Chapter 72

Chapter 72 The joint exam results came out quickly. Kong Nianxi's math scores had improved, and her weak subjects had seen an increase, while she still maintained her dominance in Chinese, scoring three points higher than Xi Ning. So, after washing up, Kong Nianxi came to Xi Ning's dorm wearing her pajamas. As the lights went out in the dorm after the lights-off bell, Xi Ning, already washed up, lay on the top bunk with earphones in her ears. While her roommates were still busy, the dormitory door was wide open, allowing occasional gusts of cold wind to sway the lower edge of her bed curtain. As winter break approached, the temperature had dropped, with no signs of rising again. Xi Ning had already wrapped herself in a thick blanket early on, finding the texture soft and soothing on her body. She was about to doze off when the sound of their discussion suddenly ceased. She had earphones on and didn't pay much attention until there was a slight tremor as someone climbed up onto the bed from below. It was then that she abruptly opened her eyes. Kong Nianxi, in her nightdress, had silently ascended the bunk bed. Without waiting for her to speak, Kong Nianxi lifted the blanket and slipped in, shivering, "So cold, so cold." Feeling her icy hands and feet, Xi Ning removed one of her earphones and guided Kong Nianxi under the covers, frowning. "Why don't you wear more to keep warm? Do you want to catch another cold?" Nestling against Xi Ning on the same pillow, Kong Nianxi pressed her chilled fingertips into Xi Ning's pajamas to seek warmth. Sensing Xi Ning's skin tremble from the cold, she chuckled softly, "If catching a cold could make you worry about me, it's quite worth it." "...," Xi Ning lightly patted her back and motioned for her to move to the inner side against the wall. "Stop kidding, go inside first." Kong Nianxi remained unmoved and lazily remarked, "I'll sleep here tonight. You can't chase me away." Helpless, Xi Ning said, "Why didn't you call me before coming up? The top bunk is so narrow—what if you fall and get hurt?" "Am I a fool in your eyes who would fall off the top bunk?" Following the faint light filtering in from outside, Kong Nianxi reached out, took off Xi Ning's remaining earphone and placed it in her ear, listening to the English playing inside, then took it out, clicking her tongue in disapproval. "Aren't you used to hearing such news often?" Xi Ning paused, lowering her voice, "Female students falling from the top bunk, resulting in severe—" Kong Nianxi silenced her with a hand on her lips. "Shh, shh, if you say that, I'll sleep in your bed tonight." "Quiet and turn off the lights!" At this point, the dormitory supervisor's voice carried from the corridor, prompting Song Wei, still playing on her phone, to quickly close the dormitory door. Covering Kong Nianxi's mouth, Xi Ning gestured for her to keep her voice down, then got up to draw the curtains. Dormitory rules prohibited staying out overnight and sleeping in another bed at night. Although closing the door would prevent the supervisor from inspecting, Xi Ning was still somewhat concerned. As footsteps approached outside, she instinctively held her breath. Beneath the blanket, the fingers that were still not warm stealthily and ambiguously slipped under her pajama hem, lightly pinching her soft flesh. Xi Ning stiffened, holding down the restless wrist and cast a reproachful gaze at the dimly lit figure of Kong Nianxi. However, Kong Nianxi responded with a bright smile and planted a kiss on her face. Once the supervisor had left, Xi Ning urged Kong Nianxi to lie against the wall before tucking her in and checking her phone alarm. Only then did she settle down, murmuring, "Let's sleep now. I usually wake up early in the morning and will wake you up, too." Kong Nianxi lay snugly on Xi Ning's warm bed, holding her arm contently as she heard the words "wake up early." However, the joy of finally sleeping on Xi Ning's bed soon overcame this momentary halt in her smile. The two lay on one pillow with their long hair intertwining, and with a slight turn, they could press their faces against each other. Kong Nianxi inched closer, whispering softly in Xi Ning's ear, "Can I listen to a song before I sleep? I can't sleep now." The school beds could just about fit two people, and neither of them was particularly short. Concerned that Kong Nianxi might be uncomfortable, Xi Ning tried to make some room for her, but whenever she shifted, Kong Nianxi would also move closer. In the end, Xi Ning gave up. Pulling out her phone from under the pillow, Xi Ning softly asked, "What do you want to listen to?" "I'll do it—" Kong Nianxi inserted one earphone into Xi Ning's left ear and placed the other in her own right ear. In this way, as she leaned in, the two could press their ears closer, hearing each other's breaths clearly. Kong Nianxi turned on her side, hugged Xi Ning tightly, and nuzzled her neck with her hair, slightly tickling her and carrying the familiar scent of her shampoo. From the earphones came a gentle and melodious English song. Xi Ning initially listened quietly, but as the lyrics pierced through her eardrums and the warm breath brushed her cheek, her heart rate quietly increased. “It's your play But can you handle me, honey Push you to the limit, no stopping Can we go 1v1, honey Just me and you, honey” ... The daily life of most high school students was likely limited to shuttling between their dormitories and classrooms, mundane yet fulfilling. It often felt like they were repeating the same routine every day, only to suddenly find themselves at the end of another term. While others were probably eagerly anticipating winter break, Xi Ning hadn't really noticed it until she sat in the exam hall for the final exams and realized they would be on break and leaving for home in two days. And this was not something she was particularly looking forward to. However, it turned out that the break was quite nice. Throughout the winter break, she and Kong Nianxi had almost constantly met. Tonight was New Year's Eve, and Kong Nianxi's mother had taken her out for the traditional reunion dinner. Despite the lavish spread on the table and the festive ambience of the private room at a prestigious hotel, the atmosphere there didn't feel like a family's New Year's dinner. Sitting amidst the so-called "relatives" with forced smiles on their faces, Kong Nianxi coldly pursed her lips, her expression only softening as she looked at the photo of her and Xi Ning on her phone screen. They had met just yesterday, yet she was already missing her again. Xi Ning had her reunion meal at her grandparents' place. After the meal, her parents went to meet old friends and were probably going to be back very late. So, there was only her and Xi Mu at home now. “Come on, sisters, let's play a game! Otherwise, I'll fall asleep watching the Spring Festival Gala. I still have to stay in the chat group to grab red envelopes later,” Tu Xiao Yuan yelled in the group. Su Yuqi responded in the group chat: You still watch the Spring Festival Gala? Tu Xiao Yuan:… Xi Ning lay in the empty living room, the TV broadcasting the Spring Festival Gala sketches. Her phone buzzed incessantly with New Year wishes. Although she didn't have many friends, she still received quite a few messages, including some from relatives in various groups. Xi Ning didn't watch the Spring Festival Gala and didn't even try to snatch red envelopes; she just stared at her phone, with her gaze sometimes landing on Kong Nianxi's WeChat profile picture.