When Lin Can turned around, Chu Qingning was already standing by the wall, drying her hair.
The warm wind from the blow dryer stirred her long hair, which cascaded down like a waterfall, swaying in the light, bringing with it the fresh scent of Head & Shoulders, which drifted into Lin Can's nose.
It was just so beautiful, so healing for a young man's soul.
Indeed, beautiful women are the best at healing men.
"Qingning Jie, can I take a few photos of you?"
"No."
Lin Can had obviously been thinking about how much he liked the sight of her in a white shirt.
After hearing Lin Can's disappointed "Oh," Chu Qingning felt a bit of pity.
Well, he just liked taking photos, right?
Besides, she was already wearing his white shirt, he had already seen her in it, taking a few photos wouldn't hurt, right?
Moreover, if it wasn't for him helping out tonight, she would have been in big trouble.
It was all because Lin Can had shown a side of a man that took responsibility.
Now, he asked for such a small favor as taking photos, and if she didn't meet it, wouldn't that be a bit unkind?
"Do you have a girlfriend?" Chu Qingning suddenly asked.
"No."
"Alright then, I'll let you take a few photos, but you can't show them to anyone else."
Lin Can smiled: "Wait, what does having a girlfriend have to do with taking photos of you?"
Chu Qingning replied seriously: "If you had a girlfriend, I wouldn't let you take photos, in case your girlfriend misunderstands."
"Don't worry, I just think you look beautiful right now, I want to take a few photos. I'll send them all to you, I won't keep a single one."
After saying that, click—he took a photo and showed it to her.
Chu Qingning looked at the photo: "I have to admit, Ah Can, you really know how to take photos. It looks really good. Fine then."
"Don't worry, I'll make sure you look really beautiful in them."
"Of course."
So, the small room turned into a photography studio, with photos being taken everywhere.
While taking pictures, they chatted to help Chu Qingning relax.
"Qingning Jie, what kind of boy do you like?"
Chu Qingning struck a pose while answering: "Hmm… I've never really thought about it. But of course, he has to be handsome, tall, talented, and most importantly, he needs to understand me."
"Isn't that exactly describing me?"
"Tsk, you're just my little brother, not my boyfriend."
Chu Qingning said this, then glanced again at Lin Can, holding the camera. She thought that Lin Can's performance tonight was really good, and it met her standards for a boyfriend. But…
Lin Can was one year younger than her, and Chu Qingning didn't accept relationships with younger boys.
She had heard that relationships between older women and younger men were difficult to manage, and secretly vowed to never have such a relationship in this lifetime. Otherwise, she might choke while eating.
Click, click—
The photos kept coming.
"Qingning Jie, like this, you sit on my bed, smile at the camera…"
"..."
Hah, isn't this the anime girl from his WeChat profile picture?
Looks like he's just trying to please himself.
Chu Qingning didn't call him out, just gave a complaining glance at her annoying little brother.
"Fine, I'll satisfy you!"
Then, following Lin Can's instructions, Chu Qingning struck a pure yet seductive pose.
The camera zoomed in, and Lin Can couldn't help but admire her—this was what a "goddess" looked like. It was truly too seductive.
Click—
He pressed the shutter button, capturing the moment.
...
"Is it done?"
"Done."
"Then I'll give the bed back to you. I'm going to do laundry."
Chu Qingning got off the bed, put on her slippers, and went to the bathroom with a light step.
She really only agreed to model for Lin Can out of kindness, trying to return the favor for his help earlier.
Lin Can stretched lazily and lay down, satisfied. This day had been wonderful.
When Chu Qingning finished the laundry and came out, she saw Lin Can already asleep on the lower bunk.
He really could sleep, huh?
He had already slept the whole afternoon and now was sleeping again.
What a godsend—his dreams were coming true, he had no more pressures in life, just needed to enjoy it. How could he not sleep well?
Chu Qingning climbed to the upper bunk and hung the wet clothes and underwear on the air conditioning vent. They'd dry by morning.
After finishing this, it was already late.
Finally, Chu Qingning could lie down and rest.
Reflecting on the day's events, it was both wonderful and awkward.
Sharing a room with a boy she had just met that day, from strangers to getting familiar, then even wearing his clothes.
My god, what is this fast pace?
But, it was all over now. Tomorrow, they'd be in the Western Region.
Thinking of this, Chu Qingning unknowingly fell asleep.
...
Time ticked by, and the Z69 train had entered the Western Region.
The night had grown deep.
Upper bunk.
Chu Qingning, fast asleep, was curled on her side, clutching the blanket. The cold wind blew and lifted the hem of her shirt, and her peach-like silhouette appeared in the night.
She turned and continued sleeping, not wearing any underwear because girls don't like to wear it while sleeping—it feels too restrictive and uncomfortable.
Lin Can grabbed it, sleepily looked at it, and realized it was Chu Qingning's underwear.
He casually put it on the coffee table and fell back asleep.
...
Time continued to tick away.
As people sleep, their body temperature drops. The temperature in the compartment lowered because of the air conditioning, and since the air conditioning was blowing directly at the bed, Chu Qingning felt uncomfortable. Sleepily, she climbed down from the upper bunk.
The air conditioning switch was on the wall near the door, so like a zombie, she stumbled over to it, raised the temperature a little, then swayed back, leaned against the bed, and collapsed onto Lin Can, hugging him as if he were a giant teddy bear, feeling satisfied and asleep.
The high-grade soft bunk bed was much larger than the outside beds. Though not overly spacious, it was enough for two people.
Perhaps they were too close, but Lin Can, in deep sleep, shifted uncomfortably and pushed her a little away.
Maybe it was just the comfort of hugging a giant teddy bear that made her move closer again, with her head resting on Lin Can's arm. Her long legs, hidden beneath the white shirt, draped over him, trapping him.
Lin Can, still asleep, didn't push her away again.
So, Lin Can, who had been lying flat, shifted to his side, and they lay face to face, their breaths mingling.
After a while, Chu Qingning shifted to lie with her back to Lin Can.
Lin Can's hand landed gently on her soft, delicate waist.
So soft.
The morning sun shone through the window, casting its light on the lower bunk, and the two of them, wrapped in each other's arms, slept soundly…