Ling Chuxia hurriedly closed the window, then casually tidied up the screen that had been disturbed by the strong wind, letting it fall smoothly to the ground.
After arranging everything, Ling Chuxia turned around, ready to go back to bed and continue sleeping. However, after taking just a few steps, another flash of lightning accompanied by thunder illuminated the entire bedroom for a moment, revealing the man sitting on the bedroom sofa.
She stopped abruptly as if struck by the lightning, frozen in place.
How did he get back?
The next moment, her thought was that one should never talk behind someone's back; as soon as you do, they end up standing right behind you... No wonder she felt those gusts of cold wind on her back just now...
-
The bedroom had only the lamp on the bedside table lit, casting a dim, eerie yellow light. When Ling Chuxia woke up earlier, she went directly to close the window, not noticing the area by the sofa.
Moreover, she hadn't expected him to return.
Since the last time he left in a huff, slamming the door on his way out, he hadn't come back for several months...
Ling Chuxia was still lost in thought when Shi Che suddenly made a low groan—it had a nasal tone, sounding somewhat uncomfortable.
Ling Chuxia quickly pulled herself back to reality, adjusting her expression as she cautiously approached him.
As she got closer, Ling Chuxia caught a faint, rich scent of alcohol; it wasn't strong, but mild and pleasant.
Shi Che's body was slightly sprawled out, leaning back on the sofa, with his head resting on it, tilted lightly. His eyes were closed, the long, fine eyelashes casting a beautiful shadow over his eye sockets.
Even in the dim light, his deep-set, well-defined features were clear—the dashing eyebrows, slender black eyes, prominent nose bridge, and thinly pressed lips...
Only now, his sharp brows were knitted tightly; his slender fingers gently rubbed the center of his brow, looking as if he was in discomfort.
Was he drunk?
Ling Chuxia thought, drawing closer all the more cautiously.
Shi Che was a deep and reserved man with a commanding presence and natural authority. Even sitting quietly, he exuded an aura that warned others to stay away, making people instinctively want to detour around him to avoid disturbing him.
Ling Chuxia was always somewhat afraid of him. If possible, she would have liked to keep her distance, just like the Monkey King making a great leap.
Unfortunately, the one person she couldn't avoid was Shi Che, because Shi Che was her husband, the man she was obligated to take care of.
Ling Chuxia looked at Shi Che. His eyes were lightly closed, his breathing somewhat heavy yet rhythmic; he seemed to have fallen asleep.
She didn't understand why, since Shi Che had returned, he didn't just go to bed to sleep but instead was sitting on this sofa. The sofa surely wasn't as comfortable as the bed, was it?
She felt a bit troubled, wondering if she should wake him and ask him to go to bed. After all, with her slight frame, it wouldn't be possible for her to carry him to the bed.
Since Shi Che was slightly grumpy when woken and had always been impatient with her, she consistently tried to avoid testing his patience.
However, if he were to sleep the entire night on that sofa... if he was not well rested and suffered any aches tomorrow, she would surely bear the brunt of it too.