Insomnia

In the vibrant city of Binhai, colorful neon lights adorned the streets. In the taxi, Xiao Yu leaned on Chen Mo's shoulder, and the soft, slow-paced music accompanied the sounds of surrounding cars, creating a sense of tranquility amidst the bustling noise.

Looking at Xiao Yu's tired face, Chen Mo felt concerned. She hadn't slept for two days yet insisted on going out. However, Xiao Yu's firm request was impossible for Chen Mo to refuse.

"Where do you want to go next?" Chen Mo inquired.

"To the beach," Xiao Yu replied.

"No," Chen Mo immediately objected, "It's winter now, and the sea breeze is too cold. Besides, you're not feeling well. Let's just go to the cinema."

"Okay, whatever you say," Xiao Yu nodded gently, yawning as she did. Her eyes were bloodshot, and she looked lifeless, far from the lively Xiao Yu he knew.

"You seem so tired. Have you had insomnia like this before?" Chen Mo asked.

"It happens occasionally, but last time I found a way to prevent it," Xiao Yu replied, her face still rosy despite her fatigue.

"What way?" Chen Mo inquired.

"I won't tell you," Xiao Yu said playfully, turning her gaze toward the window.

As they finished speaking, the taxi swayed a little. The driver in front suppressed a smile and glanced at them through the rearview mirror, amused with their interaction.

The rest of the road was mostly silent. Xiao Yu leaned on Chen Mo's shoulder, occasionally glancing outside. Soon, they arrived at the commercial plaza.

Seeing Xiao Yu's exhaustion, Chen Mo decided not to take her shopping but to head straight to the movie theater.

"What movie do you want to watch?" he asked, handing the movie ticket to Xiao Yu and giving her the snacks.

"'My Unruly Girlfriend' is a romantic comedy at cinema Hall No. 3," Chen Mo said.

"You mean I'm unruly?" Xiao Yu pouted, looking unhappy.

"No way, my Xiaoyu is smart and well-behaved," Chen Mo teased.

"Who's yours?" Xiao Yu rolled her eyes but followed Chen Mo into the screening room with the snacks in her arms.

"What's the main plot of the film?"

As soon as Xiao Yu settled into her seat, she started munching on snacks while waiting for the movie to begin.

"It's about a spoiled rich girl who gets angry with her family and runs away from home. Then, her wallet and phone are stolen, leaving her penniless and reluctant to return home. Exhausted and hungry on the street, she collapses. Fortunately, a passing poor boy rescues her, and thus begins a humorous love journey," Chen Mo explained.

"What's the ending?" Xiao Yu asked.

"I don't know either," Chen Mo shrugged.

As they chatted, the lights in the theater dimmed, and silence enveloped the room. Xiao Yu leaned his head on Chen Mo's shoulder, clutching his snack, and relaxed.

The one-and-a-half-hour movie passed quickly, and when the lights in the theater came back on, Chen Mo couldn't help but smile wryly as he saw Xiao Yu peacefully asleep in his arms.

The movie had been loud, with laughter and chatter all around, but Xiao Yu still slept so soundly, which indicated how exhausted he must have been from not sleeping for two days.

Chen Mo didn't wake Xiao Yu up. He gently took the snacks from her hand and slowly carried her.

As Chen Mo carried Xiao Yu out of the theater, some onlookers saw them. Ignoring the curious gazes, he held Xiao Yu close and walked out quickly.

"Look at how other people's boyfriends treat them," a slightly chubby girl commented to her skinny boyfriend behind Chen Mo.

"He's asleep, but you're not," the thin, fragile boy replied, smiling wryly.

"In that case, if I sleep next time, will you carry me?" the girl said with a grin.

"Of course I will," the boy replied.

"Then, the next time we come to the cinema, I'll fall asleep too, so you must carry me," the girl teased.

This conversation left the skinny boy a little terrified, on the verge of tears but trying to hold back. He looked at his girlfriend, who was a bit bigger than him, and vowed silently to avoid going to the movies on future dates.

Chen Mo carried Xiao Yu out of the commercial plaza.

They encountered many curious glances on their way, but Chen Mo could only hurry away with Xiao Yu in his arms to avoid attracting unnecessary attention.

Finally, they reached his rented house, and Chen Mo felt relieved.

During the taxi ride, the driver had given them ambiguous looks as if he knew what was happening.

"Let me down," Xiao Yu suddenly spoke when they were about to enter the house.

"You're awake?"

"I woke up a while ago," Xiao Yu replied, blushing slightly. "I woke up when we were at the square."

"Why didn't you say anything earlier?"

"You didn't ask, and I just wanted to see when you would wake me up. Who told you not to?" Xiao Yu chuckled.

Chen Mo was almost speechless. How was he supposed to know? Nevertheless, seeing Xiao Yu regain some energy made Chen Mo feel relieved.

"I'm going to shower," Xiao Yu said, shy as she thought of sleeping together again tonight. She took the clothes she had left there last time from the closet and went into the bathroom.

Shortly after, Xiao Yu wore the same suspender nightdress from before, feeling refreshed and energized.

"Come on, take a bath. You're covered in sweat," Xiao Yu said, blushing slightly as she tugged at the corner of her nightdress, noticing Chen Mo's admiring gaze.

"Sure," Chen Mo nodded, fully aware that another challenging night awaited him. But he was also happy; Xiao Yu had taken the initiative to spend the night with him, and it felt like they were getting closer.

After showering, Chen Mo returned to the room, where Xiao Yu was already lying on the bed, engrossed in her phone.

"You must be tired. Sleep early," Chen Mo suggested.

Snatching Xiao Yu's cell phone, he put it away and turned off the lights. As soon as he lay down, Xiao Yu nestled into his arms.

"What are you doing?" Chen Mo asked, feeling her warm presence close to him.

"I'm not feeling well right now, so you can't touch me," Xiao Yu replied shyly from the darkness.

"Then why are you like this?"

"I've been having trouble sleeping lately. Last time I found that sleeping in your arms is very comfortable and helps my insomnia, so I decided to stay with you tonight," Xiao Yu explained. "I'm feeling very sleepy now."

"You win. As long as you sleep soundly, you can do whatever you want. If you stay here, you won't have insomnia again," Chen Mo conceded.

"If you let your imagination run wild, the surprise I have for you will be postponed again."

"No, my mistake. Can you please tell me what the surprise is?"

"It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you."

Under the quilt, the two chatted for a while, and soon Chen Mo heard Xiao Yu's slight snoring.

Adjusting his posture, Chen Mo hugged her and fell asleep too.