Chapter 278: Calm

Often, conflicts between couples start from small, unspoken disagreements that fester in their hearts. These gradually accumulate into a major conflict, ultimately erupting into resentment toward each other.

As for their current situation, where they could immediately talk things through whenever something happened, it was a great way for both Chen Mo and Su Yuqing to prevent any emotional knots from forming between them.

This was what a healthy relationship between a couple should be like.

Although the little incident had left them both feeling a bit guilty, having opened up to each other tonight made them both feel a great sense of relief.

They also now had a clear understanding of the physical boundaries they should maintain, something that had been muddled after they first got together.

No longer would they feel the same flustered panic they had before, born from not knowing what level of intimacy was appropriate now that they were officially a couple.

This was especially true for Su Yuqing, which was why she had immediately avoided Chen Mo after they got home.

Now that they had a yardstick to measure by, things would be much easier for them both.

Chen Mo no longer had to worry about crossing a line and making Su Yuqing uncomfortable.

And Su Yuqing no longer had to worry that Chen Mo would make an inappropriate advance that she would feel too awkward to refuse.

The deep-sea light show flowed silently across the walls, its shifting blues mirroring the now-tranquil lakes of their hearts.

Su Yuqing buried her face deep in the crook of Chen Mo’s neck. The trembling was gone, replaced by an instinctual need to draw in his warmth.

After nestling against him in silence for a while longer, savoring this rare moment of peace and intimacy, Su Yuqing whispered, "The congee bowls still need to be washed."

"Right. I’ll get them. Why don’t you sit and rest?" Chen Mo made a move to get up.

"Together," Su Yuqing said, standing up with him. They shared a knowing glance, each seeing the unspoken ease in the other’s eyes that had come from their talk.

"Ah!"

Suddenly, Su Yuqing let out a small cry.

"What’s wrong?" Chen Mo asked with concern, holding her close.

"...My leg." Su Yuqing’s voice was muffled against his clothes, tinged with an embarrassed, nasal tone. "It’s asleep."

Chen Mo’s chest vibrated with a short, amused chuckle.

He half-sat on the sofa, tightened his arms, and gently lifted her higher, so she was almost sitting on his lap. Then, he carefully straightened her curled-up legs.

His movements were filled with an unspoken tenderness.

Su Yuqing sat up straight. Her cheeks were still tinged with a faint blush, but her eyes were clear and bright, like a sky washed clean by rain.

She looked at Chen Mo, then simply reached out and lightly brushed her fingertips over the faint wrinkles near his slightly open collar—wrinkles she had unconsciously created by clutching his shirt.

This tiny gesture said more than a thousand words.

It was a silent comfort, and a mark of intimacy.

Chen Mo caught her fingers as she tried to pull her hand back, enveloping them in his palm. He gently rubbed the back of her smooth hand with his thumb. Once he was sure the feeling had returned to Su Yuqing’s leg and it was no longer numb, they finally went to the kitchen together.

The kitchen light flickered on. Chen Mo rolled up his sleeves and turned on the faucet. The GUSH of running water broke the surrounding silence, but it brought with it a different kind of warmth, one filled with the simple comforts of life.

Su Yuqing picked up a clean dishcloth and stood beside him, drying the dishes he washed.

The sound of the water masked any other small noises, and a feeling of tacit harmony flowed between them.

An occasional brush of their arms or a graze of their fingertips on the edge of the sink no longer sparked the electric thrill and shivers from before. Instead, it conveyed a gentle, flowing warmth.

There was no flinching away, only the natural flow of affection.

Su Yuqing dried the last bowl and placed it gently in the cabinet, watching Chen Mo’s tall, focused silhouette as he worked at the sink.

The last trace of awkwardness she felt from her earlier rejection completely vanished, washed away by the effortless consideration and ease Chen Mo was showing now.

"All done," Chen Mo said, turning off the faucet. He shook the water droplets from his hands and turned to her, his eyes gentle and smiling. "Mission accomplished."

Su Yuqing smiled too and handed him a towel to dry his hands.

After taking the towel and drying his hands, Chen Mo’s gaze naturally fell on her face. He raised a hand and, with the back of his fingers, very gently brushed away a stray strand of hair that had fallen by her cheek.

The gesture was one of pure, affectionate care.

Su Yuqing didn’t pull away. Her eyelashes fluttered, and her cheeks grew warm, but inside, she felt as if a feather had lightly tickled her heart, leaving a cozy warmth in its wake.

"Want to keep watching?" Chen Mo gestured toward the living room. On the TV screen, the silent, flowing, deep-blue light show was still shifting.

"Mhm, let’s finish it? It feels... very peaceful," Su Yuqing replied softly.

She truly did like the atmosphere the deep sea created. Especially after such an emotional roller coaster, the tranquil blue had a power that soothed the soul.

The two returned to the living room and sat down on the sofa.

Once they were seated on the sofa, there was no distance between them. Chen Mo didn’t deliberately wrap his arm around her, simply sitting relaxed, shoulder-to-shoulder with her. Su Yuqing, hugging a soft throw pillow, leaned slightly against him, her gaze fixed on the screen.

The deep-sea light washed over their faces as jellyfish drifted by and schools of fish swam past. The silent world shut out all the noise of the outside world.

Chen Mo’s hand rested naturally on the sofa cushion beside him, very close to Su Yuqing’s.

After a moment, Su Yuqing seemed drawn in by something on the screen and leaned forward slightly.

Her fingertips unconsciously brushed against the back of Chen Mo’s hand, which was resting on the sofa.

Chen Mo didn’t move, merely turning his head to look at her.

Su Yuqing seemed to only just realize what had happened. Her fingertips twitched back slightly, but she didn’t pull away immediately. Instead, after a moment’s pause, she very slowly—with a newfound sense of frankness and certainty—hooked her pinky around Chen Mo’s.

It was a tiny, almost negligible movement, yet it was like a pebble tossed into the lake of his heart, sending ripples spreading through him.

He turned his hand over and gently enveloped hers.

There was no restless passion, only a tacit warmth and sense of peace.

This was the kind of intimacy that comes after boundaries have been clearly defined and fully accepted, like finding the safest harbor.

Feeling the warmth and strength from his palm, Su Yuqing’s lips curved into a faint, reassured smile.

She no longer needed to be constantly on guard about the "limits" of their intimacy, because the boundaries were now clear and were being cherished and protected by him.

She could relax and enjoy this closeness, enjoy this pure companionship.

The same was true for Chen Mo.

He no longer needed to guess or suppress his feelings. The impulse to draw closer had been tempered by understanding and respect, transforming into a deeper, more stable affection.

Holding her hand, looking at her focused, relaxed profile, an unprecedented sense of calm satisfaction slowly filled his chest.