BSS - Chapter 71
Chapter 71
Hearing this, the amusement in Xu Wei's eyes grew more apparent, but she still said, "Who said I was angry? I never get angry."
Deng Chuan hugged her gently, turning her head to rest on Xu Wei's shoulder and looking up at her. "Then can I kiss you?"
She saw Xu Wei's beautiful jawline move slightly. "No."
"Alright..."
Xu Wei had never treated her like this before, and the disappointment in the kid's voice was particularly obvious. Knowing that Deng Chuan was secretly watching her expression, Xu Wei was amused but didn't let it show. She just tried to shrug out of Deng Chuan's embrace. "Let go, I'm going to eat my breakfast."
Deng Chuan looked at her. "You still say you're not angry, but you won't even look at me when you talk."
Xu Wei gave her a fleeting glance.
The temperature was comfortable, perfect for two people to be close. Deng Chuan decided not to let go, resting her chin on Xu Wei's shoulder and watching with puppy-dog eyes as she took a napkin to wipe her disposable chopsticks, looking just like a dejected puppy. "Don't be angry anymore-I'll definitely tell you before I do anything next time."
Xu Wei shifted, leaning forward slightly. She gathered her long hair, which had fallen with her movement, into her hand and used her outstretched chopsticks to stir the beef and vermicelli soup on the table. "Mm."
Deng Chuan took the hint and thoughtfully opened the dipping sauce container for her, placing it to the side. Then she heard Xu Wei ask, "And what else?"
Deng Chuan thought long and hard.
Xu Wei paid her no mind and picked up a thin slice of beef, which trembled on her chopsticks. Deng Chuan stared at it as Xu Wei slowly, deliberately placed the undipped slice of beef into her mouth. She lowered her eyes, then looked up, her expression calm.
Xu Wei's gaze was surprisingly soft, without any hint of sternness or scrutiny. Deng Chuan looked into her eyes, and her own heart unknowingly grew calm. In that calm, she thought seriously for a moment and said sincerely, "Um... also... I shouldn't have eaten instant noodles."
Xu Wei didn't reply. She chewed quietly for a moment, and there was a distinct movement in her fair throat as she swallowed the piece of beef. Deng Chuan felt as if an invisible string was pulling her gaze, making her unable to stop staring at Xu Wei's neck.
Sensing the kid's stare, Xu Wei let her look, completely unbothered, and continued to ask calmly, "Why shouldn't you have eaten instant noodles?"
Deng Chuan immediately searched her mind for the dangers of eating instant noodles: high in oil and salt, no nutritional value, causes internal heat, and doesn't even taste good-all in all, instant noodles were an unforgivable evil, and by eating them, she was utterly in the wrong.
With this realization, the thesis on "The Top Ten Dangers of Eating Instant Noodles" was on the tip of her tongue, but she took a different turn in her reply to Xu Wei. "Because you don't like it."
Xu Wei's brow furrowed instantly.
She glanced at Deng Chuan, confirming that she had said it on purpose, whether to tease her or because she genuinely thought so. Xu Wei felt the frustration that had been building since yesterday inexplicably surge up-
"You don't even take good care of yourself. What does it matter what I like?"
The moment the words left her mouth, Xu Wei regretted them.
Besides regret, she was also a little surprised-it had been a long time since she had felt such a distinct anger, especially towards Deng Chuan.
Fortunately, the kid's spirits didn't dampen because of her words. Deng Chuan pondered seriously for a good while before saying to Xu Wei, "I'm sorry."
She held her, looking into Xu Wei's eyes. "I won't do it again. I swear I'll take good care of myself."
She said, "You want what's best for me, I know that. Don't be angry. I won't make you this angry again."
There was a hint of a smile in Deng Chuan's voice. "Even though you don't like me saying this, I still have to say it: you look beautiful even when you're angry."
As she spoke, her tone softened. "But please don't be angry anymore, okay?"
Xu Wei froze. After a long moment, she turned her face away, avoiding Deng Chuan's gaze. Her voice was low and a little embarrassed. "Mm."
Deng Chuan hugged her, smiling as she nuzzled her face, then pushed the beef and vermicelli soup on the table towards her again. "Hurry and eat. How is it? Is it good?"
Xu Wei hadn't really tasted that slice of beef earlier, but she nodded anyway.
She saw the kid's eyes curve into crescents, and she smiled too.
The tense atmosphere from before instantly turned warm and tender. Xu Wei wasn't a big eater; after about half the portion, she pushed the rest towards Deng Chuan. "I'm full."
Deng Chuan finished the remaining vermicelli in a few bites and tried to coax her into eating a few more pieces of meat, but Xu Wei shook her head and refused. "I actually had some milk earlier, I'm not hungry. You eat it."
Deng Chuan cleared the table and took the trash to the door. Zhou Liu was lazing on the balcony, belly up in the sun. He merely wagged his tail as Deng Chuan passed. Deng Chuan crouched down to pet his generously exposed belly, then returned to sit beside Xu Wei.
Xu Wei flipped through a book, watching Deng Chuan's movements from the corner of her eye. She saw her sit down beside her, naturally wrap an arm around her waist, and look down at her phone, at some message she'd seen. Her eyes lit up and the corners of her mouth curved, looking particularly high-spirited in the morning light.
Xu Wei watched for a while, then quietly reached for the hand resting on her waist.
Deng Chuan noticed and held her tighter. "What's wrong?"
"I'm sorry."
Xu Wei caressed her fingers, her head lowered as she spoke.
Deng Chuan felt her touch, light as a feather on her fingertips, just like her tone at that moment. "I shouldn't have lost my temper with you. I'm sorry."
Deng Chuan put down her phone, wrapped both arms around her, and said, "You didn't lose your temper with me."
"I did." Xu Wei looked up at her, a sad expression on her face. "I didn't mean to get angry with you, but I don't know why, I just did..."
She leaned into Deng Chuan's embrace. "I'm sorry..."
"Mm." A smile still lingered on Deng Chuan's lips. "You're not angry with me anymore, and I'm not angry with you. So just stop thinking about it, okay?"
"Okay," Xu Wei said obediently, then kissed the corner of her mouth. "I didn't sleep well last night... I missed you."
Deng Chuan's heart melted into a puddle. She hugged Xu Wei's waist tightly, pulling her closer. Xu Wei let her, reaching up to touch her face. "Did you sleep well last night... How did you get dark circles under your eyes?"
Deng Chuan hugged her and shook her head vigorously. "No..."
"Then go to sleep." Xu Wei propped herself up and looked into her eyes, only to be pulled back down by the kid. "Sleep with me..."
"I can't." Xu Wei stroked her face soothingly. "I have a meeting later. You go to sleep, be good."
"Alright." Deng Chuan cupped her face and leaned in for a long kiss. Her palm was warm, like a little sun. Xu Wei thought of Zhou Liu sunbathing with his belly exposed on the balcony and felt like a cat baring its belly in her arms.
The two of them cuddled affectionately, the atmosphere just right. Deng Chuan's sleepiness crept up with the comfort. She hugged Xu Wei on the sofa, refusing to move. Seeing her half-closed eyes, Xu Wei patted her. "Go to sleep."
Deng Chuan whined, "Come into the room with me."
Xu Wei smiled and pinched her cheek, good-naturedly letting the kid lead her to the bedroom. She helped Deng Chuan close the window and draw the curtains, then turned to see Deng Chuan standing by the bed, changing into her pajamas. Her shirt was halfway up, revealing a firm, toned stomach.
Xu Wei didn't look away, watching openly. After Deng Chuan changed and lay down, she tucked her in and kissed her eyes. "Sweet dreams."
The kid wrapped a hand around the back of her neck, deepening the kiss. Her lips and tongue were scorching, making it almost impossible for Xu Wei to break away. Her hand caressed the nape of Xu Wei's neck, tracing the protrusions and hollows of her collarbone. Mindful of her meeting, Xu Wei pulled back a little, touched her face, and then took hold of her wandering hand. "Be good and sleep. I'm leaving."
Deng Chuan's face was nestled between the pillow and the quilt, making her look exceptionally harmless, but her lips had a glistening sheen of moisture, adding a touch of affection. Xu Wei lowered her eyes, stroked her face one more time, and turned to leave the room.
Xu Wei gently closed the door for Deng Chuan.
The temperature in the room was perfect. Deng Chuan rolled over, wrapped in the thin quilt, and felt as if she were surrounded by Xu Wei's scent from all directions. All the sleeplessness from the previous night, filled with anxiety and fear of loss, vanished in an instant.
She quietly shifted to the side of the bed where Xu Wei slept, her head resting on Xu Wei's pillow. The scent of her hair filled her nose. Deng Chuan closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and fell asleep immediately.
She slept for an exceptionally long time. When Xu Wei was about to have lunch, she came in to check on her and saw her sleeping so soundly that she couldn't bear to wake her.
She didn't notice that the kid was sleeping in her spot. It wasn't until after lunch, when she came into the room for a nap, that she discovered her spot had been firmly occupied by Deng Chuan-the kid was sleeping on her side, clutching the corner of the quilt, her breathing deep and even.
Xu Wei pinched her nose playfully. Seeing Deng Chuan's brow furrow at her touch, she soothingly stroked her hair, then tiptoed around to the other side of the bed to sleep.
It was already evening when Deng Chuan woke up.
She had slept for so long that she felt a little disoriented, her head heavy and aching. She opened her eyes and saw Xu Wei's face, just inches away.
Xu Wei was sleeping peacefully, her fair face resting against her shoulder, her breath gently brushing Deng Chuan's neck through the fabric.
Deng Chuan turned over and gathered her into her arms.
Her movements were gentle enough, but Xu Wei still woke up. The moment she opened her eyes was like one of those slow-motion scenes in a movie where the protagonist falls in love at first sight. She looked dazed for a moment, then leaned against Deng Chuan's shoulder, her voice a little muffled. "You're awake?"
"Mm." Deng Chuan held her, stroking her back. "Want to sleep a little longer?"
"No more." Xu Wei propped herself up halfway to check the time on the nightstand. "What time is it?"
Deng Chuan kept an arm around her waist and felt her snuggle back into her embrace after checking the time. "It's past five..."
"What do you want to eat tonight?" Xu Wei closed her eyes and rested in her arms for a moment before asking.
But Deng Chuan didn't answer. She held Xu Wei quietly, leisurely stroking her long hair now and then. She leaned in, pressing her face against Xu Wei's, her voice deepening like the dimming sky outside. "I really wish we could stay like this, together forever..."
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