She took a taxi back to Palm Beach, pressed her fingerprint to unlock the front door, and turned on the living room lights. Glancing down at the shoe cabinet, she noticed the pair of gray slippers was missing.
Her eyelashes fluttered slightly as she kicked off her shoes, slipped into her own slippers, and tiptoed inside.
Pushing open the bedroom door, she found the room already shrouded in darkness.
She didn’t turn on the light. A sliver of illumination from the living room spilled through the doorway, faintly lighting the space. In the dim glow, she saw him lying quietly on his side, buried under the silk quilt.
Those sharp eyes of his were now closed, his forehead slightly obscured by disheveled bangs, his long lashes casting shadows. Even his chiseled features seemed softer in the quiet.
She stood by the bed, watching him for three seconds, then climbed in without a sound.
She only removed her coat, leaving on the soft beige cashmere sweater underneath. Lifting the quilt, she slipped beneath it, curling into his arms like a kitten, nuzzling into the crook of his shoulder until she found the perfect spot.
The familiar milky scent enveloped her, and she closed her eyes, content.
Then, she felt a gaze land on her face—or maybe it was just her imagination.
She opened her eyes and looked up, meeting a pair of deep, dark pupils.
She froze. "You're awake?"
He Siyu looked down at her, his voice low. "Why are you back?"
"I finished my work, so I came back," she said casually.
"It's almost 2 a.m. You rushed back just for this?" His tone was unreadable.
She faltered. "I'm particular about my bed."
He raised a brow. "You lived at the Nan residence for half a year and still can’t adjust? Is it the bed you miss—or me?"
Sang Ning: "..."
His arm circled her waist, his dark eyes locking onto hers as he drawled, "Coming back in the middle of the night, standing there staring at me, then sneaking into bed to cuddle up against me, rubbing and hugging me without permission."
He was a light sleeper. The moment she pushed open the door, he’d woken up. He knew her footsteps too well—he didn’t even need to open his eyes to know it was her.
Truthfully, he hadn’t been used to sleeping alone in this house tonight. At least the bed still carried her scent, so it hadn’t been too bad.
But he never expected her to rush back just for him.
Sang Ning: "..."
"I didn’t—" It wasn’t as sketchy as he made it sound!
Meeting his dark, teasing gaze, she suddenly felt a lump rise in her throat.
She glared. "This is my house!"
"Oh?" He dragged out the word. "Good thing I stayed here tonight. Otherwise, you’d have gone looking for me at my place again, wouldn’t you?"
Sang Ning: "..."
He studied her, his voice laced with poorly concealed amusement. "We’ve been apart for less than seventeen hours, and you missed me so much you came running back in the middle of the night, then took advantage of me while I was asleep."
Sang Ning: ?
The corner of his lips lifted. "You’re so clingy. Can’t bear to be away from me?"
A vein throbbed at Sang Ning’s temple. That lump in her throat grew harder to swallow.
She should’ve just stayed away!
Finally, she couldn’t take it anymore. Gritting her teeth, she snapped, "He Siyu."
"Hmm?" He tightened his arm around her waist, leaning in to kiss her.
"Get out!"
He brushed his lips against the corner of her mouth. "I missed you too."
Sang Ning clenched her jaw. "I didn’t miss you!"
He hummed, utterly unconvinced. "Sure, I know."
"Know what?"
"You’re shy." He smirked.
Sang Ning: "..."
His tone turned earnest, almost regretful. "My bad. If I’d known you’d get mad, I wouldn’t have opened my eyes. I should’ve pretended not to notice."
"..."
She was fuming. She really wanted to shove his head into the toilet!
He dipped his head to kiss her again, murmuring, "Yangyang."
She kicked him away. "Don’t touch me!"
"..."
Undeterred, he leaned in once more. "Yangyang."
She deadpanned, "Mr. He, if you keep harassing me, you can sleep somewhere else tonight."
He Siyu: "..."
Sang Ning rolled over, yanking the quilt with her and presenting him with the back of her head.
His brow twitched. Mr. He?!
It was already past midnight. Sang Ning had been exhausted, but now, every time she closed her eyes, all she saw was He Siyu’s smug face.
Abruptly, she opened her eyes, grabbed her phone, and unlocked it.
Opening his contact, she deleted his name and typed with deliberate force: [Three-Sugar Cake]
She turned off her screen, and finally, drowsiness overtook her. She closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep.
Only when her breathing evened out did the man behind her slowly shift closer. His arm wrapped around her, pulling her snugly against his chest. He rested his chin atop her head, contentment washing over him.
No point arguing with her. She clearly adored him.
—
The next morning at 8 a.m., Sang Ning was jolted awake by her alarm.
She silenced it, nuzzling deeper into the pillow before opening her eyes—only to find He Siyu’s face inches from hers.
His lips curved slightly, his voice gentle. "Morning."
She blinked, disoriented.
He reached out, stroking her hair tenderly. "Time to get up."
She gave him a strange look. What was with the sudden sweetness? Had he been possessed?
Pushing herself up, she muttered, "Okay."
No time to dwell on it—she had a busy day ahead. She scrambled out of bed and headed straight for the bathroom.
Despite only sleeping for less than six hours, she felt oddly refreshed, as if she’d been fully recharged.
Watching her hurried movements, He Siyu smiled to himself.
An hour later, after freshening up, Sang Ning was ready to leave. As usual, He Siyu drove her to work.
Once in the car, he slipped a bottle of warm milk into her bag.
Sang Ning frowned. "I don’t want milk again."
She’d been drinking it every morning for days.
Since moving out, she hadn’t had time to hire a housekeeper. Back at the Nan residence, Auntie Chen would prepare a variety of breakfast dishes for her.
Now, all she got was milk boiled by Young Master He.
"Hmm? Then I’ll make something else tomorrow." His voice was soft, indulgent. "How about wontons? You like those, don’t you?"
Sang Ning stared at him. What had gotten into him?
"Okay..."
Satisfied, he turned his attention back to the road.
She took a small sip of the milk.
Three minutes later, he spoke again. "New Year’s coming up."
"Yeah," she replied absently.
"My father and brothers will be back too."
She tilted her head. "And?"
His grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly, his tone casual. "The He Family holds an annual banquet at the start of the year. Guests are invited."
Sang Ning watched him, swallowing another mouthful of warm milk.
Still focused on the road, he continued, his voice calm. "Do you want to go?"
