned to that enormous bedroom.

However, as soon as he entered, Xie Ci received quite a visual impact.

Ye Li was lying prone on the large bed that could sleep two people. Her milk-white silk pajamas clung softly to her body, outlining a perfect curve between her slender waist and perky hips.

Her pair of long legs were lightly raised, and between her snow-white calves and plump thighs was squeezed some tender flesh that sparked infinite imagination.

A pair of delicate little feet extended into the air, swaying back and forth cheerfully. It looked like they had been specially treated with something. Under the lights they seemed almost translucent.

Her raven-black hair was piled up behind her head like clouds, with a jade-white hairpin threaded through it, still gleaming with moist light. She must have just finished bathing not long ago.

Her chin rested on a pillow, both hands holding a phone, and a pair of watery amber-colored eyes gazed with interest at a guide video on the screen.

Her graceful and elegant bearing combined with a girl-like innocent demeanor created a harmonious effect, revealing a unique kind of allure.

But Xie Ci was simply dumbfounded.

He repeatedly recalled in his mind what Ye Li had told him not long ago.

"Tonight… No, from now on you'll stay in this room. The computer and PS and everything are all here anyway, so it's convenient for your recording and editing."

When she said those words, her big eyes sparkled with excitement and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up.

I didn't go to the wrong room!

Xie Ci's brain crashed. He silently walked to the bedside, rolled up his blanket and pillow, and was about to walk out.

Most likely I went to the wrong place. Mm-hmm.

"Wait, where are you going!" Ye Li's anxious and confused voice came through as she hurriedly grabbed Xie Ci's wrist.

"Sorry, I went to the wrong room. I'll go find somewhere else."

"Hey, you aren’t wrong, this is the place I told you about." Ye Li stood up hastily, and the front of her nightgown became somewhat disheveled, revealing snow-white skin. Her slender, pale legs still carried faint red blushes, probably from her recent bath.

"Then why are you on my bed?" Xie Ci swallowed and guiltily moved his gaze elsewhere as an unbelievable thought emerged in his mind.

"Be-because I'm sleeping here too. Look, this place is so big, and usually only I live here alone. I didn't prepare extra bedding, and this afternoon we bought so many things that the back seat and trunk were completely stuffed, so... so I completely forgot about buying bedding..." Ye Li lowered her head, a blush rising on her face as her voice grew smaller and smaller until it was barely audible at the end.

Xie Ci still stood there with his bedding rolled up, and Ye Li still held his hand.

Now both of them had fallen silent.

In Ye Li's hand was all his body warmth. Even though it was a cool and pleasant night after rain in late summer and early autumn, she felt herself gradually growing hot, especially her face getting hotter and hotter until even her earlobes began to burn.

She bit her teeth tightly as two little devils fought in her heart. One said: Ye Li, oh Ye Li, how can you be so selfish? Are you really going to push this young man into the bottomless abyss just for your own desires?

The other said: Ye Li, oh Ye Li, you're doing nothing wrong. If you can't decide the ending, then you should decide the process. Before death, you should live as you please.

Just as she was struggling internally, Xie Ci suddenly gently broke free from her hand. Under her bewildered gaze, he carefully straightened the disheveled front of her nightgown and smoothed the hair by her ears.

"Ye Li, what exactly are you afraid of?"

Xie Ci sighed helplessly while speaking and began arranging the bedding.

"I'm not going to run away. Even if I were to leave, I'd tell you first."

The bedroom lights had long been turned off, leaving only a bedside lamp emitting weak warm light. In the dimness, Ye Li still stood dazedly by the bed, her facial expression unclear.

"Um... haha, Little Ci, actually I just don't sleep well alone at night, so..."

At some point, the night had deepened. The moon climbed up to the treetops, and patchy moonlight filtered through mottled tree shadows onto the bed, illuminating half of it. Xie Ci turned off the light and lay down in the dark half. He lay on his side with his back to Ye Li, only saying softly:

"Go to sleep. Don't you have to go to school tomorrow? And you have to play games with Ling Xi tomorrow night. You need to sleep well to have energy for things."

Xie Ci closed his eyes in the darkness. After a while, he heard rustling sounds by his ear, felt a vague warmth against his back through his pajamas, and a small hand gently grasping the front of his sleepwear.

"If anything happens at night, tell me. During the day too, of course."

"Mm." Ye Li felt her face was still burning hot. She had probably turned red as a big apple...

Is it because of his body warmth, or...

Little Ci, actually I've never worried that you would leave without saying goodbye.

What I'm worried about is myself.

Ye Li breathed in the faint fresh scent from his body and closed her eyes.

The night deepened.

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