Chapter 20: Sharing a Room

Although the photograph was destroyed five seconds after it was taken, Wen Yichen knew he would never forget it for the rest of his life.

His head rested against Jiang Muwen’s, the two of them asleep in quiet harmony. Sunlight poured over their bodies, casting a gentle halo across the image. Everything seemed perfectly serene, yet to Wen Yichen, nothing felt right at all.

If he could be described now, it would be as a cat with its fur bristling in agitation.

He quickly replied to Bai Xu: “Delete it!”

Hardly had he sent the message before Bai Xu answered: “Eh? I refuse! Hahaha.”

One message was not enough; after sending it, Bai Xu followed up: “Not only will I not delete it, I’ve backed it up. Neener neener!”

Wen Yichen: “…[smile]”

Bai Xu: “I’m going to sleep! Goodnight.”

Driven by a strong instinct for self-preservation, Bai Xu cleverly ended their conversation with the excuse of going to bed.

After Wen Yichen sent his own goodnight, he put away his phone as well.

He lifted his gaze, unconsciously letting it fall upon Jiang Muwen, who was currently absorbed in her phone. Realizing it was getting late, she stood up from the beanbag chair, her eyes drifting toward his bed—today Wen Yixin had returned, and Jiang Muwen was staying with them. It seemed he’d have to make the sacrifice and share a bed with Wen Yixin.

With this in mind, Wen Yichen spoke languidly, “You can sleep in my bed for the next few days. I’ll sleep with Wen Yixin.”

He walked toward the bedroom door, hand reaching for the knob. Suddenly, as if remembering something, he paused.

After a moment, he spoke quietly, “By the way… what my mother said about the childhood engagement—she was probably just joking. Don’t take it seriously…”

With those words, silence settled over the room. Jiang Muwen didn’t respond, and Wen Yichen, his back to her, had no way of knowing her reaction.

He turned slightly, wanting to glimpse her expression, but halfway through the motion he stopped, decisively pressing down on the door handle. After wishing Jiang Muwen goodnight, he closed the bedroom door.

Meanwhile, Wen Yixin was immersed in a game in his own room. When Wen Yichen entered, Wen Yixin barely glanced up; his attractive eyes remained fixed on the computer screen, one hand on the mouse, the other on the keyboard. “You’re here?”

Wen Yichen replied with a calm “Mm,” phone in hand, and naturally walked over to the bed. He sat down, lazily announcing, “Tonight I’m sleeping with you.”

It wasn’t long before Wen Yixin’s voice reached his ears: “No, get out.”

Perplexed, Wen Yichen lifted his head, staring at his engrossed brother. “…?”

Wen Yixin didn’t bother looking at him, continuing his game. “I don’t like sharing a bed with another guy.”

Wen Yichen scoffed. “As if I’d want to sleep with you.”

“Why don’t you sleep in your own room?” Wen Yixin asked offhandedly.

Wen Yichen chose not to reply—coming from Wen Yixin, the question sounded rather… idiotic.

Seeing his brother’s silence, Wen Yixin started answering his own question, “Oh—Little Sister Jiang is in your room. But if you don’t want to sleep with me, you can swap rooms with her. I don’t mind.”

Wen Yichen’s heart gave a little jolt. He knew it was just a joke, but it felt oddly like someone snatching away his childhood toys.

“Scoundrel,” Wen Yichen muttered, eyes dropping to his phone.

Wen Yixin didn’t respond, instead changing the subject. “By the way, I left something in your room. Go get it for me.”

“What is it?” Wen Yichen asked as he stood, ready to fetch whatever his brother needed.

“Napkins,” Wen Yixin replied with deadpan seriousness, as though he couldn’t rest easy without that packet by his side.

“??? You—”

“Go on, hurry up,” Wen Yixin interrupted before Wen Yichen could complain.

With no other choice, Wen Yichen obediently returned to his bedroom to retrieve the indispensable napkins for his brother.

No sooner had he found the packet than the bedroom door slammed shut behind him, followed by the unmistakable sound of the lock.

He spun around abruptly, only then realizing he’d fallen right into Wen Yixin’s trap.

Wen Yichen strode to the door, pressing the handle over and over, but the door wouldn’t budge. “Wen Yixin, what are you doing?!”

His words were met with silence. The whole place was quiet, leaving only Jiang Muwen and Wen Yichen in the bedroom, both somewhat disarrayed.

Finally, Jiang Muwen’s voice came from behind. “Your brother, he…”

“Hold on, I’ll call him,” Wen Yichen interrupted, pulling out his phone as he spoke.

The moment the call connected, Wen Yixin’s impatient voice came from the other end. “What do you want?”

Wen Yichen’s tone was tinged with annoyance. “Shouldn’t I be asking you that?”

He brought the phone closer, lowering his voice on purpose. “Are you out of your mind?”

“I’m just doing my part for my little brother’s lifelong happiness. For your sake, tonight I’ll have to endure the loneliness of an empty room.”

Wen Yichen could only laugh in exasperation. “Give it a rest! Do you want me to tell Mom about this?”

“Mom’s playing mahjong upstairs with the neighbors for the next couple of days. If you don’t want her to scold you, you’d better behave.”

Wen Yichen’s face darkened. “Wen Yixin, you—”

“I’m tired. Goodnight.” Before Wen Yichen could finish, Wen Yixin cut him off and decisively hung up, leaving Wen Yichen clutching his phone in frustration.

“How did your brother respond?” Jiang Muwen asked, concerned, seeing Wen Yichen hang up.

Wen Yichen turned and looked at her, silent. He couldn’t let Jiang Muwen know what Wen Yixin had just said—of course not.

His silence only made Jiang Muwen more curious. She watched as he walked in despair to the desk, slumped into a chair, and pulled out his homework from his bag.

“He said—tonight I’m supposed to tutor you with your assignments.”