Chapter 1274: Things Change, People Remain

The haze that had been lingering over their heads for three years seemed to be dispelled by a scorching ray of sunshine at this moment.

In those three years, both of them had changed; Xi Siyan had grown taller, with more defined facial features, becoming even more handsome, and the aura around him of keeping strangers at bay had intensified.

Zhou Chengchen hadn’t grown much taller; she was always taller than her peers, and now she was even more graceful, her hair a bit longer, and her once boisterous demeanor had acquired a touch of serenity.

Zhou Chengchen pushed Xi Siyan back onto the bed: "Get some more sleep; you still have a slight fever."

"Stay with me?"

Zhou Chengchen’s brows furrowed tightly; while she slowly lifted the covers and climbed in, she complained: "Xi Siyan, you’re getting more and more audacious, aren’t you? We just made up, and you’re already trying to lure me into your bed?"

As she spoke, she had already lain down completely, and Xi Siyan curled his lips, stretching his long arms to circle her into his embrace.

In these dreams, over the past three years, he couldn’t count how many times he imagined it; but now, it was real—having her in his arms, right by his side.

Xi Siyan couldn’t help but kiss Zhou Chengchen’s forehead: "Cheng Chen, I love you, always, only you."

Zhou Chengchen’s face reddened visibly; if a reunion between people who had been apart for a long time is awkward, it must be because the past feelings have changed. If it’s not awkward, it’s because time has changed, space has changed, but the tremor from the past has never changed.

Zhou Chengchen closed her eyes: "Stop babbling nonsense, just go to sleep."

"Alright!"

Xi Siyan had slept deeply through the night, but Zhou Chengchen hadn’t; she hadn’t slept well at the hospital. Now, nestled in Xi Siyan’s embrace, she quickly fell asleep.

Xi Siyan, due to his slight fever, couldn’t fall asleep, nor did he want to get up, so the two remained in each other’s arms until dusk.

Zhou Chengchen opened her eyes, waking up because of hunger.

She had breakfast in the morning, but little chaos like that isn’t filling; it’s almost dinner time now, so it’s natural to feel hungry.

Xi Siyan opened his eyes the moment she did, lowering his gaze to meet Zhou Chengchen’s pitiful eyes. He paused, then immediately spoke: "Hungry?"

"Whoa, how did you know?"

"Just guessed."

"Guessed so accurately? Come clean, have you been secretly watching me for three years?"

"..."

Xi Siyan released Zhou Chengchen and got up, and as soon as he sat up, a small hand was placed on his forehead.

Zhou Chengchen felt Xi Siyan’s forehead; it wasn’t hot anymore, but you can’t be sure about a slight fever just by touch.

"You should take your temperature first."

Xi Siyan, having slept most of the day and taken medicine, no longer felt feverish.

He went into the bathroom to take a shower and changed into clean home clothes.

Zhou Chengchen’s luggage was already there, so she also took a shower, and when she came out, Xi Siyan was no longer on the second floor but was busy in the kitchen downstairs.

Zhou Chengchen, wearing her pajamas from the suitcase and Xi Siyan’s large slippers, came down slowly from upstairs.

Standing at the staircase entrance, she could see the person busy in the kitchen, and Zhou Chengchen suddenly felt a bit dazed.

Though the place was different and people had changed, she instinctively thought of the slender teenager in that shabby little house back then.

Back then, Xi Siyan was also focused on cooking, making the most delicious home-cooked meals in the world.

That tiny kitchen, where turning around was difficult for the two of them, was unlike the bright and spacious one now.