Su Er hadn't been sleeping very soundly to begin with, and she woke up almost the instant Jiang Siyan bent down and lowered his head.
Her eyes widened, like a frightened bird, and she reached out to push him away, shouting, "No!"
She instinctively wanted to push everything away.
“It’s me, Er’er, don’t be afraid, it’s me…” Jiang Siyan did not back down because of her rejection. He put his arm around her shoulder forcefully but carefully and pulled her into his arms.
He gently stroked Su Er's back, the familiar scent of sandalwood filling her nostrils, like a pair of strong, thick hands pressing against her restless heart, slowly enveloping all her unease.
Su Er snapped out of her daze and asked again, seemingly unsure, "Jiang Siyan?"
His warm fingertips brushed across her eyes, wiping away her tears. With a gentle smile, he replied, "Yes, it's me. I'm here. Don't be afraid."
In that instant, she could no longer hold back her tears. She reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck, placing them behind his neck, almost throwing herself into his embrace, holding him wholeheartedly.
Su Er buried her head in the crook of his neck, unwilling to lift it. Her thin shoulders and back swayed gently, and tears soaked the fabric, making it feel damp and cool.
Jiang Siyan held her and asked in a low voice, "I don't feel comfortable sleeping here. How about we go back to my place to sleep? I made you some fruit tea."
Su Er nodded, her lips moving slightly, and said, "Okay."
Jiang Siyan picked her up and looked at Lin Shuqin beside him, "Help her pack her things, someone will come to pick them up in a little while."
Since Su Er was willing, and the production team had given her a week off, Lin Shuqin naturally had no objections.
But... are we just going to carry him out like this?
Su Er clearly noticed this as well. Her legs, which were being held, swayed slightly, and she said, her voice still choked with sobs, "Put me down. I can walk by myself."
Jiang Siyan ignored her, holding her with one arm and using the other to cover her head with the clothes draped on the sofa, saying, "Don't worry, I won't recognize you."
A warm embrace and clothes completely enveloped her, creating a strong protective barrier for her.
This sense of security made her subconsciously want to let her guard down, just this once, she thought.
Su Er gently tugged at Jiang Siyan's collar, rested her head against his chest, and said softly, "Let's go."
She doesn't remember how she fell asleep; the sounds of wind and doors closing mingled in her ears, and the alcohol she had drunk earlier finally took effect.
All she could remember was the clear, resonant sound of Jiang Siyan's strong heartbeat.
When she opened her eyes again, Jiang Siyan had just finished washing up and was lying down beside her.
This was only her third time here, but the darkness of the night did not frighten her. The cicadas chirped outside the window throughout the long night, and even with her eyes closed, she could clearly picture every detail of the room in her mind.
This sense of familiarity gave her a strange feeling of peace.
Su Er hugged his waist and pressed herself against him, and Jiang Siyan also reached out and pulled her into his arms, his arm willingly becoming her pillow.
He kissed her forehead, whispering secrets between the two of them in the quiet night, "Did I wake you?"
"No, I just woke up." Her voice was terribly hoarse as she asked, "What time is it?"
Jiang Siyan picked up his phone from the bedside table and glanced at it. "It's almost two o'clock. Do you want some water?"
Su Er sniffed, her breathing still a little labored. "I want to take a shower first."
After recovering from the previous discomfort, she broke out in a lot of cold sweat and felt sticky and uncomfortable.
Jiang Siyan covered her eyes and turned on the light. Su Er's eyelashes brushed lightly against his palm.
Jiang Siyan gave her a moment to recover before putting his hand down. "There are toiletries in the bathroom. Can you wash yourself?"
Su Er blinked, and for the first time tonight, she could see his face clearly. He was still handsome, but his brows showed concern for her.
Her eyes were throbbing with tears, and she lowered her head, suddenly asking, "Am I ugly right now?"
Jiang Siyan was somewhat amused and exasperated that someone would still be arguing about this at a time like this.
Jiang Siyan didn't try to brush her off. He pinched her chin and turned it from side to side, saying, "Let me see."
He was really looking closely, and his eyelids were indeed swollen from crying, but to say he was ugly would definitely not be an exaggeration.
On the contrary, it makes people feel sorry for her and can't help but want to feel sorry for her.
Jiang Siyan pinched her cheek and praised her sincerely, "Where are you ugly? You're so beautiful."
It was clearly a compliment, but Su Er's tears welled up instantly. "You're just trying to flatter me..."
She was like a child who had been holding back her emotions for a long time after her toy was taken away. No matter what she said, she found an outlet for her emotions in front of someone she could cry out loud, and let her tears flow freely.
Jiang Siyan seemed to see through her sensitivity and vulnerability. He held her in his arms, took out a tissue and wiped her tears while patiently coaxing her, "What good am I supposed to do to comfort you, little girl? You've made me cry so much. Look at you crying, and now you're not afraid of looking ugly anymore."
Su Er just wants to be a little girl with tears streaming down her face, even if she's ugly.
Jiang Siyan patted her back repeatedly, just like he was coaxing a child.
After she had cried enough and caught her breath, and was able to listen to reason, he comforted her, saying, "Don't be afraid anymore. Just think of it as a nightmare. Now that you're awake, it's all over."
Su Er knew that Jiang Siyan comforted people with different kinds of vague and ethereal words. His gentle voice, which came out casually, was far more convincing than those solemn promises.
She covered Jiang Siyan's eyes with her hands, but suddenly felt awkward and didn't want her to see her like this.
Tears welled up in her eyes and dripped onto his cheek as she lowered her gaze. Her soft lips kissed his cool, wet cheek. "Thank you, Jiang Siyan."
Jiang Siyan's lips curled up slightly as he smiled and said, "It's really good to have this."
Su Er patted him and got out of bed. "I'm going to take a shower. You go to sleep first."
"You can manage on your own? You don't need my help?" Jiang Siyan asked, grabbing her wrist.
He's started acting inappropriately again.
Su Er shook off his hand, eager to escape that dangerous gaze, and ran barefoot into the bathroom without even putting on slippers.
It was half an hour later when she finished washing up and came out.
A small lamp was left on by the bedside, and the figure lying on the bed was breathing steadily.
Su Er quietly turned off the bedside lamp, carefully lifted a corner of the blanket, and nimbly slipped inside.
She instinctively reached out to hug him, but then worried about waking him up.
Jiang Siyan had spent the whole night running around for her, and it would be somewhat unethical to bother him again.
Su Er turned over, rolled the blanket in front of her into a small ball, pressed it against her cheek, and closed her eyes.
But the next instant, a heat source suddenly pressed against her back...
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