Chapter 21: Sharing a Bed

Bantering and teasing each other along the way, the two soon returned to Dorm Seven.

By the time they stepped inside, the sky had already darkened. In the shadows of the dormitory building, a tall, black figure slowly faded into the night.

"Boss! Sister Xiao Wu! You're back!"

As soon as they entered, a voice greeted them.

"Mm."

Ye Qiu responded flatly. He had walked quite a bit today and was already feeling exhausted, lacking the energy for much conversation.

"Mm-hmm! Xiao Wu is back!"

Unlike him, Xiao Wu was still full of energy. Chewing on a fruit, she had already forgotten the previous unpleasantness and smiled brightly.

Ye Qiu tossed a full set of bedding onto Xiao Wu's empty bed. After making his own bed on the adjacent one, he picked up his quilt again, laid down, and let out a satisfied breath.

"Ahh~ Lying down is the best!"

Tang San, who had already finished setting up his own bed, had solved dinner with dry rations and water. Sitting cross-legged, he was meditating when the commotion brought him out of his trance.

The first thing he saw upon opening his eyes was the lively Xiao Wu.

She stood at the bedside, staring pitifully at the quilt that Ye Qiu had just taken back.

Her face turned red as she glanced around, then quickly spread her bedding.

To everyone's surprise—Tang San, Wang Sheng, and the others—she then braced her hands against the bed frame and forcefully pushed her bed closer to Ye Qiu's until the two were side by side.

Tang San watched, puzzled.

Having learned his lesson from past experiences, he didn't bother asking Xiao Wu this time. Instead, he turned to Ye Qiu.

"Ye Qiu, what's this about?"

Unfortunately, Ye Qiu wasn't in the mood to answer.

A long silence passed, and seeing no response from Ye Qiu, Tang San frowned.

Xiao Wu, rubbing her sore rear, was about to reply when Ye Qiu suddenly sat up.

"Tang San, isn't it obvious? This dumb rabbit doesn't have a blanket!"

"Ye Qiu~!"

Xiao Wu, who had just reached to pull the quilt between them, immediately frowned and called his name in protest, clearly warning him not to call her that.

"Even so, isn't it a bit inappropriate for you two to share a blanket?" Tang San asked with a strange expression.

"Nonsense!" Xiao Wu retorted confidently. "Ye Qiu's quilt is huge! Look, it's just the right size to cover both beds!"

"Fine, fine…"

Tang San rubbed his forehead, a few black lines appearing. If Xiao Wu herself didn't mind, there was no point in him worrying about it.

"This is your fault," Ye Qiu grumbled, glaring at Xiao Wu. The moment he lay down, he realized that not only had he forgotten to buy a second quilt, but he'd also forgotten to buy a pillow.

"I-I didn't do it on purpose…"

Xiao Wu stammered, lowering her head and sulking as she tidied up her things.

Wang Sheng and the others exchanged surprised glances. Xiao Wu seemed… different after coming back.

Suddenly, a small box landed on her quilt—it was the medicinal ointment Ye Qiu had bought.

His voice rang out:

"After you shower, apply this to your bruises, especially your butt. And use a mirror to put it on your eyes—if you don't have one, I can help, as long as I'm still awake."

"Mm-hmm, got it!" Xiao Wu nodded obediently, taking the ointment in her hands. "Wang Sheng, where's the bathroom?"

Even though her bruises were mostly healed, Ye Qiu still reminded her.

After getting directions, he grabbed his uniform and left for his own shower.

Xiao Wu pouted at the ointment in her hands, then glanced toward the door.

Noticing the others still staring at her, she immediately blushed and huffed, "What are you looking at?! One more glance and I'll kick your butts!"

Wang Sheng and the others quickly averted their gazes.

So it was just their imagination—Sister Xiao Wu hadn't changed at all!

As night fell, most of the dorm had already washed up.

Xiao Wu returned with her hair down, her freshly bathed face glowing a rosy pink, and her long black-and-red hair cascading past her waist, giving her an entirely different kind of charm.

Tang San, who had never been around girls before, was momentarily dazed. Wang Sheng and the others were no different.

"Hmph! What are you looking at?!"

Xiao Wu huffed, shooting them a glare. Only when they looked away did she finally stride to her bed.

Ye Qiu was already sitting cross-legged, trying to circulate his soul power using the method he had learned from Xiao Wu's memories.

"Ye Qiu, what do we do about pillows?"

Having just applied the ointment, her eyes still feeling a little cool, Xiao Wu lay on the blanket, kicking her feet slightly as she propped her chin on her hands, cheeks flushed.

Without opening his eyes, Ye Qiu replied, "Just use your clothes for now. I don't have enough money left. After the soul hunt and registration, I'll buy us some."

He then opened his eyes, looking at his hands as he felt the small but noticeable increase in soul power. A smile spread across his face.

"Alright then!"

Xiao Wu sighed, grabbed an old outfit, folded it up, and used it as a pillow.

A handkerchief slipped out in the process, making her pause for a moment before picking it up and tucking it, along with the ointment, into her little pink satchel.

As she lifted her head, she noticed Ye Qiu lying on his side, resting his head on one hand, watching her with amusement.

Her face turned red in embarrassment. She quickly placed her satchel in the middle of the two beds.

"You're not allowed to cross the line tonight… or else!"

She wanted to sound threatening, but remembering that her secrets were still in Ye Qiu's hands—and that she couldn't beat him—she hesitated, unable to come up with anything intimidating.

"Tch! I have no interest in little kids like you," Ye Qiu scoffed, rolling his eyes.

He placed his own bundle at the head of the bed, pulled the blanket over himself, and shut his eyes.

"…!"

Xiao Wu clenched her fists at him, but eventually crawled under the blanket as well.

She sniffed the air and caught a faint, sweet fragrance. Turning toward Ye Qiu, she quickly figured out where the scent was coming from—his bundle.

Her pink eyes flickered with curiosity as she pieced together what might be inside.

As dawn approached, the first rays of sunlight filtered through the dormitory window.

"Ahh~"

Xiao Wu, lying on top of Ye Qiu, stretched and yawned. Slowly opening her eyes, she withdrew her arms from around his neck and rubbed her drowsy eyes.

Grinning down at him, she greeted cheerfully,

"Good morning, Ye Qiu!"