Chapter Twenty-Four: Sleep-Talk of He Cheng

Cheng Jiu let out a sound, as if he wanted to say something more, but upon seeing her pale face, he sighed almost imperceptibly and called out, “Xin Gan.”

Xin Gan finally turned around and looked at him. “Yes?”

Cheng Jiu pressed his lips together. “Nothing.”

Xin Gan withdrew her gaze and went back to sit in the car.

Cheng Jiu stubbed out his cigarette and then returned to the driver’s seat.

Xiao Shi handed some motion sickness medicine to Xin Gan. She took it, and heard Cheng Jiu say, “Kid, come sit in the front and let your sister lie down.”

Xiao Shi: “…”

Cheng Jiu: “Xiao Shi, take him and sit with you.”

Xiao Shi: “…”

Xin Gan: “…”

Lying down in the back, Xin Gan felt less discomfort. Drowsy, she only wanted to sleep. Through the haze, she vaguely saw Cheng Jiu watching her via the rearview mirror; their eyes met briefly, then quickly looked away.

Cheng Jiu’s face was expressionless, his hands tightening around the steering wheel.

Xin Gan looked down, her fingers clutching her arms unconsciously curling inwards.

Xiao Shi began telling stories to A Songli. A Songli was afraid of Cheng Jiu; whenever Cheng Jiu glanced at him, his face contorted, on the verge of tears.

Xiao Shi mourned silently—he couldn’t even help a child…

Xin Gan fell asleep; she slept quietly, even her lips stayed closed. Some people sleep with their mouths unconsciously open, but hers remained shut, likely a habit cultivated over many years.

When passing a gas station, Cheng Jiu pulled in to refuel. During the process, he noticed Xin Gan’s sleeping posture.

The air conditioning was on in the car, and fearing she might get cold, Cheng Jiu took a small blanket he kept in the car and draped it over her.

Xiao Shi kept a covert eye on Cheng Jiu’s every move, as if witnessing something extraordinary. Excited, he forced himself not to reveal it, afraid that if Cheng Jiu noticed, he’d surely be scolded.

Once refueled, Cheng Jiu continued driving.

At noon, the temperature soared, the sun blazed overhead, creating a marked difference from the cool interior of the car.

Xin Gan slept for over two hours and woke once, her eyes barely opening, still groggy. She muttered something and slipped back into sleep.

Suddenly, Xiao Shi’s phone rang. Cheng Jiu glanced over, signaling him to keep it quiet. Xiao Shi immediately understood, mouthed an apology, and answered the call in a hushed voice.

Cheng Jiu, for reasons unknown, found his mood improving. He glanced several times at the person in the back seat; she slept soundly, seeming less uncomfortable, her brows relaxed and the corners of her lips slightly upturned as if she were having a good dream. His own lips curved in response. The next moment, he heard her murmur in her sleep, “He Cheng…”

Just from the sound, it was clear this was a man’s name.

Cheng Jiu squinted, abruptly withdrawing his gaze and refusing to look at her.

When Xin Gan awoke again, it was just past six in the afternoon. Beiyu and Yongcheng had a two-hour time difference; here, night fell late, not until after eight. Now, a little past six, it looked like mid-afternoon in Yongcheng.

The sunlight outside was dazzling. Xin Gan raised her hand to shield her eyes, needing a moment to adjust before she asked instinctively, “Are we there yet?”

Xiao Shi replied, “Not yet, it’s only six now. We still have more than two hours to go. Are you feeling better, Miss Xin?”

“Much better, thank you.”

“Miss Xin, you’re too polite—it was nothing.”

Now awake, A Songli naturally wanted to return to the back seat to sit with her, not wanting to be held anymore.

Xiao Shi let him climb back.

A Songli leaned against Xin Gan. She patted his head and asked, “Are you thirsty? Would you like some water?”