Chapter 38: A Morning of Reluctance and Unexpected Cuddles

I was a bit restless last night. Having consumed a considerable amount of coffee during the day, I felt exceptionally energetic in the evening.

I ended up playing on my phone until quite late, unsure when I finally drifted off. Amidst my hazy slumber, a sudden alarm pierced the quiet.

Lying in bed, I gazed at the dim room, my consciousness slowly returning.

The glowing LED screen of the alarm clock was perfectly clear, displaying seven-thirty in the morning.

Yesterday, Dragon Brother had gone for an interview at that internet café. Upon her return, I had asked if she would accompany me to visit Old Master the following day, and she had readily agreed.

Yawning, I reluctantly dragged myself out of bed to switch off the alarm, then sat upright.

Outside the window, dawn was just breaking, and the faint chirping of sparrows could be heard.

I sighed, haphazardly pulled on some clothes, and after a quick wash, headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

Dragon Brother was still asleep, as she rarely woke early on weekdays. Fortunately, I had urged her to sleep earlier last night, knowing we had to go to the hospital together today.

She was aware of Old Master’s situation and had agreed without hesitation when I suggested we visit him.

I hadn’t turned on the lights; the living room remained dim.

Only the thin layer of oil sizzling in the frying pan, crackling softly, illuminated the space as it crisped one side of the fried egg to a golden hue.

The internet café where Dragon Brother was going to work was situated on a bustling street near the department store.

The foot traffic there was quite high, implying the work would likely be demanding.

Perhaps she felt that staying at my place every day was merely a burden to me. After all, I was only in my early twenties, a high school graduate, and still planning to attend university, with no real financial independence.

My living expenses were entirely covered by my parents, who were quite generous. Personally, I didn’t mind; even if Dragon Brother lived with me indefinitely, it would be fine, but she didn’t see it that way.

Moreover, she possessed a certain pride. While the ease of having everything provided was enjoyable, Dragon Brother still preferred to earn her own money, just as she had when she was an internet café manager.

And that internet café offered free meals and accommodation, meaning I’d likely see very little of Dragon Brother outside of holidays. Dragon Brother was incredibly stubborn; I had tried to persuade her multiple times, explaining that her normal expenses wouldn’t be a burden to me at all.

Besides, I wasn’t that sentimental; Dragon Brother and I had known each other for ages, and I had never asked her for rent. I genuinely didn’t want her to move out.

Yet, no matter how much I tried to convince her, she would simply shake her head dismissively, continuing her game, never uttering a word in response to my pleas.

Dragon Brother usually listened to me, but her way of refusing was rather childish. Whenever I tried to dissuade her from going to the interview, she would pretend to be completely engrossed in her game, ignoring me entirely.

I could repeat myself several times, but she wouldn’t make a sound, treating my words like a frog croaking to a turtle.

After several attempts, I grew weary. Though reluctant, I reluctantly agreed, taking the opportunity to inquire about the salary.

That internet café had only recently opened, and I knew its location; I recalled Old Shen always enjoyed going online there.

I placed the fried egg onto a plate, letting out a sigh.

Another expense to add to the list…

Dragon Brother was starting at the internet café the day after tomorrow. From then on, I would have to go there daily and play for an hour, just to keep an eye on her, as I felt a little uneasy otherwise.

I wasn’t a big gamer; my visits to internet cafés were usually just for a few rounds of League of Legends, a game I used to play with Old Shen in high school.

At least while watching Dragon Brother, I’d have something to play, rather than resorting to a simple matching game.

I knew what Dragon Brother was like when she worked as an internet café manager previously. She’d light a cigarette, sit down, and immediately start playing games, often ignoring customers.

She’d assign computers as needed, occasionally clean up, but her work was generally quite light.

However, the internet café job was clearly different from being a manager. It leaned more towards a service role, like bringing snacks to machine number X or serving drinks.

To be a server, constantly called upon, surely one needed a good temper, right?

Furthermore, Dragon Brother currently appeared far too vulnerable to harassment. Not only was she petite, but she also had a generous bust, and when she sat, she often looked delicate and fragile.

It was highly probable some oblivious fool would try to flirt with her, and I could already predict the outcome: a swift, powerful kick. She wasn’t so gentle with others; while she could speak softly to me, she occasionally flared up.

Last time, she nearly sent me to the intensive care unit.

I glanced at the time; it was almost eight o’clock. With enough time having passed, I dished out the food and went into her room to wake Dragon Brother.

Dragon Brother’s room was shrouded in darkness, the curtains drawn. It was an overcast day, and the faint light from outside filtered through the blue curtains, revealing a small figure lying on the bed.

I sat on the edge of the bed; Dragon Brother was sprawled out, eyes closed, her long eyelashes trembling slightly.

She was still wearing my white T-shirt, one hand resting on her stomach—a rather picturesque scene, if not for her other hand, tucked into her underwear, occasionally scratching her backside.

Her bleached hair was incredibly disheveled, her head turned to the side, bangs obscuring most of her face. I reached out and gently swept her hair aside, revealing her features.

In the pitch-dark room, her skin appeared remarkably pale, almost as if it glowed faintly.

I sat by the bed for a moment, sighed, then stood up and flicked on the light, saying, “Wakey-wakey! Look at the time!”

As I switched on the light, Dragon Brother remained in bed for a bit longer, then began to groan, shielding her eyes with her hand. I watched her helplessly as she squinted at me with her other, gem-red eye, still half-asleep.

She squinted at me for a long moment, then yawned and glanced at the clock by her bed, murmuring, “What time is it… Aren’t we leaving at ten?”

I replied, exasperated:

“Leaving at ten is fine, but you won’t eat! Always waking up so late and skipping meals—you’ll ruin your stomach when you’re older…”

Dragon Brother, her eyes still narrowed, looked at me with a smile for a long moment, then said, “Why are you acting like an old mother hen…”

I put my hands on my hips and chuckled, “Yes, I am an old mother hen! Now get up and eat!”

Dragon Brother remained sprawled on the bed, her clothes disheveled, one eye covered as she stared at the ceiling. After a long pause, she said, “Turn off the light, please, my eyes hurt… The big hospital isn’t far from here; we can leave whenever and still make it.

Besides, it’s fine if the food gets cold; we have a microwave at home, don’t we?”

I thought for a moment, then sighed helplessly and switched off the light, plunging the room back into dimness.

I asked, “So, you’re going back to sleep then?”

The light in the room was poor, but I vaguely saw Dragon Brother turn onto her side to face me, murmuring a soft “Mm-hm.”

I felt a pang of helplessness.

Fried eggs were always best fresh out of the pan; reheating them in the microwave would make them tough, losing that tender texture.

Still, there was nothing wrong with eating them reheated. Since Dragon Brother refused to get up, I had no choice.

I sighed and prepared to go to the kitchen to eat.

Dragon Brother softly called out, “Old Lu.”

I turned my head.

In the dim room, Dragon Brother lay disheveled, clutching the quilt, her fair legs resting upon it. She was on her side, watching me, her eyes languidly half-open, yet her gaze was remarkably bright.

My hand rested on the doorknob as I asked, “What is it?”

Dragon Brother watched me for a long moment, then suddenly whispered, “Come here.”

I grew wary, asking, “Why? What are you up to now?”

Dragon Brother stretched out an arm, smiling, “To cuddle with you for a bit.”

I stood my ground, unmoving, and said, “Are you out of your mind?”

Dragon Brother beckoned, an exasperated sigh in her voice:

“What exactly are you so afraid of, anyway? Besides, if I fall asleep now, I definitely won’t wake up later.

Just be my human pillow for a bit; I’ll cuddle with you, and you can just wake me when it’s time.”

I distinctly remembered tidying the room yesterday, yet she had played games all night. Despite the dimness, I could still make out the chaotic mess on her computer desk.

I was about to refuse.

Then, inexplicably, I suddenly realized that once Dragon Brother moved out of this room in a couple of days, it would never again be in disarray, remaining perpetually tidy.

I hesitated, standing rooted to the spot for a long while. After a significant pause, as if possessed, I slowly shuffled over and sat on the edge of the bed.

‘Damn it, upon reflection, I’d done far more outrageous things in the past; what was a little cuddling?’

In the dim room, a smile played on Dragon Brother’s face. She lay half-sideways, half-prone on the bed, one arm resting in front of her face, and patted the pillow, saying, “Lie down.”

I sighed, pulled back the covers, and slowly lay down on the bed, forcing a wry smile.

“The moment I step into your room, you want to cuddle me to sleep? Have you become addicted to it or something?”

Dragon Brother remained silent. She shifted closer to me, gently placing her hand on my chest, her soft bosom pressing tightly against my back.

In the complete darkness, I felt my face grow warm.

A delicate sensation emanated from behind me as she draped her leg over mine. Her body was small and soft, and our figures pressed closely together.

After a long moment, she slowly inhaled, then whispered, “I am addicted.”

Lying in bed, my heart suddenly skipped a beat.

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