Chapter 26: Emerging from the Bath
Chapter 26: Emerging from the Bath
Cheng Bing's hair was still dripping wet, and he was drying it with a towel.
The steam from the bathroom still enveloped him, and because the light was even dimmer at the door, he looked like a shadowy figure. He was wearing a loose white long-sleeved T-shirt and black trousers whose material was indiscernible but made him appear tall. When he looked down, his neck and wrists, which were excessively white, were exposed, and when he looked up, his sharply defined jawline could be seen faintly.
Fang Yuenian froze for a moment, a crumb of biscuit fell from his mouth onto his clothes, and he quickly brushed it off.
Cheng Qiuyan went to the table, picked up Cheng Bing's glass of water, handed it to her son, and straightened his collar. "Is the water hot? Drink some water and then go over there. Take your own schoolbag with you. If anything happens, come and call Mom."
After all, he was a grown man, and Cheng Qiuyan was concerned that he shouldn't walk around in front of Wang Jing after taking a shower, so she thought she would send him to sleep as soon as possible.
Cheng Bing gulped down a glass of water and whispered, "It's quite hot."
Cheng Qiuyan said, "That's good. Take the kettle and cups over there in case you get thirsty at night. Xiaoyuenian—"
She turned around, and Fang Yuenian quickly swallowed the biscuit, replying, "Okay!"
"No rush, no rush, take your time eating. You can wash up after you're full. I need Cheng Bing to go ahead now!"
"Okay!" Fang Yuenian was a little embarrassed. She didn't make eye contact with Cheng Bing and continued eating cowardly.
Cheng Bing went to the next private room alone.
Cheng Bing stared at the bed for a while, her expression slightly conflicted.
Although the owner said that the single bed in his room was quite large enough for two people, it was indeed much smaller than the one next door. The light wattage was obviously insufficient, making it dimmer, and there was also an identical table.
He put his schoolbag containing his clothes, the kettle, and his own cup on the bed, deciding to put the bed aside for now. He plugged in the kettle and waited for the small appliance to start whirring before sitting down on the bed and silently continuing to dry his hair.
When Fang Yuenian came to knock on the door, his hair was completely dry.
This student seemed to have rushed over as soon as he finished showering. His hair was still wet, and he didn't seem to mind the cold. He was only wearing a gray short-sleeved shirt and black pants, carrying a bag and holding a cup. He stood at the door, looking at him happily.
“I’m here!” he said.
“I saw it.”
Cheng Bing let the person in, then thought for a moment and said, "This bed is a bit..."
"Ah—" Fang Yuenian plopped down on the bed, bounced her legs a couple of times, and said with immense satisfaction, "This bed looks really nice—"
Cheng Bing: "..."
He raised an eyebrow and changed his words: "Dry your hair first, so you don't get the bed wet."
Fang Yuenian jumped up in a flash, "Okay!"
He's fully energized now, a test-taker ready to study late into the night.
Cheng Bing looked at him and said, "Don't be so energetic, we need to go to bed early."
Fang Yuenian was haphazardly rubbing her hair when she accidentally rubbed her still-healing wound and hissed involuntarily.
Cheng Bing paused, then leaned closer: "What's wrong?"
"Can you take a look? My scab has been falling off and it's been feeling a bit uncomfortable. Is it because that patch of skin hasn't healed properly?"
“Come sit down,” Cheng Bing pulled him to the bedside, “lower your head a little.”
Fang Yuenian's hair had grown longer and could now completely cover the wound. Cheng Bing gently touched the thin cut with her fingertip, asking as she did so, "Does it hurt?"
"It doesn't hurt."
"The skin here has healed, but it seems a bit thin."
"Oh... I have some ointment in my bag, could you apply some for me in a bit?"
"good."
After drying her hair and applying the medicine, Fang Yuenian felt thirsty and went to get some water. Cheng Bing went over and tidied the bed, asking, "Which side do you want to sleep on?"
Fang Yuenian tilted her head, holding the cup, seemingly lost in thought, and suddenly asked, "Are you a good sleeper?"
Cheng Bing glanced at him. "Better than you."
"You've never slept with me!" He said, then realized something was off and coughed. "Left side, I like the left side."
Cheng Bing then crawled under the covers. The bed was not only not wide enough, but also not long enough. Both of them had grown quite tall early, and now they felt a bit restricted. Cheng Bing moved the only pillow to the left and lay down flat on her back.
"Can you not use a pillow?" Fang Yuenian stood by the bed, as if considering what position to lie down in.
"Okay." Cheng Bing closed her eyes.
Fang Yuenian shrugged, put her hands on her hips, hesitated for a moment, then lifted the covers and lay down.
Cheng Bing said with her eyes closed, "Turn off the light, it's right next to you."
Fang Yuenian reached out and pressed the switch, plunging the room into a dim darkness.
The city nights can't compare to the tranquility of the countryside. Although it's not noisy here, some subtle sounds can sometimes make people pay extra attention. In short, Fang Yuenian tried for a while but couldn't fall asleep, so she turned to her side and looked at Cheng Bing's face in the darkness, suddenly calling him by his full name: "Cheng Bing."
Cheng Bing's breathing was shallow, even, and steady. Fang Yuenian thought he had fallen asleep, but unexpectedly, he suddenly responded after a while, "Hmm?"
The voice was deep and resonant, like a small brush brushing across Fang Yuenian's eardrums.
"After the physical education exam, there are only about ten days left until the second mock exam. I used to never be nervous during exams, but now I'm obviously more timid. I ranked 46th in the first mock exam, and I was quite happy at the time. Why did I have such low expectations for myself before?"
Cheng Bing was silent for a while, then said in a low voice, "Let's take it one step at a time. For now, just focus on doing well in the physical education exam."
Fang Yuenian chuckled softly, "Mm."
He added, "But I'm quite happy now."
"What are you so happy about?"
"It's nothing, I just think the bed is comfortable."
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