Since the next day's schedule was quite packed, the two of them lay together playing on their phones for a while after dinner before going to sleep. Xiao Yu thought back to the words Zhang Luan had said to Ye Qingli before they left Gu Cheng, and decisively moved to the guest room to sleep.
"I'll change the bedding for you," Xiao Yu said before leaving.
"No need, I'm fine with this."
"There are new ones at home."
"I don't want to change."
Ye Qingli insisted. Xiao Yu's eyes held a trace of a smile. He didn't ask further, just said "Goodnight" to her, then turned and closed the door.
Soon came the muffled sound of slippers shuffling in the next room. Ye Qingli paused for two seconds, then took off her clothes and slipped into the covers. Just before lying down, a scene from their phone call before New Year's flashed through her mind. She had asked Xiao Yu if his room was soundproof, and he, ever improper, had dodged the question by turning it into sweet talk.
Footsteps were so clear—how could it be soundproof?
Luckily, she hadn't listened to Xiao Yu and said any sweet words that day. Otherwise, given Xu Qingsong's personality, she would probably have been laughed to death by him.
"..." Ye Qingli pursed her lips and tucked her loose hair behind her ears. It was only nine o'clock—too early to sleep. She couldn't really fall asleep, so she opened WeChat and scrolled through her Moments.
Her WeChat list was filled with old classmates. Their posts were just about what they ate today, a nice photo they took, or where they went to play. After a while, it got a bit monotonous, but on second thought, life being so plain and simple was actually quite beautiful.
Ye Qingli liked each post. Just as she yawned and was about to log off and sleep, she saw Zhang Yan's post—a picture of a hot spring with the caption "With my dearest."
Ye Qingli knew she wouldn't be able to sleep now.
Girls were such gossips. Ye Qingli quickly sent Zhang Yan a message: "Calling all! Beautiful Yan Yan, are you asleep?"
The reply came almost instantly: "Did you see my post?"
Ye Qingli was taken aback. She had been too excited and forgot to like it. How did Zhang Yan guess? Her phone vibrated again. Zhang Yan added: "As soon as my post came out, you were the last in our dorm to ask."
Ye Qingli smiled and sent a grinning emoji.
"How was the hot spring?"
"You mean you want to know how it was between me and him!"
How did she guess again? Ye Qingli showed her little white teeth, biting her fingertip and leaving teeth marks. They really were dormmates—they all wanted to ask the exact same questions.
"Since you know, hurry up and spill!"
"AMAZING!!!!"
With those exclamation marks, Ye Qingli could imagine the expression on Zhang Yan's face—probably grinning from ear to ear. She herself was so excited she was kicking her feet.
"Can't go into detail, or my WeChat might get banned," Zhang Yan sent as a voice message, sounding smug. Then she asked, "Hey, how are things with you and Xiao Yu? Didn't he spend New Year's at your place?"
Ye Qingli replied with a voice message too: "We're at his place now. Planning to visit Ice City tomorrow."
"At his place?! You're such a good friend and you didn't tell me!" Zhang Yan pretended to be a little angry, but in less than two seconds, she reverted to her mischievous tone: "I didn't treat you like an outsider. Shouldn't you tell me how you two are doing?"
At that question, Ye Qingli felt a bit regretful: "We haven't done it yet."
"What? You're living under the same roof and he hasn't touched you?"
"He went to sleep in the guest room."
"Why wouldn't he sleep in the master bedroom with you?" Zhang Yan muttered, then suddenly widened her mouth in shock, her voice rising: "Holy crap, he's not impotent, is he?"
"..." That couldn't be, right? How could a sports athlete be impotent? Or... was it that she wasn't attractive enough?
Ye Qingli suddenly sat up. No way! The last possibility was absolutely impossible! He obviously loved kissing her so much!
After a moment, she sighed and replied to Zhang Yan: "Oh, talking about this has made me a bit sleepless."
Just then, the bedroom door opened.
Xiao Yu leaned against the door, wearing ice silk pajamas that fit him perfectly, making his legs look even longer. His eyes curved slightly as he looked at her calmly.
Ye Qingli froze for two seconds. The light was still bright. She realized she was only wearing underwear. Her cheeks flushed red, spreading to her ears. She quickly dived under the covers, curling into a ball, and asked accusingly in a muffled voice: "Why didn't you knock?"
"Blame me for not knocking? Ye Qingli, there's a guy in the house and you didn't lock the door—what were you thinking?"
"You're my boyfriend. Why would I lock the door?" Ye Qingli shifted, revealing only her eyes: "What are you here for? Didn't you already take the clothes you need for tomorrow?"
Xiao Yu: "I just missed you. Came to see you."
"Well, then you've seen me. Hurry up and leave. And turn off the light for me." She pulled the covers over her head.
"Okay."
The sounds of the light clicking off and the door closing followed. He was probably gone. Ye Qingli was about to poke her head out when the mattress beside her sank down. The next second, Xiao Yu slipped inside, his large hand landing on her waist.
"Your roommate thinks I'm not up to the task?"
"No... how could you eavesdrop..."
Xiao Yu didn't let her speak. He found her lips in the darkness, starting with slow licks and gradually deepening. This time, however, it was more tender and prolonged than any of their previous kisses.
Ye Qingli liked kissing him; it brought a unique pleasure. She was so lost in his kiss that she forgot to struggle, until his hand moved to a different place. The unfamiliar sensation made her freeze. She tried to shrink back, but he pulled her closer before she could move even a bit.
"Qingqing..." He held her tightly through the fabric of her pajamas and whispered in her ear.
Ye Qingli could feel the change in his body. She gripped his muscular arm, not daring to move.
"I want you." His soft lips pressed against her smooth neck.
Compared to Xiao Yu's straightforwardness, Ye Qingli was like a timid puppy, only daring to curl up and whimper in the corner.