novelraw Chapter 253: "Just Sleep Like This.
Chapter 253: "Just Sleep Like This.
"...It’s nothing..." Xu Su was a little embarrassed. The man beside her was shirtless, and she didn’t dare let her hands wander.
"Something’s definitely up. You haven’t been yourself tonight." Thinking of how she had actively initiated a kiss at school, Zhou Mochen clicked his tongue. "Did the thing with Gu Yunjia really get to you that much? Or did you finally realize what a rare, one-of-a-kind man I am?"
Xu Su pursed her lips. ’Let him keep misunderstanding.’
’There was no way she could tell Zhou Mochen that this was all because Xi Zirong had kissed her and held her again and again tonight. That she’d realized she still had feelings for Xi Zirong, and out of guilt toward her current boyfriend, she figured she might as well just sleep with him and be done with it.’
Xu Su had knocked on his door thinking that if she slept with Zhou Mochen, she might be able to get over Xi Zirong sooner.
’She really didn’t want to continue this emotional entanglement. Liking two guys at the same time... how could she ever say that out loud?’
’Even if she dared to say it, Zhou Mochen would probably strangle her.’
’It wouldn’t matter how gentle he normally was. His gentleness was predicated on their love being mutual.’
Xu Su was sure of it: if she really dared to develop feelings for someone else, Zhou Mochen’s gentle facade would shatter instantly...
She was silent for a long moment, but Zhou Mochen wasn’t in a hurry. He smiled, completely satisfied. "Whatever your reason for doing this, I’m very happy. I’ll put tonight on your tab, and you can pay me back in full after you graduate."
’The girl who had always been so resistant to physical intimacy had just offered herself to him. Whatever the reason, it had to be a sign that her feelings for him were growing.’
Zhou Mochen’s heart felt warm and fuzzy. He was utterly content, and the uncomfortable heat coursing through him was nothing in comparison.
’He’d already held back for so long. With only half a year left, of course he could endure it a little longer.’
The hard thing pressing against her leg made Xu Su very uncomfortable. She spoke carefully, "If we’re not... sleeping, then I’ll go back to my room."
"We’ll sleep just like this." Zhou Mochen had no intention of letting go. After all this time, she had finally climbed into his bed on her own. Even if they did nothing, he was going to hold her to his heart’s content.
"..." Xu Su was silent for a moment, then chose to stop struggling.
’Besides, I’m not the one who’s uncomfortable. If this is how he wants to sleep, then fine...’
That night, Xu Su didn’t know how well Zhou Mochen slept, but she herself slept soundly.
Although being held so tightly made her back and neck a little sore, it gave her a great sense of security. She slept right until her alarm went off, and when she opened her eyes, she was met with Zhou Mochen’s thunderous expression.
"You’re awake. Go wash up and get dressed." Zhou Mochen’s tone was calm.
"Oh..."
For some reason, Xu Su sensed danger in the air. She obediently agreed and started to get out of bed.
Zhou Mochen’s face contorted as he held her down. "Don’t move!"
Xu Su’s leg froze. ’I just realized my leg was draped over Zhou Mochen’s waist. I tried to move it... but did I do something wrong?’
Zhou Mochen took a deep breath, moved away from Xu Su as quickly as possible, and shot out of bed into the bathroom.
Leaving Xu Su alone on the bed, stunned...
’It seems... men in the morning... have that...’
As for Zhou Mochen’s self-control, Xu Su had a newfound appreciation...
’As expected of the heir to the Zhou family, one of Beijing’s top conglomerates,’ she praised him silently. ’His willpower is so strong, I’d believe it if he told me he’d kicked a drug habit...’
Ever since Zhou Mochen had made it clear he wouldn’t do anything to her before graduation, Xu Su had grown much bolder. She loved to tease him when she was bored, even asking from time to time, "Want to sleep together tonight?"
Usually, Zhou Mochen would refuse through gritted teeth. It was clear that the ordeal from that night had been rather painful for him.
On the rare occasions he couldn’t bring himself to refuse, he would carry Xu Su to his room, a look of pained pleasure on his face, and kiss her with strained restraint.
Xu Su quite enjoyed watching him struggle to suppress his desire, though sometimes, her conscience would kick in and she’d feel a pang of sympathy...
Meanwhile at school, the rumors about Gu Yunjia spread like wildfire before eventually dying down.
With the graduating class under the close watch of teachers and school administrators, that kind of gossip wasn’t allowed to get too out of hand. As final exams drew near, a long-lost peace returned to the campus.
Xu Su and Xi Zirong didn’t interact anymore. It was as if that night had never happened. On the rare occasion their eyes met, she would look away with practiced ease.
In the Qingxuan Sect Elite Group chat, Xu Su hadn’t even had her final exams yet, but Sika, who was also a high school senior, was about to start her winter break.
The elite high school’s winter break wasn’t short at all. When Sika heard that Xu Su’s break was only two days long—Lunar New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day—she couldn’t believe it.
It’s Sika!: [Even the regular high schools here aren’t that ridiculous! A winter break of only two days!]
Xu Su sent a crying face emoji: [Every graduating class at my school gets the same treatment... It’s always been this way.]
Fortunately, the other "big shots" in the group had also survived their high school years the same way. Those stories about studying to the point of exhaustion weren’t just legends.
’Sika attended an elite high school in Magic Capital. Of course her vacation schedule was different from that of a top high school in a backwater city like hers...’
’Xu Su was secretly envious for about two seconds. Then she remembered that a longer vacation meant more time at home, having to see Xu Weiping and Chen Shulan every day. Her envy vanished instantly. She’d rather be at school...’
As winter break approached, having failed to win over the guy of her dreams after all this time, Sika grew more and more dejected in the group chat.
One weekend evening, she posted a photo in the group from her school’s talent show. It showed a boy and a girl on stage, holding microphones. The girl wore a light blue, off-the-shoulder gown, her long hair swept up to reveal a delicate, palm-sized face and the elegant lines of her shoulders and neck. She was tilting her head to look at the boy beside her, her eyes filled with unconcealable affection.
The boy in the photo was the one Sika had a crush on, and his face was very clear this time. He was handsome and refined; even in a simple white shirt, he looked better than anyone else. He stood with perfect posture, staring straight ahead.
It’s Sika!: [The girl is our school’s campus belle. She was the host. My dream guy stayed on stage to say a few words after his piano solo, and someone snapped this picture. People are saying they look so compatible. Do they?! I don’t think so! She’s just as hopelessly into him as I am!]
She was deeply indignant, ranting in the group chat about how hard she’d tried to pursue him, only for his heart to be like stone. He never gave her any response, she complained, and now he was caught up in rumors with the campus belle.
Nanyang: [Your campus belle is quite pretty, but don’t panic yet, Little Sika. Looking at this picture, it’s obvious the guy has no interest in her. You still have a chance.]
Big Sis Liu Yun: [I agree with Nanyang. You can’t tell they’re compatible at all from this photo. But our Sika sure has good taste, this guy is so handsome! Just a tiny bit less handsome than our Boss, of course...]
After a few rounds of comforting words from the group, Sika’s mood improved a little, but then she lamented: [This semester is almost over, and with my grades, there’s no way I can get into the same university as him. I’ve been chasing him for so long, I’m about to give up hope. He’s a true ’flower on a high peak’—totally untouchable. I’ve known him for years and have barely seen him show any expression. I can’t even imagine what he would be like if he actually fell for someone.]