He Zhilan wasn’t sure about the distance between He Teng’s dormitory and her room. She waited for a while, but he didn’t return. After a restless night and a fatigue-ridden train journey in the morning, she found herself yawning and fighting sleep.
So, she simply crawled into bed for an afternoon nap.
Inside the military base during October, the temperature was cold enough not to feel hot. The window was open, and the cool breeze swept in. It was peaceful and quiet, and He Zhilan fell asleep in no time.
He Teng didn’t rush back after packing his stuff in the dormitory. Instead, he took a shower and washed the dirty clothes he’d changed out of. His roommates couldn’t resist teasing him.
"Squad leader, you’re going to go cuddle up to your wife~ It’s great to have a wife~" Niu Rang playfully bounced around He Teng, "Your wife is so beautiful! She’s so charming!"
Niu Rang had been wanting to say this, just not in front of He Zhilan.
"Well, of course, our squad leader’s wife is charming! Did you think she’d look like you guys, looking the way you do? Niu Rang, looking at you, I can guess your partner is nowhere near as good-looking as my sister-in-law!" At last, Kang Xing found a chance to mock Niu Rang.
"She’s not as good-looking as my sister-in-law! My sister-in-law is as beautiful as a fairy, my partner can’t compare! But in my eyes, my partner is also good-looking! After all, I’m happier than you who can’t even find a partner!" Niu Rang rolled his eyes at Kang Xing and left triumphantly.
Struck by his words, Kang Xing lost the mood to tease anymore and left as well.
Finally finding some peace, a weary He Teng rubbed his temples. He almost regretted bringing He Zhilan to the base. If she stayed here for the National Day, he’d probably be teased by his juniors the entire day. He was afraid he might lose his sanity.
However, despite his misgivings, upon thinking that his wife was still waiting for him in the guesthouse, He Teng sped up his laundry work.
Nevertheless, no matter how fast He Teng washed clothes, by the time he got back to the guesthouse room, He Zhilan was sound asleep. So, when he entered the room, he saw He Zhilan lying on the bed with her back towards the door.
"He Zhilan." He Teng called out tentatively. Receiving no answer, he assumed she was asleep. He walked around the bed, bent down to look at the slumbering He Zhilan. Her hands were beneath her face, her eyes closed. Her sleeping state was surprisingly peaceful.
"How silly. Sleeping with hands under your face can make you drool and your hands may cramp." He Teng mumbled to himself, then climbed into bed, laying beside her. Stretching a hand out, he turned her to the side, removing her hand from beneath her face. He then drew her into his arms and closed his eyes to nap as well.
This nap lasted until late into the afternoon, when He Zhilan finally woke up. As she opened her eyes, He Teng’s face was the first thing she saw, and their eyes met.
"When did you get back?" With her eyes still filled with the traces of sleep, she rubbed her eyes and suddenly laughed. Then, she snuggled closer to him.