041, Night Conversations, Sleeping Together

Gao Shen quickly washed and tidied himself, grateful that the weather was still pleasant—no oppressive summer heat just yet. Otherwise, even a quick wash wouldn’t rid him of sweat, and he would surely be suffocated by the smell. After finishing, he placed the basin and bucket in a corner of the room and didn’t venture outside again, guessing that Jing Qingxin was probably washing up in the outer room. Sharing a space with a woman meant he had to be mindful of certain boundaries.

He sat by the bed and began reading. The books Jing Qingxin had given him were all fascinating and insightful. Even though the one in his hands was not about military affairs, it transported him into a vibrant, dazzling world. The words and pictures struck him deeply. His comprehension and intuition had always been keen, and from the content and illustrations, he could grasp nearly eighty percent of what was being conveyed.

Is this the era she lives in?

A sense of loss swept through him, tinged with unease.

“Is it interesting?” Jing Qingxin entered, drying her hair as she walked into the inner room, which was barely a meter from the main door and had no wooden door, allowing easy access. She thought it was still early, and she wasn’t sleepy. Seeing the oil lamp still burning in Gao Shen’s room, she figured he wouldn’t be sleeping yet either. So she decided to chat with him and pass the time.

Turning into the room, she found Gao Shen sitting by the bed, lost in contemplation, his expression deep—whatever he was reading had clearly moved him.

Her sudden arrival broke his reverie. Gao Shen quickly steadied his emotions and replied in a hoarse voice, “The era you live in is wonderful.”

Jing Qingxin didn’t notice anything unusual in his tone. She sat beside him, smiling, “Yes, it’s quite good in many ways.”

Gazing at her elegant face, Gao Shen lowered his eyes and spoke softly, “Would you tell me about your life?”

“Of course. We’ve got plenty of time now. Let’s chat.” Jing Qingxin kicked off her slippers and sat cross-legged at the edge of the bed.

“Here, cover your feet with this new quilt,” Gao Shen suggested, pointing to the quilt Jing Qingxin had used earlier. Though the days were getting warmer, the village nights still carried a chill.

Jing Qingxin leaned against the wall at the foot of the bed, draped the quilt over her legs, and said to Gao Shen at the head, “Let me tell you about my life and my family.”

Gao Shen quietly slipped the book under his pillow and replied calmly, “All right.”

Jing Qingxin began to recount the story of her parents’ steadfast love, her mother’s creation of a secluded paradise, the pride and honor of generations of soldiers in the Jing family, and her grandparents’ idyllic country life.

Throughout her tale, Jing Qingxin’s lips remained curled in a sweet smile, her eyes shining with happiness. Gao Shen gazed at her, repeating silently in his heart: She is happy. She is surrounded by love; her family and friends are all filled with affection.

Everything she described sounded so beautiful. That warmth and brightness shone from her, like a radiant beam of sunlight, offering hope and strength, bringing comfort to all who met her.

Comparing their lives, the gap felt as deep and vast as a chasm. His own family, his friends, and even the era he lived in were all so far removed—so much more backward and harsh.

As she spoke, Jing Qingxin gradually felt her eyelids grow heavy. Perhaps it was the day’s busy activities—gathering wild vegetables, shopping at the commune, working in the kitchen, preparing dinner for both of them. Now, with a rare moment to relax, sleepiness crept in. Her voice softened, and soon she leaned against the wall and drifted into slumber.

Gao Shen had noticed her words becoming scattered, but he didn’t disturb her. After all, she’d been busy throughout the day and must be exhausted. Wanting her to rest well, he let her sleep on his bed, especially since his injured leg made it impossible to carry her back to the main room.

He moved carefully, supporting himself with his hands, inching closer to Jing Qingxin. With gentle and cautious movements, his strong arms wrapped around her, slowly settling her beside him and covering her with the quilt.

He lay down as well, each of them under their own quilt. Gao Shen could feel the warmth beside him, no longer the empty, chilly space of before. A slight turn brought the cool air from either side, but the warmth remained.

Turning his head to look at her serene sleeping face, Gao Shen felt as if his heart was suddenly filled to the brim. Savoring the warmth, he smiled softly and drifted contentedly into sleep.

The next morning, as dawn broke, Gao Shen woke up on schedule. As he tried to lift his hand, he felt a weight and looked down to find Jing Qingxin’s hand resting on his right chest, preventing him from moving his right arm.

Turning his head suddenly, Gao Shen was startled, not daring to breathe. At some point, Jing Qingxin had moved closer, lying on her side right next to him. Their faces were so near that their noses touched slightly, and her breath tickled his lips.

From this close distance, he saw her peaceful, gentle sleeping face, reminiscent of a lazy kitten. Unconsciously, he smiled.

How wonderful—she was still there! Gao Shen thought to himself. To open his eyes and see her brought him immense comfort, brightening his mood and making the morning feel especially beautiful.

He hadn’t experienced such emotions for a long time. Since tragedy struck his family, his heart had become as deep and calm as the sea—quiet and lonely.

But since Jing Qingxin had appeared, Gao Shen felt so many new, lively emotions stirring within him. It was as if his heart had come alive again.

He pondered quietly, holding his breath for fear of waking her. Noticing a stray lock of hair across her forehead, he instinctively reached out with his left hand, gently tucking the strand behind her ear.

Jing Qingxin stirred suddenly, startling him into quickly withdrawing his hand and turning away.

After a moment, seeing that her breathing remained steady, Gao Shen sighed softly. To avoid waking her and causing embarrassment, he gently moved her hand from his chest and tucked it under her quilt.

He got up quietly, put on a thin jacket, and stepped softly, testing his left foot on the ground. Finding the pain manageable, he hobbled out of the room in a strange gait.

He glanced at his somewhat worn watch—it was already six in the morning. Looking towards the village, he saw smoke rising from many houses.

—Author’s Note—

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This book was first published by Xiao Xiang Book Court. Please do not reprint!