Jiang Wenyan looked at Meng Shining as if she were an idiot. “Shouldn’t you be worried about what I might do to you?”
Meng Shining met his gaze, her expression serious. “Would you do anything to me?”
“I know you wouldn’t. You are an upright gentleman, and I am a despicable scoundrel. So… Can I come in?” Meng Shining took the opportunity to praise Jiang Wenyan while belittling herself.
This time, she should be able to enter Jiang Wenyan’s “boudoir,” right?
The words “No” stuck in Jiang Wenyan’s throat when he saw the screen light up above Meng Shining’s head.
Seeing that he wasn’t saying anything, Meng Shining grabbed the door handle, pushed the door open, and quickly ran to Jiang Wenyan’s bed.
She lifted the blanket, got under it, pulled it over herself, and closed her eyes.
All her movements were swift, fearing that if she hesitated, Jiang Wenyan would change his mind.
Hearing his footsteps gradually approach, she opened her eyes slightly, watching him secretly, afraid he would come over and pull her off the bed in the next second.
Fortunately, Jiang Wenyan stayed in front of her for only a few seconds before turning and heading into the bathroom.
He had originally wanted to see what would appear on the screen above her head, which was why he did not refuse.
The screen lit up briefly, but once Meng Shining audaciously lay on his bed, it disappeared.
Jiang Wenyan unbuttoned his clothes, quickly showered, changed into pajamas, and stood at the bedside, unusually hesitant.
How had things ended up with him sharing a bed with her?
He let out a barely audible sigh and lifted a corner of the blanket, preparing to lie down.
His gaze inadvertently swept over Meng Shining, and the previously disappeared screen lit up again.
This time, a picture appeared almost immediately.
A room with classical decor appeared on the screen, with sheer curtains and wisps of mist. A woman in a pink chiffon dress sat at the vanity, back facing the screen.
Then a knocking sound came from the screen. The woman in pink turned around.
Jiang Wenyan’s face darkened instantly when he saw her face.
This wasn’t a woman, it was him, cross-dressed.
The knocking continued. The cross-dressed version of himself stood carefully at the door. “Who’s outside? Knocking on a woman’s room in the dead of night is hardly proper behavior.”
After the ‘woman’ spoke, Meng Shining’s deliberately rough voice came from outside: “Miss Jiang, open the door! I brought my cat that can backflip after the meeting. Open up and I’ll let you perform it for you.”
A flicker of curiosity appeared on the ‘woman’s’ face. Just as she was about to open the door, she realized something and froze. “Meng Gongzi, better come tomorrow. It’s late, and it’s improper for a man and woman alone at this hour.”
“Then crack the door open, and peek through the gap. I’ll have the cat perform a backflip for you.” Meng Shining’s rough voice carried a hint of coaxing.
Jiang Wenyan sat on the bed, eyes fixed on the screen. Such a lame excuse who would fall for it, or believe in a backflipping cat? Ridiculous!
Just as he thought this, he saw the ‘woman’ on screen slowly open the door just enough to reveal a face.
Following the ‘woman’s’ line of sight, outside the door stood Meng Shining, wearing a bright green robe with a matching hat.
Seeing the door wasn’t fully opened, Meng Shining chuckled and stepped inside. “Miss Jiang, I’ve missed you so much.”
The ‘woman’ exclaimed, “Ah! What are you doing, Meng Gongzi? Please behave yourself!”
Jiang Wenyan’s face darkened further. How could she be so foolish? How could she be like this?
His gaze shifted from the screen to Meng Shining’s mischievous smile in real life.
Feeling a scorching, dangerous gaze fixed on her, Meng Shining abruptly opened her eyes.
The moment she did, Jiang Wenyan’s dark face black enough to write calligraphy with a brush, came into view.
“Wha…what’s wrong? Am I…taking up too much space?” Meng Shining was flustered, seeing his stern gaze.
She had been lying quietly, not speaking or moving. Her thoughts were the only chaos inside her head; he couldn’t see that.
Why did his expression make it seem like she’d committed some heinous crime?
Seeing he still didn’t speak, Meng Shining shifted a bit on the bed. “I…can’t sleep further out. I’d fall off.”
“Relax. Tonight, rest assured. I’m known for being honest when I sleep. Whatever position I fall asleep in, that’s how I wake up—without moving at all.” Meng Shining made up her mind. No matter what Jiang Wenyan said, she wouldn’t get up from this bed.
“Really, if you don’t trust me, tie me up. I won’t touch you at all.” Meng Shining looked at Jiang Wenyan’s dark eyes, a little nervous.
Jiang Wenyan said nothing. The screen had disappeared since she opened her eyes.
Seeing he didn’t speak, Meng Shining moved closer to the bed’s edge, trying to keep a safe distance from him.
“Turn off the lights. Sleep!” she ordered after adjusting her position.
Jiang Wenyan switched off the light. The extra presence beside him was like adding a decorative piece at home having no effect whatsoever.
Of course, this assumed the “decoration” stayed asleep.
By the fifth time Meng Shining had wrapped herself around him like an octopus, Jiang Wenyan realized something.
Every word she said was a lie.
He pried her hands away and pushed them aside. He even felt the urge to sleep in the study.
Sensing his intent to leave, Meng Shining froze, her only movement the steady rhythm of her breathing.
Abandoning the thought of sleeping elsewhere, Jiang Wenyan soon fell asleep.
The next morning, he woke up with something pressing against his neck.
Opening his eyes, a slender, fair arm was draped across his neck. Moving her hand away, Jiang Wenyan cleared his throat.
He now understood Meng Shining’s sleeping posture. His hand was held by her, his legs pinned by hers, and her head pressed tightly against his arm.
The position was strange and uncomfortable.
Jiang Wenyan could no longer endure it and pushed her aside, getting up to wash. He didn’t want to stay in this bed for another second.
After washing, Meng Shining woke up just in time to see Jiang Wenyan fully dressed. She smiled. “Good morning!”
Sitting up in bed, she proudly said, “I slept on my side last night, and I woke up on my side today. See? I told you I’m honest when I sleep.”
Jiang Wenyan, adjusting his tie, glanced at her with a cold, impassive gaze.
Knowing he wouldn’t argue, Meng Shining ignored him and went to wash up.