But after he finished speaking, he didn't go back to his original sofa, but instead sat down on Hermione's single sofa.
Although the sofa is large and comfortable, it is designed for single use, so the two people's bodies inevitably end up pressed together.
The squeeze made Hermione gasp softly.
It was as if he was nailed to the chair.
All she could see was Draco's face so close to hers; their breaths mingled, making her heart race.
Once she regained her balance, she pressed her hands firmly against his chest, trying to push away the source of heat that was making her heart race.
"Why are you squeezing in here? How can I read with all this crowding? You're blocking the light!" Hermione made up an excuse.
"Where's the light being blocked?" Draco remained motionless.
Instead, she glanced at the floor lamp beside her, where warm yellow light streamed in from the side, casting their shadows onto the dark carpet, but without obstructing the reading.
"The light's over there, I'm here, and my shadow's slanted to the other side. Honey, did you learn optics from Troll?"
"Yes, I am!" Hermione's cheeks burned even hotter after he called her out, but she still stubbornly retorted, her fingers unconsciously scratching his chest. "You're so close, your shadow is blocking my view! And... and your heat is getting over me, affecting my thinking!"
Seeing her stubborn excuse, Draco couldn't help but laugh. Just as he was about to say something, Hermione quickly cut him off. "Besides, it's so crowded, it's inconvenient for me to even turn the pages of a book..."
Although the reason was valid, her voice trailed off.
I want to watch it with you.
Draco wrapped his arm around her waist in an ambiguous gesture.
This caused Heliaomin to freeze instantly...
Watching together?! On this cramped single sofa where you can barely turn sideways and hear each other breathe?
Let alone reading, even just sitting still, Hermione felt that this posture made it impossible for her to concentrate!
"If you don't say anything, I'll take that as your consent!" Draco looked at her adorable, completely stunned expression, and then took advantage of the situation, wrapping his arms around her waist and letting her lean against his chest.
"Ah!" Hermione gasped again.
Then her body gradually went limp.
" Draco, let go..." She only struggled symbolically, "This is outrageous, what if someone sees us..."
"Nobody will see," Draco said dismissively, retorting, "And didn't you say I could just stay put?"
"I told you not to move! How can I read with you hugging me so tightly!" Hermione felt numb all over from his movements and could only say with a stern face.
Although she scolded him verbally, she resignedly adjusted her body to a more comfortable position and obediently leaned against him.
"We can see better this way," Draco rambled on, feeling the person in his arms change from stiff to soft, from resistance to submission. He felt satisfied and continued...
"This will also make it easier for me to discuss the contents of Muggle books with you at any time, such as the ten key points of 'creating opportunities', or 'how to interpret the subtle hints of a domineering young master'?"
"How can you read a book like that... That's just sophistry..."
In the end, Hermione pursed her lips and obediently let him hold her, tacitly acquiescing to this position that made her feel weak all over.
Hermione spread " Dream of the Red Chamber " out on the table, trying to suppress her chaotic thoughts, ignoring the warmth coming from behind her, and forcing herself into Cousin Lin's tragic and beautiful world.
But the warm, burning chest pressed against her back made her tense up, her back daring not to relax even slightly.
Although her eyes were fixed on the words on the page, the characters were blurry and double-imaged in front of her. Her mind was completely occupied by the breathing of the person behind her. Every breath that brushed past her ear made her heart beat faster, and she couldn't concentrate at all.
But Draco, the culprit, was quite at ease. He casually draped the book he had specially brought to tease her, "How Muggle Girl Can Make a Domineering, Cunning, and Gentle Young Master Fall in Love with Me," over her shoulder, pretending to be engrossed in reading it.
It was supposed to be a prank book, but now he's reading it with great interest, even reciting a line from time to time:
"... The young master frowned slightly, seemingly displeased, yet he still reached out and gently tidied the girl's hair, which had been ruffled by the evening breeze..."
"Tsk, it's written quite convincingly."
This feeling of déjà vu...
"Keep your voice down! And don't read it out loud!" Hermione's cheeks flushed again. She scolded, "This is a library!"
"What are you afraid of? There's no one else here. Or... does Miss Granger find this description particularly relatable?"
"You!" Hermione was furious, but dared not raise her voice, only gritting her teeth as she said, "It's clearly you who likes to watch this kind of mindless stuff! And you even... and you even read it out loud to harass her!"
"Is it devoid of substance?" Draco retorted. "I think it makes a lot of sense. For example, it says here, 'An irresistible approach can effectively break down a girl's psychological defenses'..."
Seeing her blush deepen, Draco asked, " Granger, do you think this passage is about me?"
"I don't know, and I don't want to know. You read yours, don't bother me while I'm reading!" Hermione flipped through a page haphazardly.
Draco remained unmoved by Hermione's disdain.
Turning the page again, after scanning a few lines,
The smile on his lips widened.
"... The girl outwardly pushed him away with disdain, but her flushed cheeks revealed that she was actually quite pleased—"
He paused deliberately at this point, then asked Hermione:
"This passage, is it about you, my wife?"
"That's enough..." Hermione finally snapped.
She turned her head abruptly.
But he stopped abruptly before he could finish speaking.
Because they turned their heads so quickly, and were already very close, their noses brushed against Draco's cheek.
Too close, so close that she fell silent instantly.
A few seconds later, Hermione snapped out of her reverie, jerked back slightly to create some distance, and then abandoned her reading.
In a fit of anger, she slammed the closed copy of " Dream of the Red Chamber " onto the small round table beside her, and said in embarrassment and annoyance:
"I'm not watching anymore! You've ruined everything!"
"Then watch me! I'm more attractive than any book!"
Hermione: "..."
She was almost amused by Draco's shameless words, but when she turned to glare at him, she met his smiling eyes, and her momentum instantly deflated. She could only manage to utter:
"... Who wants to see you! Narcissist!"
However, no further teasing followed. Draco simply embraced her, and the Muggle novel that was the "culprit" was casually picked up and tossed aside.
"Okay, I won't tease you anymore." He adjusted his posture slightly, resting his chin gently on her slender shoulder.
This unusual behavior startled Hermione; her whole body remained tense, and she didn't even dare to relax her shoulders immediately.
I thought Draco was up to something new, or was brewing an even more 'mischievous' joke, but after a few seconds...