Chapter Eighty-One: Truly Helpless Against You

"Xia Xia, today was absolutely exhausting. Just thinking about having to stay here for another five days makes me want to break down," Gan Yanyan murmured from inside her sleeping bag.

"It's nice that everyone is together," Luo Yixia replied, though her thoughts were elsewhere.

Was Song Chengyi cold out there alone?

"It is nice, and everyone is pretty decent, but it's just too tiring."

"Go to sleep. You still have to keep watch in the second half of the night," Luo Yixia said, closing her eyes first.

"Alright, I guess I'm just unlucky to have been picked, but the most unlucky one must be Song Chengyi, being chosen first," Gan Yanyan sighed.

She gradually relaxed, her fatigue overtaking her, and whispered softly, "Goodnight, Xia Xia."

"Goodnight."

Luo Yixia turned over, curling up in her sleeping bag.

Not long after, the sound of steady breathing filled the space beside her.

By the light of her phone, Luo Yixia saw that Gan Yanyan had already fallen asleep.

Accompanied by the rustling sounds, Luo Yixia slipped out of her sleeping bag.

She rummaged through her backpack and found Song Chengyi’s blue jacket.

Quietly, she unzipped the tent.

She poked her head out first, spotting Song Chengyi not far away, his back to the tent.

Glancing around, she saw other groups with their night watchers, but they were distant. Song Chengyi’s group was stationed at the edge, easily overlooked.

Reassured, Luo Yixia crawled out of the tent.

She tiptoed over to stand behind Song Chengyi.

She gently placed the jacket over his shoulders.

Song Chengyi looked up in confusion, just in time to see the girl sitting beside him with a flushed face.

"You—" He had barely spoken when Luo Yixia covered his mouth, signaling with her other hand for him to stay quiet.

"Keep your voice down," she whispered, releasing her hand from his mouth.

"You’ve had a long day too. Go rest," Song Chengyi leaned closer, speaking softly.

His breath brushed against Luo Yixia’s neck, making her instinctively pull away.

Song Chengyi found her reaction inexplicably adorable.

Luo Yixia was dressed in cotton pajamas—not exactly pajamas, just a loose shirt and pants, since being out here was nothing like the dorm or home.

Song Chengyi glanced at her exposed arms, "Are you cold?" He was about to pull the jacket off his shoulder and give it to her.

Luo Yixia shook her head, "No, I’m actually really hot."

Song Chengyi let go, and just ahead, not far from them, a bonfire burned. Though it was some distance away, its light still illuminated the two.

"What did you talk about with Brother Zeming earlier?" Luo Yixia asked curiously.

"Not much. I just asked why he came here," Song Chengyi answered simply.

"I see. When I first saw Brother Zeming, I was startled," Luo Yixia said softly.

"He just had nothing better to do."

"So many people are here, I haven’t even had a chance to talk to Brother Zeming. I haven’t seen him in so long," Luo Yixia sat beside Song Chengyi, resting her chin in her hands.

Song Chengyi pressed his lips together, "He sleeps alone in a tent tonight. You can go find him now."

"Really? Oh, right." Luo Yixia smiled, paying no mind to Song Chengyi’s tone or the gloom on his face.

She puffed her cheeks and said dejectedly, "Better not. If someone sees me visiting the instructor at night, they’ll misunderstand."

"Heh." So you do know, then?

"Song Chengyi," Luo Yixia suddenly called his name, looking up.

"Yes, what is it?"

"Since you’re keeping watch tonight, can you come keep me company next time it’s my turn? Wait until everyone’s asleep and sneak over, alright?"

Song Chengyi turned to look at the little figure speaking to him.

"So you’re keeping me company now just to make me keep you company next time?" he raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, yes," she nodded vigorously, like pounding garlic.

"You’re impossible," Song Chengyi reached out and patted her head.

"Hehe," she grinned with satisfaction, triumphant.

"I think we have some unfinished business," Song Chengyi suddenly looked directly at Luo Yixia.

"Huh? What?" She was briefly confused, unable to recall anything.

"Who was it that lied about going to bed early, and said they’d eaten breakfast?" Song Chengyi leaned closer.

Frightened, Luo Yixia shrank back, stammering, "I did go to bed early, but Yanyan and the others didn’t sleep, plus in the morning I… I wasn’t hungry."

After speaking, she bowed her head, like a child awaiting scolding.

"For someone your age, you still act like a kid, always disobedient," Song Chengyi sighed.

Luo Yixia pouted, muttering in protest, "I’m already twenty, not a child."

"And where exactly are you grown?" Song Chengyi blurted out.

Both froze for a moment.

Song Chengyi had only meant to retort, but the words sounded different once spoken.

For once, Luo Yixia understood, hugging her arms and, to ease the awkwardness, answered, "I’m an adult."

"Oh," Song Chengyi replied, uncomfortable.

Her answer only invited more misunderstanding than silence.

If anyone could testify to Luo Yixia’s adulthood, Song Chengyi could—after all, they had already registered their marriage.

The two sat awkwardly for a while, and to break the tension, began chatting aimlessly.

Song Chengyi lowered his head, picking up a piece of firewood and tossing it into the bonfire.

Suddenly, a soft body leaned into his arms.

Song Chengyi gently helped Luo Yixia settle, letting her rest on his shoulder, and covered her with the jacket.

How could she fall asleep so easily? She was clearly tired, yet insisted on coming out to keep him company.

He looked down and saw Luo Yixia sleeping soundly.

She was so well-behaved when asleep.

Song Chengyi’s lips curved into a smile.

Song Zemeng was making his rounds near each tent.

Most of the students on night duty had dozed off.

Before reaching Song Chengyi’s group, he saw from afar two people nestled together.

He smiled, thinking his younger brother was finally opening up.

He didn’t disturb them, turning to patrol elsewhere.

Song Chengyi was worried Luo Yixia might catch cold sleeping outside, so he reluctantly picked her up to carry her back to the tent.

He hadn’t expected her to sleep so deeply—she wasn’t disturbed at all, even as he carried her inside.

By the light of his phone, Song Chengyi saw someone curled up in another sleeping bag and laid Luo Yixia in the empty one.

Luckily it was summer, so he wasn’t worried about her getting cold. He covered her with the jacket.

Gently brushing her hair away from her face, he lingered, reluctant to leave.

But just as he was about to go, a voice suddenly called out.

"Song Chengyi?"

He turned to see Gan Yanyan sitting up, no longer asleep.

Both were startled, staring at each other.

Gan Yanyan blinked, looking from Song Chengyi to Luo Yixia.

Her expression grew increasingly troubled.

Song Chengyi knew what she was thinking, "Don’t get the wrong idea. She fell asleep."

The two ended up sitting by the fire.

Gan Yanyan looked conflicted, with many questions but not knowing how to ask.

Song Chengyi spoke calmly, "Don’t overthink it. She fell asleep, so I brought her back."

"But… you… you two… Xia Xia…" Gan Yanyan was utterly confused.

She couldn’t make sense of it—she’d woken groggy to see a man carrying a girl inside, thought she was dreaming, and then realized it was Song Chengyi.

She instantly woke up.

"I’ve known Luo Yixia for a long time. During summer, we registered our marriage, but she doesn’t want anyone to know yet, so we act as if we’re strangers," Song Chengyi explained simply.

He didn’t owe explanations to a stranger, but he did anyway.

Gan Yanyan’s eyes widened in disbelief, "That girl’s acting skills are incredible! I really thought you two didn’t know each other. And you wouldn’t believe it, usually she’s so lovestruck over you, but this time she acted like nothing. I was wondering when she became so composed."

Song Chengyi chuckled softly.

Gan Yanyan pondered, then asked, "So why doesn’t she want to tell anyone?"

"We had some accidents. She probably thinks my family forced me to agree to marry her, so we still have a lot of unresolved issues," Song Chengyi stirred the fire with a stick.

Luo Yixia sighed, "I suspect Xia Xia isn’t confident. She seems carefree, but I always sense her insecurity, and she’s not comfortable with strangers. She’s probably afraid she’ll embarrass you, so she doesn’t want to tell anyone. But Xia Xia is obviously outstanding—she’s pretty, has a great personality, but she doesn’t realize it herself."

Song Chengyi nodded in agreement.

"I understand. I’ll pretend tonight never happened, and won’t tell anyone. Also…" Gan Yanyan winked at Song Chengyi, "I’ll help you two out."

"Thank you," Song Chengyi said.

"No need. Xia Xia’s my best friend, helping you is helping her. But honestly, that girl sneaked out to keep you company—why didn’t she say she’d help me keep watch instead?" Gan Yanyan grumbled.

"Alright, it’s about time. Go rest, it’s my turn to keep watch. From now on, your matter is my matter. I can be your informant and help you win Xia Xia over. But when Xia Xia gets married, I’m definitely being her bridesmaid," Gan Yanyan said earnestly.

"That’s still a ways off," Song Chengyi smiled, wondering at the speed of Luo Yixia’s best friend’s thoughts.

"No, it’s not! Go rest, we’re counting on you to cook tomorrow. I’ll be thinking over your situation with Xia Xia," Gan Yanyan said with authority.

Song Chengyi was indeed tired and returned to the tent.

Four people in one tent—it was really cramped. He found an empty sleeping bag and lay down in the corner.

Someone was snoring beside him… Song Chengyi sighed. This was exactly why he didn’t want to stay in the dormitory—it was just too noisy.