Early morning.
The bedcovers were warmer than usual today.
Ning Qing lay flat on her back, one hand on her chest and the other resting naturally at her side. Her eyes were open, her expression calm as she stared at the roof. Last night's fierce winds had torn away some of the banana leaves, letting rain seep through.
The breathing of the person beside her grew increasingly uneven.
"Mm..."
Hearing him, Ning Qing silently turned her head.
He was lying on his side facing her. When he groggily opened his eyes, he gave a sudden start, his whole body jerking as though he had never expected someone to be beside him.
Ning Qing stared at him without expression.
"Ha..."
Chen Shu smiled sheepishly.
"Morning."
Ning Qing turned away, not wanting to look at him, and said quietly,
"Time to get up."
"Just a little longer."
Chen Shu lifted an arm and wrapped it around her slender waist again.
Ning Qing's body gave a slight involuntary shiver. She turned to look at him again, blinking every second or two as if sending him question marks. But Chen Shu kept his eyes lowered, intent on her shoulder. He never saw her gaze, never received her stare. Message unread.
Ning Qing had no choice but to say again,
"Time to get up."
"Just a little longer. Lying in bed is the first lovely thing you get to do each day. You have to savor it..."
"I never lie in bed."
"My fault for not teaching you this skill when we were little. I'll teach you from now on."
"..."
Ning Qing no longer wanted to talk to him. Talking would get her nowhere. She caught his arm and tried to move it away, but it would not budge. Then she tried rocking her