On a rainy night, the school beauty knocked on my door and asked for shelter

"You should eat too." Seeing that Su Yuqing was just watching him eat noodles and hadn't touched her own bowl, Chen Mo immediately said.

"Okay." Su Yuqing smiled sweetly at Chen Mo before starting to eat.

Seeing Chen Mo's relaxed demeanor and genuine smile as he spoke with her, Su Yuqing felt relieved.

Having seen so many Chen Mos in her dreams who had lost their light, color, and soul, Su Yuqing momentarily superimposed him with the Chen Mo before her.

Chen Mo, who was in a state of mental depression, was so pitiful to Su Yuqing that just seeing the light in his eyes made her heart brighten a little.

"There's plenty of soup and ingredients in the pot. Add more if you're not full," Su Yuqing said to Chen Mo after taking a couple of sips of soup.

"Mmm!" Chen Mo nodded, then buried his head and continued to eat the bowl of noodles filled with love.

Every bite felt like etching this lost yet regained, and even more profound, happiness deep into my very bones.

The restaurant was filled with the aroma of food, and the background noise of the evening news could be faintly heard from the television. The two occasionally exchanged a few words in hushed tones, but mostly they enjoyed the silent companionship that spoke volumes.

This ordinary dinner time, after being baptized by that pessimistic dream, seemed exceptionally precious, like the warmest light after darkness, illuminating their shared, real, and hopeful future.

As night deepened outside the window, the room was filled with warmth and love.

Under the warm yellow light, the noodles in Chen Mosheng's second bowl of noodles gradually disappeared, and only a thin layer of soup remained.

Chen Mo let out a satisfied breath; his stomach was warm, and his heart was filled with contentment.

Only when he felt a warm, full sensation in his stomach did he reluctantly put down his chopsticks, his gaze involuntarily falling back onto Su Yuqing.

Looking up, I saw that Su Yuqing had just finished eating as well, her bowl was also completely empty, and she had even drunk all the soup.

"I'll clean up." Chen Mo rubbed his stomach, barely managed to stand up, but still took the two empty bowls without saying a word and turned to walk towards the kitchen sink.

The tap was turned on, and the rushing water washed away the remaining oil from the bowl of noodles.

Su Yuqing wanted to say she would do it herself, but seeing Chen Mo's serious back as he worked, she swallowed her words.

A silent smile touched her lips, and a warm feeling gently rippled through her chest.

Watching him hum a happy and content little tune as he naturally does these everyday things, after experiencing that long and repressive dream, makes them seem so vivid and precious.

She stood up and followed him into the kitchen, picked up a dry cloth, and gently wiped away the water stains and oil spots remaining on the stove and tabletop.

She wasn't in a hurry to help him wash the dishes; she simply stood quietly a short distance behind him, wiping the stove while her gaze followed his slightly hunched back.

The soft light from the kitchen ceiling light bathed the busy couple.

The sounds of water, the soft clatter of dishes colliding, the subtle friction of a dishcloth wiping the countertop... these ordinary symphonies of life sound like the most beautiful music in the world.

Chen Mo didn't turn around. Amidst the sound of flowing water, his deep voice carried a clear smile and satisfaction, "I haven't eaten this much in a long time. I've lost all self-control since I've been with you. You'll have to cook less next time."

"Okay, I'll keep an eye on you next time," Su Yuqing replied with a smile.

"Mm," Chen Mo replied with a smile.

The dishes are washed, drained, and set aside.

He turned off the tap and shook the water droplets off his hands.

As he turned around, he saw Su Yuqing had already wiped the countertop and was leaning against the edge of the counter, quietly watching him. Her gaze was focused and gentle, as if she wanted to firmly imprint his vibrant face in her heart, covering up those pale and lifeless images in her memory.

As she looked at him like that, Chen Mo's heart skipped a beat, followed by an overwhelming feeling of comfort.

He stepped forward, naturally reaching out his hand. After a moment's hesitation, he gently placed it on her cheek, tenderly stroking her smooth, collagen-rich face.

"What are you looking at?" he asked in a low voice.

"You look...good." Su Yuqing didn't dodge, but instead tilted her face slightly to meet his gaze, her eyes seeming to shimmer. "You look...so good."

All the words in the world are contained in these few words.

No further explanation was needed; they both understood each other implicitly.

Chen Mo felt the warmth of her cheek with his fingertips, and also sensed the deep relief and satisfaction in her eyes.

The television news was still playing in the living room, becoming insignificant background noise.

The night outside the window spread out like thick ink, making the small space even brighter and warmer.

"Want to watch some TV?" Chen Mo asked, his fingertips reluctantly leaving her cheek.

"Okay." Su Yuqing nodded, a serene smile blooming on her face.

The two walked out of the kitchen together.

Chen Mo first turned off the main light in the kitchen, leaving only the warm light in the living room.

He walked over to the sofa, sat down, and casually grabbed a soft cushion.

Su Yuqing sat down naturally beside him, without needing to snuggle too close, just shortening the distance a little so that their body heat could feel each other's presence.

The flickering light from the television screen illuminated their faces, but they weren't really paying attention to what the news was saying.

They occasionally exchange a few words in hushed tones, or smile at each other.

Most of the time, it's a quiet, silent companionship.

Su Yuqing relaxed her body, leaned back on the sofa, and looked in the direction of the TV, but her thoughts drifted far away.

Occasionally, unconsciously, her gaze would drift to Chen Mo's calm profile, confirming that the starlight in his eyes was still there, that his breathing was steady, and that his body was no longer tense. Her heart was filled with a great sense of peace.

Those painful fragments of memory still occasionally flash through my mind, but at this moment, the real warmth and breathing of the people around me, as well as the tranquil atmosphere in the room, act like a solid dam, firmly keeping the chaos and darkness outside.

Whether the world outside the window is noisy or quiet, it is now separated by a layer of glass.

Inside the room, time seemed to slow down and become viscous.

A single lamp casts a dim light, the two figures appear like a painting, and a silent yet powerful sense of companionship flows in the air, like a cup of warm tea that is neither too hot nor too cold, soothing each other's souls.

As the night deepened, this tranquil and natural feeling was like the warmth of human connection they had regained, burning gently and illuminating every moment before them.

The two gradually drew closer, snuggling together, reluctant to part ways and go back to rest.

They sat on the sofa, leaning back, gradually wrapping themselves in the same blanket, enjoying the comfortable air conditioning, and falling asleep side by side with a relieved smile. (End of Chapter)