Decayed Vulgarian chapter 39
Sleep with Me
Shen Xun hadn’t enjoyed such leisurely days in a long time—no work, waking up naturally when the sun was already high in the sky, and most of the household chores taken care of by someone else.
Initially, he didn’t intend to delegate tasks like dishwashing to Meng Yuan Cen, but he couldn’t resist his insistence on handling it all. He even earnestly advised Shen Xun, “Rest well since your hand is injured. Don’t touch water, and don’t overexert yourself.”
Shen Xun looked at his right hand, puzzled. It was just a small cut, but Meng Yuan Cen’s words made him feel as if he had lost half his arm.
He didn’t tell his parents about the injury to avoid worrying them, and he didn’t tell Shen He either to prevent Shen He from accidentally revealing it to their parents.
Over a week had passed, and Shen Xun, who had initially calmed down, began to feel restless. He wanted to try the idea of Meng Yuan Cen sleeping in his bedroom again. It was as if he had forgotten the pain of the injury.
He made an attempt, but as expected, Meng Yuan Cen firmly refused, citing that such critical moments required caution to prevent setbacks.
Shen Xun was left speechless, unable to argue.
In private, he could come up with a bunch of logical reasons, but when he had to face Meng Yuan Cen’s eloquent persuasion, he became tongue-tied and couldn’t utter a word in response.
This time was no different, and he didn’t plan to engage in verbal arguments. Instead, he chose to take a different approach.
One evening, Meng Yuan Cen came to Shen Xun’s bedroom as usual before bedtime.
As the year-end was approaching in December, it was typically busier than November. Meng Yuan Cen liked to plan everything in advance, so he wouldn’t be overwhelmed with work near the deadline, leading to a breakdown. Fortunately, this semester, he was the only one teaching General Principles of Criminal Law and Case Study in the entire law school. As a result, he had complete control over the final exam papers, without the need for discussions with other instructors.
After typing several lines on his computer, he showed Shen Xun the subjective questions he had composed, especially the case study questions that carried a hint of reality. Upon closer examination, it appeared more like a melodramatic novel. After Meng Yuan Cen finished typing, he showed it to Shen Xun, who only curled his lips slightly, seeming somewhat disinterested.
Observing Shen Xun’s lack of interest, Meng Yuan Cen retrieved his computer and continued to work on the expository questions.
Beside him, Shen Xun suddenly put down his phone, lay down in bed, and adjusted the covers. “I’m going to sleep.”
Shen Xun, who usually stayed up until at least midnight, decided to go to sleep earlier than usual, around 10:30. Meng Yuan Cen found this behavior quite unusual.
So he began to pack up his things, including lecture materials, a black pen, a charger, a glasses case, and items like Bluetooth earphones and a Bluetooth mouse. He was about to leave when Shen Xun grabbed his sleeve.
Perhaps feeling cold, Shen Xun tucked his head under the blanket, but his hand that clung to Meng Yuan Cen’s sleeve did not let go. “I have a feeling I’m going to have trouble sleeping tonight.”
Meng Yuan Cen had been concerned about Shen Xun’s insomnia ever since he mentioned it. To address this, he contacted a few friends who had experienced insomnia and read numerous authoritative articles on insomnia. However, he couldn’t help but furrow his brow, “I heard that melatonin might help. Have you tried it? Or acupuncture, would you be willing to try?”
Shen Xun had half his face covered by the blanket, leaving only a pair of peach-blossom eyes glistening like black feathers visible. “Sleep with me, and I’ll be able to sleep.”
Meng Yuan Cen was initially taken aback and then suddenly realized. Apparently, the person in front of him had run out of strategies. However, Meng Yuan Cen chose to see through the ploy rather than point it out. Instead, he followed Shen Xun’s intention, pretending to be reluctant. “But I’m incredibly noisy. I tend to talk endlessly. If I stay, I’m afraid you won’t be able to sleep even more.”
This reason sounded plausible, and Shen Xun nodded, seemingly disheartened.
“Alright, then I’ll keep you company,” Meng Yuan Cen helped switch off the lights, laid down, and gazed at Shen Xun in the dark for a few seconds. He added with a feigned bad attitude, “Just rest and sleep peacefully. I’ll leave once you fall asleep.”
Shen Xun: “…”
He thought that he had been persistent enough, but the other party remained indifferent. This made him slightly frustrated, and his frustration seemed to boost his courage. Shen Xun extended one leg and lightly rubbed it against Meng Yuan Cen’s leg. The blanket rippled as his foot brushed against the thin fabric of Meng Yuan Cen’s sleep pants, creating an itch.
“Aren’t you going to sleep?” Meng Yuan Cen glanced at Shen Xun.
“You’ll definitely have trouble sleeping if you keep moving around,” Meng Yuan Cen said.
Upon hearing this, Shen Xun’s movements slightly paused. However, he pretended not to hear and used his knee to nudge Meng Yuan Cen’s thigh.
When visual cues were diminished, other senses became more pronounced, such as touch. Meng Yuan Cen felt the area touched as if it had been caressed by something warm and tickling. Even though there was a layer of sleepwear fabric in between, he couldn’t hide the subtle sensations. While he didn’t evade the touches, his gaze toward Shen Xun became deeper, and his breathing gradually intensified without conscious awareness.
Shen Xun sensed Meng Yuan Cen’s changes and felt a sense of triumph. He became bolder and used his toes to roll up the edge of Meng Yuan Cen’s pants, successfully touching the skin of Meng Yuan Cen’s calf. It was warm and soft, similar to igniting a spark in an oxygen-rich environment, reigniting in a matter of moments.
“Shen Xun,” Meng Yuan Cen’s voice was husky. “I advise you not to continue like this.”
Shen Xun paused momentarily but continued to act as if he hadn’t heard. He used his left hand to stroke Meng Yuan Cen’s waist, and his fingertips tugged at the waistband of Meng Yuan Cen’s pants before letting go, causing the belt to lightly snap against his lower abdomen.
Unable to endure further, Meng Yuan Cen seized Shen Xun’s left wrist. “Alright, I’ve allowed you to rub against me long enough. No more movement tonight; sleep well.”
Shen Xun remained silent, but after a few moments, he buried his entire face in the blanket. He turned on his side, and one of his legs ended up resting on Meng Yuan Cen’s other leg, and his knee happened to make contact with something.
Meng Yuan Cen felt like he was going crazy.
Meng Yuan Cen suddenly rolled over, pressing down on Shen Xun’s slender waist. He lay on top of him, biting his ear and saying, “This is the last time. I advise you not to provoke me anymore. Otherwise, when your hand is better, you’ll pay for it. Anyway, I know many tricks.”
Shen Xun felt a slight pain in his earlobe, and he instinctively turned his head away.
Now he wanted to hide, and Meng Yuan Cen chuckled and shifted to lie next to Shen Xun. He organized his somewhat disheveled breathing in silence.
After a while, he spoke again, and his voice sounded a bit different from usual. “You should sleep. I’ll wait until you fall asleep.”
Shen Xun remained silent.
After some contemplation, Meng Yuan Cen added, “If you want to hear a bedtime story, I can tell you one, or I can hum a lullaby for you.”
Shen Xun only revealed his eyes and remained quiet for a while before softly responding, “I don’t want to hear those. Do you think you’re soothing a child?”
The stubbornness from earlier had dissipated, and he gently advised Meng Yuan Cen, “You have classes in the morning. Don’t stay up too late. Go to sleep. You don’t need to wait till I fall asleep.”
Meng Yuan Cen chuckled, “Who was the one causing all this commotion?”
Shen Xun didn’t reply.
Meng Yuan Cen asked teasingly, “Did your insomnia get cured?”
Shen Xun grumbled, “It’s cured.”
“Really miraculous,” Meng Yuan Cen teased, “So, it seems I can cure your insomnia by just letting you rub against me.”
Shen Xun gave him a glare but didn’t respond. Instead, he said, “When you leave, please close the door for me.”
“Sure.” Meng Yuan Cen walked to the bedroom door. He spoke warmly, “Good night.”
“Good night.” The light from the living room was severed by the wooden door, and Shen Xun closed his eyes.
Outside the bedroom, Meng Yuan Cen quietly made his way to the bathroom. He needed another shower tonight.