Qin Yu desperately wanted to bury the memory of crossing that line with Ningguang deep in her mind.
It wasn't that she wanted to forget it, just that she didn't want it constantly popping up.
But when she actually tried, she found it incredibly difficult.
"Aah—!"
Qin Yu let out a strange cry, tossed her book aside, and hugged the white cat plushie.
Why do I keep thinking about that, even when I'm just trying to read?!
"What's wrong?" Shenhe asked, walking over while drying her hair.
"Nothing..."
As Qin Yu replied, her gaze fell on Shenhe's flushed, rosy skin. Instantly, an unspeakable fantasy involving Shenhe flashed through her mind.
This only made her more flustered.
My brain, what are you doing? Stop! Stop!
Qin Yu took a deep breath, managing to calm herself slightly. Her runaway thoughts finally returned to normal.
Brain: I've stopped.
Good.
But just then, Shenhe suddenly leaned down, her voice laced with concern. "Are you okay?"
Evaluation: S
The orchid-like breath, the dewy, radiant skin, the fresh scent that should have been familiar but now inexplicably made her heart race...
The Shenhe before her was both familiar and strangely unfamiliar.
And it wasn't Shenhe's fault; Shenhe hadn't changed at all.
The problem was clearly with herself. But while she knew what was happening, she had no idea why. She couldn't understand why she was reacting this way.
Her racing heart made her head feel hot, and her recently calmed thoughts broke free once more.
Brain: I'm not stopping.
This is not good at all.
Qin Yu felt uneasy about this sudden change in herself. Her delayed response made Shenhe frown slightly, and she instinctively pressed her forehead against Qin Yu's.
"Shenhe? What are you doing...?" Qin Yu stammered.
Shenhe carefully checked her temperature, then murmured, "Your temperature is a little high. You might be sick."
"Sick? I—"
How could I be sick?
But the thought of sleeping with Shenhe tonight suddenly felt... wrong.
Shenhe wouldn't do anything strange, and neither would she. But her brain, now running wild, might conjure up all sorts of bizarre ideas.
And then she herself would become strange.
In fact, she was already acting strange enough.
Brain: Yes.
You're the one... wait, you are my head... Ugh, what am I even thinking... Qin Yu was completely at a loss.
"Are you feeling unwell?" Shenhe asked softly again.
"Ah, um, I think I probably am sick," Qin Yu stammered. "To avoid infecting you, Shenhe, maybe we should sleep separately tonight?"
Perfect.
This way, she'd have plenty of private time to get herself back to normal.
However, Qin Yu's perfect plan was quickly shattered.
Shenhe shook her head. "If you're sick, then I'll take care of you. Don't worry, I'm very healthy. I rarely get sick."
A warmth spread through Qin Yu's chest.
But don't be so caring right now!
"That's not a good idea," Qin Yu said hastily. "I really don't want you to catch this from me, Shenhe."
"I don't mind."
Well, I mind!
Qin Yu's mind raced, desperately searching for another excuse to sleep in separate rooms tonight.
Just then, Shenhe spoke again. "Even if I get sick, I still want to be with you. Is that not okay?"
Evaluation: SS-
Qin Yu's fragile defenses shattered in an instant.
"I... I understand. I'm really no match for you," she mumbled, trying to suppress the mix of shyness and joy welling up inside her.
Even though she was only pretending to be sick, Shenhe's unhesitating words moved her deeply.
What if I still can't stop my mind from running wild? Qin Yu wondered.
Then she gave up thinking.
As they say, "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it." There's always a way.
"Mm," Shenhe replied, her voice soft and gentle.
Hearing Shenhe's gentle voice and seeing her face, an indescribable emotion once again stirred in Qin Yu's heart.
She couldn't help but pull Shenhe's face toward her own.
Evaluation: SS+
"I'm a little hungry," Qin Yu whispered.
The light touch on her lips softened Shenhe's expression even more. "I understand. I'll go make you some vegetable congee."
"Wait, your hair is still wet."
Qin Yu grabbed a towel and rubbed Shenhe's hair for a moment. "There, it's dry now."
"Mm. By the way, since you're not feeling well, should I help you bathe?"
Bathe!? Qin Yu shook her head frantically. "No! That's not necessary! I'm fine!"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes!"
Since Qin Yu was so insistent, Shenhe dropped the subject.
Still, the thought of bathing Qin Yu lingered. It would mean seeing her completely uncovered—her most original, unguarded form.
Her most original form.
Shenhe fell into thought, glancing down at her own body.
She had long ago decided to show Qin Yu everything about herself—her past, her present, holding nothing back—and she wanted Qin Yu to accept it all.
But the self beneath her clothes—her most original form—she had yet to show Qin Yu.
As this thought crossed Shenhe's mind, a strange, unfamiliar feeling arose, making her heart itch with uncertainty.
Could this be what they call "shyness"?
She didn't know and didn't dwell on the feeling. Instead, while cooking the congee, she thought, I really do want Qin Yu to accept every part of me.
Including my most original form.
"If we could bathe together..." Shenhe murmured. Beyond wanting Qin Yu to accept that side of her, she also wanted to try more things with her.
But there was no need to rush.
Feeling a natural joy well up inside her, she thought, Because we'll always be together from now on.
-
When it was time for bed and the lights were out, Qin Yu's mind was still racing.
The more she sensed Shenhe's presence, the more aware she became of her being so close—within arm's reach—and an indescribable restlessness kept her from falling asleep.
So it's come to this after all, Qin Yu thought, deeply frustrated.
"Shenhe, are you asleep?"
"No. What's wrong?" Shenhe asked softly.
This can't go on.
Tomorrow and the day after are days off. Maybe I should ask Shenhe to go out somewhere. A change of scenery might help. I've probably been cooped up at home for too long, and that's why I'm like this.
"Want to go out tomorrow?" Qin Yu suggested.
"Sure. Where to? The city streets?"
Qin Yu couldn't think of anywhere specific. "Where do you want to go, Shenhe?"
Shenhe pondered for a moment.
Memories of her trip to Mt. Aocang with Qin Yu surfaced—their journey there and their return.
The rainy days, the tent, the lamplight, sharing a bed... Shenhe savored the nostalgic warmth of these memories and said, "Outside."
"Outside?"
"I want to go on a trip with you," Shenhe replied softly.
"A trip, huh... Well, we can't go too far in just two days. But if we take a carriage to Wangshu Inn first, we should be able to reach Qingce Village."
It wasn't that they couldn't fly there, but that would feel more like rushing than traveling.
Shenhe nodded. "Anywhere is fine."
Hearing Shenhe say that, Qin Yu felt the same way.
"Yeah."
With Shenhe, anywhere is fine.
But having a destination wasn't a bad idea either.
"Alright, let's set off on a long journey tomorrow," Qin Yu decided.
"I'm looking forward to it," Shenhe admitted honestly.
"Me too. But first, we need to get a good night's sleep." Qin Yu sighed softly. That was the problem—she couldn't fall asleep.
Chatting with Shenhe had eased some of her restlessness, but a lingering agitation remained.
Well, at this point, I guess I'll have to use the Anesthetic Pistol.
Just as Qin Yu was about to pull out her Anesthetic Pistol to knock herself out, Shenhe gently pressed her lips against hers.
Evaluation: SSS-
"Good night. Rest well," Shenhe said.
Qin Yu's face burned. "Th-This is..."
"A goodnight kiss. You've done it to me before."
I did do that, didn't I? Qin Yu muttered inwardly. The restlessness subsided further, or perhaps it had been satisfied.
After a moment's hesitation, Qin Yu said, "One more."
Shenhe hummed softly in agreement and leaned in again, their breaths mingling.
I think I can sleep well now.