Chapter 13 The Farce (Part 2)

Ji Rendong's "Maybe" was like a snowflake landing on Shi Banxia's heart, stirring up ripples. Ji Rendong's gentle handshake further boosted her courage.

The room was silent except for the sound of the electric heater running and the clearly audible breathing of each other.

Shi Banxia was reluctant to let go; she was somewhat enamored with the slightly cool yet reassuring touch of Ji Rendong's fingertips.

Joy bubbled up in her heart like sparkling water. Instead of letting go, Shi Banxia took advantage of the situation and squeezed her fingers between Ji Rendong's fingers, turning it into a tight, ambiguous interlocking of ten fingers.

Ji Rendong's body stiffened slightly, but he did not break free. He simply raised his eyes and looked at Shi Banxia with a hint of doubt, as if asking, "What else do you want to do?"

Seeing Ji Rendong in a rare moment of not being so "aloof," Shi Banxia had a bold idea forming in her mind. Before she could even hesitate, she blurted it out.

"Sister Honeysuckle..."

Shi Banxia's voice carried a deliberately pitiful tremor, and she gently shook the two hands that were clasped together.

"The heater in my room seems to be broken... It's especially cold tonight, and you know I'm sensitive to the cold..."

"Could I...stay here for the night?"

Ji Rendong was clearly not expected by this sudden request. She finally raised her head, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes behind her glasses, followed by a sense of knowing helplessness.

Her gaze fell on Shi Banxia's face, which was full of "little thoughts," and she said in a calm tone, "The electric heater is broken? You can report it for repair. There are people on duty in the logistics office."

After saying that, Ji Rendong pretended to let go of her hand, "I'll help you contact the logistics department."

"Hey, wait a minute!"

Shi Banxia quickly grasped Ji Rendong's hand, blinked, and tried to look more innocent, "It's too late now, it's not good to trouble the engineers in the maintenance department..."

"Besides, I'll only be sleeping here for one night. I can report the problem tomorrow. I'm a very quiet sleeper, so I promise I won't disturb you! If all else fails, I'll sleep on the floor...!"

Shi Banxia said she would sleep on the floor, but her eyes were full of expectation that she thought, "You would never make me sleep on the floor, would you?"

Ji Rendong looked at her silently, and Banxia's cheeks flushed. How could she not understand what the young photographer was thinking?

Ji Rendong should have directly helped contact the repair department, but when she saw the two clasped hands and the mixture of nervousness, anticipation, and slyness on Shi Banxia's face, she found herself unable to refuse.

Ji Rendong remained silent for a few seconds, while Shi Banxia could barely maintain the pitiful expression on her face.

Just when Shi Banxia thought her little scheme was about to be exposed and she was about to reveal her true colors and confess her "conspiracy," Ji Rendong gently withdrew her hand.

Shi Banxia felt a void in her heart.

"The spare bedding for the research station is on the top shelf of the wardrobe," Ji Rendong said, shifting her gaze back to the still-black computer screen. "Take it yourself."

Does this mean they've agreed...?!

Shi Banxia's heart soared from the depths of despair to the clouds. She suppressed her excitement and tried her best to make her voice sound normal, "Thank you, Sister Rendong!"

Shi Banxia walked quickly to the wardrobe and stood on tiptoe to reach the quilt.

Holding the soft bedding and smelling the faint, clean, cool fragrance that belonged to Ji Rendong's room, Shi Banxia felt her heart skip a beat.

Shi Banxia hugged the quilt, looking somewhat helplessly at the only bed in the room.

Ji Rendong seemed to sense her hesitation and spoke again, his voice still calm, but with a hint of tension that was barely perceptible compared to before, "You sleep on the bed, I'll sleep on the floor."

"No way!" Shi Banxia immediately retorted, "You have to get up early tomorrow! Besides... the bed is so big, we can sleep together!"

The last few words were spoken softly and quickly by Shi Banxia, ​​with obvious shyness.

Silence fell in the room once again.

This silence was more subtle than any before.

Ji Rendong did not answer immediately. Her fingers curled slightly as she placed her hand on her knee. She lowered her head and could feel Shi Banxia's expectant gaze.

After a while, just when Shi Banxia thought that her overstepping her bounds had finally angered the other party and was about to awkwardly change her tune, Ji Rendong finally made a move.

She turned around again, this time to Shi Banxia. Under the lamplight, her expression remained calm.

"Go wash up first, it's getting late." Ji Rendong's voice was gentle, not answering directly, but it was tantamount to tacit consent.

Shi Banxia's eyes lit up instantly, and she nodded vigorously, "I'll go right now!"

Watching Shi Banxia dash into the bathroom like a happy puppy, Ji Rendong stood there, listening to the sound of running water coming from inside. She raised her hand and rubbed her temples.

Jealousy, avoidance, and now agreeing to let her stay overnight... Ji Rendong felt that she had done more extraordinary things today than in the past year combined.

And all of this seems to have originated from that girl named Shi Banxia.

After they finished washing up, the room fell into a brief silence. Finally facing the reality of sharing a bed, the initial surge of courage faded slightly, replaced by shyness and nervousness.

"Go to sleep." Ji Rendong broke the silence first, lifted the quilt, lay down on the inside of the bed, and turned her back to Shi Banxia.

"Okay..." Shi Banxia turned off the main light, thoughtfully leaving the bedside lamp on, and carefully lay down on the outer side.

The bed wasn't actually that big; two adults would need to turn slightly to the side to avoid bumping into each other.

Only the dim light of the desk lamp remained in the room. The silence of the polar night enveloped everything, making their breathing sound exceptionally clear.

Shi Banxia could smell the faint, cool fragrance emanating from Ji Rendong. Unlike her usual warm and sweet perfume, it was a refreshing and reassuring scent.

If Shi Banxia remembers correctly, Ji Rendong doesn't wear perfume...

Is it body odor...?

Shi Banxia was so nervous that she didn't dare to move, but she couldn't help but secretly move closer and closer to the heat source.

"Are you cold?" Ji Rendong asked softly as she lay flat on her back.

"Yes... a little bit..." Shi Banxia answered honestly, half truth and half a little strategy. The polar nights were indeed cold.

Shi Banxia mustered her courage and carefully stepped back, gently pressing her back against Ji Rendong's shoulder.

Body temperature was quietly transmitted through the blanket.

Shi Banxia felt Ji Rendong's body stiffen slightly, but she did not dodge.

A moment later, Ji Rendong's voice rang out, tinged with a hint of helpless indulgence, "Didn't you say you were a very well-behaved sleeper?"

Shi Banxia chuckled secretly, then, taking advantage of the situation, rolled over, looked at Ji Rendong, and moved even closer, saying matter-of-factly, "It's too cold... this is warmer~"

Suddenly, a pair of arms gently reached out from the side, wrapped around Shi Banxia's neck, and pulled her closer to her side.

Caught off guard, Shi Banxia found herself pressed against Ji Rendong, feeling a warm and soft embrace even through the blanket.

"Go to sleep, you have work tomorrow." Ji Rendong's voice came from above, still calm, but Shi Banxia could feel a warmth through the blanket.

Shi Banxia's cheek gently pressed against Ji Rendong's shoulder and neck, and she could feel her steady heartbeat and warm body temperature.

This warm hug exceeded Shi Banxia's expectations, leaving her mind blank for a moment before being overwhelmed by immense joy and a sense of security.

"Sister Rendong..." Shi Banxia murmured, her voice somewhat muffled.

"Um."

"You're so warm..."

"Um……"

"I think... I like you more now..." Shi Banxia lifted her head from Ji Rendong's embrace, a sly smile on her lips, but a hint of shyness in her eyes.

This time, Banxia responded with an even longer silence.

Shi Banxia did not receive a verbal response, but she could clearly hear her heartbeat quickening slightly.

Ji Rendong felt her ears burning. She opened her mouth, but in the end, she only slightly tightened her arms around Shi Banxia.

"Goodnight, Banxia." Ji Rendong's voice was gentle, with a relaxing magic.

Shi Banxia smiled with satisfaction, and reached out to gently hook her little finger with Ji Rendong's.

"Sister Honeysuckle, I want to sleep with you again tomorrow..."

"..."

"Remember to report the problem tomorrow."

A note from the author:

Hmm... how can this not be considered sticking together for warmth?

Xiao Dong: (Human-shaped heater online)

Xia: How come I sleep so comfortably with this girl...?!

Finally, finally, this month is over! I can resume regular updates now~ Thank you everyone for your support.