Chapter 9: To Sleep or Not to Sleep, That Is the Question!

It must be... a coincidence, right?

How could Fu Yanci's home password possibly be her birthday?

Without even remembering to withdraw her hand that was still being held in Fu Yanci's palm, Ye Li was naturally led to the dining table.

The dishes on the table had cooled down.

Even so, at the sight of the appetizing colors, Ye Li's stomach started grumbling.

The sound of running water started, Fu Yanci washed his hands, took out milk from the refrigerator, poured it into a glass, and put it in the microwave.

"We can eat in just a moment..."

With the warm cup that scalded her hands passed to Ye Li, Fu Yanci turned around and placed the dishes on the table into the oven one by one.

The humming sound filled the air.

The dining room was brimming with delicious aromas.

Ye Li was staring at Fu Yanci, somewhat lost in thought.

It was said that gentlemen stay away from kitchen stoves, but it was the first time she knew that men could also be charming in the kitchen.

Especially a man like Fu Yanci.

"Are you not hungry?"

Ye Li came back to her senses, only to find that the dishes were all heated up.

She took the chopsticks Fu Yanci handed her and said nonchalantly, "I should have known not to call you back home..."

Fu Yanci paused.

He saw the girl pick up a piece of ribs for him, then a lion's head meatball for herself.

While eating in small bites, she said, "I should have gone to find you. You order the food, and I rush to you, by the time I arrive, the food would have just been served. Light a candle, and a candlelit dinner is ready, absolutely perfect!"

It seemed that she only then noticed that there was a candle burning on the table.

Fu Yanci looked at the meal on the table which could be considered lavish, which could be called a candlelit dinner, and his heart started thumping wildly, "So, you waited for me to come home, just to enjoy this candlelit dinner."

"Yes..."

Ye Li nodded, her gaze not leaving the dishes in front of her, "Aunt Lan said it's okay not to have a wedding, it's okay not to set up a banquet, but it's still the big day of registering our marriage, so we must celebrate!"

"I think Aunt Lan is right!"

She sipped some milk, raised her cup, the two white milk mustaches by her mouth directed at Fu Yanci, "Fu Yanci, happy new marriage!"

Boom!

Thump thump!

His heartbeat accelerated.

Looking at the girl smiling like a blooming flower in front of him, Fu Yanci felt like he might have drunk a bit too much at dinner.

But he had only had a few drinks.

Plus, with his drinking capacity, that amount of alcohol wouldn't even warm him up.

He casually picked up his wine glass to clink with Ye Li, took a sip of champagne, and said with a deep voice, "The drive from the company to home takes 20 minutes. If I'm not home before 6:30, don't wait up for me, just start eating!"

"Oh."

Ye Li nodded.

"However, I'll try to rush home so we can have dinner together."

"Sounds good!"

"...And you too, if you have something and won't come back, remember to call and tell me."

"Okay!"

In the usually quiet villa, the sound of their conversation seemed especially empty.

Looking at Ye Li, who was evidently starving yet still showed elegance in every gesture,

Looking at the house around him that was familiar yet felt particularly strange at this moment,

Fu Yanci's icy and firm nerves gradually relaxed.

Ye Li almost instantly felt it.

She'd gambled correctly!

Indeed, even if it's a transaction, nobody could refuse a sincere heart.

She and Fu Yanci, even without love, could still be the perfect partners, right?

With her high-hanging heart now settling back in place, Ye Li's appetite opened up even more.

But soon, Ye Li couldn't stay happy.

After eating,

Watching TV,

The clock hands edged towards 11, signaling bedtime, and Ye Li couldn't keep calm.

Should I say I'm going back to my room now?

It implied she was hinting the other person to follow suit later.

To ask whether you should shower first or should I?

That was even more obvious.

To say nothing and just head straight to the room?

No, no, no, this isn't how a worker should treat their boss.

Before Ye Li had time to think it through, she saw Fu Yanci stand up.

"It's late..." he said, and then turned to go upstairs.

Ye Li: ...

Her brain cells were in overdrive, and even after she had taken a shower and lay in bed, Ye Li couldn't calm down.

The two little figures in her heart were at a standoff.

Hei Xiaoli smiled with a deeper meaning, "Between a man and a woman, isn't it just that sort of thing? Besides, you two have a certificate, what's there to be nervous about? The first time is life-changing, the second time familiar. Sleeping with a man like Uncle Fu, you've got nothing to lose!"

Bai Xiaoli blushed furiously, "When we kiss, should I close my eyes? And when it comes to... that, should I subtly hint for him to take precautions? Won't that kill the mood?"

Snap!

The lights went out in an instant, and Ye Li's body tensed up immediately.

With her sight gone, her sense of smell became acutely sensitive.

The faint scent of sandalwood.

The fresh fragrance of shower gel.

And the minty scent of toothpaste between their breaths.

Ye Li could clearly hear her own heartbeat, as loud as a drum.

"Ye Li?"

"Here!"

"... Relax and sleep, I won't force you. When you're ready, I ..."

What does being ready even look like?

And when that day really comes, how should I let him know? Do I have to throw myself at him?

Ye Li's thoughts raced.

Then the man abruptly stopped himself, "... Sleep."

After saying that, Fu Yanci turned over.

Clutching the corner of the blanket tight, Ye Li didn't dare move.

To sleep? She feared those words were just something Fu Yanci said to soothe her nerves.

Not to sleep? She was really exhausted.

Staring at the dark ceiling, Ye Li sighed deeply.

To sleep or not to sleep, that is indeed a question!

Chu Chu had said, there aren't any men in this world who can remain untempted when embracing a woman.

Unless, that man has no drive.

Fu Yanci has no drive?

What a joke!

Just when she had entered, she had bumped into him coming out of the bathroom.

Even through the bathrobe, Ye Li could see the apparent size of the bulge beneath.

Though she had no hands-on experience, she hadn't skimped on her reading of comics all these years.

The words "Fu Yanci" and "no drive" simply didn't connect.

"Fu Yanci..."

"Speak!"

"Do you snore, grind your teeth, or talk in your sleep?"

She could hear his breathing intensify, and swiftly changed her question, "Can I... play with my phone for a while?"

"No!"

"Then... can you tell me a story?"

"... Ye Li, if you can't sleep, I don't mind doing something that will help you fall asleep."

??!!!

Her hair stood on end, and in the darkness, Ye Li turned over and scooted to the edge of the bed, "I'm... incredibly sleepy, I'm about to fall asleep. Really!"

The girl clutched the blanket, leaving a chasm between them.

The warm air blew through the gap onto his back.

A layer of goosebumps briskly formed.

In the dark, Fu Yanci's eyes flickered lightly.

The breeze from the gap in the floor-to-ceiling windows occasionally brought in a cold wind, making the curtains billow and rise, revealing a corner.

With it came a burst of cold air and a sliver of frosty moonlight.

Even so, he couldn't believe everything that had happened that day.

As the breathing beside him gradually became smooth and steady, he knew the girl had fallen deep asleep. Fu Yanci exhaled softly, allowing his tense body to slowly relax.

The next moment, the girl mumbled something, turned over, and rolled into his arms.