Chapter 33 – The Unspoken Understanding of Departure

The most wonderful thing in life is to wake up and see the face of your beloved next to you.

At least that’s how Xu Shiqi felt, even though this person had a small face and a slender body, holding her close felt like possessing the entire world.

Opening her eyes, she felt her body aching all over. Her limbs felt cramped, and her neck was probably stiff. Turning her head with effort, she found the large bed in the room empty, having remained lonely throughout the night.

Xu Shiqi looked down at Wen Jialuo, who was still sleeping on the inner side of the sofa, and couldn’t help but smile.

She had unexpectedly spent another night on the sofa.

What had been such a heart-racing moment the night before had turned into them both squeezed onto the sofa to sleep.

After that first innocent kiss last night slowly came to an end, their bodies gradually separated, and their eyes met, reflecting both of their slightly flushed faces.

As Xu Shiqi’s eyes gradually became clear, she noticed the girl’s hand could no longer help but fall on her shoulder, her eyes shining with a dazzling fire, as if inviting her to dance. But when she felt nervous, she started making excuses, randomly pointing to the sofa leaning against the wall not far from the bed and teasing the girl, “I don’t know who let the guest sleep on the sofa on the first night.”

The room, which had been filled with a romantic pink fog, was suddenly pierced by that comment, reducing the salty taste of tears.

Wen Jialuo was momentarily stunned, her hands dropping down. She groaned, “How do you still remember that! I regret it, I really regret it.”

The atmosphere became more transparent, and a cheerful yellow light flickered.

“There’s no such thing as regret medicine in this world,” Xu Shiqi said slowly, adjusting the collar of her pajamas as she watched the girl rolling around in bed. She then turned her eyes toward the girl. “Don’t you want me to bring it up again?”

“What do you want?” Wen Jialuo sat up, alert like a cat arching its back.

Xu Shiqi had initially just wanted to change the subject to relieve her tension, but seeing the girl like this made her want to tease her even more. She raised her chin toward the sofa, saying, “If you sleep there tonight, I’ll forget about that, and I promise I won’t bring it up again.”

Wen Jialuo gasped, looking quite forlorn and disappointed. She curled her legs and hugged her knees, gazing at the cold sofa as if studying it. After a moment, she said, “This sofa is too small; it can’t fit two people.”

Xu Shiqi was taken aback but didn’t feel angry or embarrassed. Instead, she continued gently, “I didn’t mean to share it with you, don’t worry, this bed won’t be lonely.”

Wen Jialuo had initially been reluctant to leave the bed, but Xu Shiqi was oddly petty and held a grudge, insisting on resisting her. Eventually, she had no choice but to dawdle off the bed, looking back at the sofa three steps into her walk. She lifted her knee and curled up on the sofa, like a solitary boat floating on the sea, gazing longingly at the person on the bed and desperately sending out signals for help.

Xu Shiqi reached up to tuck her long hair behind her ear, leaning on the bed like a mermaid by the shore, then gently said to her, “Good night.”

Eventually, the lights went out, and Wen Jialuo still couldn’t return to the bed.

Xu Shiqi lay alone in bed but didn’t feel lonely. There was still a person in the room—the one she loved—which made it impossible for her to fall asleep.

She suddenly remembered that Wen Jialuo seemed to have no blanket. Before she entered the room, the girl had stood at the door, appearing calm but was actually trembling slightly. She wondered if she would catch a chill…

Even though the room was warm, that thought began to torment Xu Shiqi. Without a blanket or pillow, when she first went to the girl’s place, although she also slept on the sofa, it had been a bit more comfortable.

Would she wake up tomorrow with neck pain? Would she end up on the floor like she had that morning?

Xu Shiqi finally sat up in bed. Everything was still and silent in the darkness, and the girl’s breathing was extremely shallow.

“Jialuo…” Xu Shiqi called, but there was no response.

Knowing the other person had a history of pretending to be asleep, Xu Shiqi decided not to call her again. She turned on the bedside lamp and got out of bed to find a blanket for her.

Sure enough, when she bent down to cover the girl lying on the sofa, Wen Jialuo suddenly turned over, her eyes still bright and alert, showing no sign of sleepiness.

The two of them stared at each other in the dim light for a moment, and Wen Jialuo slowly reached out her hands. Xu Shiqi bent down, and they embraced.

As she fell into the sofa, Wen Jialuo wrapped her arms around Xu Shiqi’s head and kissed her lips, which could say harsh words but also produce the most wonderful sounds in the world. She wanted to hear them and had wanted to hear them for a long time.

Pulling down the collar of her shirt, she nibbled at Xu Shiqi’s neck, soothing her with her tongue. Xu Shiqi tilted her head back as Wen Jialuo pushed her against the sofa, and she could feel a slight pain, probably from the girl’s little canine teeth. This strange instinct made her excited as well, and she cradled the girl’s head to kiss her.

As they kissed, her tongue brushed against the girl’s teeth, as if searching for treasure, intertwining with the little canine teeth. Perhaps because the other parts had been neglected, the girl’s teeth gently closed, biting down on the tongue that hadn’t had time to escape, punishing it without restraint…

Xu Shiqi’s lips and tongue retreated in haste, only to be met with Wen Jialuo inching closer, having released her lips. Wen Jialuo clumsily undid her buttons, her head falling to Xu Shiqi’s neck.

“Wen… Jialuo…”

Xu Shiqi gently called her name, like petals blooming in the spring breeze, leaving traces of honey in the air.

Just like that, with that sound and tone. Wen Jialuo kissed her lips, encouraging her to produce even more beautiful sounds. That was the best aphrodisiac in the world, and even if years passed, it would remain an eternal love confession in her ears.

As Wen Jialuo stripped Xu Shiqi down to half-naked, she explored every inch of her, leaving traces of her arrival, but eventually returned to where she started, putting Xu Shiqi’s sleepwear back on.

While kissing those lips, Wen Jialuo saw the confused look in Xu Shiqi’s eyes and embraced her, or rather, they both leaned against the sofa. She softly said, “As long as I can hold you like this, and be held by you, that’s enough.”

Xu Shiqi slowly opened her eyes wide, her eyes sparkling with tears. She smiled and hugged the girl tightly, murmuring, “As a reward for you, I’ll sleep on the sofa with you.”

“Okay.” Wen Jialuo smiled and pulled her down into the sofa. Because it wasn’t spacious enough, they had to hold each other tightly, just as their love wasn’t easy, so they had to fight for it…

“What are you thinking about?”

Xu Shiqi came back to her senses; the girl had already opened her eyes, gazing quietly at her.

“I was thinking we’re two big fools.” Xu Shiqi hugged her, running her fingers through her messy hair, her voice dripping with tenderness and a hint of laughter.

Wen Jialuo struggled to sit up from the sofa and glanced back at the empty bed, “Why don’t we climb back up and catch a nap?”

“How is that possible? It’s already bright outside.” Xu Shiqi also sat up, the blanket sliding to the floor. Two buttons of her sleepwear had unknowingly come undone, and the jade Buddha hand pendant on her chest hung down, revealing an alluring curve at the half-open collar.

“Ah, it’s bright outside,” Wen Jialuo looked at the window and suddenly reached out to hug Xu Shiqi’s waist, resting her head in the warm sunlight, “It’s bright, and you’re still here.”

“I’m not a mermaid princess,” Xu Shiqi laughed, pushing her away, but it didn’t budge, so she just went along with it, enjoying that moment of beauty together. However, the head resting on her chest began to stir, slowly turning, and then descending for a hot kiss.

Xu Shiqi felt a bit shy and pushed her away with some force, getting off the sofa, “You should go now; it would be awkward if someone comes to rush you.”

Wen Jialuo looked at her back, “My grandpa said he wanted to meet you today; you’ll come with me later.”

“Ah?” Xu Shiqi turned around, a bit nervous, “Why does your grandpa want to meet me?”

“He’s curious about you because you and grandma hit it off.” Wen Jialuo smiled and got out of bed.

Xu Shiqi finally let out a breath. They had just confessed their feelings for each other, and suddenly she was being thrown into the spotlight of family expectations.

“Isn’t it too soon?” Xu Shiqi asked, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. She felt a mix of excitement and anxiety at the prospect of meeting Wen Jialuo’s grandfather. It was one thing to share moments of intimacy, but stepping into the realm of family was an entirely different territory.

“Don’t worry! Grandpa is pretty chill. He just wants to know the girl who has captured my heart,” Wen Jialuo reassured her with a bright smile. The sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow that made the moment feel almost ethereal.

“Captured your heart?” Xu Shiqi repeated, a playful smile spreading across her face as she leaned in closer. “You’re making me blush!”

Wen Jialuo chuckled, a lightness in her demeanor that eased Xu Shiqi’s tension. “You should be proud! Besides, I don’t think it’s too soon. I want to introduce you to my family while we’re still riding this wave of happiness.”

“Alright then,” Xu Shiqi said, her heart racing with both joy and apprehension. “But just so you know, I might be a little awkward.”

“I like awkward. It makes you more endearing,” Wen Jialuo teased, nudging Xu Shiqi playfully.

They shared a laugh, and Xu Shiqi felt the last remnants of her anxiety fade away. Maybe this wouldn’t be as scary as she had imagined. With Wen Jialuo by her side, she felt ready to face anything, even a meeting with her girlfriend’s grandfather.

“Let’s get ready then. I need to make a good impression,” Xu Shiqi said, determination lighting her eyes.

“Just be yourself,” Wen Jialuo replied, standing up and brushing off her clothes. “That’s more than enough.”

As they both prepared to leave, the tension of the previous night melted into a sense of camaraderie. They exchanged glances filled with unspoken understanding and anticipation.

Wen Jialuo reached for Xu Shiqi’s hand as they stepped out of the room together, their fingers intertwining effortlessly. The warmth of their connection made Xu Shiqi feel invincible, as if she could conquer any challenge life threw their way.

“Ready?” Wen Jialuo asked, glancing at Xu Shiqi with an encouraging smile.

“Ready,” she replied, her heart pounding with excitement.

As they made their way downstairs, Xu Shiqi felt a rush of adrenaline. The atmosphere in the house was alive with chatter and laughter, and she could already hear the voices of Wen Jialuo’s family echoing through the corridors.

When they reached the living room, the sight before them was one of familial warmth. Wen Jialuo’s grandfather was seated comfortably in an armchair, the epitome of a doting elder with a kind expression. Wen Jialuo’s mother was bustling about, ensuring everyone was comfortable, while Wen Baohua was animatedly talking to a group of friends.

“Look who finally decided to join us!” Wen Baohua exclaimed, spotting the two girls.

“Shiqi, come here!” Wen Jialuo’s grandfather called out, gesturing for her to sit beside him.

Xu Shiqi’s heart raced. This was it—the moment she had been both anticipating and dreading. She took a deep breath and walked over, feeling Wen Jialuo’s reassuring presence by her side.

“Hello, Grandpa,” she greeted, trying to keep her voice steady.

He smiled warmly, his eyes twinkling with curiosity. “So, you’re the one who’s managed to win over my granddaughter’s heart. I’ve heard so much about you.”

Xu Shiqi felt a blush creeping up her cheeks. “I hope it’s all good things,” she replied with a nervous laugh.

“Only the best,” he assured her. “Wen Jialuo talks about you all the time, you know? She’s smitten.”

Xu Shiqi glanced at Wen Jialuo, who was trying to hide her grin. “Well, I’m quite smitten with her too,” she admitted, her heart fluttering as she looked back at the grandfather.

“Good! That’s what I like to hear,” he replied, leaning back in his chair. “So tell me, what do you do for fun? What are your interests?”

The conversation flowed naturally from there, with Wen Jialuo chiming in occasionally to share little anecdotes about their experiences together. Xu Shiqi relaxed, finding joy in sharing her thoughts and feelings.

As the laughter and warmth enveloped her, she realized this was where she wanted to be—surrounded by love and acceptance.

The day unfolded beautifully, filled with stories, laughter, and a sense of belonging that Xu Shiqi had longed for. With every passing moment, the bond between her and Wen Jialuo grew stronger, fortified by the presence of family and the warmth of love that transcended any barriers.