Chapter 355: Chapter 354: "Susu, You Won’t Disappear, Will You?

Wrapping his arms around her tightly, Zhou Mochen made no effort to hide his intentions. He gently stroked her long hair and whispered, "I won’t bully you like he did. Susu, give me a chance."

"...No!" Xu Su pushed him away, flustered and annoyed. "Absolutely not! Zhou Mochen, don’t be like this."

’Seriously, they’d only just met today!’

Xu Su stammered, "D-didn’t you say that when you were a teenager, you didn’t have... these kinds of thoughts?"

"Who said that?"

Zhou Mochen looked innocent. "I never said that. Susu, from the moment you appeared in this world, my life experiences were destined to be different from the Zhou Mochen in your memories. You shouldn’t hold me accountable for what he said."

’No such thoughts...’

’Of course he wouldn’t have had those thoughts before she showed up, but...’

Xu Su realized this too and felt extremely awkward. "I said no, and I mean no. I don’t even know why I’m here. This is all moving way too fast. I can’t accept it."

Kissing was one thing, and hugging was another, but jumping into bed with a young man she had just met... Xu Su really couldn’t handle that.

Her resistance didn’t seem feigned. Under the bright lights, Zhou Mochen’s handsome face was gentle, his gaze indulgent as he watched her. "Alright. If you say no, then we won’t. But I’m sleeping next to you tonight. I have to watch you."

Everything that had happened today was too fantastical. It wasn’t just Xu Su who felt it was unreal; Zhou Mochen himself felt as if he were walking on clouds, adrift in a sense of ethereality.

He was terrified that he would wake up and she would be gone.

How could he rest easy if she wasn’t right under his nose?

Xu Su hesitated for a couple of seconds before nodding sullenly. "Fine, it’s a deal. We won’t do anything."

It was already very late. Xu Su was already a bit dizzy from the alcohol, and after talking for so long, she was exhausted. She hastily washed up and came out, ready to get into bed and sleep.

Zhou Mochen stopped her. "Drink the sobriety soup so you don’t wake up with a headache."

Too lazy to say more, Xu Su took a couple of perfunctory sips, set it aside, and pulled the covers over herself. With drowsy, half-open eyes, she said to him, "I’m so sleepy. Please don’t bother me, okay?"

Zhou Mochen had already showered in the guest bathroom. He sat on the bed in a bathrobe, his still-damp hair falling across his forehead as he stared at her with a focused gaze.

Forcibly suppressing the restlessness in his heart, he hummed a soft "Mm," and said, "Go to sleep."

He lay down beside her, not caring that his hair was still wet. He carefully placed a hand on her shoulder over the blanket, not wanting to even blink.

Suddenly, Xu Su, who had her eyes closed, sensed his presence nearing. She quickly turned her head to dodge and opened her eyes to glare at him. "Didn’t I tell you not to bother me!"

"Not asleep yet?" Zhou Mochen let out a low chuckle. "I thought you were, so I was going to steal a kiss."

Xu Su was speechless. "...Don’t be like that."

’He sounds like a total creep...’

"Susu, let’s talk for a bit." For some reason, he was a little afraid of the sight of her sleeping with her eyes closed.

Zhou Mochen moved a little closer, put his arm around her shoulders, and pressed his lips to her forehead. "Do you know what I was thinking the first moment I saw you?"

Xu Su yawned and replied lazily, "What were you thinking?"

"I was thinking that whoever sent you here knows me better than I know myself. Whatever their purpose is, I’ll accept it. And no matter who you are, I want you."

Zhou Mochen smiled. "I just didn’t expect you to have come here on your own. Susu, don’t you think we’re fated to be together? Otherwise, how could you have crossed worlds and appeared in my car?"

"You’ve only just met me, yet you’re already such a sweet-talker." Xu Su lifted her eyelids to glance at him, completely unmoved. She huffed, "You can say all the pretty words you want, but didn’t you still shove me the moment we met?"

"I didn’t even see you when I pushed you."

Zhou Mochen explained, "I was suddenly grabbed, and I thought some reckless woman was looking to die. Susu, please don’t be mad at me, okay?"

"Why would I be mad? It’s my own fault for getting too excited after seeing you when I arrived in this strange place. I shouldn’t have hugged you, right?" Xu Su pushed away his arms, which were holding her tighter and tighter, and warned, "Move away from me and let me get some sleep."

Zhou Mochen paused for a moment, then patted the top of her head. He chuckled softly and said, "Alright. Go to sleep. I won’t bother you anymore."

The indulgence in the young man’s eyes was enough to drown in. Xu Su’s heart began to pound uncontrollably. She took his hand, pressed it against her cheek, and nuzzled it, saying obediently, "You should get some sleep too. We can talk about everything else tomorrow."

Zhou Mochen hummed in agreement, slowly stroking her cheek. He suddenly grew nervous. "Susu, you’re not going to disappear, are you?"

"..." Xu Su opened her eyes in frustration. "Stop it. Are you going to let me sleep or not?"

She was truly sleepy and exhausted. So much had happened today, and she had been drinking.

"I’m sorry..." Zhou Mochen apologized gingerly, gently patting her shoulder. "Sleep, sleep. I’ll watch over you."

"..." Utterly exasperated, Xu Su simply rolled over and went to sleep with her back to him.

Zhou Mochen watched her back, taking a lock of her hair in his fingers. He smiled silently and began to think deeply about what kind of identity he could arrange for her to help her adapt to this world.

She had to integrate into this world completely.

And for that, she needed to feel a sense of belonging here.

... ...

Perhaps because so much had happened during the day, Xu Su’s mental state had taken quite a shock.

She slept restlessly that night. Not long after drifting off, she began to struggle, as if trapped in a nightmare.

Zhou Mochen, who hadn’t fallen asleep yet, saw this and his heart ached for her. Forgetting everything else, he pulled her into his arms and gently soothed her.

His voice was deep and gentle. In her sleep, Xu Su slowly relaxed as she listened, curling up in his embrace and wrapping her arms tightly around his waist.

Zhou Mochen had never been intimate with a girl before, let alone held one in his arms as they slept.

The person in his arms was the woman he adored. With every breath, he inhaled her fragrance. Their skin touched, and his own breathing gradually quickened. Seeing her nestled so obediently in his arms, her sleeping posture one of complete trust, made his heart soften uncontrollably.

He couldn’t resist lowering his head to kiss her. He tightened his arms, holding her a little closer, and only then did he allow himself to close his eyes and sleep.

...

Xu Su had a very long dream. In it, everything before her was shrouded in mist, like she was walking through a maze.

When she woke up, an ache spread through her body as if she’d been run over by a car. She felt like she’d been up to no good all night, and the pain made her whimper softly.

Zhou Mochen had been awake for a long time. But seeing the girl sleeping so soundly in his arms, he couldn’t bear to disturb her. He simply held her, smiling as he gazed at the sleeping beauty before him.

Xu Su moved her sore neck and groggily opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was a man’s bare chest. She froze for a second, then said angrily, "You’re so shameless! You actually took off your clothes while I was sleeping!"