Chapter 169 A Secure Reliance

Song Zhiwei didn't dare to look up, her gaze fixed on her toes, her fingers unconsciously gripping the cuffs of her pajamas until her knuckles turned white.

Her voice was so soft it almost disappeared into the air: "Um... can I sleep with you?"

She was a little scared being alone.

Sheng Tingzhou's gaze lingered on her face for a moment, but he did not answer immediately.

His eyes were deep, as if they could see into the softest corner of her heart.

Moonlight slanted in through the gaps in the curtains, bathing her in its glow.

Her black hair fell smoothly over her shoulders, and her eyes were clean and clear, like glass washed by rain in the morning, gleaming with a faint light.

The light purple pajamas hung loosely over her body, the neckline slipping slightly to reveal a small section of her fair, snow-white collarbone.

Her trousers were slightly rolled up, revealing her slender ankles. Her skin was smooth and supple, like it had been made of white porcelain, so fragile that it couldn't withstand the slightest bump.

She stood there by the bed, motionless, like a freshly baked taro dessert, soft on the outside and warm on the inside, radiating a heartwarming comfort.

It makes you want to reach out and touch her, to gently pull her into your arms and hide her away.

A faint smile played at the corners of his lips as he shifted to the inside of the bed, making room for himself. He then raised his hand and gently patted the warm blankets, his voice low yet carrying an undeniable tenderness: "Come here."

Holding her pillow, Song Zhiwei slowly moved to the bedside, step by step.

She carefully placed the pillow on the edge of the bed, folding it neatly, as if afraid of disturbing something.

Then, she slowly lay down, her movements as restrained as a child afraid of being scolded.

The blanket was warm, carrying the scent of sunshine, mixed with his unique fragrance—cedar mixed with sandalwood, cool and reassuring.

She gently buried her face in the cotton quilt, her breath slightly ragged, and whispered with a hint of timidity, "Can...can the light be turned off?"

Sheng Tingzhou didn't speak. He raised his hand to the headboard, lightly touched the switch with his fingertips, and with a "click," the room returned to darkness.

He lay back down, his arms draped naturally at his sides, neither too close nor too far from her.

In the darkness, his breathing was steady, which only made her more awake.

A moment later, he reached out his fingertips and gently rubbed the top of her head, his movements extremely light, as if afraid of messing up her hair.

The voice was so low and soft it was almost a whisper: "Can't you sleep soundly when you're alone?"

She turned around and finally faced him.

Moonlight peeked in through the gap in the curtains, like a silver thread, outlining his high nose and deep features.

His eyes shone brightly in the darkness, like stars in the night sky, fixed on her intently, as if trying to see through all her anxieties.

She held her breath, her heart tightening slightly, and gave a muffled "hmm," her voice trembling with a slight sob: "Just now... my uncle called me."

"What did he say this time?"

He asked, his tone calm, yet tinged with a hint of wariness.

She bit her lip and repeated every word from the phone call verbatim, without missing a single one.

The words rolled over her tongue, scraping her throat like blades.

Sheng Tingzhou's brows furrowed slightly, and his eyes darkened.

He paused for a moment, then said in a low, calm voice, "Don't you think his words... had ulterior motives?"

She froze, her eyelashes fluttering, and she looked up blankly: "What do you mean?"

"Saying such frightening things so late at night."

He spoke slowly, each word like a drop of water falling on stone steps, clear and heavy, "You just went through something like that during the day, and you're already feeling guilty. When he calls now, every word pierces your heart, every sentence reminds you of your mistakes—do you think he's helping you?"

Song Zhiwei's lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but she couldn't utter a word.

She lowered her eyes, her fingers unconsciously clenching the corner of the blanket, her knuckles turning slightly white.

The room was so quiet that only the two of them could be heard breathing, one soft and one heavy, intertwining in the depths of the night.

She never really thought about this issue in depth.

Her uncle had been by her side all the way, from childhood to adulthood, taking care of her in every way. Deep down, she always felt that he was the one who would never hurt her.

Sheng Tingzhou reached out and gently wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him. His movements were tender yet firm, leaving no room for refusal: "I know, maybe I'm being too sensitive, overthinking things. But you must let me finish what I have to say—"

"As a lawyer, I have seen far too many cases and met far too many people over the years. They often use the guise of 'for your own good,' say the most considerate words, and do the most noble things, but in the end, they push their closest people step by step into an abyss of no return."

“I am willing to share the responsibilities you owe with you. No matter how strong the wind and rain, I will not let go of your hand. But if someone tries to make you bear the guilt that is not yours and forces you to bear the consequences for them, then this so-called ‘care’ is not concern at all, but a complete and utter scheming.”

He paused, his voice gradually lowering, as if afraid of startling something, or perhaps unwilling to let her hear too much of the cruel truth:

“Zhou Yuze has been watching you for a long time, and it’s not something that just started recently. His gaze has been visible for a long time. And now, you are feeling down and vulnerable, which is when you are most easily taken advantage of. He is waiting for this opportunity to take advantage of your weakness.”

Upon hearing these words, Song Zhiwei's heart skipped a beat. She quickly reached out and tightly grasped Sheng Tingzhou's hand, her fingertips slightly cold: "Don't overthink it. Really, I don't care about Uncle at all anymore. The past is the past. I know very well that now, my heart only holds you."

Her feelings for Zhou Yuze were actually more because he was willing to treat her well.

It's like someone who has been running in a downpour for too long, and suddenly someone holds up an umbrella for them. Even if the umbrella isn't very big, they will instinctively lean towards it, wanting to take shelter and rest.

He was gentle, patient, and always seemed reliable, so she unknowingly gave him her heart little by little.

Later, he got together with Qiao Yiqing, and of course she was sad. It was like someone had taken away a toy she had always treasured.

But in that sadness, there wasn't much hatred, nor the urge to take him back.

It's more like a child watching their once-beloved friend turn away and walk towards someone else, feeling a pang of sadness, yet understanding that some things are destined to be beyond their control.

But Sheng Tingzhou is different.

Every time Chen Yun made a provocative remark or deliberately caused trouble for her, before she could even speak, Sheng Tingzhou would already be standing in front of her, his eyes as cold as ice.

At that moment, it felt like something had hit her heart, and her anger surged up. She wanted nothing more than to rush over and defend him, to stand up for him.

She would even get so angry that she wanted to yell at Chen Yun, throw things, and let everyone know that she would not allow anyone to treat Sheng Tingzhou like that.

She didn't know why she cared so much; she couldn't even explain where this emotion came from, but it was real, intense, and surging.

So she threw herself into his arms, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist, like a frightened kitten, cautiously nuzzling against his chest, seeking security and comfort.