Are You Happy?

Liu Chang'an opened his eyes comfortably in the morning. The room felt pleasantly warm, but the window had not been shut all the way, letting in a faint thread of cool air. It made his body feel at ease and his mind clear, unlike the groggy feeling that came from sleeping too long in warmth.

There was some heat beneath him. Liu Chang'an felt around and realized the blanket had been thickened by a layer. There seemed to be an electric blanket under the sheets.

Zhou Shuling had probably added it because she had nothing better to do. Other than old people and women, what young man with such vigorous vitality would sleep with one of these?

Liu Chang'an shifted around and found that it was sensor-heated. The switch was not obvious, but he found the plug and pulled it out before lying back down.

Liu Chang'an had been about to enjoy the wonderful early-morning time of scrolling through his phone under the covers and getting An Nuan to send him a few private selfies when he heard Shangguan Dandan's footsteps in the living room.

Zhou Dongdong's footsteps sounded like the roar of a landslide or an avalanche, immensely weighty. Zhou Shuling always walked lightly, as though afraid of disturbing others. Only Shangguan Dandan had those soft, leisurely footsteps of someone strolling at ease.

She stood motionless in the living room for quite a while, making Liu Chang'an suspicious. By the time she came over and knocked on the door, he had closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep.

Shangguan Dandan knocked on the door.

Liu Chang'an lay there without moving, imitating Shangguan Dandan's self-isolated state when she lay in a coffin.

Shangguan Dandan pushed the door open and came in herself.

Liu Chang'an realized she was standing beside