In the unfamiliar living room, I stared blankly at the dark television screen.
The LCD reflected the scene across from it, showing a disheveled black-haired cat girl sitting on the sofa. Her hands were folded over her stomach, and her feet, clad in stockings, restlessly tapped the floor.
Ugh… what should I do now…?
I bit my lower lip in distress, and in the screen’s reflection, the cat girl’s soft ears twitched a few times.
A few minutes ago, I had successfully slipped out of Gu Fan’s room. Moving lightly, I made my way to the living room, but I couldn’t find Gu Fan’s mom.
I cautiously checked the kitchen, hallway, and other areas, but there was no sign of anyone.
Sitting on the sofa in a daze, I thought for a while and realized today wasn’t a holiday. Gu Fan’s parents, both healthy middle-aged adults, were likely at work by this hour.
In this house, it was just me and Gu Fan. If I let my thoughts wander to something improper, all sorts of peculiar scenarios could unfold.
My neatly trimmed fingers fidgeted with the hem of my skirt covering my thighs. I let out a deep sigh, a sense of helplessness washing over me.
My body seemed affected too, feeling limp and powerless. All I wanted was to sit here and zone out for the entire day.
Normally, I wouldn’t be this lax. Even in my own living room, I wouldn’t let myself sink into such a state of inertia.
But knowing that just one wall away, in a room so close, was the man I deeply loved…
My heart felt heavy, yet somehow grounded.
When I closed my eyes, it was as if I were basking in sunlight, no longer sitting on a sofa but on a thick stack of hay.
The only regret was that Gu Fan wasn’t truly by my side, holding me close and whispering sweet, intoxicating words.
If this fantasy could come true, I’d probably have no hesitation to die right now.
My hands unconsciously pressed into the sofa, my upper body gently swaying back and forth in delight.
Even though I was just lost in my imagination, letting the fantasy version of myself pluck sweet, bountiful fruit, the real me quietly ignored this small indulgence.
What’s wrong with that? If I can’t make it happen in reality, can’t I at least allow myself to dream a little?
Comforting myself with this thought, I continued to sink into the vivid scenes my mind conjured.
Unknowingly, in the center of the LCD screen, the black-haired cat girl—who should have looked cold and aloof—now had a dazed, misty gaze.
Her straight posture had long collapsed, slumping against the sofa’s backrest.
I want it so much… But Gu Fan hasn’t fully accepted me yet. No matter how much I try to comfort myself alone, it still feels so empty and lonely.
Desire wrapped around my body and mind like fine threads. I bit my lip lightly, tasting the faint metallic tang of blood.
As my thoughts raced to their peak, combined with the alcohol from last night still lingering in my system and the fact that I hadn’t eaten anything this morning, my head began to feel dizzy.
Unconsciously letting out a few soft whimpers, I slumped my waist and rested my head on the armrest of the sofa, slowly closing my heavy eyelids.
Let me rest for a bit… just close my eyes for a moment to calm my emotions.
Curled up in the corner, I justified my body’s instinctive actions to myself. But my chaotic mind betrayed my intentions.
Like a defense mechanism triggered by danger, without any warning, I slipped into a deep sleep before I could even register it.
Warm and cozy… it felt like something soft and fluffy was wrapping around me…
My consciousness slowly stirred awake. The unfamiliar deep brown painted ceiling caught my eye, but when I noticed the thick blanket draped over me and caught its familiar scent, I instantly felt at ease.
Sitting up, I lazily stretched my waist. The blanket slid from my chest down to my thighs.
I glanced around. The living room’s setup hadn’t changed much, except for a cup of hangover soup now sitting on the coffee table in front of the sofa.
I touched it to check the temperature—it had already gone a bit cold. But I didn’t mind. Knowing it was made by Gu Fan, I’d drink it even if I were on my period.
Slowly sipping the lukewarm soup, I searched for traces of Gu Fan. Soon, I noticed a tall figure busily moving behind the slightly ajar kitchen door.
Squinting, I peered through the narrow gap that revealed the kitchen’s interior. After repeatedly confirming that the person holding a small bowl was indeed the one I was hoping for, I tilted my head back, downed the soup in one gulp, and quickly left the warmth of the blanket. I hurried toward him.
Pat, pat…
My heart was surging with such intense emotions that I couldn’t fully suppress the longing within me.
As I got closer to Gu Fan, this desire grew faster and faster.
So, when my hand gripped the handle of the kitchen’s sliding door, I couldn’t help but let out a soft murmur.
Gu Fan, who was stirring egg mixture, paused briefly, clearly startled by my voice. But he quickly resumed stirring with his chopsticks, turning his head to greet me with that flawless, perfect smile of his.
“You’re awake? If you’re still sleepy, you can rest a bit more. You drank a lot last night, so you probably haven’t fully recovered yet, right? Lunch won’t be ready for a while.”
“No need… I’m not sleepy.”
Of course I’m not sleepy! I wouldn’t miss the chance to see Gu Fan cooking with his own hands.
Shaking my head to dismiss his suggestion, I pushed the sliding door open a bit more and squeezed into the kitchen.
“Um… Gu Fan, are you feeling okay? Did you have any nightmares?”
I had wanted to ask if he remembered me kissing his Adam’s apple this morning, but seeing his calm, lake-like profile and his steady tone, devoid of even the slightest ripple, I suddenly hesitated and couldn’t bring myself to ask directly.
Gu Fan glanced at me, then spoke while filtering the egg whites.
“I’m alright. I was a bit dizzy when I woke up, but I felt much better after drinking some hangover soup.”
“Is that so? That’s good.”
Since Gu Fan didn’t mention anything about it, that probably means he doesn’t remember. Maybe he thought it was just a dream?
Clinging to this stroke of luck, I didn’t press further on the topic. Instead, I moved closer to him.
I sidled up to Gu Fan and asked if I could help him with the cooking.
While diligently washing vegetable leaves at the sink, I occasionally turned my head to chat with Gu Fan about trivial things.
At times, I thought I caught a flicker in his gaze, but when I looked closely, he was calm again, as if his momentary distraction was just my imagination.
“By the way, has your mom contacted you? I drank too much last night and got a bit carried away. I forgot to tell your mom you’d be staying over.”
“Hm? No, she hasn’t…”
I shook my head and continued to explain.
“Don’t worry about her. She’s rarely home anyway, so she definitely won’t notice I stayed at your place.”
“I see…”
Gu Fan nodded knowingly, then shifted his gaze toward me.
“Speaking of which, Zhinian, do you know the main reason I didn’t take you home?”
“What?”
“They’re announcing the class assignments this afternoon. Want to go check them out together?”