Cherishing You As Always - Chapter 23

Lights Out

When the academician was mentioned, a slight blush appeared on her face. Under the candlelight, she looked particularly beautiful.

“The academician has already halved my tuition fees, but the money is still far from enough. So I asked him to let me help out in the dining hall. I don’t want to be funded for nothing I want to support myself.”

What a good girl. She actually wants to be self-reliant. I couldn’t help but admire her in my heart.

“You’re really amazing, being able to support yourself. Alright, alright, you’ve explained everything clearly. I understand now. Don’t worry I won’t scold you for coming back late anymore. But there’s one thing—what am I supposed to do for the next month?”

I looked at her pitifully. She bit her lip, put her book back into her cabinet, and only then noticed that the room seemed to have a few more items.

Double sets of quilts, double pillows, my desk, clothes, writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone all neatly arranged and placed where they should be.

To suddenly have so many new things in her room anyone would find it strange. She pointed at them and asked, “What’s all this?”

Only then did I remember this must be what Zihui bought and tidied up this morning. I probably forgot to ask her to lock the door when she left. Maybe she came back again later to lock it. Tsk, I shouldn’t have asked her to lock it I wouldn’t have had to freeze outside if I hadn’t.

On the bed were two new thin quilts. She walked to the bedside and asked, “Did your maid do all this too?”

I smiled lightly and relaxedly flopped onto the bed. Then I remembered she still hadn’t answered me earlier. What am I supposed to do for this whole month?

“Hey, what am I supposed to do for this month, huh? You still haven’t answered me.”

She realized her own quilt and pillows had disappeared, and even the bed sheets had been changed to new ones. She didn’t respond to my question and muttered instead, “Your maid can buy whatever she wants for you, but what about my pillow and quilt? You… how can you be so mean, even taking my bedding?”

I noticed the bed no longer had her pillow and quilt probably thrown away by Zihui. I quickly said, “Alright, Sister Yin, it’s late, just take it easy. Those old rags of yours couldn’t keep you warm anyway. I’ve already bought you a new quilt. Be nice and just make do for now, okay? If you really can’t stand it, I’ll go find your old quilt tomorrow, deal?”

I said this roughly, then rolled over to go to sleep. But after lying down for a bit, I realized it was too quiet no movement. So I had to get up again. I saw her sitting in the small hall, still reading by candlelight.

A low rumble sounded from the sky. I clearly saw her eyebrows knit together. She stood up and tightly shut the doors and windows. I took off my shoes and said, “It’s late why are you still studying so hard? Come sleep. Don’t sleep on the chair the bed is big enough for two.”

I patted the empty space beside me on the bed. The two of us could just sleep like that. Although I have poor sleeping posture, maybe I’ll be more restrained with someone else in the bed.

She glanced at me and smiled slightly. “Right. I didn’t answer your question earlier. For this month, you can go read at the school, how about that? Or go explore the scenery outside the mountain it’s very beautiful around here.”

That’s just… completely unhelpful. Of course I know that! She’s obviously trying to make my life harder. Fine. I’ll just tough it out for a month. Who’s afraid of who?

I stared blankly at her while she continued, “And thank you for the new quilt and pillow. If I had the money, I’d pay you back immediately. The bed is yours I’ll just sleep on the chair.”

As she said this, I grabbed a pillow, jumped up, and ran to the chair without saying a word. That chair was really small. I could lie down, but I couldn’t move at all. Yesterday when she slept on it, she could still toss and turn.

So I curled up, leaning diagonally, constantly shifting positions, while silently whining in my heart.

Heavens! When have I ever suffered like this before? That silly Yin Yunchi how could someone as refined as me possibly take over her bed like some freeloader? Sigh. I’ll just sleep on the chair. Who told me to be unlucky exiled by Bai Li. Now, whatever hardships come, I’ll just have to swallow them.

She stopped reading and stared at me for a long time before finally speaking: “Can a person’s expressions really be that vivid? You change your face every few seconds. Why did you steal my sleeping spot again? Didn’t I give you the bed?”

I huffed and said, “I don’t want to overstep my bounds. The bed’s yours I’ll sleep on the chair.”

I closed my eyes to rest. But there was no way to sleep like that. If I really fall asleep, I probably won’t even be able to get up tomorrow.

The stool in front of me shifted slightly, and then a slender figure moved back and forth in front of me, back and forth. After a while, she finally said, “Alright. Now you don’t have to sleep on the chair anymore.”

Huh? I don’t have to sleep on the chair? That’s great. But where am I going to sleep? Surely she’s not going to kick me out, right? That would be so embarrassing.

I opened my eyes. She was still sitting on the stool, holding a book and resting her chin on it. She gave me a slight smile and pointed toward the bed. “Look.”

I stood up, hugging my pillow, and walked to the table to look inside. In the middle of the bed, a wall of books had been stacked dividing the bed into two halves.

Time seemed to stand still. Our breathing was so quiet we could hear each other. Then, I couldn’t help it I burst out laughing loudly. “Have you watched too many operas? Afraid I’m a man in disguise or something? Actually building a wall down the middle of the bed hahaha!”

She blushed and snapped, “Miss Song! Don’t go too far! What nonsense are you spouting? If you’re not happy with my arrangement, then go back to the chair. I promise not to disturb you.”

Realizing I had spoken out of turn, I quickly covered my mouth. She’s right she’s cautious about physical contact, so building a wall with books ensures we don’t even see each other. But I doubt I sleep that neatly if I knock over the book wall and it hits her, that would be bad.

Holding back my laughter, I climbed into my half of the bed. I waved at her, my face full of suppressed amusement. “Miss Yin, I’m going to sleep now. You should sleep early too.”

Then I burrowed into the covers and, not caring if she heard me or not, burst out laughing again. “Hahahahahaha…”

Before I could finish laughing, something hit my head. I instinctively jumped up and saw her holding a thick book, standing in front of me. Seeing me spring up, she turned away with a huff and walked off.

She really is a woman who leaves you wanting more… yet makes you feel uneasy.

It seemed to start raining outside. The soft patter of raindrops came through the paper window. Who knows what might happen tonight…