I was approached by a cat-eared girl.

"Why did you suddenly kiss and hug me today, and even want to be my girlfriend?"

"Because I like you, but I never knew if you liked me back."

"I like you, how could I not?" Chen Shuo closed his eyes, gently inhaling the fragrance of her hair, and slowly said, "I've liked you for a long time, or rather, I've had ulterior motives towards you for a long time. After all, we spend every day together, so it's inevitable that feelings will develop over time. No, not over time, but I've never known how to tell you about it."

So, day after day, I see you constantly in front of me. Several times I wanted to tell you, but I couldn't bring myself to say it. Some say confessing your feelings is a victory song, not a battle cry. I'm afraid that if I say it, you'll overthink things, feel burdened, and eventually run away from home.

Chen Shuo gathered his thoughts, paused for a moment, and continued, "Sometimes I have a vague feeling that you might have feelings for me, but I'm not sure..."

Why are you afraid to confirm?

“Because when you like someone, you become insecure and lose your judgment.” Chen Shuo sighed and tightened his grip on her arm. “You are bolder and more proactive than me.”

"Isn't it better to take the initiative?"

"It's not that it's bad, it's just that your initiative makes me feel sorry for you and guilty. Girls are naturally shy, and it's really a bad thing to make a girl you like swallow her pride and confess to you."

"It's okay, I'm thick-skinned. Even if you don't like me, I'll find a way to stick with you."

"What methods are you planning to use to cling to me?"

“You bought me so many things, all of which cost money. I’m sure I can never pay you back all this money.”

At this point, Bai Xiaoqi finally looked up at him and said, "I was thinking that if you didn't like me, I would say that I couldn't pay back all this money, so I would give myself to you instead."

"What if I don't make you pay?" Chen Shuo was amused by her; he hadn't expected her to come up with this solution.

Could this be considered a form of exploiting someone's kindness for personal gain?

Upon hearing this, Bai Xiaoqi did not answer. Instead, she wrapped her arms around Chen Shuo's neck, pressed his head down, and then stood on tiptoe to kiss him on the forehead. "It doesn't matter if you don't compensate me. Just stamp a few more times like this, and then you'll be mine, and no one can take you away."

"Don't worry, no one will take it from you." Chen Shuo also lowered his head and stamped her forehead, then hugged her tightly, letting out a satisfied sigh from the bottom of his heart.

He likes this cute little cat.

Chapter Fifty-Three: It's quite warm in my arms.

After confirming the relationship, it seems that something has changed, yet nothing has changed at all.

At least the two of them were still sleeping in separate beds, and Chen Shuo felt it was necessary to post a question to his readers.

How long after a couple gets together can they sleep in the same bed? Also, what does it feel like to hold a girl while sleeping?

But after thinking about it, I gave up on the idea. It felt like I was showing off, which wasn't good. Besides, this kind of question would definitely touch on their blind spots in knowledge, so asking it would be pointless.

Chen Shuo changed into his dog pajamas and climbed onto the folding bed. A moment later, Bai Xiaoqi also changed into her cat pajamas and came in.

"Actually, you can change your clothes in your room from now on, instead of having to go to the bathroom to change like before. I will close my eyes and promise not to peek."

Why are you making this promise? Are you trying to peek?

"That's a question you asked..."

Chen Shuo was speechless for a moment, then answered honestly, "Actually, I'd rather watch openly than peek."

"..."

Bai Xiaoqi briefly imagined the scene and felt a surge of embarrassment well up inside her, causing her cheeks to involuntarily flush red. She shook her head and said, "I don't want to."

"If you don't want it, then don't. Let's go to sleep."

Having just become a couple, Chen Shuo felt they should take things slowly and give each other time to adjust.

Then he reached for the lamp switch, watched Bai Xiaoqi climb into bed and cover herself with the blanket, and then turned off the light.

With a click, the room plunged into darkness. Chen Shuo had just closed his eyes when he felt something poking at his stomach. He opened his eyes and it took a few seconds for his eyes to adjust to the darkness.

Then, I could vaguely see Bai Xiaoqi lying by the bed, her little head peeking out, her gaze moving downwards, and a small hand poking her belly.

Chen Shuo grasped the restless little hand, gently squeezed it a couple of times, feeling its soft and smooth texture, and asked softly, "Why are you poking me?"

You haven't said goodnight to me yet.

"Good night."

"OK, good night."

Okay, let's go to sleep.

Chen Shuo couldn't help but gently squeeze her hand twice more before letting go and closing his eyes. But after a moment, her little hand started poking at him again.

What are you doing now?

Would you like to touch my hand again?

Upon hearing this, Chen Shuo grabbed the small hand and pulled it into his bed. He held it in his palm and kneaded it. It was soft, small, and warm, as if it had no bones.

Feeling his hands being kneaded and squeezed, he kept changing the style, sometimes rubbing his fingers, sometimes pressing his knuckles, and sometimes tickling his palms.

A strange feeling arose inexplicably and grew stronger and stronger. Bai Xiaoqi couldn't bear it any longer. She pinched his wrist with her other hand, and as he loosened his grip in pain, she swiftly pulled her hand away.

"I'm not letting you touch me anymore, I want to sleep."

"Ouch..." Chen Shuo sat up abruptly in pain, turned his head and asked, "If you don't want me to touch you, just say so. Why are you pinching me?"

"Because you always play with my hands."

Bai Xiaoqi pulled the blanket tighter, turned over, closed her eyes, and mumbled a reply, deciding not to pay him any more attention.

Chen Shuo rubbed his wrist, then looked at her, feeling somewhat bewildered. It was just a few pinches, wasn't it?

Just as he was about to lie down, he couldn't help but turn his head to look at her. In the dark room, he could vaguely see the outline of her body under the blanket.

The thought that she was now his girlfriend gave him a sense of unreality. When he realized it was real, a feeling of fulfillment welled up from the bottom of his heart.

This feels so good. Even if I do nothing, just watching her sleep is a pleasure.

After watching for a long time, Chen Shuo finally lay down contentedly and closed his eyes.

Sleepiness always creeps in without you realizing it, and when you open your eyes again, it's already broad daylight.

He stared at the ceiling for a while, lost in thought, before remembering what had happened last night.

Turning to look at the bed, Bai Xiaoqi was no longer there. The blankets were neatly made on the bed, as if she had never folded them before.

Chen Shuo pulled his phone out from under his pillow, turned on the screen; it was a little after 10 a.m.

Hearing a thumping sound outside, he put on his slippers and went out. Bai Xiaoqi was in the kitchen smashing cucumbers, wearing cat-themed pajamas with the hood up.

Chen Shuo walked over, looked at the porridge in the pot—it was made of purple rice—and then glanced at her again, hesitant to speak.

"I didn't put in much sugar this time."

"That's not what I wanted to ask, it's just..." Chen Shuo looked at her nonchalant expression, scratched his head, hesitated for a moment, and asked, "It's just that, do you remember what happened last night?"

Bai Xiaoqi's expression hardened, and she gripped the kitchen knife in her hand tighter. "Have you forgotten again?"

"No, no, I haven't forgotten, I remember it perfectly." Seeing her grip the kitchen knife tightly, Chen Shuo subconsciously took two steps back.

"I'm your girlfriend now, your real girlfriend, and you're not allowed to forget that." She rarely showed a serious expression, and of course, the kitchen knife in her hand added a lot to that seriousness.

"I know I know."

Chen Shuo felt that their relationship was not quite right. He had asked that question to remind her, but instead, he was reminded of it instead.

"I'll go wash up first. Put less sugar in your porridge."

After giving him a word of advice, Chen Shuo turned and went to the bathroom to wash up and organize his thoughts. Although he seemed to be drifting through his days aimlessly, he was, at heart, the kind of person who planned things out before acting.

According to his plan, the act of abducting cat-eared girls as girlfriends would be carried out on a yearly basis.

But after only four months of living together, he had already exceeded his goal, and he felt that his plans had been completely disrupted. He was supposed to play the role of a girlfriend first, and then wait six months to a year to find a suitable time to express his feelings.

If she agrees, we'll start by holding hands, then move on to hugs, and finally kisses. But we already accomplished all of that last night, so what's the next step?

Shouldn't we start thinking about how we can sleep in the same bed? And then...

Chen Shuo spat out the mouthwash, glanced at the living room, and saw Bai Xiaoqi coming out of the kitchen with a pot in her arms. She met his gaze and made a face at him.

Chen Shuo turned his head back, turned on the tap and washed his face. With someone like this, no matter how detailed the plan was, it was useless, because things would definitely change.

Breakfast was simple: a bowl of purple rice porridge with steamed buns, two cold dishes, tomatoes with sugar, and smashed cucumber.

After the meal, Chen Shuo conscientiously gathered the dishes and chopsticks together and took them to the kitchen to wash.

Bai Xiaoqi was understandably surprised, "Why are you trying to steal my job?"

As Chen Shuo washed the dishes, he replied, "The water is so cold in winter. You need to take good care of your hands and keep them soft. I'll do the dishes from now on."

Upon hearing this, Bai Xiaoqi was deeply moved, but as soon as this emotion rose from the bottom of her heart, she thought of something and the feeling of being moved vanished without a trace.

"Do you keep your hands soft and smooth so it's more comfortable for you to play with?"

Chen Shuo put the clean dishes into the cupboard. "If possible, I hope you can replace playing with touching with rubbing."

Do you want to touch it?

"No, my hands are too cold right now."

Looking at her outstretched little hand, Chen Shuo shook his head, dried the water on his hands, then opened his arms and pulled her into his embrace, holding her tightly.

"But it's quite warm in my arms."

Chapter 54 I'm Your Dominant

In early December, the first snow of the year gently fell. The first snowfall was quite heavy, falling heavily from the sky like goose feathers. By then, a thick layer had already accumulated on the ground, making a crunching sound when stepped on.

Walking into the neighborhood, all she could see was pure white. Bai Xiaoqi would always scoop up the snowflakes that hadn't yet been touched by dust, and play with them in her hands until her little hands turned red from the cold in no time, but she still enjoyed it immensely.

Seeing that his words had no effect, Chen Shuo could only pull her over, brush off the snow stains from her sleeves, and then warm her red hands in his palms, saying, "Why do I wash dishes every day? It's because I'm worried that your hands will get cold. Let me tell you, if your hands become rough in the future, I won't touch them even if you beg me."

"Hmph, I won't let you touch me."

Bai Xiaoqi broke free from his hand, ran a short distance away, made a snowball, and threw it at him.

Chen Shuo dodged her, stepped forward, grabbed her hand, and stopped her from making more snowballs. He advised, "Don't mess around. You'll suffer if your hands get cold. I'll go out and buy you some cotton gloves later, then you can play."

"I do not want."

"I'll buy you one of those that you can hang around your neck. It's convenient. You can wear it when you're playing in the snow, and take it off when you want me to touch your hand."

"You're the one who wanted to touch me."

"Okay, that's what I want."