Good Night

Luolin and Louise cleared the cups and plates and carried them downstairs, their footsteps gradually fading into the distance.

The rooftop grew quiet.

Only Flora remained, sleeping soundly as she leaned against him.

Chen Mian reached down to support the back of Flora's knees and placed his other hand behind her back, lifting her up steadily. Her light brown hair fell loose, carrying a faint, pleasant fragrance.

Seeming to sense the change in height, she opened her eyes slightly, her gaze a bit hazy. “…Mr. Chen Mian?”

“Mmh.”

“I feel like I'm flying.” Her voice was serious, her delicate face filled with confusion.

“Yes, you're flying.”

“Then where are we flying to?”

“Flying back to your room.”

“Oh…” She nodded, seemingly trying hard to process his words, before burying her face back into his chest and whispering, “Then fly a bit slower… I'm so sleepy.”

Chen Mian paused for a moment, looked down at her, and let out a soft chuckle before carrying her downstairs.

The stairwell lamp cast a warm yellow glow, making the sleeping Flora in his arms look even softer and more delicate. Her breathing was shallow, her lips slightly parted, with a few stray locks of hair clinging to her cheek.

When they reached the second-floor corridor, Louise's door was slightly ajar, a sliver of light spilling through the gap.

As Chen Mian passed by, her lazy voice drifted from inside the room, laced with a clear smile. “See you tomorrow, Chen Mian.”

“See you tomorrow,” Chen Mian replied softly with a smile.

Louise's door slowly shut, and the light inside soon went out.

Chen Mian pushed open Flora's door and stepped inside. The room was very dark, illuminated only by the moonlight filtering through the window, which cast a faint silhouette of the bed.

He walked over to the bedside, bent down, and gently laid Flora on the mattress. The moment her body touched the bed, she curled up slightly, her hand unconsciously gripping his sleeve.

“Flora?”

“…Don't go,” Flora murmured sleepily, her eyes still closed.

Chen Mian looked down at the hand gripping his sleeve, then sat down on the edge of the bed. “I won't go.”

“…So warm.” Upon hearing his voice, Flora's grip on his sleeve loosened slightly as she felt her way down to grasp his fingers.

The alcohol left a faint flush on her cheeks, making her look much softer and gentler in her quiet state than usual.

After a long while, her eyelashes fluttered slightly, and she cracked her eyes open. “Mr. Chen Mian.”

“Mmh?”

“…Why is the ceiling warping and twisting?” Her voice carried clear confusion.

“Because you're drunk.”

Flora turned her head, her brow furrowing slightly as if pondering a very important matter. “But… I'm clearly not drunk.”

“Then do you know what you're doing right now?”

“Of course I do.” She nodded and slowly reached out, gesturing in the air. “I'm talking to Mr. Chen Mian.”

“And what did you say?”

Flora fell back into deep thought, her eyes wandering before she blinked. “…What did I say?”

Chen Mian looked at her look so serious yet completely unable to remember, and he couldn't help but chuckle. He held his hand out to her. “You're also holding my hand.”

Flora looked down at her hand, which was still clasping Chen Mian's fingers, a look of sudden realization dawning on her. “Oh~ So I'm holding Mr. Chen Mian's hand.”

As she spoke, instead of letting go, she pulled his hand toward herself, hugging his entire arm. “Then, would Mr. Chen Mian like to lie down?”

“Lie down?”

“Mmh! Lie down and keep me company so we can talk~” Her voice carried a hint of coquettishness.

Chen Mian looked down at his arm cradled in Flora's embrace, then at her face—she was so tired her eyes were nearly shut, yet she was stubbornly forcing herself to stay awake. Softening his voice, he said, “Go ahead and speak then. I'm listening.”

“Mmh.” Flora nudged herself closer to him and turned on her side to face him, but her eyes closed again, looking as though she might fall asleep at any second. “I want to say…”

“Say what?”

“There's too much I want to say…” Her voice gradually grew softer, and she seemed to drift off again.

Chen Mian didn't say anything, simply waiting in silence.

After a long while, Flora suddenly spoke up again, her voice incredibly soft. “Mr. Chen Mian, don't you think you have a really nice scent on you?”

“What kind of scent?”

“Mmh… I can't really describe it, but whenever I smell it, I feel so at ease.” Flora opened her eyes slightly to look at him, her face still carrying a light flush. “It feels like every time I smell it… I want to sleep.”

“So you want to sleep now?”

“Mmh,” she murmured sleepily, but then she shook her head. “No… I haven't finished talking yet.”

“You can tell me tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow~” She seemed to struggle to comprehend the word, then opened her eyes slightly. “Will Mr. Chen Mian still be here tomorrow?”

“Yes, I will.”

“Then when I wake up tomorrow morning… will you still be right here?” Her voice grew fainter, yet it held an undisguised earnestness.

Chen Mian looked into her eyes. “Do you want me to be here?”

Flora's fingers tightened slightly around his arm. Only after a long pause did a very quiet murmur come from beneath the blanket. “Mmh.”

Chen Mian looked down at her—so exhausted she could barely keep her eyes open, yet still waiting for his response—Chen Mian felt a gentle warmth bloom in his heart.

He gently slipped his arm out of her embrace. Flora's fingers twitched slightly, trying to grab onto it again, but her movements were slowed by her groggy state.

Chen Mian slipped off his shoes and lay down on his side beside her.

The mattress sank slightly as Flora slowly rolled over and naturally nestled close, resting her forehead against his shoulder.

“So warm~” she mumbled softly.

Chen Mian reached over to pull the blanket up, covering her bare shoulders.

Flora curled up slightly under the covers and snuggled even closer to him, nesting quietly by his side like a content cat.

Yet she hadn't fallen asleep. Keeping her eyes half-open, she gazed sleepily at Chen Mian. “Mr. Chen Mian.”

“Mmh?”

“I like you~”

Chen Mian turned his head. Looking at Flora's drowsy yet incredibly earnest expression, he also said softly, “Mmh, I like you too, Flora.”

The corners of Flora's mouth curled up slightly as she slowly closed her eyes.

Just when Chen Mian thought she had finally drifted off to sleep, Flora spoke up once more.

“Mr. Chen Mian…”

“Mmh?”

“…You haven't said good night yet.”

“Good night, Flora.”

“Mmh.” Flora quieted down, nuzzling her face gently against him. Her breathing soon grew steady and rhythmic, a contented smile playing on her lips.

Bathed in the moonlight streaming through the window, Chen Mian silently watched Flora's face. He reached out to gently stroke her hair, then pulled her close into a soft embrace and closed his eyes.

“Good night.”

Silence enveloped the room, leaving only the sound of two steady, gentle breaths intertwining.