Chapter Thirty-Eight: An Invitation to Share a Room

“What’s going on? Why did you suddenly come into my room?” Shi Yurou’s expression was tinged with three parts shyness, four parts confusion, and three parts annoyance.

Though they had been married for quite some time, after their relationship cooled rapidly, the two decided to sleep in separate rooms. At least this way, the distance created a buffer for their already strained relationship.

Especially with Ji Chunyan around—if Yan Yuanqing and Shi Yurou really slept together every night, that hot-tempered mother-in-law would surely have thrown Yan Yuanqing out of the house long ago.

“Are you alright?”

Yan Yuanqing paid no mind to what Shi Yurou might be thinking at the moment. He walked to the bedside and gently took Shi Yurou’s hand.

Placing two fingers on her wrist, he carefully felt for her pulse.

They rarely had physical contact; under normal circumstances, Shi Yurou would certainly be angry at such a moment.

But for some reason, tonight, seeing Yan Yuanqing’s serious expression, she allowed him to do as he wished, quietly and without protest.

“What’s really going on? I’m fine—I was just sleeping, and you burst in all of a sudden! If my mother finds out, you won’t hear the end of it! You know how she feels about the two of us.”

Yan Yuanqing smiled softly, realizing Shi Yurou was thinking of him.

“Just now, several people sneaked into the house, apparently with ill intentions toward you. I chased them off, but left one behind.”

“I was worried they might harm you while I was distracted, so I hurried in to check on you. I’m relieved you’re unharmed.”

“If you had been hurt, I’d regret it for the rest of my life.”

“What? Someone attacked our home?”

Shi Yurou was greatly shocked.

This was deep within the Shi family estate, with tight security all around—how could anyone infiltrate so quietly?

Yan Yuanqing replied calmly, “Yes, but their identities are still unclear. I’ll investigate thoroughly and uncover the truth.”

“I’m glad you’re safe. But for your protection, I hope you’ll allow me to stay with you tonight.”

“This…”

A blush crept across Shi Yurou’s face.

Yan Yuanqing immediately realized she had misunderstood, or perhaps her thoughts had wandered.

“No, I just want to stay in the room and keep watch. You can sleep in your bed; I only need to make sure they don’t return.”

“Oh…”

Shi Yurou murmured softly, then lay down again, burying herself under the quilt and slowly closing her eyes.

Her breathing became steady. Yan Yuanqing sat on the floor, gazing at the figure wrapped in the covers, seeming small and fragile, a gentle smile gradually appearing on his face.

There was a simple happiness in quietly watching his other half like this.

After ten minutes or so, Shi Yurou suddenly opened her eyes, and to Yan Yuanqing’s surprise, shifted to the side.

A voice as soft as a mosquito’s wing fluttered into Yan Yuanqing’s ear.

“Don’t stay up all night… You should sleep here too. I trust you.”

Shi Yurou spoke simply, but by the end, her voice was barely audible.

Yan Yuanqing hadn’t expected such a suggestion. Though his expression didn’t change, his heart soared with joy.

“Are you sure?”

“If you don’t want to, then forget it,” Shi Yurou replied, her shyness turning into a hint of annoyance.

Yan Yuanqing moved like a flash of lightning, appearing at the bedside in an instant, startling Shi Yurou.

Feeling the mattress sink beside her, Shi Yurou’s heart raced like a frightened fawn, the sound of her pulse echoing in the quiet night.

That night seemed especially long. As for the person outside, immobilized and forgotten by Yan Yuanqing, immersed in happiness inside the room, he could only stand there like a statue, enduring the entire night.