136. Chapter 136: Stay (2)

Qiao Xi could actually guess what Gu Heng had been about to ask, yet she did not know why he had suddenly stopped.

Was he worried that her answer would not be what he wanted to hear?

But even if he did not ask now, would her answer change?

She had intended to give him this answer yesterday, had it not been for his sudden injury...

Lost in thought, she looked up at him, only to meet his gaze.

"Why aren't you sleeping?" she asked.

Gu Heng did not answer, his eyes still fixed on her.

She remained silent as well.

The two stared at each other quietly for a while, until she finally broke the silence.

"Is the light too bright? I'll turn it off." As she spoke, she moved to rise, but the moment she turned, her hand was caught.

She looked down to see his hand gently holding hers.

Turning back to face him, she heard him say, "Come sit up here."

"?"

"The pillow is uncomfortable," he said.

Qiao Xi paused, then stepped forward and sat on the edge of the bed.

Using his uninjured arm to prop himself up slightly, he rested his head on her lap.

"This will be even more uncomfortable," Qiao Xi said.

"Just like this," Gu Heng replied, closing his eyes.

Qiao Xi did not move, letting him rest there.

***

"Let's split up here." Upon reaching the intersection, Shan Chou-chou stopped and turned to Duanmu Ningyi.

"Are you going back to Yingran for class tomorrow?" Duanmu Ningyi asked.

"It depends on Qiao Xi; if she goes back, I will too," Shan Chou-chou replied.

"It looks like you'll be bored for a few days, then. Since Gu Heng is hospitalized, Qiao Xi is practically fated to play the role of his nanny," Nan Zixi said, looking entirely unconcerned.

"I happen to like being bored, so what? Mind your own business!" Shan Chou-chou retorted, arching her brow.

"Who wants to mind your business? Don't flatter yourself."

"I’m throwing that exact sentence right back at you!"

...

Seeing them start their bickering again, Duanmu Ningyi could not be bothered to listen further.

"I'm heading home," she said, starting in the direction of her house, only to hear Chou-chou’s voice immediately ring out:

"Hey, you stinky Er-Nan, is that even the way to your house?"

She turned around and saw Nan Zixi following her.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"Visiting a friend; it just so happens to be the same way you're going," he said with an innocent expression.

"Pfft, some friend that is," Shan Chou-chou said crossly.

"Chou-chou, don't be upset just because I’m not walking home with you. Don't worry, no matter how many friends I have, I’ll always put you first."

"Who cares! Stop being so narcissistic," Shan Chou-chou said, her face dark. "You’d better pretend you don't know me when you see me, hmph." With that, she walked away.

"Geez, her temper is starting to rival Xin Meng's," Nan Zixi sighed.

Duanmu Ningyi ignored him and kept walking.

Nan Zixi caught up, chatting about this and that.

At first, Duanmu Ningyi ignored him, but finally, unable to take it anymore, she stopped and looked at him. "Are you certain your friend is in this direction?"

"One hundred percent certain and positive." Nan Zixi looked at her, a cool smirk playing on his lips. "Oh, it’s you, isn't it?"

Duanmu Ningyi neither smiled nor looked surprised. "So, I was the target. Fine, go ahead and speak."

"It's nothing much, just that you crossed the line a bit today," Nan Zixi said, his tone casual.

"It's a pity that some people are too thick-skinned to notice."

"We're both the same in that regard. You should know that upsetting the balance won't do anyone any good."

"Don't worry, I won't make a fool of myself." Duanmu Ningyi stared at him, her eyes turning cold.