Chapter 41
After dinner, things became awkward. With two bedrooms and one living room, there was only one bed. When Shen Yin furnished the place, she had only thought about taking a nap with Zhengzheng during lunch break. If it was inconvenient to go home at night, they could just stay over. She didn't consider this kind of situation!
One bed, one sofa. It rained today so it would be cold at night. There was no blanket on the sofa either.
The key issue was, there were no clothes here for Xu Xiuhe to change into. When Shen Yin prepared this place, she only brought pajamas and extra clothes for herself and Zhengzheng. So she and Zhengzheng had everything here, while Xu Xiuhe had nothing.
After giving Zhengzheng a bath, Shen Yin handed him over to Xu Xiuhe and went to take a shower herself.
While Shen Yin was showering, she saw a large pajama in the bathroom that she had gotten as a gift when buying pajamas for herself. If not for seeing it now, she would've forgotten about it completely.
So Xu Xiuhe should be able to wear it. He probably wouldn't mind, right?
The rain outside had lightened to a soft pitter-patter that allowed Shen Yin to clearly hear the flowing water from the creek along Qinghe Street. After blow-drying her hair, Shen Yin took the oversized robe out with her.
Xu Xiuhe was playing with Zhengzheng in the living room. He rarely had this much free time, let alone an entire day with Zhengzheng.
"Here, this was a gift when I bought myself pajamas. It's a little big but you should be able to fit into it." Shen Yin handed the white pajamas to Xu Xiuhe. Afraid he would dislike it, she quickly added, "I've washed this pajama before."
Xu Xiuhe accepted it and thanked her.
In the 20 minutes Xu Xiuhe spent showering, Shen Yin thought of several sleeping arrangements for the night.
Zhengzheng would definitely sleep on the bed. If she slept with Zhengzheng, where would Xu Xiuhe sleep? He couldn't possibly sleep on the sofa, could he?
No, no. Xu Xiuhe was too big, the sofa would be too cramped for him.
Finally, Shen Yin came up with the best plan - she would take the sofa while Xu Xiuhe and Zhengzheng slept in the bedroom. Now she regretted not buying an extra bed, more blankets and mattresses.
When Xu Xiuhe came out, Shen Yin picked up Zhengzheng and said, "You and Zhengzheng take the bedroom tonight. I'll be fine on the sofa."
Xu Xiuhe's eyes showed disapproval. "No, you've just recovered from an illness. The sofa would be uncomfortable to sleep on. You take the bed with Zhengzheng."
Shen Yin thought Xu Xiuhe was quite good - he could cook, was a great dad, and considered women's needs. What a good man.
What she didn't know was that in others' eyes, Xu Xiuhe was also fierce, domineering, strict with employees, and caustic.
Since Xu Xiuhe had considered her needs, and offered her the bed, she shouldn't blame him for being heartless.
"Alright, don't complain if you feel uncomfortable." Only now did Shen Yin notice that the pajamas Xu Xiuhe wore were a bit tight, outlining his fit figure - a v-shaped torso with abs and...looking rather sexy at the waist.
Not daring to look further in case she blushed, Shen Yin's face had already reddened.
Anxious to escape Xu Xiuhe's presence, she hurried into the bedroom holding Zhengzheng.
"Mommy, why didn't Daddy come in? Where is Daddy sleeping?" Zhengzheng asked with wide eyes.
Shen Yin didn't know how to explain. Should she directly say Xu Xiuhe was sleeping on the sofa?
"Find Daddy." Children stick close to whoever they spend the day with, and the same goes for nighttime. Despite being with Xu Xiuhe for only a short while since he arrived, Zhengzheng was asking for him again.
Left with no choice, Shen Yin opened the bedroom door, "Your son is asking for you."
Xu Xiuhe had been sitting on the sofa drying his hair. Hearing this, he got up and walked into the bedroom, "What is it, Zhengzheng?"
"Want to sleep with Daddy." Zhengzheng said, patting the bed with his little hand.
Shen Yin and Xu Xiuhe exchanged a look. Shen Yin said, "Then I'll head out."
Before she even finished speaking, Zhengzheng was already extremely dissatisfied, shaking his head, "No, no! Want Mommy and Daddy to sleep together."
Shen Yin swore those words did not come from her teachings. She glanced at Xu Xiuhe, and they communicated silently. Zhengzheng crawled out of bed and pulled one hand from each, "Want Mommy and Daddy to sleep together."
Left with no choice, Shen Yin asked, "Do you mind? If not, let's just sleep together. The bed is big enough."
How could the bed not be big? It was 2.2 by 2.2 meters. Shen Yin had deliberately bought a king size when purchasing it.
How could Xu Xiuhe possibly mind? Since realizing his feelings, all he thought about was how to get closer to Shen Yin.
Lying flat on the large bed, the pitter-patter of rain outside continued its soporific effect. Before long, Zhengzheng had fallen asleep.
Those preoccupied could not fall asleep even with lullabies. Like Xu Xiuhe and Shen Yin now - eyes closed but minds racing.
Shen Yin did not expect to end up sleeping with an adult man, while Xu Xiuhe did not anticipate progressing this quickly. To him, after recognizing his feelings, he had to take action. Just this morning he was still wondering how to pursue Shen Yin.
Tossing and turning, Shen Yin felt a bit irritable, unsure of her current feelings.
She didn't dislike or resent Xu Xiuhe, and even felt goodwill towards him. Otherwise, how could she have agreed to let him into her home and bed?
Also, why did she blush? She clearly knew the flush yesterday in the car was not merely caused by a fever. And when she saw him in the pajamas earlier, her heart had inexplicably quickened.
The more she thought about it, the more upset she got. Could this be what liking someone feels like? Just what was this liking business anyway? She should've liked more people when she was young in Dasheng. That way, she would be more skilled in this area, and at least not be bothered to the point of insomnia.
"Are you unable to sleep because I'm on the bed too?" Xu Xiuhe suddenly spoke in the darkness.
"No, I just slept too much during the day so I'm still energetic now." Shen Yin explained.
With divergent thoughts, who knew how long it took before they finally fell asleep.
The weather after a downpour is always exceptionally good. The first ray of morning sun shone in. Shen Yin felt something heavy on her waist, surely it was Zhengzheng asleep with his leg over her again?
As Shen Yin felt her waist, the texture didn't seem like Zhengzheng's leg. Opening her eyes, she found herself lying sideways with Xu Xiuhe's big hand draped over her waist.
Shen Yin was instantly fully awake. She realized she had squeezed Zhengzheng, who then squeezed Xu Xiuhe. Now it looked as if she and Zhengzheng were in Xu Xiuhe's embrace, almost shoving him off the bed. The other half of the bed lay completely empty.