Shen Peichuan nodded, adding, “I know. I’ll be back permanently after another month or so.”
The couple remained in their embrace a moment longer, basking in each other’s presence. After a while, Sang Yu murmured, “Let me go. I want to take a shower.”
He refused and bent down to kiss her. She quickly shied away, chastising him, “As punishment for what you said, you’re sleeping on the couch tonight.”
With that, she took her clothes and headed for the bathroom.
“Sang Yu…”
“Say anything more and you’ll have to sleep there two nights.”
He dogged her steps to the bathroom and tried to negotiate, “Can’t I do the punishment next month? I just got back and you’re forcing me to sleep on the couch?”
“No. Otherwise, you won’t remember and learn from your mistakes,” she answered firmly.
Isn’t it just too cruel to make me sleep on the couch when it was so difficult for me to come back?
“Sang Yu…”
“Three days.”
“Fine, fine. I’ll stop talking.” At this rate, he would have to stay away from the bed for four days. That was most definitely not worth it.
Shen Peichuan sat down on the bed and stared at the bathroom door. Unbidden images of Sang Yu taking off her clothing and showering swam through his mind. His breathing grew heavier. Realizing where his thoughts were heading, he shook his head vigorously to get rid of them.
If he continued with these perverted thoughts, he would not be able to sleep tonight.
Getting to his feet, he headed for the living room and took out a bottle of cold water.
After several gulps, the fire burning in him had somewhat receded. However, those wicked thoughts still refused to leave him alone.
He sighed.
Immediately after her shower, Sang Yu climbed into bed. By the time he came out of the bathroom, she was already asleep. He stood by the bedside and stared at her. After a while, he left the room to sleep on the couch.
Sang Yu’s hand flew up to slap her forehead and she laughed softly. This man is just too honest.
But that was exactly why she loved him.
Even though he was not in the same bed as her, just knowing he was home made her feel safe. Her sleep was deep and restful.
Out in the living room, Shen Peichuan was not so lucky. He tossed and turned but was unable to sleep. His mind was filled with images of Sang Yu. Several times, he got up to check in on her in the bedroom. To his chagrin, she was completely unaware.
For the next two days, he did not make any request of wanting to sleep with her. She did not offer either.
He endured his suffering in silence, which was a fact that she knew. Every time she thought about it, she wanted to laugh. She found him rather silly but at the same time so very adorable.
She could not find it in herself to be mad at him after that.
One last day of holiday later, he had to leave. She knew he did not have a choice as it was his job.
After he reached his destination, he immediately sent her a text: I’ve arrived.
Sang Yu had only just finished her classes when she received his message. She replied: Okay. Rest early.
Shen Peichuan was standing at the station waiting for his colleague to pick him up. His head was bowed as he stared at his phone screen and messaged: I miss you.
When she saw his text, she was stunned. Her lips curled up into a smile as she sent back: You’ve only just left.
It was exactly because he had just left her that he realized how much he missed her.
His lips pressed into a thin line as he texted: The next time I go back, don’t force me to sleep on the couch again.
Sang Yu snickered when she read that. She replied: We’ll see. It depends on your performance.
He took her words to heart, reminding himself to behave from now on. He did not want to sleep on the couch again.
Right then, his coworker arrived so he quickly messaged her: My colleague’s here to pick me up.
She answered with: Take good care of yourself there.
Sang Yu got an “okay” in reply and kept her phone away. She did not have any classes in the afternoon. However, she had to go to an internship interview at a company. The rest of the day passed in a blur as she prepared herself for the interview.
When it was dinner time, she did not want to cook so she bought some fish noodles on the way home. Taking a bottle of cold water from the fridge, she sat down at the table and opened up a pair of disposable chopsticks. She was just about to dig in when her phone chimed.
It was Shen Peichuan sending her a message: Have you eaten dinner yet?
She could not help the happy grin that spread across her face. She replied: I’m eating right now.
Then, she took a photo of her dinner and sent it to him.
Shen Peichuan frowned when he saw the photo. He messaged her: Why are you eating that?
A second later, he sent another text: Have you run out of money?
Sang Yu stared at his messages as a warm feeling swelled in her. Oh my, he’s actually expressing his concern now? Looks like he’s learned his lesson.
A mischievous expression appeared on her face as she texted him: Yeah, I’m broke. Are you going to give me your payroll card?
There was not even a second of hesitation before he replied: I’ll hand it to you when I get back.
Looking at his reply, Sang Yu thought to herself, What a sweet and honest man. I shouldn’t get mad at him from now on or kick him out to sleep on the couch. It feels like such a mean thing to do to him.
He was not a bad man, per se. He was just not very romantic and rather straightforward. Yet he was extremely dependable and gave her a sense of security.
She messaged him: I haven’t spent the money you gave me. This fish noodle is actually quite nice. I’ll bring you to try it when you come back.
He texted back: I don’t know what you like either. Just buy whatever you want.
She answered: Okay, I got it.
He then replied: I still have something to do. You should sleep early, okay?
Sang Yu sniffled a little when she read his message. Even though it was already night, he still had matters to attend to, which showed how busy he was. Now she was starting to feel guilty for her complaints about him ignoring her. She sent back: Alright. Give me a call when you come back and I’ll go pick you up.
He texted her an “okay.”
The result for Qin Ya’s second attempt at IVF was out so Su Zhan accompanied her to the hospital.
“Don’t be so nervous,” he comforted while gripping her icy hand tightly. He could feel how her whole body was shaking.
