That evening, after dinner, I didn't immediately return to my room but stayed in Pei Shi Yu's room to play with Little Dragon.

A while later, since dinner had been late, it was almost nine o'clock before I knew it. Pei Shi Yu washed Little Dragon up.

He fell asleep soon after getting into bed.

The Pei Shi Yu who usually loved to argue with me suddenly seemed like a different person. I thought the reason should be caused by the scene just now. If it hadn't happened, she probably would have wanted to kick me out long ago. Now, she was just a bit taciturn as she busied herself tidying up the clothes Little Dragon had changed out of. I stood to the side watching her, knowing I should leave, but I just couldn't bring myself to move.

It wasn't until she picked up her pajamas that she asked me, "Why haven't you gone back to your room?"

"Can I not go back?" I said very seriously.

"What do you mean?"

"I don't mean anything. I just want to stay a little longer. I can't sleep if I go back to my room. Right now, all I can think about is you."

This was the first time I had ever said such romantic words, and I said them so naturally, without any affectation. It also changed my previous attitude toward love. When I said those words, I felt like I had become gentler.

I thought Pei Shi Yu would take the opportunity to chase me away, but she just replied in a gentle tone, "We have to catch a flight tomorrow."

"I can give you my ID. You'll need it to book the tickets," I offered proactively.

"Give it to me now. I'll book them later."

"It's in my room. I'll go get it."

This was the most natural way Pei Shi Yu and I had ever spoken to each other since we met. I couldn't figure out whether it was my speech in the morning that had made her take me seriously, or whether the intimate contact just now had changed her attitude. In any case, the woman before me had become the ideal version of her in my mind. Whether in appearance or her current state, I could give her a perfect score.

From my room to Pei Shi Yu's room, it might have taken me five minutes before, but now I could calculate it in seconds with lightning speed. Before handing her my ID card, I took a look at my photo. It was taken very handsomely, and it was also when I was at my best. Although I didn't have much expression, my eyes in the photo seemed very deep.

Pei Shi Yu, like me, took a special look at it after taking it. I jokingly asked, "Handsome, right?"

Pei Shi Yu didn't answer me. Actually, I wanted to hug her again. Having just tasted the sweetness, I felt a little lost leaving like this, but I didn't want to fall short of success. It was already hard enough to make progress with her. Being too eager might backfire.

So, I immediately changed the subject and said, "Then I'll go back to my room. You should go to bed early too. If I knock on the door tomorrow and you don't answer, you can call my cell phone."

"I'll send you a message after I book the tickets. Set your alarm yourself."

"Alright then." I glanced at Pei Shi Yu's back with lingering feelings before closing her door.

There was still half a bottle of red wine in my room. It was left over from the day before yesterday and was Wang Rui's favorite brand. If Pei Shi Yu hadn't suddenly come back last night, I would have finished another two bottles.

I gently pulled out the cork. They say red wine is meant to be savored, but now I drank it like water, not leaving a single drop.

The night view outside the window was beautiful, just like my mood today. Once a person is in high spirits, even the angle of appreciation becomes different from before. The bright stars in the sky were like Pei Shi Yu's eyes, as if silently watching me, hoping that I would become better and stronger. It was also a subconscious demand on myself. I stood like this for a while before going into the bathroom.

When Pei Shi Yu's message came, I had just finished showering and was already lying in bed. She had booked a direct flight to New York, a city that many people yearned for. I stared at the English words on the ticket and felt that my life had changed a little too quickly. A few months ago, I was still full of hatred for her, but now, I could travel with her in major European and American cities.

Pei Shi Yu didn't add any text, just took a screenshot of the ticket. And I suddenly became very willing to communicate with her. I thought this should be the difference between men and women. After breaking through the barrier of affection, Pei Shi Yu, as a woman, instantly became reserved, while I seemed to have a stronger initiative to approach her.

"Are you asleep?"

"About to sleep, what's up?"

"Nothing, just can't sleep."

I thought Pei Shi Yu would ask why, but she didn't. She didn't even reply to the message. I opened the Facebook app that she had downloaded for me a few days ago. There were updates from all over the world here. She also had an update, posted at noon, a photo with Little Dragon. A big hand holding a small hand, a photo of their backs bathing in the sunlight. I didn't know what this meant. Her slender figure and fluttering long hair made people have endless imaginations, imagining the appearance of the person in the photo. Because after looking through all her content, there wasn't a single front-facing photo. I gave it a like.

Afterward, I habitually pressed my phone under my pillow. The room with the lights off had good privacy. It was dark with not a single ray of light shining in, but I had no sleepiness at all. The expectation in my heart made my mental state feel like I had taken stimulants. My mind was so active that when I closed my eyes, all I saw was Pei Shi Yu's face, including her joys, anger, sorrow, and happiness, all imprinted in my mind.

After fighting against sleep for a while, the sound of a message came from under the pillow. It was sent by Pei Shi Yu. The language was simple and crude. My evaluation of her just now was immediately overturned by herself.

"Why aren't you sleeping so late at night? Are you back to your old ways?"

This was her consistent evaluation of me. I curiously asked, "What do you mean by 'back to your old ways'?"

I waited for a long time, but she didn't reply. I suddenly sat up from the bed, turned on the lights, and hesitated for a while with my phone in my hand. In the end, I couldn't resist my thoughts of Pei Shi Yu. I directly dialed the number...

"What is it?" After Pei Shi Yu answered, her voice was deliberately lowered, and her tone wasn't as crude as in the message. Instead, it sounded quite gentle.

"Aren't you unable to sleep either? Why don't you come over and chat?" I laughed after asking.

"The door isn't locked. Have the guts to come in yourself."

Pei Shi Yu's suddenly bold way of speaking, was this an invitation?

"Don't regret it, I'm really coming in."

"Try it!"

I rushed out of the room in my pajamas and reached out to turn the doorknob. It was indeed unlocked. I cautiously pushed it open a crack first. Pei Shi Yu really wasn't asleep. She even had a face mask on, looking quite scary. The black mask, plus her standing by the door, seemed like she was just waiting to set a trap for me.

To cover up my embarrassment, I simply walked into the room. She was also wearing pajamas, but the effect was completely different. Although the weather wasn't hot, she was wearing a silk pink camisole, which was not only sexy but also made her look very delicate.

"Are you deliberately seducing me, calling me over dressed like this?"

"Can't you understand sarcasm?"

"Are you unable to sleep too, like me?"

"Didn't you see I'm washing my face?" She tore off the mask after speaking.

"I saw."

After Pei Shi Yu finished speaking, she gently pushed me. I took the opportunity to hug her again.