The Night is Called Gentle - Chapter 40

Lin Zhixia was an extremely cautious person, to the point of being somewhat comical.

The moment she stepped into Yan Huaiqing’s room, her eyes began scanning every corner the floor, doors, windows, ceiling lights, and even under the bed. She meticulously inspected every spot within her line of sight.

Yan Huaiqing emerged from the bathroom and couldn’t help but laugh at her absurd behavior.

“Xiaxia, did you eat some weird mushrooms or something?”

“Huh? Do I seem abnormal?” Lin Zhixia spread her hands and looked herself over. “I don’t think I’m hallucinating.”

“Then what are you searching for all over the room?”

“Oh, Teacher Yan, don’t misunderstand. I read in the news that there are a lot of snakes around here, and they often slither into people’s homes. Your room faces a pond on the side I’ve checked it out, and the water plants are overgrown. That’s the perfect spot for snakes. It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

She walked over to the window, lifted the curtain, and checked behind it.

“Have you been inspecting the room like this every day these past few days?” Yan Huaiqing leaned against the cabinet and asked.

“I forgot one day and woke up in the middle of the night after kicking off the covers. I had to get up and check everything again before I could sleep peacefully.”

As she spoke vividly, she glanced toward the bathroom and reminded, “Teacher Yan, before using the toilet, you should flush it first. Even though the chances are slim, it’s better to be prepared.”

As if recalling something, she wrinkled her nose and let out an awkward laugh.

“Are you so afraid of snakes because you had a scare before?” Yan Huaiqing felt her fear was excessive, almost like a trauma response.

“No, I’ve been afraid since birth. Whether they’re venomous or not, just seeing one suddenly would scare me half to death.”

Just talking about it made her hair stand on end. Rubbing her arms, she turned around and saw Yan Huaiqing pursing her lips, laughing at her. She quickly retorted, “Teacher Yan, aren’t you afraid? Why are you laughing at me?”

“I’m not as scared as you are.” Yan Huaiqing walked to the tea station, picked up two bottles of water, and handed one to her. Curiously, she asked, “Xiaxia, how many different sides do you actually have?”

Lin Zhixia rarely argued but often responded with a question of her own. “Hmm? Does Teacher Yan think I’m very changeable?”

“At least since I’ve known you, you’ve seemed quite different every time we meet.”

Yan Huaiqing walked to the foot of the bed and sat down, resting one hand on the mattress, her fingers half-hidden against the white sheets. In the interplay of light and shadow, she looked like a simple sketch.

Lin Zhixia stole a few extra glances.

“Maybe people act differently depending on how familiar they are with someone.”

Feeling it would be impolite to sit on someone else’s bed without permission, she moved to a nearby desk to answer.

Yan Huaiqing smiled, withdrew her hand, unscrewed the bottle cap, and took a sip.

Lin Zhixia looked at her, then at her hand, and then at the bed. Suddenly, she asked, “Teacher Yan, can I sleep with you?”

Wait, had they already become this close?

Yan Huaiqing cleared her throat, no longer as composed as before.

After screwing the cap back on, she cleared her throat again.

Since they were already familiar, it wouldn’t be right to outright refuse.

Her eyebrows lifted slightly as she looked up and asked, “Reason?”

“I haven’t had a good chat in a long time. I want to talk with you, Teacher Yan.”

Pillow talk a beautiful experience unique to girls.

Lin Zhixia had only experienced this during her dormitory days, but even then, it was a four-person room, so it wasn’t exactly intimate.

It was a fleeting thought and an unconscious expression, but the more she dwelled on it, the more abrupt it seemed. Yet, since the words were already spoken and couldn’t be taken back, she held onto a faint hope, though with little confidence.

Yan Huaiqing fell into recollection.

Who was it that had been chattering nonstop in her ear for the better part of the day?

Despite her usual control over her expressions, she couldn’t help but reveal doubt.

“Teacher Yan, have you forgotten?”

Lin Zhixia tried to justify herself: “Before I came out to have fun, I secluded myself for nine days and barely spoke. After coming out, aside from a few phone calls, I’ve been alone the rest of the time. It’s been a long while since I’ve talked to anyone.”

Hmm.

That did seem to be the case.

Yan Huaiqing was almost convinced.

She glanced at the bed out of the corner of her eye it was two meters wide, seemingly spacious enough to sleep in.

She felt a bit more persuaded.

Moreover, if a person goes too long without speaking, their language skills can deteriorate, and their thinking may slow down, which wouldn’t be good for her creative work.

It seemed she had no choice but to let her stay.

Yan Huaiqing hesitated. “But it still doesn’t seem right?”

“Why?” Lin Zhixia asked, crestfallen.

“I have to catch an early flight back tomorrow. I’ll be packing up early in the morning and might disturb you.” Her tone was soft and resigned, trying her best not to sound like she was rejecting her.

“You’re leaving tomorrow?” Lin Zhixia’s voice suddenly rose several pitches, as if this was even harder to accept than a direct refusal.

“Yes,” Yan Huaiqing replied in her usual tone. “There’s a performance tomorrow night the last stop of the tour. It was scheduled long ago and can’t be changed.”

“You have a performance tomorrow, yet you made a special trip here today? Teacher Yan, you’re on your period can your body handle it?”

Lin Zhixia’s heart ached for her.

Given her upbringing, heartache was a relatively unfamiliar emotion, entirely different from the pity or empathy she had felt before. It was a sour, swelling sensation that spread from deep within, threatening to spill from her eyes.

Her gaze enveloped the other warmly, her brow furrowed.

Yan Huaiqing’s eyes briefly rested on her furrowed brow, and her heart softened in response. She reassured her, “This level of intensity is manageable. Besides, after this performance, I’ll have half a month to rest. It’s not as hard as you think.”

“Then why didn’t Teacher Yan come after the performance? You could’ve stayed a couple of days to relax.”

“I have four consecutive days of performances. I didn’t know how you felt, so I didn’t dare delay.”

Lin Zhixia felt even more heartache and guilty.

“It’s my fault.”

She lowered her eyelashes, letting her gaze shatter and fall to the floor.

Yan Huaiqing chuckled softly, stood up, and leaned in close to her, wearing an expression and tone of utter bewilderment. “Tell me, what exactly is your fault?”

“I…” Lin Zhixia was caught off guard by her words, and the emotions she had just stirred up came to an abrupt halt.

Yan Huaiqing raised her hand and placed it on her shoulder. “Do you want to go back with me?”

“No,” Lin Zhixia answered without a second thought.

“Planning to stay and play a few more days?” Yan Huaiqing walked toward the door.

“I’m done playing,” Lin Zhixia followed a couple of steps, explaining, “But I’d rather go back on my own. Going with you feels like being caught and taken back after doing something wrong it doesn’t feel right.”

She was a proud person.

Yan Huaiqing smiled, pulled the door open, and stood at the doorway, saying to her, “Let’s go.”

Huh? What did that mean? Was she being kicked out again?

Lin Zhixia suddenly felt quite awkward and quickly said politely, “Teacher Yan, you should rest early. I’ll head back now.”

Yan Huaiqing’s smile was faint. After Lin Zhixia stepped out, she casually closed the door.

She had shut herself outside as well.

“You don’t need to walk me back, Professor Yan. You have to wake up early tomorrow, so you should rest soon.” Lin Zhixia blocked the doorway, trying to stop her from coming further.

Yan Huaiqing sidestepped her and walked ahead instead. “My room is too close to where the snake was. Can I sleep in your room?”

Was she serious? Lin Zhixia almost believed her.

But when she glanced down, she noticed Yan Huaiqing was holding only a key card no toiletries, no phone.

Definitely not serious.

She quickened her steps to catch up. “Do you enjoy teasing me this much, Professor Yan? Or do you just find it fun to trick me?”

Since they were already familiar, a little teasing didn’t require an explanation.

Yan Huaiqing simply said, “Lead the way.”

Unlike a typical hotel, this guesthouse wasn’t fully enclosed. Each building had its own courtyard, divided into the “Old Quarters” and “New Quarters,” distinguished by their rustic or modern decor.

They strolled leisurely toward the New Quarters where Lin Zhixia was staying. Yan Huaiqing didn’t enter but stood outside the courtyard, speaking in a commanding tone: “You now have ten minutes to pack your essentials. If you’re late, you’ll sleep alone.”

What did that mean?

Lin Zhixia stood there for a moment, processing, before realizing Yan Huaiqing was once again delaying gratification for her.

Being favored often makes one bolder. She glanced smugly at Yan Huaiqing’s hands and challenged, “Professor Yan, you didn’t bring your phone, how are you keeping time?”

“Hmm, good observation.” Yan Huaiqing smiled at her, then lifted her wrist to her chest and looked down. “You have five minutes left.”

“How could five minutes have passed with just a few words?” Lin Zhixia grew anxious, grabbing her wrist and rubbing the skin. “You’re not even wearing a watch.”

“Four minutes,” Yan Huaiqing continued the countdown.

Without looking back, Lin Zhixia dashed into the courtyard. Once inside her room, she hurriedly gathered her things, not even bothering to check if any snakes had slipped in.

By the time she rushed back out, breathless, Yan Huaiqing stood with her back turned, admiring the moon in the courtyard.

Her silhouette was beautiful.

And she didn’t seem the least bit rushed.

She’d been tricked again.

Lin Zhixia caught her breath, then quietly walked over to stand beside her, gazing up at the moon.

“Let’s go,” Yan Huaiqing said, shifting her gaze from the moon to Lin Zhixia.

“Professor Yan, do you really enjoy making fun of me?” Lin Zhixia stubbornly refused to look at her.

Of course, she did.

Yan Huaiqing walked ahead, her back still turned in response.

Fortunately, Lin Zhixia could easily keep up with her now, and without realizing it, their steps fell into sync.

Sadly, there were no whispered bedtime conversations.

Yan Huaiqing had to wake up early, so Lin Zhixia didn’t want to disturb her rest.

After turning off the bedside lamp, Lin Zhixia lay flat on one-third of the bed, hands folded over her abdomen like a specimen awaiting burial, her breathing so faint it was almost imperceptible.

Yan Huaiqing hadn’t turned off her light yet. The soft rustle of her pajamas against the sheets was soothing as she slowly turned her head and asked, “Xiaxia, aren’t you uncomfortable like that?”

Lin Zhixia shifted slightly, instinctively edging closer to the side of the bed. “Hmm? I’m fine. If you’re tired, Professor Yan, you should rest soon.”

Yan Huaiqing rolled over to face her, her expression odd. “It’s just lying next to a little wooden doll feels a bit, eerie.”

Embarrassed, Lin Zhixia chuckled softly and finally relaxed her posture a little. “I was afraid of disturbing you, and I’m a little nervous.”

“You’re nervous sleeping with me?”

Her voice was as soft as the moonlight in the courtyard.

Lin Zhixia turned to face her. “A little.”

“Weren’t you quite bold earlier?”

“That’s different.” Lin Zhixia defended in a soft voice, “At that time, I didn’t know Professor Yan had to wake up early to catch a flight.”

“Even after knowing, you didn’t seem to refuse.” Yan Huaiqing’s voice carried a teasing tone. “You still seemed quite expectant.”

Lin Zhixia was left speechless.

Her eyelashes lowered, her gaze shifted, and when she looked back at her, she began to counterattack: “Then why did Professor Yan agree to let me stay and sleep together?”

Yan Huaiqing’s brow twitched slightly. After a moment of silence, she replied, “Because I was curious about how many different faces you’re still hiding.”

Lin Zhixia was speechless again.

She had plenty of faces. For instance, right now, she wanted to roll over onto Yan Huaiqing’s pillow, lean against her, and talk with her all night.

And maybe even hook their fingers together.

The two fell into a brief silence.

The window’s soundproofing was excellent, and the night was so tranquil it felt as if the entire world had vanished.

“Xia Xia,” Yan Huaiqing suddenly spoke.

“Hmm?” Lin Zhixia snapped back to attention.

“Close your eyes,” Yan Huaiqing said.

Lin Zhixia obediently complied.

“Stop your imagination and go to sleep,” Yan Huaiqing commanded.

“Oh.”

Lin Zhixia felt utterly exasperated, wondering what on earth she kept pointlessly hoping for all day.

Wait did Yan Huaiqing know she was imagining her?!

This! How embarrassing.

She kept her eyes closed, not daring to move a muscle.

When she opened her eyes again, the lights were already off.

The curtains in the guesthouse blocked out light surprisingly well, plunging the room into complete darkness where even the outlines of things right in front of her were invisible.

Gradually, Lin Zhixia calmed down, quietly sensing the presence of the person beside her. Even though she couldn’t hear even the faintest sound of breathing, she was definitely there.

She was there.

That was enough.