Zhou Zhuofei felt that Xiao Wang was acting a bit strange today.
Last night, he had a nightmare but refused to tell her what it was about, only holding her tightly and unwilling to let go.
She comforted him for a while before his mood improved slightly, and he insisted on keeping her in his arms as they slept.
The two had been dating for over two years. Aside from the early days of their relationship when they enjoyed being this clingy, they usually slept under separate blankets because Zhou Zhuofei had a habit of kicking hers off.
Seeing Xiao Wang react so dramatically, Zhou Zhuofei grew even more curious about the dream. But no matter how she pressed him, Xiao Wang wouldn’t say a word.
On top of that, she was too exhausted to argue, so she gave in and let him hold her as she drifted off, planning to question him properly the next day.
When she woke up the next morning, Zhou Zhuofei felt sticky all over—her neck, arms, waist, everywhere.
The current weather was far too warm for two people to sleep tangled together, and she had sweated so much during the night that she now felt unbearably uncomfortable.
Xiao Wang was already up, and the room was empty except for her.
She checked the time—he was probably out exercising and wouldn’t be back for a while.
Living together had inevitably influenced their routines. Though she still loved sleeping in on weekends, her waking hours were now one or two hours earlier than before.
Zhou Zhuofei sat in bed for a moment, gathering her thoughts, then grabbed a towel and headed for the shower.
Just as she tied up her hair in the bathroom, she heard Xiao Wang’s voice outside, accompanied by footsteps.
"Are you up?"
"Where are you?"
Zhou Zhuofei wondered how he had returned so quickly. "I’m showering!" she called back.
His footsteps stopped abruptly, and his silhouette appeared against the frosted glass door. "Are you eating breakfast later?"
"Not really hungry. I’ll just have some oatmeal."
After answering, she didn’t think much of it and tested the water temperature, ready to step under the shower. But then she noticed Xiao Wang still lingering at the door.
"What’s wrong? Do you need the bathroom?"
He muttered a quick "No" before finally walking away.
When Zhou Zhuofei finished showering and stepped out, she found Xiao Wang hadn’t left the room at all—he was making the bed. Stranger still, his clothes suggested he hadn’t gone to the gym.
Xiao Wang was meticulous about his schedule. He planned his workouts, work hours, even meals in advance.
The only unpredictable element in his life was probably her, Zhou Zhuofei.
Curious, she asked, "You didn’t work out today?"
"Not today," he replied without pausing his task. "I’m tired. Taking a rest day."
"Must be because you didn’t sleep well last night. Take a longer nap this afternoon."
With that, she left the bedroom, intending to fix herself a bowl of oatmeal.
But to her surprise, Xiao Wang followed her almost immediately.
He joined her in the kitchen, handing her a spoon the moment she picked up a bowl. Though he often took care of her, today his attentiveness felt unusually intense.
"You’re acting weird today," she remarked.
Xiao Wang stayed silent, only taking the bowl to fill it with hot water after she poured the oatmeal.
"Weird how?"
Zhou Zhuofei didn’t buy his deflection. She trusted her instincts and cut straight to the point. "Is something going on?"
There had to be a reason for his sudden doting—otherwise, it was just plain odd.
"If there’s something, just tell me."
Leaning against the counter, she held her bowl and studied him. "You still haven’t told me about last night’s nightmare."
This was the perfect chance to finally get an answer.
"It was just a nightmare," Xiao Wang said, reluctant to revisit the dream.
It had felt so real that even now, he couldn’t tell whether it had been a dream or if he’d briefly slipped back into the past.
"Just a nightmare? You were a wreck last night." Zhou Zhuofei wasn’t satisfied with his answer. "Do you know how hot it was? I couldn’t even push you away—that’s why I had to shower the second I woke up."
When she saw Xiao Wang smile at her complaint, her irritation flared.
Her brows shot up as she glared at him. "You’re laughing?!"
"No, I’m not." He quickly schooled his expression and apologized. "My bad."
"So what’s really going on?"
Xiao Wang didn’t know where to begin—or if he even wanted to. Putting it into words would make the fear feel real, like he might actually lose her.
His lips pressed into a tight line, refusing to speak.
Zhou Zhuofei finished her oatmeal without getting an answer, which told her how serious this was.
It must have been a terrible dream for him to avoid even mentioning it.
Of course, she didn’t absolutely need him to explain. Everyone deserved some privacy for their little secrets.
After all, she’d never told Xiao Wang about that dream she’d had years ago.
Maybe someday, on a whim, she’d open up about it.
Setting down her mug, she walked over and hugged him. "It’s okay. Whatever it was, it’s over now."
She guessed it might be tied to his childhood—Xiao Wang had always hated talking about that.
He used to force himself to visit home once a week until Su Chen started working locally. Seeing how much it weighed on him, Zhou Zhuofei suggested cutting back to monthly visits, with weekend calls unless something urgent came up.
He’d taken her advice, and the arrangement had stuck ever since.
They held each other for a while before Zhou Zhuofei remembered her unwashed mug. She patted Xiao Wang’s arm. "Let me clean this first."
But instead of releasing her, he held on tighter—just like last night.
Seeing him so upset dampened her mood too.
Loving someone meant wanting their happiness, not standing by helplessly while they suffered.
Yet if Xiao Wang wouldn’t talk, there was little she could do.
With a frustrated sigh, Zhou Zhuofei muttered, "Ugh, I wish I could read minds."
Xiao Wang understood what she meant. Not wanting to make her worry, he finally gave a brief summary of the dream.
Zhou Zhuofei burst out laughing at how absurd it sounded. "Why would that upset you? If it happened, you’d just win me over again—probably even easier this time!"
"Really?" Xiao Wang asked hesitantly.
"Of course," she said firmly. "You’re seriously underestimating your charm."
If anything, her younger self had been completely defenseless against him.
"Of course, people are naturally drawn to strength. You used to be like an idol in my eyes, not to mention how handsome you are..." Zhou Zhuofei murmured sweetly while her fingers slipped beneath his shirt. "You know me—just show a little of your charm, tease me a bit, and I’m yours. So what’s there to worry about? I’ve never had any resistance to you, not back then, and certainly not now."
She couldn’t help laughing afterward.
All this fuss over that? She’d thought it was something serious.
Her laughter shook her enough that her hand shifted, her nail accidentally grazing the soft peak of his chest.
"Sorry," Zhou Zhuofei quickly apologized. "I didn’t mean to."
Xiao Wang was already wound tight from her teasing, and the sudden touch sent his pulse racing. He exhaled slowly, reining himself in. "Then apologize properly."
"Let me wash the cup first! Dried oatmeal is a nightmare to clean!"
"I’ll wash it later," Xiao Wang said before capturing her lips in a kiss.
The taste of oatmeal lingered in her mouth—warm, milky sweetness—and the more he kissed her, the more addicted he became.
Just as she’d claimed, Zhou Zhuofei had no resistance. Every touch, every move he made, she responded with fiery enthusiasm.
Seeing her like this filled him with a deep, all-consuming satisfaction.
If that was the case, why was he still hesitating?
He wasn’t afraid of loving Zhou Zhuofei again. He was afraid that now would vanish like yesterday, dissolving into another dream.
So he wanted now to last forever—to wake up beside her every day, to hold her, to kiss her.
Afterward, Zhou Zhuofei lay sprawled on the bed, too exhausted to even open her eyes.
She could feel Xiao Wang’s gaze on her. No doubt he was still hung up on that matter.
People dealt with things differently, but obsessing over a dream? That was just unnecessary anxiety.
"Stop overthinking it," she mumbled, flailing a hand vaguely in his direction—whether she hit him or not, she had no idea. "If you’ve got energy to spare, go wash the cup."
Xiao Wang caught her hand, studying it closely.
She rarely wore jewelry, finding it cumbersome, and kept her nails short for gaming. She never bothered with manicures either.
None of that mattered to him. There wasn’t a single part of Zhou Zhuofei he didn’t adore.
She often complained her fingers weren’t long or delicate enough, but Xiao Wang thought they were perfect—soft and plump, like kneading a ball of mochi.
As he traced her bare fingers, a thought struck him: What would she look like wearing a diamond ring?
He remembered what she’d said yesterday—that marriage was more binding than promises.
He’d been so fixated on the pain it had caused him before that he’d forgotten its weight: an unshakable responsibility, a tangible bond tying him to Zhou Zhuofei.
So… why not try it?
If this was the way to keep her forever, without any barriers left—why wouldn’t he?
Zhou Zhuofei hovered on the edge of sleep when Xiao Wang’s voice brushed her ear, murmuring something.
She didn’t catch the words clearly, only a vague impression of… marriage?
But that couldn’t be right. Xiao Wang would never say that. Maybe he’d said saving?
Absurd as it sounded, that was still more believable than marriage.
Yet something nagged at her. "What did you say?"
"Have you ever thought about marrying me?"
At that, all drowsiness fled. Her eyes flew open.
