Chapter 24: Coaxing Sleep Part 1

Before leaving the room, Gu Yu went to the bathroom to check the mirror.

Her hair was slightly messy, but a lazy, casual look was fine. Her face was clean, no annoying pimples popping up out of nowhere. She was quite satisfied with this state. Just as she was about to head to 701, her gaze landed on her nightgown.

She frowned, looking at it for a few seconds. The Cinnamoroll pajamas seemed overly cute. Luckily, she had also brought a white camisole nightgown.

After changing into it, she checked the mirror again and nodded with satisfaction. Obviously, the pure and alluring style was more enticing. Seeing nothing else to change, she swiftly walked out of the bathroom. Her hand fell on the door handle, gripping it tightly, then she suddenly froze.

When they’d met just now, she’d been wearing the Cinnamoroll. Changing now would just be too obvious.

As Gu Yu changed back into the nightgown, she felt annoyed. Why did it have to be a cute gown that went down to her calves?

After fussing back and forth for a bit, she’d already wasted a lot of time. She quickly left the room, knocked on the door of 701, and said softly, “Sister, it’s me.”

Five minutes had already passed. She waited without much hope, then glanced down at WeChat. Jiang Bomu hadn’t sent a message urging her, but she hadn’t refused either.

The decision was in the other’s hands. Gu Yu was helpless.

This feeling made one anxious, yet also held an enchanting sense of infinite hope.

She would open the door.

She definitely would open the door.

Gu Yu repeated these words to herself. The next second, click.

Like a devout believer, she looked fervently at the savior who appeared before her.

Whether her gaze was too intense or the person before her was too shy, the savior’s expression was somewhat awkward. She lowered her eyes and stepped aside to let her in.

Gu Yu obediently entered the room. The door closed softly behind her, shutting out the overly bright corridor lights, making the dim light inside the room even more apparent.

A rough glance showed the layout wasn’t much different from her own room. Only the bed was made with disposable sheets and duvet cover—bright yellow, looking warm and cozy, conducive to sleep.

Coming closer, Gu Yu noticed there was more than one blanket on the bed; there was a spare one. Both blankets were spread out neatly and evenly, dividing the large bed into two equal halves, clearly demarcated.

Seeing her gaze linger on the bed, Jiang Bomu explained, “I was just making the bed, so opening the door took a little longer.”

She said it lightly, and Gu Yu also replied with a smile, “It’s fine.”

Inwardly, however, she felt regret. She’d thought they’d share a blanket.

But haste makes waste, she told herself. She said nothing more, quietly surveying the room, her eyes deliberately and casually landing on Jiang Bomu time and again.

She was wearing a black silk nightgown, the waist sash tied loosely. As she moved, it flowed like a silver river. Her slender waist seemed graspable in one hand. A few strands of soft, long hair fell over her chest, the curve of its rise and fall inviting all sorts of thoughts.

Gu Yu gently lowered her eyes, feeling even more regret. If only she’d worn that white nightgown. Now she was dressed like a little kid, with no curve or even collarbone showing.

If she could have another chance, she would definitely wear it!

“Xunxun, which side are you used to sleeping on?”

Gu Yu snapped back to her senses and casually pointed to the outer side. She didn’t care which side she slept on.

They were about to get into bed. She looked up. Jiang Bomu also looked at her. Their eyes met for a moment, then simultaneously looked away.

Sharing a bed for the first time, awkwardness was inevitable. Gu Yu, with a guilty conscience, felt her feet were as heavy as lead, unable to move.

Jiang Bomu also didn’t move, saying softly, “You get in first.”

Why did there have to be an order at a time like this!

Gu Yu screamed inwardly, but verbally she just mumbled an “okay,” stiffly moved her newly assembled legs, walked forward somewhat clumsily, belatedly lifted the covers, and finally slid in.

Only then did Jiang Bomu come over. Gu Yu pretended to be calm, leaning against the soft pillow. In reality, her palms were sweating, her heart about to leap out of her throat. She could barely maintain her surface composure. Fortunately, the other was only a step away from the bed.

But Jiang Bomu didn’t get in. Instead, she clicked on the small night light on the bedside table.

In an instant, a soft, gentle glow spread across this small space, illuminating her entire figure. As she bent down, her neckline revealed a glimpse of spring.

Gu Yu’s breath nearly stopped. She stared dumbly at the scene before her, momentarily forgetting to look away.

Actually, it wasn’t much exposed—only a small patch of fair softness, a hint of cleavage. But in such a setting, how could she not let her imagination run wild?

Luckily, Jiang Bomu straightened up quickly and turned off the other lights.

The room fell into darkness, leaving only this soft, gentle light by the bedside, allowing Jiang Bomu to clearly see Gu Yu’s slightly dazed expression.

As she lifted the covers, she asked, “What are you thinking about?”

“Ah? No, nothing…” Gu Yu snapped back to reality. “Let’s sleep.”

Jiang Bomu looked at her suspiciously and asked, “What about the promised sleep-coaxing service?”

Gu Yu: “…”

Her mind full of the fleeting glimpse of spring just now, she’d almost forgotten the real business.

She turned her face, about to speak, but saw that Jiang Bomu had already lain down under the covers. The room’s air conditioning was cold; she had wrapped herself tightly. Though nothing was exposed, the two thin black straps hanging loosely on her jade shoulders added a touch of sensuality.

Those clear, bright eyes were seriously watching her. Gu Yu felt slightly dazed. One lying flat, one sitting. From her angle, it looked like a concubine seeking favor.

The concubine was completely unaware of her thoughts, still waiting for her answer.

Gu Yu’s mind was still a mess, filled with that “seeking favor” look. Then she spat on her own thoughts. What concubine? Obviously, she was the Empress, the official wife!

But that thought also seemed inappropriate. She coughed lightly and asked, “Are you ready?”

Jiang Bomu nodded slightly.

Gu Yu also lay down under the covers and pretended to speak professionally: “From now on, close your eyes.”

The long lashes of the person beside her fluttered, then obediently closed.

Gu Yu breathed a soft sigh of relief. Joking aside, what did she know about coaxing sleep? It was just an excuse to get closer to Jiang Bomu. She’d just have to wing it.

She lay on her side, openly stealing glances at the other’s sleeping face. From the smooth, full forehead to the delicate, bright lips. Admiring while marveling: Nuwa’s final project couldn’t be better than this.

Afraid that dawn would break if she kept looking, Gu Yu reluctantly averted her gaze, pondering her next move.

Scanning the room, her eyes fell on the little night light. Though the light was dim, it was still a light, affecting sleep.

Glancing at Jiang Bomu, whose eyes were still closed, she carefully propped herself up, stretching her arm to press the night light’s switch.

Everything before her eyes was plunged into darkness, so the other senses became exceptionally keen. Jiang Bomu smelled a faint, subtle fragrance—the base note of Un Jardin sur le Nil, a faint fig tree scent, fresh and sweet, filling her nostrils.

Then a deeper darkness covered her eyelids. A slight rustling sound entered her ears. She was slightly confused. What was Xunxun doing?

Before she could react, a click sounded by her ear. The faint, shallow light from the gap vanished completely.

Jiang Bomu’s breath stopped. She cried out, “Don’t turn off the light!”

Gu Yu jumped in fright. Her propped-up arm buckled, and she fell right onto Jiang Bomu, her ear precisely positioned over the heart. She could hear the heartbeat of the woman beneath her—

Thump, thump.

Totally erratic.

Before she could scramble up, the other had already turned aside, reaching out to click the switch back on. The light source instantly illuminated this tiny world. The taut body finally relaxed.

The next second, their eyes met.

Gu Yu was still sprawled on top of her, momentarily forgetting to move. She quietly studied Jiang Bomu in the warm light.

The beauty’s long hair was disheveled, her cheeks flushed, her lips slightly parted, a glimpse of pearly teeth visible, her breath like orchids.

She really, really wanted to kiss her.

“Xunxun, aren’t you going to get up yet?”

The voice beneath her suddenly spoke calmly. Gu Yu jolted awake, scrambling to get up in a fluster, but her hand pressed right onto a soft mound. Even through a thin layer of bedding, she could feel the swell of its curve.

Both of them froze instantly.

So soft—this was the first thought that flashed through Gu Yu’s mind.

The next second, a pair of forceful yet trembling hands grasped hers. The world spun. Gu Yu was back in her own spot.

Realizing what had happened, she immediately apologized. Yet her gaze uncontrollably drifted towards the terrain of rises and falls. She pretended to lower her eyes in contrition to prevent herself from stealing another glance.

This incident was an accident. Guilt was real, but so was a secret glee. She despised herself for it, yet felt lucky at the same time.

Jiang Bomu didn’t pursue the matter. She hadn’t expected such an accident either. She forced herself not to think about it anymore, but the scene just now was deeply branded in her mind.

Why did it have to be so coincidental?

After a moment of silence, she sighed and murmured, “I definitely won’t be able to sleep tonight.”

Remembering she had to film tomorrow, Gu Yu’s frivolous thoughts dissipated considerably. She asked guiltily, “Will this affect your work?”

Although she knew Jiang Bomu was always professional, what if it affected her acting and she couldn’t deliver a perfect performance?

The more Gu Yu thought about it, the more panicked she became. If she’d known things would turn out like this, she wouldn’t have come at all!

“It won’t,” Jiang Bomu reassured her. “It’s just a little lack of sleep. I’ll have the makeup artist cover it up tomorrow.”

But it hadn’t been just a day or two of sleep deprivation. Gu Yu pressed her lips together. Ever since Father Jiang’s visit, Jiang Bomu seemed to have never had a good night’s sleep.

“Sister,” Gu Yu turned over to face her and whispered, “Since we can’t sleep, let’s chat.”

Jiang Bomu was resting with her eyes closed. Hearing this, she responded, “Sure.”

The soft light of the night light fell on her hair, gilding it with a pale golden halo. She looked like a merciful Guanyin Bodhisattva, her face calm and composed.

Gu Yu asked, “Why do you need to sleep with the light on?”

As soon as the words were out, the Bodhisattva’s lashes trembled before she answered, “Afraid of the dark. Afraid of ghosts.”

If she hadn’t met Father Jiang, hadn’t seen Jiang Bomu’s hysterical state, Gu Yu might have believed it. But knowing what she knew, she was skeptical of this answer. Could it be that Father Jiang had done something, leaving Jiang Bomu with psychological trauma?

After a pause, she probed cautiously, “But people are scarier than ghosts.”