19 – Aren’t You Afraid of the Dark?
Perhaps it was because she had just woken up and her mind was still foggy, or perhaps because Wen Nian had appeared out of nowhere in the middle of the night, standing beside her and startling her, Shi Sui couldn’t help but close her eyes. Subconsciously, she blurted out, “Is it finally happening? Are you finally going to make a move on me?”
She had always thought that with such a stunning beauty at home, any normal person would find it hard to resist, right?!
Wen Nian didn’t catch what Shi Sui said and asked, “What are you muttering about?”
Shi Sui replied, “I’m scared.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, Shi Sui felt they were inappropriate. She had always sensed that Wen Nian seemed to lack a sense of security.
He was like a child who rarely received praise from his parents, and when he occasionally did, his eyes would light up, and he would repeatedly confirm whether he was truly being praised.
From the very first day she arrived, Shi Sui had noticed that Wen Nian seemed to crave affection.
So, what did “I’m scared” mean? Was she scared of him? If she truly said it out loud, it might hurt him a little. Shi Sui knew Wen Nian didn’t dislike her. If even she were afraid of him, then Wen Nian would be too pitiful.
Wen Nian’s gaze dimmed for a moment before he slowly spoke, “I’m sorry, I won’t scare you next time.”
The youth lowered his eyelashes, his slender figure standing there. Outside the window, the wind howled desolately, and he stood there alone, looking exceptionally pitiful, like a stray cat that had been abandoned.
Nowhere to go, no home to return to.
“That’s not what I meant,” Shi Sui tried to salvage the situation, her mind racing as she forced herself to say, “I’m afraid of the cold.”
Wen Nian replied, “Hmm?”
Shi Sui smiled and said, “You must be cold too. You’re wearing so little. Why don’t you sleep here? My blanket is thick, so you won’t freeze.”
Wen Nian was taken aback, as if it had been a long time since anyone had shown him such warm concern or spoken to him so kindly.
His voice was low and hoarse as he couldn’t help but ask, “You want me to sleep with you?”
Shi Sui wasn’t one to be overly reserved either. Although she and Wen Nian didn’t interact much like a married couple, she understood clearly in her heart that it was Wen Nian who gave her a sense of boundaries and freedom. It didn’t mean they weren’t husband and wife, nor did it mean Shi Sui could take advantage of Wen Nian’s current indulgence to act out.
This was also something she couldn’t understand in TV dramas, where the female lead, relying on the male lead’s affection for her, repeatedly caused trouble and acted out recklessly, taking his love for granted, as if their relationship couldn’t be considered complete without a hundred episodes of tragic romance.
But someone liking you doesn’t mean they owe you anything, and you have no right to use their affection to hurt them.
Since she was here, she might as well make the best of it. Shi Sui had always been able to adjust her mindset and position.
In the end, Wen Nian lay down beside Shi Sui. Afraid that she might be unhappy or dislike him, he was careful not to touch her, maintaining a safe distance between them.
The blanket was warm, and Shi Sui was like a little sun, resting her head on her hair, her bangs slightly messy, her collar carelessly open, revealing snow-white and delicate skin. Wen Nian slept peacefully, hardly moving, and Shi Sui soon fell asleep.
Shi Sui was asleep, but Wen Nian couldn’t sleep.
The candlelight was too bright, stinging his eyes and keeping him awake.
Actually, Shi Sui was a light sleeper, easily disturbed by the slightest noise. Back when she lived in the dormitory, one of her roommates snored. If she went to bed later than that roommate, she was doomed—insomnia was guaranteed. But unexpectedly, Wen Nian had the effect of a sleeping pill. With him sleeping beside her, Shi Sui actually felt very at ease.
Wen Nian turned over, unable to sleep, so he reached out and extinguished the candle before slowly drifting off.
The room suddenly plunged into complete darkness, with flashes of thunder rumbling outside the window. Shi Sui jolted awake, shivering uncontrollably. Having watched too many horror films as a child, if she didn’t leave a nightlight on while sleeping, her mind would conjure images of long-haired female ghosts. Terrified, all her drowsiness vanished.
Little Black Flower, on the other hand, slept soundly, but Shi Sui didn’t dare wake him, afraid that if she annoyed him, he might strangle her in a fit of anger—and who could she reason with then?
Perhaps it was because she tossed and turned too frequently. She always fidgeted unconsciously, and in doing so, she nearly closed the safe distance Wen Nian had kept between them, almost pressing herself into his embrace. Wen Nian seemed to sense the restless movements of the girl in his arms.
After letting Shi Sui squirm a few more times, the Youth couldn’t take it anymore. He reached out and pressed her head against his chest. Shi Sui’s vision went dark instantly as the Youth’s low, raspy voice slowly reached her ears: “Are you going to sleep or not?”
Shi Sui sighed and whispered, “I’m afraid of the dark.”
The Youth furrowed his brow. “Afraid of the dark?”
Shi Sui nodded slightly.
Wen Nian genuinely sensed Shi Sui’s fear, as if through some kind of resonance. He slowly sat up, hesitated for a long moment, and finally lit the candle.
After a brief pause, Shi Sui asked, “Can you still sleep with it so bright?”
Wen Nian rested his head on his arm and replied nonchalantly, “I can’t sleep with you fidgeting like this either.”
Shi Sui: “…”
Wen Nian’s tone was leisurely. Shi Sui reached out under the covers, and the moment her fingers brushed against Wen Nian’s, his body visibly stiffened. He raised an eyebrow slightly, studying her in the dim light. “So, you’re trying to take advantage of me in the dark?”
Shi Sui looked up at him and pinched his finger. “So cold.”
The Youth was momentarily taken aback, then chuckled. “It’s cold outside. The chill followed me in.”
Shi Sui added, “Maybe we should put out the candle after all. I can try to adjust. You have court tomorrow.”
“Hmm?” Wen Nian said. “When did I say I was going to court?”
Shi Sui yawned. “If you don’t go, your wife might really run off with someone else.”
The Youth chuckled softly. “True. Many people have their eyes on Little Glutinous Rice Ball.”
Shi Sui thought to herself, Since you’ve praised me, I won’t tease you back. But the wind was strong tonight, and the window was clearly not shut properly. The candlelight flickered wildly in the breeze. Shi Sui glanced up at the candle.
The Youth smiled faintly, roughly guessing what Shi Sui was thinking. He said, “You sleep first. I’ll keep watch over the candle and put it out after you fall asleep.”
Shi Sui yawned and murmured, “Okay.”
Wen Nian’s eyelashes fluttered as he gazed down at the girl’s sleeping face. Once he was sure Shi Sui was asleep, he quietly sat up and extinguished the candle.
Shi Sui slept restlessly at night. After resting her head on Wen Nian’s arm for most of the night, his arm had long gone numb. But seeing how peacefully she slept, he didn’t wake her. Instead, he drifted into a deep, unusually sound and peaceful slumber.
When the hour of Yin arrived in the morning, Wen Nian had slept enough. Carefully withdrawing his arm from beneath Shi Sui’s head, it had already gone completely numb. He tucked the quilt snugly around Shi Sui before heading to court.
In truth, if Wen Nian did not attend court, most of the civil and military officials, while not saying so openly, were inwardly pleased.
This was especially true for those noble-born youths. After all, Wen Nian held a prestigious status and enjoyed the Emperor’s exclusive favor. But that wasn’t the most troublesome part. During court sessions, whenever disagreements arose, they found they could neither outfight him nor outargue him. Wen Nian acted willfully and capriciously, leaving them utterly helpless.
As for General Wang, after being angered by Wen Nian that day, he had excused himself from court several times on the pretext of illness. Hearing over the past few days that that scoundrel was again absent from court, he thought his “illness” could finally be considered cured. So, he straightened his robes and hurried to court early.
Even outside the main hall, General Wang repeatedly confirmed with other ministers, almost to the point of obsession, asking every incense stick’s time: “Is the Crown Prince truly not coming to court?”
The Vice Minister Zhang beside him chuckled and teased: “General Wang, you can rest assured. The Young Master hasn’t attended court for nearly seven days. When the Emperor first learned of this, he was furious. Ah, what can be done?”
General Wang also sighed, troubled for the nation’s future—how could they be saddled with such an unworthy scoundrel as Crown Prince?
“Indeed, the Crown Prince is truly… far too unruly.”
“Ah, what can we do? It seems to me he simply doesn’t regard us at all!”
“Exactly! Last time, he even impeached this old official! I simply don’t understand why he always opposes us?”
“Alas…”
…More and more people began to chime in. General Wang sighed helplessly as well. His heart had just settled; he didn’t want to constantly quarrel with Wen Nian in court. Yet Wen Nian always opposed him, as if deliberately. Moreover, Wen Nian was the sole candidate to inherit the throne. Every time General Wang saw his unruly and careless demeanor, he felt frustrated at his wasted potential.
So, it was best to avoid him when possible.
Many in the court also breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing Wen Nian would not attend, because facing him always left them at a loss.
Just as everyone was enjoying this pleasant time without Wen Nian, chatting harmoniously, a light, cheerful voice drifted leisurely from the corridor:
“Oh? How amusing. General Wang’s recovery is truly timely.”
“………………”