Chapter 40
Saturday night is darker and quieter than Friday night.
They spent most of the day sprawled on the sofa in Chen Yan's house. They watched a movie, listened to half a vinyl record, and then, in the drowsy afternoon sun, each holding a book, read quietly for a long time.
Chen Yan cooked lunch and dinner, while Lin Qi took charge of all the fruit and tea making after-meals.
They were like a pair of partners who had lived together for many years and had the best understanding of each other. They spent this ordinary Saturday peacefully and fulfillingly.
At eleven o'clock in the evening, Chen Yan emerged from his study, having finished replying to the last of his work emails. The lights in the living room were off, leaving only a faint, warm glow through the crack of the bedroom door.
He walked into the bathroom, washed up as quickly as possible, and then quietly opened the bedroom door.
Lin Qi was indeed still awake.
She leaned against the head of the bed, wearing the pajamas he had prepared for her, holding a book in her hands, and the light from the bedside lamp softly shone on her focused profile.
Hearing his movement, she raised her head and gave him a very soft smile.
"Are you done?" she asked.
"Yeah." Chen Yan nodded, walked to the other side of the bed, lifted the quilt, and lay down in it.
This was the first time they had both lain in the same bed while awake. There was a subtle quietness in the air, a mixture of familiarity and novelty.
He did not turn off the light immediately, but instead followed her example and turned sideways, lying face to face with her.
"Why aren't you asleep yet?" he asked softly.
"Waiting for you." She answered as if it was a matter of course, and then asked him, "Is it good? I found it on your bookshelf this afternoon."
She held the book in her hand in front of him. It was a collection of essays by a Japanese writer he liked very much.
"It's very beautiful." Chen Yan smiled, "But it's too late now. Let's look at it tomorrow. It's not good for your eyes."
He reached out, took the book from her hand, and placed it on the bedside table.
This action unconsciously brought them closer. In the dim light, he could clearly see her long eyelashes and her clear eyes.
They didn't say anything, just looked at each other quietly.
"Lin Qi," Chen Yan spoke first, breaking the overly charming silence, his voice a little low, "Today... thank you."
"Thank me for what?" She was a little confused.
"Thank you," he said, "for bringing a touch of homeliness to this house and to me."
His hand found her hand under the quilt, and then, very naturally, they intertwined their fingers.
Her hands were warm and soft.
"It's been years," he said, looking into her eyes, very seriously, "I haven't had a weekend that felt like this... like 'home'."
She didn't say anything, just looked at him, and then, on her own initiative, moved a little closer to him.
Their knees touched lightly under the quilt.
The room was so quiet that he could even hear each other's heartbeats. His gaze slowly moved from her eyes to her soft lips, which were slightly parted.
He didn't say anything else, but slowly leaned over, faced her, and kissed her.
This kiss was different from any before. No longer a test, no longer a comfort. It was deeper, slower, carrying all the tenderness and longing that had accumulated over this peaceful weekend. He could feel her response, starting with awkwardness, then slowly becoming devoted.
When they separated, their breathing became a little disordered. His forehead rested gently against hers.
"Go to sleep." His voice was hoarse because of his passion.
He reached out and turned off the last bedside lamp.
In the complete darkness, he held her, along with the quilt, tightly in his arms.
Sunday morning began in complete and peaceful silence.
As expected, Lin Qi slept until almost ten o'clock before waking up.
Chen Yan did not disturb her. He just did some work in the study, then calculated the time and prepared a simple Western breakfast for her - fried eggs, toast, and a cup of warm milk.
They finished their late breakfast together, then fell back into the idle laziness that only weekends bring. They leaned back on the sofa, Lin Qi found a highly rated documentary to watch, and Chen Yan stayed beside her, continuing to read the unfinished collection of essays.
The sunlight shines in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bringing warmth and comfort.
At this moment, Chen Yan's cell phone, which was placed on the coffee table, rang at an inopportune time, breaking the silence.
He picked up his phone and glanced at the caller ID. It was a childhood friend of his, Azhe. He answered the phone, and the other end's usual loud voice came out from the receiver, saying that a few old friends happened to be free today and had suddenly decided to get together in the evening for a simple meal.
Chen Yan subconsciously glanced at Lin Qi who was concentrating on the documentary.
In the past, he would have accepted such an invitation without hesitation. But now, he hesitated for a moment.
After hanging up the phone, he didn't make a decision immediately. He looked at her, and when she turned her head because she noticed his gaze, he slowly spoke and asked in a negotiating tone:
"A friend of many years has arranged a temporary arrangement tonight."
He paused, observing her reaction, and then very cautiously extended the invitation:
"They're all old friends I've known for over a decade. They're very simple people. I want to... take you with me to meet them. Are you... willing?"
He was afraid that she would feel pressured, so he immediately added:
"Of course, if you're tired or it seems too sudden, we can cancel it. Nothing is more important than your rest."
Lin Qi looked at him, saw the cautious inquiry and complete respect in his eyes, and was a little surprised at first. Then, a very bright, smiling understanding bloomed in her eyes.
She nodded and said, "Okay, I'll go with you."
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