Chapter 19 – Chatting
Qiao Huaiyao blinked his eyes lightly, and the corners of his mouth curved up with a hint of delight that he couldn’t restrain. Although he felt that he wouldn’t get lost and could find his way back even without streetlights, knowing that someone cared and worried about him, even in the smallest matters, made him feel content.
Walking side by side under the night sky and the glow of streetlights, Qiao Huaiyao and Bai Jinyan strolled together. He asked in a soft voice, “When did you arrive? Did you wait for long?”
Bai Jinyan casually replied, “No, I just got here.”
The photographer who was following them stayed hidden in the darkness, not approaching too closely. However, his words were perfectly captured by the microphone, and the live chat room instantly filled with barrage messages:
[“He’s lying!!!”]
[“Wife, don’t believe him! He arrived almost an hour ago!”]
[“Wuwuwu… He intentionally said he just arrived so that you won’t worry, Bai Jinyan, you’re too considerate.”]
[“Do we have any sisters from Qing University in the chat room? Someone needs to come forward and expose him.”]
[“I’m from Qing University, but I dare not go. I’m afraid of getting beaten. I can’t beat Bai Jinyan, yam!”]
…
Back in the dormitory, Qiao Huaiyao didn’t rush to sleep. His single-person dorm had only a small bedroom, and the bed could barely accommodate two people. The condition was that they might have to be very close to each other.
When they were kids and had a good relationship, they had rested together on the same bed on several occasions, just a casual thing. But now, the situation was clearly different.
Qiao Huaiyao hesitated for a moment, silently took a blanket and laid it on the sofa. The small sofa wasn’t spacious enough, and lying down with his legs curled up, it was still a bit uncomfortable, but it could be managed with the blanket covering him.
When Bai Jinyan came out after taking a shower, Qiao Huaiyao had already settled on the sofa.
“Why are you sleeping here?” Bai Jinyan stepped forward and gestured to pull him up. “Go to the bedroom, I’ll sleep in the living room. I wake up early anyway.”
Qiao Huaiyao quickly hid his hand under the blanket. “The sofa is too small, it’s not suitable for you to sleep on.”
Bai Jinyan raised an eyebrow, even with the thin blanket covering Qiao Huaiyao, it was evident that the sofa was equally unsuitable for him.
Qiao Huaiyao pulled the blanket up, apparently not wanting to say anything more, and waved his hand from under the covers, “Brother, you’re tired after a long day, go rest quickly.”
After a pause, he added, “Remember to turn off the lights.”
Seeing this, Bai Jinyan didn’t insist on having him go back to the bedroom. He turned around and switched off the lights.
The photographer had gone to a nearby hotel and left the equipment in the living room. In the pitch-black living room, there was a faint light emanating from the devices on the table.
Seeing Bai Jinyan leave so readily, the live chat room erupted with confusion:
[“What’s with Bai Jinyan? How can he let my wife suffer and sleep on the sofa alone!”]
[“That small sofa looks so uncomfortable. Sleeping on it for one night, he might get a stiff neck.”]
[“Wuwuwu, even if there’s an extra room in the hotel, my wife wouldn’t want to inconvenience him.”]
…
Today, Qiao Huaiyao woke up early, and with the exhaustion from the day’s activities, he fell asleep not long after the lights were turned off, despite the uncomfortable position on the sofa.
The living room was quiet, and only the faint sound of Qiao Huaiyao’s shallow breathing remained.
The audience in the live chat room hadn’t slept yet, and the barrage messages continued.
[“My wife looks so pitiful. I really want to give him a hug.”]
[“Qiao Qiao’s looks are way better than many celebrities I’ve seen. If his photos were leaked, he’d definitely become popular. I don’t understand why his popularity remains low, and he doesn’t even have a proper fanbase.”]
[“The director explained on Weibo that they’re avoiding excessive promotion for Qiao Qiao. They don’t want him to trend too often. It didn’t say who’s behind this, but you can probably guess.”]
[“Damn it, Bai Jinyan really wants to keep my wife hidden.”]
[“Someone, please kick that sofa away so I can cuddle with my wife. I’ll hold him steady.”]
As time passed, the bedroom door opened slightly. The warm light from the night lamp inside spilled out, and the shadow extended on the floor without disturbing the person sleeping on the sofa.
Bai Jinyan approached Qiao Huaiyao slowly and gently. His movements were light and slow as he placed his arm on the cushion behind Qiao Huaiyao’s back and wrapped his other arm around his knees. With a gentle force, he lifted him up.
“Mm…”
Bai Jinyan froze in his tracks but didn’t rush to move. He held Qiao Huaiyao like that, and seeing that he didn’t wake up, he carried him, along with the blanket, into the bedroom.
Until Bai Jinyan’s figure disappeared, the bedroom door was tightly closed.
After a momentary silence, the live chat room burst into barrage messages again.
[“Haha! I knew Bai Jinyan wouldn’t leave his wife alone and suffering on the small sofa!”]
[“I was so nervous that I couldn’t even breathe properly earlier.”]
[“Because he knows that when Qiao Qiao wakes up, no matter what he says, he won’t listen. So he let Qiao Qiao rest first, waited until he fell asleep, and then carried him inside. I won’t say anything more. Everyone, type #BaiJinyanTheWarmGuy# on the public screen.”]
[“Wait… Bai Jinyan, Brother Bai!!! Since you carried your wife inside, you could have brought the equipment too!”]
[“Ah ah ah! I cried so loudly that I can’t see anything that happens later, sob sob sob, I can’t even sleep peacefully.”]
[“Promise me, you must spend a passionate and thrilling night together, okay? Promise me, swear!”]
…
The night lamp in the bedroom went out. The curtains were drawn, but they couldn’t completely block the moonlight from outside.
After settling Qiao Huaiyao, Bai Jinyan just lay down after flipping open the blanket and felt someone leaning against him.
By the moonlight, Bai Jinyan saw that Qiao Huaiyao still had his eyes tightly closed. He was sound asleep but leaned perfectly against Bai Jinyan’s embrace, with his forehead pressed against Bai Jinyan’s chest, gently rubbing it twice, as if trying to say something.
But the voice was too soft, and Bai Jinyan couldn’t hear what he was saying.
The deep dark night couldn’t hide the thoughts in Bai Jinyan’s mind. His breathing became heavier. After a moment of silence, he reached out to tuck the blanket around Qiao Huaiyao.
Looking down at the person in his arms, Bai Jinyan couldn’t feel a hint of sleepiness—Qiao Huaiyao didn’t set an alarm before sleeping last night. He woke up with a dazed expression and had no idea what time it was now.
But he knew that with his brother there, he wouldn’t be late for any of his classes.
Qiao Huaiyao turned over with a hazy awareness and hugged the blanket. Suddenly, he paused and raised his head, looking puzzled as he held the thin blanket and gazed at the bedroom windowsill.
Yesterday… didn’t he sleep in the living room?
Why did he end up in the bedroom?
Qiao Huaiyao sat up and leaned against the head of the bed, pinching his forehead, starting to doubt his memory.
“Awake?” Bai Jinyan opened the curtains and said calmly, “If you are, come out and have breakfast.”
Qiao Huaiyao got up and went to the bathroom first, splashing cold water on his face. The groggy confusion from waking up faded away, and he became much clearer.
When he came out, Bai Jinyan had already prepared breakfast, and he quickly helped bring it to the table.
As they ate, Qiao Huaiyao’s gaze wandered over the food on the table a few times, landing on Bai Jinyan across from him.
He wanted to ask many questions, but didn’t know how to start.
Holding the warm milk in his hands, feeling the warmth on his palms, he gathered his thoughts.
“Brother, did you sleep well last night?” Qiao Huaiyao took a sip of milk, still unsure, and carefully asked, “Did I disturb your rest?”
Bai Jinyan’s fingertips trembled slightly. The marks hidden beneath his shirt collar still stung faintly, but he replied calmly, “No, you slept well.”
Handing the peeled boiled egg to Qiao Huaiyao, Bai Jinyan’s expression unchanged, he said, “You slept quietly.”
Hearing this, Qiao Huaiyao instantly felt relieved.
It’s good to be quiet.
Bai Jinyan glanced at his phone messages, thought for a moment, and said, “I’ve put the books for the morning class on the table. Take a look and see if there’s anything else you need. I’ll buy it for you later.”
Apart from the textbooks needed for the class, there was also a new notebook on the table, with a pen placed on it.
“These will do,” Qiao Huaiyao put on his coat, realizing that he was running out of time, and he picked up the books, saying, “Brother, I’m going to class now. I don’t have any classes this afternoon. When I come back, I’ll take you around this area.”
With that, he hurriedly opened the door and walked out—
He had already taken these courses before in his previous life.
But Qiao Huaiyao still followed the teacher’s line of thinking and took diligent notes.
Learning new knowledge was always beneficial, and reviewing familiar content could reinforce his memory.
The lecture hall was full with no empty seats left.
In addition to the freshmen of this year, there were also many senior students who came to listen, sitting quietly at the back. There were also many students from different majors who came to listen to the famous professor’s lecture.
During the break, Qiao Huaiyao organized his notes, marking key points. As he tidied up a few lines, he picked up his phone and opened the chat with Bai Jinyan. He selected an emoticon: [Curious Cat.jpg]
At this time, Bai Jinyan should be busy reading the script or sorting out his work with his agent.
Qiao Huaiyao thought Bai Jinyan would reply slowly, so after sending the emoticon, he put down his phone. However, just as he was about to withdraw his hand, the phone screen lit up.
Bai Jinyan: [I’m here, what’s up?]
Qiao Huaiyao was stunned for a moment, then his eyes curved with a smile as he typed: [Nothing much, just finished class, wanted to send you a message.]
Although Bai Jinyan was roughly the same age as him, he had a calm personality, and their chat was usually filled with text or punctuation.
Qiao Huaiyao didn’t have much to share, but whenever he was in a good mood, he wanted to chat with Bai Jinyan.
As his pen glided across the paper, he thought for a moment and then typed: [What are you doing?]
Bai Jinyan: [Chatting with you.]
Before Qiao Huaiyao could reply, he saw the typing indicator above the chat box, indicating that the other person was typing.
Then, in the chat box, Bai Jinyan sent an emoticon: [Head Pat.jpg]