Chapter Sixteen: Sleeping Side by Side

After Jiang Mu Wen finished speaking, she hurriedly turned her head away, deliberately shifting her gaze to the view outside the window.

Outside, she unexpectedly spotted Bai Xu emerging from the restroom beside the venue. At first, Bai Xu didn't seem to notice Jiang Mu Wen, but perhaps her gaze was too intense; eventually, he realized she was sitting in the car.

He drew closer and his expression became increasingly surprised—after all, Jiang Mu Wen had taken the seat that should have been his.

He looked up, his mouth slightly open, his bright eyes filled with confusion and bewilderment, and, of course, surprise.

Finally, with a sense of incredulity, Bai Xu boarded the bus. He kept his eyes fixed on Wen Yi Chen the entire time, as though Wen Yi Chen had somehow wronged him. Quietly, he walked to Wen Yi Chen's side and chose a seat in the same row.

After a while, the bus slowly started. At first, the cabin was filled with laughter and chatter, but before long, those sounds faded as the students, weary from the day's events, gradually drifted off to sleep.

Jiang Mu Wen stared out the window with dull eyes, allowing drowsiness to wash over her. At last, after a few minutes, she succumbed to sleep, gently closing her eyes as her body rocked with the bus’s movement.

Wen Yi Chen noticed the sudden quiet beside him and instinctively glanced toward Jiang Mu Wen—she was lightly asleep, her head swaying with the bus’s gentle jostle.

Seeing her head inch closer to the window, Wen Yi Chen reflexively leaned over and reached out his hand—afraid she might bump her head against the glass while she slept.

Just as her head was about to make contact with the glass, Wen Yi Chen instinctively placed his hand between her head and the window, then carefully guided her head away, hoping she would rest comfortably against the seatback. Yet, as he released her, Jiang Mu Wen, carried by inertia, slowly leaned toward him.

After letting go, Wen Yi Chen sat upright, unaware that Jiang Mu Wen was drawing closer.

Suddenly, his shoulder sank slightly, and his heart gave a gentle tremor.

He cautiously turned his head and, to his surprise, found Jiang Mu Wen resting quietly on his shoulder.

Sunlight streamed lazily through the window, bathing Jiang Mu Wen in its glow. As he looked at her, he could even catch the faint fragrance of her hair. Her bangs tilted softly toward him, and a few stray strands, still uncombed, seemed especially delicate in the sunlight.

After a moment, Wen Yi Chen lifted his hand, intending to move her head from his shoulder. But as soon as he raised his hand, his fingers became uncertain—he didn’t know how to gently move Jiang Mu Wen. From his angle, it felt awkward; from another, he’d have to grasp her head and guide her over… The gesture felt improper, making him seem like some clumsy octopus.

Suddenly, the bus gave a sharp jolt, causing Jiang Mu Wen’s long lashes to flutter slightly, and even her brows knitted for a moment.

Her reaction startled Wen Yi Chen, who instinctively withdrew his hand—he was still afraid she might wake up suddenly.

Not long after, Wen Yi Chen let out a soft sigh—never mind, let her be. They had grown up together since childhood; if she wanted to sleep on his shoulder, he would let her.

With that thought, Wen Yi Chen sat upright and found a comfortable position against the seatback.

She slept deeply, as if having Wen Yi Chen beside her brought her a rare sense of peace.

The bus was quiet; soon, sleep crept over Wen Yi Chen as well, and, without realizing it, he too drifted off.

When Wen Yi Chen awoke again, it was another bump from the bus that stirred him. He blinked open hazy eyes, not yet fully awake, but vaguely noticed he was leaning against something.

His mind quickly cleared—the two of them were leaning against each other.

His heart skipped a beat, and he abruptly sat up straight, glancing out the window—the bus was nearly at the school.

He glanced at Jiang Mu Wen, then gently shrugged his shoulder, “Wake up, we’re here.”

Jiang Mu Wen seemed still half-asleep; she opened her eyes drowsily, her voice soft and sweet, “Hm?”

The sound struck Wen Yi Chen like a thunderclap to his chest; her voice was like cotton candy, soft and sweet, and he rarely heard Jiang Mu Wen speak like this.

He purposely cleared his throat, then raised his hand and, without mercy, moved her head upright, “Come on, we’re at school.”

“Oh…” Jiang Mu Wen still seemed dazed, especially gentle as she awoke. She obediently sat up straight, her gaze empty as she looked ahead, waiting for the bus to stop.

When the bus finally halted, everyone got off, returned to the classroom to tidy their bags, and then went home.

As soon as Jiang Mu Wen arrived home, she found her parents packing their clothes.

She was stunned—why were they putting clothes into bags?

“Dad, Mom…?” Jiang Mu Wen asked, puzzled.

Hearing her call, Wen Nuan looked up, “Sweetheart, your dad and I took a day’s annual leave, we’re going to visit a nearby city for two days. You stay home, we’ll be back in a few days~”

“…???” Jiang Mu Wen still hadn’t recovered. Tomorrow was National Day, so her parents had specially taken a day off to abandon their daughter and enjoy a getaway alone?

Her parents’ sudden decision caught Jiang Mu Wen completely off guard; even if she disagreed, there was nothing she could do.

…

Friday arrived as expected. After class, Bai Xu accompanied Wen Yi Chen and Jiang Mu Wen back to the campus, entering the apartment building together. Thanks to Bai Xu, the atmosphere was much livelier along the way.

The elevator slowly rose to the eleventh floor, then opened its doors.

Wen Yi Chen walked ahead, pulling out his keys from his bag. Seeing this, Jiang Mu Wen also unzipped her backpack, searching for hers.

Yet, even as they reached the doorstep, she still hadn’t found the key. Wen Yi Chen had already inserted his into the lock, but Jiang Mu Wen was still rummaging.

Wen Yi Chen noticed her actions, and after turning the key, his gaze fell on Jiang Mu Wen, “Forgot your key?”