"Uncle, that small bed is too cramped for you. Why don't you sleep in the big bed, and I'll take the small one?"
Lin Ruirui broke the awkward silence. It seemed only fair; a tall, robust man like him would hardly fit on such a tiny cot, his feet even dangling off the edge.
Qiao Shifeng was still reeling from the earlier closeness, and hearing her offer, he instinctively refused. How could he, a grown man, let her sleep on the smaller bed?
The disagreement continued until Lin Ruirui, conceding half a step, patted the space beside her, "Then Uncle, make do and lie beside me."
In his heart, Qiao Shifeng felt this wasn't a compromise but a gift. He had only ever dreamed of lying next to her.
Obediently, he lifted the blanket's edge and slid in.
Lin Ruirui felt the bed sink beside her and a wave of warmth enveloped her. Her body stiffened, and she held her breath, her heart pounding wildly.
Qiao Shifeng, sensing her tension, whispered reassuringly, "Don't worry, I won't move."
His voice seemed to carry a calming magic, slowly easing Lin Ruirui's nerves.
She gradually closed her eyes, feeling the presence of the man beside her intensify with each breath she took.
Qiao Shifeng, however, was rigid. Lying next to his goddess, the woman he had adored for years, sleep was elusive.
As time ticked by, the room was silent apart from their soft breathing. Soon enough, Lin Ruirui drifted off to sleep.
Qiao Shifeng secretly opened his eyes and gazed at Lin Ruirui's peaceful face, feeling content. He reached out hesitantly to touch her cheek but retracted, fearing he might wake her.
Suddenly, Lin Ruirui turned, accidentally draping her arm across him.
Qiao Shifeng tensed up, his heart racing at her touch. He felt her warmth and smelled her fragrance, momentarily lost in a whirlwind of emotion.
Struggling with his impulses, he reminded himself to remain still to avoid startling her.
Eventually, fatigue overtook him, and he too fell asleep, dreaming of a beautiful garden where Lin Ruirui, dressed in white, approached him with open arms.
He reached out to embrace her, but just as he was about to touch her, she vanished.
Qiao Shifeng awoke with a start to find the morning light creeping in.
Turning his head, he saw Lin Ruirui still sleeping, a slight smile on her lips. A warm feeling surged in his heart, tempered by the realization that it had all been just a dream.
How could she ever initiate closeness with him?
Yet, as if his dream had foreshadowed reality, he felt her move closer in the chilly morning air, snuggling into his embrace, her hand resting unconsciously on his waist.
Qiao Shifeng remained tense, careful not to stir, fearful of waking Lin Ruirui.
She was so close he could smell the fragrance of her hair.
The sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a serene glow over them—a picturesque scene.
Qiao Shifeng savored the peaceful moment until Lin Ruirui's eyelashes fluttered, and her eyes slowly opened.