I really like your sand sculpture group friends

Su Mengyao blinked, immediately perked up, and suggested, "How about we play some games together? Let's go downstairs to the studio and play! Let's call Xiang Wen, Shi Shi, and Nuo Ya. Come to think of it, it's been a long time since we played games together."

"Want to...play games together?" Su Mengli's mind instantly conjured up an image of everyone gathered in the studio, laughing and joking, probably playing until late at night again. She paused for a moment, then gently shook her head, her voice still gentle: "It's already this late. If we start playing games now, it'll easily turn into everyone staying up all night again. It's okay for the few of us to stay up late occasionally, but Shishi is still recovering and needs plenty of sleep. It's better not to drag her into staying up late with us."

Su Mengyao paused for a moment, then suddenly realized and patted her head: "Ah! Right! I forgot about that! You're right, sis, then let's not play anymore."

“Okay,” Su Mengli stood up with a faint smile on her face, “Then you should get some rest. I’ll go back to my room first.”

"Okay, goodnight, sister."

"Good night."

Su Mengli left her sister's room and gently closed the door behind her.

The hallway was quiet, a stark contrast to the lively, sweet, and warm atmosphere of her sister's room.

She didn't leave immediately, but stood quietly at the door for a few seconds before walking towards her room.

Returning to her own space and closing the door, the world seemed to fall silent instantly, so quiet that it made her feel a little uneasy.

She walked to the bedside and lay down, feeling somewhat exhausted. The soft blankets supported her body, but they couldn't contain the emotions that were quietly spreading in her heart.

She stared blankly at the simple outline of the chandelier on the ceiling, a strange, empty sense of unease creeping into her heart like tiny vines.

My younger sister is progressing well and no longer relies on me to discuss issues as much as before.

Noah, it seems there's never any need to mention her; what she does always best suits Xiang Wen's taste.

Shishi has also integrated into the team and has even started to inspire others.

Xiang Wen... He had clearly encountered a lot of things, stayed in the hospital for several days, and had the heaviest workload, but he didn't fall behind at all, and even planned to help with the tasks he had taken on.

Everyone seems to be doing their best in their own positions.

What about her?

She closed her eyes, placed her arm on her forehead, and tried to dispel the inexplicable and indescribable emotions that surged up, but the faint sense of annoyance stubbornly lingered in her heart, refusing to dissipate.

She tried hard to capture the true nature of this strange thing, but she could never touch it or grasp it.

"How strange," Su Mengli sighed softly.

She reached out and turned off the bedside lamp, plunging the room into complete darkness, so dark you couldn't see your hand in front of your face.

I should go to sleep, otherwise I'll feel sleepy again tomorrow.

I've been feeling sleepy a lot lately, even Xiang Wen noticed. If this continues, won't Meng Yao find out too? This won't do.

How could she let others worry?

Su Mengli closed her eyes and lay quietly for an unknown amount of time, but sleepiness did not come over her.

I tossed and turned in several different positions, but I still couldn't fall asleep.

She opened her eyes helplessly, letting out another sigh filled with melancholy.

Finally, she got out of bed and slowly opened the door to her room.

The corridor was pitch black, and no light shone through any of the doors.

It looks like everyone is asleep.

Chapter 249 Can't Sleep

Mo Xiangwen had just lain down, turned off the light, and closed his eyes, preparing to drift off to sleep, when he felt the mattress beside him sink slightly.

He had just caught a whiff of cool air mixed with a delicate fragrance when he felt a soft body lean against him. A few strands of the newcomer's long hair playfully brushed against his nose, causing a slight tickle.

This touch, this scent... it's not Shishi.

That was Noah.

He was somewhat surprised that Shishi, who usually snuggled into his bed, was absent tonight.

Even though it was dark and he couldn't see Yan Nuoya's expression clearly, Yan Nuoya seemed to be able to guess every thought in his mind.

She naturally adjusted her position in his arms, pressed her slightly cool cheek against his chest, which was only clad in a thin shirt, and whispered, "Shishi was taken away by Mengyao."

So that's how it is. This isn't the first or second time Mengyao has taken Shishi away.

Mo Xiangwen suddenly realized, and he raised his arm to wrap around her slender shoulders and back, pulling her into his embrace.

“Normally,” she paused for a few seconds, then added in a low voice, her tone devoid of any inflection, “this is Shishi’s special spot.”

Mo Xiangwen detected a hint of teasing in her tone and chuckled softly, gently rubbing his chin against her soft, smooth hair: "It's the same, it's also Noah's place. My affection for Noah is no less than my affection for Shishi."

The person in her arms moved almost imperceptibly.

She looked up, and even in the thick darkness, he could see her clear, bright purple eyes staring at him.

Immediately, a soft pair of lips met his, touching briefly before parting.

However, after the brief kiss, she propped herself up on her arms, seemingly wanting to back away.

Mo Xiangwen instinctively tightened his grip on her arm, asking with a question in his voice, "Hmm?"

“When I came over just now,” Yan Nuoya turned to the side, her voice low, “I saw Mengli come downstairs.”

Even though Yan Nuoya didn't say much, he could still understand what she meant.

He was silent for a moment, then tightened his arms slightly and gave her another hug before letting go.

"I'll go down and take a look. You go to sleep first, I'll be back later."

Yan Nuoya didn't say anything more, but obediently slid back into the quilt, softly hummed in agreement, and wrapped herself up.

Mo Xiangwen got out of bed, walked out of the room, and slowly went downstairs.

Su Mengli sat at her computer desk, the pen on her graphics tablet moving smoothly yet somewhat rapidly between her slender fingers.

Hearing a slight noise from the stairs, she paused, her hand holding the pen still, and looked up. Seeing that it was Mo Xiangwen, a hint of helplessness flashed across her face, which quickly turned into her usual gentle smile. She casually tucked a strand of hair behind her ear: "How did you find out again?"

Mo Xiangwen smiled, said nothing, and came behind her to look at the screen.

Sure enough, he was secretly working overtime again.

"So, the tasks assigned to you were really too heavy?" Mo Xiangwen said softly, "How about we discuss it again tomorrow and make some adjustments?"

"No, it's just that I can't sleep." Su Mengli put down the pressure-sensitive pen, raised her hand and gently rubbed the back of her neck, which seemed a little sore, with her fingertips. The movement carried a hint of fatigue. "I suddenly had a burst of inspiration, so I just drew it down. I was afraid I would forget it tomorrow."

"Let me help you out?" he suggested, watching her movements. "It would be good to share the burden."

Su Mengli smiled and shook her head, her tone insistent: "No need. If I ask you for help, I'll have to spend time teaching you the specific steps, which will actually make things slower. I can do it myself, it's really quick."

“Save another file,” Mo Xiangwen said, but he didn’t back down. Instead, he tapped the screen and said, “Let me try it on for you.”

A hint of obvious doubt flashed across Su Mengli's eyes, but she still did as she was told, creating a new backup file and then giving him space.

Mo Xiangwen sat in her seat, activated overload mode, and began to recall the feel and key points that Shishi had taught him this morning.

She watched as Mo Xiangwen took the pressure-sensitive pen she often used. His movements weren't particularly skillful or fast, but his hands were quite steady, and every operation was accurate.

She widened her eyes slightly, turning her head in surprise to look at his focused profile.

These things aren't particularly difficult, but just yesterday he was a complete novice who had to ask me if I could teach him. How come he knows them all today?

"How is it? Is it passable?" He put down his pen, turned to look at her, and smiled.

"That's amazing," Su Mengli exclaimed sincerely, her eyes curving into beautiful crescents with a smile. "I didn't expect you to learn it in just one day. Did you specifically ask Shishi for help?"

"Yeah, I crammed at the last minute." He admitted frankly, and took the opportunity to try again, saying, "Look, I can still do some basic work, right? Let me help out a bit so you can go up and rest earlier."

Su Mengli paused for a moment, her smile under the lamplight still gentle and just right, but she slowly and firmly shook her head: "Really, it's not necessary. I just... can't sleep, and lying down only makes my mind wander, so I might as well do something. I don't need to trouble you for help."

Mo Xiangwen stared at her gentle smile for a moment, then turned his gaze to the window.

The moonlight is exceptionally beautiful tonight, its bright glow making the trees outside the window look so enchanting.

He changed his approach and asked in a relaxed tone, "Mengli, can't you sleep?"

Su Mengli was a little confused, wondering what he wanted to say, but she still responded softly, "Mm."

“That’s perfect,” he laughed, pointing out the window. “The moonlight is so beautiful; it would be such a waste to stay cooped up in the room staring at a screen. Would I have the honor of inviting Miss Mengli to join me for a stroll along the riverbank and enjoy the evening breeze?”

Su Mengli hesitated for a moment, her gaze sweeping back and forth between his sincere face and the window, before finally smiling gently, nodding, and saying softly, "Okay."

Mo Xiangwen breathed a sigh of relief.

As expected, the gentle Mengli would not refuse his request under such circumstances.

The two went back to their rooms to put on a coat each.

When Mo Xiangwen pushed open his bedroom door, he moved very quietly. Yan Nuoya on the bed seemed to have been awake the whole time. Hearing the noise, she poked half her face out from under the covers, her bright purple eyes, still clear in the darkness, quietly watching him.

"Mengli said she couldn't sleep, so I'm going to take her for a walk by the river to get some fresh air." He explained in a low voice as he picked up his coat from the back of the chair and put it on. He paused while buttoning it, then turned his head and asked, "Want to come along?"

Yan Nuoya buried her face even deeper into the blanket, leaving only her eyes showing. Her voice was languid and slightly muffled, as if she had just lain down: "Keep it up."

Upon hearing this, Mo Xiangwen paused for a moment while buttoning his clothes, then resumed his normal actions and replied in a low voice, "Mm."

He waited at the bottom of the stairs for a short while, and Su Mengli came out wearing a light-colored thin knitted cardigan.

The two exchanged a glance, tacitly agreeing not to say anything more, and quietly went downstairs one after the other.

The already sparsely populated neighborhood was even quieter at night, with only the occasional chirping of insects.

The riverside walkway was illuminated by a row of streetlights and the moonlight pouring down from the sky, and the stone slabs underfoot shimmered.

The summer night breeze, carrying moisture and the fresh scent of grass and trees on the shore, gently caressed their faces, stirring their hair and clothes, and seemingly dispelling some of the stuffiness.

"Mengli, have you been too tired lately?" Mo Xiangwen deliberately slowed his pace and walked alongside her, turning his head to look at her beautiful and charming profile in the moonlight.

Su Mengli lowered her head slightly, her gaze falling on the long shadows cast by the streetlights at their feet, and said softly, "It's alright. To be honest, I don't feel very tired. You're overthinking it."

Her tone was as calm and gentle as ever, revealing little emotional fluctuation.

Mo Xiangwen couldn't tell if she was truly alright or if she had simply gotten used to suppressing her emotions.

He stopped and turned to face her, his tone more serious than before: "I believe you, but Mengli, if anything bothers you or you need help, be sure to tell me."

Su Mengli also stopped and looked up.

The moonlight shone down on her beautiful and gentle face without reservation. In her eyes, which always held a smile, a complex emotion seemed to flash across them at this moment, like a pebble thrown into the center of a lake creating ripples.

But soon, the ripples dissipated, replaced by her gentle smile.

She smiled faintly and said, "Okay, I understand. Thank you, Xiang Wen."

Chapter 250 A Date?

She was willing to go for a walk with him, a guy, even in the middle of the night, so he didn't understand why Su Mengli would refuse his help when he asked her to.

It's clear that what Su Mengli is doing now isn't her own work, but rather helping Shishi.

Speaking of which, have all of Mengli's tasks gone smoothly?

It wasn't that he didn't care about Mengli, nor that he wanted to urge her.

However, Mengli and Nuoya are the two people he trusts the most, in different ways.

The same applies to Noah's side; Noah never mentioned it, and he never asked.

Mengyao and Shishi would often take the initiative to talk to him non-stop.

Is it true that he has been paying less attention to them?

So, should we look into it?

Mo Xiangwen turned his head to the side. Yan Nuoya was taking notes in her book with a pen in hand. Her silver-white hair fell down, and her beautiful profile was faintly visible.

"Noah, have you encountered any problems lately that require my help?"

"No need." Yan Nuoya, standing beside him, looked up, casually brushing her hair behind her shoulder. She looked at him with a puzzled expression and asked softly, "What's wrong? Is something on your mind?"

...She really is as easy to see through as ever.

Mo Xiangwen hesitated for a moment, wondering how to say it, when Yan Nuoya saw his expression and immediately understood.

"Is it about Mengli?" Yan Nuoya's lips curled up slightly, forming a faint smile: "Tell me about it."

Although his dear classmate Yan had told him several times that he really didn't have mind-reading abilities, he still couldn't help but have such thoughts sometimes.

"How did you know it was about Mengli?" Mo Xiangwen asked, puzzled.

“Because…” Yan Nuoya responded softly, “Shishi tells you everything, and Mengyao’s situation seems to be developing in a positive direction recently. The only one I can think of is Mengli.”