I Promise to Walk With You for Half of my Life’s Journey - Chapter 31

After getting together, the two discovered that their sleeping habits were worlds apart.

Cheng Sutong was the “koala type.” Once she fell asleep, she had to cling to something. Furthermore, her body temperature ran high, making her feel like a human space heater.

An Chuxin, on the other hand, was sometimes the “soldier type.” She would lie flat on her back with her hands at her sides, remaining almost motionless all night. Additionally, she was sensitive to heat. At other times, she would sleep on one side, which was a sign of her lack of security.

On the first night, Cheng Sutong consciously slept on one side of the bed, leaving a “Chuxin River” in the middle. In the middle of the night, An Chuxin was woken up by the heat, finding someone entangled around her like an octopus.

“Cheng Sutong,” she said, giving her a nudge.

“Mm,” half-awake, Cheng Sutong instead hugged her tighter. “Chuxin, I am cold.”

An Chuxin glanced at the air conditioner, which was set to 24°C. She felt Cheng Sutong’s forehead and noted that her temperature was normal.

Sighing, she tried to pull her arm away. The moment she moved, Cheng Sutong started whimpering and burrowing into her embrace, burying her head in the crook of An Chuxin’s neck. Her warm breath puffed against An Chuxin’s skin, and her hands began to wander restlessly.

An Chuxin froze. In the darkness, she could hear her own heartbeat. It was a rhythmic thump that felt as clear as a drum beating in her ear.

Ultimately, she gave up, letting Cheng Sutong hold her until dawn.

The next morning, Cheng Sutong woke up feeling refreshed. “Chuxin, I slept so well last night!”

An Chuxin, sporting dark circles under her eyes, replied, “Is that so?”

“What is wrong? Did you not sleep well?”

“It is nothing.”

On the second night, Cheng Sutong promised solemnly, “I will definitely behave myself today!”

In the middle of the night, An Chuxin was woken by the heat again.

This time, Cheng Sutong was not hugging her, but her leg was draped over An Chuxin’s waist, and her hand was gripping the hem of An Chuxin’s pajamas.

An Chuxin tried to move the leg away, but as soon as she touched her, Cheng Sutong mumbled, “Chuxin, do not move.”

Her voice was thick with sleep, soft and wheedling like a child acting spoiled. An Chuxin’s hand hovered in mid-air before she eventually withdrew it.

On the third night, An Chuxin bought a body pillow and placed it between them.

Cheng Sutong looked at the grey dolphin-shaped pillow with a complicated expression. “Chuxin, are you tired of me?”

“No,” An Chuxin said seriously. “This is so we can both sleep well.”

“But I want to hold you while I sleep.”

“It is too hot.”

“Then I will turn the air conditioning down.”

“You will catch a cold.”

“Then,” Cheng Sutong’s eyes darted around. “How about a compromise? I promise to only half-hug you.”

“What does half-hug even mean?”

Cheng Sutong demonstrated: she lay on her side with one hand resting lightly on An Chuxin’s waist, while her legs stayed perfectly in place. “Like this, okay?”

Seeing the expectant look in her eyes, An Chuxin’s heart softened. “Only like this.”

“Deal!” Cheng Sutong immediately turned off the light and settled in. “Goodnight, Sister!”

“Goodnight.”

In the darkness, An Chuxin felt the warmth of that hand on her waist, radiating through the thin fabric of her pajamas.

Actually, it was not that unbearable. She closed her eyes, let out a soft sigh, and slowly fell asleep to the sound of Cheng Sutong’s even breathing.

It was a night without dreams.

Later, Cheng Sutong discovered that An Chuxin was actually quite easy to embarrass, especially regarding physical intimacy. This boosted her mischief meter by +99.

One Sunday afternoon, An Chuxin was in the study writing a manuscript. Cheng Sutong walked in with a plate of sliced fruit and offered a piece of apple with a fork.

“Chuxin, open up.”

Focusing on her typing, An Chuxin subconsciously opened her mouth. Cheng Sutong fed her the apple, her fingertip accidentally brushing against An Chuxin’s lips.

An Chuxin’s movements paused for a moment, and she looked up at her.

Cheng Sutong looked perfectly innocent. “Is it sweet?”

“Yes.”

“Then have another piece.” Cheng Sutong forked another one, and this time, her finger lingered even longer during the feeding.

An Chuxin’s ears turned red. She took the fork. “I will do it myself.”

“No.” Cheng Sutong snatched the fork back. “I want to feed you.”

“Cheng Sutong.”

“Present!”

“You are doing this on purpose.”

“Doing what on purpose?” Cheng Sutong blinked. “I just want to take care of you.”

An Chuxin suddenly stopped typing and stood up.

Cheng Sutong was startled. “What is it?”

An Chuxin walked over, took the fruit plate from her hands, set it on the desk, and then cupped Cheng Sutong’s face.

“You want to take care of me?” she asked softly.

Cheng Sutong’s heart skipped a beat. “Yes.”

“Fine.” An Chuxin lowered her head and kissed her lips.

The kiss was gentle, yet it carried a hint of punishment. Cheng Sutong was initially smug, but her legs soon went weak, and she had to clutch An Chuxin’s lapels for support.

After a long while, An Chuxin released her, her thumb brushing over Cheng Sutong’s slightly swollen lips.

“Still want to play?” she asked, her voice a bit husky.

Cheng Sutong shook her head, her face crimson.

An Chuxin ruffled her hair. “Go to the living room and watch television. I will join you once I finish this bit.”

Cheng Sutong dizzily walked out of the study and sat on the sofa for a long time before she realized that she had been counter-killed again.

How many times had this been?

Every time she tried to tease An Chuxin, she ended up being the one with the racing heart and the red face. Cheng Sutong collapsed onto the sofa, burying her face in a pillow.

“Chuxin is too cunning,” she muttered under her breath.

In the study, listening to the movement outside, An Chuxin could not help but smile.

She sat back down at the computer but could not write a single word. Her mind was filled with the image of Cheng Sutong’s blushing face and the soft touch of her lips. Finally, she closed the document and walked out of the room.

Cheng Sutong was staring blankly while lying on the sofa. Seeing her come out, she immediately sat upright. “Finished writing?”

“No.” An Chuxin sat down beside her. “I cannot get into it.”

“Why?”

“Because someone is distracting me.”

Cheng Sutong guiltily looked away. “Then, I will not distract you anymore.”

“You already have.” An Chuxin reached out and pulled her into her arms. “So you have to take responsibility.”

Cheng Sutong leaned against her shoulder, smelling the faint fragrance on her skin. “How do I do that?”

“Rest with me for a while.”

“Just like this?”

“Otherwise?” An Chuxin looked at her. “What else did you have in mind?”

Cheng Sutong’s face turned red again. “No, nothing.”

An Chuxin smiled, leaned down, and kissed her forehead. “Good girl.”

Support