"You want to sleep with me? Why?" Qin Yu asked immediately, snapping out of her daze.
"Because I want to sleep with you."
Evaluation: S-
Truly an impeccable reason.
Not that it was impossible, but Qin Yu still wanted a more convincing reason, one that would resonate with her.
Or perhaps, if Shenhe begged her, she might reluctantly agree just this once.
...Ah, she'd already agreed.
Qin Yu's expression froze as she recalled her earlier response.
"Is that alright?" Shenhe asked again.
Flushing, Qin Yu replied, "I... I don't break my word. Once is fine, but... are you really just asking to sleep with me? Ah, no, I didn't mean anything by that. Just checking."
If Shenhe used the excuse of sleeping together to do something strange, that would be unacceptable.
Shenhe asked, puzzled. "If not sleeping, what else could we do?"
"Ah ha ha... maybe just roll around in bed?" Qin Yu blurted out, feeling a bit awkward.
Of course, Shenhe would never do anything beyond sleeping. Qin Yu was being needlessly paranoid.
If Ningguang had made this request, Qin Yu would have vehemently refused.
Shenhe pondered. "Roll around? I've never rolled around in bed before. Do people really do that?"
"I think some might?" Qin Yu replied uncertainly.
"I see. I'd like to try it too. Let's roll around in bed together tonight," Shenhe proposed.
No, it would roll right off, Qin Yu thought with a sigh. Having already agreed, she couldn't possibly back out now, especially since Shenhe seemed so eager. She couldn't bear to disappoint her.
Actually, what's there to worry about? she mused. After all, they had shared a bed several times before, and nothing had ever happened. Her messy sleeping habits and disheveled appearance had already been exposed; there was no point in maintaining any pretense now.
As the saying goes, "A barefoot man fears no shoes."
If you want to call it "throwing caution to the wind," I wouldn't argue, she thought.
Just like always. With this thought, Qin Yu relaxed.
Just like always—this phrase held great significance for her. It allowed her to respond in her usual manner, without having to panic.
But living with Shenhe might mean that this just like always would constantly evolve, reshaping itself into a new just like always...
If things have to change, I hope it's gradual.
The first time sharing a bed with Shenhe after moving in together. Qin Yu couldn't help but feel a flicker of anticipation.
They ate lunch together. In the afternoon, Qin Yu dozed off on the sofa with a plush toy, only to wake up inexplicably with her head resting on Shenhe's lap as evening approached.
Realizing that Shenhe had deliberately given her a lap pillow, Qin Yu twisted a strand of her hair and murmured her thanks, "Thank you."
Evaluation: S+
Shenhe shook her head. "There's no need for such formalities. Would you like to take a walk nearby and feel the breeze?"
"That sounds nice."
After showering, Qin Yu, with a mischievous glint in her eyes, teased, "Shenhe, stretch out your legs."
Though Shenhe didn't understand what Qin Yu intended, she obediently placed her legs across Qin Yu's lap.
"I'll give you a little massage."
"Mm."
Her water-smoothed skin glowed with healthy color, momentarily stunning Qin Yu. Shenhe's legs are really long, she thought, not just long, but perfectly proportioned.
No, no, don't let your thoughts wander, Qin Yu chided herself, snapping back to reality. She reached out and began tickling Shenhe's feet.
Shenhe's brow furrowed slightly, her toes curling inward. Is this really a massage? she wondered, glancing at Qin Yu. Just then, Qin Yu grinned triumphantly, as if her prank had succeeded.
"Sorry, just teasing you a bit. The real massage starts now. Tell me if I press too hard."
Shenhe's brow relaxed, and she nodded softly.
Qin Yu pressed her fingers down, a faint ache followed by a surge of warmth radiating from the pressure points.
Shenhe leaned back against the bed, closed her eyes, and silently savored the sensation for a moment.
"How is it?"
"Very comfortable."
"Th-that's good." Hearing Shenhe's response, Qin Yu's heart skipped a beat, and she couldn't help but lower her gaze.
Evaluation: SS-
"Why are you sitting up?"
After kneading for a while, Qin Yu released her hands.
"Alright, lie down and turn over."
Once Shenhe had complied, lying face-down on the bed, Qin Yu sat on her back and began applying pressure.
The strength and placement of Qin Yu's massage, combined with her weight, brought Shenhe a deep sense of comfort and relaxation, her consciousness sinking further into slumber.
"How does it feel?" Qin Yu asked again.
This time, Shenhe didn't respond.
Huh? Didn't she hear me? Qin Yu leaned forward to check Shenhe's face.
Asleep.
"She fell asleep so quickly."
But that means my massage technique is excellent, right? Otherwise, she wouldn't have been so comfortable she drifted off. I'm really good! Qin Yu withdrew her hands, feeling immensely satisfied.
Though it was still early, sleep was now the only option.
She turned off the light, tiptoed back into bed, and rested her head on the pillow Shenhe had brought. Surrounded by the familiar and comforting scent, Qin Yu closed her eyes.
However, perhaps due to her afternoon nap, Qin Yu couldn't fall asleep immediately.
The rustling sound of Shenhe turning over made her open her eyes.
The moonlight was particularly bright tonight, offering decent visibility. Shenhe, lying on her back, was clearly visible in the dim light.
"Shenhe?" Qin Yu whispered instinctively, but only the steady rhythm of her breathing answered.
Uwah, she's sleeping so soundly.
Qin Yu had never seen Shenhe sleep so deeply before.
Of course, this was partly due to Shenhe's habit of falling asleep almost instantly.
In the dead of night, when sleep eluded her, Qin Yu's thoughts would come flooding back.
Recalling their shared living arrangements these past two days, Qin Yu lowered her gaze, thinking, So this is what it feels like to live with someone else. I'd almost forgotten.
Memories of her past life with her Teacher washed over her, filling her heart with a faint melancholy.
It was true that she had been happy these past few days, but the more happiness she experienced, the more she dreaded the potential troubles and pain that might lie ahead.
The testing still had to continue. Whether Shenhe could truly accept her remained uncertain. Until the probability reached 100%, Qin Yu couldn't find peace.
Yet she still clung to the hope for a positive outcome.
If this led to separation from Shenhe... she couldn't even imagine it.
But how long would this testing go on? A month? Two months? A year? Ten years? If it dragged on too long, Qin Yu knew she couldn't endure it.
Even patience had its limits.
I really am a troublesome woman, Qin Yu murmured to herself with self-mockery.
Yet even this troublesome version of herself was now sharing a bed with Shenhe in their new home, embarking on a new life of cohabitation—sleeping, eating, and strolling side-by-side.
Unbelievable.
As Qin Yu pondered this, Shenhe turned in her sleep to face her.
Shenhe's sleeping face lay completely exposed, captivating Qin Yu's gaze. She couldn't resist reaching out, her fingertips gently tracing the curve of Shenhe's cheek and strands of hair.
"...Are you sure you made the right choice in picking me? You're so kind to others, Shenhe. You could definitely find someone better, someone more suited to being family. Yet you still chose me, even rejecting the Main Family's invitation."
The purer Shenhe's intentions, the heavier the weight they carried.
Qin Yu had previously believed that giving Shenhe "beautiful memories" to the best of her ability would suffice. But... could she still do that now that she'd shed the persona she'd been playing?
After all, I'm far from perfect.
Not particularly kind-hearted, lacking patience, constantly grumbling inwardly, prone to impulsiveness, and plagued by negative thoughts. Her only redeeming quality was her appearance.
But Shenhe cared nothing for appearances.
Qin Yu pressed her lips together, desperately wishing Shenhe would wake up and say, "Even imperfect is good. I don't hate it."
But if she heard, it would be even worse.
Wait, did she really not hear?
Shenhe had always been a light sleeper. Maybe she had reverted to her old habits. After all, Qin Yu had been muttering to herself and even touching Shenhe's face.
"Shenhe?" Qin Yu whispered tentatively.
No response.
Is she pretending to be asleep? Impossible... But what if she is? Qin Yu's mind raced with wild thoughts, and her hand froze on Shenhe's cheek.
After staring quietly at Shenhe for a long moment, Qin Yu still couldn't shake her unease.
If only I could confirm it.
Confirm? An idea flashed through her mind, making her heart pound. She shook her head slightly.
No, no, no, no! How could I possibly do that?
But when she looked again at Shenhe's beautiful face and slightly parted lips, Qin Yu couldn't tear her gaze away.
Just once, a voice whispered in her ear, effortlessly silencing her reason.
The heat surging through Qin Yu's body melted away her thoughts. She leaned closer to Shenhe, carefully pressing her lips against hers.
This would confirm whether Shenhe was pretending to be asleep.
...Wait, that's wrong.
Qin Yu froze just inches from Shenhe's lips.
I shouldn't be doing this. This isn't something we should be doing, especially not stealing a kiss... Qin Yu's face burned with shame as she forced herself to pull back slightly.
I need to keep my distance, to prevent anything else from happening.
Qin Yu shifted her position, turned away, and closed her eyes.
Just sleep. Pretend it was all a dream, that nothing happened.
Yet, as soon as Qin Yu drifted off to sleep, she seemed drawn by Shenhe's presence, unconsciously turning and wrapping her arms around her.
Shenhe had already awakened the moment Qin Yu stopped touching her face.
She lowered her gaze to Qin Yu, who was curled up in her arms, hugging her tightly as she couldn't help but replay the earlier moment in her mind.
Qin Yu's face was so close just now... What was she trying to do?
Shenhe felt confused, and that peculiar restlessness stirred within her once more.
She had just done this... Mimicking Qin Yu's actions, Shenhe leaned closer, her face approaching until their breaths were nearly overlapping. At that point, she froze, unsure of what to do next.
What could one do at such close range? A kiss on the cheek? But this position wasn't right for that; the only thing that could make contact was their lips and the area around them.
Shenhe quietly felt the breathing of the person beside her as she pondered.
Then she came to a guess.
Could it be the lips? A kiss on the cheek expresses affection and gratitude, but what would this express? Why didn't Qin Yu go through with it?
Shenhe grew even more puzzled. If a cheek kiss conveyed affection and gratitude, then this action must have a corresponding meaning as well, one that was likely even deeper.
Deeper. More profound.
Even though she and Qin Yu had long since surpassed the bounds of ordinary friendship, becoming family and sharing a life together for the foreseeable future, she couldn't ignore the possibility of deepening their connection further.
Desiring to make their bond even more significant, Shenhe gently pressed her lips against Qin Yu's.
In that instant, everything she felt transformed the restlessness in her heart into a sweet, tender sensation.
Shenhe pulled back slightly, gazing at Qin Yu's sleeping face with a tenderness as soft as water.
"Qin Yu," she murmured unconsciously.
Qin Yu's brow furrowed slightly, then smoothed out again, her breathing remaining steady. It was as if a pleasant dream had been briefly disturbed.
Shenhe couldn't forget the taste and emotion from that moment. She knew this act had truly changed things. Now, whenever she looked at Qin Yu's face, warmth filled every part of her body, threatening to overflow.
Though she didn't fully understand the true meaning of this gesture, she was certain it was a change for the better. This happiness was real, undeniable.
Yet this only deepened her confusion about why Qin Yu had stopped. If it felt so right, why not continue?
After pondering for a while, Shenhe still didn't understand.
She only understood two things: 1. Doing this relieved her recent inexplicable restlessness and felt very warm; 2. She enjoyed doing it with Qin Yu.
For now, understanding these things is enough, she thought. I can learn the deeper meaning later.
To avoid waking Qin Yu, Shenhe didn't repeat the gesture. Instead, she continued holding her close, closing her eyes.
"Good night, Qin Yu."
Deep in slumber, Qin Yu naturally didn't respond. Instead, she unconsciously buried her face in Shenhe's neck, savoring the comforting scent.
The next morning:
"Ugh—" Qin Yu murmured groggily.
"Awake?" Shenhe asked gently.
"Not really..."
"You can sleep longer."
"Mmm..."
Thinking it was about time to make breakfast, Shenhe tried to get out of bed, but Qin Yu stubbornly clung to her, refusing to let go.
"I need to make breakfast."
"No, stay with me a little longer..." Qin Yu mumbled drowsily.
Shenhe reluctantly abandoned the idea of getting up and nodded. "Alright, I'll stay."
"Mmm... Ha?!" Qin Yu suddenly jolted awake, realizing what she had just said. After a few seconds of stunned eye contact with Shenhe, she retreated under the covers.
"I'm awake! You don't need to stay with me anymore!"
"You don't?"
"No, no, it's fine!"
Shenhe paused for a moment, then calmly said, "Don't worry about me."
What would I be worried about?! Qin Yu grumbled inwardly. She peeked out from under the covers and asked weakly, "Well... I'll make breakfast. What do you want?"
"I don't mind."
I figured as much. Qin Yu sighed, sat up, and yawned.
She had a vague feeling she'd had a good dream last night, but she couldn't remember any details. Qin Yu absentmindedly smoothed her disheveled hair, lost in thought.
Evaluation: D+
Evaluation: C
Huh? What's this? Why are there evaluations?
Qin Yu froze, stunned.
She remembered that when she lost consciousness, any evaluations received would carry over until she woke up. At midnight, these evaluations would convert into Points... Did Shenhe do something to me last night?!
Qin Yu's face flushed crimson, but she quickly reasoned that it probably wasn't anything too serious.
Maybe just a kiss on the cheek?
Tch, she did it while I was asleep... Oh well, it's not bad for her to have some points.
Qin Yu thought to herself as she climbed out of bed, feeling relieved.
"Can I sleep with you again today?" Shenhe suddenly asked.
"Huh? Sure, why not..."
After all, Shenhe wouldn't do anything strange.