CHAPTER 201: CHAPTER 201: SAME BED, DIFFERENT DREAMS

After the two confirmed their stay here, Li Jing locked the hotel room door from inside, then took a fresh look at the room.

The entire room appeared old and simple, with parts of the wallpaper peeling off the walls, exposing the mottled surface underneath.

The ceiling light strained to push back the darkness, yet seemed to fall short. An old-fashioned double bed was placed in the center, and the TV at the foot of the bed was one of those bulky CRT models, with several shallow scratches on its casing.

The window glass wasn’t too clean, showing the dim, flickering streetlights and parked cars outside. The curtains by the window also seemed a bit faded, their once bright colors now dull and lackluster.

Though the room was old, Li Jing and his companion were relieved that it was overall clean and tidy, evidently having been meticulously cleaned.

All the toiletries and towels in the bathroom were replaced, which somewhat eased their minds.

After packing up, Li Jing turned around and saw Zhou Li wandering around the room with a small black device, curious, he asked, "What are you doing?"

"This is a camera detector I bought online. Nowadays, many hotels have hidden cameras. My girlfriends and I all bought this to protect our privacy."

Seeing Zhou Li’s serious expression, Li Jing raised a brow, having never considered this issue before.

Indeed, women are generally more concerned about such matters than men, and a check is a good thing.

So Li Jing let Zhou Li conduct her inspection while he went to the bathroom for a quick wash.

By the time Zhou Li finished her inspection and washed up, it was already midnight.

Whether because the argument downstairs had ended, or because the room was higher up, making it hard to hear any noise from below, as soon as the two finished their chores, the atmosphere turned tranquil.

Maybe it was because the small town at night wasn’t as bustling as the big city, even if the room faced the road, no sound of passing vehicles could be heard.

At this moment, the entire county town quieted down. Occasionally, the sound of dogs barking outside or the crisp clinking noise from an unknown shop could be heard, making Li Jing, who had spent many years in Tianhai, genuinely feel the unique simplicity and peace of this small town.

With the lights off, the moonlight poured into the room like a white gauze, driving away the night.

Zhou Li, lying on the right side of the big bed, facing the window, opened her eyes and stared blankly at the bright moonlight outside, softly asking, "Li Jing, are you asleep?"

Zhou Li’s voice was very soft, yet in this quiet night, it sounded particularly clear.

Li Jing, behind her, lowly replied, "No, what’s up?"

"No, nothing, I just wanted to ask if you can sleep."

Whether it was due to the change of environment or because she was sharing a bed with a man, Zhou Li, who felt a bit sleepy earlier, now couldn’t sleep at all.

Hearing this, Li Jing paused for a moment before saying, "If you can’t sleep because of me, I can go sleep in the car..."

"No need."

Before his voice fell, Zhou Li quickly replied, then turned around to look at Li Jing’s back, explaining, "It’s not because of you, I just can’t sleep myself."

Saying this, she noticed that Li Jing seemed a bit drowsy, and softly continued, "It’s okay, you can sleep, I will fall asleep soon."

"Okay."

Li Jing replied, then remained silent, seemingly having really fallen asleep.

Watching Li Jing’s broad back, Zhou Li’s expression wavered, her inner feelings complex and conflicted, but she ultimately refrained from speaking further.

She actually wanted to chat with him in this quiet night, talk about life ambitions, talk about the past and the future.

In her heart, this kind of atmosphere was the best for two people who liked each other to talk all night long.

But it was clear that Li Jing was tired from driving and fell asleep in no time, his breathing rhythmic and calm.

Zhou Li now fully confirmed Li Jing was asleep, feeling a bit disappointed inside, but she could only give up the idea of talking the night away with him.

However, because of this, she couldn’t fall asleep even more, uncontrollably recalling all the bits and pieces of her past with him in her mind.

Thinking of discussing studies with Li Jing in high school, she unconsciously showed a nostalgic smile.

Thinking of not seeing Li Jing again after the college entrance exam, she showed a look of regret.

Thinking of meeting by chance in Linshui, she felt a bit lucky and joyful inside.

Finally, thinking about the scene where she hugged him when they parted last time in Linshui, her cheeks flushed red, and an inexplicable urge arose in her mind...

Staring blankly at Li Jing’s back, she battled with her thoughts for who knows how long, ultimately making up her mind, continuously convincing herself internally:

He’s asleep, he should not know.

Yes, at this time he should be in deep sleep...

Thinking this way, Zhou Li stealthily slid closer to Li Jing’s back under the covers.

Her heart beat faster and faster, as if it would burst out of her throat, her ears filled with the sound of her own heart pounding, her hands trembling slightly.

Eventually, she leaned against Li Jing’s back, distinctly feeling the warmth radiating from his body.

Her cheeks flushed red, she instinctively held her breath, then gently placed her hand on Li Jing.

The instant she touched his body, she couldn’t help but tremble slightly, her nervousness reaching its peak.

Only when Li Jing showed no reaction did she release a silent breath of relief, her tense spirit gradually relaxing, her courage slowly increasing, her arms steadily exerting strength until she hugged Li Jing completely from behind.

So warm...

The first response in Zhou Li’s mind when she embraced him was this.

This was her first time hugging a man in bed; the feeling made her both nervous and excited.

After holding him for a moment, it still seemed to be not enough, she scooted even closer, pressing her body tightly against his back, her face nestling against the back of his head, just like lovers hugging from behind.

Is this what it feels like to sleep while holding your boyfriend...

It indeed feels more comfortable than hugging a plush toy.

But I wonder... what it would feel like to hold him facing forward...

Creak.

Just as her mind was wandering, Li Jing seemed to notice the movement behind him, turned over, startling Zhou Li into holding her breath, too frightened to move.

Yet Li Jing instinctively embraced Zhou Li, who was nestled beside him, and continued to sleep peacefully.

At this moment, Zhou Li stiffened like a frightened kitten, her heart pounding rapidly, allowing Li Jing to hold her.

Only after ensuring Li Jing made no further movements did Zhou Li, wrapped in his arms, regain her composure and remember to breathe.

She sneaked a peek upward to find Li Jing’s face just a centimeter or two away, involuntarily widening her beautiful eyes, her heartbeat quickening, her whole body heating up.

Feeling his steady breathing, Zhou Li could confirm he was still asleep, slightly relieved, but the current situation kept her from moving an inch.

This is bad...

What will happen when we wake up tomorrow?

Should I say I hugged him, or that he hugged me...

It seems off no matter how I say it...

Zhou Li’s mind went blank, continuously imagining tomorrow’s awkward scene.

Li Jing seemed to feel uncomfortable holding Zhou Li this way, shifted his waist and back, and pulled Zhou Li’s head into his chest, then continued sleeping contently.

Involuntarily forced to have her head pulled into his chest, Zhou Li’s expression turned slightly alarmed, not daring to move, her face pressed against his chest, both shy and nervous.

After a while, having calmed her mood, she realized she could hear the steady, powerful heartbeat within his chest.

Is this what it feels like to be in his embrace?

After the initial panic, feeling his broad chest, Zhou Li inexplicably began to enjoy it, feeling a trace of delight.

It seems... it feels quite nice?

Being held by someone, it turns out, feels so secure.

Gaining a bit of courage, Zhou Li softly hugged his waist, thinking:

Forget it, no more worrying about tomorrow.

Maybe when we wake up tomorrow, he’ll have turned back.

With things as they were, she decided not to think about tomorrow’s awkwardness anymore. She adjusted her position slightly, snuggling into his embrace.

Curling up in his arms, after the initial nervousness faded, Zhou Li found peace and comfort, felt his warmth, slowly closed her eyes, and surprisingly drifted into sleep just like that.