I was criticized on a dating reality show, but I retaliated and became an internet sensation.

Shu Zi's eyelashes trembled, and her breath hitched.

She opened her mouth, her voice much softer than she had expected, tinged with panic and a lack of confidence:

"……don't want."

The last syllable rose slightly, as if asking him a question, or as if trying to convince herself.

The moment he finished speaking, he flipped her back over.

The movements were equally swift and decisive.

???

Shu Zi was a little dazed after he turned her over, and asked in a muffled voice while lying on the bed:

"Gu Yan, what are you doing?"

His deep voice came from behind, tinged with helplessness:

"Nuonuo, with you next to me, I'm afraid I won't be able to control myself."

Shu Zi's face flushed bright red instantly, her ears burning hot. She didn't reply, but simply buried her face in the pillow.

The rain outside the window stopped sometime ago, and the thunder has faded into the distance, leaving only the damp air and the occasional sound of water dripping from the eaves.

Her breathing gradually became even, her eyelids grew heavier, and her consciousness began to blur.

Just as she was about to fall asleep, she felt Gu Yan move slightly behind her.

He gently rubbed his chin against the top of her head, as if to check if she was asleep.

Then she heard him sigh very softly and whisper something, as if he were talking to himself:

"This is... terrible."

His tone carried a hint of helpless surrender, as if there was nothing he could do about her, or as if he was willingly trapped by something.

Shu Zi mumbled a sleepy "Hmm?" to indicate that she wasn't fully asleep yet.

Gu Yan paused for a moment, then asked in a low voice, "Not asleep yet?"

"Soon..."

Her voice was muffled and heavy with sleepiness.

Gu Yan didn't say anything more, but tightened his arms around her, holding her more securely in his embrace.

After a while, he whispered, "Go to sleep, we have to record a show tomorrow."

Shu Zi gave a muffled reply, and then really fell into a deep sleep.

Meanwhile, there are 201 suites.

The power outage came without warning.

Han Jingxue had just finished showering and was sitting on the edge of the master bedroom bed drying her hair when the light suddenly flickered twice and went out.

The entire room was plunged into darkness in an instant. She paused for a moment, but did not panic.

She put down the towel, reached for her phone on the bedside table, turned on the screen, and glanced at it in the dim light.

The signal is still there, but the battery is running low.

She didn't pay much attention and continued drying her hair.

Thunder rumbled outside the window in waves, and raindrops pounded against the glass.

She got up to close the curtains tightly, but just as she reached the window, she heard two knocks on the door.

Han Jingxue paused in her movements and turned her gaze toward the door.

"Who?" she asked calmly.

There was a two-second silence outside the door, then a familiar voice came through, with a slightly lazy tone: "It's me."

Han Jingxue's brows twitched slightly when she heard that voice.

She walked over and opened the door.

Shen Yihuai stood outside the door, with darkness behind him.

He was wearing a dark T-shirt, and his hair was a little messy, as if he had been lying down but had been woken up.

He leaned against the doorframe with one hand, his posture relaxed, his gaze fixed on her face.

Han Jingxue looked at him: "Is something the matter?"

Shen Yihuai nodded, his tone unusually serious: "Yes."

Han Jingxue waited a moment, and seeing that he didn't say anything more, she frowned slightly: "What is it?"

Shen Yihuai looked at her, remained silent for two seconds, and then said, "I'm afraid of the dark."

Han Jingxue: "..."

She looked at him, her expression indistinct in the darkness, but the length of that silence spoke volumes.

She knew he was anything but timid.

Racing, skiing, free climbing, deep-sea diving—he does it all. Such a person is completely unrelated to the word "afraid of the dark."

But now he's telling her he's afraid of the dark?

Han Jingxue looked at him for two seconds, then reached out to close the door.

Shen Yihuai reacted quickly, bracing himself against the door with one hand. The movement was small, but it just blocked the gap in the door.

He didn't force his way through, nor did he push his way in. He just stood there, tilting his head slightly to look at her, his posture exuding a roguish composure.

"What now?" Han Jingxue frowned.

"I need to discuss something with you."

Shen Yihuai's tone softened slightly, carrying a hint of bargaining:

"Can you let me in for a while, and then send me back after I fall asleep?"

"no."

After Han Jingxue finished speaking, she tightened her grip on the door, preparing to close it.

Just as the door was about to close, Shen Yihuai took a step forward.

The movement wasn't fast, but the timing was perfect. Just as she was closing the door, he stepped in sideways, as if he had anticipated her reaction.

Han Jingxue was forced to take half a step back by his step, and as soon as her heel touched the ground, he followed her in.

Then, he put one arm around her waist and the other under her knees, lifting her up in his arms.

Han Jingxue's body suddenly lifted into the air. She instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck, her voice higher than usual, filled with obvious astonishment:

"Shen Yihuai!"

"Yes, I'm here."

He responded with a smug smile, and without stopping, he turned and carried her to the second bedroom.

"Shen Yihuai, put me down!" Han Jingxue struggled, but couldn't break free.

"I won't let go." Shen Yihuai's voice came from above her head. "I can't sleep alone."

"What does your insomnia have to do with me?"

Han Jingxue's voice turned a little cold, but her ears were uncontrollably burning.

"Of course it's none of your business."

Shen Yihuai had already reached the door of the second bedroom. He gently pushed the door open with his shoulder, carried her inside, and said, "You're my girlfriend."

"Who's your girlfriend—" Han Jingxue's words were cut short as he put her on the bed.

The mattress was soft, and she sank into it. Just as she was about to sit up, Shen Yihuai had already lay down next to her.

He naturally wrapped his arm around her waist and skillfully pulled her closer to him.

Han Jingxue froze in his arms, her voice carrying a warning: "Shen Yihuai."

"Mmm," he responded, resting his chin on the top of her head, his tone carrying a satisfied sigh.

"Don't move, let me hold you for a while."

"Didn't you just say you were afraid of the dark?"

Han Jingxue's voice carried a hint of sarcasm, "Not afraid now?"

"Afraid."

Shen Yihuai's voice came from behind her, with a lazy laugh, "But with you next to me, I'm not afraid."

Han Jingxue paused for a moment, then spoke: "Do you think I'd believe that?"

Shen Yihuai replied shamelessly, "You can."

"Shen Yihuai, are you a child?"

"Um."

Han Jingxue: "..."

She sighed softly, as if in resignation or helplessness: "...Tonight then."

Shen Yihuai pressed his advantage: "Then I can—"

"No!" Han Jingxue interrupted him, her tone resolute.