Two pairs of eyes looked up simultaneously. One pair was full of expectation, the other, panic.
The door was pushed open. Upon seeing who entered, Qianqian excitedly ran forward.
A plump little body lunged into his arms. Di Mingjue caught Qianqian and held her close.
Jiang Ziyu quickly stood up from the ground, her gaze flickering past Di Mingjue. She took a step, intending to leave without a sound.
Before she reached the doorframe, Qianqian sensed it immediately. She grabbed Di Mingjue’s arm and shook it, urgently wanting him to keep Jiang Ziyu there.
“Qianqian seems to have something to tell you,” Di Mingjue said, turning his head.
His hand was already on the doorknob.
One step slower, and Jiang Ziyu would have left. Hearing Di Mingjue’s words, her feet felt like they were filled with lead, making it impossible for her to move forward.
Qianqian ran to her side, her small hands clutching her clothes. Her mouth couldn’t make a sound, but tears of grievance fell down her cheeks.
Hearing the whimpers, Jiang Ziyu’s heart shattered. She compromised, bending down and carefully wiping away the tears that slid down Qianqian’s cheeks.
Once her emotions were soothed, Qianqian pulled Di Mingjue’s hand and Jiang Ziyu’s hand towards the bedside.
“Qianqian wants us to stay with him together,” Jiang Ziyu explained.
Di Mingjue frowned at first, then looked pleased. However, in front of Jiang Ziyu, he didn’t show his true feelings. “Mm, anything for Qianqian.”
She glanced at him, then went to the wardrobe to search for blankets.
While her back was turned, Di Mingjue grinned and gave Qianqian a thumbs-up.
Soon, the bed was made. Jiang Ziyu had Qianqian lie in the middle, as if a警戒线 (jǐngjiè xiàn - warning line), separating her from Di Mingjue.
Qianqian shook her head, pulling Jiang Ziyu’s arm, and they switched places.
Understanding her intention, Jiang Ziyu said, “The bed is too small, you’ll fall off if you lie on the edge.”
Qianqian vigorously shook her head, leaning back and occupying the spot where Jiang Ziyu had been.
“Qianqian, be good!” Jiang Ziyu’s tone carried a hint of annoyance.
Relying on Di Mingjue’s presence, Qianqian closed her eyes and ignored her.
Jiang Ziyu sat in the middle. Since she wouldn’t lie down, the blanket couldn’t be covered over her.
Di Mingjue, lying to one side, was inwardly delighted but said soothingly, “Let her lie there, then.”
He said it so casually, but she had to be sandwiched between them, constantly wary all night.
“Go to sleep,” Di Mingjue said as he also lay down.
She sat in the middle, looking at the two figures lying flat on either side. As if they had conspired, both were remarkably cooperative.
She hoped it was all just her overthinking.
With that thought, Jiang Ziyu resignedly lay down.
Only a small nightlight remained in the room, casting a dim, yellow glow on Jiang Ziyu’s face, creating shadows that contoured her features. Perhaps due to the unclear light, the freckles on her face seemed to disappear.
Di Mingjue gazed at her adoringly, his eyes filled with tenderness.
The attention made Jiang Ziyu feel uncomfortable all over. She placed her hands flat on her lower abdomen, wanting to turn over but not daring to. Turning over felt like a curse, trapping her.
“Move if you want to,” Di Mingjue said in a low voice.
Jiang Ziyu turned her head, her gaze meeting his directly.
Her mind went blank. Jiang Ziyu swallowed, looked left and right, pushed aside the blanket, and emerged from it.
The sides of her body felt like they were blocked by towering obstacles. Jiang Ziyu hesitated, unsure from which side to get down.
“Where are you going?” Di Mingjue looked up at her.
His voice acted like an accelerator, urging Jiang Ziyu to get down quickly. She stopped thinking and stepped over him.
Seeing her walk into the bathroom without looking back, Di Mingjue couldn't hold back his laughter.
Beside him, Qianqian opened her eyes. Di Mingjue tilted his body, leaning closer to her.