Chapter 56: Father’s Dignity (4)

The next morning, the early light spilled gently through the windowpanes, bathing the room in a warm glow.

Perhaps because they had gone to bed so late the night before, Baining and Bai Li were still tucked into their bedding, sleeping soundly.

Their breathing was as soft and light as feathers.

It had to be said that the way the two of them were currently embracing was truly enough to make one’s heart tremble with the intimacy of it all.

Last night, after Bai Li had carefully carried the other to bed and tucked in the corners of the quilt, she had simply lain down quietly facing Baining’s back.

There hadn’t been a single bit of physical contact between them, as she had maintained a perfect sense of propriety.

Yet, at some unknown point during the night, the two sleepers had quietly turned over and shifted into a posture where they were hugging each other tightly, face-to-face.

Their warm breaths intertwined, brushing softly against each other’s cheeks.

Their heartbeats almost sounded as if they were right against each other’s ears.

It was likely that Baining had turned over in a daze halfway through the night and, as was her habit, subconsciously hugged the person closest to her.

And the sleeping Bai Li seemed to have sensed it, instinctively returning the embrace.

One thing led to another, creating this beautiful scene where they were mere inches apart, sharing the same air.

The distance between them was absurdly small.

If just one of them slightly lifted their head or leaned forward, they would be able to touch the other’s soft, warm lips.

Before long, Baining, who had gone to sleep a bit earlier than the other, felt her eyelashes flutter as she slowly opened her bleary eyes.

What met her gaze was a defenseless sleeping face right in front of her.

‘…Bai Li?’

‘So… so close!’

Baining’s heart skipped a beat, startled by the small face suddenly magnified before her eyes.

But in an instant, her panic was replaced by a heart full of joy and tenderness.

She stared blankly at the little White-hair who was still snoring softly, looking precious and cute.

Her Adam’s apple bobbed ever so slightly as she quietly licked the corner of her lips.

‘…If I steal a kiss, I—I probably won’t be caught, right?’

While her mind was still hesitating, her body had already moved out of control, leaning forward slightly.

First, it landed softly on the smooth, full forehead, pulling away as soon as they touched.

But just that alone was like drinking a mouthful of honeyed water.

The sweetness surging in her heart was restless; it was far from enough.

And so, she acted with even more caution, gently kissing the corners of the other’s trembling eyes and the small, exquisite tip of her nose.

Finally, her gaze fell upon those slightly pursed, soft, and tempting lips…

Her heartbeat suddenly lost its rhythm.

Ultimately, she gave them a light tap, like a dragonfly skimming the surface of the water.

Every touch was so light it was almost reverent, for fear of disturbing the person sleeping in her arms.

‘Mm… I won’t get up yet.’

‘Just… just a little bit longer.’

Baining murmured quietly in her heart as she shrank further into Bai Li’s embrace.

Their noses pressed together softly as she felt the unique, warm scent of the other’s body.

Satisfied, she closed her eyes again, indulging in this moment of undisturbed tenderness.

The two of them held each other, sleeping peacefully for a while longer.

A short while later, it was Bai Li’s turn to slowly wake up.

Her eyelashes trembled.

The moment she opened her eyes, her entire body froze.

‘…Did I wake up too fast? Is there something wrong with the way I opened my eyes?’

‘Why is this girl’s face so close to mine? We’re almost glued together…’

Bai Li’s cheeks instantly turned bright red.

She instinctively wanted to quietly loosen her arms and back away a little.

But as soon as she moved, she realized she was being held tightly in Baining’s arms, like a beloved stuffed doll.

She couldn’t move an inch.

‘Sigh…’

She sighed softly to herself.

Since it was time to get up anyway, she figured she should wake her up.

“Baining, Baining… little girl, it’s time to wake up.”

Bai Li softened her voice, gently patting the other’s back.

But as soon as the words left her mouth, Baining—perhaps dreaming of something—suddenly tightened her grip on the arms holding her.

The small distance Bai Li had managed to create was instantly closed as she was pulled forward by the momentum—

In the next second, a soft, warm sensation unexpectedly covered Baining’s lips.

“Mph!”

The sudden contact caused Baining to snap awake instantly, her eyes going wide.

The two small figures froze on the spot, staring at each other with wide eyes.

Both were filled with shock, and the air seemed to solidify in that moment.

Almost simultaneously, both of them shrank back.

“I… Baining, don’t misunderstand! It’s not what you think! Just now—just now you suddenly hugged me tight, and I accidentally… I’m truly sorry… I hope… I hope that wasn’t your first kiss…”

Bai Li was in a state of utter confusion and panic, terrified that Baining would think her words didn’t match her heart.

She usually made a conscious effort to keep her distance, yet here she was being so proactive in the morning.

Anxious to clarify, she spoke in a rush, her voice tinged with fluster.

Baining looked at her frantic, desperate-to-explain expression, and the corners of her mouth curved up secretly.

‘Pops is such a little dummy. She was clearly the one being taken advantage of, yet she’s the one apologizing first, afraid I’ll misunderstand.’

‘Besides, my first kiss…’

‘On the day of the First Embrace, I had already given it to you, completely and utterly.’

“Oh, it’s okay, Bai Li. Don’t take it to heart.”

Baining feigned composure, her face lighting up with her usual bright smile as she gently changed the subject.

“Let’s hurry and get up. Let’s go have breakfast!”

“Mm…”

Seeing that she intended to let the accident pass, Bai Li let out a sigh of relief.

She gave a low response, not daring to look at the other again.

Afterward, the two of them briefly tidied their messy appearances.

When their fingertips brushed together by accident, they both quickly withdrew them, yet both hid an indescribable flutter in their hearts.

Just like any other day, they took each other’s hands, fingers interlocking.

They walked side by side toward the cafeteria.

The morning light fell upon their joined hands, warm and enduring.