Cherishing You As Always - Chapter 15

So what if I return to the residence a month later than you? No big deal I’ll just do it.

Seeing how readily I agreed, without the slightest sign of hesitation in my tone, she seemed somewhat doubtful and asked, “Aren’t noble ladies usually very overbearing? Why do I feel like you… seem a bit different?”

Everyone has their own way of thinking. Who says all noble ladies have to be the same?

I shrugged. “There’s no need for me to explain that to you, right, Miss Yin?”

That one sentence, seemingly heartless, shut her up. She said no more and silently led me into the courtyard. A long corridor stretched out before us. Every door had the name of its occupant posted on it. The women’s quarters were different from the others in that there was a wide corridor separating the rooms, so one wouldn’t have to pass through someone else’s courtyard when coming or going. It gave each woman her own privacy.

Moonlight streamed into the corridor. She walked ahead of me, her slender figure and delicate waist swaying gently, like she might float away with the breeze. It stirred a heat in my chest, and I quickly averted my eyes.

After walking for a while, we finally reached the residence. I looked up this was the innermost courtyard. She pushed the door open, and the moonlight seemed to follow us in, immediately flooding the yard. She stepped inside, and I followed behind her. I watched as she walked to the door, pulled out a key, and unlocked it.

A key? In a study academy?

I wasn’t in a rush to go in. I waited at the doorway while she lit a candle. Leaning against the doorframe, I surveyed the room. A large bed, a table, and two chairs. The small room was well-divided into two sections one clearly for studying, and the other for bathing and sleeping. In the middle was a large chair, big enough for a petite person to lie on.

The whole setup was simple too simple. I found myself at a loss for words. Was this what came from not reading for years?

She lit the candle, placed it on the table, and finally turned to me, saying, “Miss Song, this is my room. Pretty ordinary, right?”

Only then did I step in and plop down on a chair. “Anyway, from now on we’re sharing this place. You tell me—where do I sleep? After being out in the wind so long, I just want a good night’s rest.”

I’d gotten used to speaking sharply, and couldn’t help myself even now. She paused slightly before replying, “You’re technically the guest. Fine, you take the bed, I’ll take the chair.”

I glanced at that chair I could never sleep on and snorted. “Well, you certainly know how to split things up. Fine, I’ll accept your offer.”

Turning, I flopped down on the bed, spread my arms wide, and took up the entire space. “I’m going to sleep now. You don’t mind, do you?”

Her voice came from behind, soft and gentle. I imagined she must look very pitiful right now.

But she made me wait so long earlier this is her punishment. I take the bed, she takes the chair. Must feel terrible.

I smiled secretly where she couldn’t see me, then pulled the covers over my head and headed off to dreamland.

That night, I should’ve dreamed. But strangely, I didn’t. No dreams of my brother, or my mother, or even my terrifying father who was worse than the King of Hell. Just… blankness.

There was a pleasant scent in the air a fragrance that didn’t exist in my own room. A light, fresh smell like the natural scent of a woman not overpowering, just… refreshing. I waved the blanket over my head, but the smell only grew stronger.

“Zihui, what perfume did you put on? Smells so nice…”

I muttered it in my sleep, the words slipping out unconsciously. But as soon as I spoke, I woke up.

I sat up with a jolt and looked around. “Where am I?”

Shaking my head and brushing my hair off my shoulders, I yawned and dragged my feet out of bed. Looking out the window, the moon hung high in the sky then I remembered: this was the academy dormitory.

I turned to look at the bed. “Where’s Yin Yunchi?”

She didn’t actually let me have the bed to myself, did she? I was just joking! She really went and slept on the chair?

I rushed to the outer room and checked the chair. The candle still flickered softly. Rubbing my eyes, I saw a small figure sleeping there, no blanket, not even a spare pillow. Her left hand rested on her cheek, and her right hand was tucked at her waist. Her serene sleeping face had a strange kind of allure.

Her gentle breathing in the deep of night held a trace of temptation. Her frame was delicate too thin, really. She shifted a little, rolling onto her back, one hand over her forehead, the other gripping her collar. Her chest buttons didn’t seem fastened properly. With that little movement, they came undone, revealing a glimpse of her chest.

The mountain night was cold. I didn’t think too much I rushed inside, hoping to find a blanket. But clearly, this girl was seriously poor. She only had the one set on the bed. Sighing, I picked up the blanket and pillow. After all, she was the host. It didn’t feel right for me to take over like this. Even though I was known for being thick-skinned, this fragile girl… if I bullied her, I’d ruin my hard earned reputation.

Though I had packed all the basics, I clearly hadn’t brought extra bedding. I weighed the blanket in my hands it wasn’t even a good one. I’d have to send Zihui to buy a few decent ones later.

Just as I grabbed the pillow and turned to go, the moonlight caught something under the bed a flash of cold light.

A pair of scissors.

They looked sharp. I dropped the blanket and pillow and picked up the scissors, running my fingers along them. “What kind of place is this? Why sleep with a pair of scissors?”

Was she planning to wait till I was asleep and slit my throat? The image of that delicate girl holding scissors and approaching my neck flashed through my mind. A chill ran down my spine, and I quickly tossed the scissors away.

“Forget it, forget it. Don’t overthink it. We don’t have any grudges why would she want to kill me?”

I kicked the scissors under the bed and picked the bedding back up. Quietly, I tiptoed over to her. The candle on the desk still flickered. Her brows were slightly furrowed she looked like she was having a nightmare.

Standing above her, I looked down at her sleeping face. Not a stunning beauty, but more than just delicate one of those girls who grows prettier the more you look at her.

I didn’t dare touch her, afraid of waking her. I definitely didn’t want another scream in the middle of the night. So I simply placed the pillow beside her if she rolled over, maybe she’d hug it instinctively.

Then, gently, I laid the blanket over her. She shifted slightly, her right hand flung upward and hit me in the eye, then slid down across my lips.

Her sleeping posture was getting worse by the minute. Whatever. Since she gave up her bed, I’ll let this poor girl off the hook tonight.