Chapter 202: Chapter 201: Overflowing Thoughts
The living room was enveloped in the soft white glow of the lights, with two people sitting on the sofa. Shi Yang’s heart felt warm, as did the person nestled in his arms. Zhao Meimei leaned against Shi Yang’s chest, sharing her thoughts.
Zhao Meimei looked up, her head touching Shi Yang’s chin, "When I get into college, I still want to come home every day like now. When I start working and earning money, I’ll save up to buy a house for my parents so they can move to the provincial city."
"And also Uncle Shi and Aunt Shi, let’s have them move here too. We can buy houses in the same community so we’re close. If I miss my parents, I can go home to see them and come back at night."
"So, brother, don’t make me stay in the dormitory. I want to stay by your side. When I go to college, my studies won’t be as hectic, and I can be with you every day. I can’t bear to be away from you, I just want to be by your side."
Shi Yang: "....."
Shi Yang looked down at Zhao Meimei, his lips trembling. Unable to help himself, he lowered his head and pressed his chin against the top of Zhao Meimei’s head, rubbing it twice with force.
Shi Yang felt his heart melt into tenderness at Zhao Meimei’s words. When feelings run deep, even just a word or glance from the other can touch you. He truly cherished and loved his precious baby.
Shi Yang promised Zhao Meimei, "Alright, once you get into college, I’ll buy a house in the provincial city so you don’t have to stay in the dormitory. And I’ll bring your parents and mine there too."
With just a few simple words, Zhao Meimei had snapped the lock of happiness onto Shi Yang. Looking at Zhao Meimei under the light, Shi Yang felt the weight on his shoulders grow heavier, yet at the same time, he felt an electrifying surge of excitement and enthusiasm. When a person knows their goal and strives towards it with all their might, obstacles often become surmountable, achieving more with less effort.
At night, as Zhao Meimei earnestly invited Shi Yang to sleep in the same bed, Shi Yang had to muster all his lifelong self-control to suppress the urge to eagerly rush over.
Shi Yang raised his hand, scratching his head irritably, "Go ahead and sleep. I still have some work to finish."
Though disappointed, Zhao Meimei obediently returned to her bedroom.
Shi Yang went back to his own room and lay on the bed. Adjusting himself to a relatively comfortable position, he tried to coax himself to sleep. Unfortunately, his tired body, finally aroused to some drowsiness by the soft pillow, was led astray by his wandering mind, unable to quell his thoughts once he closed his eyes.
The more one tries to ignore such things, the more sensitive the senses become, always taking the contrary path.
Zhao Meimei’s intense gaze, like a magical spell, emerged sharply from within him. The Little Yang, stubbornly resisting surrender, suddenly became extremely agitated...
*********
After lying quietly for a while, waiting for his mood to completely stabilize, he got up from bed to clean himself in the bathroom.
When he came out, Shi Yang headed directly toward Zhao Meimei’s bedroom.
The door opened with a gentle push; Zhao Meimei never had the habit of locking it. She lay sprawled on the bed, her quilt draped across her, with two feet sticking out, one end of the quilt drooping to the floor, the other loosely covering her.
Shi Yang climbed into bed stealthily, pulling the quilt back to rearrange it. The mattress shivered gently with his movements, but Zhao Meimei continued to sleep soundly.
Shi Yang lay down beside her, resting his head on the other half of the pillow. Pulling the quilt over both of them, he studied Zhao Meimei’s sleeping face in the dim light of the night. After a while, unable to resist, he leaned over to gently kiss Zhao Meimei, then carefully pulled her into his arms.
Almost as soon as Zhao Meimei settled in his embrace, a long-lost sense of contentment overwhelmed him. Shi Yang hugged Zhao Meimei, her warm breath caressing his neck, their heaving chests tightly pressed together. The cramped position was warm and sweet, quickly lulling them back to sleep.
The spring sunlight slanted through the gaps in the curtains, casting warm, bright beams onto their closed eyelids, comfortable and inviting.
Half-awake, Zhao Meimei opened her eyes to find a broad, firm chest in front of her. Raising her gaze, she saw a chin with a hint of stubble.
Zhao Meimei widened her eyes, fully awake, and smiled; Shi Yang indeed came over to sleep holding her last night.
Gleefully, Zhao Meimei stretched an arm to hug Shi Yang tightly, realizing only then that a dividing line had been pressed between them by the quilt Shi Yang was lying on. As she tried to remove the barrier, Shi Yang awoke with a muffled groan.
Frowning, Shi Yang squinted his eyes, "Awake? What time is it?"
Zhao Meimei looked up at the clock, "Six."
Shi Yang murmured drowsily, "We can sleep for another ten minutes, I’ll nap a bit longer. You go wash up first, and maybe have milk and pastries for breakfast?"
Zhao Meimei agreed but didn’t move, cozily snuggling against Shi Yang’s warm body, reluctant to get up.
After urging her once more without success, Shi Yang simply stretched out his big hand to embrace her, muttering, "Why don’t you pack breakfast to take to school? Let’s lie here a while longer."
Looking at Shi Yang in his sleepy, lazy state was irresistibly endearing to Zhao Meimei, who kissed him lightly and buried her face in Shi Yang’s chest, soon drifting back to sleep.
A nap after waking is always particularly sweet, and they both slept deeply. It wasn’t until Qu Chaozong’s call that Zhao Meimei realized she would have been late for school today.
Shi Yang dropped Zhao Meimei off at the school gate and watched her walk in before turning the car towards the bus station.
Qu Chaozong got off the bus looking like a pickle freshly plucked from a brine vat, his clothes rumpled and unkempt. He descended the three bus steps, wobbling unsteadily upon landing, only to be quickly supported by Shi Yang’s outstretched hand.