So It Turns Out You’re a Fox Spirit (GL) - Chapter 26

Because of the mysterious disappearance of the keys, this was Le Xiaoyao’s second time staying overnight at Fu Jin’s place. Given that she was drunk last time and shamelessly occupied the only bed, which resulted in Fu Jin sleeping on the sofa for a night, this time Le Xiaoyao volunteered to sleep on the sofa herself. She originally thought Fu Jin would politely decline, but unexpectedly, the other person didn’t even bat an eye and said, “Sure.”

Le Xiaoyao felt that Fu Jin was much more thick-skinned than her. When a thick-skinned person doesn’t even realize they are thick-skinned, that is the highest state of thick-skinned-ness, such as Fu Jin.

What about the Chinese tradition of hospitality? Even though she was a returnee from overseas, how could she discard thousands of years of traditional virtues?!

“What are you thinking? Hey…” Fu Jin looked at Le Xiaoyao standing there, seemingly lost in thought. “The toiletries you used last time are still here. I’ll get your pajamas for you.”

Le Xiaoyao snapped back to reality. Complaining was one thing, but complaining internally was fine. After all, the person kindly took her in. “Mmm, you should wash up and go to bed early. You’re still sick~”

That sentence sounded suspiciously like an insult.

By the time both of them had showered, it was already late. Fu Jin slowly walked out of the bedroom, holding a small blanket, and handed it to Le Xiaoyao. Le Xiaoyao could hardly believe it. In this cold weather, was it really okay to use an air-conditioning blanket meant for summer? Fu Jin, it’s fine that you’re not hospitable to me, but you don’t need to be so harsh on me, do you?

Le Xiaoyao kept waiting for her to bring another quilt, but Teacher Fu didn’t seem to have any intention of doing so. “It’s… a bit cold today… ha…”

“It is a bit.”

If it’s cold, why give this to me? Le Xiaoyao unfolded the small blanket and shook it. Was she sure it wasn’t for a baby? It was so short. “Fu Jin… do you have a slightly larger blanket?”

“No, this is it.”

Le Xiaoyao absolutely didn’t believe it. There was no way Fu Jin used this when she slept on the sofa last time! It seemed she was still angry with her, otherwise she wouldn’t try to harm her life like this, would she? She considered sleeping outside. If she spent a night on this sofa, she would be gone. Fu Jin still had an innocent expression on her face. Le Xiaoyao didn’t know whether to leave or stay.

“This seems a bit thin.” Fu Jin touched the air-conditioning blanket Le Xiaoyao was holding.

It was more than just thin, it was extremely thin. Fortunately, Fu Jin had realized the problem, but there was no follow-up. Le Xiaoyao sincerely complained in her mind: Fu Jin, you idiot, if you don’t have blankets, don’t keep me overnight!

She didn’t know how long she waited.

“How about… we sleep together?”

Le Xiaoyao: “Sleep… together?”

“But…” Fu Jin suddenly added a turn, “I’m afraid of passing the illness to you.”

Was that a problem? Compared to freezing all night on the sofa, that was no problem at all! Le Xiaoyao nodded rapidly, like a chick pecking at rice, “It’s okay, we’re not sleeping while hugging, so it won’t be contagious~”

Instantly, the atmosphere became somewhat awkward. Le Xiaoyao gave two dry laughs, “Cough cough… I mean, we’ll keep our distance…”

“Mmm, okay.”

“I think… that works too.”

As soon as she entered the bedroom, Le Xiaoyao saw the familiar Doraemon three-piece set, which stood out glaringly because it severely clashed with the Mediterranean decor of the room. Unexpectedly, Fu Jin was actually using it. At the time, she had only bought it on a whim, without considering its practicality. It would be fine in a child’s room… but this… Le Xiaoyao might not even be willing to use it herself. After all, as a designer, she had some demands for coordination, but Fu Jin could tolerate this, which was incredible!

“You’re using this… Actually, I wouldn’t mind if you didn’t.” Le Xiaoyao pointed at the innocent Doraemon on the quilt cover.

“It’s very practical.”

Le Xiaoyao was waiting for Fu Jin to climb into bed first, so she could casually pick a corner to lie down, but Fu Jin didn’t move, so she asked her, “Do you sleep on the left or the right?”

“I sleep in the middle.”

“…”

In the end, Fu Jin slept on the left, and Le Xiaoyao lay down properly on the right, separated from her by the distance of a pillow. She was actually quite worried. It was said that her sleeping posture was quite bad. Huang Chenchen, who had been kicked off the bed by Le Xiaoyao countless times, had the most right to speak on this matter. What if she accidentally kicked Fu Jin off the bed? Le Xiaoyao dared not imagine such a scene. It seemed… a bit funny. “Giggle…”

Le Xiaoyao couldn’t help but chuckle twice…

Fu Jin lay quietly on her back. With such a distance between them, one couldn’t even feel that there was another person on the bed.

The lights went out, and there was complete darkness, complete silence.

Both of them were completely motionless. They would probably not even need to straighten the quilt if they were careful when getting up tomorrow morning. Each had their own thoughts. Le Xiaoyao finally remembered her original intention for seeking out Fu Jin today. Wasn’t it to clarify things? Wasn’t it to clarify everything? Now, it was clearly a great opportunity, but what should she say, and where should she start? Thinking about it again, she felt a little annoyed. It seemed she still wasn’t ready…

Half an hour passed. The room was so quiet that only breathing could be heard. Fu Jin had been waiting for Le Xiaoyao to speak. Didn’t she say there was something important when she called today? Yet, an entire afternoon and evening had passed without her mentioning it…

Finally, Fu Jin couldn’t hold back and gently asked, “Was there something important when you called today?”

Le Xiaoyao thought Fu Jin had already fallen asleep because her breathing was very even, and she was completely motionless. She didn’t expect her to still be awake. There was something important, but she still didn’t know how to say it. Le Xiaoyao simply closed her eyes tightly, played dead, and pretended to be asleep.

“Le Xiaoyao~” Fu Jin called out softly again, still receiving no response from the other side. It seemed she was asleep. She opened her eyes and looked at the ceiling, which was still pitch black. Under the covers, her right hand tentatively reached toward the left. It was empty. Reaching a little further, she seemed to feel a slight warmth… Her fingertip seemed to brush against something.

Le Xiaoyao’s hand was very warm, unlike her own, which was always slightly cool, even under the covers. Inadvertently, her finger brushed across the back of Le Xiaoyao’s hand, which was smooth and warm. Fu Jin subconsciously reached out… and finally, gently held it. Her fingers curled into the warm palm, and she turned her head to look at Le Xiaoyao’s profile. In the darkness, the contours were indistinct. If not for the warmth transmitted from her palm, all of this would feel unreal again…

“Happy Birthday.”

The words were spoken very softly, but they resonated deep in the heart.

The back of her hand was slightly cool. Le Xiaoyao’s heart tightened. How did she know today was my birthday? Why would she… Is she…?

Thinking this, Le Xiaoyao’s heart suddenly raced. She couldn’t help but overthink, yet she was afraid of being delusional.