Chapter 40: (Revised)

The moonlight outside filtered through the half-open curtains, casting a layer of silver over the room.

A few open textbooks and sheets of scrap paper filled with formulas were scattered across the desk, while the desk lamp cast a warm glow in the corner.

Lin Qingya rubbed her sore neck.

Hours of studying had left her exhausted.

She quietly glanced at Cheng Minghao beside her.

He was organizing his notes with focused concentration, his profile especially serious in the lamplight.

“Are you tired?”

Cheng Minghao seemed to sense her gaze, turning his head with gentle eyes.

“A little.”

Lin Qingya admitted honestly, unable to stifle another yawn.

Cheng Minghao set down his pen and gently wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

“Let’s stop here for today. We can’t be late for morning class tomorrow.”

His hand was warm and steady, and Lin Qingya unconsciously relaxed.

This kind of closeness had become completely natural between them these days.

She nodded, feeling the heat of his fingertips.

The days of review had gone surprisingly smoothly.

Lin Qingya knew Cheng Minghao probably harbored some doubts—about her occasional absent-mindedness, about the hesitation that sometimes flickered across her face.

But he never pressed.

Instead, he simply handed her a glass of warm water when she needed it, or gently pointed out her mistakes when she frowned at a problem.

His thoughtful care, just right in every way, was like the gentlest spring breeze, gradually softening her defenses.

“Tonight…”

Cheng Minghao’s voice pulled her back from her thoughts.

“Do you want to stay here? It’s already late.”

Lin Qingya’s heart skipped a beat.

She instinctively slipped from his embrace.

“I-I’ll go wash up, then I’ll head back.”

Her voice rose a little, laced with the unique panic of a young girl.

She nearly fled into the bathroom, closing the door and leaning her back against it.

Her heartbeat pounded like a drum, loud in the quiet night.

Of course, she understood what he meant.

But…

“Do you want to wash together?”

The words slipped out before she realized it.

Why did she say something like that?

Her fingers tightened on the doorknob, knuckles whitening.

She struggled to sound natural.

“I mean… it’s late. If you haven’t washed up yet either…”

Her cheeks burned hotter as she finished speaking.

Her body was weary, yet something inside her was quietly stirring, like a tender sprout breaking through the soil, carrying an unexplainable anticipation.

Outside the door, Cheng Minghao cleared his throat softly.

“No need, you go ahead. I’ll tidy up the room.”

There was a faint tension in his voice.

“Tonight… you can sleep here.”

Lin Qingya patted her flushed face and turned on the faucet.

Warm water gushed out, echoing in the small space.

Steamy vapor spread, blurring her reflection in the mirror.

The water soothed her skin, washing away the fatigue of the day.

Lin Qingya closed her eyes, letting her thoughts drift.

She remembered the first time she met Cheng Minghao, standing by the library window, sunlight outlining him in gold.

She remembered the first time he held her hand, the thin sheen of sweat in his palm.

She remembered the nights he stayed up organizing key notes to help her study.

By the time she finished her shower and stepped out of the bathroom, only a warm yellow floor lamp lit the living room.

Cheng Minghao had cleared the desk and now stood by the window, looking out at the night.

“I think I forgot my key…”

Lin Qingya said softly, fingers twisting her shirt hem.

“Can I… borrow half of your bed?”

Before he could answer, she hurried into the bedroom, curling up on one side of the bed as if fleeing.

It was a single bed, not very big.

With two people, they’d probably touch even if they just turned over.

The thought made her heart race faster.

From outside the window came the sound of the bathroom door opening and closing, along with the faint trickle of water.

Lin Qingya buried her face in the pillow, where the clean scent of Cheng Minghao lingered.

She felt like a prisoner awaiting judgment—both anxious and expectant.

Time flowed slowly in the silence.

As drowsiness began to creep in, she felt the mattress dip slightly as a warm body lay down beside her.

“Asleep?”

Cheng Minghao’s voice was soft, as if afraid to disturb the still night.

Lin Qingya shook her head, then remembered he might not see her in the dark.

“Not yet,”

She replied quietly.

He naturally reached out and pulled her into his arms.

The movement was smooth, as if practiced a thousand times.

Lin Qingya stiffened for a moment, then gradually relaxed to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

“I just wanted to hold you.”

He whispered in her ear, his breath warm against her hair.

The embrace was gentle, not at all forceful—just a simple desire for closeness.

Lin Qingya suddenly felt her eyes grow warm.

She remembered when she was a child, how her mother would hold her and whisper comfort when she was scared of thunder.

“I was always afraid of the dark as a kid,”

She blurted, voice muffled against his chest.

“Whenever it thundered and rained, I had to cling to my mom to sleep.”

Cheng Minghao stroked her hair.

“And now? Still scared?”

“Not as much anymore,”

She replied softly, shifting to a more comfortable position in his arms.

The night deepened, and the moonlight slowly crept across the foot of the bed.

Feeling the even breathing behind her, Lin Qingya found the moment especially precious.

They were like two small boats meeting in the vast sea, temporarily anchored at the same harbor.

“What do you want for breakfast tomorrow?”

Cheng Minghao asked suddenly.

“I can make fried eggs, though they might not look very good.”

Lin Qingya couldn’t help but laugh.

“You can cook?”

“Of course,”

He said with a hint of pride.

“I can even make instant noodles—with eggs and vegetables.”

Such ordinary conversation made her heart soften into a warm puddle.

She quietly turned around, tracing his outline in the dark.

Her eyes had adjusted, and she could faintly make out his closed profile.

“Thank you.”

She said softly.

“For what?”

“Thank you… for not pressing me about why I always seem distracted.”

Cheng Minghao opened his eyes and met hers in the darkness.

“Everyone has their own secrets. If you want to tell me, you will. If not, just having you beside me is enough.”

The words were like a key, gently unlocking her heart.

Lin Qingya snuggled closer, wrapping her arms around his waist for the first time.

“When I’m ready, you’ll be the first to know.”

She promised.

From outside, the sound of a passing car echoed distantly, as if from another world.

In the small room, time seemed to slow.

Lin Qingya cherished the rare peace, her eyelids growing heavy.

Half-dreaming, half-awake, she felt a soft kiss on her forehead.

“Good night, Qingya.”

His voice was the gentlest whisper in the night.

This time, she didn’t reply—just drifted to sleep in his arms, a faint smile on her lips, as if dreaming a beautiful dream.

Moonlight poured quietly, draping a silver veil over the two of them.

Tonight, the stars were silent, the night wind gentle, and everything was just right.