Shen Mo’s heartstrings stirred—an indescribable feeling.

After a moment of silence, he silently raised his eyes and joined her in watching the pitch-black rain curtain outside.

The glass window reflected their blurred shadows.

Bai Youwei said, “The last time I cried was when I was twelve, when I learned I would never be able to walk again.”

Shen Mo thought: does this mean she’s treating him as another pair of legs?

The sound of rain pattered outside the window. A gust of wind blew past, and the glass window responded with a faint sound.

Inside, everything was peaceful.

“You also cried once,” Shen Mo said.

Bai Youwei was slightly stunned and looked up at him.

Shen Mo said flatly, “Once when I was taking you to the bathroom, you cried. I think it was at that rest stop.”

Bai Youwei’s expression showed first bewilderment, then surprise, anger, and shame—she was furious!

“You’re lying!” She glared coldly, absolutely certain. “I didn’t cry!”

Shen Mo: “You cried.”

“I didn’t cry!” Bai Youwei shouted loudly in anger. “You saw wrong!”

“I didn’t see wrong.”

“You definitely saw wrong! Saw wrong! I couldn’t possibly cry!!!”

Shen Mo stopped arguing with her. The corners of his mouth curved slightly as he looked at her with a half-smile.

Bai Youwei was furious.

Shen Mo ruffled her damp hair and asked with a smile, “Childish much?”

Bai Youwei raised her claws and struck at him!

Shen Mo didn’t dodge.

This blow landed solidly on his abdomen—rock hard. For a moment, Bai Youwei herself wasn’t sure whether his abs hurt more or her hand hurt more.

She stared blankly at the tight lines beneath his black T-shirt, hesitating whether to hit him again.

But the next second, Shen Mo grasped her hand and said, “Let’s go downstairs to warm by the fire. Sleep after your hair’s dry.”

His tone had returned to gentle warmth.

Bai Youwei was dazed. The sullenness and cold war between them seemed to invisibly dissipate in this moment…

…Forget it.

She thought to herself: let’s make up like this.

…

There were quite a few people downstairs.

Yan Qingwen, Lü Ang, Li Li, Cheng Weicai, Tan Xiao, and Pan Xiaoxin were all gathered in the living room.

There weren’t enough sofas, so they used cushions as floor mats, sitting on the floorboards around the fireplace.

Shen Mo placed Bai Youwei in the wheelchair and pushed her over. Everyone spontaneously made way, facilitating the wheelchair’s passage.

“Why is everyone here?” Shen Mo asked.

Yan Qingwen shook his head lightly, his tone carrying some self-deprecation: “Can’t sleep. Not as sound as sleeping in a tent.”

Lü Ang also chimed in: “A whole house full of dolls—just looking at them gives me the creeps.”

Li Li laughed: “Lü Ang, since when did you become so timid?”

“What does this have to do with courage?!” Lü Ang glared at him unhappily. “I’m not scared, but the problem is those things make me uncomfortable.”

Just as they were talking, footsteps came from the stairway. Su Man and Zhu Shu also came down.

They were coming down to keep watch. The first half of the night was easiest to get through, so when arranging personnel, the 9 PM to midnight shift was given to Su Man, Zhu Shu, and Pan Xiaoxin.

The remaining people would guard from midnight to 3 AM, and 3 AM to 6 AM.

Seeing everyone there, Su Man and Zhu Shu were both momentarily stunned.

“What’s everyone doing here? Is there a task assignment?” Su Man asked matter-of-factly.

Yan Qingwen said, “No, it’s still early. Can’t sleep.”

Zhu Shu kindly reminded them: “You have to get up for the night watch in the second half—you should rest early.”

“Zhu Shu, it’s not that they don’t want to sleep—they can’t sleep.” Li Li glanced teasingly at Lü Ang. “They say there are too many dolls in the rooms—gives them the creeps.”

Mentioning the doll toys, Zhu Shu also showed discomfort. “There really are… a bit too many dolls here…”

Including the living room where they were now, dolls were placed in every corner.

Bai Youwei listened and said lightly, “Otherwise, why would it be called the Dollhouse?”