173 Palpitations

Guan Lei could even hear his heart thumping in his chest, beating faster and faster, showing no signs of slowing down.

Was it just him, or was the room’s temperature rising? It was not until he felt the stirring in his loins that he realised what was going on: he was attracted to Shen Xi.

He was no prude. He knew about the things between men and women. Occasionally, some of his bawdy friends would boast of their dalliances or the romantic interests they indulged in from time to time.

He had even accompanied them on a few outings, but no woman had ever piqued his interest.

Guan Lei did not expect holding Shen Xi’s hand to provoke a physical reaction as strong as he felt. Previously, he had only stolen a kiss from Shen Xi in the library, and even then, his heart had not hammered away like it was now. Guan Lei could have sworn steam was spewing from his ears in his present state of complete mortification.

His mind churned in a maelstrom of complicated thoughts and emotions. Time continued its slow march, and eventually, his breathing slowed, losing the laboured edge that had tainted it following his nightmare. Peace. Sleep claimed him, drawing him into its gloaming depths.

Unlike Guan Lei, Shen Xi was suffering. She felt like her hand was trapped in a furnace, slowly broiled by the punishing heat. It was so hot that sweat coated her skin in a sticky film. The level of discomfort she experienced banished any hope of restful sleep.

To add insult to injury, Guan Lei’s breathing evened out, seeming like he had fallen asleep. It was a bitter pill to swallow. She had helped Guan Lei, yet now, here she was, unable to enjoy the same luxury.

It was not until dawn broke over the horizon, lighting the azure sky in its fiery light, that Shen Xi succumbed to exhaustion, her eyes closing in defeat.

Guan Lei, on the other hand, awoke bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. When he checked the time, he learned it was already nine in the morning.

He stared at the clock in disbelief. To think it was already nine o’clock. It had been a long time since he managed to sleep this late into the morning.

Clenching his fists in excitement, he became aware of a strange fullness in his right hand. He was still holding onto Shen Xi. He immediately loosened his grip, retracting his hand in the process. Fortunately, his sudden actions had not awoken Shen Xi.

A pair of dark circles framed her eyes. It did not look like Shen Xi had managed to catch much sleep the previous night.

Guan Lei picked up his phone and called for assistance. At the same time, he applied for leave on Shen Xi’s behalf. The longer he studied Shen Xi’s sleeping form, the more assured he felt in his suspicions.

Physical contact with Shen Xi was the key to success. Still, Guan Lei was puzzled as to how such a situation could arise. Was this what they called fate? Perhaps it was a sign saying they were meant to be.

Guan Lei put aside those thoughts; they were not things he could figure out in the short term. He gently unfurled a special quilt with a built-in air-conditioner, draping it over Shen Xi. Afterwards, he got someone to prepare their breakfast.

In the dimly lit room, a handsome youth sat on his bed, seriously reviewing his work.

Once in a while, he would look up, checking on the slumbering form of a girl on the bed next to his. A certain special something hung in the air between them. Not until a soft moan crooned from those soft, supple lips did he look away, guilt gnawing at his insides.

Shen Xi struggled to open her weary eyes. Waking up in the middle of the night, and getting less than an hour of sleep after that, had left her exhausted. Her head throbbed, and her whole body ached.

She supported herself into a seated position using both hands. For unknown reasons, Shen Xi felt like she had been hollowed out.

“You’re awake.” Guan Lei closed his laptop, stuffing it under his blanket.

“Yes,” came Shen Xi’s weak response. Insomnia truly was a nefarious condition. It had been a long time since she had been so sleep-deprived. One who did not get adequate rest was bound to feel awful the following day.

For Guan Lei to have suffered nightmare-induced insomnia for more than two months… If it were her, she would have gone crazy by now.

“Breakfast is ready. You might like to wash up before you tuck in.” Guan Lei got up and opened the breakfast bag one of his underlings had prepared. It was still warm. If Shen Xi had awoken any later, he would have had to send for a replacement.

“It’s alright. I’ll head back to the dorm to wash up. I’ll have breakfast in the cafeteria later,’ Shen Xi politely declined.

With the curtains drawn, not much light filtered into the room. Hence, it fooled Shen Xi into thinking it was still early and that she had time to tidy herself up before classes began for the day.

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