Liu Runxi opened his eyes to complete darkness.
It was a kind of darkness and solitude that incites fear.
It felt as if he were the only person in the world, and for a mont, he seed to be plunged back into the abyss he once knew.
The boundless darkness surrounded him like a tidal wave.
His pale fingertips instinctively grasped the silk quilt covering him.
A faint, familiar fragrance wafted to his nose, like gentle hands soothing his tense and trembling nerves, like soone subrged in icy waters suddenly touched by a warm current, ironing out his anxiety in an instant.
Even the panic in his breath slowly sank away.
The fragnts of nightmares swirling in his mind blurred into indistinct shadows amid the drifting aroma.
mory slowly returned.
The cold wind at four in the morning was bone-chilling, yet the hand holding his was warm like a furnace, a young girl’s fluttering hair before his eyes, her unique fragrance drifting to his nose with the cold wind, filling his heart.
The world was silent, as if only they remained, the sole people in each other’s universe, running down a seemingly endless path.
Everything was so beautiful, like a dream he wished would never end.
And then?
Liu Runxi lowered his eyes with a soft smile.
Then Shen You’an brought him to her ho.
She clumsily made a bowl of terrible noodles, then ordered him to finish them and pressed him onto the guest room bed, forcing him to sleep.
He was truly exhausted, yet couldn’t fall asleep.
Shen You’an, do you know? Sitting by my bedside, staring at with your innocent big eyes, how could I possibly sleep?
"An’an, can you sing?"
Shen You’an nodded, "I can."
"Then sing a song; I’m used to falling asleep listening to music."
Shen You’an agreed readily, "What song do you want to hear?"
The young man, with bloodshot eyes, stared directly at her, "Birdland Lullaby."
Shen You’an’s heart skipped a beat, looking at him in disbelief.
"You...?"
Liu Runxi smiled, "Whenever you solve a problem, you unconsciously hum this. Though the lody is vague and elusive, it happens that this classic jazz song is also on my playlist."
Shen You’an’s emotions were complex and beyond words as she deeply gazed at the young man before her. How could such a person exist in this world, one who solves her challenges, understands her thoughts, and even shares her taste in music?
Shen You’an cleared her throat with a soft cough, as, under the boy’s gentle gaze, the lazy tones of jazz drifted from her throat, light as the clouds billowing outside the window.
In the tender whispers and low chants, it was like feathers lightly brushing the heart’s edge.
The boy’s eyelashes trembled, like a bird finally finding its nest, gradually sinking into peaceful slumber amidst the gentle song.
Where you are, there are no nightmares, just a haven of tenderness.
Shen You’an lowered her eyes, her gaze fixed on the boy’s tightly pursed yet gradually relaxing lips.
She rely wanted to lull him to sleep, but upon singing "Kiss sweet and we’ll go," her heart suddenly skipped a beat, her fingertips unconsciously grazing his brow, wanting to smooth away the last traces of anxiety.
His crisp soap scent filled her nose, mingling with his gentle breaths; her song slowed by half a beat, her throat unexpectedly tight, and the warmth in her eyes blossod softly in unnoticed monts, like warm water steeped in honey.
She just wanted to gaze at him this way, the lody enveloping them both, allowing ti to pause in this mont.
——
The gentle song seed to linger in his ears, guarding peaceful dreams.
Liu Runxi returned to his senses, picking up the phone by his bed and glancing at it.
It was already eight o’clock in the evening.
He had slept fourteen hours.
There were twelve missed calls from Helian Yu.
Liu Runxi turned off the phone, threw off the covers, and got out of bed.
Walking out of the room, the first thing he saw was Shen You’an’s serious figure under the lamp.
She knelt on a mat, surrounded by scattered draft paper on the table and floor; she wore simple ho attire, her thick hair fixed in a bun with a pencil at her nape, strands of hair at her temples falling and obstructing her view which she casually tucked behind her ear.
The Shen You’an seen by Liu Runxi was always neatly dressed and composed, rational and calm. This was the first ti he saw her at ho, devoid of her goddess aura, simple and spontaneous, yet even more charming and captivating.
Liu Runxi leaned against the wall, quietly watching for a long ti.
Shen You’an finally felt thirsty, grasping the cup by her hand, only to realize it was empty.
A shadow lood overhead as the empty cup in her hand was removed, and then a cup of warm water was pressed into her palm.
Shen You’an lifted her gaze instinctively, eting the young man’s cool and misty eyes.
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