I Don’t Want to Be Turned into a Girl by Magic

Chapter 234 : Night Talk

Night gradually deepened.

An extra chair had been added to Chen Yao's room. The two sat side by side in front of the computer screen, watching a science fiction movie that was playing.

Lin Nan wasn't very interested in movies, but with nothing else to do now, she could only pass the time with a film, which might also help make her drowsy.

She had both feet up on the chair, curled up in a ball, hugging her legs with her chin resting on her knees. Her toes restlessly swayed up and down, and her body gently swayed along with the background music from the sci-fi film.

Chen Yao glanced at Lin Nan's current appearance from the corner of his eye, knowing her mood was pretty good right now.

Suddenly there was a knock on the bedroom door, then Chen Yao's father's voice came from outside: "Do you two want a late-night snack? Sago dessert, homemade."

As he spoke, Uncle pushed open the door and entered the room carrying a small bowl: "It's cold, so Nan Nan should eat less."

Being called Nan Nan by an elder didn't make her feel too resistant.

Lin Nan didn't have much love for sweets. She nodded and smiled politely to express her thanks: "Thank you, Uncle."

"It's nothing, we're all family." Uncle Chen's smiling face was full of wrinkles. "If you want to eat anything else tonight, just tell me. I used to be a head chef at a five-star hotel. As long as it can be bought, I can make it."

Previously, it had been the aunt doing all the cooking at Chen Yao's house. She hadn't expected the hidden expert to actually be the uncle in front of her.

Lin Nan's eyes lit up as she excitedly answered: "Steak! I want M2!" (TN: Marbling level. It’s pretty high-quality.)

"You really aren't polite at all!" Chen Yao pushed Lin Nan's head back without hesitation. "Where am I supposed to buy you such expensive steak in the middle of the night?"

"What kind of way is that to talk!" Chen Yao's father kicked his son's thigh. "If we can satisfy Nan Nan's requests, we should! I still have M7 in the restaurant freezer, I'll go get it tomorrow!" (TN: Marbling exists on a scale of 1-12, 7 is top tier.)

Wait! I'm trying to help you! Am I even your real son?!

Chen Yao pouted in dissatisfaction and picked up the sago dessert to eat, only to get kicked again: "Eating this late at night! You're not fat enough already!"

Great, I must be adopted.

Actually, Chen Yao wasn't fat at all. At most, he could be described as broad-shouldered and stocky, but in winter when wearing thick clothes, he was still a handsome young guy who looked good in clothes.

Lin Nan quite envied his physique, the kind that looked thin when dressed but muscular when undressed.

Chen Yao handed the bowl to Lin Nan. He didn't really mind becoming the "guest" anyway. After Lin Nan stayed tonight, she'd have to live here for at least half a month, and after that half month, his parents probably wouldn't be this biased anymore...

...Right?

He glanced at Lin Nan happily drinking her sago dessert, and his previously unbalanced heart felt much more comfortable.

He rarely saw Lin Nan smile this happily. Her smile was melting his heart.

"What else does Nan Nan want to eat?" Seeing her eat so happily, Chen Yao's father was immediately full of energy. "Whatever you want, I'll get it for you!"

"Um, home cooking is fine... I’m not picky when it comes to that kind of thing." Lin Nan also felt her earlier request had been a bit excessive. She'd clearly gotten carried away after being spoiled.

"Then I'll go to bed first."

"Good night, Uncle."

"So well-behaved, much more sensible than Chen Yao."

"???"

Chen Yao's head was full of question marks. If he'd asked for M12 steak during an epidemic, his head would probably get smashed in. (TN: Literal best marble in existence.)

The bedroom door closed, and then Lin Nan heard another bedroom door close.

It seemed Uncle and Auntie really were going to sleep.

The time was already midnight. Lin Nan finished the sago dessert and let out a comfortable burp, then stood up and dove headfirst into the bedding.

Lin Nan always felt extremely drowsy after eating and drinking her fill.

The blanket and pillow had been newly changed by Chen Yao's mother. Although Chen Yao's scent still vaguely lingered on the bed, it no longer had much effect.

Chen Yao's blanket had been tossed onto the bamboo mat on the floor. Although they'd said to make him sleep on the sofa, in this kind of weather it was better to sleep in the room to avoid catching cold and causing trouble.

Chen Yao turned on the air conditioner's heating function. This feature was only used for a few days each year around New Year when the temperature dropped below ten degrees.

"You're sleeping already?"

He turned to look at Lin Nan on the bed.

"I'll watch from bed. Move the screen down a bit, I can't see clearly."

"Okay, is this good?"

"Mm."

Chen Yao also sat on the bed, legs crossed, looking at the girl lying on her side beside him, propping her head up with one hand.

She hadn't brought any clothes, couldn't bathe tonight, and had no pajamas. Right now she was fully dressed, not even having taken off her jacket.

She was already getting a bit drowsy, her head starting to droop bit by bit.

Then she'd suddenly jolt awake and continue forcing herself to stay awake to watch the movie.

"If you're tired, just go to sleep."

Lin Nan nodded. She was also worried that getting up too late tomorrow would make Uncle and Auntie dislike her.

So she rolled over, took off her jacket, wrapped herself in the blanket, yawning with half-open eyes looking at the ceiling.

Although this place was somewhat unfamiliar to Lin Nan, having Chen Yao beside her gave her an inexplicable sense of security.

Chen Yao gazed at Lin Nan's face and, as if possessed, suddenly reached out to gently pinch it.

"What are you doing?"

She looked at Chen Yao weakly. In her drowsiness, she couldn't even muster the energy to get angry.

"It feels pretty good." Chen Yao laughed. "Alright, hurry and sleep. I still have to get up early tomorrow for the class reunion."

Lin Nan had clearly heard him say something about how it was best not to go out during the epidemic, but when it came to the reunion, Chen Yao had thrown that matter to the back of his mind.

"It's best not to go out."

"Mm."

Chen Yao nodded in agreement, then pressed the switch on the bedside table, and the room was immediately plunged into darkness.

He got up and turned off the computer, and the room became even darker, pitch black where you couldn't see your hand in front of your face.

He sat on the floor bedding, chin resting on the bed, quietly watching Lin Nan's silhouette in the darkness. After a moment, his eyes adjusted to the pitch black, only to discover that Lin Nan's gaze had also been resting on him.

"What?"

"Watching you sleep makes me feel more at ease..." Lin Nan answered in a low voice.

Unable to see Lin Nan's expression as she spoke, Chen Yao didn't think much of it. He just reached out to ruffle her hair, only to have his hand slapped away in disgust.

Lin Nan then asked quietly: "Do you think I'll really have to find someone to marry in the future?"

Chen Yao froze for a moment, then answered: "Probably not? In this day and age, there are people who stay single their whole lives. After retirement, there's also pension money..."

"If you're afraid of loneliness, you could find a nursing home to move into later. It should be pretty lively..." He continued following Lin Nan's train of thought, even though he thought staying single for life wasn't realistic.

After answering, he didn't hear Lin Nan's next words. Looking carefully, he found Lin Nan had already closed her eyes and seemed to have fallen asleep.

Sighing, he rolled over to lie on the floor and covered himself with the blanket, only to shiver from the cold, damp bedding.

Just as Chen Yao's consciousness gradually grew hazy and he was falling asleep, he seemed to vaguely hear Lin Nan's stammering voice.

"If I... had to get married... you'd be pretty good too..."