Young Prime Minister, a Hermit

Chapter 23

"I...I woke up suddenly and can't fall back asleep." I stammered, still too embarrassed to look at him. I had been caught red-handed spying on him in the middle of the night!

"There's no cure." Xu Lie shook his head, then suddenly threw off the covers and stood up.

The chill of the early winter morning rushed in through the corner of the blankets he had lifted, and I shivered. My heart pounded with anxiety, and I quickly sat up and said, "Xu Lie, where are you going? I'll go with you!"

"You dare!" Xu Lie turned around abruptly and roared, "If you dare follow me, don't ever come back to see me again."

Startled, I turned pale instantly, and with a pout, I lay down on the bed, repeating in my mind: Xu Lie, I won't make you angry anymore, please don't leave me alone. I haven't seen you in so long, I really miss you...

I felt panicked and wronged, but the room was empty, and there was no one in sight. After a long while, just as tears were about to fall, the half-closed door suddenly opened.

I saw Xu Lie walk in barefoot, wearing dark blue pajamas, carrying a steaming cup of milk.

“Xu Lie…” I sat up abruptly, and it was truly tears of joy that came to my eyes. “I thought you had abandoned me!”

"Silly woman!" Xu Lie scolded me helplessly, handed me the warm milk, and softened his voice, saying, "From now on, have Huan Jie prepare a cup of warm milk for you every night before bed, so you won't have insomnia."

I nodded hastily, brought the glass to my lips, and drank more than half of it in a flash. Then my stomach rumbled loudly, and I couldn't take another sip. I couldn't help but wonder: can drinking milk really make me sleepy? Why do I feel more and more awake?

“Xu Lie…” I looked at him pitifully, “I’m full.”

Xu Lie's cold, feigned anger could no longer be concealed. A slight smirk appeared on his lips as he took the cup from my hand: "Who told you to drink it all in one gulp?"

"It's so kind of you to make milk for me..." I blurted out, then blushed and stopped talking.

Suddenly, I felt a warm touch on my lips. Xu Lie gently wiped away the milk residue from my lips with his slightly rough thumb. His voice was deep, doting, and slightly helpless: "Galan, don't be so timid. I am your husband and I will not leave you. It is only right for me to be good to you and care for you."

Galan… he called me Galan. My eyes suddenly welled up with tears, and I looked up at him, stunned. Xu Lie was calling me Galan for the first time, and he also said he would never leave me. I…

"You woman!" Xu Lie's eyes suddenly darkened, his hot breath hitting my face. His hand, which had been lightly resting on my shoulder, tightened abruptly, and his burning lips pressed against mine.

With their lips locked in a silent struggle, he said in a hoarse voice, "I told you not to look at people like that!"

I stammered twice, wanting to retort, but his lips completely sealed my words, leaving me speechless. My heart was filled with happiness, like countless colorful bubbles floating under the blue sky and white clouds, so dazzling and so comforting.

Xu Lie's kisses deepened and became more erratic. His body suddenly leaned forward, and we rolled onto the soft bed. His hands haphazardly tugged at the collar of my nightgown, his burning fingers touching the bare skin of my neck, sending a shiver down my spine.

My breathing quickened, a mixture of excitement, fear, and anticipation swirling within me as I was swept away by the kisses. Was I going to become Xu Lie's wife? Tonight…

With a soft "bang," the clock on the bedside table tilted and fell over. It was just a soft sound, but it made Xu Lie's expression change drastically. He gasped for breath and stopped what he was doing.

His slightly dazed gaze slowly fell on my flushed face, my disheveled clothes, and my pale collarbone. The crimson desire in his eyes gradually faded, turning into a complex light of struggle and bewilderment.

"Xu Lie..." I called out softly, only to find my voice trembling violently as soon as it came out.

Xu Lie suddenly closed his eyes, braced himself on both sides of me, and rushed into the bathroom.

I watched his disheveled figure, forced a smile, and desperately told myself: "Galan, don't be discouraged! At least, he likes you a little, doesn't he? At least, it's already much better than you expected, isn't it?"

But tears still welled up uncontrollably. I hastily wiped them away and straightened my disheveled clothes. I turned around and stared blankly at the thick, beige curtains.

I heard steady footsteps approaching, felt a slight chill on my back, and then the soft bed slumped outwards. I accidentally rolled down the slope and into his arms.

I didn't turn around, but said an apology in a low voice. I was about to move away when I was suddenly grabbed tightly by a pair of long, strong hands.

"I'm sorry..." Xu Lie's deep, husky voice came close to my ear, "I can't hug you without knowing my own and your feelings. You are the wife I want to cherish for the rest of my life."

Tears welled up like a tide, but I forced them back fiercely until there was no trace of disappointment left in my eyes. Then I turned around, smiled at him, and tilted my head, saying, "Xu Lie, it seems you like me more and more, don't you?"

Xu Lie's tender expression froze instantly, a slight blush flashed across his face, and he looked utterly devastated: "I must be crazy to tell you all this."

I buried my face in his neck and giggled, naturally snuggling into his arms, enjoying this unusual warmth. The lingering sadness and loneliness vanished in an instant.

"Go to sleep! Don't embarrass yourself at school tomorrow!" Xu Lie pulled me into his arms and said fiercely.

I closed my eyes with a sense of contentment, imagining my future campus life and my married life with Xu Lie. Although there was still some disappointment, Xu Lie had said it all his life, hadn't he? I have a lifetime to make up for what I've lost.

"Xu Lie..." In my hazy state, I leaned against him, smiling and whispering, "I really like you so much..."

After a long silence, a soft sigh followed by a gentle kiss through her hair.

"Silly girl..." Xu Lie said softly. I don't know if I was still half asleep, or if I was just hoping for a hallucination. In my daze, I felt that the soft sigh contained a deep sense of pampering and affection, and...deep affection.

I think I can have sweet dreams until dawn tonight.

Xiao Yi

2007.8.18 19:25

Chapter 15, "Cherish" (End).

Chapter 16 Old Feelings

Chapter 16 Old Feelings

Fudan University is the most famous liberal arts university in Shanghuai City. Before the car accident, I was a sophomore at this university.

You must be doubting my chances of getting into this university. But I truly got into Fudan University's renowned finance department based on my own abilities.

I'm just not good at socializing, managing, or expressing myself, yet from childhood to adulthood, my grades have never fallen below the top three in my class. Pretty unbelievable, right?

Sometimes I can't help but feel a smug sense of pride, thinking that perhaps I'm an undiscovered genius. And my ancient identity and experiences are precisely what allow my abilities to be put to full use…

"What are you dawdling about?" Xu Lie asked impatiently as he turned around, holding a file folder containing all my documents.

I was startled and immediately forgot my ambition to make a name for myself in ancient times. I walked quickly to his side with a silly grin.

Xu Lie tidied my messy hair and said irritably, "You were doing so well in finance, I really don't understand why you suddenly wanted to switch to history. Are you sure you're on the right track?"